The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-04-17

the Liberal party In 1852 he became editor of
the Lambton Shield. a newly-established reform
newspaper. In 1851 he was elected to the On
tario parliament from Lambton, and
served six years, at the end of which
time he was sent to the Dominion psrlis-
ment and again in 1872, 1874 aud 1878.
While member of the provincial parliament
he supported John sandaeld Mcdonald, IA
vored the project of confederation, was op-
posed to the coalition of 1854 and declined a
seat in the Canadian cabinet on the resigna-
ton of George Brown in 1855 In 1867, on
the defeat of Brown for reelection Mac
kenzie succeeded to the leadership OF the Re-
form opposition in parliament He represented
West Middlesex in the Ontario assembly from
ISL to october, lS12, when he resigned. Dur
ing his term he was member OF the executive
council and treasurer of the province
In 1873 he was chosen leader oi
the entire Liberal party OF Canada. and
when the Pacific railway scandals, in Noven-
Der, 1873. forced Sir John Macdonald TO resign,
the Liberal leader was called upon to form a
new ministry. Parliament was dissolved. and
in the elections of 1874 the new government
was sustained by a large majority. Ths
Conservatives then began theIr famous ssn-
paign for national policy and higher duties
upon imports. When the Liberal parliament
reached its statutory limit sid appeal was
made 10 the country in August. lS7s. the result
was the return OF Tory majority OF 100 IN q
house OF 2c6 MEMBERS Msckenx.es admins
tration was productive Of the most important
legislation, aud as q premier he moulded and
directed TO a great extent all the principal
measures passed during his term, among
which were q stringent election law, with tho
trial OF election petitions by judges and vote BY
ballot: the abolition OF the real estate Quziidcs-
tion for members OF parliament; tho enact
ment of the marine telegraph Law.
which virtually abolished the monopoly
OF the cable company; the establish
neut OF Dominion military college;
the permanent organization of tho civil sys-
ten: the establishment OF . supreme court for
the Dominion; the reduction OF postage to
and from the United States; the adoption of
final route for the Pacific railway: the OPEN
ing OF negotiations for a reciprocity treaty
between the United States and Canada: the
establishment OF territorial government for tho
Northwest and the adj justmcnt of the Manitoba
amnesty, which at ono time threatened grave
complications. Mackenzie was possessed OF no
gifts of oratory, yet the earnest and straightfor-
ward statement of his opinion has often proved
more convincing than the eloquent speeches
OF Edward Blake, who succeeded him a.
leader OF the Liberal party. Mackenzie was
thrice offered the honor of knighthood by the
queen, but declined It lie could never sue
coed in pronounciug such words as water
and broader properly. lie said "wsther" and
''broadher," and his political opponents In
sisted it was to catch the Scotch vote in Can
ada He possessed dry kumor which was,
with his flowing oratory, all but irresistible in
debate. Although the opportunities for getting
rich under the Canadian government are phe-
nomenal, Mackenzie left Office poor and died so.
II was he who gave the name "grit" TO his
party, which is about to be restored to powell