THE WEEK.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 275, 15 November 1873, Page 2

THE WEEK.

Still electioneering. In town and country there is but one topic of conversation — Who's to go in? Beginning with the Superintendency, the interest taken in the matter is gradually on the increase as the polling-day approaches, and great will be the endeavor made to keep out of office one who is just now manifesting a large amount of what I may call cupboard- love for the electors on this side of the province. They have something to dispose of that he very much wants, and he is prepared to make them any promise that is but calculated to tickle them into effecting an exchange. Promsses to take more care of their interests, renunciations of opinions openly expressed in the days gone by— anything, anything for votes; votes that are to be used as sf jpping-stones to a position, occupying which he will be able to promote the interests of one portion of the community at the expense of the other; occupying which he will be able to oppose, with every chance of success, the "entirely Quixotic scheme" that for months and months past has been engaging the attention of the public, to which they have devoted all their energies, and of securing which they were beginning to entertain the strongest hopes. But what shall be said of such hopes if those who have been indulging in them, and have believed that they were approaching to fruition, were to elect the very man of all others who has stood between them and the object for which they were striving? What shall be said of those who with the left hand would set to work to undo that which has been done with the right? I do not often enter to any great extent upon politics in these weekly letters of mine ; but this is a time every man who does not wish to see himself and his family ruined should make his voice heard, should denounce and oppose to the utmost in his power the man who, not being sincere, was standing in our way, trying his very best to thwart the object we had in view, but who now comes before us and utters a solemn recantation of the opinion he had previously avowed, and actually asks us to place him in power on the strength of a feeble promise that he will try to get over any local prejudices he may formerly have had. I have lived in Nelson a good many years but have never had reason to believe that the people of the province are such utter fools as Mr O'Conor would wish to find them. They know exactly how much importance to attach to his promises, and they must know full well and must feel in their innermost hearts that, dissatisfied though they may be with Mr Curtis, they would be rushing to certain distraction did they place their trust in Mr O'Conor. Stoutly and persistently he has opposed our progress, stoutly and loudly he promises he wili now advance it. To which will you attach the greatest weight, the actions or the promises ? To one who has attended the numerous nominations and political meetings in the country it is gratifying to observe bow warmly the people are interesting themselves in public affairs. In almost ail the districts the honor of holding a seat in the Provincial Council is keenly contested, and the number of candidates is not confined to that of the representatives allowed them by law, but the electors have it in their power to make a choice. Some of the old members who have acted well and right loyally for their constituents are to meet with opposition, but the people as a rule are quite able to form a correct estimate of the merits of those who offer themselves, and will not be found disposed to get rid of an old servant who has served them faithfully merely for the sake of a change. One feature of these assemblages is certainly most pleasing, namely, the strong determination not to allow Mr O'Conor to become the head of the province, and, indeed, some of the candidates for senatorial honors will find a 'difficulty in attaining the object of their ambition unless they are prepared to make a distinct promise not only that they will not support that gentleman, but that they will exercise their vote find influence in favor

of Mr Curtis against him. I say it is most satisfactory to find that the residents ia the country districts have not allowed themselves to be gulled by the fair promises and fine speeches that have of late been poured into their ears. The Exhibition week will prove quite a relief after the dose of politics that ha 3 of Iste been administered to us, and I for one shall be delighted to get rid of education and public works (the chief topics at a nomination) for a time. I sometimes feel that if I were a reporter, and could work my pen fast enough, I would keep ahead of the speaker, and have his speech written out before he had uttered it. There is a terrible sameness about political addresses, and after my experience of the past week or two, I shall welcome the opening of the Exhibition, if it is only for the sake of exchanging monotony for variety. Next week is to be a busy one among the committee-men and stewards who have charge of the various departments, as everything is to be stowed away in its place by Saturday night, in order that the judges may commence their task on the following Monday, From the 25th to the end of November should be quite a gala season in Nelson. F.

Kerr 18 Win 5 Helling 3