The evening times., 1901-08-24

in the Selection of Public Officials
Criticism for the Imperial Clans
men-The Six Controlling Boards
H. c. Squiers. Secretary Of the Unite,
States Legation at Pekin. has sent TO tn
State Department trauslatious Of thre
edicts recently signed by the Empires
Dowager, touching upon the selection o
men for official positions and demanding
the abolition Of certain abuses.
These edicts have been published in tn
official Gazette" The Empress Dowage
says:
The most important principle Of
government is the selection Of men.
The present time is one of difficulty
and danger. We should De the mOIe
willing. therefore. 10 break through al
traditions iE seeking fOr talent 60 be
employed in the service Of the Govern
meut We ought to respectfully OBJ
serve the statute 90 establish e>stmio=-
tons Tor the selection of the learned
and talented 10y opening an cXamiua-
uuu III political economy, which should
be put IN operation at the forthcoming
metropolitan examination.
IL cannot Dee possible that IN all this
great Empire there are no talented
men IT there be those Of earnest pur-
pose and pure loyalty. OF broad mold
and extensive learning, verseI IN for
elgn and domestic affairs. let the presi-
dents and vice presidents OF the
boards, the NlCeTuyS and Governors.
and provincial directors OF education
prepare statement of their QuaIifiCa-
tons and recommend them. and let the
Board of Reforms devise "a system OF
tNaminauous and submit the same for
the Imperial approval
The court is eager for all sorts Of
suggestions TO promote the prosperity
Of the Empire. Mother and son are
one IN Tho purpose To correct the mis-
takes aOt the past. and long To obtain
talent to assist in the Government.
our ministers ought TO carefully seek
out men of such ability and each one
introduce those known 10 himself. and
thus together aid in relieving the pres
cnt difficulties that the State may be
strengthened and that men Of ability
may rise mp from the midst OF the
people, and be seen again I'm the pres
eut time 20 flourish before your ewes.
This is what the court prayerfuIly
seeks.
Let this edict be- published abroad
for the information Of all"
Another edict says:
Many abuses have gradually grown
UP in an the offices of the six boards
in the practice of which rapacious
clerks have become very crafty.
We have already frequently issued
SIlctS TO correct these abuses and
recently on account Of the loss Of
many Of the records Of the boards
and consequent upon the military Oc-
CupatiDu of Pekiu. We again ordered a
thorough cleaning out and a destruc-
tiOn of the whole"
SIN another edict treats Of Our Impe-
rial Clansmen.' referring 20 their great
talents in the past and caIHgg attention
now TO the fact that customs have become
light and triling. The edict commands an
imprOVemenCiu their methods, and adds:
Those clanSmen who 90 about idle. not
attending 10 their duties day 10y day. par
suing worthless aims. even 10 the extent
Of becoming bandits and deIuded follow
ers Of evil societies. bent on gratifying
their evil desires, are certainly a disgrace
10 the clan and deserving of all contempt
Further, let the Chief of the Imperial
Clan Court increase the severity OF the
restrictions, and as occasion may require
administer punishment. Should any show
such pleasure in violence and depraYity
as TO become bandits and put forth in evil
teachings. let them bc severely punished
without leniency. Respect this"