The Evening Star THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 1873.

Evening Star, Issue 3223, 19 June 1873, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 1873.

The election of Mr Macandrew to the Superintendency of Otago for the fourth time, is unquestionably one of the most emphatic expressions of public opinion that could have been given. The Opposition took their ground cunningly, and made every effort to divert attention from the real cause of the dissolution. They had the acuteness to perceive that the Provincial Executive, during their short tenure of office, had managed public affairs successfully and economically; that the Treasury, instead of a debit balance at its bankers, had some thousands to its credit, and that the energetic prosecution of public work* during Mr Macahpbew'b Super-

intendency had raised Otago from a condition of stagnation to one of prosperity. They also acknowledged that his Honor’s Address pointed to the adoption of measures necessary to ensure a continuance of that prosperity. No doubt this admission was considered politic, because public opinion had pronounced in its favor; and as the Administration under Mr Macandrew for some years had proved generally successful whenever his plans were adopted, unless some pretext were devised, which in the public mind overbalanced the benefits of his rule, it was plain that the prestige in his favor was more than sufficient to ensure his return. It is not difficult for fac-

tion to contrive a mode of opposition and get up a cry; but the experience of yesterday’s election proves that even the most high-sounding pretensions cannot always ensure popular support. There is a limit to credulity, and in this instance it has been miscalculated. In the Council faction put on the garb of virtue, and refused to consider his Honor’s Messages because he had chosen a Ministry from the minority ; although the majority proved themselves incapable of organising one in which the Province could place confidence, or that had the slightest chance of working harmoniously with the Superintendent. There really was no alternative than to refer the issue to the arbitration of the people, and to ask them whether or not they were satisfied to have a Superintendent resolved to maintain their rights, notwithstanding the attempt at assumption of his powers by the factious majority, or whether he should be. reduced to the position of a puppet, do as they bid him, and allow them not only to pass measures and appropriate moneys, but take all administrative power into their own hands. “The Constitution in danger” was the cry set up : there can be no doubt it was in danger, but not from the Superintendent. The danger was that the Council should acquirepowersto which they had not only no right, but which experience shewed would be neither wisely nor impar-

tially used. It is easy to believe that ill-informed men actually imagined themselves patriots, when they were really only obstructives ; but it is not so easy to believe that Mr Gillies was so self-deceived. At any rate, Mr Reid never adopted the constitutional cry; or, at least, never laid much stress upon it. But Mr Gillies took it round i the country, and in his electioneering tour poured out his fieiy eloquence in proof that he was the champion of constitutional law. But it was no use. It might once have answered in England, for men were very apt to imagine that rulers and persons in power were seeking occasion to throw fetters around them and grasping at arbitrary power; but it is too late now. Common sense comes in and weighs the value of an election cry. Men in Ofcago leok round them and see the plenty and comforts they can command, the demand for labor, the extension of agriculture, the development of means of communication. They read the statistics of commerce,thelistof imports and exports, and they trace them to the alteration that has taken place in our system during the last few years. They remember that those changes were opposed by the party seeking to be considered defenders of the people, and they are not to be deceived into the belief that mere abstract theories,, barren even when resolved, are preferable to the solid benefits they have received and are deriving from a progressive policy. Mr Macandrew shewed sound judgment when he decided upon leaving the decision of the Superintendency to the good sense of the inhabitants of the Province. It is not possible, nor is it desirable, that all men should be of one opinion. Personal feeling, education, and constitutional defect, frequently produce difference of opinion on even the most demonstrable questions; and, therefore, it is no matter for surprise that Mr Gillies received a fair measure of support. But there can be but one conclusion respecting the result of the election of yesterday; it is an emphatic and decided expression of the opinion of Otago, and we trust that it will be a death blow to that faction which, as far as possible, has long obstructed beneficial legislation when it did not emanate from its own party.