THE STANDARD WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1873.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 106, 19 November 1873, Page 2

THE STANDARD

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1873.

“ We shall sell to no man justice or right: We shall deny to no man justice or right: We shall defer to no man justice or right.”

The result of the polling on Saturday for a member to represent the district of Turanganui in the Provincial Council is, as was generally expected, although the distance between the candidates is much greater than might reasonably have been looked for from the amount of “ stump- “ ing ” done from the Nomination to the Election. As will be seen, James Woodbine Johnson, Esq. has been elected by the large majority of 84; and now the contest is over we trust that the combatants will shake hands and be friends—that the vanquished will bear his defeat with philosophic courage, and that the victor will wear his honors with a becoming pride. Although Mr. Wyllie has been distanced in this first political race, there is nothing to be remembered either in his defeat, or in the success of his rival, which can leave a single regret for having entered into the contest. The Election was conducted on the fairest of principles ; no undue influence, or class, or party cry, by which votes could be gained, was even suggested. Each candidate had to work his own way, assisted only by his immediate supporters, and went to the

poll more upon the single question of personal fitness than that of political qualification. Through the unexpected retirement of Captain Heap, no time was left in which to discuss the merits of either, from the stand point of his own personal explanation. Both are still strangers in the land of politics. Each has his political lesson yet to learn, but an advantage is gained by Mr. Johnson in his earlier matriculation. Being confident that both the candidates were sincere in the expression of their desire to promote the welfare of their constituents, we espoused the cause of neither, beyond having pledged ourselves to support the Requisition to Mr. Johnson in what appeared to be at the time a forlorn hope. Knowing full well that they were better acquainted with the theory of promise, than the practical details necessary ,€o its fulfilment, we let the friendly war wage on unassisted by any counsel of our own.

The success of Mr. Wyllye’s cause was somewhat dimmed from a singular co-incidence of agreement with Mr. Johnson on all the topics touched upon, except one in connection with Education ; and the honorable acknowledgment by him that if elected his private affairs would not admit of his attending the Council for so long a period as six weeks was too fatal to warrant the Electors putting him at the head of the poll in the face of it. The former begat a suspicion that ho was making tracks in Mr. Johnson’s footsteps, and the latter, although highly creditable to his candour, cut the ground completely from under him, and detached many votes that would otherwise have been polled in his favor. It is, perhaps, too late to say that under the circumstances it would have been better for Mr. Wyllie to have withdrawn ; he has been beaten, but he has the satisfaction of knowing that it was principally his own fault, from the consequences of which he could not hope to esenpe. The fight, however, is now over. We are contented to take the verdict of a very flattering majority ; and wo feel safe in the assertion of our belief that whatever shortcomings may be attributable to him in his earlier experiences in the Provincial Council, we have in Mr. Johnson a gentleman in whoso hands the honor of the Electors will bo safe, and one who, as guardian of their interests, will be able to make up in personal energy and influence what ho may lack in political knowledge. We could say no more of any man.