ELECTION BY BALLOT AND "DEMOCRACY."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8065, 5 October 1887, Page 3

ELECTION BY BALLOT AND "DEMOCRACY."

TO TUB KDITOK. Sir, —I was pleased to sse your striofcures re the pledging of vote* and non-fulfilment of pledges. De focqueville says that; 14 Democracy is on its trial." This " government of the people, by the people, and for the people," has to pass a oracial ordeal. So far it is found wanting. There is not an electorate in the colony where disappointed oandi dates cannot say that they have had more promises than performances. I know of an instance in the recent election where the candidate did not poll mora than 33: cent, of those who had promised from personal canvass. This points to a serious consideration. What is the future of this to be, and how does it happen now J The question has to be faced, and there is no doubt the cause is bribery, and the effect will be disastrous to oolonial legislation. The people promise their votes to each candidate in turn, and then lay back for the highest figure. The committee, perhaps, without the knowledge and consent of the candidate, who distribute most money and beer, can pat their man in, but what will this lead to It the working men oould only see it, they are preparing a rod for their own backs in the future. The man with the longest perse will win future elections, and in return will see that the taxation will come out of the wage* earning class in preference to his own olass. The future of this colony, and the others also, is gloomy on the democratic political question. We are fast drifting to the American System, where no decent man will run for Parliamentary honours, the whole of the elections being governed by a " boas" Republican, or a " boss " Democrat, in the various large centres; "Caucuses" "Con ventions," eto, decide upon and ran the candidate, and the time is not far distant, if there are not some radical changes, when we may expect to hear candidates for honours at the hands of the Knights of Labour in New Zealand declare, as it has been declared in Chicago, " That there are no rights but tho rights of labour." It has justly been stated that in colonial politics there is a growing disiholination on the part of the better edu oated classes to enter into competition with the omui-promising political haok for the honour of a seat in Parliament. That many constituencies are at the mercy of those candidates who promise most of what does not belong to them, is indeed too true. We find candidates substituting flattery and transparent oribes for home truths and sound political doctrine ! This fact has left the colony open to men who do not represent the average education or the average political knowledge. The result is bad at the present election, but unless things change, they may be expected to be worse and worse •at future elections. The ouly hope is legislation relative to elections, where the voting shall be open, and neither canvassing nor cabs be allowed, for if a candidate is not worth some trouble and self-sacrifice on the part of the electors to put him in, he is not fit for a representative.l am, Ac., P.Jfl.o,