The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-08
MERCIER ACCUSED USJUsTLY
Canads's Supreme Court yindicates the vio-
tim OF a Political Revolution.

QUEBEC. Oct GA judgment OF much po-
litcal import condemning, as IL does, one Of tho
most sensational political revolutions in the his
tory OF Canada, has Just been rendered by the
Supreme Court OF tho Dominion. In 1892 Mr.
Anglers the then Lieutenant G overnor OF Quebec
claimed to possess proof Of fraud and mafeasance
of Office against his constitutional advisors, the
late Count MERCER Prime Minister. and the mem
bers OF his government He appointed COM
mission OF three Judges TO investig charge that
500, GOO OF public money had been irreguarly
paid TO Mr. Ernest Pacaud, Quebec journalist
and the confidant and righthand man OF the
Premier Two Of tho Judges who had been po-
litcnl foes OF the accused declared tho charge
well-founded The third Mr.. Jett who is now Lieu
tenant Governor OF Quebec himself held strongly
10 the contrary. Nevertheless, without summon
ing the Legislature all to pronounce on the case
for the Premier enjoyed in II large majority Of
supporters Mr.. Anglers dismissed NJ. Mercier
from Office, named Mr.. De Bouchcrvile, an old
political associate Of his own to succeed him:
dissolved the Legislature, which would still have
sustained the dismissed Premier and have voted
nOn-confdence in the newly named Ministers.
and issued writs for new elections These were
rushed on amid the excitement aroused by tho
cries OF venality and robbery ag ainst the dis
graced Ministers. and few days saw the ex-
people, regarded as a political and social out
cast by all but fraction Of his former friends
and admirers
As result Of ono OF the most remarkable revo-
lutions Of public opinion ever witnessed In this
or any other country. the new Legislature was
overwhelmingly Conservative because OF the
pledges which II had made to the electors, the new
Government found itself under the necessity OF
crminally prosecuting MesSrs MERCER and Pa
Caud and Of taking civil action against the latter
fort la hp he 'Fptgn NJ he
TO have been illegally paid, and which had been
made the main cause OF the late Governments dis.
mSsal Meanwhile, the public excitement had
already Gained down, and the populace had re-
gained It's normal sober sense so that when tho
Jury in the criminal court unanimously declared
HIM he was carried out OF court on the shoulders
Of the crowd and at tho very next elections tho
Liberals were tTlumphanty returned Ia power,
though Count MERCER was no longer al their head,
having been prcmaturely borne To the tomb, the
victim Of broken heart and OF the prosecutions
Of his political foes.
And now the Supreme Court at Ottawa has rend.
cred Judgment IN the case OF the famous 500, 900
In ME Pacat DIS favor, declaring the payment OF
seven years before TO have been perfectly legal
and proper, and thus condcmning as unfounded
the accusation upon which the MERCER admin
that has occurred here for many years past will
tend 80 much 70 strengthen the party now in power
and ~ dI credit Their opponents as this Judgment
az the highest court in the land in vindiCaton Of
the smsscd Premier Meanwhile however,
the prosecution and the prosecutions OF political
but brought about the financial ruin OF many OF
his surviving political fI,endA II is a vindiea-
ton that has como TOO late for many Of those
aG> - by Il