The Globe. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1879.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1554, 11 February 1879, Page 2

The Globe. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1879.

Jv ono thing were wanting to prove the deterioration which has taken place in our municipal governing powers, the scene of last evening at the special meeting of the City Council would bo more than sufficient. The roport of that meeting, when it reaches other parts of the colony, will excito wonder that such a state of things could exist, in a city which claims for itself the highest rank in municipal excellence. We do not hesitate to say that the treatment by tho Council of its confidential advisor was a disgrace to us as a city. That gentleman had attended at tho request of tho Mayor to explain some technical alteratiou which had been made in a by-law, whereupon Crs. Cass and Wilson, whose claims to pass judgment on matters of etiquette and good taste will not be questioned for ono moment, expressed it as their opinion that it was bad tasto of Dr. Foster to sit at the table. This the dignity of theso gentlemen could not brook. They would probably prefer to soe the solicitor, with cap in hand and bated breath, waiting in ihe anto-chamber until it pleased their high mightinesses, Crs. Cass and Wilson, to intimate that ho might approach their august presence. We shall no doubt shortly havo a manual of etiquette for approaching the Council, edited by these two shining lights. It will of course bo onactod that no ono enter the chamber without threo obeisances, and that on leaving, it shall be backwards. Such canaille as doctors of law and Press people will only bo allowed to enter after having performed tho grand kowtow on their kuoos to Crs. Wilson and Cass. It will also be seen that Cr. Wilson, with that due regard for dignity and appearances which should animate all the councillors, objected to Dr. Foster being seated whilst explaining the by-law. Tho force of bunkum can no furthor go. It lias now passed the ludicrous, and becomes a painful exhibition. It is not agreeable that such scones as those should be enacted by men who are elected to promote tho welfare of tho city. We are unable to understand why the Mayor, who had invited tho Solicitor in his official capacity to bo present, did not interpose to prevent that gentleman being treated in so undignified a way. Tho whole of tho discussion which took place was entirely out of order, and should havo been checked at the outsot, If tho Council hold tho opinion so delicately expressed by Cr. Wilson, then let them manfully face the difficulty, and at once dispense witli the services of their solicitor. That is their plain

duty if they agree with what was said and what was expressed by the votes of three councillors. But do not let us have b'll exhibition of. discov.rtoay, which, to say tho least oi it, was discreditable to the b?uy in which it occurred.

We are sure that pressmen generally will feel obliged io Councillor Cass for the truthful estimate ho has formed of their character in classing them as infidels and sceptics. It is not necessary now to dwell upon the extreme good taste and modesty which characterises tho remark —that is sufficiently apparent upon the face of it. It is an humble imitation of tho talented" star" performer who has just quitted us, arid whose peculiar performances in Dunodin have recently been noted. It is rocorded of Mr Chadband that he was groaning daily for those whom ho pleased to call tho outcasts. So it may be that Or Cass feels constrained over these wicked pressmen who will not think with him either upon municipal, astronomical, or theological subjects. How sad ! Hence they are all infidels and sceptics. What an uplifting of hands and elevation of eyes for tho degenerate journalists. From tho verdict of Or Cass there is of course no appeal. Tho Rev. Dr. Talmago, a gentleman of whom Or. Cass may havo heard, is, however, of a different opinion. Ho says: " When I considor tho meannesses and hypocrisies that come to tho knowledge of Press men daily and hourly. I wonder that there exists, as there do, so many editors and reporters God-fearing men." No woi"ds of ours could bo stronger than this. Besides, whatever wo said, as wo are, according to Or. Cass, mere infidels and sceptics, wo could hardly hope to be believed. But even Or. Cass or his f riend Mr Varloy would hardly care to include tho Rev. Dr. Talmago in tho same category.