The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-06-06
The British East Indian Empire.

ti tnt CTOWul NOW - ~
lated. organized, developed, and to what
extent does 1t share the acquisitions aud
the stimulus Of modern civilization Is
the administration of affairs dictated from
London, or are the English in Hindostan
already qualified by the experience OF self
government TO shift for themselves in the
contingency OF events such as impelled the
Portuguese in Brazil TO assert their indepen-
dence of the parent State? These are per-
tinent questions just now when the digni-
ty and Importance of British India have
been impressively recognized.
There is no doubt that the Indian EN-
pire is at present self-supportine. Thus,
while twenty years ago the revenue stood
at aaS 900, leaving IA deficit of more than
n million sterling, in 1870 IT exceeded $751;
O00, 600 aud showed a considerable surplus.
Sin re the latter date, according TO aspeech of
Lord NoRTHBRooK, made in August Of last
year, the average annual expenditure for
all purposes, exclusive of interest on fund
ed debt, has been diminished eight per
cent, whereas the income from taxation
has steadily, though slowly, increased.
These revenues, but little inferior to
those of Great Britain itself, are applied to
the Advancement of the national interests.
The effort has been made. and not unsuc-
cessfully, TO compass in India, within twen-
ty-five years, the progressive work OF a CEN
fury. The guaranty of interest has insured
the swift development OF colossal rail-
way system, and in 1871 the amount Of
capital invested in guaranteed railways
alone was close upon five hundred millions
of dollars. In less than eight years nine
millions sterling were expended for ar
senals, barracks, aud other military OBJ
jects besides fourteen millions upon civil
works aud miscellaneous public improve
ments. A large part of the latter sum was
wisely devoted to canals, since famine,
which recurs almost yearly In one part or
another Of Hindostan, can only be averted
by the certainty of production resulting
from irrigation. In the Bengal Presidency
alone the area at present artficially irr-
gated falls little short OF two millions of
acres.
The national talentfor government, con-
spicuous for an intuitive perception OF the
feasible and the expedient, has been ex-
emplifed in many ways by the English in
India. For the first time in the history of
the peninsula, judicial authority Is rooted
in public confidence, principles of equity
having tempered and purified, without
subverting or shocking, native customs
and institutions. The present policy in re-
gard to education is equally sagaclous.
While continuing To recognize the neces-
slty Of announcement 10 the highest
standards, IL is specially directed to the
| widest possible diffusion of instruction.
Moreover, contrary TO the Judgment of
| MACAULAY, whose insight i'll Indian ques-
tons was not profound, it is now held by
experienced statesmen that in the develop
ment of vernacuar literature lies "a
prime duty OF the Government. Finally
economy in the public administration ha :
been shrewdly fostered by the so-oalled
decentralization OF finance. The minor
Governments Of India, although twelve in
number. control areas too wide with wants
too varied to admit of the urveillance
proper for magistrates and collectorates
Accordingly the principle has been adopt
ed of seeking the cooperation of second
airy authorities in the application of the
| finances and the responsibility of raising
| taxes for local purposes. As conse-
quenoe, thrift is practised because the OBJ
legation OF finding resources is thrown
upon the spending power.
1t IS well understood by those who have
paid some attention to Indian affairs
that the form of government approaches
very nearly to complete independence
Since the disappearance of the fiction
OF double government by the East
| India Company and the crown, which
tween Great Britain and Hindostan have
been apparently frightened through the
new laws and institutions, and through
improved communication by steam, post
and telegraph. Yet 1t is unquestionable
that the modern Nioeroy is more powerful
and absolute than the old Governor-Gen-
eral The subordluatiOn to the central au-
thority nj Calcutta ON the part of the
Presdencies of Madras and Bombay, of the
Lieutenant Govornorships, ana the admin
istrations under chief commissioners, is at
present thorough ana complete. Nomi-
nally subject TO the distant Secretary of
State, the Viceroy il the real autocrat Of
all tho Indies, assisted by such councils
and constitutional appliances as have been
bWlt up undcrlheauihority Of Parliament
ana Indian experience.
"h'lc Other great functions OF tho Gov
eminent are distributed among the scve-
raj members of The Council, 1t has become
customary for the Niccroy to retain the
Foreign Department in his own hands.
This province covers the really foreign re-
latlons with the independent States OF
Asa, rs well as the so-oalled political af-
lllations with states wholly or half me-
dlallzed. to which, ON occasions. positive
inJnnctions arc issued, and over which
discipline 10 enforced rs We have lately