The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 1869.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 449, 8 January 1869, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 1869.

Intimation has been made of the date upon which candidates for election as a Member of the Provincial Council ■*hall be nominated, but we observe thut, in the intimation made, no particular hour has been specified. We take it for granted, however, that at twelve o'clock to-morrow the Returning Officer will take his place at the Court-house for the purpose of recording the nominations which may be made. "Who shall be nominated, or whether there shall be any nomination at all, is as much a mystery as ever. There is profound ignorance on the subject, and, with all respect, to the feelings of any gentleman who may have the fortune to be nominated, we fear that there is also profound indifference. It is very evidently the estimate of the electors that the return of a representative of Westport in the Nelson Provincial Council is a matter of so little moment that it demands neither forethought nor active public interest. If the inaction of the electors has auy meaning whatever, it means that, under existing circumstances, the election of a member for

Westport is a matter worthy of ' no consideration. Anyone is wel- ' come to the honor of the office, if honor it any longer possesses. As to its utility, it is in no way recognised. However touch this may be the >case, and however justly it may be so, it . should, at least, be the care of the constituency that, by their inaction in the matter, they and the office do not find themselves absolutely dishonored. That would be a result which would beneitheT be very creditable to the constituency, nor serve any but an exceedingly base purpose. By ignoring the object of the nomination, they may find that, prompted by some one of the many questionable feelings which do exist on such occasions, persons may be nominated, and being nominated, may be elected, whose presence in the Council might te the cause of much harm, while effecting no good. It is quite possible for any two persons to step up to the place of nomination, and to propose and second with grotesque formality some one whose incapacity is notorious; , and it would not be surprising if such a candidate wore to find himself at the head of the poll. It would not be the first " practical joke" of the kind which ' has been practised in connection with elections to Provincial Councils. Others . whose capacity may be no greater, though their character may be better, might be equally fortunate through the action of some " good natured friend." i To prevent such a contingency, it would be well if some of the electors would, at least, be sufficiently in earnest to nominate some of the men, if not all of them, who are known to • possess the technical qualifications, and whose fitness for the office has already been favourably, however slightly, canvassed. Out of the bunch . some might be agreeable to go to the poll, and if no great good would be achieved, the constituency and the : office would, at any rate, be saved from discredit or disgrace. There is one

which wo have previously referred—the alternative of deliberately and determinedly nominating no one. The a loption of such a course would be a significant indication of discontent with the Nelson Government, and of the desire for the establishment of a separate County ; but, as has already been said, it is a course to which, if adopted, its very fullest significance should be given, aud which, we venture to think, would at the present moment scarcely be politic or so serviceable in the right direction as it might at first sight appear.