New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-17
THE CANADIAN ELECTION.
ISSUES To BID DECIDED TO-DAY.

SAAHOBiC NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. IN fhE ffOFANSf W
oNTARIo-THE CATHOLIC LEAGUE BROKEN UP
GOODWIN SMITH ON PARTY sTRIFE--HE Az
FIRMS TIRE NECESSITY OF A GOVERNMENT ON
BROADER BASIS, AND DECLARES FOR SIR JOHN
A. MACDONALD.
lFRoMAS OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.l
TORONTO, Sept. 14.--0n Tuesday next, the
17th INST, the votes TO be cast which will decide
what party combination OF parties, is to heve rule IN
Canada for the next FIVE years AS the day draws near
the heat and excitement OF the contest increases and
that likely have important bearing
the result appear to deserve special mention The
great question before the people, which has taken preee
dence Of all the rest undoubtedly that Of protection
free trade but still there others to be taken note
Of besides
Among the most important ofthese Others in the Prov
nce OF Ontario is that OF Catholic representation That
the Catholics OF this province have not had Pariamen
tary representation in any thing like proportion to their
numbers is old complaint. In the Dominion House
Of Commons Ontario has SO members, Quebec S. Nova
Scotia 81, New-Brunswick 16 Prince Edward Island D.
British Columbia 8. aud Manitoba 4. Owing chiefly to
the prepOnderating French Canadian population OF
Quebec there strong Catholic vote in the Dominion
House, but in the Ontario Local House Of 80 members
there only Catholics Oneeeyenth of the whole
body, Notwithstanding that the Catholics count from
fifth to sixth of the population, which by the census
OF 1871 then total Of 1620S51 With 65 eonstitu-
encIes, and total population by the last census Oh
119 5I6 Quebec returns to its Local House Is Protest
ant members and the Catholics Of Ontario bring this up
by way show the want of berality toward
them the part OF the Protestant majority here. In
1872 there formed the Ontario Catholic League
the avOwed oectof seeking redress OF this injustice. Ne
gotiatOns opened with the Hon. George Brown,
acting behalf OF the Reform party the result Of which
a bargain or understanding to the effect that In
twelve fourteen constituencies Catholic candidates
should receive the support of that party 1t would not
probably be correct TO that Mr. Brown pledged the
party Of which he then was and still is the real
leader TO the securing Of certain seats, and
exactly many OF them, for Catholic candidates; but
that general pledge ola very binding character was
made by him Is be disputed. The Ontario CathO
lies or some Of Them aege that the promise made
them has not been fulfilled that instead il has been
shamefully violated and now they are working their
best III favor Of Sir John Macdonald, and against the
party that they accuse OF having BROKEN faith with
them. It should be mentioned that, while there are
eight Catholics the Ontario Local House. there Is only
among all OntariOs lightweight representatives in
the Dominion House, and he a Canadian OF Highland
Scotch descent Some Of the Catholic leaders still stand
by the Reform party and the League now split asunder
beyond all hope OF being reunited the old basis
There were strong indications Of unavoidable split
at a meeting OF the League held in Toronto in May Of
last year but the final explosion came at meeting
held here two weeks ago. question OF much interest
now is VIII the majority OF Catholics in Ontario 90 with
Sir John Macdonald Mr.. Mackenzie in the present
cOutesti cOnhne myself to bare statement OF the
declared belief Of at least threeOurths Of the people
one meets on the street. that about that proportion Of
the Catholic vote will certainly 90 to the Opposition
side and in favor OF Sir John Macdonald. Should the
event turn out otherwise it will have 10 be said that
almost everybody Numbered in guessing.
Ever since the first coming among us OF Professor
Goodwin smith, ne has been looked up TO by no ncon-
siderable number Of Canadians IA leader OF opinion
H happens naturally enough that it Is educated and
intelligent people chiefly who attracted toward bim:
among them being many rising young men, who in a
fow years hence occupy various positions of inn
portance In the country. These young men have
cherished the idea Of National" Canadian party.
which would throw TO the dogs all dead issues, and
possible rid the country OF the old contention between
Wing and Tory, basIng differences Of opinion on the
actual living OF the present time. During the
Pacific Scandal" agitation five years ago, aud In sub
.sauent years as WELL there has been developed. how
ever such heat OF battle between the old parties That
there was not really for third party to live In the
country. Our " National party" and I" Canada First
men have therefore been for these two or three years
past IN state VI suspended animation as an organza-
ton and in the present contest they have not al
tempted to any candidate, or TO act
uuitedly together. They do not however conceal
their belief tbat now, surely, the country
has really begun fcken OF both the old parties, and
that by tho time another election comes round they
may be able 10 make "a stand on their own ground At
present. individual preferences appear 10 be landing
some them the Conservative and some on the Re
form side for the time being while others OF them
again. can hardly be persuaded 10 TAKE any interest III
the elections at all
While some are thus undetermined Mr.. Goodwin Smith
rather startes most with his published avowal that
although not connected with either party, lie feels
IL his duty to support Sir John Macdonald rather than
Mr. Mackenzie in he present contest. The other even
Ur.w o. ~ ainaFf Ion
meeting near by but through some misdireeuon did not
reach the right place. and explanation he wrote as
follows 20 evening paper:
To prevent misc0nesptiOn let me say that should
not have made party speech IA am not SSGhestS y
seemed 10 have reached point at which II was
dangerous TO the S'ats '" ss all Who cared
only for the country might support had In my
opinion become pressing necessity ana mat our only
chance OF obtaining such GoVenment, since 'ne re-
trcnent Of Mr. Blake from the Cabinet aud the reec
reared 10 me 10 be the restoration 10 power OF sir John
Macdonald should not have Dalliated any scandals OF
scandals ON both sides and that they to be as
crbed not muoa To the corrupt tendencies OF any III
diydun statesman TO the party strife when IL Is the
duty OF all who love our common country TO endea'or
20 ullay,
The Globe promptly retaliaes upon Mr. Smith with the
old charge OF dsOyalty and that he supports sr
John because the latters ayOwea commercial policy
tends toward separation from the mother country To
this charge Mr. Smith has what consider good and
sufficient reply far he Is personally concerned;
but It certainly appears passing strange one to hur at
the veteran "true blue" Conservative leader Peo-
pewlll hnd it very difficult really to believe that Sir
John would for moment favor anything disloysl, or
tending 20 the separation Of Canada from the Empire.
Mr. Smiths pronunciamentO amounts to this that while
he sees some hope Of patriotic reconstruction through
Sir John he sees none whatever through the men now
in power The thing which he desires for the countrys
good as he believes come through the loruer but
cannot at all through the latter HAD inc deeiara
ron been made month ago IL would doubt have had
great influence with large portion OF the public, and
even now IL may actually have more lhnuenoe 'hah
strong party men like 70 contemplate.