Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-20
GLOOMY FOR CANADA.
Goldwin Smith Speaks of the Ras-
cality in Her Politics.
is SURE TO COME,
But No One Can Predict Dow 1t Will
Affect Her Destinies
MERCIER'S ELECTION NOT SIGNIFICANT

NEW YORK, Jan. 19.-Prof. Goodwin
Smith, of Canada, is registered at the Vic
toria Hotel. The Professor, who is recog'
nized as one of the leaders of Canadian
thought, is tall. spare man, just passed
the meridian of life.
He has high cheek bones, English "mut-
ton chop" whiskers and mustache, high,
broad forehead, from which is brushed back
a thick growth of iron-gray hair. His face
is strong and full of character, his lower
jaw being particularly prominent.
He talks with the broad accent of an Eng
lishman, but unlike the majority of Eng
lishmen he seems to have keen apprecia-
tion of humor. Prot. Smith has for several
years advocated a political union between
the United States and Canada
''It is only question of time" he de-
clared yesterday, "when the United States
and Canada will be joined together
Whether any of us who are living to-day
will live to see it is uncertain. There are
two parties to the contract, you must re-
member. Even were Canada ready to fall
into the arms of Uncle Sam, objection might
be offered on this side of the line.
The leaders OF either of the great politi-
cal parties in this country might oppose the
union through fear that the amalgamation
of Canada would upset the political balance
of the United States. No one would under
take to predict what effect the absorption of
Canada would have on the future destinies
of the Democratic or Republican party"
Mercier Appealing for vindication.
Speaking of the recent disclosures of cor
ruption in official circles in Canada. Prof.
Smith said that unfortunately they were
nothing new to the people of the Dominion.
premier Mercier, of Quebec, who was
forced out of Office and is now appealing to
the people for vindication, has undoubt-
edly been guilty of many corrupt acts. He
mas been convicted of malfeasance in
Tories who are pursuing him. are not whit
better.
'.The Tory Governor of Quebec has vio-
lated the Constitution in his eagerness to
depose Mercier. The Constitution of Que
bee Province provides for an annual session of
Parliament, but Governor Anglers has post
poned the election until March, which prac-
tically nulliies this provision.
''Mercier is not Liberal in strict sense,
he was placed in power by the
Liberals. He is Nationalist and has had
the support of the Jesuits and the priest
hood. 1t was not necessary for Governor
Anglers to dissolve the Parliament in order
to get rid of Mercier.
SIT is true that the majority of the mem
bers were adherents of Mercier, but they
could not have stood by him in the face of
positive proof of his corrupt acts which was
Mercier will not have the support of the
will be defeated; but the fight promises to
be hot and bitter one.
Another Corrupt Set in Power.
''Even if Mercier is defeated it will only
result in the election of another set of
equally unscrupulous and dishonest rascals
The Tory Government of Canada is corrupt
to the core. Sir John Macdonald himself is
known to have been guilty of taking bribes
tributes from great corpora
ions, and the present Tory leaders at Otta-
Say are no better.
SIT will be many years, fear, before the
Liberal party will triumph in Canada The
Tories have all the money and corporations
m their side. Then they have the issuing
# titles for political services, and, of course,
hat is a tremendous lever in social way.
'Canada is dominated by the Canadian
Pacific Railroad. All of its vast influence
md patronage are cast on the side of the
Tories. Their employees are compelled to
7ote with that party. The Liberals are
,oor and have no money to purchase cleo
ions. Official morality in Canada is at
yofully low ebb. 1t is difficult to imagine
worse state of affairs.
"For this reason the defeat or election of
dercier will have little significance. We
,now that he is corrupt, but we also know
hat he is no blacker than the men who are
aising the hue and cry against him. The |
'olitical outlook in Canada is indeed |
loomy. Annexation with the United |
'tates will be hailed as the best solution of |
he situation
care you going to have a war with
'hile?" Prof Smith asked, changing
he subject. He was told that there was |
ONE talk of it at Washington.
81 should think" said he, with a dry
mile, ''that the American people would |
estate to declare war on Chile, if for no
ther reason than the dread of creating a
ew pension list! Foreigners cannot under
tand," he added, show the American peo-
lie can be made to submit to carrying such
tremendous load as your pensions amount
}, and the number of pensioners are in
reasing all the time.
Pensions Cost a Large sum.
81 read in the papers that your pension
st is growing at the rate of 81, 900 day.
t is incredible. How do your people
and it? Any monarchical government
nat tried to do such a thing would be over
lrown in day. Your pensions cost more
ian the total sum expended to maintain
lie enormous standing army of Germany,
nd think it exceeds the amount spent by
ny European Government on its standing
rmy, not excepting Russia.
''Mirabeau told story in the French
hamber of Deputies to the effect that the
Spense bills of the palace at Versailles
ere being read to the Prime Minister of
tate and that he stopped the reading
hast and ordered them to be thrown into
lie fire. These bills were afterward discov-
ed and preserved.
81 looked them up recently and found
lat the total sum was only 100000, 900 of
merican money. The figures that par
yzed the Prime Minister of the most ex-
avagant regime in modern times do not
,pear to frighten the American people
ly, for you spend more than that amount
cry year on your pensions. If Canada
mes into the United States presume our
,ople will catch the pension fever. Prob
,ly all of the survivors of our wars will
,mand liberal pensions. 1 presume the
en- who engaged in the Fenian raid will
sist on being well taken care Of
"Bnt, seriously, it seems to me that there
ould be limit. What puzzles me and
ost foreigners is, how in the world do the
merican people put up with it?''