New-York tribune., 1908-09-21
ELECTIONS In CANADA
The Liberal Policy and Results of
TzceIUe Years of Rule.

Toronto. Sept 1e-The past has not very
much do with the Liberal party OF to-day
in Canada The Liberal Opposition OF the long
years prior 10 1895, with its policy OF United
States reciprocity. stringent economy. antago-
nism to protection and intense democracy. has
passed away IN its Place is government led by
one man of marked personality and dominant
power surrounded by phalanx Of devoted follow
ers supported by an organization OF great and far
reaching strength. The free and easy LIBERAL fol
lowing of the past has gone with many otner
things in it's place is a compact body OF Vigorous
and harmonious workers Principles Of any def
mite kind are not before the electorate at present
and the promises or pledges OF twelve years ago are
not now a part of the governments ground for
asking public support It is the more practical
claim that the country has prospered under Liberal
rule; that certain important and useful acts OF ad-
rninstraton and legislation have been carried out
that certain other things VIII be done il popular
approval is again accorded the party and the gov
ernment.
That a good deal has been accomplished during
the twelve years Of Laurier rule is undoubted
fact. Canada has become known as Of the i'm
portant and growing countries of the world its re-
sources and possibilities have become factors in the
International development of the day; its place IN
the British Empire has become both prominent
and powerful. Much OF this was undoubtedly due
to the preferential tariff policy which made Eng
land ring with the idea Of new imperial bond and
a element in its commercial HE and lInpelIeu
United States recognition of Canada as a coming
force in continental relationships Much was oue
to Canadian participation in the South African wal
and to the sentimental considerations which. ind1-
recty but forcibly helped to direct British invest
meut 10 the new dominion instead Of TO foreign
countries and sent hundred thousand emlgrahts
TO Canada instead of Australia the United States
What matter if the preferential tariff was first
conceived in order TO effect indirect reduction IN
the protective tariff or if Canadian contlnsents
were sent to South Africa. because the over
whelming desire Of the people was said to have
forced the hand of the government? The results
are there and like money. they sometimes talh
most effectively Some Of the items of conservative
policy in this twelve years Liberal record are as
follows:
Settlement of the Manitota school controversy
general tariff which has been rearranged
rarGin 7ndns4yfaI condftfons while producing
S30O.000O00 more OF revenue than IN the prece1hs
The initiation and construction Of the Grand
The establishment of a railway commission
with wide authority and effective powers ,s
| Participation in the construction Of the Pacific
cable. A. 49,
MN Imp2ovements G6 in the St Lawrence waterway
| and reorganization OF the Montreal Haroor COM
Energetic immigration policy and settlement Of
| Organization of the Labor Department and pas
sage of the Lemieqx conci!iatlon agt. b1,sr,,ar+
u T1nrnvement m Of the militia system and condi
| tions and the much discussed organization OF
inauguration of an old age pension or annuity
- Tmprovenlents in agricultural work. the estab-
Iishment OF cold storage facilities. and the or
Legislation placing the inside civil service
under the control Of a commission
Such record is not to be despised. by op-
ponents or by the most honest and determined
critics it in the present campaign is the d.
rect or indirect promise Of great public undertake
fngs-the Georgian Bay Canal. costing s10o.Oao"0
Eay- Pail he n
public lands in the West and 10 give CHOPPED
for outlet the for Western wheat; the deepen
ing Of the St Lawrence canals to twenty-five feet
the completion OF :he Grand Trunk Pacific the
establishment Of an all red" empire line of
steamships connecting England and Canada and
Australia and Canada At the opening meeting of
the campaign in Ontario an additional promise OF
rural mail delivery has just been given while
the Liberal press Is ringing the changes upon
trade which has increased during the Laurter term
by thousand millions in total value over the total
CT the preceding twelve years
Of the undertakings mentioned. the only assured
ones the transcontine1tal project and the Hud
sons Bay Railway. The rest matters OF enor-
nous expenditure. heavy liabilities and problenat
icaI completion. But they sound well on the plat
form and may be effective in winning votes The
obliga tons entailed ard expenses involved not
matters of immediate concern TO the keen partisan
Or to the irresponsible and unthinking portion OF
/ the electorate. Another element in the Liberal
propaganda is the unquestioned prosperity Of the
past decade Increased agricultural production and
/ export. galloping trade returns and revenue re-
cepts increasing immigration industrial expansion
and financial growth are still living factors in the
public memory despite the flash Of depres-
sion. while Immediately before the people is the
fact of big crop and the prospect of good prices
/ and returning confidence. Almost more important.
at any OF equal importance. is the personality
| Of Sir WIifrid Laurier. He, somehow other.
/ touches the public ina gnation national and
/ imperial figure he is and the provincial days OF
| a distant past largely forgotten: astute to a
degree he has been and rarely runs counter 20
public passion or defes public opinion; eloquent in
/ voice he still is and with unusual charm OF man
ner. His peroration at SoreI On September 8. wnen
addressing the French compa triots of hts earlier
( public life. well illustrates something which much
description would only turn into waste of words
Not many wears now remain to The SHOWS
however 1 NAV snow the ravages Of time my
| heart still remains young. and feel that have
! much strength as ever fer the service OF my
| country In spite OF sixty years. of which sc
much has been spent IN the service OF the Domtn
ion. I sure that same time remains for q
vet oppose thase sinister cornhina tons. and espe
Ciay have l tooth fo- the unholy alliance be
/ tween the Castors and the Conservatives
! Our greatest work for the Advancement CT Canads
: is the construction Of the Grand Trunk Pacific
which means much for our country's future
/ associated. The more know about this line tnt
! see its advantages TO Canada In fact
! its advantages are already being felt, eveI
now IL IS taking its part IN the transportation o
/ shall this line running from Moncton 90 Win
| nipeg.. opening UP traffic 70 empires OF tn.
| North. where generations yet 70 come viii be ab.
10 settle and make their livelihood. I tell you i,
] all sincerity that 1 the coming gen