The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-09-05
THE DOMINION SCANDAL.
Meeting Of the Royal Commission

OTTAWA, Sept 4.-The commission appoint.
Gu 10 investigate the charges preferred
AGAINST the Dominion Government by
MI huntington, met to day at noon. The pro-
G1eedings were opened by the reading of the
royal Commission and a recital of the case
since its inception, Sir John A. Macdonald, H.
M. Langeven, and Hon Mr.. Campbell were
among the audience.
;, After the reading of the Commission, Judge
Day announced that the investigation had
opened, and directed that Mr.. Huntington be
called. OF course he did not appear Mr.
Stearns was then called and sworn. He said
ne was prepared to produce the documents
paced ed in his hands by Sir Hugh Allan and Mr..
McMlllan They were in the same condition as
when given to him. He objected to their be-
ing opened before Sir Hugh Aliens consent
was obtained Mr.. Abbott here rose and read
letter from Sir Hugh Allan consenting to the
packages being opened on condition that the
!eeters should not be published unless they con-
the case
In reply to Judge'Day Mr. Stearns said there
was an election fund with reference to Cas-
eief election. Stearns said that CASTER abso-
luteiy refused to use any railway project to fur
ther his election The funds were raised by
subscription. Sir Hugh Allen being of large
means, subscribed literally. The witness had
no knowledge of money coming from other
sources. He heard no mention of the Pacific
railroad in connection with the election fund
AAO ieCclNeu as treasurer OF the 6lectl0n fuuQ
conl mission about 10000 in subscriptions.
The impounded letters were then opened
Letter No. was directed to Stearns.
Or FRANCIS Hink was next ca lied, and being
sworn gave detailed statement of what he
knew about the Pacific Railroad negotiation
upon the subject. The first conversation was
with Circille Graham IN 1870 and 1871. Ora
nam SAID the Americans would give I'D the
western end of the Northern Pacific provided
Ine Canadians would give up the eastern and
ailo"ing 1t to be built through American terri
tory. From other conversations he Thought ar
ransements might be made with American
capitalists. He referred to the visit of Mr. Nc
cullen and others to Ottawa, where they pro-
ouced the names OF American capitalists. On
every interview they were informed that the
government could not possibly make any ar
rangements with them but were willing to hear
all they had to say on the subject. Sir Hugh
and McMullen came before the Cabinet Sir
John said the government would listen to any
proposition from Sir Hugh but were not prepar-
ed to accept any of them. The scheme which
was submitted to Parliament without any con-
sultation with outside parties, was finally de-
cided upon by the government
1t became the unanimous decision of the
Government that Americans must be excluded
from any part of the construction of the Pa
citic road In reply to the Judge, Sir Francis
stated that no understanding, directly or indi-
rectly, was ever come to between the Govern
ment and Sir Hugh, or any of his friends.
WHEREBY tIe ldIttr WERE 10 receive q cnarter
condition of advancing large sums of money to
aid in the Dominion elections He knew of no
arrangement between any individual member
of the Government and Sir Hugh Allan to that
effect. He knew Sir Hugh had contributed to
the election funds but did not know it till long
after the elections were over and the charter
given. He did not know how much money was
offered te any member of the Government in
connection with the Pacific road, and never re-
ceived any money or the promise of any, from
Sir Hugh Allan, or any one else connected with
the Pacific Railway.
McMulen's statements respecting such loan
or gifts were pure falsfcations. Up to the
close of the election the only policy the Gov
eminent had was on an amalgamaton of the
two Canadian companies.
1t was not the intention of the Government to
issue any charter until all attempts at amalga-
ton failed. Up to October the Government
hoped such an amagamation would be brought
about
Mr.. De Ballefnille, Secretary of the Northern
Colonization Railway. testified that he had no
knowledge of any negotiations between Sir
Hugh Allan and the Americans respecting the
furnishing of the money.
This concluded the proceedings for to-day.