New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-11-22
CANADA AND EXTRACTION.
THE WELDON BILL PRACTICALLY AYNULLED-
COMMERCIAL UNION.

COMMERCIAL UNION.
70 the Edttor Of The T,tbuue
Sir: The shrewd, cunning, crafty politician who
for the greater part of thrtyfve years has directed
and controlled the legislation OF Canada recognized
the fact that the Weldon Extradton Act as at first
proposed involved the exercise Of greater powers than
the Imperial Government had ever delegated to any
Of its dependencies, and also very impolitic
measure in the disturbed condition of the public
mind which at the time obtained in Canada The bill
introduced by Of Sir John A. McDonad's
ardent supporters bent upon immortazlng himself
the author OF an Act of Parliament There was
strong pressure from the business mon of Montreal
and other cities for measure to rid tho country
OF body OF fugitive criminals who lived in luxury and
dleness The? presence had dcm0ralzlng infu-
young men I'm positions Of trust. The Jesuit
bill had been passed by the Provincial Parliament OF
Quebec. and Sir John had refused to advise Lord
stanley, the GovernorG encral, TO disaow it, The
Protestant population in all the provinces was ex
cited ard irritated by his refusal Many Of his sup
portcrs were in open revolt; public meetings were
held throughout the country 10 protest against his
action II inopportuno moment to inform the
people OF Canada that their Parliament had no power
TO pass law to free themselves from offensive
criminals who had come from their nearest neghbor
sir John yielded 10 public opinion IN Canada SO far
as to permit the act to be introduced by his friend
and then began at 10 amend It a H. prevent
II
bill should receive the approval Of Parliament
The act. as at first proposed. contained a clause
making il retroactive IN its eIect Sir John secured
the elimination OF this feature upon the ground that
il was unconstitutional. He also secured the addition
Of tho fourth clause Of the act which states that It's
provisions shall not come into force with respcc,
10 fugitive Offenders from any foreign until the
Governor Generals proclamation has been ISSUED de
claring the act 10 be in force and effect regards
A. TN
comparatively harmless pastime for the Canadian Par
lament and was permitted 10 pass by the willy
Premier
Beyond all question the Governor eneral
has been instructed by the Imperial Government not
10 Issue his proclamation Literally the Weldon act
has not been formally dsalowcd but practically II
has been. The legislation Of Canada has been null
lihed by Great Britain In the way intended by
sir John when he amended the bill. When It was
so reported, believe first by The Tribune. Sir John
felt obliged to deny It through one of his personal
organs. Tho EMPIRE Of Toronto Tho denial was
ade to sOothe the public mind I'm Canada and an eX-
cuse was given for delay In issuing tho Governor
Generals proclamation. Those who arc familiar with
seml-0hlcal utterances by Government organs I'm
Canada for the greater part Of tn, last tblrty.fve
years arc painfully aware that they cannot ALWAYS
he depended upon. II is highly Improbable that u
Lord salisbury and Mr. Blaine were negottatine n,
cxtadition treaty and were not opposed 20 make r.
known I'm their respective countries they would
publish IL In the political organ OF the Canadian
Premier
sr John hopes that before no Is compelled to NEE,
Parliament next winter action Will have heen
taken by the Imperial Government which viii re
move all excuse for legislation on the part of CanaiS
Meantime Ire wiz have met tho wishes Of his sun
porters, yielded 10 public opinion In anada and AT
Imperial Government and that of Gambia His parry
has been safely guided through serious political crisis
His action from first Ia last in regard this measure
Is a complete Endorsement OF the position 40 ably
taken by The Tribune in an editorial entitled Veto
OF the Weldon Act,' under date OF October 20.
IN commenting upon my letter 10 The Tribune OF
october ~ u Commercial union, The Montreal