MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1767, 1 September 1874, Page 3

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

(To the Editor of tho Star.) Sis,—Tho election of threes candidates to the office of Municipal Councillors is a matter which will occupy the attention in part of the public during the brief period intervening between the days of nomination and polling; and too much importance cannot be attached to ita consideration. It is too frequently the case in election!—whether they be general or otherwise — that votes aro obtained through personal interest, or party prejudice! The motto of those who cater for public favor should be, "worth makes the Bian:" their standard, "honesty. Were this the case, the inevitable consequence would be a better representation; _and still further might this ; desirablc end _be aisurcd were the electors to make the position of these principles on the part of- Jpididates an imperative necessity. While, however, the public are influenced by mere personal considerations; while their minds are swayed hither and thitber by private feeling, it is not to be wondered at that the right man is frequently found to bo in anything but the right place. In the present election, it is to be hoped that the people of the Thames will study the interests of the district —in preference to that of party —and give their support to those who are most likely to be relied upon to forward .those interests. Six candidates were nominated yesterday, three of whom are retiring members. We hare therefore three propositions. Firstly, it is the duty of the electors to chooV from among the six aspirants to Municipal honors tho three gentlemen who have shown themselves most capable ; secondly,, during the past six months of local legislation the retiring Councillors have taken part m the administration of the affairs of the Borough in its infancy; and thirdly, the consideration must be, have the said Councillors in that term of office proved themselves worthy of the confidence which tho public reposed in them by-their election. Taking these propositions as conditions. with which to guide the distribution of their rotes, the public will, by a just estimation of their weight, be the better enabled to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion. I ■would, sir, impress upon_ my fellowtownsmen the serious necessity of viewing this election dispassionately; but at the game time with a due sense of its importance, as there can be little doubt but that in the hands of local bodies there is placed great power to make or mar the prospects of a district. r r Citizen.