Page:Hyderabad in 1890 and 1891; comprising all the letters on Hyderabad affairs written to the Madras Hindu by its Hyderabad correspondent during 1890 and 1891 (IA hyderabadin1890100bangrich).pdf/124

, 5th July, 1891.

It is said that in a multitude of councillors there is wisdom. It is rather difficult to believe this, seeing that such an intelligent body of men as the Government of India find it easier to do a wrong thing than to do a right one, do's at times exactly what it ought not to do—at all events what it is inadvisable to do. What we have heard of Political Agents" does not reveal them to be the largest minded of rulers or the most forbearing Mr. Chatterjee's journalistic experiences at Mhow, and the exposure of Sir Lepel Griffin in the columns of the Amirta Bazaar Patrika" have shown what autocrats these are in their respective spheres' and how desirable it is that their power should be curtailed and they should be restrained from presuming too much. Yet the Government of India would make them custodians of public opinion 'in places administered by the Governor-General, but not forming part of British India'—would invest them with the power to withhold or withdraw permission to edit, print or publish a newspaper just as they like it, and to 'expel forcibly any one who edits, prints or publishes a newspaper without their permission! Verily the fates favour the wrong men.

I called upon a British authority in one of the places administered by the Governor-General, but not forming part of British India' recently in connection with the permission applied for previously to start a newspaper therein; and it might interest your readers to know what transpired at the interview. Being ushered into the authority's presence, I was asked what I wanted. I explained to him the object of my visit; and he said:

"I don't think you will get the permission."

"Why?" I asked. "can you assign reasons for thinking so?"

"Yes" said he. "We don't want to have a paper of the sort here."