THE EVENING MAIL, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1877.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 252, 12 February 1877, Page 2

THE EVENING MAIL,

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1877.

Wonlit »w IhinifM, ivndiv drop »f ink fulling up»n » thought may pvuducv that wliiuU uiaktsM thoa-mndi* thiuk.'*

Xbk first rule in the political grammar b to pay a due regard t<» the observance of the Eleventh Commandment, as contained in the instruction, " Man, mind thyself. That Mr. - the very hmn Hdfcufi anil essence of a politician ; that he JUk« studied the political catechism with some effect: ami that he b a most rigid end faithful observer of its command, as stt forth above, no »no wilt for a moment attempt to deny. l>vtmi£ his wfwde Parliamentary career, Mr. INkk a tactic may be characterised by what is known as sitting ovv a rail"—indeed, we airy not at all clear that the expressive term, did not originate in describing the political conduet of that gentleman; b«* att hb former manoiHwest dwindle into msiymiticanco, and have IWrn cast into), the shade, by hi» skilful finding secure the Chairmanship of Vincent County. The l>attlo is over, and the victory won, and the Senator, seated in his arm chair, no doubt chuckles at the clever manner in which Ike '* ran with the hare, and hunted with the hoomts," until he secured the £4o© per annam within lib gvasp. A few days since a telegram appeared in our columns stating that Mr.. VtMnvr Pyke had been bung in effigy in Cromwell. To those wlto had always associated the name of pros with setf-aaerifice and vhlvalrtxis patriotism, the intelligence was somewhat inexplicable, and an explanation of the «mgw» may perhaps he interesting. In tlm County of which Mr. Pykk b the "Patron Sfrint there a';e six ridings, with eight Councillors, and two townships, between which latter there existed a most JatM&ble rivalry to become the County town —Clyde and Cromwell. It was well known that the membar for the Dunstan •wnt most ansious to supplement his Parliamentary honorariom something and, providing a salary was fow* he waa ambitious to Ml the Chair, The votes of the Council*

lois were divided between Clyde and Cromwell, and overtures were made to the candidate by both sides, unknown, of I coarse, to each other, that if he would vote 83 they wished with regard to the County town, the Clyde members would plump for htra. The bargain was made, ! the votes secured, and Clyde was jubilant. Hie same I) alt was held out to him by i Cromwell, and eagerly snapped at, and ; Cromwell was likewise joyous. The day of choosing the Chatrman arrived. The men of Clyde and the Croinwetliam were unanimous in their choice, and so high an opinion was entertained of the rjualifications of the elected otm, that the Council as a body congraulated thcniHelvcs upun their good fortune in securing so natch ability at the small remuneration of £4OO. But alas ! for the mutability of human things ! A change vtaA scon to come over the spirit of the scene, and the popularity of their chief, i tike the kingdom of Bai.thazzak, was soon to crumble away. The momentous hour arrived which was tr> decide the fate of the County town. Tfie votes were taken, when there were found four for Clyde against three for Cromwell. Knowing of the secret promise, and with a present majority, the Clyde men were jubilant : hut were the Cromweflians east down f Not at atL Did not Mr. Tykk pledge his word his vote would be cast in their lot, and wtu> would dare to dispute or question what was a synonym for truth and honor J The time arrived for the Chairman to declare himself, and the voting was equalised by his going with the weaker side. Iteproaeii.es verbal there were none, but reproachful looks there werj many, but the immaculate Vj.wasr redeemed his word of honor to each by giving his easting vote against, as lie had given his individual vote for, the CrotmvelHans, and Clyde was declared the C >untv town. Wilt it bo believed that after this honorable and scrupulous conduct, there are persons in the rejected town who accuse Mr. Pyke of having broken faith with them f and it was for thus striving to please both parties that his constituents in Croru"'etl have hung hint in effigy. However Mr. Pvke has the promt consolation of knowing that he is not the first great mart who has suffered for conscience sake. Mr. Fyke has always been thoroughly consistent, and he has proved his consistency by " riding on a rail " to the end of the chapter.