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scrap of paper containing an endorsement or opinion for the Minister to copy out thereon. This fact could be testified to by most of the heads of offices here, for at one time or another some of these scraps with a tale to tell have found their way, through carelessness surely, into them and caused no little amusement therein. This conveys truth but not the full truth about the way the minister administers the State. Mehdi Hassan as being next in rank to Mushtak Husain is accorded the privilege of submitting papers from his office direct to the Minister. And even he can get no orders passed without the knowledge of the Minister de facto. Whenever Mehdi Hussan is announced at the Minister's place, the Minister inquires if Mushtak Husain is there; and if the wise Mushtak is non est Mehdi Hussau, however important and urgent in character his papers may be, is made to await his arrival. And then both are ushered into the Minister's presence. Sir Asmanjah hears the papers read by Mehdi Hassan, keeping a close watch all the while on his factotum's face, and guided by the expression of it-this by the way, puts me in mind of Rajah Rampal Sing's description of the ways of some members of Legislative councils-he either affixes his signature to the papers or refuses to do so and asks for the papers to be left with him. This is a fact-and represents a funny, though very much to-be-regretted state of affairs. If the Minister is so helpless why should not, it might be asked, Mushtak Hussain be appointed. as Minister?
I told you in my last how persecution is initiated against those that have in any way proved themselves obnoxious to those in power. I shall in this give you an instance or two to show how they allow themselves to be moved in favour of the "favourites." I have to refer to a case disposed of some months ago by the city High Court, ris, the case of Balakishan Doss. Balakishan was alleged to have committed forgery on a certain document said to be in the Political and Financial Secretary's office. The Political and Financial Secretary's office was written to for the document and it was duly despatched from the office. Reaching the Court after it had closed, the
