CHARLESTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 582, 18 November 1869, Page 2

CHARLESTON.

THE ELECTION. (fbom oue own coebespondent.) Nov. 15. The nomination of candidates for the Provincial Council took place on Saturday last, at the Court House, at 1 p.m. Mr Broad, the Returning Officer, opened the proceedings by reading the writ under which he acted. The nomination was then proceeded with. Mr Beiian had much pleasure in proposing Mr George Donne, who had for a considerable length of time stood forward as the champion of our interests. He would solicit a renewal of the confidence of the electors on his behalf. Mr James Walsh, Brighton, felt highly honored in seconding Mr Donne's nomination. He had known him for a period of four sessions as an upright and fearless advocate of all measures tending to the welfare of the Coast. He himself had so far received the confidence of the electoi's that a very numerously signed requisition had been presented to him to allow himself to be nominated; but in face of the friendship and respect he held for Mr Donne he declined to put himself in opposition to that gentleman's claims on the district. He had been accused by the opposite party of endeavoring to sow distrust and disunion amongst his countrymen. This assertion he emphatically denied. A review of his antecedents would refute such accusations. There was no question of nationality, country, or creed, required to be exhibited in this contest, but the selection of the most fitting person to advocate our interests, aud which he asserted would be found embodied in the person of Mr George Donne, or " Honest George," as we Brightonians know him by. Mr James Henderson proposed Mr James Hennelly as a fit person to represent our interests. He had previously served us faithfully, and could fairly claim our suffrages. Mr F. M'Parland, in seconding Mr Heunelly's nomination, considered that Mr Heunelly's conduct in the Council had been creditable to him, and would solicit a renewal of their confidence, which he believed would be accorded, as he had every belief that in electing Mr Hennelly they would secure a gentleman who would devote his interest towards our prosperity. Mr Aiden Doyle was proposed as a candidate, aud on his qualifications being demanded by the Returning Officer, he stated he was unable to present them, but he could name them, as they were in the Grey district and he had been unable to get them here in time. The Returning Officer regreted that his duty left him no option but to refuse any nominee in the absence of the required proof. Mr Doyle, while doubting the strict ruling of the law, would bow to the decision, and whatever influence he possessed would be devoted to securing the return of Mr George Donne. Mr Donne, on rising, said—Mr Chairman and gentlemen, having had the honor of addressing one of the largest and most attentive audiences ever assembled in this district, and of expatiating upon numerous questions of local public importance which have received attention since I have had the honor to represent you, now some four sessions ago, it would be unnecessary for me to traverse the same ground over again. There are, however, events which have transpired since, which demand more than mere passing attention by me on the present occasion. There is, gentlemen, a literary harlot established here, known as the Charleston Herald newspaper, that presumes to represent local public opinion ; which journal I hold has in its issue of this morning, exposed itself to criticism if not to serious censure. It has grossly attempted to mislead the public mind, and adopted a course which every individual of proper understanding must deprecate. —(Cheers.) Those of you who w r cre present at the meeting held by me last evening will remember what transpired on that occasion and will be able to form an opinion as to the manner that veracious journal performs its functions—when constituting itself the oracular medium of circulating public information. Those topics of a prejudicial character to my candidature referred to by my opponents, have had a prominence given to them in its columns, while the satisfactory refutation of the statements made by Mr Hennelly have been as carefully suppressed.—(Cheers.) It is incumbent it appears to me on the part

of a public newspaper that proceedings of a public nature should be honestly and impartially reported, as it is only thus, if at all, that a community can be placed in a position to discriminate as to the validity of journalistic criticism. A suppression of truth is at times more culpable and deadly in its effects than that of deliberate falsehood.—(Great cheers.) It is due to a community, as well as to public and private individuals, in my opinion, that veracity in reporting should be strictly observed, and whenever a contrary course is pursued it should be unsparingly denounced. It is, perhaps, fertunate for my candidature that this paper, a copy of which I have here, has no influence in this district. ("Applause.) Mr Donne said he would proceed to criticise the " leading article " which appeared side by side with the report complained of. He was there charged with having failed to win any notable benefits for the electors. This allegation required no refutation, as the electors were the best judges of that, and the four Blue Books he kept, and which were open to any person, would give a blank lie to this statement. He would tell them Mr Hennelly never sought, as this article sets forth, to pledge the Council to any such appointment as is alleged. This was made plain to the electors last evening, and none knew the truth of it better than the contributor of this article. Mr Donne would appeal to the electors, what should be said of the savage slight sought to be put upon him, by the insinuation of motives by which the Herald presumes I was actuated, in opposing a bastard and useless resolution as fathered by my present opponent, and deemed by him aud the Herald, ample for your requirements. The tone of this article is in precise keeping with the placard posted about the town, calling upon you to vote for J. Hennelly, an independent candidate—and no office seeker. Independent in what ? Does my opponent desire to throw some reputably rapidly-filled money-bags at my political head ? If so, he may possibly have the best of the argument, for I confess to be dependent upon the labor of my hands and such energy of brain as nature may have endowed me with; in that independence of mind which every man should pride himself in possessing, I will give the palm to no man.—(Cheers.)The Poet Wordsworth when penning the lines " The weak and all who lack for strength have this at their command," could never have contemplated the existence of an organ such as the Charleston Herald. In quitting that subject he would repeat, without fear of contradiction, that the only practical benefit which has yet resulted from Mr Heunelly's representation has been the expending of some £4O for mooring-lines, for the harbor. Mr Donne then referred to some outside remarks which had been made, that his opponent would receive the support of the Oddfellows because he was of the order, and deprecated the recognition of any such principle in politics as pernicious in itself, and opposed to the spirit aud letter of the society. He resumed his seat amidst much cheering.

Mr Hennelly briefly recapitulated some of the measures he had been instrumental in bringing forward. It would bo of no benefit to the district to send his antagonist to the Council, as he would not be useful to them. As a general rule, when he rose to bring a motion forward, it would be to an empty house. For his part, he would receive considerable support and assistance. He could not understand the opposition on the part of Mr Donne, to his motion regarding the appointment of a person to reside on, and deal with the affairs of the Coast, unless it was on the score of jealousy, he thinking, no doubt, that an important measure should not have been brought forward by a junior member. He was an independent man, and as such was only eligible for the position of a representative. A show of hands being called, Mr Donne's supporters numbered 59, and Mr Hennelly's 31. A poll was demanded by Mr Hennelly. A vote of thanks having been accorded to the Returning Officer, the proceedings terminated.

The official declaration of the poll took place on Wednesday, from the balcony of Hamilton's Melbourne Hotel. Mr Broad declared the poll at half-past 7 :—Charleston : Donne 271, Hennelly 169. Brighton : Donne 8-1, Hennelly 2. Total majority in favor of Mr Donne, 184. He, therefore, declared Mr Donne to be duly elected. Mr Doxjte, on returning thanks, said it would ill become him to say anything derogatory to the characters of those -who had opposed him in this contest. He should ever regard it as a proved victory, and its moral effect would be felt in the future, bringing the communicy in one common bond of brotherhood. (Cheers.) He fully believed that he would be of more service to the electors in the Colonial Parliament than in the limited sphere of Provincial politics. However, whatever energies he possessed would be devoted to their best interests. To those who have deemed it their duty to vote against him, he would always be ready to shake hands as freely with them as with his most zealous supporters and anything coming within the score of his position would receive his warmest support, on their behalf. (Cheers.) He sincerely trusted that any acerbity of feeling which might have been engendered during this hotly

contested election might die out. He thanked those gentlemen who put their shoulder to the wheel in securing his return. [Mr Hennelly also addressed the electors ; but, not being quite assured of its accuracy, we must omit the report given by our correspondent.] Mr Do> t ne proposed a vote of thanks to the Eeturning Officer. Mr Bboad, in returning thanks, by a few happy remarks, soothed the angry feelings which had been aroused, and the electors quietly dispersed. For hours after the streets were filled with small parties of men discussing the discreditable termination of what was otherwise a well conducted election. About oue hundred and thirty more votes were yesterday recorded than on any previous election. REPORTED MANSLAUGHTER AT CHARLESTON. Our Charleston correspondent wrote on Monday :—■ "A melancholy affair happened this morning, the particulars of which I have been unable to gather, but as an investigation will be held, I will be able to send up the particulars. Peter Risk, miner, was murdered this morning in Princes street, in a row; he is believed to have been kicked to death. John M'Loughlin is arrested in connection with the affair." We understand that Mr Broad telegraphed yesserday for the services ef Detective Lambert, who was dispatched in the evening to Charleston.