The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-06-13
WHO COMES NEXT,

COluIlt TX loloLlSSt IShooA"hy
dominion politics has gone over to the
great majority, and the leadership of the
conservative party is vacant. That no
one can fill the empty place is matter OF
universal recognition. 1t is not alone
that Sir John as a statesman was a
leader Of pre-eminent ability, marvellous
tact and great personal magnetism.
There is more than that in the difficulty
which confronts the conservative party.
1t may almost be said that it never was
the policy of the late premier to sur
round himself with men of outstanding
eminence. In later years, it can be as
serted without the shadow of a doubt
that he brooked no rivals near the
throne. The premier was the ''star' OF
his political company, and the members
of his cabinet were men of only average
ability. There is the dead wall that
bars the aggressive advance OF conserv-
alive policy at the present moment. The
party has plenty of good men, but it
will take more than a good mar or an
average man to pick up the lines as they
dropped from the hand Of Sir John and
guide his party and his policy to victory.
Still some one must attempt the task,
must do his best to rattle around in the
vacant place, and rumor is already busy
with the prospects of the favorites in
the political race.
Sir Hector Langevin is, We should
imagine, out of the running, and his
chances must be set down at long odds.
His conduct while minister Of public
works under the late administration is
just at present a subject of investiga-
by a parliamentary committee. The
charges of corruption made against him
are supported by a number Of his own
party, and if one-half Of them can be
made good, Boss Tweed will have found
dangerous rival, the cabinet have lost
a minister, and even the penitentiary
have found IN inmate. 1t is true that
in Ottawa kalsomining operations are
not unknown, and the minister's booty
could pay for a very artistic coat of
whitewash, but the secretary of state
sees the opportunity Of wrestling from a
rival the leadership of the French con
servatives, and he is not likely to let the
chance escape him. Sir Hector could
not hold the party together. AS a
Quebec man and the brother of the
bishop, his leadership would simply
invite the hostility of the orange and
ultra protestant sections of his political
color.
Sir Charles Upper is a strong man,
but it is very questionable whether as a
leader he would care to re-enter the po-
htical struggle. Even if he did, he
would have to reckon with his personal
~unpopularity in Ontario and the uncom-
promising a~ntagonism of the Grand
Trunk railway. Senator Abbott's is an
other name that is seriously mentioned,
but his reputation is purely local, and
his experience of leadership practically
nil. All in all, we are inclined to be-
lleve that the governor general will call
On Sir John Thompson, minister of jus
tice IN the recent administration, to
make the attempt of forming a cabinet.
He has much in his favor. His probity
is as %undoubted as his talents. As a de-
batter he ranks with the best. But Can
" 10 AL oAlSiioiNo SottbIIS, ulJa CHI
braces within its bounds many conflict
ing interests and racial and religious
prejudices. Sir John is a Roman Cath
ohc. That is an element of strength
and at the same time an element o1
weakness. In the political arena, ht
is practically a newcomer, and his rep
u%tation, great in his own province o.
N-o-, C,~{,, -. b. F.-.u -.a-l.-- -
tional niche.
The conservatives need an all-rount
man for their leader, and they have not
got him. Time is going to add to his
difficulties, and a continuation of the
policy of the late premier viii land then
at no distant date in the cold shades Of
opposition. Sir John was IA high pro
tectlonist, an ~ultra-loyaliat, and the
champion of the manufacturing inter
est. OF course, he had his quid pro
quo in the last instance. Students o.
republican methods in the last nationa
campaign in this country can surmist
what it was. But hard times have
been opening the eyes of the mass oil
Canadian "oters, and it required all the
late LEADERS, personal influence to pre-
vent his overthrow at the last election
Ever ready to seize an opportunity, he
threw out vague hints of reciprocit,
with this country in the interest of tht
agricultural classes. But the liberia
leaders arc shrewd enough to under
stand that reciprocity, which exclude:
manufacturing industries, will NEE
with little favor on this side of the Dor
der. They are out on the square plat
form of commercial union with tn,
United States, and we believe that tn,
weakness of the next conservative
leader, whoever he may be, combine,
with Canada's own interests, Will rende
their ultimate success neither more no
LEES than a question of time.
R~EPUBLICAN loyalty is TO DO nut t