The primary elections have now been definitely settled, having been postponed for a time owing to the death of the Prefect's mother. I am told there have been cases of taking voting tickets by force, m addition to the generally accepted plan of buying such. One of the selected candidates had a roll of electors and sent his agents round to get them to sign that they had voted or were going to. Quite a few thought this necessitated their voting for this candidate! I can only say that he actually reeked of opium when he came to see me a few months ago.
Ovr Go rHe Owwer Men, The results have surprised some. The older men have been shelved en bloc, while the younger men elected are said to not have a decent man among them." They have all gone to Luchowfu, where the secondary elections take place and I am told at least $1,000 has gone with them for their expenses and it is feared more will have to follow. One story told seemed to make the elections a mere farce. Two men claimed the last position and each boasted of his qualification. It was thought neither would be allowed to go put another sent by the city authorities instead!
Before the election I noticed the sheets of names pasted on a blank wall in a lane near the yamen. I estimated the length at 120 feet and 12 names to the foot. There were 10 names in depth. There would not be many short of 15,000 and it was interesting to see how friends looked for familiar names and announced such to those about them.
Tue Srupents Do Tuerr Dury.
The voting took place in the Higher Primary School. The official had his own bodyguard about him. Then there was a selected squad of students who were there to see that no irregularities were allowed. They kept a list of those who came in to vote. Ihe doors were guarded by soldiers. Comparatively few of the real voters appeared. The business men and gentry sent their clerks or factotums. I was rather surprised at the number of young fellows I saw going in and coming out. I did not see one man of 50 during the time I was there.
Later a box was put up at the doorway for people to drop in letters. who knew anything incorrect in the behaviour or habits of those elected. In view of the sweeping condemnation given above, there would seem to have been abundance of evidence to disqualify the whole lot. Probably the students regard their work as
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.