THE MAYORALTY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2160, 8 April 1908, Page 2

THE MAYORALTY.

To the Editor. Sir.—Some people are disposed to consider that it is unnecessary to consider the personal character of a man when lie offers himself as a candidate for a public office, but it is my opinion this is a falso position for any citizen to accept, as by doing so he is disloyal to not only his .town and fellow citizens, but to the ideals of our race. It has always been amongst our most cherished boasts that taken as a whole our public men throughout the Empiro aro unimpeachable and incorruptible. In America, unfortunately, it has been otherwise, and a callous disregard of file character of a man has often been evidenced by selections which have been made by the electors for public positions, but in spite of this we can detect the dawning of a bettor en in the selection by the Great Republic of President Roosevelt as its first citizen, and by the continued and unabated popularity he enjoys. In spite of the corruption and dishonesty which afflicts American public life. Air. Roosevelt maintains his position in the hearts of the people, mainly because ho is a “straight” man.' However great- a mtiou may be. however groat may bo its natural advantages or the instincts of its people, we have onlv to read history to be assured that its pre-eminence cannot bo maintained unless it bo governed ini! led by men above suspicion in their relations with their fellowmen or the public. When Inxitv and cynical dishonesty is applauded and rewarded with honors, it is certain—alth Oil gh not always evident at at the moment —that decadence has also set in. President Roosevelt in his last Messige to Congress says: “On behalf of all the people, on behalf no less of the honest man of means tli in of the honest man who earns each dnv’s livelihood by that day’s sweat of his brow, it is necessary to insist upon honesty in business and politics alike, in all walks of life, in big things and in little things; upon just and fair dealing ns between man and man.” How often do we neglect to pay attention to these principles when selecting men for public positions, and how demoralising must this bn on the people as a whole 1 We are careful to select- a straight man for our private business. Is it loss important to select an honest man for our public business? Ret each of the candidates for the Mayoral chair he placed under the searchlight and examined carefully by the electors before they confer upon Ijim the greatest honor it ip

the power of the town to bestow, so ili'it* wo may not Ijo dishoiioicd by choke "'Hi Gisborne, March JO.