The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1873.

Evening Star, Issue 3234, 2 July 1873, Page 2

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JULY 2, 1873.

It was evident from the little sparring that took place yesterday on the election of Speaker, that the leaders of the late Opposition have no intention of burying the hatchet. This is to be regretted j and we trust that the new Council are so thoroughly convinced of the impolicy and waste of time consequent upon merely party and personal squabbles, that they will not tolerate any tendency in that direction, The election of Speaker might have been proceeded with without the slightest allusion to the past. Those of the old members who, with or without reason, felt the sorest through the recollections of the closing moments of the last Council, never said one word calculated to recall past unpleasantness, and all seemed to go on pretty harmoniously, until, with singular bad taste, the more inexcusable on account of his parliamentary experience, Mr Reid indulged in some very ill-timed snarls in defence of Mr Gillies, who was not attacked. It looked very much as if the honorable member had composed a speech, in anticipation of a hot debate, and had determined to deliver it if by any possibility it could be thrust in. It was not difficult for a man who felt he must speak or burst, so to have framed his words as to eulogise the person he intended to support, without attacking any one else. But that would not have suited Mr Reid’s purpose. He takes his position amongst those who deem themselves immaculate. They are the judges of the Council, and claim the right to pronounce oracularly upon every question, from Constitutional law to the interpretation of the minutest duty of the Speaker. And even when they obtain privileges not accorded to their opponents, they arc not content to enjoy them in silence, but must have a fight with the person who was denied what one of their party was allowed. We observe that this sort of nagging, begun by Mr Reid, is to be continued Mr Stout, another of the immaculates, has asked the Treasurer the cost to the Province of the Superintendent’s election. -No doubt the next: attempt will be to show that that was money wasted: an opinion, with which few will agree, when the result has been to get rid of so many dreary members of the immaculate; party, and to put better men in their. places. It will be shewn that this money might have been saved, had they been allowed to form a ministry. We do not think it could, for the immaculates are of a disposition so contentious, that more would have been spent in one session through their obstructive policy than twice the sum the election has

cost. If they wish to commend themselves to the country and secure its confidence, the surest way is to forward the business of the session and to cease provoking angry and idle discussions.