The London Kelt

^he Parish Qounoil in TJDaleo, BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. The tumult of the Parish elections being now partly over, it may be beneficial to calmly survey the situation and to find out whether the people as a whole understood the nature and the object of the Act, which is admitted to be very difficult and intri- cate. There is a great apprehension that this measure will be forcibly prevented from fulfilling its real purpose in consequence of so much bitter POLITICAL FEELING having been introduced into the recent contests throughout the country. Many of its possible bless- ings and benefits will not be forthcoming through the probable wrangling that will too often take place between the two political sections. A comprehensive measure once passed should be taken up heartily by all men irrespective of party or religious creed, and its benefits should be uniformly conferred upon all the deserving members of the community. If strong arguments can be advanced for legislation on party lines, far stronger arguments can be urged for the banishment of all party spirit in administration. The advantages of all our legislative measures are always proportionate to the united manner wherein they are carried out. To our regret, we ascertain that a high percentage of the selected MEMBERS ARE VERY YOUNG, and consequently inexperienced. More discrimin- ation should be used in the future to secure as far as possible, the most experienced and qualified men before we can ever hope to obtain substantial results from our fond Parish Councils Act. To discharge public functions, it is highly incumbent to have men gifted with good abilities, and at the same time actuated by the noblest and most honourable motives. An influential parishioner was lately asked by a reporter, why a certain young member was selected in the Parish Meeting. He smilingly answered that it would do him a great deal of good to be on the Parish Council, because he had NOTHING ELSE TO DO, and wanted something badly to occupy his mind. Let us trust that this indifferent parishioner is the exception and not the rule, and that this noble measure will not be dishonoured to such an extent as to serve as a kind of childish pastime or diversion for spoilt, unsuccessful and idle sons, who may be sadly in want of something to amuse them. British citizens should pause and take a good lesson from AMERI ;AN POLITICS, so as to avoid the corruption that has become so prevalent in that ambitious Republic. Corruption is still a drag on the civilisation of America, and seems ot times to threaten her stability. Though America