The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-30
BATTLE FOR A PROVINCE
THE STRUGGLE AT NEwFoUND-
LANDS POLLS.
| Contractors Great stake-The
Prise, the Dictatorship of the
CoIony-One of the Most In
tcrestinE OF Colonial struggles.

tcrestinx OF Colonial struggles.
ST JOHNS, n. r.. Dec 29-There is
material for interesting study in the po-
| liticai conflict recently waged in New
| foundland. 1t was the most extraordi-
nary struggle in the history of British
colonies, and 1t is more than doubtful II
any Anglo-Saxon state can show any
thing TO equal or approach it. American
politics sometimes developes strange feat
ures, but the attempt by one man to con-
troll the legislature of a British colony by
running his own employees for the con-
stituencies with his own solicitor as lead
err. Is sufficiently unique to call for more
than passing notice.
Newfoundland is England's Oldest col
ony. 1t was discovered by Cabot in 1887.
and within thirty years had become ia
nous for its cod fsheries-the greatest in
the world. as they continue to be until
this day. In 1855 1t was granted respon-
sible government, such as Canada pos
sesses. and In 1869 an attempt was made
to force it into the Canadian confedera-
ton. but 1t was rejected by the people
by an overwhelming majority. That in
dependence then gained Newfoundland
holds today; she is the only North Ameri-
can colony that has remained out OF the
federal pact. Her legislative liberty is,
however, threatened toudy ds II HeNet
was before. and the attempt is peculiar
ly insidious one. The story of the attempt
is well worth telling.
The island is the tenth largest in the
world. Its area is 1900 square miles, OF
which about two-thirds are of commercial
value. The population is about 100000, and
fishing is the occupation of the vast ma
jority of the people. From the nature OF
their occupation they are confined to the
tent of about 5000 miles In innumerable
little hamets. In 1880 some radical poll
ticians proposed a railway to connect the
ony went railway mad. 1t was advocated
that line be built to the copper belt In
the north to develop the mineral and tim
Der wealth said to be abundant there An
American company contracted to- build the
line. but defaulted ignominously. Then
the colonial government tried the expert
prise but. like most governmental under
takings. 1t was 80 costly as to threaten
financial disaster In despair the minis
take up the work. and Of those who re-
sponded Mr.. r. G. Reid was chosen.
Reid, the Contractor.
Mr.. Reid. born In Scotland, an emigre
to Australia and thence to the Pacific
slope. wound up in Canada. as con-
tracing bridge builder for the Canadian
Pacific railway. in which capacity he ac..
quired splendid reputation and amassed
substantial fortune. He was attracted
development of vast UNEMPLOYED wilder
ness which the chance offered. 1t was
in 1890 he took hold. and he pushed on the
work with characteristic energy In 1893
he had the line completed as far as his
contract required-2S0 miles, and then he
took another contract to extend II across
which the wes soas Would paords na
rails traversing the island from east to
west Having closed this bargain, he pro-
posed another-that he would operate the
onf tvn linz fnr tan, xyna In yat i'm FIR a
grant OF 5000 acres of land to each mile of
road This the government also agreed
to. thinking 1t good chance to have the
initial expenses Of operating q new line
through an unsettled territory disposed of.
Mr. Reds contract price for construction
was ST., 600 a mile, payable In the colony's
market at about par. as they bore inter-
est at 4 per cent. for forty years. Inclu-
sive of branch fines, the whole railway
system is go miles long and cost over
Additional Conversations Asked.
Contractor Reid now set himself to de-
velop his properties. but found that to
succeed he would want a longer period for
operation. He proposed In 1897 to operate
the road for another twenty years for an
additional 2 500 acres OF land to each mile.
promising large industrial enterprises as
an outcome of the ventures he contem-
plated The constant reaching out of Mr..
Reid for fresh concessions was by this
time arousing the anxiety OF the masses
OF the people, and the opposition was de-
nouncing Reid as a monopoiist. The gov
ornment had. accordingly, TO withhold the
conclusion of this arrangement until
after the election. hoping to be returned.
| But they were roundly defeated. the Con-
| servatives sweeping the country with the
| cry Of mo further concessions to Reid"
| The returns showed twenty-three Con-
| servatives and but thirteen Liberals, and
| Sir James Winter, chief OF the former
| party, succeeded to the premiership.
Mr.. Reid's Shrewd Move.
Then Mr.. Reid showed his shrewdness
| az a judge of men. The most active per-
sonality In the Winter party. was A. II.
| Morine, clever Canadian. who had emil
| grated TO the colony some years before
and become successful lawyer and poll
| ttiolan. Contractor Reid promptly, after
| Inc his soicitorship. Morine being at the
1 same time offered by Winter the finance
| portfolio in his new ministry Morine,
| knowing a good thing when he saw IT, as
promptly accepted both offers. The finance
office carried a salary OF 5000 a year but
| what Reds retainer was worth has never
| been definitely learned. With Mr. Nor
ines aid Reid now elaborated stili more
| remarkable proposal, which IL now In
/ practical working. u was nothing less
than to take over the whole productive
assets Of the colony and administer them
/ - a business enterprise. The railway
/ d0ck, telegraphs, steamers and lands were
| embraced In the scheme under the follow
| ing conditions:
| Grabbing Colony.
/ Reid agreed 10 take over and operate
I the railway for ATTY years for an extra
7 $500 acres % land TO a mile and he paid
a million dollars, cash down, FOR the re-
I version OF the ownership al the end OF
{ that period II he failed IN the operation
az any time during the City years he lest
Y his money and the line reverted to the
l colony. As this contingency was extreme
] ~ improbable. she transaction was verb
/ ally u sale % the line for 81 600 osl-sugar-
coated
1 The dry dock in st. Johns. built by the
government TO accommodate and repair
the host OF disabled steamers which make
the port every year. he bought for S32S 900
/ little more than half its cost
4 Telenraph lines, lon miles IN all, which