Who's Who in China (3rd edition)/Niu Chuan-shan

Ma. Niu Chuan-shan

鈕傳善字元伯

Mr. Niu Chuan-hsan, was born in Kiukiang, Kiangsi, in 1875. He received his early education in Japan. He started early in government service under the Manchu regime as magistrate of Tehyang, Huayang. Mienning and Chungking in Szechuen province. While serving as Prefect of the Chungking Prefecture, in the days of Emperor Kwang Hsu, he was considered the most brilliant among his colleagues in handling intricate cases by Governors Chao Erh-shun and Hsi Liang of Szechuan, whom he assisted in establishing schools, industrial enterprises, police systems and self-government. Mr. Niu's book on the constitutional government of prefectures and cities was recommended for Imperial perusal and thus enjoyed nation wide publicity. Through the recommendation of Lord Li Ching-hsi, then Viceroy of Yunnan and Kweichow, Mr. Niu was appointed Prefect of the Li Kiang Prefecture. But before departure for his post in 1911, the revolution broke out and he remained in his position as Taotai of East Szechuen with full military and police power within his own territory. He was one of the first to declare independence from the Imperial government and maintained peace and order within his jurisdiction. From January 1913 to November 1913 Mr. Niu was Customs Superintedent of Kiukiang, Kiangsi Province. From August to November, 1913, he was also holding the post of the Civil Commissioner of the Northern Kiangsi. During the Second Revolution in 1913, there was clash between Li Shun, then Tutu of Kiangsi, and Li Lieh-chun, the revolutionary leader, and Kiangsi was left without an administrative head. Mr. Niu remained as active chief of the province for some considerable time. In February 1914 Mr. Niu was appointed Acting Civil Commissioner of the Central Shensi which position he held until April 1914 when he was appointed Acting Chief of the National Taxation Bureau of Shensi and also Acting Financial Commissioner. In May 1914 the two offices were amalgamated into the Bureau of Finance with Mr. Niu becoming its Chief. From July to October, 1914, he was Acting Civil Governor of Shensi. He was officially relieved of the finance post in December 1914. While he was the Civil Governor of Shensi, the Military Governor, General Lu Chien-chang, was profiting himself through encouraging opium traffic and poppy plantation throughout Shensi Province. This action drew much favorable comment. In July 1915 Mr. Niu was appointed Acting Vice-Minister of Finance. Subsequently the Bureau of Wine and Tobacco Monopoly was created and Niu became its first Director-General. All the regulations of the Bureau and its organizations were perfected by Mr. Niu personally. Within half a year the entire system of taxing wine and tobacco was operating smoothly throughout the country; and the yearly revenue of the nation was increased by several tens of millions of dollars. It was Mr. Niu's plan to make both wine and tobacco government monoplies. He started a Wine and Tobacco Bank in Peking to facilitate financial arrangements and was to establish a tobacco leaf factory in Shanghai to compete with imported leaves. In accordance with his scheme, Mr. Niu hoped to increase the revenue of his department to the extent of the salt revenue within ten years. "But after three years' of service, he was relieved. In June 1921 Mr. Niu was again appointed Vice-Minister of Finance. He resigned in November 1921 because he saw no chance of carrying out his own plan. Mr. Niu is at present engaged in industrial enterprises, refusing to be entangled in political activities.