Melanson’s Inconsistency

Melanson’s Inconsistency Does he Own Westmorland? The Man Who Believes he Controls Westmorland. Electors, re-Read the Story of his Double Dealing. Mr. Melanson will go down in history as the rival of Vicar of Bray, whose capacity for being on many sides was unrivalled in his day. Mr. Melanson has within ten days succeeded in presenting himself in various quarters as a ministerialist, an oppositionist and an independent; but in his last role he has destroyed whatever chance of being useful to his constituents he possessed. Our esteemed contemporary is angry and accuses Messrs. Emmerson and Hawke of deceiving Mr. Melanson, and indulges in other absurd insinuations and charges of a kindred nature. Mr. Melanson’s charge is too absurd to be seriously discussed and our contemporary’s ravings do not come from a source to which anyone should attach the slightest credence. There was no deception in the matter of the resolution, nor has there been any breach of confidence. The facts are these. A circular was issued calling a convention of local government supporters for organization purposes. As Mr. Melanson had of his own free will attended the government caucases at Fredericton, and was dispensing government patronage in Westmorland county, a circular was sent to him. He came and took part in the proceedings. When the resolution committee reported it, it was openly suggested that as an act of courtesy the honor of moving the motion expressing confidence in Mr. Blair’s government should be delegated to Mr. Melanson. That gentleman accepted the duty and felt so flattered at the honor, he made quite a lengthy eulogistic speech setting forth the merits of the Blair administration. Where then was there any deception? Deception there was not; duplicity there may have been, but the duplicity was on Mr. Melanson’s part. At the convention one delegate was right and all the others were wrong. Mr. Tilman Landry rose and when Mr. Melanson moved his famous resolution, he indignantly accused Mr. Melanson of being a traitor – as one who could not be trusted – and who would betray the local government cause [illegible]. [illegible] son made no reply and the other delegates were angry at Mr. Tilman Landry’s course; but it is freely admitted to-day that Mr. Landry was right and the other delegates were wrong in aiding with Mr. Melanson against him. Were then under these circumstances and with this unpleasant scene now made public for the first time could there have been any deception, on the part of anyone save Mr. Melanson? The attack made upon Mr. Hawke by Mr. Melanson is not heeded much. The truth is that a year ago, when Mr. Melanson came to Moncton as a member of the coalition ticket he called upon the editor of this journal and voluntarily intimated that although a member of the coalition ticket and represented as an independent, he would support the government. When we asked if that fact had better be stated, Mr. Melanson said in effect, “Oh, no! Keep that in the background, because I want to get opposition votes as well as government votes, but I will vote for the government.” This journal gave him a hearty and generous support. Mr. Melanson also pledged himself to the same effect to Mr. Killam. The course of Mr. Melanson is an outrage upon the dignity of the Acadian electors. It is simply a declaration by Mr. Melanson, that the Acadian electors must bow to the snap of Mr. Melanson’s whip! But they will not do it! There is too much sturdy independence among them to be either [illegible] or bullied into following Mr. Melanson in his many twistings. At Cape Bauld, a few days ago, he told the electors it was useless to elect opposition members; at Port Elgin, in the presence of Mr. Blair, the railway delegation, the two candidates and of the editor of this journal he pledged himself to strict neutrality in this contest, and gave as a sole reason for doing so, his alleged independent position. What brought about the change? The reason assigned by Mr. Melanson is too childish and absurd to be accepted; it has rendered him ridiculous in public eyes. His course, too, is regrettable as he has betrayed the interests of the North Shore Railway project; and more than that placed himself in such a position as to lessen his ability to do material service to the Acadian electors. The effect of his attempt however, to set himself up as a political boss, and to aim at transferring this county politically from one side to the other, will be a failure. Mr. Melanson is not a big enough politician to play the role of king maker. The electors both Acadian and English can do their own political thinking without Mr. Melanson pointing the way. The hour has come for Westmorland County to put an end to political bossism, and to affirm the principle that no one politician owns this county.