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Thames Star, Volume XXI, Issue 6432, 22 November 1889, Page 2

[Io the Editor of the Evening Stab ]

See,—Au attempt is being made by the friends of Mr Boon to stuff down the throats of unthinking electors that Mr McAndrew is unfitted for the Mayor's chair because, as they say, he is a little rash of speech. I will admit—and that admiringly—that when necessary Mac has, in the interests of the public, bit straight from the shoulder. Now, why were these blows dealt P Simply because Mac believed that the Borough finances were being plundered wholesale, and be was striving might and main to prevent it, but the majority of his fellow^ Councillors were striving just as hard to have it continued. Now, it must be borne in mind that Mac felt sure that these Councillors who so steadfastly opposed his motions for reform were as fully aware that the hard earnings of the ratepayers were being stolen as he was, and this being so, is it any wonder that his indignation found vent in words of contumely on the chief robber and his satellites ? A case aaalagous to that of Mac's took place in the House of Commons not man? years ago, viz, that of Mr Samuel Plimsoll. This gentlemen repeatedly in the House brought forward measura after measure to prevent shipowners overloading and sending rotten ships to sea just to recover the insurance mouey after they were wrecked. He fought hard for the life of poor Jack, but the vested interests were too strong for him. At last the old gentleman's indignation could hold him no longer; there he was, like Cr McAndrew, surrounded by his fellow members, who were as fully aware of the terrible state of things going on, and a majority pro* ferring pandering to the capitalists to saving the lives of their fellow men. It was this that made him, after one of his reforming measures were thrown out, advance to the speaker's chair and denounce the servile majority in the strong est of terms. The opponents of the measure yelled their protest against such outrageous conduct, as they called it; but did he have to liok the dust P No, the incident aroused public feeling on behalf of his contentions more than anything else possibly could have done. The voice of the people was roused, and compelled the majority to give in, and the memento of the glorious victory of right over might can now be seen painted on the side of every British vessel, visj., " the Plimsoll mark." For the "McAndrew mark " I would ask the ratepayers to oast their eyes to Mount Eden,-and there they will see several people wearing the broad arrow, and the getting that mark on one individual's clothes is due to Cr MoAndrew. The result has been that the Thames ratepayers have been saved £1200 per annum. In weighing both candidates, let this one service alone be placed in the scale with Cr McAndrew, a.c.4 $ feel sure it will greatly over-lsaianee Mr Boon's ehi?fs.hara«terlstio—hisavoirdupoia— and ihe ratepayers will see who has been the greatest boon to the Thames.-el am, #c, MIPDSE Wahb (No. 8).