The Coming Election.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 34, 30 August 1887, Page 2

The Coming Election.

[communicated]. The free constitutions of this colony having entrusted us with the sacred right of the ballot we should one and all take care that we do not abuse that trust. Let us not be misled by personal considerations, delusive arguments, or studied platform utterances framed to curry favour. Rather let us consider th, probable individual ability or power of the candidate to advocate and carry measures conducive to the benefit of the many, not the few. The general weal is the weal of all and to bear this in mind is the study of all men entrusted with the privilege of the ballot. To this end we should weigh the merits or demerits of the candidates seeking oursuffrages, before we cast in our vote. The first candidate in the field being Mr McDonald we must consider him first in order. Mr McDonald is generally admitted by friends and foes alike to be a straightforward, outspoken man, loyal to the death in any cause he espouses) typical of the Highlander. In the present election contest we have two representatives of Caledonia, the dashing Highlanler and the cautious Lowlander, There is very iittle room for doubt but that Mr McDonald is the strongest man in the present contest and the one most likely to fulfil the requirements of this constituency. His previous six years in the House qualifies him to at once do what is best for our welfare when the House meets again without having to undergo a probationary course. He is well known from north to south and ranks among his friends many strong politicians and is generally liked by members and ex-members of both Houses. That Mr McDonald possesses the greatest power and influence of the three candidates cannot well be disputed. He is also less trammelled by party surroundings than other candidates and less likely to be charged with " motives ” of self interest.

Ths.next in order stands Mr Gannon, This gentleman possesses the talent that constitutes a clever politician, and no doubt lays down lines of policy that are the correct ones, These, however, it is feared, Mr Gannon, if returned to the House, would not be allowed to carry out. Force of words would avail him nothing; influencs wouid ba wanting, supporters would be few, and Mr Gannon could only run as a “free lance." If Mr Gannon, among his many natural gifts going so far to make a statesman, could only claim experience and reliability, the electors would not. do wrong in returning him, It is regrettable that Mr Gannon has allowed himself to be 11 catspawed ” by those who havs now set up Mr Graham. Last in order we come to Mr Graham. That Mr Graham is the nominee of a party and a class would be absurd to deny. His intended candidature was long before prearranged among a few of Mr Locke's supporters, and therein lies the ungracefulnesa of that gentleman’s retirement. It would have been much more honourable to have withdrawn independently, leaving the electors to make their choice of another candidate. The manner in which Mr Graham was brought out is in itself evidence of premeditation and not quite so spontaneous as alleged by. Mr Graham on the platform. If Mr Graham had come forward independently with a laudable desire to work for the district’s good he would deserve and no doubt would receive all credit and all honour. The important question, however, the electors have really to consider is, supposing Mr Graham to be returned to represent this district, wherein lies his strength to force recognition of our wants. Mr Graham would be new to,all the forms and procedure of the House, unknown to members, no previous colonial record like Mr Locke, of a naturally retiring disposition, not prone to make friends, and with no special gift of oratory to at once make his mark on entering the House. On the contrary Mr Graham would be met by stong opposition, particularly in the native land question, as he could not advocate on independent grounds, as his large interest in speculations as agent for Kinross and Company the Glasgow Bank, or the Assets Company is well known, and would put him out of court at once. That he must have suffered losses by bad acts and agents, is, no doubt, correct, and he could only hold these as personal experience, unpleasant but which seldom gain sympathy. In fact it would be a strong argument in the hands of the pre-emptive right and non-freetrade advocates, and these represent at least twothirds of the House. These few reasons should suffice to show that on public grounds Mr Graham is not the strongest and ablest to represent this district with success. The welfare of the district cannot afford to wait till its representative gains knowledge and support. Its wants are imperative and immediate, and at the assembly of the House, in October next, we must have a representative able at once to grasp the situation, and force our requirements with tact and influence to support him and that representative, there can be little doubt in the minds of thinking men must and shall be Mr McDonald,