The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-04-25
HIS WIFE HELPS RULE.
A Great African Chief Whose 800 Conserts
are His Ministers of state,

Thirty years ago. Just about the time
when the big African lakes were dis
covered, there lived In Unyamwezl,
through which Burton Ind lust travel
lcd on hls way to Lake fanganylku, u
boy named Msidi. who haa since be.
come famous. His father went every
miles from home to the great copper
country of Sanga TO buy tho metal
from native miners. When Msidl be-
came n young man his father took him
Oh some of these expeditions.
Finally Msidi started out TO buy cop.
per on his own account. He arrived
Ia the mineral region once when the
big chief of this Sanga country was at
war with a great tribe who were invad-
ing his district from the north. Msidt
had with him four guns and plenty of
ammunition. Firearms had never been
heard of In that country, and when
Msidi marched out to win a battle for
his friend, the chief of Sanga, the
enemy fled in great dsmay after 4 few
shots. just as few of Livingstone's
Makololo porters with oney nine guns
conquered the whole Shire country and
set up as little kings, so Msidl laid the
foundations of his fortune with four
guns.
The old chief felt so grateful to
Msidi that he male the young man his
| heir. He died soon after, and the
humble ivory trader suddenly became
the chief of quite large country. lie
killed all chiefs who he thought might
become his rivals, carried on aggres-
sive warfare against all the surround
ing tribes, gradually spread his domin-
ion, and is still extending it. Living
stones Cazembe and the Muata Yanva
used to be talked of as the greatest
chiefs west of the big lakes. Reclus
says that Msidi is now without doubt
the most powerful ruler in the Congo
basin.
An anecdote is told illustrating the
shrewdness of this savage potentate.
When Mr.. Arnot while ago. sent
word to the chief asking permission to
settle in his country as a missionary,
some Arab traders who were at his capi-
tal told Msidi that all Englshmen were
villains, and urged him either TO kill
Arnot OF to turn him back. WELL"
said the chief. 81 don't know any
Englishmen, but do know you Arabs,
and you are the biggest liars ever
saw. The Englishman may come,
and will see what he is like"
The chief, for an untutored native
has remarkable administrative ability,
and to this talent he largely owes hi:
great success. He has adopted very
curious system of keeping all the af.
fairs of his country in his own hands
without bothering himself with details
He has done this by making his 500
wives his officers of state.
He has divided his great empire into
many districts, each of which is ruled
by minor chief. Each chief is repre-
sented at court by ore of Msidi's wives
She sees that all the tribute due from
her distict is forwarded to the capital
entertains all visitors from the district
and is ready to give Msidi at a moment:
notice any information he desires. Tn,
result is that without books or seere
taries he rules the country in busi
ness-like way, and his name every
where inspires respect and often fear
Msidi renamed his country Garen
game. 1t is west of Lakes Bangweolt
and Moero. between the Luapula ant
Lualaba rivers. and embraces over 80,
600 square miles.