, 1873-08-15

Tho proceedings in Canada at tho lnooting of
the Dominion Parliament aro SO revolutionary
in their character TINT thoy hnrly fail to at
trnct special attention in England, aud to create
new excitement in all parts Of tho Dominion. Tho
public already familiar with tho alleged bribery
Of tho Dominion Ministry generally, and OF no loss
thnn four OF tho Minister'S personally. Tho
charge rosts upon written statements OF Sir
Hugh Allan and q. W. A1cA1uIlen, and
npon oortain receipts giyon to thom for
tho money, tho whole hnving boon
nude public by Mr.. McA1ullon. Whom these ac-
ousations wore made, tho Opposition proposed a
Parliamentary investigation, hut, undor tho
direction Of tho Ministry, the majority voted
this down. Subsequently, on motion Of tho
Ministers, and ut the suggestion, 1t is beloved,
Of Lord Dutrorn himself, q committee VAS ap-
pointol which tlxod tho ilrat wcok in July to
begin tue investigation. III tho moantime, tho
EnglaA Government. in tho exercise Of its re-
visory power, dlsa'lowod and roiocted 30 much
of the authority givon to this Committee as
empowered them to examine Witnesses on oath;
10, when tho Committee met in July, it was 4
question wothor tl,oy would 60 OIL and
take unsworn testimony or not, and tho
Ministera1ists OIL the Com1nittoo, bcing
in tho majority, decided to tako no testimony.
This sharp practice in having tho power to OK
amino witnesses OIL oath takon nway from tho
Committee. and then using the want Of aucll
power III all oxcaso for not taking any Testimony,
however successful in defeating tho iryostiga-
tiou, Ind tho effect Of intensifying public feeng
throughout the Dominion. Parliament had I'd
jour1led to meet on Aug 10, and, in anticipation
Of tl,oir action on the subjoct of tho iuyesiga-
ton, 1t was auggostcd through tho ministerial
! preHa that Lord Dutforn, tho Governor General,
would adjourn Parliament OIL tho dAy
Of ita meeting, n,nl would appoint Royal
Commission to maho tlo investigation. This
Commission, bong selected by tho Ministers
will naturally bo aoloctol for tho purpose OF de-
claring tho Ministry innocent. Thc Governor
General, however, AZ Into az Aug. 8, In speech
delivered at Halifax, held out tho idea tint ho
/ would bo governed by tho wishes OF Parliament.
III tint speech llo said:
My only galint; A!nr in tic conduct anil manto-
ol my official ro1atiouu with your public Ia
tue Parliament Of Cauada. ], gentlemen, believe III
Parliament, matter which %ny 1t votes, na to tloao
men none whom tho deliberate Will Of tho Confederate
TarlIamcnt Of thu Dominion nay asasy to mo aa my
responsible advisers can gtyo my eonlldeucs.
This aaaurance'gayo great encouragement to
tile Opposition, ind, when Parliament assembled
OIL Tie 18th, hlr. hackonzle, loader OF lilo Oppo-
R!llon, as rnattor Of privilege, proposed roso'
luton In tho CommonB and wllilo speaking
thoreon WAS interrupted by tho Speaker, who do
olaret that llo Ind received command from tia
Ooyernor-General for the Commons to atto1tl II,
Tho Bonato Chamber, whore tho representative
Of tho Grown waA about to prorogno Parliament.
Tho Speaker thon put on hiB official cooked lat,
md, preceded by the Usher OF tho Black Rod, Or
whatovor hiH name Ia, and followed by tho Mina,