THE Wellington Independent. "Nothing extenuate; Nor eet down aught in malice." SATURDAY MORNING, 7th MARCH.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1839, 7 March 1863, Page 3

THE Wellington Independent. " Nothing extenuate ; Nor eet down aught in malice." SATURDAY MORNING, 7th MARCH.

THE FINALE OF fHE CITY ELECTION. The election contest is over. Mr. J. Dransfield is the suecessful candidate, and Mr Jobn Mcintosh (has once more failed tu secure a seat from the suffrages of his fellow citizens. We might sing a song/ of rejoicing at tbis, and raise a shout of triumph over our contemporary, the false prophet of Willis Street; but the result all along has been so certain, that we feel but little extra elation at its accomplishment. From the amouat of support Mr. Dransfield possessed, but little effort was used to secure his -lection, and scarcely a tithe of those pledged in his favor thought it necessary to record their votes. Tbere was no Cora* mittee formed, no election placards issued, no vehicles hired to convey half- reluctant voters to tbe poll, no public appeals, nor private canvassing employed on his side ; in fact, with the exception that 129 people left their places of business and proceeded amidst a pelting rain tothe poll, where they gave their votes, nothing whatever further was done. But if matters were taken so very easily by the supporters ef Mr Dransfield, it was not so with those of Mr John Mcintosh. They certainly deserve credit for their perseverance and aeal, which were worthy of a better cause. They moved heaven and earth to secure votes. Inflammatory placards covered every wall and boarding, calling on the electors to support the man of the people, an active Committee used the most strenuous exertions on his behalf, the bars of public houses were scoured through for 41 nobblerising" freeholders, a covered trap was provided for their accommodation, and voters were even brought from tbe Hutt, to augment the ranks of the faction in tbe City. With all tbis it is not surprising that 100 votes should bave been polled, being by the way just 67 less than the same gentleman secured at the last general election. It is not beyoid the mark to say tbat if it bad beenthought necessary, the supporters of Mr Dransfield could have carried in their candidate by at least tbree to one. They did not think it worth the trouble to do so. It had been resolved to elect him with as little fuss as possible, aud therefore his supporters were perfectly satisfied to do so by a reasonable majority. If any important principle had been at stake, if the contest had beeu between a thorough Government candidate and a thorough oppositionist, some interest would have been excited and the battle on one side would have Ibeen fought more vigorously. As the case stood, none of these conditions existed ; Mr Dransfield presented himself to tbe constituency as an independent member— while Mr Mcintosh was merely the puppet of a few frantic agitators, aud thus, beyond just doing as much as secured tbe return ofthe former, nothing further was deemed necessary. This election for the City indicates -very clearly that the great body of the electors 'do not sympathise with the few ultra radicals, "whose efforts to create political anarchy, are so -constant, yet sojfutile. It may also indicate, ithat there is a growing desire to chouse representatives, not so much from party motives as from a belief that unfettered, and unpledged, their character alone will afford a guarantee, that they will act for the best interests of the Province.