Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-17
THE REFORM OF CHINA
PLAN TO STOP EVIL PRACTICES OF
KIANGsI OFFICIALS.
Suggestions Presented by a PATRIOT,
Chinese EditOr-The Purchase
of Offices.
From the shanghai Mercury.

From the Shanghai Mercury
The su Pao discusses the special need of
reforming the officials In Kiangsi.
l. The practice Of purchasing posts from
superiors should be stopped. The appoint
ment OF officials proceeds usually on two
principles. viz: According to order on the
lists, or in cases of special ability men not
due for posts may be put In over the heads
Of the rest. These are the well recognized
principles. but as usual with old things.
countless abuses grow up, so that sale OF
posts or appointment through influence is
now the rule, and men are like moths
around a lamp or flies upon a carcass. They
are entirely without shame. satisfied to
tarten by fair means or foul.
In Kiangsi last year there were over
for the purpose Of allowing so many man
darfns to go as acting officials for a few
months. during which they could make
considerable money before the substantive
cry, expectant officials to whom these
scraps were given. The whole system Of
expectant officials should be revised.
2. Care should be exercised in transfer
After one official has got thoroughly posted
In the affairs of his office he should not
suddenly and without due cause be trans
ferred elsewhere. Hence the wisdom Of a
a
full term Of six years without change.
AT present II II Is a good post, yielding
large incomes, no one Is allowed to hold 1t
more than a year or two, in order that the
spoils may be divided among Ave or six
officials instead of one. regardless OF the
interests Of the people. This should be
changed and men transferred only on the
ground of real unsuitability
3. The law suits should be cleared off as
quickly possible. 1t Is very customary
for officials to change the charge. e. e..
robbery, to lighter one. e. g., theft, lest
their superiors blame the m for having such
heavy crimes in t!fefr district. In cases
Of robbery the runners must first be bribed
or they will not take steps to catch any
one. Hence. many dare not lay informa-
lions. Cases, e. g., of murder, are de-
layed with a view TO receiving brides. and
are sent from one court to another without
visible cause.
4. There used to be list kept Of cases
settled. and II they were cleared of prompt
ly and Justly the official received merit
marks. This has now become an empty
form. There are even Instances Of Off
Gals who from years end to years end
never try cases in the great hall before
place for their own ends, which are not
the ends Of Justice. A vast number Of re-
ports handed In to their superiors are en-
tirely mendacious. To check this a spe-
cial inspector should be appointed to visit
each district and review the records.
D Expectants now owing to the purchase
system numbering six or seven hundred are
each spring and autumn given temporary
missions, e. g., courier post, land taxes.
taxes on deeds. etc. Wherever they go
on these special brands, they feed on the
places visited. II they are not given as
much as they desire they will make a
bad reports to their superiors. Hence they
are feared by local officials. 1t would be
better for the local officials to subscribe
enough to support the expectants at the
capital without allowing them to leave 1t
would be cheaper than receiving the atten-
ton OF these gentlemen. Let the expect
ants, instead Of practicing on the local Of
fciais at present. attend a special school
to learn their duties.
6. The people and converts should be
shown how to live In peace. Although
the church has been a very long time in
Kiangsi. yet last year there was a terrible
crop OF over 1900 cases OF riot and murder
Why did not the officials long ago learn
how to avoid these troubles? If they hal
attended to the instruction Of the people.
there would not be such large indemnities
to pay now.
Z. There are too many special bureaus
and branches. They should be reduced by
amalgamatiOn. 1t would be a saving Of
thousands annually, which saving could be
applied to the liquidation of indemnities.