The Daily Telegraph. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1890.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 6003, 20 November 1890, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1890.

[It does not require tho foresight of a prophet to predijt tho results of tho elections j for the constituencies of Hawko's Bay and Napier. No one regards in any serious light the, opposition of Mr Reardon to the return of the Hon. Captain Russell. From all parts of tho electorate the news comes that the late member will receive an overwhelming amount of support, and considering the antecedents of the two candidates, it would be a most surprising state of things if he hud not that assurance. From the timo that Captain Rusnell first entered tho Houso in 1875, hehashelda positioniuParliamentthat would only bo accorded ton. man whose abilities, moderation, and courtesy fairly entitled him. Respected by both sides of the House, and possessing tho unqualified confidence and esteem of'his own party, it took no ono by surprise when he was ottered aud accepted a seat in tho Cabinet. True, he only held oflieo for a few days in tho Atkinson Ministry of 1884, when between August 10th of that year to tho following 3rd of September thero wero three different Administrations, but his selection showed his standing in the House. Iv October of hist year Sir Harry Atkinson a train selected him as Colonial Secretary and Milliliter of Defence and Justice, which offices he retains, nnd it would be one of the most astonishing things if his constituency rejected him for a candidate who hitherto has made no mark whatever in a public capacity. Mr Reardon, however, it is believed, will obtain a certain amount of support in and around Hastings, an I in these democratic days it is unsafe to despise the candidature of any one, no matter who. We saw at the last, general election Mr Desmond's entrance upon tho political arena, and ridiculous as wo regarded las oiler to represent a constituency like Hawke s Bay, he found 502 supporters out of 1530 voters who went to the poll. It is not, however, disparaging to Mr Reardon to say that Mr Desmond was out and away a more able man than tho present opponent of Captain Russell, but unfortunately ability does not carry much weight, or receive the consi leration it should, at tho hands of a very large section of electors. It is, perhaps, in the knowledge of this that Mr Reardon bases his hopes, and risks his money, in what we consider tho most hopeless political contest that will occur during these elections. Turning to the election of. representative for Napier, we sec two candidates m the field, ono of whom is the best known mid tho most popular man in the eleciorato, while the ather is scarcely known by sight or reputation. Mr G. 11. Swim was elected to the Municipal Council on its first formation iv JS7S, and othcoti 11 ISM), when the borough was divided into Wards j l.c was. hen elected for tho South Ward which Ire continued to represent till ho resigned his seat for the purpose of• IW> a v°A to England i" !««-'■ °" '"" r^ urn to the colony, and on a vacancy occurring. ,o was. 4_iu returned for «* o M V. urd, and in l»»a, h « "' l \Z ta \ d an offioe, the Inmost tlio municipality can give him, which he has occupied uninterruptedly for live yea.s, and to winch for the sixth time he was elected agan yesterday. During tho years that ho baa

been holding this public position, he has also been a member of tho Harbor Board, of the Education Board, and chairman of the Ohitritablo Aid aud Hospital Boards. In these capacities he has given faithful and diligent service, with the obvious result that when it became necessary to a candidate for the representation of Isapier, tbe choico naturally fell upon him. His candidature unites as no other person's would the Liberals and Conservatives to be found in this electorate, find we havo no hesitation iv saying that it is un absolute certainty he will be placed at the head of the poll. It is impossible to 'magine why Mr Gannon selected Napier for his candiI dature for a seat in Parliament. Ko brings from Gisborne nothing to reo-Miiraend him to a place which is strautre to him. He has no record to show of public services, and in tho absence of wealth or conspicuous ability —and in theso respects he is singularly on all fours with his friend, Mr Koardon—the question is asked, what aims have theso two that they should want to get into the House? Without :t per am enjoys a certain amount of wealth, which gives an assurance of independence, and of a sense of responsibility to his constituents aud to the colouy, no one can obtain any sort of influenco in Parliament, aud his services are therefore of the least, possible value. This is so well I known that many impecunious men who ! formerly were in Parliament have long given up public life, unci seme amongst those who have thus retired were of superior ability to either Mr Gannon or Mr Reardon. We need not discuss this part of tho question further, because those gentlemen will not have tho opportunity afforded them ol seeing of how littlo or how much they could accomplish in tho House.