THE ELECTIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2800, 27 January 1871, Page 3

THE ELECTIONS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir—lf the conclusion of W. D. S. in today's Times is comet, and if it is true that "in nearly every election principles are lost sight of, and the. individual is voted for," there is of course'an end of the matter, so far as any question of incoosiatency on the part of those who yofed for Mr Bathgate supporting ; Mr Maoandrew is concerned • but I am disposed to think that the return of Mr Bathgate proves the incorrectness of W. D. S.s statement, and is an unquestionable triumph of the measures Mr Batngate^ advocates, over the personal objections many of the citizens felt for him; for it is a fact patent to all who know the public feeling in the matter that -Mr Bathgate has for long been personally unpopular, and hence the fact that it was only after a persistent reiteration of the principles, he advocates that he at length on a third appeal to the constituency of Dunedin, obtained, for his programme that measure of support which on I Friday placed him at the head of the poll. Of course the statement that W.D. S. had never heard from Mr Bathgate "anythiag approaching to the views of even a sucking statesman," is only W. D. S.'a own opinion!: of the value of which we should be better ablo -to judge if we knew who W. D. S. is. I have no doubt there are electors here as elsewhere who will readily y O te for a " hat," but it remains to be seen whether or no the; bulk of the Dunedin constituency vote only for a man or for the! policy-he enunciates.— lam, &c, ' Observer.