The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-01
History Of the Rise and Fall
Of the Jolly Cabinet.
INDIGNANT CANADIANS.
Supplies Withheld by the legislative Council
and Employees Remain Unpaid.
THE NEW GOVERNMENT.

majority OF SIX was not wholly unexpected. 1t Is
tho closing scene in the great constitutional struggle
which has convulsed the Province OF Quebec for the
past eighteen months. and every ono breathes more
freely now that the excitement and suspense
over. Mr.. Jolly assumed Office under circumstances
which rendered his tenure of power precarious from
the very outset. There had been general election
in the Province two years before. resulting in
sweeping victory for his opponents. who controlled
both branches of the Legislature Shortly before the
general election for the Dominion Parliament in
1878. while Mr.. Mackenzie's government still held
the treasury benches at Ottawa. the Lieutenant
Governor Of Quebec died. and the Dominion Premier
filled the vacancy by appointing one Of his own
colleagues. Hon. Luc Letellier de st. just.
to the Office. The new Lieutenant Governor had
been old and bitter opponent of the de Boucher
vile government. which held oice in Quebec at the
time. but nobody supposed that he would avail him
self Of the prerogative which his position conferred
upon him to undermine and overthrow his const-
tutional advisers. The general election for the
Dominion, however. was near at hand. If there
province which was more hostile to Mr.. Mac
kenzie's government than another it was Quebec,
ana Mr.. Letelier felt that there was but one way to
redeem it from the conservative party-to exercise
his prerogative representative Of the sovereign
and dismiss the conservative government from
office. 1t was desperate expedient-one without
precedent in the present century-and in resorting
to it. Mr.. Leteier staked not only the fortunes Of
his own party. but also his personal reputation
upon the result. Without warning. and upon
Aimsy excuse which deceived no one
to the nature of his designs he dismissed his
servative advisers. strong though they were in the
confidence of the Legislature in both Of its branches
The leader Of the opposition. Mr.. Jolly. called
upon to form Cabinet which he did, selecting its
members from the minority exclusively. Then fol-
lowed dissolution Of the House of Assembly and
appeal to the people. The coup detat WAS almost
a success. Mr.. Jolys government returned from
the polls greatly strengthened and lacking but one
vote Of majority in the elective branch Of the Leg
islature. The returns stood-for tho government,
81 independent /; against the government. 33-giv.
ing the opposition a majority in the full house. IL
the independent member should as he subsequently,
did. support the Ministry. The Legislature
vened without delay. and. up to hoUf before the
. minority.
MR. JoLY's TACTICS.
But before vote could be reached MIR. Arthur
Turcotte, representative who had been elected to
oppose the administration, accepted their nomna-
ton for the Speakershp and was by his own casting
divided leaving the Speaker the sole arbiter between
the two hostile parties. But this feature OF the diff
fculty did not disconcert Mr.. Jolly for moment.
and he proceeded with the work Of the session. rely
ing upon the provcrbial zeal Of the renegade for
safe and unwaverng majority. The result justified
his confidence. The opposition opposed every
measure at every stage and moved numberless
lutions Of want Of confidence but the Miniseralists
met them with unbroken front and the Speakers
vote was invariably with them Once and once
only. was the government defeated When
the opposition leader moved resolution
declaring Mr.. Leteller's dismissal Of his late ad-
an unconstitutional act. the independent
member retired from the Chamber and the resolu-
ton adopted by majority Of one the Speaker
having po wer, under the rcumstances, to give
that sensitiveness which led Gladstone to dissolve
the British Parliament when he found his majority
dwindling away. and the Quebec Premier continued
to hold office by the grace and assistance of his
Speaker. In the Legislative Council, where the
servatives were In very large majority resolutions
were passed condemnatory Of the government. but
they voted the supplies and so long as they were
willing to let the purse strings alone Mr..
Jolly only laughed at their censuro. During
the year that followed the general election for
the Dominion House Of Commons was held. and the
conservative party we're triumphant In no prov
where this very Letellier question the most
prominent issue in the contest. When, therefore.
the newly elected Dominion Parliament met ut OF
tlws. the Quebec members who supported the fed
ersl government demanded the dismissal of Lieu
tenant Governor Letellier. 1t was difficult matter.
however, to comply with their request, and the
whole question. after much delay. was submitted to
the British government for their consideration. The
home authorities very wisely refrained from
pressing opinion beyond returning the matter to
Canada and suggesting to the Governor General that
advice WAS to dismiss Letellier and he was accord
ingy dismissed, and conservative. former col
league of Sir John Macdonald in his frst govern
ment, was appointed in his stead.
ErPKcr LETELLIER's DISMISSAL.
Though the new Lieutenant Governor has filled
won for him the culogies of his opponents. the
power OF the Jolly government was broken from the
hour that Letollier was dismissed They DELAYED
the meeting of Parliament to the last day that tho
constitution permitted and In the recess. by the
exerciseof the patronage at their disposal and un-
firing energy, succeeded in wrestling two constitu
ences their opponents in isolated elections in
the Eastern townships That gave them majority
OF three In the Legislative Assembly. and they
ried their iu that body despite the furious
opposition OF their opponents. In the Legislative
Council. however. they met the stumbneblock
htnh has fhnir fall rom
The Upper House refused to vote the sup
plies. and without supplies the government
could not continue to administer tho affairs OF the
province. Mr.. Jolly coaxed and threatened by turns
the venerable obstructives. but without avail They
woId listen TO mo.nng gu, sx tho 10 iGrm ~er
House and appeal to the people, but such proposals
Mr.. Jolly declined to make. Thinking that the Leg
islatve Council would change their minds II given
time for reflection and to learn that they were not
regarded by the country as an Indispensable body,
Mr. Jolly adjourned the House until the 2sth Of Oc-
tobcr. This fatal blunder. The people re-
garded IL evidence OF cowardice. The salaries
OF public officials could not be paid until the sup
public works could not be carried
There was murmurlng. and discomfort among
the wheels Of government. All attempts
of Mr.. Jolly and his party to throw the blanc upon
the Legislative Council were fru!tless. The people
had been too we'll trained to hold tho government
responsible tor the administration of public affairs
to visit their wrath upon an irresponsible body.
Mr.. Jolly proclaimed crusade against the Legisla.
tive Council and organized series of meetings. at
which he and has colleagues declared their ncn'ion
of cconomzing the public expenditure by abolish
ing the Upper House altogether
NO CONFIDENCE THE PREMIER.
But his speeches failed to satisfy the hungry
crowd whose livelihood had been interercd with by
the stoppago OF the supplies. and some OF his follow
ers. whose constituencies were doubtful. began to
desert him till. when tho Legislature met last Tues
day. he found his government IN minority in both
houses. The opposition opened hre At once
by moving resolution of want OF con-
hdence. The debate which cnsuod was protracted
by the government until last night in the hope that
they might win back some of the desorers before u
vote taken. Thor efforts were unavaiing. and
they length allowed tho debate to be brought to
close The members called in. the galleries
filled with crowd who awaited the result of the |
division with brcathless anxiety. The yeas were |
asked to rsc and their names were called hun |
dreds Of pencils recorded their votes. Before the |
nays called for tho result was known. There |
was full house. and the majority against the gov
eminent six. When the result was officially |
announced there rustic in the galleries and q
hum of conversation everywhere. immediately /
aitcrward the House adjourned 1t is believed that
Mr.. Jolly, before rendering his resignation, adj !
Wis s1 IiCutenan dissolve House