New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-16
Mr.. CHApLEAU STILL oBDURATE
DILEMMA OF THE NEW CANADIAN PREMIER
HE SAYS HE WILL ANNOUNCE
GARNET TODAY

ottawa June IS (speciaD.-The political situation
Is the great issue which is agitatlng the public here
Little else is spoken Of. and all kinds OF umorS arc
current. meeting OF the exMinsters was held ms
morning. and all were present except Mr. Chapiean'
Secretary of STATE who is reported to be confined
to his home with a spralned ankle. His illness IS
looked upon as blind and the general belief Is that
he has not vet fallen into line. Interviewed In Mon
treal on Sunday night ne declared his mind freely.
Thompson the only man. he said, who could sue
cessfully form new Government The choice OF
Abbott was mistake, he lacked force and was
not favorably known. Replying to question as to
why he had not accepted the offer of the Premier to
enter the new Administration with his old portfolio,
r Chaplain declared that he would positively refuse
TO act as Secretary OF state any longer lie had inc
written promise Of the late leader Of the Government
that he should receive the portfolio OF Railways lie
would now demand his rights. The Premier had
! promised him definite answer before the meeting
Of Parliament on Tuesday, and that reply would guide
| his future advisers.
The new Government IN q serious dilemma. They
| cannot disregard Chaplesu's demand, because they
know he will likely bolt to the Opposition thereby max
ing short work of the Administration. To accedc
to the demand either 10 place in the hands Of
French Canadians the two most important portfolios in
the country to force into oblivion the senior and
trusted lieutenant of the late cheftan, Sir Hector
Langevin Minister OF Public Works Premier Abbot,
is disposed grant the imperlOW request OF the re
course would dealing too summary with Langcvin.
He is willing If Chaplean will accept his old portfolio
until after the present session. 70 promise the latter
that lte shall be made Minister of Railways when the
reconstruction takes place during the coming ecess
This course would enable Iangevin 10 retire gacefrly
from public lfe. which ne IS willing to do
The exsecreary Of State will not, according to the
statements OF his friends, be willing to foreso the
chances of a triumph his sworn enemy, the Min
stcr Of Public Works. Any changes that ere to be
made must be made at once. He Will accept 10
promises Of future promotion.
precedent will be established at this session Of
Parliament by the choice Of Abbott as Premier lie
is a member Of the Senate and has no seat in the
House of Commons. This will make necessary the
appointment of leader Of the Government In the
lower house II is understood good authority that
Sir John Thompson Minister Of Justice will discharge
the duties of leader In the Commons place for which
he is eminently fitted. During Sir John Macdona0's
illness he was practically leader Of the Government and
showed marked ability in handling intricate questions
Of legislation. 80. T., -.
PREMIER Abbott in AN Interview tonight. said that
he would be In a position to state TO Parliament To-
morrow afternoon that he has succeeded In forming
Cabinet.