The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-04
The Dominion Elections.

d1sSolVed and a general election for new
members of parliament will be held
Nov. 3. Dissolution of the old parlia-
ment and announcement of the cleo
lions was made on Sept. 20. Thus,
the campaign in Canada will be only
a month long as compared with our
four or five months.
This is the length of the campaign
In an official sense, but, as matter
or TACT, 1t has been much longer. Ca
madam politicians have been in a state
of suspense for more than a year in ex-
pectatlon that dissolution would be an
nounced at any time. Consequently, in
most OF the constituencies, the two par
ties have chosen their candidates long
since, tho the formal nominations do
not take place until Oct. 81. There has
also been q deal of organizing and
! speechmaking, but from now on for the
next month, just as in the United
States, the real work of the campaign
will be done.
Two reasons are given for the dis
solution OF parliament year in adj
vance of the expiration of it's term.
One is that the passage of redistri-
button, or, as we would say, reappor-
tionment bill, based on the census Of
1901, makes it desirable that the coun-
try should be represented on the new
basis as soon as possible. The other
and chief reason is that, before pro-
ceeding with the actual construction of
the Grand Trunk Pacific railway, the
government desires to have it's course
ratified by the people.
For two years the Grand Trunk Pa
chic project has been the most impor-
tant and most interesting question in
Canadian politics. The conservative
party is strongly opposed to the govern
ment's program. This is, in brief, the
construction by the government of the
1900 miles between the Atlantic and
Winnipeg, and the construction of the
line from Winnipeg to the Pacific by
the company with government back
ing in the shape of a guarantee of
bonds. The conservative party greatly
doubts the wisdom of building the
eastern section at all, and leans toward
government ownership and operation.
The liberal party had control of the
last house by a margin of over fifty
votes. The indications are that it will
control the next house, also, the only
question being whether it's majority will
be reduced or increased. The govern
ment s railway policy seems to be popu-
lar. It has the advantage of definitely
promising new transcontinental rail
way for Canada as soon as it can be
built The idea of second transcon.
tinental appeals to the. national pride
and it is likely to be more powerful with
the voters than pessimistic arguments
as to the cost, the alleged lack of need
OF such railway and arguments that
the government is making poor bar.
gain. 1888 :t'1'
Aside from the way the average Ca
madam voter may look at the railway
question he will be Influenced by the
general policy, of the present govern
ment, which has undoubtedly been very
popular. Under the administration of
Clifford Sifton, minister of the interior,
the settlement Of the great Canadian
west has proceeded by leaps and bounds.
When the present government came into
power it was thought impossible to in
duce Americans to find homes in Cana
da, but since that time 175,OOO Ameri-
cans have crossed the line. During the
liberal administration the prosperity of
Canada has been unprecedented and it's
foreign trade has expanded amazingly.
From an American point of view
liberal victory in Canada would be well
come. It is altogether probable that
within two or three years at the outside
the demand in this country e. for
reciprocity with Canada will compel our
government to take some action in that
direction. A liberal government will be
inclined to meet an advance from our
side Of the line in reciprocal spirit,
whereas reciprocity negotiations with
conservative government would be al
most hopeless.