A disgraceful scandal has occurred in Chatham Dockyard. Lord George
Hamilton stated on Thursday that Mr. Young `Perry, draughtsman, who has been employed in the Dockyard for eleven years, had been dismissed, "for selling information confidentially acquired,"—that is, for selling designs of men- of-war and torpedoes. As Mr. Terry had taken no oath of secrecy, it is difficult to prosecute him, though we should suppose an action for damages would lie ; and it is con- sidered contrary to the interests of the public service to reveal the buyer's name. The Government knows its own business best ; but we doubt the use of this reticence. If the buyer were Russia, as everybody says, the suspicious. ness of the country could not be increased ; and if it were France, precautions would be all the more readily voted. Names must be revealed if traitors are to be punished, and our present lax ways will one day produce dangerous disorganisa- tion. The next Mr. Terry, if Lord George is accurately informed as to his guilt, ought to have seven years.
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