ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Bruce Herald, Volume XII, Issue 1137, 5 September 1879, Page 31

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

» [We do not hold ourselves responsible for tlte opmions expressed by our correspondents.] CLUTHA ELECTION.- -THOMSON OR JOWITT. To the Editor. Sir,— l notice in last Friday's issue of yonr Clutha contemporary, a letter theaded " Tbo Elections," and signed " Catlin's Elector." On perusing the letter, I must say that I felt astonished at finding that paper condescending to insert so libelous a letter even at a time when any trickery er dodging is within the bounds permissible, namely, at electioneering time. If the letter be bona fide from an Elector of Catlin's River district, it shows itself to be an emanation from a mind which indulges in a petty spite against the candidate Mr Jowitt ; but if it be, on the other hand, the lucubration of a gentleman who tills the onerous position of " compendious letter- writer to the 'Clntha Leader,'" then I can but say that, notwithstanding the disavowal contained in it aa regards Mr Jowitt, it can only refer to a strong desire on the part of that paper to constitute itself the solo political organ of the district, and to elect the person whom it may please to choose, despite all obstacles. Mr Jowitt has come forward as every man has a right to do, to contest the election for a very important district — at a time when men's minds are greatly exercised as to the best form of Government. For years past Mr Thomson has represented the Clutha district, and without saying one word impugning him, there can be no doubt that the. electors are thoroughly entitled to select, if they thiuk fit, some other gentleman to represent their interests in the Assembly. When, therefore, there appears in a paper, notoriously in favor of one candidate, and one only, a letter describing the rival candidate, (if not in direct terms, atall events, by aninuendo, which must be clear to the mind of any one of ordinary intelligence, as a person deaf, impudent, and a rogue) I think the bounds of e*en electioneering license have been grossly exceeded, and I entertain the hope that the weak attempt of "Catlin's Elector " to show that he did not refer to Mr Jowitt in his remarks will predicate that electors, unless they wish to be considered as led "by the nose " by the Clutha paper, will record their votes in favor of the candidate ia whom they have the greatest faith, notwithstanding the one is iried and the other an untried man. I would not for one moment say that " sterling honesty" of "purpose and expression" does not exist in both candidates ; but I will raise my voice most emphatically against the scandalous attempt to damage a candidate's interests in the eyes of electors by refersnee to personal defects, and also by holding him np to public execration as a rogue, in order that a certain " pet of the paper" may be returned to Parliament. When I consider that the verdict of tho constituents at Catlin's River ! itself, and other places whare the "letter " was read, and put to the meeting, was unanimously against its tone and propriety ; when I consider that at the nomination the show of hands was in favour of Mr Jowitt, and that the poll had to be dtmanded on behalf of Mr Thomson, the long existing member, I must feel that your contemporary has on this occasion allowed the venom of his heart to thicken the usual clearness and brilliancy of his pen, (generally so ably used in the cause of seli-remunerative reform), by the insertion of ' Catlin's Elector's " letter. L feel sure that your motto must be a fair field and no favor. Let the electors vote for the mm they consider best, but let no at tompt be made to gaiu a victory by a scurrilous abuse of the power of the IVess. — I am, &c, PII.KTKI.V.