The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE. Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning. Tuesday, May 14, 1889. GIVE AND TAKE, AND NO BOORISM.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 298, 14 May 1889, Page 2

The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE. Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning.

Tuesday, May 14, 1889. GIVE AND TAKE, AND NO BOORISM.

Bo just uml fear not; Lot all the ends thou alm’at at bo thy country's. Thy God's, and truth’s.

If an example were wanting of a person who gives knocks not being able to take them, it will be found in the report of the Harbor Board enquiry on Thursday last. Mr Chambers had been indulging his penchant for what the Yankees call “ sloshing around," he had spoken more frequently than any other member, he had treated everyone to the rough side of his tongue, he had interrupted every member who had spoken, and he had been called to order by the Chairman for doing so. All this he could bear.

But when Mr Bennett, in reply to a dig at the contractor, by Mr Chambers referred to a speech of Mr Chambers “ in another place ” he could not bear it, and jumped at once. “ I think the meeting ought to be called to order, Mr Chairman; I have got to get home to-night, says Mr Chambers.” Invoking the assistance of the Chairman came well from one who had been till then utterly regardless of the ordinary rules of debate, or even of ordinary conversation ; and who had tried the patience of everyone there. But it often happens in other walks of life that the persons who should be most considerate, and from whom we have the right to expect most, are the most disappointing. Mr Chambers must be prepared, if he will not bridle his tongue, to get an occasional lift; and the answer of the Chairman, “ I think you have thrown yourself open to it, Mr Chambers,” may be his only solace if he should object to take what he gives. We are no advocates for a too liberal use of tongue at Board meetings, but we think it would be very unfair to allow Mr Chambers the run of his fancy and speech, and to keep the other members off him ; as he seems to expect. Fair play is bonny play ; and, as it is often impossible to prevent a knock being given, for it is out before the Chairman knows what is coming, then it is only fair to allow decent retaliation, and no one can give or take a severe knock in a perfectly courteous manner better than Mr Bennett.

We do not for one moment say we approve of either Mr Chambers’ manner of debate, or of the defence necessitated by it ; but as the meeting was in Committee, and as the proceedings were conducted in a gentlemanly way, quite free from the blather and nauseating egotism which we sometimes see at the Borough Council, no great harm was done to anyone. Mr Chambers! took his gruel in a perfectly gentlemanlike manner, and when called to order obeyed in a dignified and courteous way ; and with men who know how to behave them-elves, of course far greater freedom of speech and liberty of discussion can be allowed, than to boors who neither know, nor apparently are capable of being taught, how to comport themselves.

We should like one of our Borough Councillors to attend a meeting of the Harbor Board in Committee, and see, how, with the very greatest latitude, and widest freedom of debate, gentlemen conduct themselves.