New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-26
ENGLISH FINANCIAL Reforms.

Lord Randolph CnurcnllIS own eApianaSioh
of his resignation is simple and direct. HIS
associates will not allow him to fulfil the
pledges which he has made as Chancellor oil
the Exchequer. He entered the Treasury with
a resolute determination to reduce public 'ex-
pepditures and to introduce needed reforms.
He has stated most explicitly in the Commons
and on the platform that there would be no
increase of public expenditures SO long as he
should be at the head of the Treasury. His
colleagues in the chief spending departments,
the War Office and the Admiralty, instead Of
reducing their estimates, have Increased them.
When Lord Randolph Churchill has protested
against high figures in branches of the service
where culpable mismanagement and wasteful-
ness have been suspected, he has stood alone in
the Cabinet. The increased expenditures have
been defended ON the ground that war prepare
tons are making in every quarter OF Europe,
and that England cannot afford to neglect ne
cessary precautions. Mr.. Smith and Lord
George Hamilton, not having sufficient force
of character to resist the pressure Of official
opinion in their departments. have thwarted
his plans for securing retrenchment. He had
to choose between resgning and breaking his
pledge that the Administration should be con-
Quoted economically He preferred to put the
responsibility for wastcful cx penditures where
ii belonged.
1t is probable that the financial question was
not the only one which influenced Lord Ran
dolph Churchills decision. His advice has not
been followed in irish matters, and he appar-
emily has little faith in coercion, albeit he does
not care to lay stress upon the fact. The ques-
ton on which he prefers to take issue with his
ha, ha-
come notorious in England that the civil SER
vice as body of public functionaries is heavily
overmanned and far less efficient than it pro-
fesses to be. 1t has recently been charged by
those high in authority that many branches OF
the military and naval establishments are
grossly mismanagcd Shoddy contractors
make large profits out of nearly every military
campaign; the clothing supplied to the soldiers
is often of the most inferior quality brave
regiments have been called upon to advance
against hOrdes of desert bar barians with defect
i've arms and brittle bayOnets; there have
been frequent reports Of the bursting OF heavy
guns /; and current methods of naval construc-
ton have been sharply criticised by the best
experts in England. There were serious
grounds for discredtipg the management OF
great departments of the service as wasteful,
extravaganza and incompetent. Lord Randolph
Churchill, in taking a firm stand in favor OF
economy and in ordering a thorough investi-
CATION of the civil service, has been supported
by public opinion There will be general
feeling of regret that he has not been allowed
to remain in office and to persevere in his rigid
scrutiny of the spending departments.
Lord Randolph Churchill has chosen popular
grounds on which to base his retirement from
Office. The English democracy, whose repre-
sentative he is if any Conservative can aspire
to that distinction, Is not IN favor of intermin-
able preparations for war. The main body of
electors were thoroughly frightened by Lord
Beaconsield's foreign adventures and not at all
satisfied with Mr.. Gladst0nes costly Soudan
expeditions and demonstrations against Russia.
They want relief from high income-tax.
They have welcomed the prospect Of reduced
expenditures and economical administration
which Lord Randolph Churchill encouraged
them to expect. They will regret his sudden
departure from Office, where be has shown
genuine Administrative ability. They will CEN
sure his colleagues for vetoiDg reform measures
and popular budget. They will look forward
eagerly to his return to Office under most
favor able conditions.