THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1880. THE MAYORAL TRUMP CARD.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2065, 6 October 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1880. THE MAYORAL TRUMP CARD.

It will, we think, he generally conceded that Councillor Ayers has striven hard for the position of the next Mayor of Christchurch. He has neglected no opportunities, availed himself of all little points of popularity that have cropped up from time to time, and in every way endeavored to impress upon the ratepayers what a really excellent Mayor ho would make. Wo have heard it whispered that so fond is Councillor Ayers of doing good for his fellow citizens that he aspired to the position of chairman of the works committee, and, in the goodness of his heart, offered to relieve the gentleman who occupies that part of the onerous duties attaching thereto. However this may be we know not,hut the trump card in Councillor Ayers’ hand was based on the securing of the presidency of the Working Men’s Club. This was to be the master stroke of policy by which Councillor Ayers was to bo placed on the dizxy pinnacle of municipal greatness. It mattered not that he had up to this period taken but little interest in the Club and that he was absent at the time when it was in the day of small things. Councillor Ayers and his astute advisors felt that to secure the presidency of an institution such as the Working Men’s Club would form yet another and the final link in the chain of public services which would bo urged as weighty claims to the sweet voices of the citizens. But, sad to relate, the members of the Working Men’s Club declined to be made a cat’s paw in the matter, even by so august a personage as Councillor Ayers and the clever gentlemen who pull the strings of his electioneering campaign. Not only was he defeated in his contest for the office, but an opponent for the Mayoral chair was elected as an office-bearer, whilst Councillor Ayers, like the Peri, stood vainly knocking at the gate. This was indeed bitter. For months past Councillor Ayers has clung like a drowning seaman to the belief that the vox populi is the vox Dei. He has neglected nothing that would keep him in favor with the ratepayers. Those who were not in the secret noticed with some wonder the cautious attitude assumed by Councillor Ayers when any question involving the slightest chance of loss of popularity came up. But this frightful expenditure of muscular and electioneering tissue has, alas, now been much handicapped by this last attempt to bolster up a problematical chance at the experiso of a useful institution. The attempt to use the Working Men’s Club as a stepping stone to the Mayoral chair was as patent as it was barefaced, and we are glad it was defeated. That a candidate on whoso behalf such exalted aspirations have been urged by enthusiastic friends should descend to such a transparent dodge is indeed pitiful. It shows plainly the high estimation in which the wouldbe Mayor holds the working classes of this city, and it must bo somewhat galling to the candidate and his imprudent friends to find that the working men are aware of this, and put the real construction on the readiness, of Councillor Ayers to come forward as their president. After the very fervid protestations of purity of motives, &c., which have been put forth on behalf of Councillor Ayers, we regret that such an exposure

should have eventuated. It seems to us that what has taken place fully hears out our opinion that Councillor Ayers is not the man for Galway—or, in other words, for the Mayoralty of Christchurch—and the sooner the citizens try to get a fit and proper candidate the better. THE DANGERS OP MAYORALTY. The office of Mayor is apparently a post of danger. In another column will be found an anonymous letter, which is a sample of several which have of late been forwarded to his Worship. It is currently reported that, in consequence, our chief civic functionary is negotiating for the purchase of Nod Kelly’s discarded armour. Others say that he is about to apply to the Council for a body guard of devoted citizens prepared to shed the last drop of their blood in defence of the rights of the office. Joking apart, we trust that the utmost efforts will be used to discover the writers of these cowardly effusions. The sooner they are hunted out and justice, short and sharp, be meted out to them, the better for all classes of the community. The “ Irish style of business ” is not in favor in the eyes of law-abiding citizens. Luckily the threat of its application is not in the least likely to intimidate either his Worship or any of the Councillors.