TO THE THAMES ELECTORS.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4032, 30 November 1881, Page 2

TO THE THAMES ELECTORS.

(Per favour of the Evening Star.)

Citizens,—The time is drawing near when you will be called upon to elect a ■ suitable man to represent you in the House of .Representatives. The interests of the Thames Borough for the ensuing three years, are at stake, and I Deed not impress too forcibly upon your mind the necessity for usiug the utmost discrimination in the choice of your representative. You must bear in mind that if your selection falls upon a man who has no weight in the House, upon one who cannot make himself agreeable with ministers, and who can do nothing for you, you will have yourselves to blame. It such should be case, it would be far better to have no representatives at all, as through his lack of influence you would be virtually disfranchised, lou have now before you. two candidates, and it may not be inopportune to discuss their qualifications. In the first place, and before all in ability, stands Mr John Sheehan, a former Minister of the Crown, and your past representative. During the period that he occupied the portfolio of JNative Minister, a great deal of scandalous mis-statements were spread about him, but this; is always the case when a man - has raised < himself above his fellows. Envy and jealousy are two powerful characteristics of human nature, and il is not surprising that public men should be attacked and wantonly insulted;'^ by those who are. beneath them in ability, i influence, and knowledge. There are, I am willing to admit, certain things in connection with the late Native Minister that are discreditable to him, and no doubt he has committed faults. * But who is there amongst ua who can throw stSnei ? We. are all liable to commit error, and man never has been, and never will be immaculate. If you, electors, wait for a man who is without spot or blemish/ you will have to remain unrepresented for the rest of life. If there have been mistake* in Mr Sheehan's political career, there have been actions on his part that , equally counterbalance, .. them. Mr Sheehan has, what is useful for a representative to have, the ear of the house. When he speaks on any subject, the members listen to an avowed authority, and the knowledge, that he is to deliver a speech is a signal for the Benches to fill. Mr Sheehan is a suppor-, ter of Sir George Groy, but does not' permit himself to bo a mere lackey of the great Pro-Consul. Undoubtedly he is the most able man amongst those who are before the public, arid I should not be surprised to see him returned at the head of the poll. If he again has the confidence of the electors, I hope he will make ' amends for any mistakes he has commit-, ted, by occupying his seat in the House ' the whole of the session. It is only justice for the electors to expect their representative to devote the whole, of bis time, during the session, to their wants .and interests, and before any candidate is returned I should advise this qualification as a sine ■, qud no*. Think well, electors, therefore, and in making your choice select the best man, the man who will serve you best, and the one who,will give you no cause to regret your choice.—l am, Ac One Concerned :