The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-22
MANITOBAN CONTROL
Contrast of the Policies of and
!, Forces Led by Robin and
Greenway.
Latter, a Liberal, Stands for Free
Trade and Encouragement of
American Railways. :.
Specials to The journal,

Specials to The Journal. - -@
Winnipeg, Man, Jan. 22.-Peculiar in
terest, from an American view point
centers in the approaching session of the
Manitoba legislative assembly, which is
fixed for Feb. II. 1t will mark the close
Of the term for which the present legis-
ature was elected, and probably form
but a prelude to the downfall of the
Robin government.
r. p. Robin, the premier Of Manitoba,
is the only conservative premier in all
the provinces Of Canada, and on that &C
count enjoys tWo-fold distinction. He
is naturally treated with Difference by the
conservative leaders throughout the Do
minion, who desire to obtain control Of
the federal as Well as the provincial
Offices The liberal leaders make par
ticular mark of him and the province Of
Manitoba, which he at present governs,
because they look upon this as a strong
hold from which may spring the force
that may defeat them when next they
are compelled to appeal to the people.
While Mr.. Robin is the chosen leader
of the conservative party, 1t cannot be
said that he was given that honor by
the voice Of the electorate. Nor has he
been confirmed in it by an appeal to the
rank and file 4 of his reputed followers,
many of whom are known to be opposed
to him. He stepped into the premiership
when Hugh John Macdonald, who had
y,
after being in. opposition sixteen years,
sought to obtain a seat in the Dominion
parliament, but defeated by Clifford
Sifton, the present minister Of the in
terror.
Robins Railway Policy.
Mr.. Robin bases his claim to continued
support on the astuteness Of his deal
with the Northern Pacific railroad and
the benefits which are alleged to have
accrued to the province by handing the
lines leased from that company over to
the Canadian Northern and giving the
latter company financial support on tNn-
dition Of reduction in both passenger
and freight rates the ultimate result of
which will be. he alleged, to give the
Manitoba farmers a 10 cent rate for
wheat to lake ports.
MI. Robin u.s. however, an ardent pro-
tectionist and opposed to everything
American particularly in the line Of rail-
roads. He wants everything for Cana
dians to be Of Canadian origin and opera
ton. even il they have to pay more for
1t, than they otherwise would.
. Greenway In Opposition.
The liberals Of Manitoba are led by the
''old war horse" Thomas GreenWay, who
was sixteen years premier and has spent,
as he boosted a short time since, twenty
four years in the service Of the province.
He is q stanch free trader and announced
In his last public speech that he would
devote all his energies to wipe out every
shred and vestige of protection. Mr..
Greenway would also encourage Ameri-
can railways to compete for the vast
amount of traffic which western Canada
offers and the existing roads are appar-
emily unable to cope with. Part of his
arrangement Of the Robin government
is that it refused at the last session of
the assembly to allow the Northern Pa
cific to re-enter the province and con-
struct 1900 miles of railroad. without
asking either financial assistance or lane
grant. A project of this kind was put
forward and killed because, as one OF
the ministers stated the government was
not approached i'll the proper way, but
whether or not it was backed by the
Northern Pacific has never yet been sat
iSfactOrily proved.
A similar proposition. in which G. E.
Hamilton of st. Paul, formerly attorney
general Of Manitoba. is Interested, will
come before the assembly at the coming
session. but from expressions Mr.. Roblir
has let fall it is evident that the matter
is not regarded in a very favorable ligh
by his government. On the other hand
T. Mr. Greenway and the liberals in gen
eral would welcome the building of q
road that would provide an outlet fol
Manitoba wheat (Which is at present the
most pressing NEEDY over American ter
rtory and enable it to be marketed ther,
or loaded for Europe a an American port
Why Americans Are Interested.
Capital and enterprise are needed to de
r. velop the truly illimitable possibilitie:
that Manitoba possesses and to enable
the farmers to get adequate and promp
returns for their produce. If American
are willing to. come forward and assis
they should be encouraged to do so. The,
are more likely to secure corporation
from a liberal than the present conserva
tive government and may therefore b.
interested in the campaign which is nov
opening.
The campaign will practically be give1
it's characteristic features by the pro
ceedings Of the legislative assembly, an
1t is expected Mr.. Robin will make som
strong bids for popular favor
E-t.t MELLETTE, S. D.-Mr. and Mrs c. X