New-York tribune., 1899-06-09
THE DOMINION PARLIAMENT.
PROBABILITY OF IT'S DISSOLUTION
SHORTLY.
TWO BILLS WHICH MAY MAKE 1T ADVISABLE
FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO APPEAL
To


Ottawa, June (SpeciaD.-The Canadian Parlla-
ment is still in session, and will probably remain In
session until the end of August. as two bills. which
VIII meet with bitter opposition from the Conserva-
tives-namely. the Redistribution bill and the Sem
ate Reform b-have yet to be disposed OF, and
will likely be thrown out by the Senate. which ac-
ton will compel the Government either to submit
silently 10 the defeat of its two pet measures or
to dissolve Parliament and appeal to the country.
The latter course, It Is expected. the Government
will adopt. The Government majority Is now fifty
three in a house OF 25 members, including the
Speaker. and gives assurance that, should
general election be thrown upon the country. Wnle
the present majority might be somewhat reduced,
the Government would be almost sure to be re-
turned
The members OF the House OF Commons are
elected at each general election, with the excep-
tion OF by-eections, which, through the death or
resignation of members may occur at any tme'
and the term Of office is five years. No Canadian
Parliament can. according to the British Nortn
American act. sit for a longer period, but may
appeal to the country any time between the date
OF election and the expiration OF the five years Inc
members OF the Senate. on the other hand. are ap-
pointed for life by the Crown-that Is, by tho Gov
ernment in power-and are therefore neither Sc
lected by nor compelled to appeal to the electors,
and while, according to British laws, a bill to be-
come a law must have the sanction OF both houses
in Canada the House OF Commons and the Sen
ate. and in England the House OF Commons ana the
House of Lords-there Is a proviso that should the
House Of Commons pass measure and the senate
reject IT, and an appeal is made to the country and
the Government Is sustained the measure 80 passeu
by the House of Commons becomes law In spite or
the Senate's rejection. And thus 1t happens mat
three -fourths Of the members OF the Senate being
Conservatives they having been appointed by the
several Conservative governments during the eigh-
teen years they held power, the two Government
bills before mentioned will be thrown out ana d
dissolution of Parliament and an appeal 10 the
country made necessary. -
The Redistribution bill is a measure to restore to
the several constituencies In the several provinces
their former status-namey, TO recognize the couIi-
ty boundary lines and TO undo the gerrymanderlns
skilfully accomplished by the late sir J4hn a.
Macdonald and his party In 1882 when these pounu,,
airy lines were ignored the constituencies cut aeiu
hacked into indescrbabe shapes, and the Grits or,
as they better known. Liberals were Wiped Ous
in very many Instances. Sir Charles Tupper ana
his followers object this procedure and are go
ing TO make bitter fight to defeat the Dill. .,.
of the Senate by deprving 1t OF the prerogatve Oh
being able to defeat legislation passed by the House
of Commons. and making an appeal 10 the vJuoy ~
necessary II the Government wishes TO insist Oh
forcing the legislation to a final issue. And TO ac-
oomplish that end it is proposed that shouiu ,ne @
House Of Commons pass a Dill ana the neua'1 70, ake
place. and the adoption or rejection OF the OIL DC
decided In that way. ,,,.,X >o..h
To change any portion or trS art give consent
after which the PriVy Council in England Is caileu
upon to sanction the change; or, should the Gov
ernment wish to make such change ana the aai Ser1
ate refuse to give its assent to II, and an appear
is made to the country and the Government Is sus
tanned then, also the Priyy Council IN Englahu u
asked TO sanction the change ana IL 80 pe'o"'''
This bill also will be bitterly opposed by SIT
Charles Tupper and his followers, ahd Ine e oe' he
at present being top, general election may DC
expected.