Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1888-05-18
CANADIAN POLITICS
Tine Atms, Principles ana Leaders Of the
Dominion's Two Great Parties.

4
the Aims, Principles ana Leader. Of the
Dominion's Two Great Parties.
Canada is British possession. but
yet it 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 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. al 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 nomin ated 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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. sent over by En-
gland, has the nominal right to veto
! bills. The CHRONOLOGICAL, 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-
lions 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,
| rs they are sometimes called, the RE
| formers"
For many years the Conservative
party in Canada has been in the as
I cendant. and the general elections,
| which took place last February, re-
turned new Parliament. with a de-
eided Conservative majority. At the
head Of the party is the present Prime
! Minister. Sir John Macdonald. who has
been for quarter Of century the
most prominent. popular and powerful
Canadian statesman. The leader OF
the Liberals is Mr.. Edward Blake.
The main issue between the two Can
adian parties has long been the tariff.
The Conservatives have advocated. and
have imposed, high protective duties
| upon articles that compete with the
products of Canadian industry This
policy has proved very popular in Can
ada, and has been the chief strength of
the ruling party. The Liberals have
hitherto favored a lower tariff; but in
the election of February declared that,
If they came into power, they would
not disturb the tariff as established by
their opponents.
The next most important difference
between the two parties has been in
regard to the railroad policy, tor in the
building of the great Canadian lines
the largest part of the debt of the Do
minion was incurred. The parties diff
fer also in detail. but not in principle,
on the fishery question.
There is no doubt that in some of the
provinces of Canada there is desire,
more or less strong. that the Dominion
should sunder altogether the tie with
Great Britain. and be annexed to the
United States. Those who favor this
belong. almost exclusively. to the ex-
IRENE wing of the Liberals. The Con-
servatives are firmly set upon main
tanning the connection with the old
country.
In twenty years. the debt of Canada
has increased from ninety-three million
dollars to nearly three times that sum;
and is larger, compared to the popula-
ton. than was that of the United States,
at its highest point. at the close of the
civil war.
Perhaps outside observers see more
causes of disintegration in the Domin-
ion than Canadians themselves can dis
Germ. 1t is more than possible that the
union may last in spite of burdensome
and growing debt, the jealousies be-
tween citizens Of English and those OF
French descent. and other difficulties
that might be mentioned. On the other
hand. it may flv into pieces; or it may
gain strength and unity by becoming
wholly independents; or. in the course
of years. Canada may think it's surest
way to prosperity to be a union with
this country Youths Companion.
Roman Catholic Missions.