The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-06-26
QUEBEC THE GREAT SURPRISE,

QUEBEC THE GREAT SURPRISE.
The Independents include the Patrons
Of Industry, as the Poulists or Socialists
are called, and the Canadian Protestant
Association members. The defeat Of the
government was overwhelming. In
Quebec, which they stalked with cabi-
net positions and where they madea for
NAL appeal to the religious prejudices Of
the people, they were decisively beaten.
In the wreck there Talon, the post
master-gsneral; Anglers, the president
Of the council, and Des Jardins, the
minister Of public works, went down.
Quebec went Liberal in forty-seven out
of total of sixty-ive seats. Nova
Scotia, the home Of the premier, Sir
Charles Tupper, a province which he
heretofore dominated absolutely, re-
turned twelve Liberals to eight Con-
servatives. In Tuppers native county
Of Cumberland, Dickey, minister Of JUS
tice, was beaten. New Brunswick made
Liberal gains, returning six Liberals.
The old county Of Kings, represented
for years by George F. Foster, minister
of finance, was swept clean by Colonel
Domville. Foster contested it by proxy,
he choosing to run in another county.
Manitoba from which province the
trouble originally arose that got the
Conservative administration in diff
Guilty, spit even. Ontario returned
forty-two Conservatives, forty-three
Liberals and six who have no special
party affiliations. The Liberals un-
doubtedly have such a majority as will
enable them to successfully undertake
the responsibility Of government. The
Manitoba school question will, Of
course, obtrude itself, but Laurier should
be diplomatic enough to deal with 1t In
a manner that at any rate will gain him
time. The first step will probably be
the appointment Of a commission to in
vestigate the entire matter and confer
with the Manitoba government.
LIBERALS TRADE POLICY.
The trade policy of the Liberals will
be, however, the one which will most
interest the people Of the United States
They will undoubtedly seek to establish
reciprocity on some such basis as was
founded the treaty of 1854. The treaty
worked admirably, particularly with
the maritime provinces whose trade,
naturally, Is with the New England
states. The desire for reciprocity on
the part Of the people here has been
strong at all times. 1t so asserted itself
in 1890 that Mr.. Charles Tupper, Sir
John Thompson and Minister of Finance
Foster visited Washington and held
several conferences with Mr.. Blaine,
who was then secretary of state.
But the errand was only theatrical
one. Reciprocity as Sir John A. Mac
donald, who then dominated the Can
ajian government, believed, was but a
half way station to commercial union,
but one step removed from annexation,
and SO he instructed the commission
that the request to be made by them
should be such one as the United
States could not entertain. This re-
quest was for reciprocity restricted to
natural products Of the mine, the sea
and the farm. Naturally the PROPOSE
tion was not entertained and the COM
mission returned. This "endeavor'' to
obtain reciprocity, coupled with the re-
sources of Macdonald and the tremen-
dous backing of the Canadian Pacific
railroad, tied over crisis with them.
1t is expected here that because Of
the known friendly relations between
the present Liberal leaders and the
leaders of the Republican party, a COM
mercial alliance, such as Is looked for
in this country, may be practically ef-
fected. Throughout its career, the Lib
eral party has advocated an equitable
adjustment of all matters Of conten-
tion or irritation.