The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-22
CANADA FOR CANADIANS.

The term of Lord Stanley Of Preston,
G0Vernor-General of the Dominion OF Can
ada, Is drawing to a close. lie was ap-
pointed on May /. 1888. and he should retire
next year. Rumor states that he is TO be
succeeded by the Earl OF Aberdeen, to whose
exchequer a salary of $4,000 year. with a
fine residence and ample allowances Tor
servants and other expenses, will not be
unacceptable The curious feature in the
case is that the Canadians, who are not
Overlooking with wealth, should tax them
selves TO support this foreign gentleman
who knows nothing about them, and prOba-
bly cares less. Is there no Canadian who
is fit to be Governor Of the Dominion?
When the British North America act was
drawn In 1867. the design was to confer
upon Canada as full a measure OF self-gov-
eminent as was consistent with the main
ienance Of the British connection. Legis-
latiye power was placed in the hands of two
houses, Senate and House of Commons,
and in each of the seven provinces provision
was made for Provincial Legislature with
control of local affairs and of the revenues Of
the provinces. The Dominion Legislature
was free 10 make such laws as ii saw lit,
subject to a veto by the Queen, which, 1t
was understood, was seldom or never TO be
duties on goods IF British manufacture
while it negotiated with the United States
for reciprocity. This looked very fair and
liberal to the province.
But Sir John Macdonald. who drew the
act, and was nothing if not Tory, managed
TO engraft upon it provisions which made
the alleged sef-goyernment illusOry. The
Executive Government was vested in the
Governor General and Priyy Council
chosen by him; so that not the least i'm
p0rtant of the branches Of authority was
carefully kept out Of the peoples hands and
placed in those of nominee of the Ministry
in London. All the Judges of the Supreme
Court, the Superior courts, AMI even the
County courts were to be appointed by the
oveFnOr-GeGeral; thus he controlled the
judicial branch of the Government. And
finally the Senators who constituted the
upper house If the Dominion Legislature
were not to be elected. but appointed by
the Governor, like the Judges; thus Of the
| three branches Of The Legislature two were
in his hands. 1t fact it is not saying too
much 10 assert that under The act of 1867 the
Governor General is the Government
That so curious system as this should
have worked without friction for a quarter
Of q century can only be explained on The
theory that Canada has been tranquil and
that no exciting issues have arisen to give
point 90 Canadian politics. But that calm
may not last forever. The pending agitation
for annexation to the United States may be
the prelude 10 storm such a. was wit
messed in the provinces between 1887 and
1912. II it should, the Canadians may find
themselves hampered by tEe all-sDreading
authority of the man set over them by Eng
land. 4 wise forecast for the future should
suggest the eXpedIency of amending the
constitution so as 10 make the autonomy Of
the Dominion a little more real than 1t Is,
and the best time for such an amendment is
a time when the subject can be discussed
without sectional heat
The Canadians are not doing themselves
| justice by remaining in position OF pupil
age. They will never fulfill their destiny
/ till they become really Independent and
until they shake of the last vestiges al
paternalism. There are scores Of citizens
| OF Canada who are far better fitted 10 fill the
/ Office Of Govern0r-General than Lord Stan
ley or Lord Aberdeen; who know more
about the country and have its interests
more at heart; Who are better capable of
deciding questions from the stand point Of
! Canadian welfare than any Engishman.
/ If the Canadian press do their duty they
will insist on choosing their own Governor
| General. 1t would be much to them. and
| there is no reason why Great Britain should
/ object