THE BRUCE ELECTION.

Bruce Herald, Volume III, Issue 70, 10 August 1865, Page 4

THE BRUCE ELECTION.

(From the Dunedin Herald.) The return of Mr Macandrew for the important electoral district of Bruce is a significant fact. It shows that the electors have ceased to he entirely swayed by jgj^bnal considerations, and that questions of a more practical bearing haVe influenced their choice.; There can be no doubt that the return of Mr Macandrew is a gain to the Province. Whatever people may say of that gentleman's pre" vious ' laches ' it is sufficient that many of those who four years ago were his inveterate enemies now take a more lenient view of his proceedings; and have learnt to forget their personal injuries, and to remember only the great services Mr Macandrew rendered to the Province, and the benefits they have publicly received irom them. Friend and foe -alike recognise Mr Macandrew's ability and sound practical political views ;- and even those who were the loudest in their recriminations when he got into difficulty are free to admit that had Mr Macandrew been the Superintendent of Otago during the great prosperity of 1861-62 this Province would present a very different picture, and occupy a much sounder position than, it does at present. . Mr Macandrew has gained considerably in public estimation, and not the less because of his unassuming and sensible conduct in the face of strong provocation to a contrary course of action. Returned, in spite of strenuous opprobium to the Provincial Council, he has gradually but surely broken down many of the personal barriers which opposed his influence, and now enjoys, perhaps, as large an amount of public confidence as any other member of the Provincial Legislature. His re-election to the House of Representatives is for him a triumph, and for the Province a gain. Otago's influence in the Assembly will be increa ed by the presence of a sound, far- seeing, and practical statesman, one who has the prosperity of the Province thoiOughly at heart, and who is able to make himself heard and felt in the Legislature of the Colony. If Mr Macandrew committed grave errors, be had expiated them severely; and if, as now, two important constituences have hastened to welcome him back to the ranks of public life, is not for us to find fault. - Major Gargili cannot be much surprised at his defeat. He doubtless relied too much on the traditionary reputation of his family ; and, probably, had personal considerations alone influenced the votes of the electors, a Cargill would still have represented Bruce in the General Assembly. But he had no chance against his veteran political opponent — not that there was serious difference of opinion between them, for generally they agreed on most public questions, but because Mr Macandrew is more progressive in his views, and has the reputation of greater practical ability. We have no doubt that Major Cargill is ready to admit all this, and he may therefore palliate his defeat by the knowledge chat his rival may prove the stronger champion ot principles on which they both agree.