The Westport Times. TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1872

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 999, 27 August 1872, Page 2

The Westport Times. TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1872

Ike decision of the Select Committee in the matter of the Westporfc Land Purchase has surprised no one. From • the .first intimation given that, with the exception of the applicant, none of the members of the Nelson Provincial Council implicated in the scandal would be required to give evidence; the couvietion forced itself upen :the public mind that the report of iihe Committee would be in Mr O'Conor'a favor. In fact, so far as the Buller constituency is concerned, all interest in the subject instantly ceased, the moment it was seen that the action of the Seltct Committee could only ultimate in an unsatisfactory isHue. 'Tinea' i->factory so far, that, in assuming the authori:y and functions of a judicial tribunal, the committee disregarded the fundamental rule of justice, in neglecting to accord each side alike a fair and impart it>l hearing. To con gratulate Mr O'Conor upou his victory would be as yet premature, a mere wrste of empty words ; for he has yet to win a renewal of public confidence by a satisfactory explanation of the reasons that have led hi in to adopt such a very circuitous and equiv. e il

method of obtaining "justice." A method entailing on himself an- infinite amount of laborious trouble, weakening also hia usefulness as a political representative, and inflicting ou his constituents tho annoyance of varying opinions, acrimonious discussions, and all the bitterness of spirit engendered by tbe rankling suspicion that the functions of honorable'office had heen degraded to base and selfish purposes, in brief word*, what need was there for a petition at all ? Why did not Mr O'Conor, when he had initiated legal proceedings at Nelson against the "conspirators,'' as he terms them, pursue that action, and before the judicial tribunal he Siad then appealed •to, slate on oath that he did not hear the decision of the committee ? His solemn oath would surely buve had a 5! much weight in a magisterial Court, as befoie a Select Committee of poli'ieians, or else indeed it is but of little wort'i ; and the onus of proof •would have fien rested, as it now does, with his accusers A magistrate would huve been just as much " bound to believe him " on oath as the Committee, and, failing tbe prodaction of aught beyond circumstantial evidence, -thoße'whom he accused of conspiracy wouldjhavehad just as muchdiflicultyin proving their case then as we imagine they will have now. The report of the Select Committee when published in extense may convey a more -favorable impression in Mr O'Conor's behalf, tbnn the brief details at present made public. The documentary evidence by which he "satisfactorily accounted for having mane the,purchase '-when he did" may evra possibly reveal the well-kept secret of the primary motive for the purchase of the sections, and prove that in working for particular friends, Mr O Conor did not altogether seek his own individual gain ; but Mr O'Conor will still owe to his constituents an explanation of his tactics in first abandoning his legal action and then fomenling, rather than allaying, the agitation of the publie mind, when a few quiet words, either written or spoken, would have been as o 1 upon the troubled waters. The simple assertion, :< lam ready to state on oath that I did not hear the decision of the Committee " would have silenced all argument on that point at least, and cleared the way for an explanation of the reasons that led to his incurring the risk ( f being charged with trafficing for his own gain in lands reserved for the benefit of his constituents. The decision of the Select Committee has now narrowed the main question to a point of personal issue between the members of the Nelson Provincial Council, viz—Mr O'Conor has either perjured himself, or his accusers are conspirators' and slanderers; and a pretty little imbroglio will undoubtedly result.