CHAPTER IX.

1855-1857.

Mismanagement in the Crimea-Administrative Reform Association-Letter from Mr. S. Laing, M.P.-A Possible Contingency-The Civil Service Commission-Great Meeting in Drury Lane Theatre-A Multitude of Cares— Missionary Organizations-The Congregational Home Missionary Society -The Rev. J. H. Wilson-Visits to County Associations-How to raise Money-Congregational Colleges-Rev. John Angell James and Spring Hill College-The "Drink Evil"-Becomes a Total Abstainer.

In the winter of 1854, and the early part of 1855, the grievous calamities that befell our countrymen in the Crimea, owing to the maladministration of the Commissariat Department in particular, called forth expressions of indignation from all classes. "The noblest army England ever sent from these shores," said the Times, "has been sacrificed to the grossest mismanagement. Incompetency, lethargy, aristocratic hauteur, official indifference, favour, routine, perverseness and stupidity, reign, revel, and riot in the camp before Sebastopol, in the harbour of Balaklava, in the hospitals of Scutari, and how much nearer home we do not venture to say."

Day by day, the newspapers were full of harrowing details of our gallant soldiers perishing miserably of

disease, cold, and hunger, while plentiful supplies of medical stores, food, and clothing were close at hand but unavailable. When Parliament re-assembled, after the Christmas recess, public indignation in England was at fever heat.

We do not propose to enter into the history of that troublous time, but rather to refer to a public movement which grew out of it, and in which Mr. Samuel Morley was largely concerned. The whole question of public appointments was under discussion, and it was deemed advisable to take steps towards obtaining a reform of the alleged abuses in connection with such appointments. To this end a meeting was held at the London Tavern on the 5th of May, under the presidency of Mr. Samuel Morley, when the "Administrative Reform Association" was organized. It was a thoroughly representative and influential meeting of 1,500 persons, and the bases of the proposed operations of the Association agreed upon were, "to secure unmistakable responsibility in every department of the State;"" to shut all the back doors which lead to public employment; "to throw the public service open to all England; "to obtain the recognition of merit everywhere;" "to put an end to all kinds of promotion by favour or purchase."

The matter became the subject of the day, and Mr. Layard at once gave notice of motion to bring it under the consideration of Parliament. Apropos of this, Mr. Morley received the following letter:

1855-1857.] ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM ASSOCIATION. 123

Mr. S. Laing, M.P., to Mr. Samuel Morley.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, May 19, 1855.

DEAR SIR, The present position of public affairs makes it most desirable that the friends of Administrative Reform, both in and out of Parliament, should act in concert. I am induced, therefore, to address you, as Chairman of the City Committee, with a view to a thorough understanding of the course which it may be desirable to adopt with reference to Mr. Layard's motion. In common, I believe, with a majority of Independent Liberal Members of the House of Commons, I heartily concur in the policy to which his resolution gives expression. At the same time, Members of Parliament are bound to look at the practical consequences of every step they take, and not to give a vote on an important question without well weighing and deliberately accepting the responsi bilities which it may involve. In the present case, it is evident that the practical result of a majority in favour of any resolution implying censure on the Government, must be its overthrow, in which case Lord Derby might not improbably be charged with the formation of a new Ministry. The evils of a prolonged Ministerial crisis, or of the formation of a weak and unpopular Government, are so obvious as to make it possible that, in such an event, Lord Derby might appeal to men of the different sections of opinion who had united in defeating Lord Palmerston's Government, to join him in constructing a new Government on principles satisfactory to the friends of Administrative Reform. It is obvious that support could not be given, either in or out of office, to a Government formed by Lord Derby, by any Independent Liberals, without exposing their motives to great misconstruction. On the other hand, if they support a motion of censure on the present Administration without being prepared to accept the necessary results, they may find themselves in the position of making any vigorous and efficient Government, at a crisis of great national danger, well-nigh impossible. Feeling as I do very strongly the importance of preserving unanimity, if possible, among those who advocate the cause of Administrative Reform, I am desirous, for the guidance of myself and my political friends, to ascertain, before coming to a final decision as to our course of action, the views of the City Committee on the following points :

First. Is it your opinion that any resolution asserting the principle of 'Administrative Reform' should be supported irrespective of its possible effect on the present Government?

Second. If so, are you prepared to accept the results of such a step,

although it should lead to the substitution of a 'Derbyite' for a so-called 'Liberal' Ministry?

Third. In the possible contingency of Lord Derby, on the one hand, offering to form his Government on the principle of a decided advance towards Administrative Reform, and, on the other hand, being unable to form any Government equal to the present crisis, without the support of a certain number of independent Members, are you of opinion that such support might be given with advantage to the common cause, and without exposing such members to the imputation of sacrificing their principles ?

I beg you will understand these questions as being put to meet a possible contingency, and not a state of things actually existing. No movement has yet been made in such a direction, but it is better to be prepared by frank explanations for any eventuality, than to find ourselves obliged hastily to take important decisions without knowing the feelings of those with whom we should wish to co-operate.

Believe me, dear Sir,

Yours faithfully,

S. LAING.

The "possible contingency" foreshadowed by Mr. Laing did not, as we shall presently see, arise. But on the 21st of May, two days after his letter was written, or sixteen days after the Administrative Reform Association was organized, an Order in Council was issued appointing a Commission to examine candidates for the Civil Service.

This did not satisfy the Administrative Reformers, one of whom, Mr. W. S. Lindsay, M.P., in a letter to Mr. Morley, as Chairman of the Association, published as a pamphlet, wrote:

The Ministerial idea was, doubtless, that this appointment of Examiners would be eagerly hailed as an Administrative Reform triumph, and trumpeted as a proof that Government were in earnest on this great question of the day. The Administrative Reformers, however, were quite

1855-1857.]

A MONSTER MEETING.

125

silent about this mighty Board. It was too palpably a thrown bone; for all the notice they took of it, it might as well never have been named. Administrative Reform required open and competitive examination. This was individual and private.

Administrative Reform held it essential that merit should lead to appointment. This Board was to test the merit of those already appointed. Administrative Reform proclaimed an end to the corruptions of Parliament by patronage. This Board was to pass to the service the nominees of parliamentary patrons.

Administrative Reform required Examiners responsible to the public. This Board must be responsible to the secret influences of the Treasury. Administrative Reform required a standard of examination, not in proof of 'cram' or mere glibness in answering questions, but in proof of the solid points of knowledge-the capacity to supply information and acquire fitness. The Government Board-or there would be no use in the patronage, and it is clear Government intend to keep it for use if they can-must pass the favoured nominees at first, or teach them how to pass at last.

In order to set these, and similar views, clearly before the public, and to obtain an unmistakable expression of opinion, a monster meeting was held in Drury Lane Theatre on the 13th of June, with Mr. Morley in the chair. Admission was by ticket only, but shortly after the doors were open, every part of the house was "full to overflowing." Thirty-three Members of Parliament were present, besides many other distinguished and well-known men.

In opening the proceedings, Mr. Morley said that the object of their meeting was to listen to addresses that would be delivered; but, as no resolutions would be put, no amendments could be moved, nor would there be any other speakers in addition to those whose names were advertised, as the meeting would close at ten o'clock.