The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 1871.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 790, 18 March 1871, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 1871.

r - Apart from the public attention that s will be given to the important meas- . ures likely to engage the new Parliament, more than ordinary interest will s attach to the proceedings from the fact that the elections have been , warmly contested, and that an tinusu- ' ally large proportion of new members t have been returned. So lively an in--3 terest having been awakened of late in F the public affairs of the colony is the 3 more striking when contrasted with I the previous apathy. This should 5 prove a source of congratulation to the , members, and may also be accepted as • a guarantee for the future judcious > control they will exercise over our | public affairs. Nothing could tend to j inspire a deserving representative ' with confidence, more than the know- , ledge that his actions would be ap- ' predated by his constituents. It is I public indifference that at once 1 discourages the zealous representative and offers a ready cloak under • which the needy political adventurer \ may subordinate the public welfare to i the advancement of his personal interests. We believe that the presence i of a large proportion of the latter class of representatives in the Assembly forms the chief element of danger. It is a great drawback to our liberal constitution that the men best fitted to adorn an exalted position and to take part in the direction of affairs cannot in many instances afford to spare the necessary time from professional or commercial pursuits. Thus it happens that those, possessing the social position and other qualifications which would render them eligible representatives, give place in too many instances to a class of adventurers and jobber's; who no other means of living, and-who having succeeded in blinding theelec&nVto their manifest inferiority, 'thus' obtain votes by which they are able to impose upon tho country as legislators. "Notwithstanding tho discouragement arising from such class having entered so largely into the

composition of each succeeding Assembly, there are some who, impelled by patriotic motives alone, have exerted their best efforts in advancing the interests of the country • by these the growth of a healthy political public spirit will be Avituessed with the warmest satisfaction. It is impossible to review the numerous and unnecessary appointments made by the present G-ovornment, without arriving at the conclusion that thoy have availed themselves to the fullest extent of the presence of a number of representatives who assume a political career, merely for place and advancement. If the present Government are to retain office, they must take advantage of similar tactics, and as the prizes which are to be contended for become greater, bribery in its most offensivo and injurious form may be resorted to. The present Ministry will, no doubt, avail themselves of the large expenditure and extensive patronage conferred by the proposed financial scheme, when the struggle takes place which shall determine the respective strength of the parties. We are warranted in saying that the present Government will accomplish whatever can be effected in the Assembly by means of the extensive patronage at their disposal. This is the feeling which compels us to distrust, and to view with a certain degree of coldness a scheme, part of which, if honestly and carefully carried out, would be advantageous to the Colony.