Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-11-17

zion. The result was approximately
known within day or two, but the Of
6cial declaration has just been made
through the regular channel of the
clerk OF the crown in chancery. This
declaration shows that a very light
vote was polled, and that the majority
in favor OF prohibition Is but 1854, a
majority so small that, considering all
the circumstances Of the case, it prac-
ideally amounts to a defeat.
The manner in which this question
mas been treated is exceptional among
Canadian political practices. The ref
erence to the electorate for the purpose
of ascertaining public opinion re-
specting a proposed law has hitherto
been unknown. Parliament Is the only
legislative body in this country, and
issues are threshed out and the verdict
given when members OF the popular
branch II parliament are elected But
the taking of a vote upon the question
Of prohibition apart from and wholly
independent Of parliamentary cleo
ton was brought about by the agita-
ton of the prohibitionists for the past
Is years. Upon every government since
confederation they have rolled miles
Of petitions, and having a few stanch
supporters in the house, they have per-
mitted few sessions to pass withouC a
prohibition debate. The answer of the
late Sir John Macdonald to the prohi-
btionists was that prohibition would
be granted when the country was
ready for it, and so the petitioning
went on
About eight years ago the then con-
sentative government discovered a
temporary quietus co the annoying
question. A commission of inquiry
was appointed. At its head was Sir
Joseph Hckson, who had just retired
from the general management OF the
Grand Trunk hallway. The commits
sion sat in every city and in many of
the towns of the country, hearing evil
dence respecting the liquor traffic, and
for and against prohibition. 1t finally
made a report, a blue book, the size of
an unabridged dictionary; so bulky no
one ever attempted to read it, and so
confusing that should reader be
found he would require years of study
TO draw any conclusion from its con
icting pages In the mean time the
prohibitionsts ceased to trouble par
Lament or the government and waited
for the report
The general elections were not far
distant, and convention of the lib
eral party was held in Ottawa. A gem
eral platform was adopted and among
the many promises made was that,
should the party come into power
the question of prohibition would be
submitted TO the electorate. At the
last session of parliament the neces-
5ary legislation was secured and &C
Cordingly the vote was taken this
autumn Now as to the results. The
total number of names on the voters
list is 1,223,8i0, and the total vote
polled was 3,042, or A per cent OF
the votes polled, 27S, 463 were yes,
and 264,574 no" thus giving a ma
iority of 1884 in favor of prohibition.
Every province except Quebec went
hat way, but che majority in Quebec
against prohibition nearly wiped out
those on the other side. The afiirma-
tive maiorities were as follows by
provinces: Ontario, 1924; Nova
Scotia, 29,216; New Brunswick H.
335; Prince Edward Island, S,3l5; Man
itoba, 9,412; Northwest, 3,4l4; British
Columbia, 9S3. The negative majority
M Quebec was 94,015. And yet in
Quebec only per cent. OF the total
electorate on the list supported prohl-
billion; in Ontario only % per cent; in
Nova Scotia 81 per cent; in British
Columbia only Is per cent Taking the
voters list of the dominion as whole,
only % per cent of the registered
voters went to the polls and marked
their ballots in favor OF prohibition.
And yet some of the prohibiuonists
lain that this Is a sufficient moral
support to enable a government 70 pass
ana enforce so exceptional law
The campaign preceding polling was
conducted with general indifference as
'7- as the great majority Of the people
was concerned. The prohibitlonisi
lld most OF the talking, while the work
1t the liquor interests took the form
nt a still hunt The protestant clergy
as "a rule were on the side OF prohibi-
ton. There was among others one
notable exception, Rev. DR.. Grant
principal Of Queens university, King
ton. Although a thorough temper
aaee man in practice and teaching, he
was opposed 20 prohibition, believing
t1a. the time had not come for the
successful carrying out Of such a law,
and that failure in its operation would
throw back the cause OF temperance for
30 years. AS to the effect OF the vote
3ann politics, it will on the whole be
very little. A few Jealous prohibition
@ are demanding THAT the desired
measure be introduced at the next ses-
.an of parliament, but the sound sense
X the great majority Of the people Is
against this. feeling that such a law
would be but a mockery, When, having
aaa given a fair chance, prohibition-
.s failed to pOIl more than 70 per