Hume noted that the free and honest expression was not only permitted but encouraged under Lord Mayo and that this freedom was curtailed under Lord Northbrook who succeeded Lord Mayo. When Lord Lytton succeeded Lord Northbrook, the situation worsened for Hume. In 1879 Hume went against the authorities. The Government of Lord Lytton dismissed him from his position in the Secretariat. No clear reason was given except that it ""was based entirely on the consideration of what was most desirable in the interests of the public service"". The press declared that his main wrongdoing was that he was too honest and too independent. The "Pioneer" wrote that it was ""the grossest jobbery ever perpetrated"" ; the "Indian Daily News" wrote that it was a "great wrong" while "The Statesman" said that "undoubtedly he has been treated shamefully and cruelly." "The Englishman" in an article dated 27 June 1879, commenting on the event stated, "There is no security or safety now for officers in Government employment." Demoted, he left Simla and returned to the North-West Provinces in October 1879, as a member of the Board of Revenue. It has pointed out that he was victimised as he was out of step with the policies of the Government, often intruding into aspects of administration with critical opinions.