The Star. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1881.

Mr 0. B. Taylor and Mr J. G. RuDDKNKLAtr are candidates for the Mayoralty. There ia no question o£ public principle involved in the election — and both gentlemen staud high in the estimation of the citizens, bo that in oasting their votes the Ratepayers have very little to guide them beyond personal preference ; that very little, however, may as well be clearly stated. The claims of Mr Taylor may bo said to consist of high personal character, hiß association with the religions bodies, tbe interest he Hub taken in tbe Sunday Sohool Union, &0., the possession of a fine, commanding presence and considerable fluenoy of epeecb ; chums by no means to be deepißed. Mr Taylor served for two years as a member of the City Council, but wo have already had occasion to express our disappointment that, considering his ndinitted intelligence, ho should havo pr«:fit'-d ?o little by tho experience afforded in tin- Council Ohamb-r. It is not unfair ti> < xpeot a gentleman who aspires to fill tbo [>>eiti< n of Mayor of a city such aa Christ ohurob, to know something of the mont familiar roles of debate. The friends of Mr Taylor appear to find a ptmng point in bin favour in tbe fact that — intending to offer himself as a candidate for the Mayoralty — he did not again present himself for tho South-west Ward in order to cave the city tbe coßt of tbe extraordinary election which would follow upon bJH (.-leva-ion to tbo Mayoral ohair. Wo regret that wo cannot view Mr Taylor's notion in Mint favourablo usppct. Neither Mv Taylor nor anyone dee bna any right to bo far presume that tho citzens will eloofc him ; and, if his municipal ncivices are of any value, he ie not jußtific 1 in withdrawing them for two months and a I half by any buoli considerations of | economy. Mr Taylor seemß to bave thought that his conduct in Hub regard would place the Ratepayers under a.kind of grateful obligation, a bouse of which would aeaißt to bcouig his n'urn ; on

%ehalf of the Ratepayers we repudiate any such indebtedness, whilst Mr Taylor has deliberately thrown away all the claims to consideration which his position aa n> member ot ttio Oity Council would certainly bave given to iiim. If Mr Taylor can claim that he has served the citizens for two years, Mr Kuddenklatj can claim that he has served them for five ; and as, in abandoning his B9at in tix? Council Mr Taylor has come dowu to Mr Btjddkhklau'b level, the only one point to bo considered is length of service, in which it is clear Mr Ruddenxlaat has the advantage. Mr RttddenKLAU pate himself forward as an old colonist who fought hard in rongh aud stormy times to serve the people, and there can ecaicely be a doubt that all the old identities of tho cu.y who remember the Eceues of the past will rally to the support of the {.'eniiil any doughty little JDeutscher. Mr Ruddenklau Buffers in view of the splendid proportions of his rival, nor has he tha* fluenoy of tongue — sometimes a fatal gift — which Mr TAYLOR boasts ; but his word has never yet been impeached, nor the straightforward honesty of his motivos questioned. Having ama?B<-d a fortune sufficient to secure him comfort for the remainder of his days, Mr Ruddenklau las retired from business, and if elected the whole of his time and all lua energies and capacities will be given to the service of the Ratepayers. It hrn also <jome to ba understood that, should he be returre3, his year of office will be distinguished peculiarly from that of all lia predecessors, inasmuch as the Mayoral expenditure will not; be limited to the honorarium voted by the O'ty Council. Mr Rtjddenklau is deter* mined to show the citizens how tho hospitalities of such a oity as this should be dispensed, and this will prove &uoh an nnusual experience that, in our opinion, it is at least worthy of a fair trial. Under all the circumstances we conclude to advig? the Ratepayers to caat their votes on Wednesday next for the stout little Deu lacker.