Page:Allan Octavian Hume, C.B.; Father of the Indian National Congress.djvu/35

 as eminently successful. To me however the constant growth of the Abkaree revenue is a source of great regret. Year after year, but alas in vain, I protest against the present iniquitous system which first produced and now supports a large class whose sole interest it is to seduce their fellows into drunkenness and its necessary con- comitants, debauchery and crime. Unfortunately these tempters are too successful, and year by year the number of drunkards and the demand for drugs and spirituous liquors increases. Those only who like myself take great pains to ascertain what goes on amongst the native community, really have any conception of the frightful extent to which drunkenness has increased during the last twenty years. Moreover, while we debauch our subjects we do not even pecuniarily derive any profit from their ruin. Of this revenue, the wages of sin, it may in the words of the old adage be truly said that illgotten wealth never thrives, and for every rupee additional that the Abkaree yields, two at least are lost to the public by crime, and spent by the Government in suppressing it. I fear that it is useless saying more now on this subject — for five years I have yearly but without avail protested against the present system, and though I at this moment see no hopes of reform, 1 have no doubt whatsoever that if I be spared a few years longer I shall live to see effaced in a more Christian-like system one of the greatest existing blots on our government of India. I trust that this letter may be submitted in full to the Board." Sad to say, after half-a-century this "greatest existing blot" still remains uneffaced.

(4) "The People's Friend." Mr. Hume, looking forward to coming years, had a special care for the young, both for the docile and the way-