, 1868-03-03

'oHA - O'S'J P0NNNON ~ o"N
Government when any such motion may
initiate against the welfare of the public.
Were you now to tax your memory,
you would perceive, that the majority of
members, which have at various times,
been returned to the Council, have been
individuals who have shown themselves
TO a certain extent, incapable of filling a
position, which calls for a large amout
of independence of spirit, and which but
few have shown they were capable (even
if they did possess il of exercising under
such circumstances. Only a few of the
members speak in the Council, wide the
printed reports) and, when a matter is to
be voted on, they have perhaps interested
themselves 10 SO slight q degree, as TO
what was really being discussed, that it
may not be unfrequent, that many rise 10
vote either in favour, or against, a bill
without really understanding whether they
were acting the one part, or the other.
Some of the members may also be like
Automatons, and are influenced to vote, in
favour, or against a measure, 10y wires
which other members, OF superior will
and intellect, have had attached to their
bodies. When they would have them rise
to vote in favour of a motion, the wires
are drawn upwards, and, up they start;
when they would have them to vote
otherwise, the wires are pulled down
wards, the more efectuaAy to secure them
in their seats and, as they are perhaps al
together Mechanical in their actions, these
impulses are obeyed accordingly.
AS | have on a previous occasion re-
marked, these are, as a body, not the men
we require, to represent US in these agi-
tated times. Men are required, who can
think and act independently, and judi
ciously, for the benefit Of the public well
fare; otherwise the Colonial Council is
rather an evil, than "a good.
1t would indeed be preferable for US,
under present circumstances, if no such
institution existed, but that the Govern
ment consisted Of His Excellency the
Governor and two Counsellors Gas former
ly) forming the Government, who would
then be responsible to His Majesty the
King, for any Act which they might cause
10 be recommended as a law, as also, held
responsible by the Community, for any
i'll effects which the PRONUNCIATION and
enactment of any such law, might have on
the general welfare. But how are we
now situated ? We have o Colonial Coun-
Gil consisting of 13 Members elected by
the two towns and the two country dis
tricts, and S members chosen by the Gov
eminent !; His Excellency the Governor
being the chief, forming a representative
body, of 10 members. (according to 5 IA
of the Colonial Law l will suppose a
case, viz, His Excellency the Governor,
lays before the Council, a draft of the
Budget, for a financial year; each mem
Der is given q copy thereof, inwardly TO
digest. AT an appointed day, they all
meet in the Council, to debate OH the
propriety, or improperly, of the items, as
there appearing. His Excellency the
Governor, perhaps takes the word (and
keeps i) and d~escants deliberately there
on, it passes into committee, the commit
tee make their reports thereon, ii is again
laid before the Council, perhaps adopted,
as it was framed by the Government /;
0nd-there is an end to that matter.