Year: 1871

ran high, consequent on the Introduction OF a
motion to censure the government for abolish
ing the system Of purchase OF army commits
lected that last week, when the
bill for the reorganization of the army was
brought up in the House of Commons, the
main portion of the bill--the abolition of the
purchase system-was approved by that
House, but was afterwards rejected by
the House of Lords. The Lords gained
their point, but Gladstone's flank move
ment in obtaining the royal warrant
for the abolition of the purchase
system created storm among the noble lords
which eliminated last night in the introduce
ton Of a motion in the upper House to GEN.
sure the government for the course it pursued.
The proposed motion was the great subject Of
conversation yesterday throughout London.
The different newspapers discussed the
question and spoke Of the prospective success
or failure Of the measure. If the Lords calcu-
lated on success they must have been wo
fully disappointed. They met defeat on the
floor of their own House. The Duke of Rich





Queens message, and denounced the act as an
unwarrantable ministerial resort. He had cut
at the Washington Treaty also, which instru-
ment evidently does not suit him. The Duke was
strongly supported by the Marquis Of Salisbury,
Lord Pcnzance, Earls Russell and Derby, and
Lord Cairns. Earl Granville defended the
course pursued by the government, and was
supported by the Duke Of Argyll, who
stigmatized the attack on the gov
ernment as narrow minded and par
tisan. After Lord Cairns concluded his
! speech, which was lengthy and bitter, vote
was taken, resulting in the defeat of the GEN.
surers by majority Of eighty in favor of the
government. Premier Gladstone has every
reason to feel proud of this triumph, for it not
only vindicates the dignity of the House of
Commons, but 1t sustains his action in the
step he has taken towards the reorganization
Of the army on comprehensive and popular
basis.


The abolition of commission selling in the
British army is an important concession to the
| people. As such it will contribute largely to
the popularity of Mr.. Gladstone. But this is
one of those instances in which the people are
influenced much more by the shadow than the
substance. AT first sight it seems mean and un-
wise to sell military rank and authority for
money, but there is scarcely any other system
to which England is more Indebted for her
| glory.
To those who only look at the surface of
| <h}unu fhsu mil
| ment against popular government; but it is
neither one nor the other. Before we glance
at the experience of the greatest military ma
tions as to the influence of money or its equiya-
| lent on its army, let us turn for moment to
our own recent war. Who will find fault with
means and the will to raise troops of soldiers
and take command Of them2 Is it not true
that by no other means has more been done for
the salvation of the republic?


But it was exactly on the same principle
| the English habit of selling commissions
originated. When q standing army was
established it was found inconvenient to allow
private individuals to raise troops on their
own account; but as a substitute for men
money was accepted by government. That is.
| the man who paid his money got a command,
the same as If he had raised and equipped
| certain number of soldiers. The chief differ


ence was this, that while under the old system
one was allowed to command as large body
as he raised, from company to battalion,


under the new system he could only command


the smallest number committed to the charge


Of commissioned officer. In other words,


one could make himself captain, colonel or


brigadier general by the old plan, according


as he possessed more or less money and was


disposed to spend it in that way; whereas,


under the new plan, no matter what money he


had and was willing to give, he should first be


content with beiog an ensign, which is the


lowest grade of q commissioned officer in the


British army-that corresponding with the


grade of second lieutenant in the American


army. II is true that the ensign could pur.


chase lieutenancy, the lieutenant, the next


grade, &C.; but not without an examination as


to his fitness before military board con-


stituted for that purpose. Now the question


is whether 1t he more democratic or more in
| hCCoIuhucc Will VIC piiuCipic VI cqudi ribut5


for one to be ablo to make himself major,


colonel or even general at once by means


of his money and bis influence than to be


unable, no matter what money and influence


he has, to obtain any higher command at the


outset than that of an ensign or sub-lleu-


tenantS But the best test of any system s


the result which 1t has produced. So far as


history informs Us the British Parliament first


legslised the sale Of commissions in the time


OF Edward the Black Prince. The victor Of


Crecy and Poitiers was so we'll pleased with


the accessions made to his army by the pur-
chase system that he wrote from the field of
battle In France to his ministers in London
urging them to extend II as much as they