Poverty Bay Standard.
PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. Saturday, December 10, 1881.
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.
Yesterday was comparatively a busy day in town, for there was a large number of electors in from the country, as well as many, if not all and sundry in the town, on the wing of political excitement. But the day lacked the spirit and “ go ” of former times. Most of the principle avenues by which the interests of candidates are usually promoted, have been closed under the new Act, which the first exercise of its provisions proved to be an abortive attempt to keep the people from committing political sins, and which, by the way, had not, previously, been desig-
nated by that name. There were a few traps ; but people —not even ardent electors —do not travel so luxuriously at their own expense as at that of others, consequently there was not much travelling done, except as Paddy would say, on “foot-back.” Then there were no emblems, nor party colors, nor posters. Thus the printing offices were comparatively quiet; for, in former times, they were rushed in maddening, bewildering excitement by all parties to steal a march on eaca other, to “ slate ” them out of some pet idea, and to produce some nefi feature which, while they might not directly promote or retard a candidate’s progress, did no harm in themselves. One of the absurdities of the Act is its imperfect comprehensiveness ; and it is the pretty general thought that — in its attempts to curtail the liberty of the subject, and to so hedge him round with pains and penalties, that he almost ceases to be a reasoning being—it will be next to impossible for some one not to transgress, let him be ever so careful. We have been assiduous in intimating to enquirers that we cannot issue “posters” for them. “ Why not ?” we are asked, and we reply that the law is against the use of “ bands, torches, flags, banners, cockades, ribbons, or other marks of distinction." Now it occurs to us to enquire, as we see the surging throngs of electors move to and fro past our office window, what is a “mark of distinction?” We turn to the first and second schedules which contain the comminative restrictions of the “ Corrupt Practices Prevention Act,” and we find, for instance, no mention of “ belltoppers against them, and the donning of a Sunday suit of clothes by the driver of his vehicle there is no malediction. Now, the question arises, why did not the Act proscribe bell-toppers and sw’allo wtails being worn on election days ? Why should a “free and independent” wear a clean shirt —which, with some, would be a mark of distinction —without fear and trembling of beingbrought up for “ corrupt practice ?” Really it is too, too, this is. Then, as to “ marks of distinction ” we find hundreds of men willing to knock off two or three days’ work, with the special object of enjoying their privileges, and their “special mark of distinction” is to fraternize with their friends, talk over the possible state of the poll, and to appear in their best bib and tucker. Why are these people not “ run in ” for an infraction of the law ?
So we come to “ bands,” and “ ribbons.” Are all the men and women with the insignia of mourning on their arms and hats to be proceeded against for “ corrupt practices ?” And if not, why not ? If one man is permitted to wear a mourning band on his hat, that speaks silently of his grief, why should not another wear a band on which is inscribed “ Vote for Pobteb ?” Why should one man be disallowed proclaiming, by devices on his head, the joy he feels at the prospect of Gannon’?. or Locke’s return, while he may signify on both his arm and his head—quite irrespective of corrupt practices —that the hopes he once entertained of McDonald’s election, are Dead! Dead !! Dead !! !
Taking one consideration with another, the “ Corrupt Practices Prevention Act of 1881 ” is a biot on the Legislature that brought it forth. It, together with the Gaming and Lotteries Act ought to be consigned to oblivion, and we trust that the member elect will look to the consignment free of charge.
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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1010, 10 December 1881, Page 2
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735Poverty Bay Standard. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. Saturday, December 10, 1881. Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1010, 10 December 1881, Page 2
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