Christian missions in the Telugu country - Uecf.net

40 MISSIONS IN THE TELUGU COUNTRY
make much more for good or evil to the peasants. The
head of them is the village magistrate. His office is
hereditary, and he is almost invariably a Sudra of the
Reddi tribe. He is probably the representative of the
chief who originally— perhaps many centuries ago—led
his people to colonise this spot. Indeed, the old idea
of the village magistrate's function was to protect his
village from oppression. The hereditary principle, in
such an office as it is now, seems strange ; but it is said
that attempts to start settlements without the recognised
hereditary element are always failures. His powers are
limited, but he is responsible for order in the village,
and certain villagers are appointed to act under his
orders as watchmen or messengers. He sends periodical
reports to the Government, tries minor cases, criminal
and civU, and is in constant relation with the police.
He receives a very small salary and holds lands in
virtue of the office. If misconduct is proved against
him, he may be removed by the Government^
in which case another member of the family will be
appointed. Though his powers are thus limited, he
can prove exceedingly oppressive, by making false
reports and getting persons into the toUs of the police.
His attitude towards our simple Christians is, therefore,
important, for he may give them endless trouble.
If, however, his outrages extend to the upper classes in
the village, he incurs the risk of removal at the hands of
hired assassins.
The other important village official is the ' karnam '
or accountant. His duty is to keep the registers of the
land and its owners, and the records of the cultivation of