THE MUNICIPAL DIFFICULTY.

West Coast Times, Issue 732, 28 January 1868, Page 4

THE MUNICIPAL DIFFICULTY.

TO THE EDITOB OP THE WEST COAST TIMES. Sra — May I presume to suggest an easy way to the solution of this new difficulty so unexpectedly started on the Municipal question, which has prevented the free discussion of the rights, as well as the requirements of the people. It is, that another public meeting be convened by the Mayor that the subject may be properly ventilated. There was one unpleasant feature in the last meeting at the City Theatre, that of not allowing the opinion of the citizens to be taken on some of the most vital clauses of the Municipal Act, and their bearing upon the general •welfare of the community. Calling together the citizens, and denying them the privilege of expressing their opinion upon the important subjects then agitating the public mind, has the tendency to deter many men from again attending, when their ideas (if allowed to be expressed) might help to elucidate the subject . in debate, so as to bring it to a practical issue. At the late conference (if it may be so called) of the deputation of the citizens with the members of the Council, there can be but little doubt that the chairman (Mr Uutton) was, if not legally, yet morally and socially wrong m his ruling, whilst the arrogant and insulting tone and bearing of another Councillor was a direct insult — not only to the deputation, but to the ratepayers whom they represented. But let it be remembered that the Council itself is but the embodiment of power entrusted to them for the general good by the people, who are the source from whence it is derived ; therefore such conduct not only derogates from the dignity of the Council, but also detracts from the' personal character of those who, by mere force of circumstance, are placed in a position for which they are unfitted, ani thus, " dressed in a little brief authority, play such fantastic tricks before high Heaven as make the angels weep." It is therefore the duty of the citizens to call these gentlemen to an account, which could be easily done if our worthy and indefatigable Mayor would convene another meeting of the citizens, and invite the Council to attend ; where the subject could be freely discussed, and where they could not claim the exclusive privilege of being the only judges of the wants and wishes of the people. They are in reality but our representatives, and that dignity no longer becomes them than they retain the confidence of their constituents. I would, however, place a few practical ideas before your readers, which may be useful at the present time on the vexed questions of the day — the election of Mayor, the vote by ballot, and plurality of voting. Of the first, it is but right that the Mayor should be chosen from amongst the Council; but it does not follow that they should possess the sole power of his election. It may happen that a certain combination may be made so as to fix one of their own clique into the office of Mayor for certain purposes. It is no argument to say that Mr Bonar was elected by the Council, and, therefore, having made one good selection, thatfuture Councils are bound to do the same. The election of Mayor ought to devolve upon the ratepayers, and it is his duty to watch over their interest, and be the conservator of their liberties. Of the vote by ballot, but little can be objected. It haß hitherto worked well, and, although at the present men may be so fortunately placed as to be enabled to give an independent vote, it is well known that as things settle down more to the level of affairs at home that the shield of the ballot will be required to give that independence of action so necessary for the purity of elections. Cumulative voting, if carried out, would have a very injurious effect upon society, by concentrating the power in a small minority ; whilst the votes of our humbler brethren would not only be neutralised, but absolutely powerless in any struggle for the maintenance of their rights. The affairs of the millions cannot be conducted as the business of a railway, banking, or any other public company where the representative of the largest number of shares is entitled to the largest number of votes. What would our politicians at home say if any ministry dared to introduce such a clause into any Act connected with the representation of tho people ? There the chief aim of the Parliament has been to give free scope to tho requirements of the people, and punish by severe penalties all who would by bribery or other practices corrupt the purity of elections. j I would, therefore, wish to impress upon the public mind here the necessity for vigilance in watching over their liberties, or perchance they may find, when too late, that the power they once possessed may be transferred by the machinations of a few to other hands. I am, &c, John Oboss. Weld street, January 24, 1868.