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182 the common reports of the people are to be relied upon, the average official did not fail in this particular.

With no codified system of laws, and this one-man power running through the entire system, it can be seen at once how easy it was for all sorts of evils to thrive. Then another evil that is to be found everywhere is that of class distinction; so that it is almost impossible for a man of low class to get justice against one of high class, though if there be plenty of cash in sight any one may stand a chance of getting what he wants in the courts.

The man before whom the village lawsuit must be decided is not a judge who has been selected because of his knowledge of the laws of the country, either written or unwritten, but he is the man above described, with the long money bag. There is no such thing as regular terms of court, at which time matters of law are settled. There are no lawyers, juries, or other officials to take part in the court. It is the one man in whom all power is centered as jury, lawyer, and judge. There is just one such man in every county; and for the lack of a better name we may call him a magistrate, though he has much more power than is attached to that official in the United States. He is sometimes a local man, appointed from among the people of the district over which he is to preside, though he is more often a gentleman living in the capital and knowing very little of the conditions of the people whom he is expected to govern. He has the use of the official buildings and residence, which are always the best in the community. It falls to the lot of this