The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prevalebit. MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 1886. An Ungracious Scotchman.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1316, 16 August 1886, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prevalebit. MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 1886. An Ungracious Scotchman.

Mr Sutter, the member for Gladstone, is not a popular type of the Scotch race to which he belongs. He has none of the better traits by which his countrymen are distinguished, but by the clumsy simulation of political energy and virtue he has hoodwinked the electors of a confiding constituency and for another session, at least, is likely to burden and obstruct the Legislature. During the present session the member for Gladstone has attained some notoriety, and possibly a little vulgar applause, by the assumption of a rigorously righteous air in respect to the public expenditure. Mr Sutter’s experience of men and manners was obtained as a commander in our merchant navy, and he evidently finds it hard to believe that there can be a ; higher code of morality than that prevailing in the forecastle of a colonial collier. He places the very worst construction upon the actions of our public men, and he appears to regard coarse insinuations as excellent substitutes for logical deductions. We need hardly point to the many occasions upon which he has posed as the champion of the down-trodden taxpayer; but even the electors of Gladstone are growing weary of this egregious bathos and are not likely to repeat the blunder which has left them without any useful representation during the last five or six years. Mr Sutter’s latest accomplishment is an inexcusable attack upon Sir William Fox, one of the most brilliant statesmen and greatest benefactors this colony has ever had. A sum of was placed upon the supplementary estimates for the remuneration of services rendered by Sir William under the West Coast Settlement Act. The vote was cordially supported by the Premier and the leader of the Opposition, but vigorously opposed by , Mr Sutter, who succeeded in securing i the adjournment of the question until < to-day. We have no doubt the vote will ultimately be carried, and that the * invaluable and patriotic services of Sir | William be appropriately acknowledged, but it is much to be regretted that the colony’s thanks should be sullied by the malignant observations of this un- a gracious Scotchman.