New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-21
TIE CANADIAN SCANDALS.

II would seem to be impossible that Gov
eminent inherently so weak as is the present
Tory coalition at Ottawa could long survive the
shocking revelations Of corruption and malad-
ministration which have been developed by the
Tarte inquiry The investigation began with
an attack upon Sir Hector Langevn, the Min
lister of Public Works. who was accused OF
pcrsonaly profting by the distribution of con-
tracts and Of employing his official position 70
obtain political contributions from favored con-
tractors Among the many causes which led
to Sir John MacdOnald's fatal Illness the ap-
prehenson excited by this investigation may
he mentioned as one of the most effectual. How
far the latter part of the charge against Sir
Hector was true no man knew better than Sir
John It has been completely proved, and has
placed the Minister and of course his party as
we'll in an exceedingly unpleasant light. That
the Tories have always been chiefly sustained
in their campaigns by contributions levied on
the manufacturers has been generally under
stood Perhaps as generally it has been under
stood that a regular official bureau existed for
the assignment and collection Of these funds,
but the bringing of this charge homo was
scarcely hoped for when the Tarte inveStiga-
ton began. That, as well as many other proofs
of vretchedly corrupt administration, has been
a development.
Evidence of Sir Hector's personal corruption
has appeared but it has come from persons who
are themselves so badly TINTED as TO throw
doubt upon all they say. Still the most OF
their testimony. and that which bears chiefly
upon Tory corruption, has received corObOra-
ton from other sources. 1t is proved that en-
gineers engaged in the public service have ac-
copied brides for altering specifications in tho
interest Of contractors 1t is proved that many
clerks in the departments have drawn two,
three and even four salaries under fictitious
names. One scamp, in particular obtained a
salary for himself, and another for his wife, an
other in his wife'S maiden name, and still a
fourth in the name of person who had abso-
lutely no existence This sort of business had
become a regular system under which the score
of persons engaged in it certified for one an
other as to the correctness of their accounts, and
the identity of the false names employed.
There can he no doubt that party discipline
in the Tory party in Parliament is much af-
fected by these disclosures That party it is
trle. is not especially sensitive about such
things The policies it is organized 70 pursue
are themselves nor easily distinguished from
schemes of public plnnder, and its members are
bound together, not by great principles that they
conscientiously believe and wish to further from
motives of elevated patriotism, but by designs
upon the public treasury, in support of which
each individual and each faction is bound in
seF-intelest to stand with all the rest. But
public sentiment, even in these circumstances
nrofoundly excited by the disgusting scandals
has disturbed tho Ministry, and greatly lessened
their hold upon their followers. Already many
signs appear of the dsintegration of Mr. Abb
botts's small and feeble majority 1t is likely
that resolution of want Of confidence would