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THE BULLETIN
Fix this textVol. B.—No. 94.
Fix this textSYDNEY, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1881.
Fix this textFi’ice—3d.
Fix this textSATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1881.
Fix this textMilburn Creek.
Fix this textMb Salomons, Q.C., has deserved well of his
Fix this textcountry. It has been his fortune to have devolved
Fix this textupon him a responsibility more onerous than pro-
Fix this textbably any which ever previously had to be sus-
Fix this texttained in Australia by a single individual. It has
Fix this textbeen a task which might well have caused a weak
Fix this textman to quail. The character which representa-
Fix this texttive institutions in this colony should take for
Fix this textyears to come depended largely upon the fashion
Fix this textin which Mr. Salomons should acquit himself of
Fix this texthis weighty and delicate task. Had he been con-
Fix this texttent merely to hear such evidence as parties in-
Fix this textvolved in the subject of his investigations might
Fix this textchoose to disclose, and to base upon these an
Fix this textequivocal and indeterminate report, the encourage-
Fix this textment which would have been given to persons dis-
Fix this textposed to pervert Parliamentary government to
Fix this textcorrupt purposes would have been infinitely mis-
Fix this textchievous. Had Mr. Salomons been content to
Fix this textlimit himself to procedures narrowly formal, the
Fix this textresult would have been the same. Happily, the
Fix this textCommissioner has conceived his functions in a
Fix this textbolder and broader spirit; and has pursued his
Fix this textinvestigations with a common-sense recognition
Fix this textof the fact that ho would best discharge the trust
Fix this textreposed in him by proceeding on the simple
Fix this texthypothesis that it was his business to find out all
Fix this texthe could by the most searching and effectual
Fix this textmethods. He can now felicitate himself in the
Fix this textknowledge that he has the public entirely with
Fix this texthim, and that the conclusions which ho has, with
Fix this textunflinching logic, deduced from the evidence he
Fix this textelicited, are fully endorsed by every disinterested
Fix this textand straightforward man in the community.
Fix this text# * *
Fix this textThe parties directly charged with corruption
Fix this textand embezzlement appear to misconceive their
Fix this textposition. They turn upon their judge, as though
Fix this textha were their accuser. The rovilings of Mr.
Fix this textWaddell, as convoyed in his passionate letters to
Fix this textthe daily press are singularly mal Apropos, as are
Fix this textalso the complaints of Messrs. Gabkett and
Fix this textBakkb in the Assembly. These persons have the
Fix this textfolly to arraign the Commissioner, and to charge
Fix this texthim with partiality and animus. Mr. Gabbstt
Fix this textlloundoringly makes an ad mieericordiam appeal
Fix this textfor sympathy, on the grounds that ho is confronted
Fix this text\rth charges, while uninformed whore to look for
Fix this texthis accuser. Each of these remonstrants seems
Fix this textto imagine, or to wish the public to believe, that
Fix this textthe Commissioner is that accuser. This is a mis-
Fix this textconception, or an audacity, easily confuted. It is
Fix this textnot the Commissioner, but the evidence —their
Fix this textown evidence, mainly —which is their accuser.
Fix this textThe Commissioner has done no more than follow
Fix this textup the clues placed in his hands, and draw, from
Fix this textthem the inferences which they inevitably sug-
Fix this textgested If the complainants have cause to rail,
Fix this textit is at circumstances, not at the Commissioner
Fix this textwho laid bare those circumstances, that they
Fix this textshould inveigh.
Fix this text* • •
Fix this textThe nearest parallel to the attitude of a Royal
Fix this textCommissioner who, summing up the evidence
Fix this textgiven before him, indicates certain individuals
Fix this textas involved by such evidence, would be that of a
Fix this textcoroner sitting without a jury on a corpus delicti
Fix this textor the smoking shell of a burnt house. He would
Fix this textcommence with an effect, and trace back to a
Fix this textcause. Beginning dispassionately with a dead
Fix this textbody or a ruin before him, he would elicit facts,
Fix this textand report candidly upon these facts without
Fix this textrespect of persons. This is what Mr. Salamons
Fix this texthas done; and the parties indicated by him as
Fix this textprobable participants in the evil done, stand pre-
Fix this textcisely in the position of persons against whom a
Fix this textverdict has been brought in, on an inquest. A
Fix this textprinid facie case has been made out against them.
Fix this textThat they should revile the officer of the law who
Fix this textPresided over the investigation, is simply iude-
Fix this textcent, and an assumption scarcely tolerable under
Fix this textthe circumstances.
Fix this text« « *
Fix this textThe Legislative Assembly need have had no
Fix this textdelicacy, and little difficulty, in deciding in what
Fix this textmanner to deal with its accused members, pending
Fix this texttheir final trial. It is certainly not a thing con-
Fix this texttemplated by any Constitutional ideal that men,
Fix this textpractically committed for trial, should be com-
Fix this textpetent to continue in discharge of the functions
Fix this textof Parliamentary representatives. The position
Fix this textis certainly and happily unusual, and is surrounded
Fix this textby certain difficulties. But the common-sense
Fix this textmode of dealing with it would certainly have been
Fix this textto suspend the suspected members from their
Fix this textrepresentative functions. If the constituencies
Fix this textfor which they sat regarded it as a grievance that
Fix this textthey should bo temporarily unrepresented, nothing
Fix this textwould have been easier for them than to petition
Fix this textthe Assembly to give them an opportunity of pro-
Fix this textceeding at once to a fresh election, whereupon the
Fix this textseats of the members in question might have been
Fix this textperemptorily declared vacant. The difficulty
Fix this textwould thus have been solved by referring it to the
Fix this textpeople themselves. If they desired to bo repre-
Fix this textsented by men with a cloud of heavy suspicion
Fix this textresting upon thorn, the position might bo endured
Fix this textuntil guilt or innocence were placed beyond ques-
Fix this texttion, and either absolute expulsion or suitable
Fix this textreparation were allotted to the members in
Fix this textquestion. * # •
Fix this textRegarding the accused as so circumstanced, we
Fix this textdo not care further to enlarge upon their case at
Fix this textthe present epoch. The Assembly has more than
Fix this texta right, it has a duty, to purge itself, even of
Fix this text“ suspects.” In that flock there should be no
Fix this text“ tainted wethers.” The evidence elicited by the
Fix this textCommissioner, however, is fraught with lessons
Fix this textwhich may be improved on without prejudice to
Fix this textthe parties specifically implicated. The air has,
Fix this textfor years, been thick with odours and rumours of
Fix this textcorruption proceeding from tho Legislature. The
Fix this textpublic has, at least, learnt how such corruption
Fix this textmight possibly be managed. A special promin-
Fix this textence has been given to the question how impe-
Fix this textcunious adventurers manage to exist, and even to
Fix this textthrive, when once they manage to gain acceptance
Fix this textas members of the Assembly. There are men in
Fix this textthat House who have never boon known to do a
Fix this textday’s honest labour. Mon who belong to no pro-
Fix this textfession, who follow no trade. Sturdy fellows, in
Fix this textfact, who have no ostensible moans of support,
Fix this textand who, nevertheless, are known to bo growing
Fix this textwell-to-do. It should now bo a matter of public
Fix this textinterest to inquire how it happens that shifty
Fix this textand plausible fellows, who, whoa they had all
Fix this texttheir time at their command for industry or
Fix this textbusiness, were eternally out-at-elbows, have been
Fix this textenabled, since almost the whole of their time has
Fix this textboon occupied by their unpaid Parliamentary
Fix this textduties, to prosper, and grow sleek, and well-to-do.
Fix this text• * •
Fix this textIt cannot be overlooked that tho members of
Fix this textthe Government owe an explanation to the coun-
Fix this texttry almost as ranch as do Messrs. Baker and
Fix this textGarrett. It ia incumbent upon Sir Henry
Fix this textPaekes to explain how it happened that the
Fix this textsupporters of the Ministry wore put under an
Fix this textobligation to vote moneys for a compensation so
Fix this textsurrounded with evil associations. It is for the
Fix this textPremier to explain why it was made a test of party
Fix this textallegiance that every faithful supporter of the
Fix this textAdministration should vote moneys of which Mr.
Fix this textBaker, a then member of the Government,
Fix this textintended to appropriate, rightly or wrongly, a
Fix this textvery largo proportion.
Fix this textMr. Alderman John Meeks.
Fix this textWe give the portrait to-day of Mr. Alderman
Fix this textJohn Meeks, a gentleman who has for some tirao
Fix this textpast devoted himself with marked success to the
Fix this textcause of Municipal reform in this city. Mr. Meeks
Fix this textis a successful man of business, and about two
Fix this textyears ago, having the time at his disposal, turned
Fix this texthis attention to municipal affairs. His election
Fix this textwas bitterly opposed, owing to the radical charac-
Fix this textter of his programme, but ho was returned by a
Fix this textgood majority; and his work in the Council has
Fix this textproved the sincerity of his promises, and justified
Fix this textthe expectations of those who knew him in busi-
Fix this textness. Mr. Meek* committed himself to honest
Fix this texttendering in respect of the city contracts, and
Fix this textsearching inquiries as to the business of the
Fix this textSydney gas supply. It is satisfactory to find that
Fix this textin these matters alone Mr. Meeks’s election to
Fix this textthe Council has resulted in a saving to the city of
Fix this textover .£3OOO a year. Mr. Meeks is recognized as
Fix this textan uncompromising enemy to the jobbery that has
Fix this textlong prevailed at the Town Hall, and it may bo
Fix this textexpected that if, at the coming elections, fresh as.
Fix this textinstance in the shape of new aldermen is given him
Fix this textand throe or four other reformers in the Council,
Fix this textthe days of municipal cliquism and corruption at
Fix this textthe Town Hall are numbered. Mr. Meeks brings
Fix this textto the Council an uprightness of aim, a largo
Fix this textbusiness experience, and a general capability that
Fix this textmust render him a valuable and useful public
Fix this textrepresentative- Our engraving is from an excel-
Fix this textlent photo, by Boyd.
Fix this textPLAIN ENGLISH.
Fix this text“The Last Rites.”
Fix this textIt is a matter for real regret that the regulations of the
Fix this textFuneral Eeform Association, about which so much was
Fix this textmade a few years since, did not receive bettor or more
Fix this textgeneral support. The absurd waste of money upon
Fix this textsenseless and unmeaning show which custom has
Fix this textsanctioned, in connection with tho burial of tho dead, i i
Fix this textperhaps one of tho vainest and hollowest usages which
Fix this textsociety still clings to. No matter in what light the
Fix this textdeparted was regarded whilst living, pomp and pageantry
Fix this textattend him to the grave, and tho trappings of woe (in
Fix this textstrict accord with tho latest fashion) are asssutned,
Fix this textwhilst very often tho hearts of tho mourners a-o
Fix this textrendered considerably easier by tbo visitation. Bi t
Fix this text(hero is even a worse custom than this prevalent in
Fix this textsome of the country districts—that of keeping the do: d
Fix this textan inordinate period awaiting burial. Some friend at a
Fix this textdistance of two or three days' journey would like to
Fix this textbo present at tho funeral, and so tho. poor doo'yin?
Fix this textpiece of mortality ie detained from its final homo—;ao> t
Fix this textprobably in an unclosed coffin —uhtil tho friend’s
Fix this textarrival; or the corpse is kept for several days that tho
Fix this textnows of death may bo well disseminated, and a good
Fix this textattendance at tho funeral secured. Thoro should bo no
Fix this textdifference of oi iniouupon so shocking a thing as this.
Fix this textSo disgusting a usage—capable of no good to the dead,
Fix this textand of infinite harm to tfce i yin g—cannot bo too
Fix this textstrongly and severely reprobated.
Fix this textHush Money.
Fix this textWeek an employer, being robbed by his servants, first
Fix this textto invoke the aid of the police, and then to accept
Fix this textmoneys in reparation of his loss, the law would term
Fix this texthis action by a very ugly name. But were he merely to
Fix this textinstitute civil proceedings to recover damages from an
Fix this textunjust steward, he would bo at liberty to accept such
Fix this texta portion of compensation as ho thought fit. Ho would,
Fix this texthowever, bo a strangely unworldly employer who,
Fix this texthaving extensive business and many servants, preferred
Fix this textrecouping Lis pocket to a trilling extent rather than
Fix this textmaking once for all a stiiking example, which would
Fix this textintimidate any in his employment who might later bo
Fix this texttempted to contemplate imposing upon him; and ho
Fix this textwould bo a very strange man who, having suifered
Fix this textlosses by tens of thousands, accepted units of thousands
Fix this textas settlement of all claims. If a wretched rogue filch
Fix this textan apple from a stall, he goes to gaol as surely as tho
Fix this textsta 1 1-keeper cri?s “Police!” There is no chance that
Fix this texttho wronged proprietor will serenely institute civil
Fix this textproceeding >, and in tho fee of blinking imagse of
Fix this textMR. ALDERMAN JOHN MEEKS.
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
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http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134974645
(1880). The bulletin Retrieved April 29, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134974645
The bulletin Sydney, N.S.W: John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 1880. Web. 29 April 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134974645>
1880, The bulletin John Haynes and J.F. Archibald, Sydney, N.S.W viewed 29 April 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134974645
{{Citation
|
| title=The bulletin.
| year=1880
| section=105 volumes : illustrations (chiefly coloured), portraits (chiefly coloured) ; 30-40 cm.
| issn=0007-4039
| series=John Ryan Comic Collection (Specific issues).
| issue=Vol. 8 No. 94 (12 Nov 1881)
| location=Sydney, N.S.W
| publisher=John Haynes and J.F. Archibald
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134974645
| id=nla.obj-134974645
| access-date=29 April 2025
| via=Trove
}}
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