d made other provisions, all tending to restrict the
acquisition of the franchise by "tribal" natives, the possible danger
arising from a large native vote being already obvious (see section
_Constitution_).

Rhodes opposed the native liquor traffic, and at the risk of offending
some of his supporters among the brandy-farmers of the western
provinces, he suppressed it entirely on the diamond mines, and
restricted it as far as he was able in the native reserves and
territories. Nevertheless the continuance of this traffic on colonial
farms, as well as to some extent in the native territories and reserves,
is a black spot in the annals of the Cape Colony. The Hottentots have
been terribly demoralized, and even partially destroyed by it in the
western province.

Another and little-known instance of Rhodes's keen insight in dealing
with native affairs--an action which had lasting results on the history
of the colony--may be given. After the native territories east of the
Kei had been added to Cape Colony, a case of claim to inheritance came
up for trial, and in accordance with the law of the colony, the court
held that the eldest son of a native was his heir. This decision created
the strongest resentment among the people of the territory, as it was in
distinct contradiction to native tribal law, which recognized the great
son, or son of the chief wife, as heir. The government were threatened
with a native disturbance, when Rhodes telegraphed his assurance that
compensation should be granted, and that such a decision should never be
given again. This assurance was accepted and tranquillity restored. At
the close of the next session (that of 1894), after this incident had
occurred, Rhodes laid on the table a bill drafted by himself, the
shortest the House had ever seen. It provided that all civil cases were
to be tried by magistrates, an appeal to lie only to the chief
magistrate of the territory with an assessor. Criminal cases were to be
tried before the judges of supreme court on circuit. The bill was
passed, and the effect of it was, inasmuch as the magistrates
administered according to native law, that native marriage customs and
laws (including polygamy) were legalized in these territories. Rhodes
had retrieved his promise, and no one who has studied and lived amongst
the Bantu will question that the action taken was both beneficent and
wise.

During 1895 Sir Hercules Robinson was reappointed governor and high
comm