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I I rM>-T'fP*^' .-'- .* O I I "i- HISTORY OF THE YEAR 1893 «^ Oim'ADIM AFFAIRS— DOMiHION «id PROKIHCIAL l»OLITICS DOMIUIOK ILLUSTRATED MONTHLY 1894 "1" t HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN ^ NC tics. Heri vital intert and our 1 civil rigiits, Nothing wit trutlifufly s relati(Mis of are so clos effect ii[)on the people, too carefulh year 1893 w point of V '^ ^cessors. jrm, and "he circum ice the d om the f; "ovinces tl jre engag( neral elecl e had in tl :ally new hompson ; " former I •:cessful re gret that lat failing nmediate d -ermanent v of their par i,i^j^iiiM^ii A History of the Year 1893 CANADIAN AFFAIRS. NOTES OF DOMINION AND PROVINCIAL POLITICAL HISTORY OF THK VKAR 1893. jHE Canadian who de- sires to pass ill pano- ramii: review the strilv ing events of the year 1893 naturally turr;s his attention, first, to those matters of na- tional concern which come under the gen- eral heading of poli- tics. Here we touch upon points of vital interest, suhjec^ts affecting our lives and our liberties, our property and our civil rights, our industry and our trade. Nothing within the realm of politics can be truthfully said to be unimportant. The relati(Mis of the governing to the governed are so close, and produce so striking an efTect upon the happiness and prosperity of the people, that they cannot at any lime be too carefully or too critically examined. The year 1893 was not placid, from the political point of view, as was some of its pre- '^ "cessors. It opened with a threatening orm, and continued cloudy to the end. "he circumstances wliich- combined to pro- ice the disturbance were varied. Apart om the fact that in nearly all of the •ovinces the leading men on both sides jre engaged in preparing for the local neral elections, which fall due during 1894, e had in the Dominion Parliament a prac- :ally new administration, with Sir John hompson at its head. Sir John Abbott, ^ former Premier, had enjoyed a short and ::cessful reign. It was with expressions of gret that the Conservatives had learned lat failing health necessitated not only his nmediate departure for sunny Italy, but his -ermanent withdrawal from the leadership of their party and the activities of official life. Sir John Thompson, the next in com- mand, was a man of great ability and of undoubted probity. To him the sceptre naturally fell. 15ut his acceptance of the Premiership was followed swiftly by evidence that his work, if to be accomplished with satisfaction to himself and with good results to his parly, would demand from him the highest qualities of statesmanship. Prior to his accession, one of the leading Conservatives of the Province of Ontario had shown signs of disaffection. 'I'his im- portant politician, Mr. D'Alton McCarthy, now severed his connection with the i)arty, and announced himself as independent of all former political associations. The points ill respect of which Mr. McCarthy differed from the Covernment were, first, its treat ment of the Manitoba school question : ami secondly, its adherence to the tariff policy in its then existing form. Mr. McCarthy maintained that the Manitoba School Art, which abolishes the sefiarate system, should have been promptly allowed ; or, to put his position ill another and perhaps fairer form, a second appeal against it should not have been entertained. He also declared that the customs duties should be subject to sweeping reductions. On January 5, just when Mr. McCarthy was engaging the attention of the country, an election took place in the County of L'Islet. This county had been r>iberal for many years ; but in the contest of 1 89 1 it was carried by Mr. Desjardins, a Conservative. When Mr. Desjardins ac- cepted an office under the Quebec (jovern- ment, the seat was, of course, vacated. Then came the fight which terminated, on the day mentioned, by the election, with a majority of 36, of Mr. J. Israel Tarte. Mr. Tarte, who was now a Liberal, «MI|u«*i/v»r. " I. or THE MOULDERING li RANCH A \VA Y. " was also opposed to tlie pf)licy pursued 'ny the Administration with regard to tiic Manitoba law ; hut liis complaint differctl from that of Mr. McCarthy in that he held that the statute should have been disallowed. While this was the position so far as the difficult school issue was concerned, there was an unusual flurry with reference to the tariff. There had been, for some time, sug- gestions from within the (.'onservative party that the scale of duties should be reduced. Mr. O'Hrien, of Muskoka ; Mr. Cockburn, of Centre I'oronto; Mr. I'oyd, of Marquette: Mr. Davin, of .Assiniboia ; Mr. Calvin, of I'Vontenac; mm\ .Mr. Mclnerney, of Kent, N.H., had all spoken at one time or other in favor of change. Thus the members were faced with the pro[)osition to apply the pruning knife. Mesides the school anil tariff ([ueslions, .Sir John had before him the case of thos" persons who had been accused during the long session of 1891 of electoral offences or of off'.Jal improprieties. Mr. McCreevy and Mr. Conn(jlly were awaiting trial, and Mr. Arnoldi was in the same position. The atmosphere thus i)eing cloudy, there was a very earnest desue to hear, at the earliest possible opportunity, from the new Premier. 'J'he occasion presented itself in Toronto soon after the opening of the new year. Then Sir John 'l'hom[)son an- nounced, first, with reference to the tariff", that it was the part of the true ( "onservative to lop the mouldering l)ranches away, and that it was his intention so to treat the subject. He did not regard the tariff, he said, as perfect, and he added : " Both it and our severe customs law rec|uire amend- ment." Turning to the school issue, he asserted that the dif'ficulty had to be met in accordance with the constitution, and in the spirit of toleration, conciliation, and con- cession. For further information with regard to the tariff, it was necessary to wait until Parliament met ; but the school matter was hung up for the time Ijeing. The representatives of the minority in Manitoba had asked the Government to consider their case under sub-section 2 of section 22 of the Manitoba Constitutional Act. In virtue of this clause, as understood by the Premier, and in view of the special law passed in the previous year authorizing the reference of difficult points to the Supreme Court for an opinion, the case had been carried to the highest tribunal for advice. Parliament met on the 26th of January. It was an early session, and was destined to be short, for the Premier had been honored by the Imperial authorities with a seat on the Board of Arbitration appointed to settle the Hehring Sea difficulty, and lie was due in Paris within two months. The Speech from the Throne pointed to the growth of trade and to the sufficiency of the revenue. It also made reference to our relations with the outside world. 'I'he trouble with New foundland arising out of the retaliatory measure onscquent upon Canada's ol)jection to the ond-iilaine Reciprocity Treaty was SiK JlllIN TllOMrSdN, Premier uiui Minister 0/ Justi;:e, reported to be in process of arrangement, and the Sault Ste. Marie Canal difficulty was expected shortly to pass away. On the subject of legislation, the Sfjcech promised amendments to the I'Vanchise Act, improve ments in the Civil Service Law, and the ballot for the Northwest. The Speech, as is usually the case, touched upon few of the subjects which were to agitate the legislators during its session. In following the labors of Parliarnent, it may be convenient to deal with minor questions first, and to leave the greater for consideration afterwards. The facts regarding Newfoundland were laid before the House in ( 'le course. It appeared from the [)apers th t the Ministers, having met the representatives of the colony at Halifax, arranged there for a cessation of hostilities. Hostilities is unquestionably the right word to use, for the colony had treated our fishermen as foreigners, and had taxed our goods, while in return we had laid a heavy impost upon Newfoundland fish. When discussing a modus vivendi, the ques- tion of union was broached. But nothing ' was done definitely in the way of arranging terms. It was reported, however, at St. iWEWFOlWDLAM) U ElJ.ANl) C.LV.I/. Af.l \/rOh\l DISPUTE. 7 he ques- Inothing ' ]ranging at St. Jolin's aftcrwar'ls thai Sir William W'liitLway, the I'remicr, had obtained all the intbriualioii he needed with respect to confederation. " Whether it he the intention of the (lovern- nient to take a plebiscite on the ({uestion, leave it for an issue at the general election, or exclude it from their programme allc- gether,' said one of the colonial papers, "certain it is that no dit't'icultv now exists in ascertainini; the terms (Canada is prepared to offer.'' i'he same journal added: "The present Ciovernment will do nothing without consulting the electorate, and this assur.uice we give on the authority of the I'lemier and his lieutenants. .Should it be decided to submit the (luesiion to the prople next spring, it will go before them in the shajie of a plebiscite, and they will have the greatest freedom in rendering their verdict." No reference, however, was made to tlie question in the Newfoundland elections, which took place six months later. Tne difli- culties between C Canada and the colony were, however, settled. Of the Sault Ste. Marie Canal trouble, the same report can be made. President Harrison had, in the previf)u^ summer, laid an impost upon (Canadian shipping passing through that canal, in n- taliation for whit was termed the discrimina- tory tolls on tl-.e Welland ('anal. When tlie season opened, all suspicion (jf discriniinatinn on the \Velland Canal was removed, and the Sault Ste. Marie Canal was once more opened to our use free of charge. I'iie legislation of the session, owing probably to the haste with which the j^roceedings liad to be brought to a clo.se, was not heavy. As a matter of fact, the bills to modify the Fran chise Law and to amend the Civil Service Act were dropped. But a very important alteration was made in the Criminal I,aw, 'I'his change had rel.ition to the law of evidenct!, which is so amended as to render accused persons compellable witnesses, anti to admit to the witness-bo.x the wife or husband of the prisoner. \\\ important experiment was made by this i)rovision, and there were not a few experts who doubted its wisdom. But it is of interest to note that the Imperial House of Commons has, on several occasions, passed a similar bill, anil that the Lord Chancellor has had such a measure before the House of Lords. Some years ago accused persons were admitted in assault cases to the witness-box to testify on their own behalf. Many of the legal gentle- men who opposed that step have since con- cluded that it was wise. It is quite possible that those of us who are doubtful of the value of the more radical change may yet admit that it has its advantage. Passing from the smaller to the more excit- ill:; topics, it may be as well to deal at the iiiitset with the treatment accorded by Parlia- ment to the Manitoba school legislation. On -March 6, .Mr. I'arte, the newly-elected mem- ber for 1, 'islet, fulfilled the promise made to his constituents that he would bring this subject up in the House. He presented an .iigument fivorable to i-'cderal interfereni'e with the local statute, charged the .Ministers with having neglected to fulfil a |)lcdge sol- eiiinlv given that they would veto the law, and ( oncli;tled with a resolution reading thus: ■• I'hat this House desires to express its disapproval nt' the action of the (iovernment in dealing with the .Manitoba school (luestion in assuming to be possessed of judicial func- tions conflicting with their duty as constitu- tional advisers to the Crown, which assump- tion is wholly unknown to law, and if now ;i(iiuiesced in would be entirely subversive of '.he principle of .Ministerial responsibility." Hon. Wi[,i-k]|) I.aurikk, r/if I.i/'cral Lauh'r. This motit)n was cleverly [)repared. The (Iovernment had received an appeal from Manitc -^'iainst the School Act. It, or at lea-'t a < nmittee of the Cabinet, had sat in a judicial capacity to consider the petition, and had finally referred the point raised in the appeal as to constitutionality to the Supreme (Jourt for an opinion. Mr. D'Alton Mc(Jarthy, whoopi)osed Federal intervention, necessarily opposed, also, the sitting of the Cabinet as a court of law, or the assumption by the Government of judicial functions. Mr. ^ ^ 8. MAMTOIiA SC/fOOL LA IV Tarlf, wlio, witli (^tlicis, wanted disallowance, look the sinic vitw as thai cnterlamcd by Mr. MtC'urlliy witli reference to tlie proced- ure before the Cabinet. Tlnis, wliile the two sides were at issue toiiciiinf,' the fate tliat slu)uld liave been reserved for tlie disputed bill, they were at one so far as the conduct of the (lovernnient in hearing the a|)i)eal with reference to it was i(jncerned. It iiappened that Mr. M<:Carthy had written a niana/.ine article in whioh he combated on consiitu lioiial grounds the claim of the Cabinet to act as a court. His last sentence stated iiis position tersely and pointedly. Mr. 'I'arle borrowed this conchiding sentence and used it as his resolution. The debate on the question was short and shar[). After Mr. '['arte had staled his case, Sir John Thomp son outlined the Ministerial jjosilion. He declared tiiat the right to refer the petition as to the valitiity of the disputed law to the judges was conferred by the amendment to tlie Supreme (k)iirl Act passed on the sug- gestion of Mr. iJlake in the session of iS(j2. He further asserted that, having been peti- tioned to submit the case for consideration, there was nothing for the Government to do but to coiuply with the recpiest and with the statute. The judicial attituile assumed by the Government was defended on the ground tiiat on other matters, as, for example, a[)peals under the Railway Act, for or against pro- jected action on the part of any railway com- pany, a committee of the Cabinet sits and adjudicates as a court of law. This latter position was assailed by Mr. McCarthy, his view being that in no case except such as is provided for by statute can the Ministers exercise judicial functions. An imjiortant point in Mr. Tarle's speech, however, was his assertion that the Ministers, having at one lime i)romised to disallow, had withdrawn from their undertaking. This allegation was backed by a letter written by His Grace Arciibishop Tache to his nepliew in Montreal on August 20, 1892. The point in the letter upon which Mr. Tarte relied read thus : " I may tell you that I have learned that the passage of an explanatory law is in contem- plation, which would establish in a clear and positive manner that the intention of our legislators in i)assing the Manitoba Act guar- anteed to us our Separate schools. About this intention I have not the shadow of a doubt. The decision of the Privy Council shamefully violates the constitution, and if a remedy is not applied the I'ederal |)owerwiil have one more iniquity registered against it. Orders have also been given, I understand, to give us a share of the school lands in Manitoba, which are administered by the Federal power.' His Grace concluded: "Sir John Thoinpson has pledged himself otificially and publicly to give us redres.s, and others have done the same." It became a (juestion at once as to whether a distin>.t promise had been given to tire Archbishop. Mr. Tarte, for his i)art, connected Mr. ('hapleau's name with the understanding; for that gentleman, being tiien a Minister, had visited the Arciibishop prior to the writing of the letter,and there had followed bye-elections in Quebec, at which the Ministerial candidates pledged themselves to be guided by the liishops in their votes on the burning issue, liut Mr. Ouimet main- tained that there iiad been no pledge, and a prolonged correspondence fo' lowed between His Grace and Mr. Tarte on the point, in which .VIgr.'I'ache, while adhering tothe letter as a repetition by him of reports that had reached his ears, and affirming that he had talked with Mr. Chapleau, declined to endorse the view that a jiromise had been made. An important feature of the debate was the declaration of Mr. Laurier, the leader of the Oi)position, upon the question at issue. Hon. Mackknzie B(nvKi.i., Minister 0/ Trade ami Coitniune, Mr. I.aurier said a complaint had been made that the Public schools of Manitoba were, in reality, a continuation of the " Protestant schools." He had heard this denied, but he had not found in any of the blue l)ooks or reports on the subject any denial. "If,"' said he, " this be indeed true, if under the guise of Public schools the Protestant schools aie being continued, and Roman Catholic ' children are lieing forced to attend these M.lX/rO/i.l SCHOOL l.AW—l'ARIFI' CHANGES. Ii made lere, in Itestant Ibut he l)ooks "If," the ;hools itholic ' these Protestant scliools, I say, and let my words be heard by friends and foes over the length and breadth of the land, the stronj,'est case has been made out for interference, and, though my life as a |)olitieal man dei)ended upon it, I would undertake to say on every platform in Ontario and in Manitoba — yes, and in every loilge room that tin; Roman Catholics of Manitoba had been put to the most infamous treatment." After three days of debating the division was taken, and the resolution of Mr. 'I'arte was defeated by a vote of 120 to 71. The opponents and advocates of disallowance helped to make up the minority. After this the discussion was transferred to the arena beyond the walls of Parliament. Between Archbishop Tache and .Mr. '{'arte it grew warm ; but it was much warmer when Mr. Ouimet and Mr. 'Parte <:ame into conflict. The latter gentleman accused Mr. Ouimet of duplicity to Mr. (Jhapleau on the occasion of the Cabinet change of the year previous, under which .Mr. Ouimet became Minister of Public Works. He said that, while Mr. Chai)Ieau was de- manding the .Ministry of Railway.s, Mr. Ouimet svas under i)ledge not to take office unless that Minister's recjuest was aatisfied ; but nevertheless Mr. Ouimet accepted the Public Works portfolio. This treason, as .Mr. Tarte termed it, resulted in the resignation of Mr. Cha])leau, and his acceptance of the governorship of Quebec : thus im|)erilling the Manitobta minority. Mr. Ouimet, at a public meeting, denied the whole story, and re[)lied in kind. Mean- while the .Manitoba law was on its way to the Supreme Court. Here at the fall session its validity was argued by Mr. S. H. Blake and Mr. I'^vart. The Manitoba (Government, opposing the proceedings, declined to be heard. The point at issue is of interest. When the Act was before the Judicial Com- mittee of the Privy Council, their lordships were asked to determine whether it invaded any of the rights as to education enjoyed by the minority " prior to the union " of Mani- toba with Canada. The reply was that there were no state aided Separate schools before the union : therefore the abolition of such schools was not an invasion of the rights accorded at that time. In the British North America Act, it is set forth that educational privileges conceded " after the union " are protected, and cannot be withdrawn. It was consequently maintained Ly the repre- sentatives of the minority that if there was no protection for the schools in virtue of the claim that they existed " before the union," protection was to be found under the Con- federation .\ct, which sustained the schools if e.stablished "after the union." The point which the Supreme ( 'ourt is to decide is whether the eilucational clauses of the Mritish North .America .■\al curiosity touching the position the tjovernment, and indeed the ()|)position, which had, in tlie election of iSyi, advo- cated unrestricted reciprocity, would assume towards Mr. McCarthys programme. The Ministerial attitude was developed when, on February i,;, Mr. Foster delivereil the Budget speech. It was on all fours with the policy outlined by the Premier in his Toronto deliverance, in that it declared that the scale of duties was not immutable, and that change might be looked for. The Finance .Minister, however, guarded himself by the statement that tariff alterations must be in accoidance with the princijiles underlying the National Policy, it was further stated by the Minister that there would be during the recess a thorough examination into the question by himself, the Minister of Trade and Commerce, and the Controllers of Customs and Inland Revenue. I'his enquiry was to be conducted by personal interviews with the merchants, manufacturers, and farmers, and, as a result of the information thus obtained, a measure of tariff" reform was to be brought down in the session of 1894. In the meantime there were to be preliminary decreases in the tariff. The Finance Minis- ter announced a reduction of the duty on binder twine from 25 per cent, to 12'^ per cent., and the abolition of certain restrictions on coal oil, estimated at about two cents per gallon. Coal oil may now be imported in bulk in tanks, and the total tax on it is a duty of seven and one fifth cents pe. gallon. Mr. I'oster also intimated that mining machinery, the free entry of which expired in the (ollow- ing month, would be ])laced on the free list for three years more. The |)olicy was received by difl"erent shades of opinion in difl"erent moods. 'i"o the Ministerialists and many of the advocates of tariff" change wilhm the Conservative ranks, it was satisfactory. It was argued that any tariff alterations oughl to be duly preceded by a very thorough Hon. |(>mn HAi.i.ARr, Miristi'r' 0/ I\ai/:vays atiti Canah, exauiination. The Opposition and Mr. Mc('arthy, however, were not convinced. Sir* Richard Cartwright made a vigorous attack upon the Ciovernmeiit for its delay, and moved a resolution declaring that the tariff bears heavily and unjustly on the great consuming classes of the Dcaiiinion, and, therefore, should be thoroughly reformed in the direction of freer trade. The debate was continued for two weeks. ^Vhile in progress an animated discussion arose between Mr. Charlton and the Ministers, notably the .Minister of Finance, with respect to the procedure of the Government when reciprocity was under consideration at Washington in 1891. It was maintained by Mr. Charlton that the delegates could have secured, had they been in earnest, a measure of reciprocity which did not call for discrim- ination against Great Britain. But Mr. F'oster held to the report already made that Mr. Blaine, with whom the negotiations were conducted, required free trade, if an ar- rangement were reached between Canada ■wi.awi?j i »i*» Awa ut. ' ^'fa^.V ' u-v'. Jttiww i ijuawMP.^ TAKII'F KEI'ORM. )n, and, Irmed in debate k'hile in arose linisters, |e, with ;rnnient j-ation at lined by lid have Ineasure iiscrim- Foster liat Mr. IS were an ar- ICanada iirul the L'nited States, and a connnon tariff against the world, Circal IJritain not ex- Ir. O'Brien voted with the .\dministration and against the amendment proposed by Sir Richard, while Mr. (!alvin voted on the Opposition side. Immediately following the division came an amendment bv -Mr. Mcl'arthy in favor of free binder twine. Lhis motion secured the V(jtes of the 0|)poMtion, and of the following Ministerial- ists: Messrs. O'Brien, Davin, Brvson, and Hodgins. In March Mr. .McCarthy came forward with a tariff amendment embodying his views. This amendment is really an excellent summary of his speech, for whi::h reason it is given in full : " That since the introduction of the jjrotective system sulti- cient time has elapsed for the establishment and development of such manufacturing industries as, under exist' ig condition.s, can be successfully carried on in Canada ; more- over, many manufacturers, sheltered behind the rampart thus erected, have formed combinations and trusts, which prohibit competition, arid create and maintain monopolies. 'Ihat the existing tariff, defensible only as a protective measure, has proved, in many instances, oppressive and burdensonie to the great mass of the consunnng classes, and especially to those engaged m agricultural pursuits, is unfair and unecpial in its incidence, and has l)een productive of discontent, verging on disloyalty, among those who suffer from its injustice. That no sufficient reason has been adduced or exists, recpiiring investi gation respecting the foregoing fai ts, which are notorious, nor jusnfying delay in the |)assage of remedial legislation, which is imiierative. 'I'hat, in tlir opunon of this Ilouse,the tariff ought to beat once amended in respect of the matters herein indicated, and also by the substantial reduction of customs Hon. J. \. Oi iMKi, Minister of Publit Works. duties in favor of the L'nited Kingdom, in who^e markets all Canadian products are admitted duty free, and of those nations which under treaty obligations with (Ireat Britain would be entitled to the same advan- tages, graduated, however, so as not unneces- sarily to prejudice the business of the country, nor \.q do wrong to those who have im[iorted and paid duties in accordance with its provisions. And this House declares its readiness to make a light reduction in favor of such other portions of the Empire, or of such other foreign countries, especially the United States of America, as are wdling to reciprocate in matters of trade with Canada on fair and equitable terms." 'lhe debate was not long, the question having been very thoroughly dealt widi in the former discus- sion. It terminated with a vole of 61 for the amendment, against 116 in opposition to it. 1 12 JiV EXPEDITION OF ENQUIRY. The I-iberals voted with Mr. McCarthy, and, in addition, there were on his side Messrs. Hodf^iiis and O'lJrien. .After this there were sporadic attacks uikjii the tariff; hut the (lovernnient tided the issue on the promise to encjuire and to propose changes in the fol- lowing session. During the recess .Mr. Foster and Mr. Bowel! ccjnimenced their investiga- tions among tiie manufacturers, while Messrs. Wallace and Wood iieard the farmers in various parts of the country. Mr. Bowell was not able to attend the entire series of meet- ings, as it was decided that he should under- take a trade mission to .\ustraha, to which reference will be made later on. .Mr. .'\ngers, therefore, joined .Mr. Foster, and journeyed with him through Manitoba, the Northwest, and British Columbia, Cdllectingopinions. An official report of Mr. Foster's encjuiries has not been published : but the Controllers, who met so many farmers, have issued a statement as to the result of their investigations. Of 62 witnesses who mentioned the coal oil duty particularly, it seems the majoiity, 36, advised the removal of the present duties altogether ; 23 asked for a reduction of the present duty, while leavmg sufficient to pro- tect the home industry ; three wanted the duty on coal oil left as it is. In the matter of barbed wire, five would be satisfied with a reduction, while 35 wanted the article free. Binder twine, 25 out of 26 wanted it free. Fourteen favored retention of duties on agricultural implements as affording fair pro- tection ; twenty-four wanted the duty reduced ; and twelve wanted agricultural implements to be made free. Of seven who sjjoke of "stoves, nails, and hardware,'" only one ])r()fessed himself satis- fied with j)resent duties. I'he others wanted them reduced. Nine asked a reduction in iron and steel : four were satisfied with the duties. 'I'he subject of tea and coffee was brought up by 23, who thought a revenue should be raised on these articles, which are now free. The majority, if not all, of these witnesses were people who don't drink tea or coffee, and their testimony was ojjposed by 37 others, who wanted tea and coffee left on the free list. Forty spoke of the duties on " farm pro- ducts " as a whole. Two would be willing to see them wiped out altogether ; 37 stood for the protection afforded by the present tariff ; one farmer thought it should be increased. Taking separate items, 77 favored the present duty on foreign pork, 12 did not care if it were taken off, and eight wanted more protection. Si.\ w?re free traders, so far as beef is concerned, while eight delegates urged increased protection, and 41 testified that at least the present duty was necessary to give the farmer adequate protection against American beef. Fifty-nine urged the benefit of the present duty on corn from the United States, and two wanted it increased. Thirty two, mostly large stock-raisers, thought they should be allowed to import corn free. 'I'en said they would agree to free corn from the States, provided our neij hbors would take off the duty on Canadian barley. Thus for protec- tion, as against free trade in corn, the ojiinion stood 71 to 32. In tiie matter of grass seeds and hops, all who mentioned these items favored the [jresent or increased duties. Of those who spoke of fruits, five wanted protection in- creased, 18 were satisfied, and three favored reduction or abolition. Four asked for a si)ecific duty of so much a barrel on imported plums and pears, while two asked that a duty be put on bananas, as they came into com- petition with home-grown fruits. Sixty-three delegates volunteered their opinions on the cjutstion of free trade. •■.■>--Miw'» *»•'''■• -- M»^^^M' iiSv ^'^^■n ^jifA., am'* "" ^ »f- ' €:■; 1 V j^ Sir John Cari.inc;. Seven were for free trade, fifty-six were opposed to it. In the opinion of nine delegates, the country could probably get along under direct taxation ; thirty-two others, who spoke on the question, opposed direct taxation, i'^rty-seven out of the fifty-six who spoke on the subject of " Free Trade " had the developiTient of our trade with the United States in view; the other nine thought we THE PATROXS OF INDUSTRY LIBERAL COXVENTIOX. '.^ should have freer trade with free-trade England. Eighty-one witnesses referred in their evidence to the tariff as a whole. Twenty- one of these favored a general reduction of all duties ; sixty expressed themselves as satisfied generally with the present tariff, having no complr.ints or grievances to state concerning its operation. Meanwhile, discussion on tariff lines pro- ceeded. The Patrons of Industry, a farmers' organisation, for examjjle, issued a platform in which they called for a "tariff for revenue only, and so adjusted as to fall, as far as possible, upon the luxuries, and not upon the necessaries of life, ' together with "reciprocal trade on fair and eciuitahle terms with the world." One Ministerial declaration as to the future policy, which fell from Sir Charles Tupper, at Pictou, N.S., on the occasion of a v'sit he paid to his constituents, was regarded as of especial importance. It was in these words : " We propose a tariff reform that will be as low as [)ossible to produce the revenue absolutely necessary to carry on the public service of the country, and that will give the preference to Canadian workingmen over foreigners, whether mechanics, or manufacturers, or farmers. \\here duties ate levied, we will levy them on articles that can and ought to be produced in Canada, and we will lighten tiie duties on articles that we cannot manufacture or pro- duce, and are obliged to import. 'I'here are many manufacturing concerns in Canada clamoring for high protection, but under tariff reform we do not expect they will get it ; but we will give them all the protection we can, consistent with a revenue tariff and a due protection for the laijor employed." T'^e Liberal leaders also made statements during the year. The more important were delivered at a convention held in Ottawa (jn June 20 and 21. These will be referred to when the history of the gathering is related. March 21 was a memorable day in Parliament. Probably at no time has feeling run so high within the walls of the Legislature as on that occasion. The cause of the commotion was a resolution brought in by Mr. Dawson, the member for Addington, censuring Mr. N. (."larke Wallace, the Controller of Customs, for a speech he had delivered at Kingston two weeks before at an Orange hanijuet. Mr. Wallace entered liie official category as head of the (Customs Department when Sir John I'hompson's Administration was formed. Though in charge of a distinct branch of the (lo"ern- ment, he was not a member of the Privy Council. In that regard he was in the same position as Mr. Wood, the ('ontroller of Inland Revenue, and Mr. Curran, the Solicitor-deneral. l)Ut he stood so close to the Cabinet as to render his utterances on all political matters important from the standpoint of party. When in Kingston Mr. \\'allace, as chief of the Orange Order, spoke to his assemLled brother Orangemen. SiK Oliver Mouat, Prciiiicr o/ Ontnrio. A report of his speech was |)ublished in one of the local [lapers. It appears from this that he referred to the great agitation then in progress in Ulster in opposition to Mr. C.Iadstone's Home Rule Hill. Mr. Wallace said that in the old country brethren were threatened with a rule that was antagonistic to freedom there. "What is pro[)osed is not only to shake off their allegiance to Oreat Britain, the bonds of love that bitul them to the iMiipire, but to put them, forsooth, under an alien and hostile government." '• We have their (the Home Ru'ers') public declaration of what they would do if they obtained power — that they would never cease agitating until the last link that bound Ireland to the iJritish I'lmpire is seveied. I'hat is their object to-day. 'i'hey are trying to take the loyal men with them ; but our friends over there say they will never submit. Britain may cast them out ; but. if she does so, she has no right to say vvhat may be their future allegiance. Out friends in that land are preparing, and have asserted their un- alterable determination never to submit to that Home Rule which Mr. ( Gladstone and his Ciovernment have laid out for them. I \u 14 CHARGE AGAIXST MR. WALLACE. am sure that in their efforts tliey shall have the syinpatiiy of tlie Orangemen of Canada^ more than sympathy ; they shall have our active aid, if active aid is necessary." When the House met on March 21 Mr. Casey, a Liberal member, rose with the report of this speech in his hand, and charged Mr. Wallace with having talked treason against the Queen. He maintained that armed rebellion against Her Majesty was contemplated in Ulster, and that Mr. Wallace, an officer of the Crown in Canada, had not only given countenance to such rebellion, but had offered to lend the rebels active aid from Canada. Mr. Wallace accepted tlie report of his speech as correct, and declared that he did not take back one word of the statement he had made. But he repudiated the charge of disloyalty, inasmuch as that the position he had taken was similar to that assumed by Lord Salisbury in a speech delivered on May 6, 1892. Lord Salisbury, who was then Premier, declared that he could not accept, in all their width, the doc- trines of unrestricted, passive obedience. I'Arliament, he said, had a right to govern the peo|)le of Ulster, l)ut not sell them into slavery. "I tio not believe," added Lord Salisbury, " that the people of Ulster have lost their sturdy love of freedom, or their detestation of arbitrary power." Mr. Wnllace added that he was as free to oppose Home Rule as others were to support it, and that he opposed it because he feared it pointed to disintegration. Immediately that the Controller took his seat, Mr. Dawson, of Addington, presented a motion of censure. This motion, after relating the circumstances, proceeded to say " that the action of Mr. Wallace in holding out the hope of active aid in resistance to Her Majesty, to those who threaten to levy war in Ireland against Her Majesty, is deserving the severest censure of the House, and, if allowed to pass unnoticed, must place Canada under the scandalous imputation of being disloyal to Her Majesty : and that it is the duty of Parliament to repudiate the utterances of Mr. Wallace, lest the public might be led to the erroneous conclusion that his views are shared m by this body, and endanger the peace, order, and good government throughout Her >rajesty's Dominion." An animated and angry de- bate followed. Mr. P'oster, as loader of the House, in Sir John Thompson's absence, opened with a declaration of the Ministerial position on the question. He asserted, fiist, tiiat evqry member of Parliament had a right to express his opinions on matters outside of the jurisdiction of Parliament without being called to account by Parliament ; and, secondly, that the statement of Mr. Wallace, for which, however, the (lovernnient was not responsible, was not a threat to levy war in Ireland against Her Majesty, or to lend aid to persons levying war against Her Majesty. For these reasons he called upon supporters of the Administration to vote the resolution down, as an assault on free s[)eech and an untruthful rejjresentation of what the Con- troller had said. The House, at the outset. Hon. John Costi(;an, Secretary ~}f State. seemed to view the issue on the basis of old l)arty lines until Mr. Mclnerney, one of the Ministerial supporters, interpreted the ex- pression " active aid " in the Controller's speech to mean actual v;arfare, and an- nounced that for this reason he would support the motion. Then Mr. ('ostigan, the Secretary of State, intimated that he, for his part, would find it necessary to vote for the resolution. This declaration coming from a Minister created consternation, for it divided the Cabinet, and set the Ministerialists who were favorable to Home Rule free to con- demn the Controller of Customs. 'I'here was a difference of opinion as to whether the votes against the Controller would really, if constituting a majority, cast the Ciovernment out of office. On this point Mr. Bergin (juestioned the leader of the House. The reply he received was that, " if the motion passes, it will not be by the vote of friends of the Government." Mr. Curran, the Solicitor- General, nevertheless, followed Mr.Costigan's example in declaring for the resolution.' So, al.so, did Mr. Bergin, Mr. Davin, Mr. Kenny, Mr. Hearn, and Sir Hector Langevin. At one time it was thought that the French CHARGE AGAIXST SIN ADOLPHE CARON. '5 r. Wallace, lit was not evy war in I lend aid r Majesty, supporters resolution h and an the Con- he outset, n ;it s of old e of the tlie e\- nt roller's and ;ui- e would 'ostigan, le, for e for the g from a divided ists who to con- lere was ther the really, if ernment Bergin The _• motion iends of iolicitor- ostigan's on.' So, Kenny, in. At French Canadian members sup|)orting the (Govern- ment would become disaffected and join with the Irish Canadians ; but this danger was ultimately averted. During the debate bit- terness was added to bitterness in conse- quence of an assertion by Mr. Davin that, at a Ministerial caucus some years earlier, Mr. Wallace, wliile announcmg his intention to vote for the disallowance of the Jesuits Estates Act, had advised bis brother Orange- men in tile House to declare themselves ui the opposite way in order to save the (Govern- ment. Mr. Wallace jironounced this state- ment untrue, and called upon others who were at the caucus to ccjrroborate it if they could. Mr. Sproule, Mr. McKay, of Hamilton, Mr. fioyle, Mr. Cochrane, and Mr. (Ju'llel re- sponded, stating that they had heard nothing of the kind said at the caucus in cjuestion. (Ireat e-xcitsment prevailed when the vote was taken. 'I'lie figures stood 74 for the resolution and 105 against it, thus giving the (jovernment a majority of 31. 'I'he Minis- terialists who voted for it were Mi Costigan (Secretary of State), Mr. (Jurran (Solicitor- (Jeneral), Mr. Adams, Mr. Bergin, Mr. Davin, Mr. Hearn, Mr. Kenny, Sir Hector Langevin, Mr. Macdonald (of King's), Mr. Lepine, and Mr. Mclnerney. On the other hand, Mr. McCarthy and Mr. O'Brien voted with the Ministerialists. The crisis was thus tided over. Another matter which created much dis- turbance was an accusation brought by Mr. Edgar against Sir Adolphe Caron, the I'ost- master-(ieneral. It will be in the memory of all who follow our political history that in 1891 great excitement reigned in conse- quence of the charges brought with reference to the conduct of political affairs in the Prov- ince of (Quebec. As a result of the enquiries then made, Sir Hector Langevin resigned from the .Vdministration, and Mr. Thomas McCreevy, with Mr. N. Connolly, were jiur- sued before the courts and committed for trial. In the following session, that of 1892, vir. Edgar made the charge that Sir Adolphe (Jaron had received fromtiieQuebecand Lake St. John Railway Comi)any, and from the 'I'emiscouata Railway Company, corporations subsidized by Parliament, sums of money aggregating $100,000, which money was used in corrupting the electorate during the contest of 1887. Sir Adolphe Caron characterized the charge as false. The accusation having been discussed for some days, it was deter- mined, on motion of Mr. Bowell, that a com- mission should be appointed to make enquiry. A commission was chosen during the recess, and when Parliament reassembled its report of the evidence it had taken was presented. It should be said here that, on the Liberal side, objection was offered to the reference of the question to a commission, on the ground that the right of parliamentary enquiry was being interfered with. On March 22, Mr. I'^dgar reviewed the testimony, and drew from it the conclusion that $25,000 had been paid to Sir Adolphe Caron for corrupt pur[)oses out of the Lake St. John bonuses, and that another sum had htcn i)aid out of the sub- sidies to the Teiuiscouata road. I'Hr this reason he moved an amendment to the supply resolution that the facts revealed '• should iiave prevented the subsequent appointment of Sir Adolphe Caron t(j be an adviser of the ("rowii, and also render it highly improper tiuit he should continue to hold such office." Mr. ("urran made the rei)ly. He deduced from the evidence this argument : Sir Adolphe Caron was, in 1887, one of a com- mittee attending to elections in the (^)uebec district. Hon. William Ross was a Itading Conservative there, 'i'his gentleman, who had always promoted the Conservative cause, was three times a millionaire. Sir Adolphe asked him to subscribe to the election fund, and he gave $25,000. The subscription had Hon. David Mills. nothing to do with railway subsidies, and, so far as Sir Adolphe knew and believed, was a personal affair. The receipt of the money was legitimate, and there was nothing to show that it had been corruptly used. On the Opposition side, it was maintained that Hon. Mr. Ross had charged the $25,000 against Mr. Beemer, the contractor for the construc- tion of the railway, and that this gentleman had really paid the money. Mr. McCarthy i6 A TREATY WITH FRANCE. took part in the debate, and declared against Sir Adoiphe on the ground that Mr. Ross financed the I,alui }'"isln'rii's. in Behring Sea when such seals are found outside the ordinary three-mile limit ? In addition, it was sti[)ulated that, if the arbitrators found that the United States had no exclusive rights outside of the three-mile limit, they should say what concurrent regulations, if any, were necessary for the preservation of the fur seal. The (juestion of damages was not submitted ; but it was provided that the arbitrators could say whether or not there had been illegal seizures. Before the arbitrators, the United States proposed to contend that Behring Sea belonged originally to Russia, that England acknowledged Russia's exclusive rights in ;he seal fisheries, that these rights passed to the United States, and that, there- fore, the United States owned tlie sea and the seals, and that the seizure of the Canadian vessels was justifiable. It turned out after 20 THE liKHRING SEA ARBITRATIOX. the treaty was signed, but before the arbitra- tors had met, that the claim of the United States, in respect of jurisdiction, rested chiefly on certain Russian documents found at Washington, and translated by a Russian official of the State Department, named Ivan I'ctroff, for the information of the (lovern- ment. These documents consisted, for the most part, of proclamations or ukases issued from St. Petersburg, in which exclusive juris- diction in the Behring Sea was asserted. When the papers were sent forward to (Ireat Britain for examination and rei)ly, ihey were compared with duplicates there, and it was discovered, to the astonish- ment not only of the British officials, but also of those of the United States, that every sentence which helped the case of the United States had been forged by I'etroff. As aconse(iuence, the most forcible evidence on the United States side had to be with- drawn, and the learned counsel for that country were com|)elled to base the argu- ments they addressed to the arbitrators upon the theory advanced by Mr. Blaine, as the lesser branch of his case, that the seals were the property of the United States by birtli, and could, therefore, be i)rotected wherever found. The arguments on both sides were long and able. While in i)rogress, (ireat ISritain offered to accept regulations protective ot the fur species. On August 15 judgment w.is given. All the claims of the United States as to exclusive rights were denied, and the seizures were practically declared to have been illegal. But regulations were prescribed. These were, in brief, as follow : 1. No seals are to be taken within a zone of sixty miles of the Bribyloff Islands. 2. No seals are to be taken between May i and July 31 north of the 35th degree of latitude. 3. During the period that fur sealing is allowed, sealing vessels only shall be allowed to participate. 4. Each vessel shall have a special license and a distinguishing flag. 5. Each captain shall keep a log of the date and place of sealing, and particulars of the catch. , 6. The use of nets and firearms is for- bidden. Shotguns, however, may be used outside of Behring Sea during the season. The result, in so far as the judgment against the United States claim was con- cerned, was a victory for Canada. But the proposed regulations modified this triumph, and practically rendered the result a com- promise. The close season, however, was shorter than the United States desired, and longer than (Ireat Britain pioposed. The United States, in the draft treaty submitted by Mr. Blaine and rejected through the non-concurrence of Canada, placed the close season at from .April 15 to November 10. England, at the arbitration, offered to accept a season extending from September 15 to July 1. The arbitrators determined that the season should extend from May i to July 31. Touching the seizures, the arbitrators reported that they had been effected outside of the territorial limits of the United States. But the question of Hon J. C. Pattkrson, Minister of Militia. damages was not dealt with, and this is to be considered later on. The judgment was accepted throughout the world favorably. As marks of distinction for their services in connection with the arbitration, Sir John Thompson was appointed a Privy Councillor of England, in virtue of which he is to be known henceforth as " The Right Honor- able " ; Mr. Tupper became a Knight of the Order of St. Michael and St. George ; and Mr. Christopher Robinson was elevated to the same order, which honor, however, he declined for personal reasons. There was a brief cessation of political activity after the close of Parliament ; but on June 20 business was resumed by the Liberals, who held a great and enthusiastic convention at Ottawa for the purpose of formulating a programme. About 1,500 delegates attended at Mr. Laurier's call, and Sir Oliver Mowat, the veteran Premier of Ontario, was elected to the chair. Marked unanimity prevailed, and inspiring speeches were delivered by all the leaders. The resolutions adopted by the convention form the platform upon which the Liberals will ity submitted through the iced the close "Jovember lo. jred to accept teniber 15 to ermined that 3111 May I to seizures, the >y had lieen »rial limits of I question of )ii, 1(1 this is to idgment was favorably, services in Sir John vy Councillor he is to be Ught Honor- Knight of St. George; was elevated however, he of political lament ; but med by the enthusiastic purpose of \bout 1,500 urier's call, ran Premier ir. Marked ng speeches ders. The ention form iberals will THE GREAT [JBERAI. CONVENTIOX. 21 fight the next election. Summarized, the planks are as follow : 1. The Tariff.— W - declare that the exist- ing tariff has oppressed the masses to the enrichment jf the few, and that the highest interests of the people demand its removal ; that the tariff should be reduced to the needs of honest, economical, and efficient governiTient ; that it should be so adjusted as to make free, or to bear as lightly as possible upon, the necessaries of life, and should be so arranged as to promote free trade with the whole world, more particularly Great Britain and the United States. 2. Reciprocity. — The Liberal party is pre- pared to enter into negotiations with a view to obtaining a fair and liberal treaty, includ- ing a well-considered list of manufactured articles. 3. Corruption. — The convention deplores the gross corruption in the managen.ent and expenditure of the public moneys which for years past has existed under the rule of the Conservative party, and the revelations of which have brought disgrace upon the fair name of Canada. 4. T/w Fii/'/ic Debt. — We cannot but view with alarm the increase of the i)ublic debt, and of the controllable annual expenditure, and we demand strict economy in the administration of the government of the country. 5. Trial of Ministers. — The convention regret that by the action of Ministers and their supporters in Parliament, in one case in which serious charges were made against a Minister of the Oown, investigation was altogether refused ; while in another case the charges preferred were altered, and then referred to the commission appointed upon the advice of the Ministry, contrary to the well-settled practice of Parliament. 6. Public Lands. — In the opinion of this convention the sales of public lands of the Dominion should be to actual .settlers only, and not to speculators, upon reasonable terms. 7. The Franchise Act. — In the opinion of this convention the Act should be repealed, and we should revert to the provincial franchise. 8. Redistributions. — In the formation of electoral divisions, county boundaries should be preserved, and in no case should parts of two counties be put in one electoral division. 9. The Senate. — The_ constitution of the Senate should be so amended as to bring it into harmony with the principles of popular government. 10. Prohibition. — It is desirable that the minds of the people should be clearly ascer- tained on the (juistion of prohibition by meaiH of a Dominion plebiscite. .\fter a two days' session, the convention rose. Mr. I.aurier subsequently made a toui of Ontario, during which he expounded the policy. T'ollowing the session of i'arliament, and prior to the convention, the Liberals scored a victory in X'audreuil. The county was taken by Mr. Macmillan (Conservative) by a majority of F5 at a former election. On April 12 Mr. Harwi^od (Liberal) carried it over Mr. Chevrier bv 155. November 22 brought the Liberals another victory. Mr. Hugh J. Macdonald, son of Sir John Mac- donald, had resigned his seat for Winnipeg, explaining that he could not give attention to political affairs. 'I'he candidates for the vacant seat were Mr. Isaac Campbell (Con- servative) and Mr. Joseph Martin (Liberal;. A very vigorous campaign was fought. The votestood: Martin, 2, 2olate with regard to these institutions. Its ordinance brought them all under one inspectorate and one Board of Control, and required that they should have certificated teachers, and text-books uniform with those used in the Public schools, and that religious '1 til (J til til \\ ClI t i[ (I ^.ECTIOX. dtspeniti'. hut cMiiier, secured i, nnd tlius had ritisli (Jolumiiia ly in the year. ) undertake the ainentary anil :toria. To this from the main- ground that it " tiu- capital at on was jfrowin:^ pital ouyht to A I' FA IKS I\ QUElUiC. rwovcn wiiii argcr reprc- :h, howesxT, istponement, eed with the se[)araiion, rovince, and prorogation irs became agitation (legislature issue ; but sitting in n into the Northwest 1 had been proceeded nstitulions. under one ntrol, and certificated with those t rehgious instruction should be given only attei hours. This was a wide departure froni the original system. His Lordship Ihshop (irandin peti- tioned the l-'ederal authorities to deal with this ordinance, and, at the end of the year, the point was still, so far as public report was ( oncerned, undecided. I'he case resembles that known as the .Manitoba Schools case, in that it raises the (juestion as to whether the Dominion Ciovernment can tout-h a local enactment dealing with the educational fjues tion. The (,)uel)ec Legislature sat during Novem- ber and December. .\ very long session was held. Necessarily, the financial ()uestion occupied a great deal of attention. In order to balance the acc(>i ts, the Legislature, at the previous session, had laid taxes upon all engaged in business, and in the professions. These taxes so increased the rev nu as to make both ends meet. I'.arly in tlx' session appeals were received, calling for their al>andonment ; the (lovernment, however, ( ould not see its way clear to their removal. It therefore changed them somewhat, and promised that in time they would be first reduced, and then struck ofl" altogether. A strong objection entered against them was based on the circumstance that they fell u])on the cities and towns, and that the rural dis- tricts escaped scot free. The (lovernment, however, was not prepared to levy, as pro- posed, a rate upon all farming property. ( )ne of the principal sources of agitation in the Mouse was a series of (lovernment bills providing for the transfer of the Heauport Lunatic Asylum to the Sisters of Charity. In (^)uel)ec the insane are farmed out. One of the asylums, that at Heauport, has been a private institution, the (lovernment paying to the owners$i32 perannum forevery patient. The contract expired early in the year, and, at once, new arrangements were entered into. The Sisters sought, or were asked, to take the con- tract and to buy the asylum. They agreed to maintain patients at $ioo per annum. Then came the question of the purchase of the building. The pro])rietors wanted $600,000, and the Sisters were willing to give $275,000. A valuation was made, and the valuers estimated the property as worth all the way from $311,000 to $700,000. After prolonged negotiations the sum of $425,000 was agreed upon, with the condition that it was to be paid at the rate of $18,000 annually for sixty years, the province to take over the propertyand meet thcinstalmentsafterthe end of ten years, if the Sisters were not willing to proceed with the purchase. Opposition was ofiered to the transaction on two grounds. First, it was said that the province should 25 abandon the farmingout system altogether, and attend to the insane directly itseU. Then it was declared that the terms were exorbitant, and that they wen- really endorsed by the province, which in the end nughl have to pay. The contract passed the Mouse, but one of the bills, that relating to the |)rovinciaL guarantee for the purchase, was rejected in the Legislative Council. It was thought that the (lovernment would be in dil'ticulties owing to its defeat in the Upper Mouse ; but as the main feature of the bargain, namely, the let- ting of the contract for the care of the insane,. Cdl.. O liKIEN, .M.P. was endorsed, it was stated that the other part of the arrangement did not matter much. While referring to the Legislature of (^)uebec, it niay be opportune to point to the fact that religious troubles prevailed in the province during the greater pait of the year. 'I'hese were the results of criticisms of what is known as the policy of the church. There had been in 1892 very free expres- sions of opinion relating to many points, as,. for example, the relations of the priesthood to the people. One paper which took a leading part in the controversy was a weekly known as The Canada /ierue. This journal, with The Echo, of 'i'wo Mountains, was placed under the ban by His Grace Arch- bishop Fabre. His Grace forbade the faithful to read the paper, to print it, buy it, or write for it. The proprietoral of the druggists to confine the patent medicine business to registered pharmacists was abandoned in the face of the rising tide of opposition. A measure to prescribe professional examinations for railway engineers, conductors, and brakes- men, was vetoed by the (lovernment. Dr. Ryerson, M.T.P. Altogether, the session was more satisfactory to the opponents than to the advocates of close corporations. Considerable public interest was taken in three of the debates of the NE IV INI' J. UENCES IN ONTARIO. 27 lie streets at night, ed to ring a hell at which all children its or guardians This measure is Charter. A very ssion was the pro- ed towards every- ce of a monopoly is caused several private members 'n. The request be taxed up to ertained, because i prompted by a larger dealers to The embalmers 1 their endeavors ilative status of a [gestion of the thdrew their re- | powers. The to confine the i to registered 1 in the face of )n. A measure xaminations for )rs, and brakes- e (lovernment. session. The discussion of Mr. Marter's bill to prohibit the retail sale of intoxicants caused the galleries to be overtaxed on several occasions. The defeat of the measure on a party division was accompanied by a promise on the part of the (lovernment that re satisfactory ocates of close )ublic interest ebates of the D'.Ai.roN McCarmiv, M.P. the question of [)rohibition would be sub- mitted to a popular vote. This pledge was redeemed. A plebiscite on the manufacture, importation, and sale of liquors was ordered, and was taken at the succeeding municipal elections, with the result that prohibition was carried. The advocates of female suffrage were exceedingly active. The Government, however, took a stand against the claims of the fair sex. Sir Oliver Mowat ol)jected to them because he believed the country is not ripe for the reform asked, and his colleagues opposed them strictly on Scriptural grounds. The system of minority representation in Toronto came in for the usual condemnation from the Conservative side of the House, which was concurred in by the Ministerialists. The Government committed itself to the abolition of the minority princi|)le, and promised the city another representative. Throughout, the session was fruitful of legis lation, and it terminated on May 27, from which date, until death created two vacancies in the House, little was heard of local politics. During November preparations were made for the refilling of the seats in the Legisla- ture for East Lambton and North Hruce, which had 1 _'come vacant under the de- plorable circumstances already referred to. While the arrangements were in progress, it was discovered by the existing parties that two new organizations had taken the field. One of these was the farmers' association, the Patrons of Industry, and the other an organization the name of which explains its policy — the Protestant Protective Associa- tion. The Patrons had a progrannne cover- ing both Dominion and Local subjects. In the Dominion arena, they called for lower tariff; in the provincial arena, they demanded a change in the mode of appointing sheriffs and registrars, some of them even calling for the election of these officials by popular vote, and the abolition of the system of official remuneration by fees. The Protestant Protective .Association, or P.P..\., was a secret society opposed to legislation unduly favorable to Roman Catholics. It was reported of it that its members were sworn to turn Roman Catholics out of office, and even to refuse them private employment. The general ojjinion was that the two associations were strong, and that if they grew, as they promised to do, they would be disturbing factors, thwarting the calcula- tions of the existing parties. The electiotis in Lambton and Bruce furnished them an opportunity to show their strength, and they took advantage of it. In North Bruce the Patrons came forward with a candidate, Mr. McNaughton. This gentle- man was opposed by a Liberal and a Hon. I.ibltenant-Guvkrnor Kikkiatrkk. Conservative. In East Lambton there ran in opposition to the Ministerial nominee (no Conservative candidate having been chosen) Mr. McCallum, who had the P. P. A. support. The two constituencies had been formerly held by friends of the Ciovernment. 28 TIVO DISQUIETING ELECTIONS. Both, on the eventful December 3, were carried by the candidates of the new associa- tions. In East Lambton Mr. McCallum succeeded by a majority of 406, and in North Bruce Mr. McNaughton won by over 500. The result was startling, and at once the organizations, with their respective pro- grammes, were brought into prominence, and were eagerly canvassed. They were talked of the more earnestly for the reason that 1894 was to see a general election, and everybody was disposed to speculate touch ing the influence they would have upon the fortunes of the Government. While the interesting discussion was in progress, the old year was rung out and a new era dawned upon us, the history of which is yet a secret. VVith the close of 1893 this chapter ends. DOORWAY, TORONTO UNIVERSITY. 50 the reason ection, and ilate touch e upon the While the ogress, the era dawned ret a secret, er ends.