New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-28
THE CANADIAN OUTLOOK.

The Canadian Parliament has gone to its ac-
count NJ last with all its sins upon It's head, and
with the most important Of its later undertake
ings unaccompished. 1t did not succeed IN
passing the coercion bill. or remedial Dill, or
whatever it may be called. concerning the Mani
toba schools. but it did succeed In displeasing
both parties 10 that controversy. and In causing
n scrious split in the Ministerial ranks The
Cabinet, demoralzed and rent with dlssensions,
is now left to govern the Dominion for few
weeks until the general election, when snail
determine whether or not It's existence Is 10 De
further prolonged. The electoral campaign VIII
doubtless be a hot one. 1t VIII also De a con-
fused one. old party lines being TO considerable
extent dsregarded. and old leaders deserted Dy
many Of their followers. The tariff question
will figure largely but even it will be suDordl-
mated TO that OF the Manitoba schools. For this
latter is vital with all the intense yigor OF creed
anCb race animosity. and although 1t Is of insis-
nificant importance TO the Dominion at large, 1t
will In all probability decide the political for
tunes Of that country for years to come.
Neither Of the two great parties Is happy IN
its leadership. nor are any OF the leaders happy
in their following Sir John Macdonald was
not an ideal statesman. But In all the ele-
ments OF successful leadership he was head and
shoulders above any OF those who are striving
10 be his successors. There Is not one Of the
latter from Sir Charles Upper down. who has
shown anything like fitness for the headshp
Of n nations governing party. There Is not one
whose name and personality Will inspire any
real enthusiasm in the electoral campaign. Nor
are the Opposition better of. They have not
one man who comes up 10 the stature Of what Il
Prime Minister should be. They have not even
one well fitted 10 lead tho Opposition while It
remains an opposition. Az for the parties,
large number of the Ontario OrIngemcn have
already boltcd from the Conservative ranks
under Dalton Mccarthy. thou.:n not. Of course,
10 Join the Liberals: while in Quebec the LIB
erals must quickly decide whether 10 follow
their leader. Mr.. Lauricr. to obey their priests
and bishops On both sides there Is thus seri
ous schsm
1t IL n time OF vcxing questions and of small
men 10 deal with them. and the outcome Is I'M
certain There may be years OF chaos There
may he general read jusiment OF party lines
and development Of new and more worthy
leadership. There may be an unexpected pop
ular movement that will return one or the other
Of the old parties overwhelmingly to power,
with an unmlstakablc mandate regarding the
issues Of the day. There may be an attempt
ut dissolution of the Union or any one OF
dozen other things may come to pass. But In
any event. It would serve greatly to clarity the
situation. and add TO the gayety Of nations, for
the United States Government to move immedi-
atoy for the abrogation OF the bonding privilege
now enjoyed by Canadian railroads. That
would do this country much good, by freeing
it's lines OF commerce from unfair allen COM
petition. 1t would also do Canada good. by
aboshing, or greatly dwarfing, vast power for
corruption In politics Why not do II nowi