THE SITUATION.

Evening Star, Issue 3199, 22 May 1873, Page 3

THE SITUATION.

OPINIONS OP THE PROVINCIAL PRESS.

The all-important topic in circles political Hid circles non-political is the ejection of the Tolmie Ministry. The debate was a warm one, and the division, if it had been taken \q>on one of the amendments instead of upon a question of the adjournment of the Council, might have been closer and more exciting. Mr Reid’s amendment, on the face of it, was a mere abstract one, but withal of a very irritating and personal character. It was at once seen that it had been framed with a threefold intention: (1) to secure a majority; for many members who were enthusiastic in speaking and voting upon the privileged question of the relations of the Superintendent to the Council, and rice versa, could hardly stultify themselves by voting against it; (2) it allowed the mover to air his personal importance, and to return back with interest the Wow administered to him when Mr Macandrew “courteously” relieved him of office, and at the same time to wound the susceptibilities of the members of the ejected Ministry; (3) if carried, it opened the way to resumption of office, with place, pay, and patronage as its natural ally. There were also political influences at work, but except in the matter of the appointment of the Waste Land Board, these, were carefully concealed. The debate became therefore necessarily a personal one, and some hard knocks and truthful homethrusts were spoken. Indeed, there was no pretence to couch real feelings in polite language. “ Plain speaking out your mind” was the order of the day, and many things were said that will leave rankling wounds behind, incapable of being treated by either time or soothing treatment, A blow may be forgiven, but sarcasm, cutting and biting truths, cannot be forgotten. It is useless to attempt to trace any political result in this debate, of value to the Province. All, perhaps, that can be said upon the subject has been, oris being re-written on the subject. These home-thrusts illustrate, however, the feelings of both sides of the Council, and to that they are worth notice, and also as showing of how personal a nature the debate was. . , . The Alinistry stated they had tendered their resignation; and then followed a scene of recrimination, in which personalities were freely bandied about, thus proving, if it was further necessary, that the vote was essentially a personal one, and not moved in the interests of the Province. And for this kind of government the people arc not only deprived of the legislation they require, but are also by the vote of honorable members themselves, compelled to pay them 19s llfd per day, with mileage added both ways, for their valuable and disinterested services. Is it not a farce after all? When will the time come when the curtain shall fall and hide for ever, it is to be hoped, the players from the sight of the audience, who are more than tired with the performances presented from the stage of their petty provincial theatre? —Arrow Observer.