The Portland daily press., 1880-12-29
THE HALIFAX COMMISSION.
Prof. Kinds Accusations Of Fraud and
classification in the Dominion Statistics.

Prof. Kinds Accusations Of Fraud and
classification in the Dominion Statistics.
HALIFAX, Dec. 2S.-Prof. Kinds has written
letter to Sir John Macdonald in reply to the
latter's speech in which he charged Prof.
Kinds with attempting to levy blackmail in
connection with his publications affecting the
integrity of the statistics presented by the DO
minion to the Halifax commission. MacDon-
AIDS speech also contained reflections upon
Prof. Kinds character. Prof. Kinds letter is
as follows:
To Right Hon. Sir John A. Macdonald,
Premier:
"Sir-The Geographic report of your speech
in the House on the 21st imputes to me q dis
reputable attempt to levy blackmail in rela-
statistics and fish trade, the statistics presented
to the Halifax commission in 1877, and GER
tain forgeries in trade and navigation returns
of the Dominion, together with use of these
forgeries and false statistics for State purposes
You are also reported to refer to my characte.
in terms which demand IN instant reply, more
especially because you defame an absent man
and far distant from the scene of your unmanly
aspersions You are aware THAT I have per-
sistently and most earnestly sought open in
quiry into the whole matter since the summer
Of 1877; also that such inquiry has been inva
riably shunned-hence may leave the ques-
ton of blackmail for future consideration
Meanwhile, since you dishonorably refer to:
my character, where / had no opportunity of
reply, will you permit me to ask you two or
three questions, which otherwise I would
gladly have avoided? First-What relation
did the government over which you presided
in 1873 bear to the subioined official statement
in relation to the British case which is record
ed on page "a of the commissioner of fisheries
report for 1873? The case and its supports had
been arranged by the undersigned in accord
with the official Instructions and were SUBJ
mitted for the information of the present gov
eminent (the Hon. Mr.. MacKenZie's). Second
The fish trade tables in secret appendix re-
ferred in my letters to the governor general of
the 18th and 18th of December, $780, cover
ing period Of 26 years. Were these fish trade
tables from 1851 to 1870 used by you during
your prolonged stay in Washington when ne
gotiating the fishery clauses of the Treaty of
Washington? II you cannot answer both of
these questions without self-condemnation,
what fearful motive you must have 70, balk
ing inquiry.
Apart from the fact that you know that my
allegations are true, and that you are afraid to
have an open and impartial parliamentary in
vestigation and to put me in the witness box
in fair and open court, allow me further to ask
does this false cry OF blackmail shelter you
from the responsibility of thorough and pub
lie investigation into the extent and ramifica-
tions of the grossest corruption among subor-
dinates in several departmental offices of gov
ernment-to wit, in the forgery and falsifica-
ton of the fishery statistics, in presentation of
the forged statistics to judicial tribunal upon
oath--in reproducing these forged statistics
once again in 1880 under your own eye and for
Especial purpose? These are facts which
shake the honor and credit of the country un-
til atoned for-facts which cannot be refuted,
which are vastly injurious to the maritime
provinces, and which if passed over, mock at
all honor in the government land all faith in
law. Will you now afford me at once fair
and open opportunity for proving my state
ments before a parliamentary committee,
where you can dissect my character and ex-
anime my motives to any extent you choose?
The first consequence of your unmanly words
is the immediate publication of my letters to
the goyernor-general and public announce
ment of the existence of the secret appendix,
with all its weight of shame. 1 hold you re-
sponsible for the nerveless character Of Capt
Kidd's reply. His Excellency we all know is
man of honor. I shall come early in Janua-
ry to Ottawa and invite manly criticism to
measure your case of blackmail with the rivers
of black dishonor and crime my papers and
printed documents reveal.
have the honor ito be your obeeient ser
want, HENRY YoULE HIND
Compiler of the Analytical Index to the Doc
uments of the Halifax Commission.
Windsor, N. S., Dec. %, 1880.