THE DOCTOR'S CLAIMS TO REELECTION.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3053, 27 November 1878, Page 2

THE DOCTOR'S CLAIMS TO REELECTION.

(To the Editor of the Erening Star.) Sib, —The Advertiser exercised a wise discrimination in refusing to publish' Mr Speight's letter other than as an advertise* ment, because it contains a gross insult-to* those who, entertaining different opinions from himself, refuse, at his behest, tq become political serfs. This frothy politician, profuse in assertion, his good sense strangled by a bullying egotism, considers the burgesses of this Borough should be held in his leading strings, and elect, the man whom he supports to the civic ctiair. He has most unwisely provoked a public I expression of opinion as to the ability of his candidate, and I feel assured it'his worship's shortcomings'as a public man are dispassionately considered the burgesses will pronounce him in that capacity an utter failure. What has he done ? As , Chairman of '< bir Geo. Grey's Committee he secured the support of the party who, according to,the gospel of Speight, " have 'made themselves masters of the country," an.4 by th^t means secured an iugloripus victory for the Borough Council. He, was on all previous occasions ignominiously de? ieated, and only daring the past year achieved the honor of the civic chair. What use has his Worship made of either position? I have a lively recollection of

a certain congratulatory meeting being convened in honor of the Preniierj which this self-denying gentleman endeavored tb turn to his own advantage in the little affair of the "Uppah House." Of his finessing when the question'of a delegate to the Wellington Conference was under discussion; of his action at a subsequent public meeting to consider the same question, when, in Bpite of an adverse resolution, he spouted a batch of egotistical thanks, which were neither required nor desired; of certain mysterious telegrams which somehow*)* the other his Council knew nothing about; of his proceeding to Wellington in spite of his Council, and of what he there did, and left undone, it were well to say nothing, and from his silence on his return I should think he thought so too. He claims all the credit of > the Thames and Waikato Railway scheme, but other brains originated it, furnished data, and they punctually attended meetings of committee, and showed in the payment of incidental expenses. He was appointed Chairman of the Executive Committee at the Hamilton conference, and beyond a stupid telegraphic conference I am not aware he did anything, and to that neglect may be attributed the presentunsatisfactory position of this .important work. In fact, Mr -Editor, I have cud*, gelled my brains to discover what he ;has~ done for the public good disassociated, from something of a personal; and -selfish consideration. A couple of your columns would hot suffice to tell what he has not done, but a shilling advertisement would contain the record of; his claims to be again elected as Mayor.— Yours, &c, • Bubgubsi.