The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-09-18
THE PEOPLE RULE IN CANADA
OI4aughlin the Chicago Trbune)

One million, two hundred and fifty
thousand Canadian electors will cast
their ballots on Sept. 81 for represen-
tatives in the house of commons, of
the Canadian parliament. If a major
| ity of these be avowed liberals, the
governor general, acting as the agent
of King George, the present premier,
to form a ministy. If the majority
| be conservatives, he will extend this
invitation to r. l.. Borden, of Halifax,
the present leader of the opposition.
II the majority be conservatives and
nationalism, a coalition ministry will
be formed, which Borden will be in
vited to head.
The governor general is merely the
mouthpiece for the will of the people.
The leader of the party which is VIC
torious becomes the real head of the
executive of the Canadian federation,
Just as President Taft is the chief
executive of the American nation.
The spectacle, such as exists today
In Washington and has been presented
before in American history, of apresi-
dent of one party being opposed by a
majority of another in control of con-
gress cannot occur here. The pre-
mier must hold constantly majority
of the house of commons behind his
government and the measures he pro-
poses. Failure to do SO requires at
once a new election and the turning
Of power over to the leader of the par
ty victorious at the polls.
Thus, Canada has the same system
that obtains in England, and it is re-
sponsible largely for the long tenure
of office which various parties have
enjoyed. For example, Sir. Wilfrid
Laurier has been in control of the
government since 1896 and his admin
istration has been confirmed by three
subsequent elections. Sir Wilfrid sue
ceeded the conservatives, who held the
reins of government for IS years. An
other election might have been post
poned, had not the reciprocity agree
ment been negotiated.
| That agreement was presented for
enactment, but, through the filibuster-
ing tactics of the conservatives, it was
apparent that a vote could not be
taken, and it was determined, there.
fore, to present the issue to the coun-
try.
| This has given an opportunity, for
the discussion Of other issues, such as
the creation of Canadian navy, upon
which the nationalists are dwelling,
strongly among the French in the pro-
vince Of Quebec and the province of
Ontario, alleged scandals in the gov.
eminent, etc.
| Naturally the opposition is seizing
upon every failure of the Laurier gov.
eminent, every mistake it has made,
to create dissatisfaction and votes
against it. TIE tactics observed are
those the Democrats have pursued and
will pursue in the next campaign with
respect to the administration of Presi.
dent Taft. OF course, the paramount
question is that of reciprocity, and its
fate will be decided according to the
majority of votes cast.
| While under the British and Can.
adam systems, there is less incentive
to insurgency than there is in the
United States, no one can follow
events here without realizing that a
great shifting is in progress among
party followers.
1t is true that if man opposes q
government measure he usually finds
himself in the ranks of the opposition
Henri Bourassa, of Quebec, is an ex.
ception. due to exceptional conditions
He was liberal, but broke with his
party upon the question of giving mil
itary aid to Great Britain and upon
the organization of Canadian navy
Representing French constituency in
the Quebec provincial parliament q