The Marlborough Press. SATURDAY, JULY 15, 1865.

Marlborough Press, Volume VI, Issue 56, 15 July 1865, Page 2

The Marlborough Press. SATURDAY, JULY 15, 1865.

It lias often been a matter of wonder to us bow men, who aspire to tho character of legislators, can be guilty of tbe anomalous conduct so often pursued —one day advocating one line of policy, and, within a lew months, coming out as the champions of something exactly the reverse, giving, it is true, some reason for the sudden which, however specious, fails in nearly all cases to convince others ol the reasoncr’s sincerity, «nd blinds no one to the ’act that he is acting from some motives beyond their knowledge, and which he does not care to confess ; at the same time ho is ignorant of tlieahsuid position in which he places himself, or thoroughly reckless ol the judgment of a moderately discerning public. We are induced to make these remarks from having compared the statements ol those who supported Mr 11. Godfrey s mo. tion, requesting the Superintendent to resign, with tho facts on record, and neither contradicted or disputed, until a blind party spirit had confused the recollection and warped the judgment of the actors in the farce commenced in the Council Chamber, Picton, on the 27th ult., adjourned to the Court House, Blenheim, and brought to such a ridiculous finale soon after daylight on the morning of the 7th instant, on the same hoards that witnessed its commencement. Mr 11. Godfrey’s motion was as follows — “ That the Superintendent, having totally ignored the lcsolmion of this Council passed on the 27th ult., has thereby forfeited the confidence hitherto reposed in him, and this Council expresses its dissatisfaction at the course pursued by His Honor, and requests that he will at once resign his office ” Before trying this motion on its own merits, we may state that it affirms 1 1 nit which is contrary to fact, viz., that the Superintendent totally ignored the

resolution of the,27th ult AYe know this

to he incorrect., for we were present, in the C uncil Chamber on the 291 h, when Ilis Honor’s reply to the resolution was read by the Speaker. This reply was a simple denial of the power of the Council to pass that part of the resolution, by which it was sought to remove to Blenheim ; and the

Superintendent, in consequence, declined to make ai rang Hients for earn ing it into effect. But. even admitting that the Superintendent had totally ignored a resolution, beyond a doubt illegal, how could lie thereby have forfeited the confidence that the Council, as shown by the resolution, had, up to that time, reposed him Surely no reasonable men would suddenly withdraw their confidence front a Superintendent on the sole ground that, hr defended his own prerogative, especially il lie acted from a conviction that he was hah legally and morally tight in so doing. As we, unfortunately, have not reasonable men to deal with, it uil’ lie more pertinent to it-k whether Mr IT. Godfrey can expect th: i reasonable men will believe f t’ ore mo meat that ho, and those acting with him, had not some motive that lie and they were afraid and ashamed to confess, and sought to “totally ignore” that motive hy such a flimsy pretext as this. It may suit, Mr II Godfrey, and a few others, to get rid ol our present Superintendent to make room for someone who, for party pav or place, will he the willing slave of a majority, not of the representatives of the electors, hut. a majority consisting of men representing a cltss interest only some with the full knowledge that they arc doing so, and others led hv some Will of the Wisp to aid and abet, them in their selfish and mistaken policy. But we can assure this heterogeneous majority that what suits them will no luiu'cr he tolerated by an overwhelming majority of their fellow men, now goaded, hy a long course of injustice, into asserting their right to participate in those advantages which, though common property, the few so perti acmu-dy deny to the many, on the side ground that they have obtained a position that enables them to commit the wrong, without transgressing too strict lot.

ter of laws made by themselves, to suit themselves alone ; forgetting that they are trampling on the laws of God and nature. Having shown that the motion is incorrect its to facts, and that it can only he looked upon as a pretext for something behind the scenes —a means by which the two parties forming the coalition hope to accomplish some well-known, though undeclared, ends—we will now compare facts on record with the statements put forth by Mr 11. Godfrey and his abettors. In the proceedings of Council reported in the 1 Press ’ of September Bth, 1804, we find the following: Sir Canning then rose and proposed Mr Seymour. That gentleman’s political character and principles were generally known, and fie believed received the approval of a very large majority of the Council and the electors.

Mr 11. Godfrey fully concurred with the last speaker in the opinions he had expressed of Mr Seymour, and with much pleasure seconded his nomination, which he ielt assured would be confirmed by all present. Mr Sc-vmour said he wished to fulfil the duties of Superintendent in a constitutional manner, lie would always act with the Executive power, and so far from* looking upon it as a curb, would ever regard it as u material assistance in carrying on (lie Government of the province. He however sincerely trusted his executive would give him a regular attendance without which an Executive would be but a farce. If this were not done he could hardly be blamed if he took responsibilities upon himself which by right he should be relieved of. He certainly intended to make some change if elected, and as such change* might affect his election lie felt bound in honor to declare them. He did not intend as usual!v had been the case to take his seat at the Council table. lie was of opinion that the Supcrin’-endent should hold himself aloof from all party feeling, and avoid tlie pointedness and sharpness of debate. The Executive should f,a]it Us battles for him. If tiic members of it failed to do so it was time he resigned, and vacated those responsibilities of office in which he had not been supported. In all matters which might come before the Council lie should be particularly plain and above board.

Does the above report hear out the state, ments of Messrs. H. Godfrey, Ward, and others, that Mr Seymour pledged himself to net in all cases as a majority of the Council might choose to dictate, and that he Ikg hr dten a l'l edge by not yielding to the coalition on a point on which they knew he, as far as his acts and words for six voars past, could pledge a man, stood pledged to the course he has so firmly, consistent.lv, and honorably adhered to; whilst such men as Messrs. Ward and Coulter have respected neither pledges nor appearances.

We know fora, fact that not only has the coalition attempted to force Mr Seymour to a departure from pledges of years hack, hut it l as endeavoured to peistiaile (query compel) him to break his pledge, that il elected Superintendent he vould not sit in C uine.il. The wisdom of this course was admitted hv all, find yet, on the very first occasion (me resignation of Mr M’Hetli), when thev thought that his taking his seat, in the Council would assist their objects by placing him more in their power, they attempted something hevond persuasion to induce him to a course they knew to he unwise; hut luckily Mr Seymour and his advisers knew this also, ami laughed at both their cajoleries and their threats. [low Mr 11. Godfrey, having spoken as be did ill Seplmnber lad, justifies his present extraordinary proceedings, is hey lid coin preheti'ion ; but perhaps he does not aspire to the. character ol a legislator—it he does, we are of opinion he has mistaken his vocation.

\Yk puriHi.s'-lv abstained from commentin._f on tlio case Stanley r. Hewitt, which i,i». l.cr.nv mir Macistva -’s Court on \Ji\ I :i-1 ; li the excitement it ocenone.l life! -ii 1 1-ale. I : ami we refer to it now !n . au-e nothing in a small cmnmmiity ike mns is mure pernicious tiian widening .1,,. I.,each tliat necessarily exists between <•]a--rs. Much of our social comfort de|k 11 id - on amicable relations between mis- • loss ami maid ; and with a little forbear:r. (. mi the one part, and a little more olio, r id willingness on the other, Paterf imtliis. after the lahmirs of the day, might snmke his pipe in peace, instead of being tormented with a lecture on Polly, or her followers.

With record to the case on Monday last, we are quite satisfied, after hearing the pro ;m ,| con of both parties, that there were faults and n i-nmlerstamlings on all sidt s. The giil cannot rellect on her conduct now without :egret, and Mr. Stanley must, feel that it was foolish to drag before a public court what ought to have been confined to his own house. Law is a good thing in its place ; hut. 1 ke edge tools, is dangerous to handle; and if Mr. Stmley’s purpose was not vindictive, hut intended as an example. Ini has sadlv failed, and made a n ar'yr ot of servant who might have been dismissed with a reprimand Public sympathy has been amused in favour of the girl, because the punishment inflicted was ridiculously disproportioiied t> the offence. Hanging for anything hut murder is now nlmo-t unknown, ami instead of the change increasing it has lessened dimes, which the Old Biillie too often fostered rather than sue-

pressed. The public must, be satisfied that punishment is just, or the effect is lost us an example.

Nor will it serve a good purpose for the small fry of our “ Upper ten” imitators to sneer at this ebullition of popular feeling. Few of us can afford (none ought) like Uriah Heap or Joseph Surface, to be despised. The true test of a gentleman is respect f r the feelings, nay. even the prejudices of others, whom silly people talk o! as inferiors. Let us all, therefore, try (but especially those whose education and position should lead the way) to obsetve the golden rule of doing unto others as we would they should do unto us. Servants, like the poor, must be always with us, and we ought to make the best of the institution. The courtesies of common lile cost little, but pay heavy hills, and we make no invidious insinuations when wc say that, as a general rule, where refinement and amiability are found, servants are friends and fixtures; nut when ignorance and the struggle to he genteel take the place of good sense and kindly feeling, perpetual change and vexation embitter the lile of both.

With regard to the law of the case, there can he no douhtof the Magistrate’s decision; he had no other alternative but to inflict, the statutory penalty. C >uld our still, small voice, however, reach “Our Uncle, the Doctoi," we would just hint that his damaged prospects of re-election might be rather improved by not only opposing the bill that that was introduced last session on this subject, which is still more stringent than the present, but by initiating one better adopted to the times than the act of Geo. 111.

We extract the following from the ‘Nelson Examiner’ of July GtJi, to show to the misguided men wiio are stopping all legitislaMve action on the part of the government, what is thought of them by those who can calmly judge their actions* and how true it is that they are making Marlborough a “ common laughing-stock for colony.” Will the time ever arrive when they will come to their senses and endeavour to atone for the mischief that they cause to the innocent many, equally with their guilty selves and few supporters.

It is the personal differences which local selfgovernment has brought about in Marlborough —the Kilkenny-cat propensities of the rival parties of l'ieton and Blenheim which forces itself so strongly on our attention, that we purpose remarking upon. The “Press’ of June 28, gives a report of the proceedings at the opening of the twelfth session of the provincial Council, at Pieton on the 24th of June, it will he remembered that the former session was terminated somewhat abruptly a lewweeks ago. The Estimates sent down by the Superintendent not meeting the views of the majority of the members, the latter set to work and cut and slashed away at them in a style which quite alarmed me Executive, and induced his Honour to stop all further proceedings by summarily proroguing the Council. 'I he Superintendent, in opening this present session, made no allusion to the difference between him and the Council, which caused the previous one to be cut I . ******* so short.

After the Superintendent retired, several notices of motion for the next meeting were given, and, amongst others, one hy Air II Godfrey, that the Council should “ adjourn to Thursday, the 29th of June, and hold Its next and subsequent meetings ut the Court House, Blenheim.” AV hen the Council met on the following day, Mr II Godfrey brought forward his motion, which was opposed by Air J Godfrey, who is one of the Executive. The latter gentlemen pointed out that, hy the Constitution Act, the power of declaring where the Council should meet, was vested Superintendent, who was authorised hy clause 15 to fix such place or places within the limits of the province as he may think fit, and vary and alter the same from to time as he may judge advisable. Air Eyes met this objection by referring to clause 2,'5 of the Act, which authorizes the Council to decide hy a majority of votes on all questions which shall arise in it. This, it not a satisfactory answer to Air J Godfrey’s objection, was an ingenious one, and served to satisfy the Council. Air Sinclair, too, added his weighty remark, that, if Mr J Godfrey’s objection was a valid one, “ Superintendents could convene the Council on the top of some hill.” So the Council divided, and hy nine to six votes, determined to oppose their will and convenience to a provision of the Constitution Act ; for no one but men blinded hy strong party feeling will fail to see that the question at issue was one which the Council has no power to deal with, and its decision on it therefore, one way or the other, was not worth a straw.

Now comes the farce of the affair. The Blenheim party, strong in number, and quite satisfied with there own interpretation of the law, are so foolish as to persist in holding their sit.ings at Blenheim, where they may meet and talk as long as they pleased, hut they will find out at last that all they have said and done is froth and vapour, and that their meetings have been no meetings ot a Provincial Council.

If nine members arc sufficient for that purpose, the Council will meet in its own Council Chamber vcvv pleasantly, while the opposition aie peistanding themselves they tire legislating in the Court House, at Blenheim. If more than nine are necessary to form a quorum, then the oil ci inteiuleiit must wait until some of the absenting members have recovered their senses bemre public business can he pro- ceded with. Into tlie question of whether l’icton or Blenheim is the fitting p!ae« for the Council to hold its sittings, we shall not enter. Eomeot tlis gen-, t lumen who now are for removing the government fro a l’icton to Blenheim, were the chief instruments in carrying it originally from Blenheim to l’icton, and expending several thousand p muds in erecting the mces.-ary buildings there. Now, wh.en the province lias little or no money to soar-’, to erect suitable buildings for tile Government at Blenheim, they arc seeking to bring the Government hack again. This battledoor mi l shuttlecock business is childish, to say the least of it.

These Picton and Blenheim quarrels—dual Superintendents and dual Provincial Councils—are making Marlborough a common laughingstock for the colony. The enemies of Provincial Governments can desire nothing better to bring those institutions into contempt, than the incessant squabbling which has characterised Alarlhorough from the time it was first created a proTiuce,