161
563
3
Imperial Court at Peking, (referred to therein), by which Prince Kung (the Uncle of the reigning Emperor), and other members of the Chinese Ministry recently removed from Office.
These were characteristic.
Chinese State Papers deserve attention.
The main reason assigned for the dismissal of the late Ministers is their want of energy. From this time forth all officials, high and low, whether they be serving in the Capital or in the Provinces, must positively be earnestly on their guard against the sin of perfunctoriness.
Of the two principal Ministers who have been degraded, it is said: "Prince Kung, and the Grand Secretary, the Yeen, have been longest in office, and upon them heavy punishment should rightly fall. But when we bear in mind that the one is afflicted with many ailments, and that the other is stricken in years, we purposely take note of the past meritorious services of the first, and extend protection to the second."