The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1871.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 29, 3 February 1871, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1871.

The colony of Victoria has determined upon the novel plan of paying its legislators £300 a year, and the first general 'election since the Act was passed is vow taking place. It is astonishing to fiud what an effect the chance of obtaining this nice little salary has had in raising a crop of men who have hitherto been quite unknown to fame, but now come forward aud offer their services in the fullest confidence of their own ability to serve tlieir country. All classes are represented in the crowd of would-be legislators ; the police ranks have furnished one candidate, who prefers the prospect of late hours in the House of Assembly with their concomitant advantages, to strolling about the streets at nights without the satisfaction of knowing that his talents are being turned to account on behalf of his adopted country, nor does his ardour for legislation appear to be. in- the slightest degree damped by the knowledge that if successful in bis candidature he has the nice little sum of £1 per diem assured to him for the next four years. Auother instance is on record iv which a coachman has been attacked by this senatorial epidemic, and has sent in his resignation to his master on the grounds tbat he is about to become a candidate fora certain district, and does not consider it in keeping with the dignity of one who aspires to a seat iv. Parliament fo be driving his employer about the streets bf Melbourne, through which he hopes to be himself driven, with all his blushing honors thick upon him, aod with his card in his pocket, on which appear as an affix to this name the mystic letters M.L.A. — it has been suggested iv our hearing that if three letters are to be attached to the names of members of the Victorian Assembly none would now be more appropriate thau £.S.D.. But to return to pur Jehu ; he is a notable instance of the ability-conferring power of this £300 a year, for, up to the date of so munificent an honorarium being voted, no one ever suspected him of having devoted any portion of his time to the study of politics, nor has he been in any way looked upon as being possessed of more learning or experience than were necessary to enable him to steer his horses through the crowded thoroughfares, but it is astonishing what £300 a year can do, and the gentleman who has hitherto been content to occupy a* position similar to that whicli was so efficiently nnd honorably filled by the distinguished Mr. Weller, has had the spirit of ambition stirred within him, and now aspires to assuming the reins of government, trusting, no doubt, to the experience he has had in handling the more material ribbons to which he has been accustomed, to pull him through any difficulties that may arise. It may be that the experiment now to be tried in Victoria will succeed, but our owu impression is that if the state coach is to be entrusted to such hands, its ultimate destination is lively to prove similar to that which is popularly assigned to a sailor when put on horseback. The 4rgus hesitatingly expresses ■ a faint hops that, since the members are to be so liberally paid, the electors will be far mora careful in their choice 1 of representatives, to whom, the honor of tho position will not be the only reward tq be accorded for their services. We fear, however, that suck hopes will not be realised, but that the value of the a-year to be handed over to the seventyeight members of the Victoriau Assembly will not be re»paid to the country by any great improvement in ths cpns.tituent elements' of the Parliament. t _--wis_i_^j|_*_(_VflP____-_--IB_««_o___*i___«i