To the Editor of the "Norta-Carva Dany News"
Sin,—Should the following account so far meet your approval that you should allow its publication, you would ern the gratitude of those who feel deeply on the matter, especially the relatives and friends of the deceased herein referred to. Many foreigners are well acquainted with the degraded state of the municipal government of various provinces. An instance which would appeal to them very strongly is the following story, which the writer learned at first-hand. Tt will give renders s cleat idea of the corrupt state of the local government.
A certain Lu Kwoh-ching, a native of Woosih, after learning English and engineering' at the Foochow Arsenal, was appointed to the Laiyuen, an armoured cruiser of 2,900 tons belonging to the Peiyang Squadron, as an engineer. In this position he served for many years, at all times highly esteemed by his superiors and colleagues for his honesty and excellent service. He was gradually promoted to the rank of Captain, but remained in his old office. During the China-Japan war the Laiyuen was destroyed by a Jupanese torpedo boat and Captain Lu Kwoh-ching was one of the heroes that sacrificed their lives for their country. He was the sole support of his family, and his old parents and widow were left quite helpless and miserable, Although the Government was paying out large sums, not one cent did the poor parents receive, The Imperil Government did not fail to display its usual kindness and liberality one way! A place was assigned for the departed officer's tablet in_ the Heroic Temple, his bravery was written down in the Historical Records," and, according to his rank, a sum of one hundred taels was set apart asa state funeral expenditure, with the addition of eight taels for worshipping and sacrificing. This was paid out of the provincial treasury—with the reduction, it may be supposed, of not less than ten per cent, the general practice throughout the empire. One day came the chu shi (something equivalent to tipe) to the old father of Lu Kwoh-ching, with an'official document in hand, saying that the magistrate of Woosih had received the Imperial document with the State donations, and he (the chu shi) was sent to give him the information, gratuity of ten dollars was then demanded, and at the same time the chu shi told him that the deceased's family would have had to pay a much larger sum if the yamen runners had come instead of himself. The old man was thus compelled to pay several dollars. Subsequently continual applications were made by the yamen ranners, and the simple, Weakly, old man was induced in various way to pay them further sums. He was told that he could not get the Government's money if he was stingy in his presents. They succeeded in scaring him into paying them about twenty dollars, but he received nothing in return, So poor was he that it need not be explained that this money he paid through a Joan, and not out of his own pocket. He was subsequently put off with various excuses, but} finally, when he asked in earnest, they Said "What a simpleton you are. Think you, you can really enjoy the Imperial favour We must tell you that such things have hitherto been but nominal. On what can we live if such fortune is not for us?"
The poor old man could do nothing, though he attempted on several occasions to present his complaint to the magistrate, who was, of course, screened by the runners and their accomplices. He was compelled to give up the money, knowing that additional misfortune and distress would befall him if he should insist on his rights, Such are the glorious rewards of bravery Such is the gratitude of the Government for a life laid down for the country Iam, ete, Onsenven.
Woosih, 17th June.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.