MAYORAL CONTEST.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 94, 22 November 1879, Page 2

MAYORAL CONTEST.

TO THK EDITOR. Sir, — The writer, along with a considerable number of the burgesses m Palmerston, was. somewhat surprised at the sight of Councillor Coleman's address to the ratepayers, m connection Vfith his candidature for the important, and may I aay, honorable office of Mayor. I think, Sir, it is generally admitted that Councillor Coleman i 9 far from being adapted for such an important office, and if he should be- elected would ! certainly fall far short of the requirements absolutely neeeasany for properly conducting the business entailed therein. Anyone who haa taken tha advantage of paying'a visit to the Council meetings, must have been forcibly struck with the proceedings and remarks of Councillor- Coleman, and would certainly leave the meeting -with a strong conviction: that he would be found xoatitittg if he ever attempted to preside at such |- meetings.. Snoh office he is now. seeking at the bands of the burgesses. I, for one, would warn those who hare tho disposal of ; votes, to pauseand well consider which of the two candidates is m all respects the best, and which is most calculated to benefit publicly the interests of the town; I do not hesitate to say that I consider Councillor Lmton to be beyond comparison with his opponent ; and further, lam quite sure thnt no burgess here can show more duty done m connection with the public matters of this town than can Councillor Linton: Pew, if any, have devoted as much of their time for tho public gqod, and no one has shown more attention tq our wants than he has done since the yppy foundation of our public institutions. It would be difficult to point to any public measure devised for the welfare of this district m which he has not been one of the prominent and important members. As chairman oF the late Local Board he did his duty faithfully and well, and when that institution ceased to exist, through the introduction cf Municipal Government, he. was elected at- the general election for Councillors, and had the honois of heading the poll. Since the introduction of the present system, he has undoubtedly been the most active member,' and foremost m devising means for the advancement of the Borough. In debate lie stands far m advance of any of his colleagues m office, and if any man has a just claim upon the ratepayers for honors it certainly is^ Councillor Linton. With all , respect to his opponent, the writer certainly thinks that it would puzzle him to show, much that he has done for the advancement of the place, and further, he lacks the ability requisite for the carrying on; of ' our public business In a manner calculated to bring re,sneet upon the burge3ses. We want for our Mayor a man who can look at both sule9 of the question at issue quickly, and who can - foenv an opinion and act upoTi it without hesitating too long. Such a nrnn is Councillor Linton, and the reverse will be found m Councillor Ooleraan. We want a man who can preside intelligently over our public meetings while devising means for the advancement of this town. Such a man is Councillor Linton, and the nevci^e i« Councillor Coleman. We want a man who at all time 3 will command proper respect from those surrounding vi 3 m the various parfca of the County. Such a man ia Councillor Linton, and the revfraeis Coiinpiltor Coleman. We want a man who holds an important stake m the Borough, untl large interests to protect. \ Such amnn ia Councillor Linton;. the Reverses beinar Councillor ' Coleman, The fact is, Mr. Editor, evecy ratepayer is interested m ihe election of the best men to our Council, and the very be3t one. foi> oiii'Mayop. My ootnion ia that the best before us at present \s Councillor Linton. One who has been publicly requested to come forward by the bureesses, cohiequently he has no nee,d to say that at-- the last moment ho did receive an influential requisition as Councillor Coleman has said m his address. This I very much doubt, but if he has had such an invitation, and if he is m the possession of aiich a document perhaoa he will kindly oblige the Ratepayers by publishing it as Councillor Linton has done with his very influential and genuine one. This is the wav to do business open! v arid above board: — no taking shelter behind bogus requisitions and strong appeals. If Councillor Oolemnn ha* : been requested to stand for Mayor it mutt. ; hare been by a yexy small number indeed, as I have taken aome trouble to^nd out who the requisitionists are, but I fsu to find any except the gentlemen who have proposed and seo3nded'hiß nomination. I trus'^ Mr. Editor, that some evening, prior to the election, the two candidates will arrange a public meeting for the express purpose of giving the rateDayers an oppprtusity of deciding who is the most likely man to- do them the greatest amount of good while filling the office of Mayor for the enduing year. TruatitijOt that my sug!je»tion will ho means or bringing about such a meeting.-— I am, &c., • . .