The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-07-12
A SENATE IN DANGER.

There is deadlock In the Canadian par
lament which may result in const!tu-
tional amendment modifying the charac-
ter of the Canadian senate. The Csnad an
parliament consists OK two houses. The
house OF commons IL body of repre-
sentatiyes elected directly from the peo-
pie. and whose term of Office depends to
a great extent upon itself within a Ger
tain limit. The senate is composed OK
eighty members who are appointed for
life by the government from time to
time, as vacancies occur. The present
house lie liberal by large majority while
the senate. on account OF the long period
during which the Conservatives have been
In power, represents that party. Prac-
tically the same conditions exist in the
British parliament. but II is very rarely
that the upper house exercises its power.
especially against a government Dill. This
would probably still be the case if It were
not that the government as well as tho
house ix Liberal, while the senate still
represents the Evolutionary policy OF the
colony.
IL was evident when Sir Wifred Laurier
became premier tina. the clash must come
some time. and II has arisen over tho.
prerosaI to construct a railroad the re-
fusai OF the senate 10 agree, and the pas
sage ct I resolution evaalng the seaate's
con.ro,. In 1880 she Canadian govern
nent balli the IntercoloniaI railway, this
nei,ss undertaken In pursuance with tbs
agreement by which New Brunswick and
Nova Scotia consented 10 enter eontcd-
Grafton. The purpose was 10 give those
provinces an al-rail communication with
the res; Of the Dominion. The Inter
colonial was built between Halifax and
Quebec. connecting from Montreal By tho
Grand Trunk. but 1t has always been
operated at n loss. especially since Tho
building OF the Canadian Pacific short
line from Montreal 10 Halifax through
the state OF Maine. the latter road ab-
sorbing most OF the through traffic be-
tween Montreal and Halifax. when the
Liberals came into power II was an
nounced on behalf az the government that
IL had bees. decided 10 extend The Inter
@Stf*afsht ~ saAtIAkfa3 Az RsNHs 10 JR lELkS
bln was introduced providing for the
lease. with rign, Of ultimate purchase. OF
portions az the Grand Trunk and the
D~umment counjy railway. y passed
the house by a large majority. sut was
fsiacted by the senate by "a equally de-
cisive vote, The government vas pre-
pared fer the opposition. and within an
AoUr after the vote of the senate MAS
know the finance minister presented a
resolution providing money for the rental
q. these railways. Tho purpose of this
ss 90 ueledc g 81 tAe appropriation bill.
whltG tae senate cannot anlcnd. but must
"a ac. OF approve AS a whole. Some Of the
more radical s0bsrs of the senate are
disposed 20 throw ou, 5he entire bili, hu.
a committee H2s appointed 10 consider
further action.
There mas long been n tispos ton -
abolish She senate. b9t q Conservative
Spit. on shs part CT :As people has a.
Nays cried OIL; sEains; lhix. The rresen,
condition - Affairs would make / p-opo-
sltlaa 20 - change the character Of the
body tha; SIS members should be elected.
81 lis composition changed from tsa,e -
*tras i'm accord With tie popular wlE. very
ueicans. Eyea : complete back down
ey ,hs s. 2aye. q a'eh ullsAt b fearful -
tse cateoue O. q ooatest wgsb tae gov
eram<nt. wsuj3 rot aFpeAse TIE Liberals.
The 3szae has esen presented. ana re
peop,a wgn nor ee ssusaed un;a sarne
change vas been made