New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-07-07
CANADIAN POLITICS.
WHAT A SARCASTIC CRITIC THINKS OF
THE LAURIER ADMINISTRATION.


To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: The Canadian Parliament Will not pass an
insolvency law this session-mores the pity. the
lack OF an insolvency law has caused ana sun
causes the British manufacturer to lack confidence
In the Canadian merchant and the Canadian trade
has for many years remained under a cloud ana
British trade with Canada ls consequently kept
down. Years ago the late Sir John Abbott pre-
pared an insolvency bill, but 1t was never intro
duced I'm Parliament However, II was generally
believed that when Sir Wfrid Laurier attained
power something in that direction would be done
but II now appears that the matter Ia TO he lett III
allegiance for time to come. No one seems
to be able to explain understand why Paria-
ment to establish confidence In the English mar
ket and to lift from off the Canadian traders the
cloud which for years has covered them, VIII not
consent to introduce and pass proper insolvency
law
The Laurier administration IS perhaps tho mos'
remarkab BILE that has ever been called upon 10 gov
ern a people AS TO ability. the administration
stands unsurpassed and has never been equd'eu
by any previous Dominion Cabinet and the eH-
ports and Imports the bank deposits ana the IN
dustries never assumed greater proportions DO
far these matters go. Canada has everything 10
be satisfied with. But the extraordinary charac-
teristic of the Laurier administration Is touhu III
the manner in which II has since II was elected 10
office in June 1896 distributed Government patron
age. allotted public appointments. Effected promo
tions in the public service and regardless OF the
consequences neglected its friends and supporters
All have read Of the Good Samaritan and have
admired the self. sacrificing and humanitarian deeds
performed by him. but have failed to observe that
In extending the hand of fellowship to the stranger.
in bearing no malice toward the enemy. in being
ready at all times to heal the wounds and to help
those who were overcome by affction woe or
distrtss-have failed to observe that that Good
Samaritan sheltered and provided for the enemy
and FED and nursed and petted them. while his
friends and followers stood by the wayside.
neglected forgotten and discarded. He who has
received good service from a friend and injury
from an enemy cannot be classified a Good
Samaritan" II he neglects the former and pours
all his honey the latter When installed In
power TO give the cold shoulder TO those who for
many years. in adversely and triumph alike, stood
as faithful friends and followers. and to provide
with public Offices and smother with gracious ex-
pressons and invitations and Inducements those
who had always been bitter opponents. or, in some
instances lukewarm. unstable and unreliable party
adjuncts In the community, or having been in the
past espousers Of another cause. and only becom-
ing alleged converts to the other side when success
leaped upon its banner, is. to say the least.
peculiar way 10 give recognition to fidelity, 10
exemplify that noble attribute which the genuine
man possesses-gratitude; and to encourage those
who have for many uninterrupted years been Will
ing and trusted soldiers to continue strong and
active adherents to their once admired CHIEFS
SHAMEFUL NEGLECT
II may by some. and by some accredited great
minds be considered polite TO seek to win over by
the bestowal OF public offices those who In the
past have always been our opponents-it Is. at
host an uncertain quantity-but how about those
neglected ones those who have done all the fight
ing. and whose lighting. fidelity, integrity. ability
time and money caused an upheaval In punhc SEN
timent and public action to take place. and which
placed the Liberals in power? Why should they
get only stone from those whom they had served
faithfully and well when they ask for bread? Yet
such is the condition of affairs in Canada.
In 1878. when the late Sir John Macdonald was
without cause except that they were Liberals
discharged from the public service In 1879 when
the Liberals were returned 10 power. not a man
OF those so cruelty sent adrift in 1873 was taken
back. nor has there been TO this date on the CON
trary. those who were appointed 10 public ONCE IN
1875 as a reward for services rendered either by
them IN person or BY their reaveS in erngmg
have not only been retained In office by the Laurier
eT and when Vacancies In the public SER
vice occur by death or otherwise. in four out
Fl ssp thus H no Il d Sy the
Tories. and when new public offices are created IN
seven cases out Of eight Tories receive the prefer
ence And while all this is going on, the faithful
Liberals Of many years standing look on and
t tnde and fair play and justice as
carried into effect by the Laurier administration in
As TO Government patronage, the same story
holds good Tories receive the hon 5 snare ana
the Liberals look in wonder. What charitable
and honora BILE Inconsistencies and disappointments.
be surei
WHERE is GETAWAYS CULTURE7
But Ottawa the capital Of the Dominion Of
Canada, is 10 become the Washington OF the
North" So saith Sir Wfrid Laurier before the
election OF 1896
Well. three years have passed since June, 1895.
and not much progress has been made In that
direction In fact. the ship has not yet set sail.
and the time Of her departure has yet to be an
nOunced Ottawa. II was said. Is to become the
seat Of ARTS and culture and the abode or the
Governor General is to be the brilliant centre or
Canadian beauty. intelligence and wealth. But,
aas, ALAS There up 10 last month an lnsti-
tuition called the School Of Art and Design. but IL
no longer exists. The desks. easels casts. busts
and other penates Of that audabe institution were
sold at auction During the years of It's life II had
a hard struggle 10 exist and finally. through pub
lie Indifference through want Of funds. II mad 10
collapse. and the promotion Of fine arts technical
design and mechanical drawing received its death
blow. Canadian mlllionaires were blind 10 the ne
ccssy Of such an Institution. Canadian philan-
thropsts could soften their hearts TO con-
tribute to It's welfare. and Canadian public men |
were too busiy engaged In looking after matters |
more material 70 themselves to give II a second |
thought So in the midst Of the cry, Ottawa is |
10 be made the Washington OF the North!" the |
School Of Art and Design dies Of poverty ].