ASLAKSEN. No interruptions, gentlemen!—Does any one wish to offer any observations? BURGOMASTER. Mr. Chairman! ASLAKSEN. Burgomaster Stockmann will address the meeting. BURGOMASTER. On account of my close relationship—of which you are probably aware—to the present medical officer of the Baths, I should have preferred not to speak here this evening. But my position as chairman of the Baths, and my care for the vital interests of this town, force me to move a resolution. I may doubtless assume that not a single citizen here present thinks it desirable that untrustworthy and exaggerated statements should get abroad as to the sanitary condition of the Baths and of our town. MANY VOICES. No, no, no! Certainly not! We protest! BURGOMASTER. I therefore beg to move, “That this meeting declines to hear the proposed lecture or speech on the subject by the medical officer of the Baths.” DR. STOCKMANN. [_Flaring up._] Declines to hear——! What do you mean? MRS. STOCKMANN. [_Coughing._] H'm! h’m! DR. STOCKMANN. [_Controlling himself._] So I am not to be heard? BURGOMASTER. In my statement in the _People’s Messenger_ I have made the public acquainted with the essential facts, so that all well-disposed citizens can easily form their own judgment. From that statement it will be seen that the medical officer’s proposal—besides amounting to a vote of censure upon the leading men of the town—at bottom only means saddling the ratepayers with an unnecessary outlay of at least a hundred thousand crowns. [_Sounds of protest and some hissing._ ASLAKSEN. [_Ringing the bell._] Order, gentlemen! I must beg leave to support the Burgomaster’s resolution. I quite agree with him that there is something beneath the surface of the Doctor’s agitation. In all his talk about the Baths, it is really a revolution he is aiming at; he wants to effect a redistribution of power. No one doubts the excellence of Dr. Stockmann’s intentions—of course there cannot be two opinions as to that. I, too, am in favour of self-government by the people, if only it doesn’t cost the ratepayers too much. But in this case it would do so; and therefore I'll be hanged if—excuse me—in short, I cannot go with Dr. Stockmann upon this occasion. You can buy even gold too dear; that’s my opinion. [_Loud applause on all sides._ HOVSTAD.