The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1868. THE NOMINATION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 299, 18 December 1868, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1868. THE NOMINATION.

The nomination of candidates for the representation of the City in the General Assembly, took place to-day at noonj at the Provincial Hall, which was crowded during the proceedings, in which much interest was manifested. Mr Brunner, the Returning Officer, having opened the proceedings, and Mr Percy, the Deputy Returning Officer, having read the writ authorising the election, called upon the electors to nominate candidates to fill the vacant seat. Dr Irvine, M.P.C., proposed Joseph Shephard, Esq., as a fit and proper person to represent the city of Nelson in the House of Representatives, and hoped the meeting would bear with him while he gave his reasons for doing so, even if they did not all agree with him, asking for the same indulgence for Mr Edwards and his supporters. The great matter was to inquire whether the candidate who offered himself as their representative would adopt the particular policy of which his constituents approved at this moments if he was able to enforce his views in the House; and also to see that there was nothing in his character which would be an obstacle in the way of his carrying out their views. In Mr Shephard they had a candidate who was, he believed, likely to meet their views ; he had published letters, and held a meeting in which he had placed his views very fully before the electors, and at which he had been questioned at considerable length. He then recapitulated the various points in Mr Shephard's speech on Tuesday night, and alluded to the address delivered in his own district, of which the Colonist had acknowledged the ability. Mr Shephard's views on the war policy agreed with those of the majority, that no reliance should be placed on Imperial aid. As regarded Provincialism, although he (Dr Irvine) did not agree with him, he thought that a candidate who threw himself frankly on his constituents, was entitled to his favorable consideration. He regretted to find that the Colonist, the Provincial organ, had turned round suddenly and determined to oppose the Provincial caudidate. [Mr Luckie, No, no,]. At all events he (Mr L.) had made a very animated speech against Mr Shephard the other night. In regard to Mr Shephard's personal qualities, it had been said that there were enough speakers in the House; but at all events they would find no twaddle in Hansard from Mr Shephard. He then reminded the electors of the high character for ability and talent of the previous members for Nelson, as an argument why they should be worthily represented now, and by a person who could support their other representative, Mr Curtis, and who was possessed of similar ability. Many persons, allowing that Mr Shephard was a clever man, said there were enough clever men tn the Assembly, but on the homoeopathic principle, that like cures like, he thought they ought to send the cleverest man they had (laughter). Dr. Irvine, after stating that Mr Shephard had pledged himself, if returned, to remain to the close of the

session, arguad that because~ssr^J)dwards had made a great deal of money, it did not follow that he should make a good statesman ; at all events proof was wanting of Mr E's possession of powers which they knew Mr Shephard to possess. Mr Edwards was a wealthy man, and Mr. Shephard a comparatively poor one, but political experience showed that fair taxation was not attributable to the legislation of rich men as a rule. It had been said that they had no proof of what would be Mr Edwards* s policy when in the House, but he submitted that they had before them an index in the reluctance shown by him in transmitting the resolutions passed at the meeting held iv October last, condemnatory of Mr Stafford's financial policy. He had heard many hard things of Mr Edwards in connection with this matter, but he acquitted him of any intentional wish to burke the results of that meeting, but the affair at all events showed that he had not capabilities sufficient to carry out a very simple piece of business (laughter and cheers). Mr James Burnett seconded the nomination of Mr Shephard. Mr Kingdon, M,P.C, who was received with mingled cheers and hisses, rose to propose Nathaniel Edwards, Esq., of Nelson, as a candidate. He submitted that Mr Edwards, who, by his clear brain, indomitable will, and business-like habits had raised himself to his present independent position, as the possessor of an ample fortune which he dispensed amoug them, had a claim on the suffrages of the electors, and instanced the fact that business men at home had proved that they were'best acquainted with the wants of the country. Mr R. Burn, M.P.C., seconded the nomination, and expressed his conviction that Mr Edwards would, if elected) carry into the House the same business capacity which he had shown in the management of his own affairs, and his belief that, had he been in Parliament at the time of the late financial blunders, they would not have occurred. Both candidates then addressed the meeting in speeches of very considerable length, the publication of which we are compelled to defer until our next issue, much amusement being created by Mr Shephard quoting from an article in the Colonist highly eulogistic of his opinions. A show of hands was then taken, which was declared by the Returning Officer to be in favor of Mr Shephard, and a poll was demanded by Mr Kingdon on behalf of Mr N. Edwards. It was announced that the polling would take place on the 24th instant.