The Westport Times. FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1874.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1176, 15 May 1874, Page 2

The Westport Times. FRIDAY, MAY 15, 1874.

For once in the history of Westport tho notes heralding an impending election fall on deadened ears. The topic is by tacit consent avoided, or if casually referred to 'tis but in passing comment on things indifferent. To outsiders the silence may beperplexin!/. To dwellers in Westport it is significant. Of election strife and contest they have had enough and to spare, and ever and anon must come to many the reflection that fervid zeal in politics has severed bonds of friendship and scattered broad-cast the seeds of dissension. Political privileges bave not proved unmixed blessings, and, figuratively, too zealous worshippers have seen their idols shattered and themselves abased. Little wonder then that even in such minor matter as election to the Provincial Council tho electors hold aloof, expressing no opinions, urging on no candidate, but negatively waiting tho issue of events. Wondering meanwhile who, if any, among their number will have the temerity to proclaim himself an aspirant for a post whereat, judging from tho deeds of his predecessors, honor to himself or profit to his friends will be aliko of doubtful achievement. There are other reasons, and many, also tending to such silence. The Provincial Council of Nelson Province, as ail institution, has never ranked high in the esteem of tho Goldfields electorate. It has too often proved a delusion and a snare. It has been mighty in promise but exceeding slow in works. Like a cumbrous machine, badly constructed and clumsily controlled it has retarded rather than advanced the work for which it was originally designed. Nor can it be said with truth that the electors on the goldfields have been enabled to do much to remedy defects. Lacking the power of numbers in the Council chamber, well intentioned efforts have been too often nullified. Lacking also at times the earnestness of disinterested purpose, goldfields members have, found themselves scattered and sundered just when by a vigorous shoulder to shoulder movement they might have outflanked their opponents. Nor can recollections of other incidents, less excusable than any arising from mere difference of opinion, be wholly obliterated from public memory. Taken all in all, the history of Nelson Groldfield politics, as embodied in tho written and unwritten records of Nelson Provincial Councildom affords no cheering' retrospect, and any present indifferenco to the election of a new member is but the natural sequence of long continuing disappointment. And yet it is needful and expedient that some " fit and and proper person " should bo chosen, unless indeed the electors think it best to elect no representative for a season, and thus demonstrate contempt for both the cause and effect of a vacant seat in the Council. But assuming that-some one candidate, or more, will come forward even at the eleventh hour, and that, haying regard for the fitness of tilings, choice will be made among untried men, curiosity is excited to know who tho coming men may be, and it is possible that the present apparent indifference of the public will prove in part assumed, and the Nomination Day may witness a revival of interest in local matters politica l , free from the disquieting influences that have too often rendered election excitement in Westport a source of sorrowful regret to every lover of peace and good will. If election by polling should ensue, there really seems a chance at last of the sanctity of the ballot being respected, and of intelligent men giving their votes according to their honest convictions, unpledged to and in no dread of rampant agitators or contending factious.