THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1730, 5 September 1879, Page 2

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

To the Editor of the, “ Olohe.” SIE, —After reading the virulent article that appeared in Wednesday’* “Star,” which will mislead no inquiring reader, it wag quite refreshing to turn to your calm and sensible remarks of the same date anent the “ Ratepayers’ Association,” and the valuable stimulus and attention such a body is capable of giving and directing to the municipal affairs of this city. In the present political turmoil of a general election there was great danger that our local interests might be neglected and seriously damaged by not receiving a due share of attention ; therefore the successful formation of an association at this juncture, embracing men of diverse political opinions for a common object, the good of the city,, should be a subject of congratulation instead of abuse. But: the “ Star ” is so inoculated with the views of cliqueism itself, that it can only view tb’S movement through the same distorting medium, and following the role of its grandmother in another direction, endeavours to sow distrust by unworthily trying to set one class of the community against another. The entire article referred to is redolent of the cant of “slaves” and “serfdom,” “broadcloth” and “fustian,” with which we have been nauseated lately, to the great disgust of the workman himself, who protests against such unsolicited patronage, knowing well that in no part of the British dom-nions, and

ergo the world, does he occupy a freer or more independent position than in thisoolonyj and there is no greater proof afforded of the truth of this than the jealous sensitiveness with which any movement is watched and commented oa that may bear the slightest suspicion of infringing upon his privileges ai d also the mean attempts to play upon this sensitiveness by designing men and low class journals like the “ Star.” It has been with a full knowledge of this

that tho platform of the Ratepayers’ Association has been made broad enough to include all ratepayers desirous of promoting municipal reform, and enlisting the aid of capable men for conducting the affairs of the city. With this object the subscription has been made merely nominal, and tho slight formality of intending members being proposed by any one member and seconded by a member of the committee, which rule was adopted by a public meeting at tho Town Hall, although deemed by your contemporary as the acme of exclusiveness, is, I am sure, regarded by all as the simplest precaution that could have been devised for ensuring ordinary decorum in carrying out tho objects wo all desire. As the general committee consists of sub-com-committoos elected at tho same public meeting as representatives of each ward, and the rules for tho guidance and management of the association were passed in the same public manner, the “Cashel street faction” and “self-elected chairman” can only exist in the disordered imagination of tho writer referred tc—a species of n’ght tar a depression that appears to be his normal condition, Tours, &0., WILLIAM PRATT, President of the Ratepayers’ Association.

The following letter appeared in this morning's issue of the " Prose.":