THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18370, 1 May 1925, Page 9

THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

TO THE KWTOR OF "THE TSBSS. Sir, —Your leading article in to-day's issuo of your journal calls for warm approval on account of its unbiassed review of the controversy which allowed the Rev. J. K. Archer to secure election as Mayor. Only on one small point would I ventnro to disagree with yon, and that is: that I do not attach any blame to Mr Beanland, as 1 cannot see that he could reasonably bo expected to take any other stand. Had the executive, of tho Citizens' Association taken moro diplomatic, steps, a way might have been found out of the difficulty, but in view of their obdurateness and their insolent letter published in "The Press" in the early part of the campaign calumniating Mr Beanland, it becanio impossible for that gentleman to consider withdrawal. Now that the excitement of the election is over, the members of the Citizens' Association would do well to take to heart the suggestion contained in your leader. When they calmly review the events leading un to the controversy, they should at 'onee realise that "there is'something rotten in the stateof Denmark," when one of their staunchest members is allowed to he played fast and loose with and flaunted, in order to satisfy the questionable principles of their" leaders. I would now snggpst that the members of the Citizens' Association immediate!}' form an impartial committee to delve iuto the roots of.this controversy, get rid of the cavalier autocrats responsible for tho trouble and offer a handsome apology to Mr Beanland for the injustice meted cut to him. Failing this, the next municipal election may see another and more moderate association formed which will make the Mayoral election a threo-corncred contest for ever and a day. Thanking you for granting valuable space to my letter, and again appreciating your remarks in vour leading article, —Yours, etc., JUSTICE. April 30th, 1925. TO THE EDITOR Otf "TBE PBBS8." Sir,-*-I quite agree with your leader headed "Tho Mayoralty" in this morning's "Press." Had you mado tho samo remarks before palling day and not after, it would have been uiote to the purpose, aa hundreds voted for Mr Beanland (although they knew, or expected, what would tako piae'e) ia sympathy with him for tho manner in which he had been treated by tho Citizen?' Association. The sooner that body drops out of oxistenoo the better, us no fairminded man or woman will again follow its banner. It is to blamo for the present state of affaire, as are you also, as had you said what you do in this morning's "Press" great numbers, would have seen things in a. different light and voted for Mr Beanland. Prom what ono gathers, if anyone had \o stand down it was not he. So do not put the whole blame on the Citizen?' Association, but take a fair share, yoursolf, as. you asked that he should stand down, knowing what the state, of affairs was.

All round, Mr Bcanland . h.as been badly troatod. He has the sympathy of many, as they know if anyone stood down he was called upon t.Q da so. To sum it Up, it occurs to me that Labour wins to bad generalship on the part of "The Press" and the Citizens' Association. Personally, I do not know either of the gentlemen.—Yours, etc., CHARLES pTJRDIB, 6 St. Asaph street, Ohristchuich, April aoth, W35.