ELECTION TRICKS.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 160, 9 November 1864, Page 3

ELECTION TRICKS.

To the Editor of the Lake Wakatip Mail. Sir,—Allow rae to congratulate you upon the manner you have defended the rights and privileges of the citizens of this place during; the late election. The battle was one of place against place, not man against man. The Arrow ites, assisted by the Dunstanites, managed to carry the day. But how and where was it done ? In our midst by official electioneering, and an attempt to bring about that barbarous ill feeling of creed against creed. Such a wicked act met with no snccess. The gentleman to whom it was introduced knows too well the consequences which would follow upon the introduction of such an unchristian feeling, and h»s good sense dictated to him the right course of action. Irrespective of the unwue and impolitic attempt by a resident magistrate, a judge, and returning officer, to interfere with the sacred trusts of the people or their political privileges, it would open the door to some political schemer for the creation of appointments to be occupied by men having no will of their own. It would also throw the whole power of representative members into the hands of government, and would be the downfall of our liberties If men vcted at the bidding of an official high in office, or if such a system was universal, there would be but one remedy—a popular enthusiasm to put a stop . to it. But I am of a different opinion. I do not think that the public service are composed of such fawning creatures, but that it is confined to a solitary individual whose interest does not go beyond his own locality and immediate neighborhood. But this individual interest, although narrowed by local circumstances, may have, and may yet cause much ill-feeling—yea, even bloodshed— if not firmly put down in its cradle. It jp not only rumored, but it can be proved that

the said official attempted to put man against man, in order to get support for his social and political friend. There is but one cure for such diseases. The animal and vegetable kingdoms are analogous with regard to cures in many instances. Where a limb is corrupt the knife must be used, and the diseased member cut off. The Government, who is the gardner in this instance, ought to see to it before the whole trunk becomes corruption. In the next place, instead of having polling places brought to the people they were proclaimed in remote places. Frankton was the only one in this district, and was presided over by our worthy magistrate. At three o'clock in the afternoon a steamer arrived, loaded with electors for Mr Bradshaw. The returning officer saw, and knew that many men would be disfranchised; but still the old fogy system of three minutes to a voter was continued, and at four o'clock, about forty or fifty electors stood outside the tent disfranchised. What more simple than to have called to his assistance a dozen polling clerks, and the men who had come so far would not now be grumbling of their def at an 1 disappointment. I have served Her Majesty both in the Army and Civil Service, in the old and new countiies for the last sixteen years, and I never have, during the whole course of my life seen such tyranny in the one place, and persistent old fogyism in the other. However, the duty I owe to"the country that gave me birth, the duty I owe to my fellows in my adopted country demands that I bring the whole circumstances before the authorities, and I shall do it. H. W. Bracken. November Bth, 1864.