Page:The Marquess Cornwallis and the Consolidation of British Rule.djvu/91

Rh necessity for some reform, the Directors were still of opinion that Collectors should be paid partly by commission and partly by fixed salaries, but that the larger part of their remuneration should be the commission.

The Resident at Benares, who really wielded almost absolute power in that Province without check or control, drew only 1000 rupees a month, but from monopolies in commercial and other ventures, received besides four lacks every year. In other places, Collectors engaged in commercial speculation under cover of the name of some relative or friend, and it may be said roundly, that while no Collector drew above 1200 rupees a month, his irregular and additional gains amounted to far more. Cornwallis saw almost at once that the only mode of preventing abuses, maintaining discipline, and creating a sense of honour and responsibility, was to give liberal salaries and to confine the recipients to their proper work. Trading was henceforth forbidden; and if commission was still allowed, it was calculated at so much per cent, on the net collections. Even this regulated mode of payment, though perfectly fair and equitable at the time of its introduction, was eventually abolished.

There were other anomalies in the constitution and character of the service which could not escape notice. The criminal administration had been left in the hands of the Nawáb Názim and his native subordinates, as will be explained in dealing with the new arrangements for civil and criminal justice. The