92 



in his anxiety to carry out fairly, firmly, and wisely the pro- 

 visions of the Acts he has the honour to administer. In the 

 opinion of many the great blot upon the nomination of magis- 

 trates has been the party bias dis^jlayed in their selection. Every 

 Consei-vative, Liberal Unionist, or Gladstonian Association there- 

 fore that advocates the selection of County Councillors upon 

 merely party grounds helps to perpetuate a custom on all sides 

 condemned and, to speak plainly, deliberately threatens to debase 

 at its very inception an honorable and responsible ofBce. Mr. 

 Eitchie, Sir Charles Dilke, SirUghtredKay-Shuttleworth, and all 

 careful students of local administration have severely deprecated 

 party action in the coming elections. It would be little short of 

 a calamity if gentlemen such as Mr. J. T. Hibbert (a Gladstonian) 

 and Mr. C. R. Jacson (an out and out Tory) were, through party 

 opposition, debarred from joining the Lancashire County Council, 

 and yet, the introduction of party cries might easily hinder either 

 or both from obtaining a seat, or receiving the necessary vote as 

 'Alderman. At this time a large view is required to be taken by 

 County electors. Wherever individual County justices have 

 shown activity and ability in County administration a seat should, 

 if possible, be reserved for tliem upon the coming County Council, 

 Their previous knowledge of County work would at this juncture 

 be of immense service. We might do worse than imitate the 

 action of the good people of the City of Eipon, who have agreed 

 to sink party differences and to offer to the Marquis of Eipon the 

 unopposed representation of their electoral division. 



In conclusion, although I have unmistakeably advocated the in- 

 advisability of introducing party politics into the pending elections, 

 I have strong confidence that under all circumstances — even 

 though party feeling should dominate for a time our County 

 Councils and "the party hack " — to quote from Goldsmith — by 

 " straining his throat " prevail upon the County elector " to give 

 him his vote " — the responsibility thrown upon County electors 

 will on the whole work for good. Open discussion of the affairs 

 of the Comity will in time awaken an intelligent interest in them 

 amongst the electorate generally, and — though here and there 

 liable to abuse — publicity and the share of power vested in each 

 ratepayer and property owner will form the best possible safe- 

 guards for the well working of the Local Government Act of 

 1888, an Act thorough in its conception, wide m its application, 

 and far reaching in its effects. 



An interesting discussion followed. Mr. Horn pointed out 

 that those inside the Borough of Burnley would have compara- 

 tively little to do with the adminstrative Council lor the geograph- 

 ical County of Lancaster. As to the past government of the 

 County he thought it had been administered efficiently and 

 economically, and as evidence of this he mentioned that while 



