THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume VIIi, Issue 2825, 5 March 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 1878.

Mb William Hows says the system of voting provided in the Education Act for the election of School Committees is " good," and "ho thought the objections to it were without foundation." At the same time Mr Howe does not approve of the way in which the Education Board is elected, because the out-districts do not have a chance of being represented. Mr ttowe is the first we have henrd speak in approval of the system of voting for School Committees, the power which the Act confers of a voter giving seren votes to one man being generally condemned by those who have given the matter any thoughtThere is nothing liko speaking well of the bridge which carries you over the stream, and Mr Eowe and his friend Mr Mcllhone have probably to thank the cumulative) " sevens " for their position in the polling last night. We should like to see an analysis of the voting; the scrutineers would be quite justified in publishing it; it has been almost universally done in the South. The analysis would show how many " sixes and sevens" and fours and three were recorded, without in any way disclosing the secrecy of the ballot. It is easy enough for a candidate to get elected under this Act, if he will take the trouble to call upon a few of his personal friends and get them each to poll their seven votes in his favor, but the system which permits such a practice we unhesitatingly pronouoee to be bad. Look at last night's voting. Of those elected the highest number polled was 139; the lowjst, 35. Now, it is quite possible—nay, even probable, that as many householders voted to make up the 35 as did to contribute to the 139, for it is most likely the former divided their votes; they went to elect a committee, not to give .'their votes in favor of one or two men. We cannot see how any one can defend the system except those who profit by it. As to the- condemnation by Mr Eowe of the mode of electing the Board of Education, and his assertion that it did not give the out-districts a chance of representa- j tion, it may be said that it was the only way open to'the .Trainers of the Act to provide for the election of a Board, unless they had adopted the alternative of election by householders, which would have entailed too much trouble. It is rather premature to say that the out-districts have not a show of representation. When the papers are opened onTFriday fiext, TSlr^Kowe may" have cause to confess that he has spoken, as be too frequently docs, without giving due consideration to the matter. However, the Act must be administered as it stands. There was a time when Mr Eowe had an opportunity of suggesting a different mode of electing the central Boards. Bid he take advantage of that opportunity?