New-York tribune., 1901-02-11
HON. L. P. BRODEUR.
Speaker OF the Canadian House OF
Commons.

when the Conservative members Of Parliament uss
in cauccs a Ottawa 70 choose a leader. Their
choice fell on Robert Laird Borden x c., NJ. p. for
Halifax. who had been regarded since the
elections as likely for the position. Two
thirds OF the Conservative members from
the province OF Ontario; but they could not agree
any one Of the aspirants for the leadership
from that province. and Mr. Borden. who is
ceptable 10 al the factions was the only avail
able nan IN sight
Mr.. Borden comes to a great position young and
he has reached the cost of little exertion. He
is now forty-seven years oId-about the age that
Sir WiIfrid Laurier was when in 1887 he under
took the apparently hopeless task of leading the
Liberals TO victory Bur Sir Wilfrid had been at
that time a member of Parliament for thirteen
years. and had held office as a Minister OF the
Crown. But Mr.. Borden until five years ago had
never been heard OF in public life. In 1896 he
was elected the Conservative member for Hall
fax, Nova Scotia He went to Ottawa with the
reputation OF being about the best lawyer in Nova
Scotia, and soon made his voice heard in Parlia-
ment In all the set debates he a leading
speaker, usually following the leaders the order
OF speaking; and in the committees where charges
against the Government officials investf-
gated he usually had the part Of chief prosecutor.
BY the close OF Parliament he a prominent
man In the Opposition, but by no means re-
sarded as even prospective leader. But the dis
aster of the general elections played havoc with
those who Outranked him in service. Sir HILBERT
Tupper was unacceptable to the rank and file and
the leaders in Ontario killed one anothers chances
So Mr.. Borden stepped at once from comparative
obscurity to the position of leader OF the Con-
servative party in Canada
Strictly speaking. Mr.. BOrden's position IA onlv
leader of the parliamentary Conservative contin-
sent; but II he shows himself capable the party as
a whole will be ready TO acclaim him as the chief
Probably his chief danger lies with Mr. Foster who
Is not likely 10 let his ambition to some day be
Prime Minister of Canada be snufSed out without a
as Lead
or course puts Mr.. Foster in a secondary position
Tor all time unless reconsideration OF the choice
years a member of Parliament: for eleven years a
1linister OF the Crown; for two sessions he was
leader of the House of Commons and for the last
AIteen years ne has been the Conservative ''big
Sur on the stump So far as services to the parrY
go he Is entitled 70 the honor OF leadershfD ana
uhpopglar and Is not regarded as having the quail
ties ueS or a winner 1t IS not proba ole that he
shows the strength that his friends look for
lie ttle new leader Is a man OF courtly presence.
and incisive speaker but as vet has 1oI ~ d & e1eaf
ne probably viii 90 speedily under the stimulus OF
his new honors. He is popular man. and the
curious fact that Mr.. Borden Is the only Con-
servatlve member Of family that has always
e 9een s5rGngy LIBERAL His father and brothers
first cousin. - '''
constituency Of Rouvile in the Commons. has been
elected Speaker Of The House. and thereby be-
deur is the younsest man who ever attained this
@ @honor being now IN his thtrty-nfnth year. He has
Rouve which had previously been regsrIed les @
safely Conservative He at cnce made his mark
IN the House and when the Liberals came into
Speaker. He now proceeds TO the honor OF SpeaIer
IN z accordance with the understanding that this
Of the two Canadian nationaites Mr. Brodeur fs
t BY P59TesT9n bsT no sss awye[ and has leading place
polhtment IS popular one with all parties.