The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1867.

Southland Times, Issue 722, 11 September 1867, Page 2

The Southland Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1867.

The Provincial Council met for the transaction of business yesterday. The first thing done, after a good deal of unnecessary talk had taken place, was the election of a Speaker. It was but a poor compliment to Mr "Wilson, a gentleman who honorably filled the office during the whole time of the existence of the old Council that so much wrangling had to be gone through before he was finally elected, and but few men would have had the moral courage to accept the position after sucli unseemly tactics had been indulged in by both sides of the House. Mr "Wilson, however, deserves the thanks of the community for the dignified manner by which he succeeded in inducing the House to avoid a difficulty, and yet preserve its self-respect. As we predicted, a hitch occurred when the subject of the election of a Superintendent was brought forward. If the course pursued is any indication of its ability to legislate, it would appear that the new Council is likely to be eminently successful in making itself conspicuous for an absence of common sense and business capacity. The members of the Provincial Council must remember that they have been elected to fill an honorable and responsible position — to devote their ti:ue and attention to the wants and necessities of the Province — to endeavor to devise means, by wise and prudent legislation, of extricating it from the position that it lias obtained of an unenviable notoriety for incapacity of managing its affairs — and that these objects cannot be gained as long as hostile party feeling is allowed to usurp calm deliberation and a desire to promote the advancement of its best interests, During the short

discussion that ensued on the subject of the election of a Superintendent, it became painfully manifest that the same course of shuffling that was pursued by the late Council is again in course of being repeated by the present ohe.V vThe interests of the people are neglected in order to further the ambitious: designs of a privileged few. The decided expression of the popular voice, elicited by the late elections, on the railway question — an expression of opinion unexampled in the history of the province for intensity and unanimity, does not appear to weigh with a section of the new Council, instead of attending to the expressed wishes of their constituencies — instead of endeavoring to heal old wounds, occasioned by party strife, which has been the principal cause of a want of united expression on public questions of Provincial importance — the unhappy spectacle is presented of a house divided against itself — of the likelihood ot the system of log-rolling being perpetuated, and as a natural consequence, the abandonment of the prosecution of those progressive and reproductive measures of public utility whichis imperatively demanded by the people of Southland. "Why could not the members of Council agree to elect a gentleman to the office of Superintendent who is prepared to carry out the railway scheme ? From various sources we learn that there is a great probability of the land being set aside for railway purposes if the proper course is pursued by the Council. Mr. Stafford distinctly stated that course had not been adopted ; nor is it likely it will unless a strong outside pressure is brought to bear upon the members of Council. The voice of the people must be heard on this subject. The prosperity of Southland cannot be jeopardised by the machinations of a few interested individuals. Indeed it behoves those who have made this Provincetheirhome to watchnarrowly the proceedings of the Council. The practice of making tools of the more unthinking portion of the members must be discountenanced. "We trust that there will be no more delay in fixing upon a gentleman to fill the important office of Superintendent. The name of Dr. Menzies is mentioned as a candidate ; but, if the Council does not wish to commit political suicide, it will reject him. "Why cannot the Council agree to elect a gentleman whose known opinions on the railway question will make him acceptable to the large body of the people. Surely it can find a candidate who does not possess class proclivities — who is not identified with party tactics — and who is sufficiently respected and popular to fill the Superintendial chair. On the election of an able Superintendent depends the future prosperty of .the Province. He must not be a trader nor a squatter, and if the candidate is a gentleman not likely to obtain influence in the North it would be a great public calamity that he should be elected.