The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-13

manner with Lord Breadalbane, the Lord
Steward of the Queens household, and
with Arnold Morley. the Postmaster
General, the Marquis of Ripon, the Colo
NAL Secretary, the Indian Secretary, Mr..
Fowler. and with Sir Charles Lenox Peel,
clerk to the Privy. Council. Up TO the
time the train started Sir John Thompson
had not show any signs of fatigue. His
appearance and manner did not give the
slightest indication that he was suffering
from any illness.
After the Privy Council meeting Sir
John adjourned with the Ministers and
others to luncheon. Shortly afterward he
became suddenly Ill and expired almost
Immediately. DR.. Ellison, one of the sur
geons-in-ordinary to the household at
Windsor, was sent for promptly, but he
was unable to save Sir Johns life. Up to
o'clock this evening the Queen had not
been informed of the tragic death of the
Canadian Premier. His body had been
removed TO one of the principal rooms in
Clarence Tower, at Windsor Castle,
where it awaits the arrival of the Crown
Coroner. The Marquis of Ripon says that
when Sir John was first seized with the
illness he was given some brandy and ap-
peared to recover. but shortly after he
suddenly expired. 1t is presumed that his
death was caused by heart disease.
Sir John Thompson was one of the
speakers at the meeting of the Colonial
Institute last evening. He sat in the last
tier of the hall and appeared to be in good
spirits. When he arose to address the
meeting it was noticed that he spoke 10 a
husky voice. and he apoiogiZed for the
bTevity of his remarks, saying that he was
indispesed.
Sir John. in the course of his speech,
said that the enthusiasm displayed by the
Ottawa conference was merely an echo of
that felt through Canada. He said: "We
wanted TO show the world that we are a
united people. and we have done so. One
of the objects the conference has achieved
has been TO lessen the distance and COM
munication time between the colonies"
Sir John also referred to the unanImity
of the colonies in offering subsidies, and
said that the feeling in Canada had been
SO aroused by the mail service that he
knew the project was certain of accom-
plishment within a short time. He Trusted
that the influence of the meeting of the
Colonial institute would tend to the es-
Enlistment of still greater unity between
The colonies of the empire.
The Canadian Premier was well re-
ceivsd, but it was generally believed that
he was suffering from a cold. The Queen
had invited Sir John to dine and sleep at
Windsor Castle tonight. The greatest
excitement prevails at Windsor Castle TO-
night.
Sir j. S. D. Thompson, &C. Premier of
the Dominion of Canada, was born In
halifax, Nova Scotia. on the 10th of
November, 1914. He was a son Of John
Sparrow Thompson, native of Water
ford, Ireland, who after emigrating TO
Canada was for a time Queens printer and
Rfterward superintendent of the money
order system of Nova Scotia. He received
his early education in the public schools
and the Free Church Academy of Halifax.
after which be chose law as his profession.
being called to the bar in 1865. For six
years be was alderman of the city of Hall
fax and for five years a member of the
Board OF School Commissioners. being
for some time chairman of the board.
In 1873 he was counsel on behalf
of the United States Government
acting with the American LAWYERS before
tine Fishery Commission sitting at Halifax
under the Washington treaty. 10 1877 he
entered the political arena aud was. by a
large majority. elected to represent the
county of Antigonish in the Nuva Scotia
legislature. The same constituency re-
turned him in 1878. when he was appointed
Attorney-General, and so became a men,
Der of the Executive Council. In 1882, on
the retirement OF Hon. Mr.. Holmes, he
was chosen Premier, but resigned few
months afterward on being appointed q
Judge of the Supreme Court of Nova
Scotia. This Office he resigned in 1885,
when he was chosen by Sir John A.
Macdonald to fill the important office OF
Minister of Justice and Attorney Gen
eral of the Dominion. For the last two
years of bis residence in Halifax he was
honorary lecturer in the Halifax Law
School on the subjects of evidence and
construction of statutes Since the death
of Sir John A. Macdonald the Hon. Mr..
Thompson has been he leader of the re-
constructed Cabinet and the actual leader
of tho Conservative party of the House OF
Commons, and there can be no doubt thai
IL was his high character that saved the
party from ignominious defeat at the by
elections held since the revelations that