Letter from the undersigned Sirdars, etc. of the Baroda Sate to Philip Sandys Melvill, Agent to the Governor-General of India, Baroda [‎22r] (11/18)

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privileges. Their actions are subject to the supervision of the
Hoozoor, and their office being hereditary, they cannot urge any
excuse for not possessing knowledge on any particular subject
regarding us. It is, however, proposed by Section 20 of the rules
for the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Court to seize all authority from these Buxees,
and to adopt an altogether new mode of exercising jurisdiction
over us.
(2) J he privileges attached to the old practice enable us to procure good
and faithful dependents.
(3) We are made, to some extent, responsible for any misconduct on the
part of our subordinates, and hence arose the practice which compels
every guilty subordinate to undergo his sentence under our own
superintendence. The result of this mode is highly satisfactory,
inasmuch as the offender feels deeply humiliated in the presence of
his fellow-servants, at the same time that the latter take a warning
from the example ; and the only object of inflicting punishment,
namely, that the offender may improve his conduct in future, is
thereby fulfilled.
(4) Having shown that the old mode of exercising jurisdiction over us
answered all purposes, we have now to submit whether it was not
necessary to consult us before framing the rules for the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division.
Court. In the British Government, under whose superintendence the
administration of this State is at present conducted, it is an estab
lished practice that every new Act, before it is passed, is made known
to the public in the form of a Bill, so that those who may be interested
in it may express their opinions thereon. We suppose that this prac
tice is not unknown to an experienced administrator like Sir Maha-
devrao. Our supposition is supported by para. 22 of His Excellency's
Administration Report for the year 1875-76, in which it is stated
that all the Sirdars Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. , Darakdars, and Sahookars are consulted in those
matters in which they are interested, that their opinions are ascer
tained, and that, as far as possible, they are followed. We, however,
beg to make an exception at least in the case of the rules for the
Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Court, in which matter we were not consulted, and your Honour
may conceive the effect which this circumstance has produced on our
minds. It is true that we were once invited by your Honour to a
conference on the subject, but we had then distinctly expressed our
opinion that no change in the old practice was desirable.
(5) A detailed description of the constitution of the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Court will, we
fear, overstep the limits of this Memorandum ; we will, therefore,
submit it in a separate memorandum, contenting ourselves for the
present with dwelling upon the most important points.