The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1868.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 412, 25 November 1868, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1868.

The consideration of the question of the future representation of the Westport district in the Nelson Provincial Council may now very reasonably receive some attention from the electors. The writ for the electioii has already left the hands of the Superintendent, and, although it has beeu returned to be perfected in a mere of detail, there is no doubt that, in a few days, it will bo formally issued, and that, between the date of its issue and the day of nomination, no very lengthy period'will elapse. In more than this one circumstance, there is reason that the inhabitants should take time by the fore-lock, and at least discuss, if they do not determine, the mau, or the merits of the man, whom it may be desirable to select for the more honorable than onerous office of Councillor. It has to be remembered that, in a very few weeks, a majority of the residents of the district will be more in the humor for sport than for the serious study of even such small politics as are involved in the l'eturn of a member of the Provincial Council. It is also a consideration that, within the same time, Westport may receive that for which it is very indifferently prepared — a visit from His Excellency the Governor. It is not meant to insinuate that the inhabitants are likely to devote themselves so exclusively to amusement, or are likely to be so demonstrative in their expressions of loyalty or in their attention to a

distinguished visitor, as to run the risk of neglecting altogether the dis- >, charge of other ocial duties. It may, \ however, bo predicated of a mining community that, at tho Christmas season, and especially in such a season as the Christmas time is, this year, likely to be in Westport, if they do not absolutely neglect politics, they are apt to impart to the consideration of them too much of the prevailing holiday spirit. The return of a member for the district to the Nelson Council is not at any time considered of very grave importance, the impression being that the sending of a member to Hong Kong might prove quite as effective, so far as the interests of the district are coiicerned ; and we can readily imagine that, with this feeling existing, and amid the jollities of the holidays, it might be estimated extremely " jolly" tp bring forward, or even to return, candidates possessing the most absurd pretensions of fitness for the office. Although it might be death to " the frogs " —to the more intelligent electors who live in this quiet pool of politics —it would afford capital fun for " the boys." Apart from this very secondary consideration, it would be creditable to the spirit of tinelectors if they made the determination, and made it early, that the honor of being returned to the Council is to be made no more an object of adventure than of-sport, but that, so far as they are concerned, it shall be made an object of worthy ambition on the part of the best men among them. The element which is most objectionable and injurious in our County Councils, in our Provincial Councils, or in the General Assembly, is the adventurous element —the men whose desire for office or emolument is paramount to their wish to serve a constituency, and who only ride the " political horse " in the hope that he may some day prove a Pegasus, upon whose wings they may obtain apposition ' to which, by the exercise of their own talents in the ordinary avocations of life, they could never be entitled. It is upon this class that the . destinies of the whole colony are, at present, too greatly dependent, and, trifling as may be the influence of any one in the mere position of Provincial Councillor for Westport, the principle of diminishing the success of the class as a class is a principle which may well be carried out in very minute particulars. It is true that in Westport, or its district, there are not many men who, while possessing the qualifications, have the leisure to attend to other duties than their own personal business; but there are a few, and the number is not so limited as to make the selection of a suitable member a matter of insuperable difficulty. It is possible that their most distinguishing trait is modesty, but it is refreshing to know that even that virtue disappears before the " sweet soliciting " of a well-signed requisition, and we recommend the electors, in whatever direction their tastes may turn, to try that very simple and innocuous experiment.