The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-11-09
The Canadian Elections.

TN THE RECENT Canadian par
lament the Liberals. led by Sir
Il. Wilfred Laurier, had a net
working majority of 81. We'd
nesday's elections throughout the do
inin!on show that the new parliament
will be equally under Sir Wilfred's
control. Sir Charles Tupper, leader of
the Conservatives, and his LETT bower,
George Foster, former minister of fin
ancc, are both retired, the former for
the first time in his prolonged career.
The Liberals hold their own in Quebec,
win a majority of seats in the marl-
time provinces. break even in the West
and are counting on from 45 to 80 ma
jority in parliament.
\ number of local and transitory is
sues entered into the canvass, but the
principal theme of outcry was the al
legged corruption of the government
Five years ago the Conservatives We're
arraigned for crooked practices and
upon proof presented were elected
from power. This time they tried to
return the compliment, but although
very animated in their accusations had
nothing substantial to offer in way Of
evidence. Canadian politics does not
differ greatly from the Yankee article
in the amount Of lung power expended
during campaign time in calling the
other fellow forty-seven kinds of a
liar, knave and thief: and such differ
ie. iv,fc tn fav Nf ha
United States, where public policies
are broader and better calculated to
inspire impersonal discussion.
One issue settled by Wednesdays
verdict is that the dominion's long
standing worriment with reference to
Newfoundland is not likely soon to
cease. The logical disposition of New
foundland is to attach it politically to
the dominion, but complications over
the French shore question prevent.
The continuation of the Liberals in
power, while not prophetic of specific
immediate changes in this matter, is
at least an aid to the ultimate adjust
ment of the Newfoundland fisheries
dispute on the basis of friendly conces-
sions.
The Liberal victory means also
continuation of preferential trade re-
lations with Great Britain, but it does
not mean that Canada would be averse
to entering into more liberal tariff re-
lations with the United States. The
crowning mistake of American states
manship in the past has been its re-
lection of all forms of reciprocity with
Canada. An empire of inestimable po-
tential richness, it's surface as yet
hardly scratched over. Canada could
by an enlightened policy of encouraged
trade interchange have been inclined
imperceptibly toward ultimate and
logical annexation; whereas the oppo-
site programme has rebuffed those of
her leaders of public opinion who We're
at one time secretly disposed to favor
political amalgamation, and has set
back for years all progress toward this
enc.
Sir Wilfred T4aurer is what is known
as an imperiaiist. But he favors a re-
lationship between Canada and the
British empire in which Canada shall
get all the consideration that is COM
ing to her. His imperialism is not far
removed from Independence. The day
of Canadian nationhood is held in
abeyance so long as the colonial rela-
amounts practically to the
same thing; but the moment friction
shall arise that moment the bond of
union will be severed. The extension
Wednesday of Liberal rule, like the
American verdict of the day before, is
a triumph for the progressive and con-
elements of society and Il
wholesome token of public intelligence.