and to eradicate every temptation and pretext for perquisites, embezzlements, and corruption;' to reward each officer in short according to his proved deserts, and so to 'unite the interests of individuals with that of the public.' In those days the nominal pay for many offices was so small that men were tempted to eke it out by all kinds of illicit means. Hastings had no power to redistribute or enlarge the regular salaries. But he did the next best thing. Whenever he could, he substituted commissions on net receipts for the old system of fixed monthly allowances helped out by perquisites and private jobs. The new mode of remuneration was only an intermediate step to the more complete reform by means of salaries really commensurate with the work done, and the responsibilities involved. But it proved a great step forward in the right direction, and it wrought ere long a marked improvement in the moral tone of the Company's servants[1].
- ↑ Gleig.
