DR. POLLEN AND HIS ELECTION.

Auckland Examiner, Volume 1, Issue 1, 11 December 1856, Page 2

DR. POLLEN AND HIS ELECTION.

The Suburbs of Auckland have pronounced for Dr. Pollen, but if it be true that some who gave him their “ sweet voices” were guilty of “ personation” we question whether the Doctor will be allowed to take his seat in the Provincial Council. Friends of Mr. Graham assert that at least six votes were those of “ personators,” and that none of the six were given for him. It may turn out that— Between their saying and fact There is a very large tract. But should’dt be proved against no-matter-whom that they have dared to commit the crime of "personation,” wc hope an example will he made.of them. Purity of election is essential to good government and nowhere more than in this Colony is good government needed. - We consider a corrupt elector the worst of criminals, and would so deal with him as to make others think tfvice before following his example. The scoundrel who “ personates” commits high treason against human nature. This is our conviction, and up to that conviction we would vigorously act. Why should pickpockets be sent to the treadwheel while worse than pickpockets are allowed to go at large ? At elections, of course, more enthusiani than sense will be displayed by hot-headed partizans with more blood than brains, and not amid the hubbub of a,political Saturnalia should we look for cool philosophers, but common honesty is what under all circumstances we have aright to expect.

These sentiments arc not inspired by partizad political sympathy, but by outraged sense of uupartizan political justice. Re-

specting, though not by any me ins idolizing, the Constitution of these Islands we would severely punish all who dare infringe it. Although, according to pur view Constitution is monarchic in form it is republican in spirit, and the genuine spirit of republicanism is always admirable whatever the form it may assume. Personaters are antirepublican, the lowest of all low-minded trators to liberty. They may be democrats but assuredly they are not republicans, except in a sense opposed to that public virtue on which a government for public good can alone be founded.

In European states where the right of voting for those who make laws is monopolized by a few, and all parties race for a share of public plunder upon devil-take-the-hindmost principle—political purity would be marvellous indeed. But here to sin against the free and honest election of thpse who are elected to do the people’s work is to sin against the people themselves. It may not be high treason in law but undoubtedly is the highest possible treason in fact. And all who wish to see Auckland the capital of a great empire should resolutely set themselves to the work of securing freedom and purity of election as well for Provincial Councillors as Provincial Superintendants. Dealing gingerly with this subject will but

“ Skin and film the ulcerous place, While rank corruption mining- all within, Infects unseen.”

We want to see this Colony governed for the benefit of colonists which it never can be while corruption reigns. As Theodore Hook pithily said— Wrong never comes right, and corrupt government cannot carry on without its army of toadying place hunters and political blacklegs. Our advice then to the people of Auckland is unmercifully to deal with audacious “ personaters” and corrupt electors; with a strong hand put them down, “ squelch” them utterly.

For ought yet proved to the contrary, Pollen was fairly elected Provincial Councillor and Williamson quite honestly made Provincial Superintendent. But people have their doubts about both elections, which is unfortunate because at any time doubt on such a matter is prolific of evil, and because at this critical moment those who rule should, like the wife of Ceasar, not only be pure but beyond suspicion.

Probably some self-styled democrats may think “ all fair in war time,” and so that they carry their man care not one straw by whom or how the game of politics is played. If such democrats there are in this city of Auckland, it may be useful te tell them that the principle of democracy, as the foolish interpret it, is quite other than the principle of republicanism, and altogether opposed to government on principles of common honesty or right reason.

In all free states there are demagogic democrats because in all such states high sounding phrases, however valueless, or however mischievous, pass current with many as admirable reasons. Few can distinguish between the sounding brass of declamation and the solid gold of argument. Pure republicanism is the use, demagogic democracy the abuse of liberty. When America shook off the despotism of England she became a republic, but by her own act and deed has long since ceased to be so. There mob law has dethroned the law of intellect, and a mob-elected, mob-ridden, government shows the depth of infamy to which demagogic democracy can force a once noble people. In America at this moment the best Americans blush for their country with its model republic of free and slave states. To the demagogic democrat, American, Turk, English, or Scotch, politics is not a science but a trade. Poor dead-and-gone Feargus O’Conner was a favourable specimen of this bouncing political sect. And what great truth did he teach that “ working class,” he professed to love so much ? None. On the contrary, he zealously applied his formidable powers to the sorry work of fostering class prejudices, exciting class animosities, and perpetrating all manner of class fallacies.

Marvellously did Feargus dupe the democrats who followed him. They were, forsooth, Imperial Chartists, plus sage que les sages, and creme, de la creme of British society. So great was his horror of “gentility” that none but people with bard hands, unshorn chins, and fustian jackets were of the right sort, fit to be trusted, or worthy to take part in his patriotic struggles for a political Millennium

We can remember when it was hazardous to go to a Chartist meeting with a decent coat on one’s back. These “ imperials” loved liberty so much that they determined to secure for themselves a. monopoly of it. , Bayard relates that somewhere in the East there is a tyrant who carries matters with so high a hand as not merely to take lion's share of the best food of his half starved subjects, but handsomely charge for the use of his teeth in chewing it. Did demagogic democrats rule they would set up a tyranny less ludicrous, perhaps, but not less exacting. And that no such rule may be set up here; that

New- Zealand may be governed by if every class, not by the worst of any, ye enter our protest against “ personation, a political crime. And should it appetfrylhat Dr. Pollen is indebted for his majorfrytfto some ’ half dozen “personators,” we presume he will not consider himself duly elected, or by taking a seat in the Provincial Council, compel us to demand that he be turned out of it. These remarks are made quite irrespective of the fitness or unfitness of either candidate. Had Mr. Graham profited by this “ persona- | tion” swindle our opposition in his case would have been just the same as in that of Dr. ' Pollen, whose abilities are considerable, j whose fitness to figure in our Provincial Council we should be loath to deny, and whose suaviter in modo, will charm many who never did, perhaps never will, allow him for-, titer in re. Apropos of the latter, we venture to uissent from the doctrine concerning place men laid down by Dr. Pollen in his hustings speeches. He would fain convince us that a Provincial Councillor holding a lucrative of- . fice under Government will be every whit as 1 independent as the best unplaced, unsalaried,itoJ Provincial Councillor we could elect.

We allow it may so happen in particular cases, but we think no principle can be more dangerous to political morality, and therefore more prolific of corruption, than the principle - enunciated by Dr. Pollen. In politics it is wise as far as practicable to seperate the legislative from the executive, the power to make laws from the power to difeet and profit by their , operation. Wore judges not appointed for life, and lemovablc as formerly they were at . will of the monarch for the time being, doiflfl any one imagine that Law would be adminksH tered with the same singleness of pnrpose amj strict impartiality as it is now. fl Besides, our Provincial Council stands in* peculiar and rather ticklish relation to its Superintendent. Members of that Council are bound to speak out, and watch with unwinking eye all legislation which affects or may affect their constitutcnts. Although onr Constitution gives them no absolute control over the acts of the Superintendent, to apply the spur when he is too slow and the bit when lie is too fast, is th -ir proper function. N< w, an officer appointed by the Superintendent may do this as independantly as another who owes him neither salary nor position, but ou the contrary he may not—-a contingency every prudent tax-payer will wish to provide against. ! Since the foregoing was in type, our Resi- 1 dent Magistrate’s Court has been a scene of constant and rather innusing excitement. Several “personators'’ were cqnvietefl. but. every case the Bench took a lenient view of the matter, and fixed the penalty at TlO. We are sorry for this, conceiveing that “ the poor misguided men” who lend themselves to ’ the worst form of purjury have no claim open our compassion. It now appears that “personation” has been attempted upon a much / larger scale than we had supposed, and that ' not six but sixteen cases are likely to be adjudicated upon.

The Humble Petition of the Freeholders, Householders and Inhabitants of the Province of Auckland, New Zealand, to the Honorable the Provincial Council of the said Province, in Council assembled, respectfully SHEWETH, —

That it is the full persuasion of your petitioners, that the basis of all national and provincial wealth, consists mainly in the numerical strength of a healthy and industrious population. We, therefore, pray your Honorable Council, that due and effectual encouragement be given to a sufficient amount of emigration that may speedily serve to develops the rich and varied resources of this - noble country, and assist to make New Zealand what she is plainly destined to be, —the brightest, if not the richest, jewel in the British Crown.

That your petitioners would declare their belief that the only sure way effectually to secure a large and Healthy stream of emigration, is to < nable a numerous agricultural’ population to find a ready home in New Zealand. For it must be self-evident to tlnr

meanest capacity that if the emigrant can be fixed to the soil, theie will be little fear of his again leaving the Colony ; that individually he will then be a permanent improvement to its wealth and importance; and that we shall not again see shiploads of good settlers leaving the shores of New Zealand in disappointment and disgust, simply because they could not find a permanent settlement in the country. Under these circumstances, we readily believe that it is the duty, as we doubt not it will be the pleasure, of the Provincial Council surely to find a home for every industrious individual that shall wend his way to New Zealand, be be rich or be he poor.

That the extreme distance of New Zealand from the centre of civilization, notwithstanding her delicious climate and fertile soil, necessarily demands that more than ordinary inducements be held out to encourage emi gration to these shores ; and t'hai your pc tidoners respectfully recommend to your Ito norable Council the following plan, as injtheii

estimation'' aliflte efficient to encourage the advent of aT healthy and industrious agriculture and afford a ready and sure for all capital invested in the purchase, /of land. Moreover, that they feel certain; as >the Honorable Council now undeniably possesses the power by having the full control of the Provincial lands, that they will not fail to adopt some patriotic" measures that in this respect shall be a lasting benefit to the country, and a source of prosperity to all its industrious inhabitants. That your petitioners feel convinced that vast public ignorance prevails with respect to the various local advantages of each section of this noble country. They*, therefore, respectfully recommend that some capable person be employed to inspect and report to the Superintendent of the Province of Auckland upon the various localities that would be fit for > forming new settlements. That if the Province cannot yet afford to employ a professed geologist, or obtain a trigonometrical survey, that they may, at least, know something of the face of the country, and the numerous advantages that each location affords, a few miles distant from the City of Auckland. That when such information is obtained, the Superintendent be respectfully requested to call the attention of the General Government and Land Purchase Department to such portions as he'may consider advantageous for these purposes. That your petitioners humbly suggest that

as soon as a proper locality is indicated along the coast of New Zealand, or an advantageous and fertile spot in the interior is pointed out for settlement, and the land purchased from the Natives, that a village be formed in the most advantageous position. That around this point, having an extent of gome five'or six square miles, the land be surveyed into fifty-acre lots, and be given away to actual settlers, who must show to the Superintendent that he possesses sufficient means to maintain himself and family for two years upon the said land. That he or his representatives shall reside upon the said lot of land for seven years. That he shall improve, fence, and clear, at least, two-thirds of the said lot; and that at the end of this time, upon paying a fair proportion of the expenses of the.original purchase from the Natives, and the cost of survey, registry, &e., he shall receive a deed in fee-simple from the Crown. -That a double amount of land, say some ten or twelve square miles, shall be surveyed into two hundred acre lots. That these lots shall be sold in one or two hundred acres, at the sum of ten shillings per acre, to actual settlers only, wbv ‘.shall be required to reside upon the said lot of land. That they shall receive a free deed from the Crown for the money now paid. But should the said purchase be without an occupant for two months at any one time, within the term of seven years, then the said land shall be liable to forfeiture to the Provincial Government. That the surrounding

country to any extent may be surveyed, at the discretion of the Superintendent, for settlers, speculators, or others, and shall be sold at the sum of one pound per acre. That should it be the pleasure and wisdom of your Honorable Council to adopt some such plan as is herein indicated, it is the full belief of your petitioners that the present condition of ruin and dismay that now stares the inhabitants of the Province of Auckland in the face, may be effectually and permanently relieved, and that the Colony of New Zealand will speedily become one of the. most promising and popular settlements in Her Majesty’s dominions'. That it will encourage an enormous afflux of capital and labour combined,>to flow to these shores, and for so doing your petitioners will ever pray. N. B.—We are desired to say, that any persons willing to forward this great Provincial movement, and .assist in collecting Signatures, can have a Copy of the Petition by calling at Dr. Stratford’s house, Auckland.