The Duke of Argyll has, it appears, settled an old
Indian con- troversy against the Anglo-Indians. The old theory of Indian administration was that it should be worked by natives, supervised by a certain number of highly educated Englishmen, called Civilians. Partly from the increase of civilization, partly from the reluctance to enlarge a very costly service, and partly from extensions of territory, the subordinate offices grew more numerous, more important, and more attractive to Europeans, who, moreover, in some departments, such as that of education, were much better qualified. Gradually, moreover, a great abuse grew up, the Governors and Chief Commissioners regarding these appointments as patronage which they could give freely to their
friends' sons, and even to men recommended to them from home. The natives began to complain of their exclusion from offices in their own country, and the Duke of Argyll, having first made the Engineer Department a purely European service, has now ordered that all other nncovenanted offices shall be bestowed on natives. We believe he is right in principle, provided always that the word " native " includes an Englishman born in India, but the order mast be worked with some discretion. For instance, he cannot intend to surrender the post-office and the telegraphs absolutely to natives, or to give them all the uncovenauted police commands, or to entrust them with Deputy Commissionerships such as Mr. Cowan held. There are not qualified men enough yet, even if it were expedient to leave the Civil Service so entirely without European aid in their task of supervision. A single white can scarcely administer a county.
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