The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-08
RESENTS ACCUSATION.
A Claim That Annexation Feeling IS
Caused by High Taxation.
ENGLAND SAID TO BE TO BLAME.
mr. charlton, vi. r., Replies to a Recent
Attack and Challenges the Govern
ment to Produce Liberal Who 10 In
Favor OF Annexation.

OTTAWA, Ont, Feb. SIN Parliament
last night Mr.. Charlton took the oppor-
tunity OF replying to Mr.. Mclean, who
had charged him with having recently
visited Washingtou for the purpose Of
promoting annexation between Canada
ana the United States. II was not the
first time he and the Liberal party had
been charged with treason and disloyalty
Tor seeking closer commercial relations
with the United States and which they
would continue to do.
III there was any annexation feeling in
Canada 1t was the result OF the crushing
monopolies the government had built up,
the nigh taxation they had imposed,
which had driven 100000 out of the
Dominion to domiciles in the United
States.
Without the help OF these monopolies
In their money contributions TO the Con-
servative party, the government would
nave gone to the wall long ago. Their
tenure OF office was dependent on the
high taxes they exhorted out OF the peo-
pie OF Canada, which came back to the
government through the com bines and
monopolies kept alive by the govern
ment's high protective tariff.
Ihe loyalty crew, he said, was made TO
do service In the place of argument. with
the expectation that IL would draw atten-
tlon from Legitimate issues and from the
mlsdeeds OF the government. The gov
ernment and its press assailed the Liberal
leaders at every opportunity, and the only
result OF such policy was to induce the
American people to believe that Canada
was ripe Tor annexation.
Ihe Cummings bill in Congress to bring
ABOUT annexation was the direct result OF
their attack by the government and its
organs, and the consequence could only
De retallatory measures In the idea OF CO.
ercing Canada into the Union. Ifanv
annexation sentiment did exist, il was
Due TO the Heavy Restrictions
OF the governments policy, which i'm
poses such burdens upon the people that |
they were compelled in self-defance TO |
look around for relief.
Mr.. Charlton challenges the government
TO point to single Liberal leader or anv
memrer OF that party who had advocated
1t had been asserted that ne
was Yankee, yet he thought that no
crime. Much had been said about his re-
cent visit to Washington, which was
purely business trip. IL was said he vas
In Washington betraying the interests of
Ianada. While in Washington he had
had conversations with many members OF
ooth Houses who were desirious of OBJ
tanning Information about Canada. and
ne could see nothing reasonable in that.
The utter hatred the government and
us followers appeared to have against the
= nlted states, its people and its institu-
ions was not commendable, and could
out initiate against the best interests of
he Dominion. He had been asked while
n Washington whether the question of
innexation had gained any headway In
Jenada, and he replied that, except pos
IDLY In few frontier towns, it did not
Xist.
lie had found a difference OF opinions
mong the members of Congress on the
question OF annexation. Many of them
we're dubious of the result. lie had urged
pom those with whom he came in contact
he impossibility OF coercing or forcing
anada into political union by adopting a
olicy OF restraint. He impressed upon
hem that continuance of the policy of
etalistion and restraint would altogether
'il In accomplishing the purpose for
men 1t was intended, as it would beget
sentiment and would be detriment to the
lterests OF both countries.