National Republican., 1883-05-07
ACCUSED OF PERJURY.
Excitement in Canada Over the Charges
Against Sir John A. Macdonald.

Excitement In Canada Over the Charges
Against Sir John A. Macdonald.
OTTAWA, May 6.--The excitement in Cana
dian political circles, caused by the charge Of
perjury made against the premier, the Rt.
Hon. Sir. John macdonald, has not in the
least abatod since the legal papers were issued
against him, and further developments are
eagerly awaited The case had its origin in
the general election campaign Of 1878. Sir
John, few months previous to that campaign,
induced Gen. Butt Hewson TO take the editor
ship of the Irish Canadian of Toronto, q strong
conservative organ, having much weight with
the Irish inhabitants. The PREMIER it isaver-
red made proposals Of remuneration TO the
general, and was not ultimately as good as his
word. Gen. Hewson, having made numerous
futile demands upon tho premier, finally sued
him, basing the action upon the promises Sir
John had made.
The plaintiff in his sworn charges alleged
that Sir John promised to procure him an
office and to pay him salary of $4,000 per
annum That this promise was made person.
ally to the plaintiff; that he had letters In his
possession to prove that these declarations are
true; that Sir John also asked the Hon. G..
w. Howlan TO take steps in the matter that
the plaintiff was promised 81 900 on account,
and that Sir John had several conversations
with Mr.. Donovan as to plaintiffs salary.
Sir John, in return, made affidavit on the
twonty-frst of March, 1882, as follows;
That never promised tho plaintiff or any one
or get for him salary of any amount that when
over the suggestion or proposition was innue
during the last three ycnrs OIL the behalf OF the
plaintiff that no should get an office OF
appointment, always rejected the proposition
or suggestion; that 1 never agreed to any sub
mission 70 or Intervention in this cause by the
Hon. q. w. Howlan, nor did agree with him OF
there was no promise that tho party should pay
him (the PLAINTIFF salary, according to my reool-
lection. My statement was general one, that IL
case the conservative party triumphsd Gen; hew,
son had n claim on the party which ought TO be
aud would be recognized.
Gen. Hewson In his sworn statement sets
forth that the conversation referred TO in the
last recitod words went into contract to pay
the plaintiff 5000 per annum If the oonserv
alive party triumphed that tho plaintiff Il
ready to produce letters in proof Of the fac
that the contract had been admitted by Sil
John but six or seven weeks before the datC
of his above recited denial of 1t, and that, IL
making that denial, as well as the others, Sil
John represented material facts of the caust
falsely, and committed what the plaintiff wa:
advised and believed to be willful and corrup
perjury.
When Sir John and Lady Macdonald wen
to Toronto, on the twenty ultimo, I,
attend the wedding Of their son, Mr.. Hugl
Macdonald, barrister, of Winnepeg, to Mis-
Van Koughnet, Gen. Hewson thought tn,
occasion fitting one to have Sir John sum
moned for perjury. Shortly after the wed
ding the premier was served with the sum
mons. He treated it with contempt ant
returned to Ottawa. Until after tho session
no further steps will be taken.