Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-10-30
Nafrhnran Dc yumr.aL
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 80, 1873.
The Canadian Government.

II is very remarkable, and nowise credi-
table, that the average American is so pro-
foundly ignorant of the form and workings
of the government under which our Cana
dian neighbors are living. One of the strik-
ing differences between their government
and ours consists in the complete harmony
Of the legislative and executive departments,
which gives great strength and enables the
people to directly control their actions. by
the result of the recent elections, the Mac
kenzie Ministry was displaced for the adj
vent of Sir John A. Macdonald, the new
Prime Minister, and his associates, who, If
nominally appointed by the Governor Cen
eral, in reality are chosen by the Premier
and though he with them is supposed to be
merely advisers of the former, they really
govern, and are responsible to the Parlia-
ment The House of Commons only has
more power, and it can make or unmake the
Ministry itself. This being so, it follows
that there can be little or no division OF
opinion or action between the legislative or
executive part of government. A change in
part involves change in the whole, and the
policy is stamped accordingly. There is no
pulling this way and that, no throwing OF
obstacles in the way Of the Executive, but a
complete concord of action in all particulars.
In the United States, upon the contrary,
the President may remain in office for half
of his term and both Houses of Congress be
opposed to him. This is the case with
President Hayes. The probabilities are that
for the rest of the time he occupies the
Presidential chair, his action will be ham
pered in every possible way. He cannot
make an appointment without the consent
Of his political adversaries. In speaking OF
this matter in comparison with the arrange
ment in Canada, by which this opposition
ia avoided, the New York Herald says of
the latter:
1.-THE advantage of this system is that the
whole efficiency of the government can always
be exerted for good or evil and that no impeachment
arrests or blocks the popular will. The disadvan-
tayes Of the system will he apparent wherever a
miachievOuS deluslOH gains poSncoSi"h VI WV
popular mind and policy is adopted in haste to
be repeuted OF at leisure. 1t affords no time fol
the public judgment to ripen and mature. Every
transient craze Is forthwith made to assume the
dignity Of policy, although further discussion
after the first gust OF excitement has passed
might lead to the sober second thought, which
Is better guarantee Of wisdom and stability.
The same paper calls attention to the
quckness with which the legislative depart
ment in the Dominion is changed. Aftel
the election of the new House of Commons
the old one never assemblies again, and il
an extra session is called it consists OF The
new members. In the case of the new
House of Representatives chosen this fall, i
will not meet for business until December OF
1879, more than year after its election
and after popular sentiment mas expressed
desire for change of legislation. 1t is
question whether their system is not bette
than ours in this respect. Our governmen
is supposed to be founded upon the will o
the people, more entirely than that OF an,
other in existence, and yet House not sup
posed to represent present popular opinion
continues to legislate long after its condemna
ton has been pronounced by the public vote