The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-09-17 00:00:00

CORRESPONDENCE.

We wish 0 to be distinctly understood that by invrting
letters in thiooolunut, we do not thereby identify ourselreo
luith the opinions of our Correspondents.
ELECTION OF COMMISSIONERS.
To 0, I•Vito,, of the Obserre ."

Desa Stn,—Whilst the matter of the recent election
of Commissioners is fresh before the public mind, allow
•me to make a few remarks in connection therewith.
Sonic years ago it was thought advisable to obtain a new
Act for the better regulation of town's matters, and to
pot into the hands of the ratepayers the power of elect-
ing their own rereetentatives. This Act was obtained
at a coat of nearly £2,000 t—a great sum for a non.
thriving town lik,e this to pay. Under this new Act we
have jest had an election of nine gentlemen to till up
vacancies, sod in two wards—South and Eset—out of a
population of 6,000 individuals, and probably 1,200
householders we have had only eight votes recorded for
each Commissioner. How is this, Mr. Editor? Are the
people of Stourbridge determined to let the town take
care of itself, and each tradesman bent only upon his
own shop interests, regardless of the public welfare?
Is all public spirit dead ? Under such circumstances
well may the town remain stationary, when compared
with the progress and increasing prosperity of other
neighbouring towns in this locality. Whilst some are
not only fast increasing in population, but doubling their
trade, and by united action enlarging the sphere of com-
merce, we are content to go on from year to year with-
out any apparent desire to increase our trade or putting
forth united efforts for the advancement of the town.
And, as so much depends upon the exertions of men is
office it is incumbent upon the inhabitants to exercise
their power, and bring forth men best otialitted to act as
guardians of the town'e best interests. To obviate this
state of things lam almost inclined to suggest a novel
experiment, VIZ, the exchange of about 500 men with
tee publicapirited town of Kidderminster. This would
invigorate Stourbridge, and put to shame those who would
then be content to let matters go on as they had done,
and the exchange would, I believe, prove mutually ad•
ventageous to both towne—modifying the excitability of
the one, and supplying this lace of public spirit in the
other. But as this scheme is hardly practiceble allow
me to propose as an alternative' that for the future, and
preceding every new election for Commissioners, the
ratepayers, or rather a few of the leading ones, should
call (per the Chairman of Commissioners) &public meet-
ing in the Corn Exchange. and there and then the names
of the retiring Commissioners. These or LOAV ones pro-
posed, and by skew of hands virtually decide who shall
serve the town for the next three years. Such a pro-
ceeding as this would create a greater interest in the
election, afford an opportunity to the townspeople to en.
press an opinion as to the fitness or non•fitness of the
candidates proposed, and though few votes may after-
wards be recorded the men chosen would be these ap-
proved at the preceding meeting.
tours truly,
AMICUS.
Stourbridge, 15th Sept., 1870.