The unwarranted assumption of authority by the private secretaries of government olticials, dependent as the latter are, toa great extent, on the assistance of these secretaries, is an unmitigated source of evil to the public service, says the governor of Kuangsi, who has been making strenuous efforts, not altogether without success, to introduce reform among his subordinates. If the litigation of a province is to be conducted with justice and impartiality it is essential that the judge and and prefect at the provincial capital to whose courts all judicial proceedings converge, should have fit and proper men for their secretaries. There is however a certain rascally
anative of the Canton province, who has private secretary, Chu Wen-wei by name, somehow managed to attach himself permanently for the last 20 years in the capacity of law-secretary to the Courts of the judge and prefect at the provincial capital. ty his assumption of authority and malicious disposition he has acquired great power and unbounded influence, and. all the public offices being full of his mascally companions he manages to have a hand in everything that is going on. Whenever any new district official is appointed he forthwith proceeds to recommend one of his proteges or else some personal friend, whether qualified for the post or not, so that it constantly happens that nominees of his, engaged at heavy salaries, prove perfectly incompetent to deal with even the most ordinary questions. Memorialist has come to the conclusion that this state of things in which the secretary and not the official is the ruling power arises from the fact that the latter does not hold office for any certain length of time, whilst the former is never changed. The preliminary step in the direction of reform is therefore to get rid of all dishonest subordinates of this class, and memorialist now applies for a Decree ordering that the said Chu Wen-wei be driven out of the provifice, and prohibited from ever again serving therein. The posts of law secretary at each of thy above-named yamens can then be conferred on honourable and well-educated men who will separately attend to their respective duties. Any of the proteges or friends of the former secretary who may venture to follow in his evil footsteps will similar be driven away as soon a8 their mis dee shall have been bro tight to miemorialiat's notice. Sanctioned by rescript.
16th May.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.