St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-08-12
LANGEVIN RESIGNS.
The Canadian Minister Seeking
Vindication.

Vindication.
OTTAWA, Ont, Aug. 1.-THE Citizen,
government organ, says editorially
this morning: "lt is understood that
Sir Hector Langevin has rendered his
resignation as minister of public works,
considering that it was his duty to par
Lament, the government and the COM
mittee. If this is true, Sir Hector Lam
gevin is what his friends have always
thought him, chivalrOuS and high
minded, and a believer in constitutional
precedent, even to a degree wholly un-
necessary under the existing clrcum-
stances. Sir Hector has been the leader
of the French Canadian Conservatives
for many years. He has been honored
by men Of all classes, creeds and sec
tiohs, and we look for his trium phant
vindication ere the unpleasant proceed
ingS terminate"
Sir Hector Langevin's sudden deter
imitation to resign has caused big SEN
sation here. His step was completely
unexpected. 1t is said that Hon. Thomas
McGreevy would also resign. The reSig-
nation has proved to be veritable
bombsheIl in political circles. 1t was
totally unexpected at this stage of the
of conversation here.
At the meeting Of the committee on
privileges and elections to-day Sir Hec-
tor read q long paper IN defense OF him
self. He said he would preface it with
the statement that he had resigned in
Justice to his colleagues i'll parliament
ana the committee. His statement was
very voluminous. He denied emphati-
cally the truth of all the charges pre-
ferred against him and asserted his in
nOcence In the most positive manner. 1t
was absolutely untrue. he declared. that
he had ever received 0,000 from owen
Z. Murphy; likewise he had no rela-
tions whatever with Murphy. lie was
not aware that his son, La Force LaDge-
vim, had received cent. either directly
or indirectly. He contended that his
work was perfectly honorable, and that
there had been no manipulation of pub
lie contracts.
In support of each assertion he quoted
documents which he considered ire
futable proof of his innocence. with re-
gard to Mr.. PituS. who said he gave Sir
Hector $4,000 in 1887, the MINISTER said
that he had no recollection of the alleged
transaction, even if the payment was
made for election purposes, as MI. PltuS
had declared under oath. 1t must be
remembered, pointed out Sir Hector,
that this alleged occurrence took place
SixiyearS after Mr.. PituS had ceased to
perform work for the public works oe-
partment. Sir Hector reviewed all the
evidence ir4a most comprehensive man
ner. He detied that he had ever protted
by any con.gaets, and said that he never
had private dealings with Larkln, Con
molly. q Co., contractors, or anybody
oil nciS nF1f wit nnSItIOn q q
minister of the crown.
AT the meeting of the committee on
accounts to-day it was shown, i'll the
examination of witnesses from the
printing bureau, that S10.74 worth OF
paper had been got in November, 1890,
from the New England Paper Company,
which had been ordered by Hon. j. A.
Chapleau. and that the account was
certified by him. Mr.. Chapleau said
that if Mr.. Lister intended to prove cog
niZance on his part of wrong doing in
connection with this paper order and the
La Presse matter. he hoped he would do
it through the house and not through
the committee. He was prepared at
any time TO face the charge.
At the beginning of the present ses-
sion of parliament Mr.. Tarle, editor of
the French-Canadian paper, LIE Cana
uleli. charged IN the mouse OIL cOullnQns
that Hon. Thomas McGreevy, member
for Quebec west, had sold his influence
with Sir Hector Langevin. minister Of
public works, for the purpose of obtain
ing large Contracts on the craving dock
at Quebec, also at Esquimault, B. c.,
for the firm Of Larklp, Connolly &
Co., of Which firm McGreevy's bro
ther Robert was member. The matter
was referred 70 the COMMITTEES on Driyi-
leges and elections which has been, tax