THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1891. THE CHAIRMANSHIP.

Evening Post, Volume XLI, Issue 24, 29 January 1891, Page 2

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1891. THE CHAIRMANSHIP.

There are few things more unpleasant to hold firmly than a really hot potato. The natural tendenoy is to drop it. Jttr. W. C. Smith has proved an exceedingly hot potato for the Ministerial Party, and he is now, therefore, in tho position of Tb Whiti, in that his potato is cooked. He was foroed on the Government by himself and one or two other members of the House, and Ministers could not well relievo themselves of importunity on the Bubjeot, except by submitting his name to the House. Mr Balance's conscience must have suffered several twinges aB he uttered the little more than formal words in which he made the proposal. The mannor in which it wai received snowed how distasteful it was, and had the matter been pressed, the probability iB that Mr Smith would not have been elected. The interval allowed for refleotion after the first division, in whioh there was a majority of three for the Government, rendered it more than ever apparent that the House obieoted to Mr. Smith being forcod on it, and during tho ovening, had a vote been taken, ho would have been rejeoted by a very large majority. His nnfitnesß for the office is too palpable. He would simply, owing to educational deficiencies, render himself and the House ridiculous in the position, and there are other and equally good objections to his filling it. In fact, the Government committed a great mistake in making the appointment a party one. They should have supported the host man, whatever side he belonged to. The polioy of " the spoils to the victors " is a deoidedly objectionable one in politics. It 1b the prinoiple whioh dominates American politics and engenders every speoies of oorruption. There, the whole .Civil Service, down to the very charwomen, ohange, as the party in power ohanges. Every man and woman knows that he or she will have to go when the other side carries the Presidency. Office of any kind is valued not for the salary attached, but for tho opportunities afforded for plundor. The official in a good billet who doo3 no« make hay whilo the party sun shines, or <juitß offioe without his " pile " being mado, is regarded with contempt instead of respeot. Making the most of the opportunities at command involves no discredit. It is quite the correct thing. Wo shonld not liko to see suoh a system obtain here, but every abnse of patronago for party purposes tends in that direction. The late Ministry by the appointment of their ohief to the Speaksr«hip of the Council, the addition of Bix other supporters to that body, the gazetting of an enormous batch of J.P.'a, and such appointments as those of Lieutenant Hums and Major Nbwall, on the eve of their retirement, took advantage of the American system not being yet fully adopted bore. In America such appointments wonld be quickly reversed. Here they are grumbled at but submitted to. In prinoiple, however, all these appointments were in accordance with that whioh prevails under the Stars and Stripes. The present Ministry should have known better than to follow the evil example of their predecessors, by making the Chairmanship of Committees a Party question. They have narrowly escaped seriously oompromising themselves by the perpetration of

a discreditable job, whioh would have seriously shaken their position in publio confidence and respect. It would bo a most deplorable precedent to establish — that theao Parliamentary offices are to be necessarily regarded as rewards for party services, irrespective of poraonal fitness. It would soon beer me an understood thing that a quid pro quo was demanded, and that the member placed in the Chair from purely party roanons would carry his partizanahip with him, and unduly favour those who put him in the position. Impartiality would soon become one of tho last qualities looked for in a Speaker or Chairman. It is to be regretted tbat this year tbe Spoakerahip was the subject of a party oontest, but tho circumstances were peculiar, and justified the exceptional course taken. Fortunately, both the party candidates were men whose impartiality conld be relied on if placed in a position of responsibility. It might not always be so. Whether the election of Chairman of Committees will bo shelved for this session, as it may be without sorioua inconvenience, whethor some othor member than Mr. Smith will be '' run " by that side of the House, or whether Mr. Haiiiin's experience, ability, and proved impartiality in the Chair will be recognised by bis being reinstated— although of course, as Mr.BALlance pointed out, no member basa " right" to the position — we cannot say. The adoption of the last alternative would certainly give the most general satisfaction.