The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE. Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning. Tuesday, November 29, 1887. TO-MORROW'S ELECTION.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 73, 29 November 1887, Page 2

The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE. Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning.

Tuesday, November 29, 1887. TO-MORROW'S ELECTION.

Bg just ami fear not; T-*t all the ends th<»u aim st at be thy conn try’s, Thy God's, ami truth's.

To-morrow the ratepayers will be called on to elect a Mayor for the ensuing term. Consequent on the resignation of Mr Joyce, the contest will now lie between Mr DeLautour and Capta'n Tucker. In retiring from the contest Mr Joyce has taken a step which makes it a matter for regret that such a course were necessary, when we see such admirable proof of the absence of personal feeling. His commendable action in leaving the fight as between man and man should add to the esteem in which Mr Joyce is now held. The interest shown in the forthcom ing contest is one of the best of signs, and in making their choice it is to be hoped the ratepayers will carefully weigh the merits and demerits of the two candidates in the field. As we have previously pointed out, the seat on the Harbor Board, which is held by virtue of the office, will really be the main feature in the contest. Jt is not intended to detract from the honor conferred on the successful occupant of the Mayoral chair, nor to under-esti-n.ate the qualifications essential to the proper fulfilment of the duties of the office, but from a practical point of view the seat on the Harbor Board must be looked upon as being at present the more important position, and the issue will greatly depend on the views which the candidates hold re-

garding harbor matters. The election contest should be conducted, as we believe it will be, without any of that low-toned personality which is sometimes imported into such matters by strong partizans who are more noted for the foolish course they adopt than for the good they do to the cause which they wish to advocate. Every man has his faults, and when it is to the public interest to point out such shortcomings no fair representative critic will fail to do so, but at the same time the object of the criticism should be accorded fair play. As far as Mr DeLautour and Captain Tucker are concerned, we are certain everything will be done in a straightforward and manly manner, though from past ex perience it may be as well to convey a warning note to those supporters who are apt to lose their judgment in sucl close contests as this one is likely to be.

Coming to the candidates themselves, they are both so well known that no detailed reference is necessary! Mr DeLautour has many of those qualifications which go to make an excellent Mayor, and his natural ability and acquirements may at all limes be employed for the benefit of his fellowcitizens. But while giving him credit for the best of intentions, the circumstances in which he is placed are not such as would inspire confidence in the candidate. It is well-known that he is supported by a certain party whose interests are'identical with one particular course respecting harbor matters, and it is only in the order of things to assume that the nominee will use his influence to carry out the wishes of those who have selected him. Or it might be more fair to Mr DeLautour to say that because he is known to hold certain views, he has been chosen as a candidate by some whose interest it is io support him in carrying out those ideas. Mr DeLautour also belongs to the legal profession, which is an objection—whether reasonable or not it is not for uj to argue—that is held by many people, and the prejudice will weigh against the chances of his election. Judging by Mr DeLautqur’s past actions, and recognising the gentleman who will oppose him, we do not think the ratepayers would be taking the wisest course were they to decide in the former's favor.

Captain Tucker can lay claim to the same abilities which characterise Mr DeLautour. He is a fluent and terse speaker, has good argumentative power, is well versed in the forms and procedure of local bodies, and, which is mos t important, his principles are more likely to be in keeping w.th the wishes of the majority of t.-.e ratepayers. Captain Tucker has been long connected with the district, and the part he has laken in municipal matters stands recorded to his credit. He should make an excellent Mayor, and as a member of the Harbor Board he might be expected to have even more weight, considering the complex questions that sometimes occupy the attention of that body. It has been said that his being interested in the blockyard will militate against his usefulness as a member, but such statements are contrary to fact. The land is being taken m the ordinary course provided by law, and the result will make no difference.

To sum up, we allow that both are good men, but when all things are weighed Captain Tucker has a decided preference, and we earnestly advise all those who have the interests of the district at heart to record iheir votes in favor of that candidate. Mr DeLautour may be a good man, but in the circumstances Captain Tucker has the advantage of superiority, and we hope that the ratepayers will prove this by their voting to-morrow.

Since the above w*a in typo, wa notice our contemporary has taken up the old lines—"No case, abuse the other aide." Of course a knowledge of the source may considerably outweigh the intended effect, much to the advantage of the person aimed at. The ad. miaaion, however, that the aeat on the Harbor Board ia of the Aral importance should be noted, as showing the real game a certain party are aiming at—in their desire to bring in a side-wind to the detriment of Captain Tucker they have fully revealed »hat ha« been known all along to those who could see through tbs thin veil of deception. A piece of effrontery 1 So far as our memory goes the Board some time back were arranging for a piece of ground for the bloekyard and asked Captain Tucker, as agent for Ripetata Kahutia and others, for a price for the piece of land in question, and a price was given. Captain Tucker has personally not one paiticle ot interest in .he matter, being merely a trustee. Whether that pilue was a fair one is not for those ignorant of such matters to judge. Il the Board were not satisfied with the price they had their remedy, and through various stages the matter has now been placed in the hands of the Compensation Court, and, in the ordinary course, will be decided when the next Supreme Court Judge presides here. The matter has advanced so far that Captain Tucker as a member would not have the slightest infiuenue were he ever so anxious in that respset. But as our contemporary has taken up such paltry lines, we might ask one lilt e question. From which legal office did the claim for the £lOOO emanate? Many oilier questions migui be asked, but no good purpose would be served. It would, though, if we wished to judge the candidates from the low standpoint taken by the editor of the Herald, be more reasonable to assume that Mr DeLautour wants the seat because he has to push the interests of the Native Land Company, or that he has the interests of certain wdl-kuown clients first in his mind's eye. But we have retrained from imputing any such motives, and I if Mr D Lautour allows bimse t to be sacrificed by his friends, that is his trouble. As to the gross imputation made against Captain Tucker, we may use the words of a great writer—

Praise me not too much, Nor blame me, for thou speakest to the Greeks Who know me.