The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-25
Tho, Conflict in Quebec.

II a serious political conflict is raging In
|pAnAdA between the Hon. j. ]. G. ABBOTT.
Premier OF the Dominion and recognized
header OF the Tory party. and the Hon.
6oNoRt MERCER. lately Premier OF Quebec
Ind still the leader Of the Liberal party In
Mt province. All OF the Lieutenant-Gov-
nors. who are the nominal heads Of the
|kgoyincial or local Governments. were
|kppointed by the late Sir JOHN A. MAO
|b0HALD. All OF them are strong partisans.
|hll are expected to do the bidding Of the
|t3overument at Ottawa so long as It's chief
|le Tory All OF them bear the same rela-
}ion to the Parliaments Of their respective
provinces as the Governor-G General bears to
The Dominion Parliament, or the Queen to
ithe Imperial Parliament.
II The actual ruler In all cases Ia the Premier
|kupported by majority Of the Parliament
ID which he Is the leader. The Premiers Of
Ontario. Quebec. New Brunswick. Nova
|bectia, Prince Edward Island. and Mani
|koba are all Liberals: and OF necessity q
majority of the members Of tho provincial
|Eerliaments In all these provinces are Lib
trails. This condition Of affairs is very en-
|Earrassing to Mr.. ABBOTT. The exposure
|bf corrupt practices made during the last
Dession Of the Federal Parliament on the
pArtsof Mr.. ABBoTT's colleagues reduced
~ majority In the Commons to twenty.
change OF eleven seats would en-
ME Mr.. LAURIER. leader Of the Lib
Ieal party In the Dominion Parliament.
- carry vote Of non-confdence.
ICON after the general election In March
LIST, protests were entered In the courts
kGAinst seventy Of the successful candi-
1Ates. A large number Of these contests
AVE been adjudicated. the members un-
ssAted. and new elections ordered. A
)eEger number still will probably share the
Ame fate. II the Liberals gain eleven
<ssts. Mr.. ABBOTT will 30 driven from the
Treasury benches as soon as the Federal
Parliament convenes.
VA largo majority Of the members of the
Federal Parliament from Quebec have reg
GlArly been stanch supporters Of Sir
IONN MACDONALD. and the Tories have
|Snerally had q majority In the local Par
lament. Mr.. MKRoIER wrested the prov.
pce from Tory control. and therefore is
prdiaIly hated by the Tory leaders at Of
80 L. . strong partisan. He is ambitious
II souboT 01Cs AbbOIVb Nduluot ouu III
tlpsdy TO do his Kidding. There was no
Unconstitutional method OF removing Mr..
|lgxRcIRR so long as no had majority In
|the Parliament OF Quebec. 1t therefore be-
|cn1ne necessary to resort to unconstitution-
~ means to deposo him and secure con-
tlIol Of the election machinery Of the prov
Hoo ~ well a. OF the patronage.
Z AZ Mr.. ABBo1T's request. the Dominion
Innate. Of which no is member and leader.
~ ts last sitting preferred charges against
~, 1RRcIKR OF having tnlsused funds be-
Ringing. not to the Dominion treasury. but
Ep that OF the province OF Qaebec. The
nate condemned him, but the farce was
- transparent that even Mr.. ABBOTT did not
IRE TO advise Lieutenant Governor Anglers
~ not upon the decision OF the Senate and
|11smiss Mr.. MERuER. Mr.. MERCIER re-
|ased to recognize the assumed authority
r. the Senate and demanded Q trial by the
|1sople's representatives. This was denied.
|3hen the Lieutsnant-0 Governor. upon the
advice OF Mr.. ABBOTT. appointed a commits
|G1on of three TO try Mr.. MxacIER. One OF
- three was unable to act by reason Of
Ilness, but the other two condemned Mr..
|YrmcIRR. as they were expected to do.
|Upon their finding the Mathematician
1knor, rs directed by the Dominion Premier.
lamissed' MxRcIER and all the members OF
|Hb Cabinet. although they retained tho
sIsaodenca Of tho provincial Parliament.
lnIsVee aaie r eqptgei g taApgo.