But would it have been therefore right? And when they do it we shall express the same opinion of their actions as we now do of those of the parties now in question. If the lex talionics[a] is to be justified as the rule of civilised life, we had better say so at once, and talk of justice and fair-play no more. This law of retaliation is only a modified form of Lynch-Law; and though respectable communities are often obliged to tolerate it, it is very bad when we take it as our justified ground of action. We feel bound by a sense of general fairness to say thus much on the principle of the case in dispute.
Mr. Eldridge's Fine
Mr. Eldridge's Fine - At the meeting thus referred to by the News, Coun. Harvey said he put a notice on the agenda for remitting Mr. Eldridge's fine because he felt that Mr. Eldridge was elected assessor in a manner derogatory to those who voted for him and to the town at large. Before he was elected as assessor he had become a candidate for a seat in the Council, and had made his canvass for the same, which showed him that his election was sure. It was a dishonest act to get a gentleman into an inferior office when his election was certain in another. He did not think Mr. Eldridge would have paid the fine, but he (Coun. Harvey) was convinced that those who voted for him did so for party purposes. He would therefore move that the fine be remitted. Coun Tree seconded. - Coun Vidler (a member of the H.I.P.S.) had heard that Mr. Eldridge's money had been paid by subscription and he thought that it was out of their power to refund it. - Coun. Eldridge denied it, and remarked that those who made such assertion should know what they were talking about. He came there not for party purpose, but to speak the truth and to serve the town. He knew nothing of any attempt to get his fine remitted until he saw it on the agenda. Coun. Bromley (another of the H.I.P.S.) thought it would have been better for Mr. Harvey not to have done so; the motion was a question for the burgesses and not for the Council; he believed Mr. Harvey's real motive was to be able to make a similar application for himself. Coun. Duke moved that they proceed to the next business. Coun. Harvey would not be thwarted in that way. Coun. Eldridge requested Mr. Harvey to withdraw his motion, as he was quite content to abide the consequences. - Coun. Harvey, in reply, said Mr. Bromley had no right to tell him that he ought not to put the motion on the agenda. He had done it with the purest motive, and had endeavoured to shield himself from personalities; but Mr. Bromley, not being able to control his temper, made a personal attack upon him. He (Mr. H.) had brought the subject before them for a fair hearing, but now, as the gentleman whom the motion concerned wished him to withdraw it, he would do so.
A Sevenpenny Rate having been recommended, Coun. Putland admitted that he had always said that a sixpenny rate ought to be sufficient for ordinary purposes, but the present estimated expenditure embraced the special drainage to the extent of about 1½d. in the £. - Coun. Harvey believed it would be the last rate even so low as 7d.
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