The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-01-03
ournEo WOULD COVE IN


Annexation and the French Provipee.
To THE EDITOR OF Tn sUN-Sir, In THE
SUN Of Dec. % there was q letter reproduced
from the Cleveland Leader. which efectually
answers the objection that the Province OF
Quebec would resist the leaven Of continental
unity. The writer contends that as o part oil
the Union Canada's political religions. con-
ficts. and troubles would disappear. and. re-
ferring to tho history OF the United States.
he demonstrates that there has never been
any difficulty In absorbing the Latin races. 1
entertain no doubt that IL is our pernieious
system OF government that makes the French
question what 1t is in Canada to-day. and from
q careful study OF the political institutions on
both sides OF the line it is quito apparent that
tho question OF race or religion In Quebec
would not. under union. disturb the equilib-
rum OF government at Washington.
In Canada the legislative and executive
functions OF government arc united and vested
in the Ministry OF the day. The Senate was
created OH the theory that 1t would interpose
a barrier in the way OF governmental agrran-
dizement. But our eighty Senators are not
appointed by the provincial assemblies or by
any Independent authority. but by the Domin-
ion Cabinet. Tho lato Sir John Macdonald.
during his long and corrupt regime. packed
the higher chamber with his own compliant
| nOulueBS, anu TIC benute Is NOW VI tIl6 bHtH6
political faith as the dominant party In the
Commons. We have. therefore. a Government
to n large extent autocratic: entirely SO when
backed with n sufficient Parliamentary fol-
lowing. Possessing what is called the con
fdence OF the house." there is no limit
to the power OF tho Governments There is no
rigid written Constitution. no independent
Senate. or anything analogous to the Presi-
Dental veto. No one now pretends that the
Governor.General can thwart the Legislative
will. The only restraint imposed on the ruling
party is tho fear Of popular disapproval at the
next election. But the voice 81 the psSSple is
\ :, F,TS|S IT. .s;.. %S ,hs ,ss1s e :, sePtssl = I
m msrafi IS all al .p eewseerrffasl 81 b Ut W wRHss tne th HeV they
,Inm rss dgn ~ An ndvssss ss vote vii displsce
having seats in the House ahd, possessed Win
united in serving their 'owSn interests dts"e at The
expense OF the country.
,erred to that Of the State. out of 2l5 mem
ment.s The maiority Of these usually SUPPORT
the Government because Of the rewards It has
the power to bestow. Now. the detection Of
Adminis{ratlop ana e there Is one thing he
honors and .emoluments. 1t Is possible that
f here st as IN the Of r]er n a but PitG Re ten Il af h1f 70
wrongdoing are greater. and the love Of office
t EhSse sSbyo GsS5SG OF sh all p sSS5iHSlf ist In esfar 1, to @
W,ith ths Government demand SOlIt.
Votes. they have the poW y n to defeat 'H tho
suit which is usually averted BY : granting ii the
unjust demand. This absolute dependence
always, assuming, that these measures are
t G5si Ssian by q & p sSrlS'sT 1T tho 9Snhf eus TO- 9 Ths sys,
TEN fosters bribery and place %mongering. and
S Wou tjelm bsya bes0 with axoi the ahiissT tsS Of 4u e zee
tenure q ofiee had been more. secure.
t fri s estSoiis t Sy sho E.sn sait!Ra E0vl asa
osins oT to th ifs'f fsssi defect ere pia n one sesem s.d d
s so 5nineia;:S we are nnm entirely 81 at the mercy Of
affords probably the best proof OF my conten.
ton; Our provincial Legislature is modelled
man Catholic Church is il, a Hopeless minor-
inng:., ability S.S and honor a:s yet the ahaoHRH ieHsrcS S,a has
It's heel upen their necks. The. Cabinet or
a anst pinati fSss' sam e' hs4v sim Ilsr to ffS I'm rinss
and bosses running some Of the larger Ameri-
cdn cltleS.
With political union Quebec would send
about eight members to Congress. besides her
two Senators In an assembly Of say 400
these representatives from the French province
could achieve nothing detrimental to the gem
eral welfare; There would be no Government
votes. and. though 1 reach the same e con scsi.
sions as your correspondent. l only attempt to
disclose the reason why our institutions fail
IN creating a homogeneous community: The
be attributed to the fact that your scheme Of
G9Se u Is specially adopted to the con.
possible to form combinations such as we are
familiar with in Canada. To bribe a commit.
tss Of m Congress wh a man must generally use his
votes 81 recalcitrant adherents the public
money Is employed.
IN the American system there is no man
with absolute power nor can any set OF men
control Legislation. and there is little tempta-
t 4 q to briSe a man who possibly can accom-,
Of the House. There seems no ,oubt that
under political union the question OF race and
religion would be eliminated from our poll
ties: and with the abolition of our Federal
that In its very nature breeds corruption and
malyersation and places power In the hands
OF an fnSignilcan Mt minority.