The Saint Paul globe., 1900-06-10

electors. Sir Richard Cartwright, a firm
believer in the principle Of free trade
and an able controversialist on fiscal
questions, had been for many years tee
financial authority of the Liberals, and
the country had fully understood that
his appointment to the finance portfolio
was as certain as the appointment to
the premiership of Sir Wilfrid Laurier
In the event Of the success of the party.
Yet, Sir Richard was thrown over at the
eleventh hour and the important port
folio conlded to Hon. w. s. Fielding,
prime minister of the province Of Nova
Scotia, an able, successful and upright
politician, but one who had never been
expected to be removed from the field in
which he had distinguished himself
But il the calling Of Mr.. Fielding to
the department of finance Ead caused
surprise the announcement Of the nonin-
alton OF Joseph Trael Tarte as minister
OF public works was received with con-
sternation Mr. Tarte is a unique fig
ure in politics. He is probably the most
frankly unprincipied public man of the
day TO him politics is a game, with
power as the goal and that goal is to
be reached at no matter what cost or
decency or sacrifice of public morality.
He was the campaign organizer Of the
Conservative party for many years, ana
thus became familiar with the many
HlGlUOOo leSOl lSN " ~ NAAS~e
party for raising funds ct election times
He aspired, however. to be something
more than an organizer Of victory; but
his hopes of promotion we're disappointed,
and he reVenged himself by betraylng
some secrets. with the result that Sir
Hector Langwin. the minister Of public
works Of the day, was driven from pub
| lie life, and the contractors with Wnom
he had had dealings were condemned to
prison. The revelations, of course. Sc
| riously injured the Conservative party,
| which had just sustained a severe blow
in the death of Sir John A. Macdonald,
| its famous leader. In due course Mr..
| Tarte went over to the Liberals, by
| whom he was welcomed with open arms,
and employed his wonderful talents as
| an election organizer, TO assure for MI
| Laurier a majority from the province of
I Quebec at the approaching contest. His
| services were undoubtedly valuable, al
though there is 10 doubt that the VIC
4 tory of the Iiberk party in 1886 was GER
tain In any event
TARTES PREFERMENT AMAZED
CANADA
Conservatives by whom he was cor
dially detested, and Liberals, by whom
| he was dlsliked and distrusted, were
| alike astounded when they learned OF
| the little mans appointment to the port
| folio of public works, the great spending
| department. There he was, however, ana
there he still remains. He seems to have
/ acquired strong ascendency over Sir
Wilfrid, who supports him in all the con-
tests in which he becomes engaged with
dissatisfied members of the party. 1t
/ was he who figured in the Drummon ono
deal; it was he who engineered the
scheme by which the Conners syndicate
i of Buffalo obtained a valuable elevator
site In the harbor of Montreal He en-
riches his friends by means Of profitable
contracts for public works In different
parts of the country. and he seems ia
have taken special pleasure, since COM
ing into office. in battling the wishes OF
the poor old guard of liberals, which
has fought the battles of the party FOL
the last twenty years, but which sees the
rewards bestowed upon new men. de
carries bye elections by extravagGnt
promises of public works in the vacant
county, a fayorite practice with the
p Conservative party when in power. but
one condemned and abhorred by the LIB
erals when in opposition.
There are many other ways in whicf
| the Liberal government has disappointed
| its friends hopes; but, Notwithstanding
all this, 1t Is still probable, for reasons
which IL has beeen attempted to ex
plain. that the elections of 1900 will again
5 result In the success OF the present dorni
nant party.