In connexion with the forthcom-elections @ very important step has been taken by two prominent American bodies. In 2 postcard addressed to members of the American Association it is set forth as follows:—"At a joint meeting of the American Asssociation of China and ie American: Chamber of Commerce held on the 4th instant the candidacy of Dr. S. A. Ransom and Mr. Sterling Fessenden as members of the Shanghai Municipal Council was endorsed." The value of this to Americans who are naturally _interested in their proper representa tion on the Council is considerable: it helps to overcome the trouble, mentioned by "Dulce et De-carum?" in our correspondence columns on Saturday, of voters who may know none of the candidates personally, for it is a testimonial to their fitness as councillors and to their acceptability to the community. The suggestion has now been made to us that something on the same lines might with advantage be done by_ the China Association and British Chamber of Commerce when the necessary British candidates are forthcoming. This would tend to promote confidence in the voters who are seeking the suffrages of the ratepayers.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.