Page:Allan Octavian Hume, C.B.; Father of the Indian National Congress.djvu/33

 and affections of the people in the cause, to watch and direct its progress and turn it, under God's blessing, to good, and good alone." The documents at my disposal do not state what, at the time, was the effect of this passionate appeal. But the whole episode, showing how gallantly, under the most difficult circumstances, the battle was fought more than half a century ago, should hearten those who have now taken it in hand to emancipate their poorer brethren from the bonds of ignorance, by making elementary education not only free but compulsory.

(2) Police Reform. In i860 Government issued orders to reorganize the police in accordance with the recommendations of the Police Commission, and Police Superintendents were appointed for each District, to act under the orders of an Inspector-General of Police. By the 1st of January 1861 the Etawah police were reorganized by Mr. Hume, as directed. But, having duly carried out the orders of Government, he felt it his duty (see his despatch of March 1861) to report his belief that the new system was "defective in principle," "impracticable in its chief provision," and, with few exceptions, "a change for the worse." Briefly stated, his objections were, that the system failed to secure the severance of police and judicial functions ; that it created a divided responsibility between the Police Superintendent and the District Magistrate ; and that the Police Superintendents, on whom practically devolved the work of criminal investigations, were destitute both of local experience and of local influence. His remedy was that the Chief Civil Officer of the District (the "Collector") should represent the Executive Government in all departments, including the police ; but that neither he nor his sub-