Page:Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras.djvu/475

 will take an intelligent interest in the management of local affairs. The extension of the principal of Local Government, in accordance with the views of the Viceroy, will give to all graduates of the University, either as electors, or representatives of their fellow-citizens in local assemblies, the necessary opportunities of showing their capacity in leading public opinion or in administration. You will forgive me, if I remind you that a careful study of the community amongst whom your lot may be cast is absolutely essential, if you would play a useful part in local administration. In the Census Report of this Presidency, published in 1883, you will find a vast number of hard facts and stubborn figures, over which you may ponder with the greatest advantage. These facts relate not only to the country as a whole, but to every inhabited village and town. They bring before yon the numbers, sexes and ages of the people, their civil and conjugal condition, their degree of education, language, religion, caste, or nationality, and occupations. Your first duty should be to make yourselves thoroughly acquainted with the actual condition of the people in these respects, as without such knowledge your personal influence and activity may be employed in wrong directions, and become positively mischievous, instead of beneficial. It is one of the unavoidable blemishes of the caste system peculiar to this country, that men's interests should tend to gravitate almost wholly towards the family, the clan, or caste; but, to be useful and impartial in the administration of local affairs, you must widen your sympathies, and look mainly to the common good of those who make you their mouth-piece. It may be well to caution you that the gift of fluent speech is, in itself, but a poor provision for one engaged in local government. What you want is accurate knowledge, and a fixed determination to do justice to all classes of your local community. In every town or village, you will find work to be done, which shall benefit your fellow-men. The insanitary conditions abounding everywhere, and which are directly, or indirectly, the cause of much preventible suffering and mortality, call for your thoughtful attention as to the most practicable means of dealing with them. It is fitting that men on whom this ^^^■iTrmB Ij'^iiiversity has conferred Degrees should at all times take a leading part in reforms that may tend to make a community more healthy, happy, and prosperous. The care of the public health should be your first consideration, for a