NEWS OF THE WEEK.
Arrnouou the Ministerial " crisis " were to turn out no crisis at all, (which may happen, if the Tories shun conflict on the 15th, and PEEL refuse to take up the gauntlet thrown down by RUSSELL,) it will at any rate have produced the excellent effect of eliciting from all parts of the country a manifestation of opinion on the character of the present Government. The immediate peril of Ministers is on an Irish question—on the event of a motion limited to the ad- ministration of Irish affairs ; but, almost with one consent, the Liberal press in the provinces discards the consideration of this matter, and goes direct to the Government's general policy. It is felt that this ought to be the issue; and the determination to set aside every other may force parties in the House of Com- mons to join battle upon it. Not only the more earnest and inde- pendent journals, but those devoted to the support of Ministers, and recommending sacrifice of all differences for the purpose of keeping them in office, find it necessary to meet the question on the broader ground. Journals, whose sympathies and efforts have hitherto been with and for Ministers only, now declare that they deserve no support; and that their continuance in office, maintaining their present policy, is injurious to the cointtryts highest interests. Opposed to the " Finality," Reform' of the
• Reform Act is demanded—Ballot, Household Suffrage, Triennial Parliaments, Redistribution—as essential to the successful resist- ance of the rapid progress of Conservatism. Dread and dislike of the Tories are avowed by many; but indifference to the fate of the Melbourne-Whigs is nearly universal.
In Great Britain, one public meeting has been summoned to aid Ministers in their time of need—but that one a failure. Edinburgh was selected as the place where, from various causes, the Whigs had the best chance ; but, although the entire force of the Minis- terial party was assembled, the result was defeat. Mr. O'Cornseim is more successful in Ireland. The Agitator— the Liberator—can at any time procure the political demonstration he desires from his own countrymen ; though its value in the pre- sent instance is neutralized by the resolution of England and Scot- land not to fight the battle on ground exclusively Irish. What are the Tories doing? what will they do? The week has added little or nothing to our previous knowledge of their tac- tics. Their reluctance to meet the question manfully is visible ; and their newspapers affect to deny its importance. The more shrewd and cautious members of the party were satisfied—and for excel- lent reasons—with the state and progress of affairs, before Marplot RODEN crossed the line drawn by Prudent WELLINGTON and PEEL. The Conservatives, says the Times," content themselves with calmly looking on, while their once formidable antagonists perish by inches." Whether the necessities of their position will now force the Tory leaders into active aggression, remains to be seen.
The Ministers can only be preserved by the virtual support of Tories, or by their own votes. We have heard that some Tories will even divide with Lord JOHN RUSSELL! That Sir ROBERT FEEL will shape his course so as to rescue Ministers from defeat, is not improbable ; but who will pretend that a result so obtained would be equivalent to a Parliamentary approval? It would simply prove that the Tories are not yet prepared to take office.
Again, though the Conservative Opposition were to muster fully, and make a bond fide assault upon Ministers, the latter might not- vvithstanding—the meek Radicals being still their "tall"—procure a small majority. But how would it be composed? Even if it numbered so many as six-and-thirty, the Government must rely upon the following Whig plocemen in the House.
Salary per annum.
Sir Charles Adam Lord of theAdmiralty 1,000 Colonel Anson Storekeeper of the Ordnance 1,200
Mr. F. T. Baring Secretary of the Treasury 9,500
Mr. Bernal Chairman of Committees 2,000 Mr. G. S. Byng Comptroller of the Household 904 Sir John Campbell Attorney-General Uncertain. Mr. William Cowper Lord Melbourne's Private Secretary ... Lord Dalmeny Lord of the Admiralty 1,000 Sir R. S. Donkin Surveyor of the Ordnance 1,200 Mr. Robert Gordon Secretary of the Board of Control ... 1,500 Sir George Grey Judge Advocate 4,587 [LATEST EDIT/ON.
Salary per annum.
Sir John Hobhouse President of the Board of Control ... 3,500 Lord Howick Secretary at War 2,480 Mr. Labouchere Under Colonial Secretary 2,000 Mr. Fox Mauk Under Secretaryto the Home Depart-
ment 2,000
Secretary for Ireland 5,000 Mr. J. A. Murray Lord Advocate Lord Morpeth Uncertain Mr. More O'Ferrall Lord of the Treasury 1,290 Foreign Secretary 5,000 Lord Palmerston Mr. John Parker Lord of the Treasury 1,200 Sir Henry Parnell Paymaster of the Forces 2,000 Mr. Pigot Irish Solicitor-General Uncertain. Mr. Spring Rice Chancellor of the Exchequer 5,000 Mr. Rich Groom in Waiting
Lord John Russell Home Secretary 5,000 Uncertain. Sir R. M. R Solicitor-General Socitor-General ta
Lord Seymour 1,200 Mr. Shed Lord of the Treasury Commissioner of Greenwich Hospital 1,000 Mr. R. V. Smith Joint Secretary of the Board of Con- trol 1,500 Mr. E. J. Stanley .........Secretary of the Treasury 2,500 Mr. Robert Steuart Lord of the Treasury 1,200 Earl of Sorry Vice Chamberlain 937 Mr. Poulett Thomson ...President of the Board of Trade 3,000 Sir E. T. Troubridge ...Lord of the Admiralty 1,000 Sir Hussey Vivian Master General of the Ordnance 3,000 Mr. Charles Wood Secretary of the Navy 2,000
A decision by these thirty-six placemen on their own case, will
be worthless—to offer themselves for trial, and pronounce their own acquittal, a farce. The public will simply regard their votes as the means of clutching another quarter's salary. Lord JOHN RUSSELL, Mr. Rica, and Lord PALMERSTON, it will be said, have voted themselves 1,250/. each ; Sir GEORGE GREY takes 1,146/. 1.13.; Sir JOHN HOBHOUSE, 8751.; Mr. E. J. STANLEY, 625!.; Sir HENRY PARNELL, 500!.; the Earl of SIAM, 234/. 5s.; Mr. G. S. Brig% 226!.; and so on through the list. Voila tout.
