We are glad to perceive that Mx. Childers was well
enough to address his constituents on Thursday at Pontefract, but his re- covered strength is almost the only interest of his speech. He, of course, praised the conduct of the Ministry during past sessions, especially with respect to Ifeland and education, defended their foreign policy, and boldly declared that he had no apology to make for their Naval administration, because it needed none. He, however, avoided all the " burning questions "of that depart- ment, and confined himself to a vigorous refutation of the charge that he had cruelly discharged too many dockyard-men. Nearly four-fifths of there, 4,600 men, were discharged in the five months succeeding February, 1869, by the Tories. Mr. Childers believed there was plenty to do yet in the way of reform without revolution, and instanced better management in the property of the Church, life peerages, easy and cheap transfer of land, swifter and more economical methods of government, and the Ballot, as improve- meats he should desire to see introduced.
