The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-10-31
nosoxx MERCER Is DEAD.

The French Canadian leader who
stole Hfiiias Dollars.
MoSTREsI> Oct. 3-Ex-PremIer Mercier
died at Q 10 this morning.
fHonose MERCER, ex-prime minister of
the province OF Qaebec. count Of the holy
Roman empire. enevalier 81 the Legion OF
Honor and knight OF tne Roman Order OF
Gregory the Great. Was born at fbersilir.
Quebec, October Is. isso. the son OF a
fsrme whose family had long been settled
in the provinces When IA. Honore Mer-
cier entered the Jesuifs' college in Mont
real, where he took high rank. distin-
gushing himself especially ia the classics.
Leaving college he began the study of Law
at Sc. Hyarinthe, an important town not
far from Montreal, and in 1856 be WAS
admitted TO the bar. Three years earlier.
however. he had entered politics by the
door Of journalism. In ISs2 he became
editor of lie Courier de ~ HyaciatAe.
supporting the liberal ministry Of
Messrs. Macdonald and eicotte. When
NJ. sico,ts retired from the min
istry 81. Msrcier followed him
into opposition. bus he went no fur
Their with stcotte. xho ceased opposition
on accepting place on the bench. NJ.
Mercser did not allow hts paper 10 be
Joined forces with Cartier tiatsr Sir George
tartteFl IN opposing the government on
the question OF the schools, proportionAts
representation. aud the completion IF the
Intsreolonlal railway; and be opposed the
candidacy of his odd Jaw chief NJ papi-
neau. 50 succeed NJ. sicotse. supporting
the ysrtorloGs eandidats, If Renal Ray
moud then the question 81 confederation
came 10 the iront, IN iS}a, N. Mercier
decided not 10 follow Cartier in support OF
s. In confederation he could see a
Tory eRpedient 10 maintain power
bshind which be perceived SIR John
Mseaonaid's icng-plsaned scheme 10 over
throw the influence of the French cana
dams ira United Canada. This view of THE
question MAS net tAst II the 0wneFs OF Te
Courier IL - HVaeiafhe. and NJ. MsrcisF
hal 20 give up bic editorial work. Before
confederation Was cousam minated. however
he returned 10 his char. In January, ises
snd formed body Of ppitieal leaders
whose programme gas 10 make the test OF
o bad Job. demanding always fair play tor
the French Canadians. Two of these lead
erx, however, were Dpportunssts and. en-
the question OF imperial decision of the
dispngea rolnis OF the veto power and pro-
vinessl ssiAtel sovereignty under the pro-
posed Dominion constitution. they altered
the position Of II goarrtxY 50 completely
that VI. Mercer again WAS compelled 10
leave the edi;orshsp. this time finally
lie devoted himself fer the next
five years wholly 20 his Law
practice. and tocE no part ia politics
until ISL. when the national party Was
iorTned in Qaeaee, the platform Of which
advocated q protective tariff, the autonomy
Of the provinces. secret ballot, judicial
decision ug contested elections and the
postronement Of the Pacific railway until
the coantFy MAS sufficiently populated TO
support 80 ". Mercief entered the iieid
81 support of tue lion. e. LAngelier. bus In
is9s ne was elected 20 the Dominion house
OF C0n mons from Eoaytle. In the house
he seek = prominent part in discussing ths
cas- q Father Asehot. rTtrst vh0. for re-
f0sing - rAy sac tax tn support O. the
Protestant schools in New Brunswick.
Was arrested taF debt ard distFalnet
tercsely The Pacific railway scandal
hgrss and Nae opAld's government re-
sgne3 IN November 10 De succeeded hy
Mr.. Mackenzie wno dissolved par.fsmcat
en- January. iSFA 4 triangular eoatesi
begun ia - tiyacinthe sats1 IN NJ. Msr-
cser retiring 10 prevents she cnanFr being
carried hv Tory. LIS isss hs F1n again. 10
he defeated by ssx votes. a9E he goa as re-
xense al a by~slectsoa IN iS7a when. on
taking bis hrss cabinet POSITION, that OF
solicitor generas IN the provincial Eevsrn-
ment. be AS eseciea ~ - votes The
governments resigned Ia less than ypsr
and for nearly two years more NJ Mercer
Was Gus Of politics. lie had not iatsnded
u return 90 politics. has Lac business in
Montrxs! occupying him sufficiently. but
st the general election In l>>g both Fazties
IN the cid constituency invited asm - a.
sepi ga election. and he sss chosen ~ &C
elsmssion- la l>sS ". MereseT succss8ri
Nj. 9oly As leader Of the opposition It's
supporters we're only hstcsa Ia namheF,
but they held the balance Of power IN the
provincial psrasmsats and II NJ. Mercer
could aot ootvofe tso governments he pas
them tsssh a. 6igat. aud after the death OF
loats hses-lo9ksd apon IS murder by
the french. Z madam organised pat-
lie feeling IN Qaehsc against she govern
msns sni Kept Il ogsanised until IN Isl
be became prime aiiEssssr 81 the provinces.
This place he retained anti late
In 1891. Nhen lieaG~tsoy Aagers
dismissed the nitnistxy. iaeaced -
do 49, By charges made freely
thai NJ. Msscasr sss gallis Of regulation
Since thea re bad hecn IN opposition, ac-
Quilted by . lsrY OF the charges. aad pre-
pairing ~ renew sAs ssssex ga sls snssAiss.