New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-06
THE CANADIAN SCANDAL.

AND RELATIONS TO THE SCANDAL.
-, ,xoocAsIoNA AL CORRESPONDENT OF TRIBUNE.I
ToRoSTo. Aug 4-There are various reasons why
Americans will watch with interest the issues OF the
Canadian scandal. A large stretch OF the Canada
Pacific Rairoad-that along the north shore OF Lakes
Huron and SuperOrit is piece OF folly TO construct
at all nor would it be done but for foolish jealousy
of existing American facilities south of these
waters. The holy horror called forth by the dis
covery that il was proposed to embark American
capital in this enterprise is only an example
of the narrow minded loyalty which would pre-
vent Canada from ever becoming cosmopolitan ma
ton. This American bugbear has been fostered by
men who ought to know better. Last year the
Ontario Government excused foolish sale of 5000
square miles Of Crown timber on the ground that
Americans" stealing the logs and spiriting
them across the lake-a thing which, If true would
be utterly impossible without the active connivance
of Canadians. SO with mining ventures on the
Canadian side of Lake SUPERIOR after the failure of
Canadian companies to work them, Americans have
stepped 10 and made enormous fortunes, proof Of
enterprise which is gall and NORWOOD to this
people 1t will also be matter of interest
TO the people of the United States to
see how a country, which boasts of
British institutions, and is possessed of a press
whose constant boast it is that political and mercan
tile corruption only flourish under republican form
of government, will act under present clrcumstan-
But the most important aspect of the affair is
that il is likely to lead to important questions with
the Mother Country Already people are grumbling
that the Imperial power should have overridden
the act of the Dominion Parliament which deter
mined that the Committee of Inquiry should have
power to examine witnesses under oath. But the
Royal Commission which has just been appointed
will override that Committee itself, and in man
ner, too, which is questionable even from British
point of view.
There are various circumstances under which it is
usual to create Royal Commission, such as when
Parliamentary committee either from the extensive
nature of the investigations to be made or from the
fact that ii is necessary desirable to carry them
on when Parliament is not in session, would be I'M
able to cope with the matter Under just such cir
cumsances has the present Commission been called.
But there are different ways in which Royal Com
mission may be brought about. The more usual,
and, indeed the recognized form is to create it in
response to an Address, moved by either of the
Houses of Parliament, to the Crown; the
more unusual and extraordinary way is
10 create it by the exercise of the
royal prerogative. The latter is the manner
in which the present Commission has been brought
into existence. But, according to the best English
authorities on the subject the right to compel the
production Of documents and attendance of wit
nesses as well the right to administer oaths
only be conferred on a Commission by act of
Parliament; and all later precedents support this
view. Yet the Commission appointed to investigate
the Canadian scandal is in fuflment of the pledge
made by the Government that at the earliest possible
moment the whole Of the facts. and circumstances |
connected with the granting of the Pacific charter
would be laid before tribunal competent TO re-
ceive evidence respecting them under OATH" 1t
therefore is apparent that the adopted by the
Canadian Government is extreme one, and one
which will need extreme urgency to Justify. 1t does
not yet appear how the thing is to be worked, that
u.s. if Parliament is to meet On the 18th inst only to
be prorogued. To follow out the usual course, the
House Of Commons must take action upon the mat
ter; this is what the Opposition press has argued
for and the Ministerial press has deprecated.
Prof Goodwin Smith, who edits a magazine here
called The Canadian Monthly and who writes an
article in il devoted to current events crtcises the
scandal from what he claims to be impartial |
point of view. He professedly makes the critique |
twice. the first part written after the first batch of
evidence was laid before the public and the second
after the second batch In the first he was all for
the Government, but in the second he turned round,
and in few trenchant paragraphs, covered Sir |
John A. Macdonald with ignominy. with the ex-
ceptons" be says, "of the Lord Chancellor Macces-
field, the South Sea Bubble offenders, and Lord |
Melville, Sir John A. Macdonald is the |
first, we believe since 1885, who has brought |
the stain Of corruption the name of |
the British PTivy Council. (Sir John was recently |
appointed member Of Her Majesty's Privy Council |
in recognition of his services on the Washington |
Commission) In his case, considering what the con-
nections of Sir Hugh Allan were known to be, the |
dark line of corruption is deepened by shade of |
treason" This is strong language to be used but |
must be taken only for what it is worth, as
coming from who was at one time
all for Republcanism, and who is now
all against it. HIS concluding paragraph is
worth quoting, illustrating a very general view
taken Of the matter in Canada. He says "No loyal
heart will echo the exultng shouts of faction over
the discoveries which bring disgrace upon the coun-
try. 1t is greatly to be lamented that party tri-
umph should be in any way mixed up with the
claims of the whole nation TO justice II the Con.
servatves feel tempted, under the influence of party
feeling long personal attachment, to defend what
cannot be defended let them remember that nothing
is left to be conserved here but political honor aud
morality and that these gone. public life in Canada
will become a gambIng-table, from which, in
the end, the most profigate adventurer will
assuredly sweep the stakes. 1t is calamitous
affair Yet II may prove turning point in our po-
htca history if the people, after the political cor
rupton and Generalization which they have under
gone, have virtue still left to meet the crisis we'll
and not only to do themselves justice in this par
ticular case, but to reform system Of government
which, in its present state, leads to these ofenses
whichever faction may be in power, with a fatal
necessity which affords a considerable excuse even
for the present offenders" So much for the ouonda
Oxford professor.