The Sun.
London, England, 1857-11-07 00:00:00

THE GREAT PUTTY CASE.

The great Putty case is given in extenso by
Colonel Cotton as follows
" A range of barracks is built by an engineer at a cost
of 30,0001. or 40,000/. ; there is a large saving on the
estimate sanctioned, for which he officially receives the
thanks of the Court of Directors. Some time after-
wards a storm occurs which breaks a few panes of glass
valued at 71. The whole Presidency is at once in a
state of excitement. The heads of that division of the
army are directed to assemble a committee of officers to
investigate this matter. Their report is referred to the
Military Board, who after patiently examining all the
papers, and referring to all their records, forward all the
documents to the Governor in Council, with a deliberate
and elaborate report ; in which they assurejlthe Govern-
ment that they have not hastiiy come to a decision, but
have given their best energies to the investigation, and
they conclude that the cause of the windows being broken
was the inferior quality of the putty and therefore the
engineer ought to pay for them. All the papers can-
fleeted with this intricate and vital matter are now
examined by the Secretary to Government, who sends
them in circulation to the Governor and the other three
members of Council. After a sufficient time has been
given them to consider this weighty subject, and to
record their individual sentiments in writing, the
important day at length arrives, when the whole
is to be reviewed and discussed in Council. The
flag isj hoisted, his Excellency's carriage with two
troopers with drawn swords in front, and three behind,
enters the Fort, and is drawn up at the gate of the
Government offices. It is followed by the Commander-
in-Chief, and the two councillors with their silver sticks.
The secretaries are summoned, and this solemn investi-
gation is proceeded with, upon which the fate of 71.
depende. It is however discovered that the decision
of such an important question by an assembly drawing
among them salaries amounting to 40,000/. or 50,0001.
a-year, and the cost of whose weekly meetings in
council may be calculated at about 1,0001., would be too
presumptuous. After much discussion therefore and
probably a second or third set of minutes, it is decided
that the secretary shall draw up a report embo lying the
opinions of the council, to be submitted with all the
important documents connected therewith, to the Hon-
ourable Court of Directors, and the Board of Control.
" The thoughtless mail agent little thinks what he
has got under his charge, when he receives the box con-
taining this despatch in the cabin on board the
steamer. After many months, during which these
papers have been the frequent subject of communica-
tion and discussion among the secretaries, directors,
&c., in London, another steamer proceeds with the
freight of these papers, greatly increagel in bulk and
value by the opinions and decision of the august boards
at home. They reach Madras ; the council is again
assembled ; the despatch is considered ; a copy with
resolutions, &c., is sent to the military board, and after
having been circulated, considered, discussed, &c., by
them, instructions are issued announcing that the
Honourable Court, of course with the concurrence of
the Board of Controul, have decided for reasons duly
stated that the windows shall be mended, at the ex-
pense of the engineer. If a wing of the barracks had
fallen down, of course as a subaltern could not pay a
lack of rupees there would be no alternative but to
rebuild it at the public expense ; but ss he can pay
71., justice to the public service requires that he
should be made an example of. In the meantime as
the officer is not in India, the matter lies over for a year
or two. On his return, being surprised at the receipt of
these orders, after having been officially thanked by the
Court for having acquitted himself so well in the con-
struction of this large building, he addresses the chief
engineer, giving him in a few words reasons why he
ought not to be held responsible for the loss of the 71.,
and as be has not previously had an opportunity of
speaking in hisown behalf. the chief engineer draws up a
minute on the subject, which is laid before the Military
Board, who again considers the question and once more
report to Government. Nothing can exceed the con-
descending and unwearied patience of all the authorities.
The Governor once more records a minute, the second
member of Council minutes, the third member minutes,
the Governor winds up by a fourth minute : by which
time the subject is ripe for discussion. Again the
Council assemble, consider, decide, and issue instruc-
tions to the Military Board ; and, finally, the officer is
told that he may keep his 71. And so ends the affair ;
till the report of the Governor in Council reaches the
Court, when they will possibly order the matter to be
taken up de novo, and thoroughly investigated. It
should be mentioned, that it was discovered at last
that some brads had been omitted in fixing the glass,
which was not likely to be discovered either by the Pre-
sident of the Board of Control, the 24 directors and
their secretary, the governor and council of Madras and
their secretaries, the military board, the chief engineer,
the general of the division, the committee of officers, or
the engineer himself; as none of them had ever served
an apprenticeship to a glazier.
"This is the literal history of an Indian question,
which has recently been agitated."