TESTIMONIAL TO THE HON. MR REYNOLDS.

Evening Star, Issue 3685, 14 December 1874, Page 3

TESTIMONIAL TO THE HON. MR REYNOLDS.

To the Editor. Sir, — I dare say there are a great number of the electors of the City who have not from time to time agreed with the political vi< ws of our representative, Mr Reynolds; there are also doubtless many who think we might have had a better man generally to represent ns It is in the nature of thi’-gs that this should be so. I have not myself always admired, or been a supporter of his political views, neither will it be contend'd even by his best friends, that Mr Reynolds shines reaplendentlv as an orator or debater; but whatever difference of opinion there may be upon these points, there are, 1 take leave to think, few hut will admit that in Mr Reynolds we have had an honest, zealous, and earnest representative, and one who by bin determination and persistence has been able to do more for the City than might have been the case with a more brilliant politician. That he has the confidence of the citizens on these grounds is amply proved by the fact that he has represented us in the Provincial Council and the General Assembly for a period of over twenty one years, and I think it will be gene ally conceded that any man who has devoted twentyone years of the best of his life to the service fit the public can only have done so at a great

personal sacrifice— indeed, anyone who has had any experience of public life must know this is so. fhis bein'/ cor ceded, it app ars to me it would he a fitting and most graceful act on the part of mv fellow-c't z ns to present Mr Reynolds at this period of his political career with some testimonial which wil] mark their esteem and respect for, and confidence in their member: something that he can look upon with pride and satisfaction during the remainder of his life, and which he can 1' are as an heirloom to his family, with the admonition, “ Go thou and do likewise.” It is not necessary that any such testimonial should he of large intrinsic value ; indeed, from what 1 know of Mr Reynolds. I believe we should be only consulting his feelings by bearing this in mind, and by making the subscriptions as low as possible, so that all classes in the community might, without difficulty, be enabled to participate. Wilh this view I should suggest that no subscriotion should exceed fhe sum of 2s fid orb less than Is. I think a meeting of gentlemen willing to act on a committee should be at once called, and subscrip*-rn lists suit through the wh-d e of Hm City, and I doubt not such a thing would be willingly responded to. Mr Uovno’ds has eff cted much good to the City, and amongst those things which I think may f <irly be placed to his credit are the following :—As a member of the Provincial Council in the early davs he was the means of introducing and carrying our Education Ordinance- a matter of which the Province may he proud In the General Assembly, from 1863, betook a prominent part in the Lmd '( rar.sfer Act. the passing of which measure has conferred an immense boon upon the community. He was also for years the persistent advocate of the ballot, a privilege which the electors will not under-estimate. Mr Reynolds was also the means, in conjunction with Messrs Mason and Bums, of obtaining for the City those r< serves which are of such immense value to us now, and which so largely enable the City Council to carry on the works in the City without exacting a heavy rate, wh ch otherwise they could not do This alone deserves a substantial recognition on the part of the citizens. I need not, howevei, prolong this letter. I can only say in conclusion that if roy vi ws meet with approval I shall he veiy glad to act on a committee f<*r a-curing the end I have advocated in this letter.— I am, &c., H. S. Fish, Jun.