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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1962-06-14, Page 15.44 viimmimentimmeolmailmmintom ' k 6i11111111101 Ill.1,'11 SII li II " i'�I otnuog r,Iitlli* UGAR. and By °Bill Smiley, In trying to decide . who was. :going to win this election, I was completely bamfoozled by read- ing the newspapers and the political commentators. Do you knew something? Those birds don't have a clue. After a lot of hedging, a barrage of "ifs" and "buts," they invariably con- clude 'that the Government will be returned "with a reduced majority." About eight times out of 10 they can't help but be right, because the Government is Nays in the favored position of the champion taking on the .challenger. And when they are wrong, it's quickly forgotteln in the general hullabaloo. * :r . These prognosticators are not ,something new. They have been 'braying like jackasses ever since Confederation. And they are just as pompous, just as in- solent and just as often wrong today as they were then. ,: * 1 discovered this` when I -de- .tided to compare' today's elec- tion' campaigns with those 1ef a half -century ago, and :"dug up some old newspapers for the purpose. 1 learned Something else—that elections,., like life in general, have become a lot more complicated and confusing .in the past 50 years. And, like life in general, they've lost a lot of their fun. :k * * Our fathers knew perfectly well whom they. were going to vote for, and all the speeches and slanted newspaper stories wouldn't have budged them an iota. But that didn't mean: they weren't • goin,, " to enjoy every minute of the Campaign, argue the issues hotly, ' and try to squeeze a little patronage out of the local party boss, 'even if it amounted to only a couple of drinks of free whisky. ►;: :Y * Politics in those days coin bined the noise, the unpredict- ability. and the excitement of an Indian potlatch, an Irish wake, and'a French shivaree. • * * In every small town, there was a Grit newspaper on 'one side of the 'street, and down the block, on the other side, a 'i,!!Ili iCuBi,n • Tor y newspa er. They vied i pp v e n, hurling insult, slander° and libel at the opposing party and each other. They containeti such sprightly remarks as: "The 'edi- for of our esteemed .contempor- ary, `the Recorder, has obviously beenslavering at the same trough as some of the other hoo who swallow the slop thrown to them by the gang of thieves ensconced at Ottawa, His latest editorial. is a master- piece of misinformation, plain falsehood, and downright de- pravity." 7 * Around election time, in those days, every male had a cigar, the women were at home look- ing after the kids, where they belonged, and ',the bars were lined three -deep with enthusi- astic politicial experts. * * Nobody went around asking plaintively, "Well, is there /any real difference between the parties?" as they do today. Of course there was a difference. The -Tories (or the Grits) were -ruining the ---country and -that• was all there was to it. Every- body knew what the issues were. You were either for Reciprocity or against it, even though ybu weren't too sure what it meant. 5 * : Fifty years ago, a speech was a speech. When you'd driven 18 miles with a, horse and buggy to hear it, anything shorter than an hour and a -half was a per- sonakripsult. And there was nothing namby-pamby about the sentiments expressed. The speaker revealed personal know- ledge of Government - graft, scandals and corruption that would curdle your blood. He didn't say it right but, but he implied that his worthy' oppon- ent was an habitual drunk, a known woman -chaser, and had insanity in the family. * And the politicians' promises in those days were a lot more interesting than they are today. They didn't talk vaguely about social' welfare, and promise an increase in this, a raise in that. They gave you something con- crete, like a new dock, or a post office—something you could see: ' Remember what.. Sir John A. THEIR :HEARTS: REMAIN IN HOMETOWN GQD,ERI_CHH Two well-known former Gode- rich resident, in renewing their suhscription to .The Signal -Star, had coxn�mepts'to make. $old Jphu 'ou,dfoot, of Wal- thazn, Massachusetts: "It ipakes me very !sappy to read ,how irQ'deric is. growing. Goderich is a wonderful town 'and I have many fond" ,emories of. it." Paid .,II. )Freston 'Strang,,. ,of T.gronto: "So the old board fence aritsofin and Agticultural Park �s on al way out! It serv- ed a long and useful life and has been, in use since the turn of .the century.... I am glad to see that Ernie Fisher is making such a good run. It is a long 'time ' since Huron was repre- sented 'by Grits. Such men as the Catnerons (father and son), 3. T. Garrow, Wm. Proudfoot and Bob Holmes, of Clinton, are not forgotten by us oldsters.... When the neve_ bridge is, official- ly opened at' Saltford I think there will be many of us anx- ious to get back home for the oceasion." John G: Payne, 30 Bridgetown Drive, Etobicoke, and former' student at Goderich District, Collegiate Institute,' has been awarded -a $3,000 'International Nickel Company of Canada fellowship for postgraduate studies. The award has a maximum • tenure of three years and provides en annual stipend of $2,500 to the student as well' as an annual grant of $500 to the university to assist in defraying costs of the recipient's ,research work. John is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Garfield Payne, the form- er being Science teachdr at GDCI for a period of about, ten :years up to 1955 when he' left' to take a post at Corn- wall Collegiate. Mr. -Payne subsequently was made head of the Seience'Department of a collegiate at Etobicoke, Ontario.. -After graduating from Cornwall Collegiate; in 1957, John went to Queen's -University where he received his B.Se. in Geological Engineering. This spring, he concluded his first year in graduate work at McMaster University:. • did when he was . trying. to in- duce PLC. to join the new con- federation? They said they'd join if the2Government would guarantee a wagon trail to the west. coast. Sir John said, in effect, "Wagon trail, hell! l'll build you a railroad . in 10 years!" And he did. * * * I ,can't help wondering what the old-time politician would have thought of today's cam- paigni with its giggling coffee parties, its colorless .candidates, its scarcity of clean-cut issues, and its complete lacic of 'those basic elements of any election— cheap whisky, strong cigars, and a decent scandal. Sir George Airy, . England'a famous astronomer -royal of the last century, lived to be 91. Among the many _contributions he made to science was the strange Airy spiral, an optical •phengmenon visible ,only. in r: ,W�MY.•'?::�::. is How other major `far manufacturers help us sell more Ramblers Soon after Rambler introduced its=first' Sensibly -sized car our competitors saw the trend we had started and went into compact car production. Despite the increased - competition, they actually gave us a boost by making you more compact conscious. Remarkable proof of this has been our success. In 1961, far instance, our sales increased by 50% over the previous year: And almost 100 new dealers joined us during the same period. This. year salesare up 6i0%,over•last' year. With years of experience behind us, we are able to produce a vastly superior compact. For example: we pioneered Single -Unit, construction; developed Deep -Dip rustproofing, specially for Canadian conditions and introduced the Ceramic Armoured muffler, guaranteed for as long as. you own the car.This year we added such new features as.self-adjusting Double -Safety brakes; and a battery and coolant, both with a two year guarantee. Rambler stands alone as the one automotive manufacturer•rea•Ily interested in.providing - what we call "maximum usefulness to the user". This, we feel, is the main reason for our success. To prove this to yourself, take a look at the ~ W so-called compacts first: filen visit y ur Rambler dealer. You'll have no doubt that. Rambler is Canada's bestall'refund carvalue. A PRODUCT DUCT OF AMERICAN 'MOTORS (CAIL DAY LIMITED ATTENTION! What section ff Huron Coun- ty do you live in? Do you have an Avon Representa- tive calling on you? If you don't, perhaps it is an op- en territory which could offer you a good earning opportunity. If you would liketo eel Avon please write Mrs. M. Millson, 960 Wel- lington Rd. S., -London, Ont. or.. call collect G4-2,9019 between 7, and 8 p.m. 18-21-24-27 GODERtH CHIMNEY SERVICE BRICK AND . BLOCK' WORK GENERAL REPAIRS FREE ESTIMATES JA 4-1298 22Tr e, or* S*101-Star, nr*day: 414te 14iht I.! RY r Formerly Pridham'e THEr I Q►UQR The first way to snake a Dad glad this Father's Day is to give him an Arrow short sleeve summer. weight shirt, styledin the popu- lar Park collar, With two front _ pockets, and fashionable short sleeve cuffs—sanforize,d. Only $3.95 Keep Dad cool with Arrow Glen. This cornfortable:soft col- lar shirt is . Sanforized, porous weave fabric. Available in a wide selection of summer colour,. Only $4.95 • Don't forget, Dad's looking for an Arrow Country Gingham sport shirt. This cool short sleeve shirt is available in a variety of colourful checks. It comes in short sleeves and irc» cheater finish. Only $3.95 To complete Dad's wardrobe buy him a new Arrow Sun Spun shirt. It comes with two pockets in a wide variety of colourful solid shades, washable fabric Only .$3.95'. FATHER'S DAY This Sunday A COURSE FOR FATHER'S DAY The wind freshens .... whitecaps form • , . - the canvas fills and you are under way. You have charted the course, noted reefs and shoals, compensated for drift and , current. The. boy at -the helm can steer aotrue �. _ e course if you have chosen. it well. Any father must feel the magnitude of the task of guiding his son through life's uncertain waters. 4 -- What- responsible .man: could .-fee1_any._ot~her-'vvay?.- -.- This is Fatherhood . .. the realization that nothing is so important as guiding your own sort along a course that has maturity of outlook and responsibility as its destination. Such guidance requires a delicate touch, the mature understanding of a man who has sailed these,waters before. 'And nowhere is this understanding more important than in -the practice of . Moderation in all things, including the use of whisky. It is this thought whig!, Tho douse of Seagram wishes, toleaave._.._ with you On Father's. Day. THE "MUSE OF SEAGUAM i;T15. ::rgrz«s>tiawi4ifiMliM!?14r. g'• a;:;s ' BAYFIELD ROAD'