Morning journal and courier., 1891-06-01
htNS BI ItLt6RlPh.
 From All Quarters. STILL AT DEATHS DOOR. The Condition of Canada's
 Premier Unchanged. TWO SERIOUS RAILROAD ACCIDENTS. Grand Army Men Attacked
 by Kentucky Roughs. FIRE AND EXPLOSION IN CHICAGO. Loss of the British Steamer
 HOlme Eden.
FIRE AND EXPLOSION IN CHICAGO.
SIR JOHN MACDONALD.

Hanging by . Slender Thread-His Wonderful Vitality-Touching Ref erences to the Dying Premier Made in the Catholic and Protestant Churches.
 OTTAWA, May 31.-The following bull letin of Sir John McDonalds condition was given out by his physician at noon to-day: At our consultation at il o'clock this morning we find the premier's heart action and respiration as satisfactory as can be expected under the circumstances. His physical strength remains as it was last evening and we are of the opinion his symptoms indicate that the brain lesion re- mains unaltered. Notwithstanding the severity of the attack he still exhibits won derful vitality.
 Sir Johns condition is practically un- changed since last evening, except that his vital powers seem to be gradually weak ening. Touching referenc es to the dying premier were made in all the church. both Catholic and Protestant, this morning.
 At St. Patrick's Rev. Father Whelan said "At this moment great figure in nearly fifty years, has been intimately connected with public life in Canada, and who for nearly all that period had guided her destinies was lying at the point of death Universal sympathy would be ex- tended even his bitte-est political enemy would not deny him sympathy, nor refuse to offer prayers for his recovery"
 Hon. David Mills, M. F., prominent liberal and an authority on constitutional law, gives it as his opinion that in the event of Sir John's death the cabinet .o4o ,0H &0 c,I appeal to the people before accepting office under new chief He said the law was still in force that allows a minister to re- sume office within thirty days after his resignation without reelection.
 Sir Johns life now hangs on Q slender thread. He is fighting with his character istic tenacity against death, but with vital ity slowly ebbing away the unequal strug- gle cannot be much longer maintained. Since Friday afternoon, though deprived of the power of speech, he has maintained the cheerfulness for which he is so noted in health. Though still conscious he real izes that his doom is approaching and he seems prepared for the final call With his left arm, which is still serviceable, he makes known his desires. He passed the night quietly and enjoyed periods of rest. Whenever Lady Macdonald en- ters the sick room his face, which assumed an ashen hue, lights up. Nothing can describe the attachment he entertains for tho talented woman, who, for many years, has been the wife of Canada's great est statesman. On large sized brass bed stead he lays with his head slightly propped up. The windows of the sick room, which look out from the second story on a we'll kept lawn, are flung wide open. The heat is oppressive and only slight coverlet hides tho form of the dying man. In the ante-roon is 6 large table on which hun dreds of cablegrams, and dispatches from England, Canada and the United States are being momentarily deposited. The secretaries are busy engaged dictating re- plies to assistants.
 Queen Victoria. Lord Salisbury, Lord Lorne, Lord Lansdowne, viceroy of India, and scores of distinguished people have sent cablegrams of inquiry, coupled with regret at the premier's condition. A crisis in political circles is imminent. The cabinet sat SIX hours yesterday, but as if by arrangement the lips of all the minis ters are sealed as to what was done at the meeting. Sir Hector Langevin, as senior privy councillor, will in event of Sir Johns demise be summoned by the gover- nor general to assume charge of public affairs. Butt view of the fact that grave charges of malfeasance in office are at present hanging over the head of the | minister of public works, he will naturally decline, leaving the question of leadership between Sir John Thompson and Sir | Charles Tupper, the Canadian high com missioner in England.
 The government has already held an in- 1 formal conference with the minister of | justice, but the indications are that large wing of the conservative party will insist | upon the election of Sir Charles Tupper as the next premier, Sir John L. Thompson being Roman Catholic. A caucus of the party will be held at an early date and to- morrow parliament will be asked to ad- iourn probably for three weeks.
 The general feeling is to the effect that Sir Charles Tupper's antagonism to the Grand Trunk railroad will prove serious | obstacle to his successful administration of affairs.
 | OTTAWA, May 31.-The physicians at. tending Sir John A. Macdonald here held | a consultation at Earnescliffe at II o'clock l and at it's conclusion issued this bulletin
 "The premier has passed quiet day and l we find no marked alteration in his per, | sonal symptoms, He retains conscious
 ness much as in the first two days, and if
 free from suffering"
 The queen cabled Sir John Macdonald
 last night expressing her regret at his ill
 ness and expressing her desire to be con
 stantly informed of his condition. Tn,
 cablegram was signed "Victoria."
 this evening as follows: "Regret to lear1
 of Sir John MacDonald's illness. Conve,
 my sympathy to Lady Mcdonald"