New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-19
"SIR JOHN"
THE CANADIAN STATESMAN AT THREE.
SCORE AND FIFTEEN

TR
Ottawa. Jan. l6.--At seventy five years oil age 'ho
average hard working man may be pardoned Tor thR-
ing of taking a rest The number of eminent puo"c
men who have passed that age in active service ouis
the present century is very small. But l!e sidnu
old man" of Canada as some try TO have mm syieu'
has signazed his seventy anniversary by ASSUME
ing a host of and arduous duties. In ahdluoh
TO the labors Of the Premiership. which in his HANDS
has always practical supervision and controi
of all departments Of the Government, he has no"
taken charge Of the portfolio Of the Ministry OF ha-
roads, at time of unparalleled activity in railway
enterprise. This will of course entail upon nm
vast labor he enters the task as cheer
fully and buoyantly as thought he were young man
with "a record to make, instead OF veteran with
completed history of usefulness such as few OF MS
contemporaries in any country can equal
There are. has been said, few who try tn
saddle him with the Of grand old man. BuS
this title will never become popular. lie has too
few points of resemblance to Mr.. Gladstone Rather
is he like Disrael likeness which has always been
much remarked and which is steadily intensified by
increasing age His face is almost counterpart OK
Dizzy's-: he has the same love and facility OK
keeping his own counsel until his plans are iuliS
ready for publication he has the same knacK OK
being all things all men; and above all things nc
has Disraelrs wonderful gift Of tact in party manage
mcnt-a gift denied by nature TO Mr. Gladstone In
early days he known as Mr. Macdonald. Later
having risen to greater eminence, he was universally
called John A. Since the honor of knlghthood was
bestowed upon him he has been known simply as
. Sir John and Sir John he will always be.
The popularity of the Premier arises largely from
the manner in which he Identifies himself with the
Interests of every class Of the people. 1t is not on
record that he has recently umpired baseball game,
but doubtless he would do were he asked lie mas
however. in his seventy fifth year "inaugurated'
new tobOggan slide by himself taking the first nde
down the dizzy slope. On sunday he goes with Lady
mt o mot At all
Sometimes on a Sunday morning you may see him az
st. Adams an ultra high7 EpiscOpalan church, and
in the evening of the same day he will be found IN
a front pew at Methodist revival lie has pew,
which he often occupies, al PRESBYTERIAN church.
lie nfrequeny attends the services and social
gatherings Of the Baptsts. There IS no one reader
than he to make a speech a sunday schOol picnic, or
10 lend his patronage a fair festival. In civic
affairs also he has keen appreciation Of his duties
He always takes pains to vote in even the most
petty election, and sets a laudable example TO his
fellowcitizens in his close attention TO every detail
Of the public welfare.
But it is not in such matters alone that Sir John
commands popular regard. He has really done vast
amount work for the public good. The record Of his
administrative and legislative achievements includes
such items the sccuarzaton Of the clergy reserves
tie nmOdclnc Of the criminal laws the promotion OK
public instruction; the consolidation OF the statutes
the extension Of the municipal system: the reorgani-
zauon # the militia; the settlement Of the seat OK
government question the establishment Of direct steam
mail communication with Europe; the organization OF
the Civil service on permanent basis; tile construc-
ton Of the IntercolOnal Railway the enlargement OK
the canals: enactment Of stringent election law;
the confederation Of the British North American
provinces and, lastly the construction of the Canadian
Pacific Railway This. would say, Is glory enough
for one man. But, as Minister Of Railways, sir John
Will probably in the next few wears extend and elaoo-
rate the transportation system Of the Dominion TO
degree scarce dreamed OF as yet.
There are. Of those who consider his present
activity to be inspired by Interior motives. lie has.
they say eye 70 carrying lie next general
election at whatever cost lie approprates huge
sum for docks at st. John That means the strengthen
ing Of his party in New brunswick and the defeat
OF dangerous opposition leader lie gives millions
for building railroads IN Cape Breton Island. That
means the saving 81 three more seats for
Johns party. And 30 all over Canada the aStute
old politician means carry the election, If he has
10 mortgage the Dominion 10 DO II. There may DO
good deal OF truth IN this. Doubtless sir John suu
IA, eve u practical politics and does not propose,
az his time Of Hte to be tracked if he can help
it. But for all that, his patronage Is directed
toward the development Of Canadian industries and
the general Strengthening and naturalization OF the
Dominion Moreover, no suspicion Of personal iobbcry
has ever attached itself 70 him. After all his pubic
,ervices and his innumerabe opportunities for self
seeking, he is today almost poor man
sir JOhh, personal appearance i liullh ~ wy
dwcller at the Canadian capital. He Is tribe above
medium height, slender and closely shaver. HIS
thin face is a trnc pale and sallow, and his pron4-
nett nose has slightly oriental mould. His eyes
and hair are dark and curl Of the latter hangs
,,u down The middle Of his forehead. lie walks with
l.ht LIMP. Ills life az Earn,cllhe j. somewhat
after this fashion s0mew here between ana - N
tH, morning he rises and cot, "a nrht breakfast lhel
c GOES u the Railway Department Office and attends
=, tbo DAYS business And uc does attend 10 IL.
\, Minister wa ever more d.l-cnt anc painstahlns.
ue +, at hi, desk. until called away for CABINET
trun.il until the middle of The afternoon, when ne
drive, homo. Dinner occurs at 8 o'clock, ana tleh
Do. -.ftle, down with q book or newspaper tlr tic
evening. ~ II he s'c, 20 bed ana genei, od
-. ere rt.idr. fIr aI hour before falling asleep.
In conversation bee j. most entertaining. rs pun
liz speaker DE is convincing and iorclble, thoush he
makes no attempt az elaborate oratory lie Is hou
ant 10 talk much Of hi, early life. but occasonaN u
"a close friend ne viii chat 10y the hour OF the od
fa,. beginning with when he came hitler rom NJ
rative GLASGOW seventy wears ago, ana rWeluS WIZ
pleasure upon the prediction made by Montreal heMs
rqner i'm i-3p commenting on ms mast 'IN uoi ntt
~ General Won schultz. who was tFlesi iyr ~
,rcas,n. The leading counsel for the deiehce' .h
'ai will he ere long. recognized as one Oh ulo
crst men - the country And fr now many :, ,ha
hc has indeed been recognized as the rst mdh vi '0
Dominion.