Untitled

Grey River Argus, Volume XXI, Issue 2316, 12 January 1876, Page 2

Elections produce many absurdities, not the least of which are the certificates of character which candidates, either of themselves, or by their Committees issue to the electors. Ardent appeals for support for this or that candidate may be excused, but when by placards and otherwise a candidate is made to be the sole possessor of all the cardinal virtues, and inferring that his opponents are barren iv this respect, it becomes ridiculous. For instance, the voters are entreated to vote for "Mr Newton and honesty and ability combined," and for the same candidate because " You know you can trust him." . What Pharisaical nonsense is all this. Is Mr Newton to be supposed to be the only candidate who is honest, or able, or both combined, and is he the only person to be trusted ? He has, like others, his ability to display and political confidence to win — as yet he holds no higher position than any of his rivals. Whilst they were about it why did not his supporters say " Vote for Newton and his elastic opinions," for that would have been nearer the truth, than the arrogating for him alone qualities which the electors have a right to expect in every candidate. And why "Vote for Newton who will cordially co-operate with any colleague ?" Of course he is expected to co-operate with his colleague for the good of the district, but why should he be committed to co-operate with " any colleague " — even if that " any colleague" should hold opinions contrary to his own ? Mr Woolcock is more modest ; his invitations for votes simply refer to his expressed opinions upon public works, with regard to which his fellow candidates are equally fully agreed upon. Mr Kennedy assumes to be " the most practical man in the field," and possibly he is upon some special subjects, but there are others perhaps on which he may not be. Mr Guinness again declared that he is the representative of the working man, and not the nominee of a "clique." Why should he be the only representative of the working man 1 Are any of his fellowcandidates less fitted for such a role, and which of them is brought forward by a clique ? as if such a thing as a political clique was possible under the ballot, Would it not be far better that the various candidates should stand upon the merits they may have disclosed in their expressed opinions, and leave the electors to decide, without the clap-trap which has been brought into play ?