OUR STATESMEN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2742, 8 February 1890, Page 5 (Supplement)

OUR STATESMEN.

In dealing with the class of men who should be avoided as our legislators, a contributor to the Wellington "Press," in a powerfully written article says :—Jobbers and political Micawbers are the most danserous class of legislators any country can produce. Often plausible but unprincipled nondescripts, and of no profession, they are proficient in nothing, yot venture anywhere ; reckless, having nothing to lose, they are yet prodigal of other's rights, waste more time, ask more frivolous questions, taint tho political atmosphere, and lower the standard of any House beyond any set of men. Better by far exercise no vote at all than exercise it to corrupt the floor of the Legislature with such states-

men. It speaks volumes in the ear of tho people ivs to U;o ill-administration of tho country, and in spite of our public works, our salubrious climato, our magnificent harvests, and the sustained high price of our sfcaplo produce, our people are leaving oijjl , shores by scoros every week. It surely has not come 1,0 pas;-, that a young, energetic country like ours, canuel produce a hundred men of sound principle and intellect, whose motive shall be disinterested, and whose regard for their country shall lisa above the mere consideration of family and party interests, whoso sympathy shall extend from Auckland to'lnvurcargill, who shall not be above the epithet of ' Patriot.' For our futuro statesmen let us select men of clearer heads, more moral backbone and truer dovotiou to tho wants not, only of this generation, but of those that will succeed #1 i