Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-03-16
CANADIAN POLITICS.
The Aims, Principles and Leaders OF
DominIon's Two Great PartlHs1s II


Domin'ohS -I Two rps Possession. but
vel IA Possesses almost complete politi-
cal independence. The tie between
Canada and the mother country mainly
appears in the fact that Canada is pre-
sided over by a Governor-General, who
is appointed by the home Government,
and who represents the Queen in the
Dominion. The Canadian Government
Is formed on the model of that of En-
gland. 1t has its Parliament, compris-
ing an upper and lower House, and its
ministry, at the head of which is the
Prime Minister which is dependent on
the support of Parliament for its power
and existence.
The upper house, or Senate, consists
of members nominated for life by the
Governor General, but in reality by the
government of the day. The lower
house, or House Of Commons, is chosen
by the people, the right of suffrage,
however. being restricted by property
qualification. The Canadian Parliament
has the full right to make all laws for
the Dominion, and practically has COM
plete control of the government, while
the Governor-General, sent over by En-
gland, has the nominal right TO veto
bills. The Governor-General, however,
never does veto bills on his own judg-
ment. If in doubt, he sends copy Of
the proposed law to the Colonial De-
partment in London, and the bill is oc-
casionally, though very rarely, disal-
lowed
, Of course, the Canadian foreign rela'
tons are under the undivided authority
of the British Government
There are two great political parties
in Canada, corresponding in name, and
in some respects in principles, to the
two great English parties. They are
, the Conservatives and the Liberals, or
! as they are sometimes called, the IRE
! formers"
For many years the Conservative
Q party in Canada has been in the as
f cendant, and the general elections
n which took place last February, re
# turned new Parliament, with a de
= cided Conservative majority. At tn
G head of the party is the present Prim
j. Minister, Sir John Macdonald, who ba
It been for quarter of century thu
e most prominent, popular and powerful
l. Canadian statesman. The leader o
It the Liberals is Mr.. Edward Blake.
u The main issue between the two Can
= adian parties has long been the tariff
Il The Conservatives have advocated, an
"a have imposed, high protective dutie
If upon articles that compete with tn
Ie products of Canadian industry. Thi
policy has proved very popular in Can
ada, and has been the chief strength Q
the ruling party. The Liberals hav
hitherto favored a lower tariff; but i
70 the election of February declared thai
70 il they came into power, they woul
rs not disturb the tariff as established b
IT their opponents.
ID The next most important differenc
lr between the two parties has been |
+ regard to the railroad policy, for in I'll
ht building of the great Canadian line
s. the largest part of the debt of the Do
so minion was incurred. The parties di
80 fer also in detail, but not in principle
y ~ on the fishery question. r..
ne There is no doubt that in some Of Il
H. provinces of Canada there is desir
r. more or less strong, that the Dominic
i. should sunder altogether the tie vii
Great Britain, and be annexed to Il
United States. Those who favor tn
, belong, almost exclusively, to the e
10 IRENE wing of the Liberals. The Co
v. servatiyes are firmly set upon mai
W. tanning the connection with the o
,s, country.
10 In twenty years, the debt of Canat
re, has increased from ninety-three milliC
8: dollars to nearly three times that SUI
W and is larger, compared to the popul
20, ton, than was that Of the United State
VI at its highest point, at the close of d
%, civil war.
of Perhaps outside observers sec mo
a causes of disintegration in the Domi
IT. ion than Canadians themselves can di
Germ. 1t is more than possible that Il
union may last in spite of burdenson
and growing debt, the jealousies b
tween citizens of English and those
or French descent, and other difficult
s ed that mightbo mentioned. On the 9th
IN hand. it may Nv into pieces; or 1t ms
es gain strength and unity by becomir
ed wholly independent; or. in tho conr
ey of years, Canada may think its suri
*. way to prosperity to be union wi
" this country. - YoMth's Companion.