, 1882-07-21
Editorial Notes.

the L. 5. Senate again at least the
recent speech of the distinguished
gentleman. in Utica, n. u, is under
stood to mean as much. Political
life has irresistible attractions for
large majority of the men of ability
who once enter it.
Our Victoria neighbors are working
themselves up to fever heat about
who to elect to represent them in the
Parliament at Ottawa. The principal
candidates are Mr.. Shakespeare, pho
tographer, Mr.. Fell, dealer in roast
and ground coffee, and Mr.. De Cos
mos, who has so ably represented the
colony for several years. The prin-
cipal topic which excites the Victori-
ans is, whether the Canadian railway
will ever be extended to Esquimault.
The people on the main land want
the road to terminate at Moodyville
or Burrard Inlet. The Victorians
want ferry to Nanaimo from Moody
vile, and railroad from Nanaimo to
Esquimault.
The SUNDAY LAW, This will un-
doubtedly be one of the prominent
issues in the coming territorial cleo
ton. Strenuous efforts will undoubt-
edly be put forth to secure the repeal
of the law enacted at the last Legis-
lative session on this subject and,
rs the law now stands it is unjust,
because unequal, in the operations.
We believe in proper and efficient
Sunday laws where they are the re-
suit of healthy and fairly expressed
public opinion. But we believe that
public sentiment should be educa-
ted up to the proper standard through
moral persuasion, and that all laws
pertaining to public morals should be
enacted on the principle of local OPP
tion. We do not believe it right to
attempt to legislate morals into the
masses, yet where they adopt Sun
day laws or anti-liquor laws by ma
jority vote they certainly have
right to do so and to enforce them
under the letter and spirit of our con-
stitution. We hope that the present
Sunday law viii be repealed, and
that should another be drawn up it
will be carefully arranged so as to
treat all alike, and then submitted to
n direct vote of the people for adop
tion or rejection.
The Seattle POst-Intelligencer does
not treat the ARGUS with candor and
fairness on the question of the Gus
tom House and revenue cutter. As
to the matter of paying off sailors,
we simply called attention to the
fact tina, they could lawfully demand
their wages as soon us the vessel ar
rived at this port, calling upon bust
ness men here to see that the sailors
be not taken to other ports on nc
count OF ignorance on their part as
to their rights. In the language of
Patrick Henry, IF that be treason,
make the most of it." The item in
reference to the Wolcott was written
during our absence, by one who was
authorized to give news, merely. 1t
was perhaps harsh ON Capt. Stodder;
the idea intended to be conveyed,
however, was founded in justice. No
objection was raised to the cutter
going to Nanaimo for coal; it was
mentioned incidentally, and our Sc
attic critic must have known as much
from the most careless reading. We
have heretofore insisted that the port
of entry was the proper head-quar-
ters for the cutter; that she should be
found here when not cruising on bus
iness; that in case of marine disas-
ter and the cutter were telegraphed
for at this place when she was being
used Us a pleasure yacht off her reg
ular duty, serious results might fol-
low and bc chargeable to neglect of
duty. A sense of duty to the public
often leads us to say things W. would
prefer to leave unsaid if our private
feelings only were consulted. But
we speak at all times solely with ref
erence to public instead of private
welfare. Locally, we insist ON Port
Townsend'S rights, just rs our neigh
Dor doe TOR S.att G, with the excep-