November 9, 1867

LEADERSHIP OF THE OPPOSITION

There had been some expectation prior to the meeting of the Parliament that the leadership of the opposition would be assumed by Joseph Howe, the leader of the Anti-Confederate forces in Nova Scotia. That has not come to pass.

In his maiden speech to Parliament, made last night, Mr. Howe (Hants) said the leadership of those who support Confederation must be assumed by one who supports Confederation. Given that during the recent election campaign, “no man in my country” took any position on the policies of the Government of Canada, he could not take a leadership position in the Commons. He has instead taken a seat half-way down the first row of the opposition benches.

For the time being at least, the seat directly across from the prime minister and, therefore, the de facto leadership of the opposition, is occupied by Hon. Sandfield Macdonald, the premier of Ontario. Sandfield’s taking up of this position is a curious one considering how much we have been told by the Globe and other Liberal papers that Sandfield’s administration in Ontario was a mere puppet of the Dominion government.

Alexander Mackenzie (Liberal, Lambton), meanwhile, appears to have assumed the leadership of the Ontario Liberal caucus in the House of Commons.

GALT’S RESIGNATION

Hon. Alexander Galt responded in the Commons yesterday to a request from Antoine Dorion (Liberal, Hochelaga) for an explanation of his resignation from the Cabinet.

Galt pointed to his personal interests and feelings as the reasons necessitating his resignation from the Cabinet. Without detailing his personal interests he said that, at least as far as the first session of the Parliament was concerned, it was necessary that he have control of his own time and affairs.

With respect to personal feeling, Galt said that the feeling in the press and the public in Ontario regarding his role in the bank crisis made it desirable he should step aside, despite his having been acquitted by the directors of the very bank he stands accused of harming. Galt said the he believed he would be acquitted in time but that time was best spent outside the Privy Council.

The Hamilton Times meanwhile, suggests that a heated argument took place amongst the Dominion ministers on Sunday evening and that Mr. Galt’s resignation followed on Monday morning.