IsiXhosa Intellectual Traditions (IsiXIT) Digital Archive

PARLIAMENTA RY REPRESENTATIVES. 'ELECTOR,' a correspondent of the Queenstown Representative furnishes us with a text for this week's leading article. Dealing with an insinuation by a contemporary that, after all the political excitement which has taken place in Queenstown during last month, and of which Mr. JOHN FROST was the nucleus, the very people who have been loudest in condemning that gentleman would vote for him to-morrow with ovine sequacity—'Elector' proceeds to point out the want of interest exhibited by some members to the interests of their constituents. In view of the special case of Queen's Town the writer observes: There is Mr. J. P. Bertram, who was elected almost solely by the Native voters. Where was he during all this excitement that has been troubling the Native mind? Is this showing his gratitude to his Native electors by staying away from them? Why was he not to the fore, trying to use his influence to soothe the agitated minds of the Natives? This aspect of the question is generously referred to 'the Editor of Native Opinion' and with much alacrity we accept the offer. It is only too true that the Native electors of this country have for many a year assisted in the return of members for Parliament in complete ignorance of the gravity of the step that they were taking; it was enough that they were treated to a good dinner on the polling-day after having been regaled with promises of sweet things that would be done for them—promises which, however, would or could not be fulfilled. Then, the Native would with an equal mind vote for a SPRIGG or a DE WET in preference to a SOLOMON or an INNES or a BERRY, provided the first two gave them the chaff we have just mentioned. No one need be surprised, therefore, that on this account the ' Native Vote' simply became a bye word. Then—and we acknowledge with shame that it is so in certain districts now—to the Native voter the white man was merely a white man be his views on Native Affairs what they may. We should be too generous, indeed, if we denied our white friends some amount of blame in this respect. How often have white men voted for men on other grounds than those alone dictated by prudence and honesty? We do not remember that Mr. FROST has ever done anything for the Natives, to mark him out as one specially suitable to be the receptacle of their confidence. It cannot be said that he had drawn men unto him by brilliancy of any description—whether oratorical or intellectual. But gentlemen of parts, of Dr. BERRY'S stamp, have been repeatedly passed by whenever a suitable person was wanted to speak in the name of Queenstown in Parliament, and Mr. JOHN FROST caressed by both Englishmen and Natives. In this Glen Grey business Mr. FROST has sold them for a mess of potage. And while at Queenstown they are open-mouthed with astonishment at Mr. FROST'S doings, those in the country who have been trying dispassionately to examine the current questions for themselves were not a bit surprised at his playing the part he has. If the result of this remarkable betrayal of constituents by members be to open the eyes, not only of Queenstown but of other districts similarly circumstanced adversity will not have been without its uses to the Colony. Let more care be exercised in the choice of candidates, let capable men alone be sent to Parliament, and we shall be spared such spectacles as it has been the misfortune of the country to witness at Queenstown. As regards the silence of the Hon. J. P. BERTRAM, M.L.C., we do not think he has done anything unusual for Colonial politicians to do. To all appearances politicians in this country are politicians during the session of Parliament. The Parliament prorogued they no more regard themselves as having representative responsibilities any more than a chimney sweep does. Affairs may be complicated during the recess : what matters it to our politicians so long as they are look- ing forward to the time when they will unburden their souls in their places in Parliament assembled, quite oblivious of the trite proverb that there is under the sun such a thing as 'locking the stable after ' the horse has been stolen.' Cape Colonial Statesmen do not seem to understand that to be of use their eloquence must be employed at the right time: and that effect is produced by striking the iron while hot. Here is Mr. DE WET taking exercise from humdrum official duties by snubbing and insulting the Natives in Herschel, Glen Grey, and Emigrant Tembuland, souring the Native mind by unnecessarily de- grading and disgracing the heads of their society by dismissing, re- instating, and re-reinstating them. Here are treaties with the Imperial Government with respect to the sale of spirits in the Native Territories under the Crown torn up, and no voice of warning is emitted by those whom the people have chosen to watch these things. Had Mr. SPRIGG or Mr. SCHERMBRUCKER been in Opposition while the country was being stirred up to such excitement by the Ministry we may rest assured the latter would not have had it all their own way For this we have ever admired these two gentlemen for their comprehensive grasp of the principles of Responsible Government in a coun- try where they do not appear to have found congenial soil. Mr. ROSE-INNES by coming round once every year to meet his constituents is, we must acknowledge, following a commendable practice, well established in the old country; but in politics the choice of time for airing one's views is everything.