THE MAYORALTY.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1936, 20 July 1869, Page 2

THE MAYORALTY.

To the Editor of the Eoeninn Star. Sir.—lt is amusing to a bystander, having no direct person d interest in the forthcoming Municipal Ele tjo?». to listen to the idle rhodomoutade which proceeds from the lips of the contending candidates. At each and every meeting, the cry is, “ Codlius, is the Man not Short ?” Well, so bo it; but let us endeavor to e’iminate some of the tomfoolery to which currency is given only to deceive the unwary, or to throw dust in the eyes of the electors, and to view the candidates on the grounds of ‘their separate merits. This is a simple process-, and it may be instructive. The two great-questions which are dangled before the pnblic gaze as the all-important question 01 the day, are the ■‘‘gas question,” and the expediency or inexpediency of rewarding the Mayor with a fair remuneration for his services. On the gas question it cannot be denied that Mr Fish claims too much merit for the steps he has taken to reduce the price of gas. He says, virtua ly, “ Gentlemen, there are other questions or’great importaum,, but tip, re is none of such immense importance as this question of cheap gas ; I will _ use every energy I possess to reduce the price of gas—to destroy the present monopoly, and if necessary to agitate until the Corporation undertake the entire supply.” Very good, Mr Fish ! it is desirable to get gas upon more advantageous terms than we have at present. Nobody will deny that; but Mr Fish fails to show us—what is really necessary to prove his case—that he, of all the candidates, is the only advocate for cheap gas. Let him prove that all th.e othpr candidates are pecuniarily interested—as directors, shareholders, or paid servants of the Company—in the present monopoly, and we will cheerfully com cede that there is some merit in his position, But hj av stand the facts ? Everybody loves cheapness j everybody prefers paying twenty shillings to paying forty shillings for an article ; and we do not believe that Messrs Birch, Dods, and Millar are exceptions. To say that they prefer paying the larger, when t ey might pay the lesser amount is insulting to common sense. Yet, when analysed, this is what Mr Fish’s statement really amounts to. This I do not hesitate to pronounce clap-trap, which will impose upon the understanding of but few of the electors. On the subject of remunerating the Mayor,

I believe that the conduct of Mr* Fish is the most sensible, as it is the most manly, of all the candidates. “The laborer is worthy of his hire.” Mr Dods, who talks of the honors of office being a sufficient reward, forgets that he is not merely foregoing the perquisites of office himself, but i< laying a prece ent which may prove fatal to the interests of futurity. With all respect to Mr Dods, I submit that something more than the “honors” of office is expected by a business man, in consideration of his sacrificing his time in the interests of his fellow citizens. Is the barren honor of being dubbed “Mayor” a sufficient incentive to men of parts but poor in purse ? or is it like’y to secure the urns' efficient services? I think not. Dispense with the “remuneration,” and we may secure eminently respectable men to till the office ; but it may be questioned whether the middle classes would ever aspire to this dimity, and, consequently, whether the middle-class interest would not be imperilled. There is no “hankey-pankey” on the part of Mr Fish on this subject. He speaks plainly and to the point. He says, if a man gives his time and energies to the public, he has a right to pecuniary consideration. I quite agree with him ; and the ratepayers will. I belh-ye, consult their true interests by not allowing him to be prejudiced by his own candour, or the high electioneering bidding of his opponents. I care little about Mr Fish personally, or indeed any of the candidates ; but I protest against the use of a mere electioneering cry for the purpose of damaging an opponent, jt is desirable to select an energetic business man, one with sense enough to comprehend what is conducive to the public good, and public spirit enough to pursue it. bo that this end be gained, I am sa'isfied. Balcu. July 20tb, 1869.