Year: 1859

which cannot fail to impress their hearts (Applause)
best only cVssson M wort worth asStns ss sor
Ii 'hat founded upon religious truth. (Applausc.)


Our Toronto Correspondence.


TORONTO, Dec. ~, 1885,
A Canadian Dred Scott Cdse-The British System Of Re-


ponsibility-7ne Ainisterial Double Shu0aePa,tisan


Judsss-Appeal 10 Engand-O Opinions in Faror Of


Wrien Constitution Meeting Of Parliament Violence


Of Parties, de-, dc.


The Canadian law courts have Just pronounced their
Dred Scott decision They have given Judgment favor of
the Ministry in against them penal
ties for having, in the recent double shuttle, violated the
independence Of Parliament This decision s creating pro
found sensation throughout the country and the cry is
universal "Appea to England" It is regarded rs the
heaviest blow aimed at the British system responsible
government since its establishment in 1841 II ministers
can change places in the cabinet resign in body
wait till succeeding ministry has its course and re-
signed and then resume Office with new colleagues a
shuttle Of places and new policy, and all this without
being obliged to back to their constituents and obtain
their sanction, then system whatever it may be
Called is not the British system Many of the saunchest
friends Of the mother country and its political institutions
now openly declare that If this decision is upheld by the
Judicial Committee Of the Privy Council to whom 1t will
be appealed they will so at once for written constitution
and direct responsibility in heads of departments


AS this is the most important political that has
occurred in months II years Canada perhaps
it be interesting to your American readers if explain
it little in detail The rebellion of 1878 though
a failure as demonstration Of force, was complete
success politically The old tory olgarchy, that had ruled
the country almost from its settlement broken down.
and the British government by adopting Lord Durhams
recommendations, allowed the people of Canada to copy
the institutions of the mother country and introduce the
system Of responsible government. This they did by
solemn resolutions Of the United Parliament in lS4l With
but little interruption this system accepted and acted
On by oil parties and administrations until the advent of
the present coalition and they did venture open
y to set aside until last session. when they perperated
what has been aptly termed their "double shunle.n


is fundamental rule Of the English system that the
acceptance Of Office by member Of Parliament vacates
his seat Cabinet offices are no exception. But bis
constituents in the latter may re-elect him. Minis
terial changes which seldom mace without involving


change of feeling, always subject the approval OF
portion at least of the constituent body The people
therefore, under this rule hold direct check over the
movements of the government in of its import
ant crises. The rule sprobaby effective terrory
than in it's remedial action. Ministers and members of
Parliament hesitate, are circumspec observe party obi
cations and consistency because every important change
involves their seat and compe them tosubmit that change
its objects and consequences the instant adjudication of
ther constituents Inc same rule was adopedin Canada
But an exception was made py recent statute in these
words-"Whenever any person holding cabinet office
and being member Of either house sha resign his of
nee and within one month after his resignation accept
any oner OF the SAID oihees ne snail not thereby vacae
his seat" This to provide for the Of ex
change OF onces between members OF the same admins
traton was thought an unnecessary hardship upon
ministers to compel them in Of interchange of of
GERS merely Their seats and incur the trouble and
expense OF reelection such an arrangement would not
oe hkey 10 involve any chanee Oh policy or any act OF
administration upon which the people in their primary
pacy would desire to pronounce The clause is in the
form OF proviso to general clause laying down the rule
that every acceptance Of Office vacates the members
Its meaning and scope are therefore, plain Now for the
case and judgment upon 1t.


Seat Of Government question, and resigned in a body
Their resignation was accepted and Mr. George Brown
entrusted by the government with the formation Of
ministry He succeeded and, with his colleagues was
sworn INTO once hey OF course at once vacated their
seats and went back to their constituents In consequence
Oh ne aotoa ol M Their and un