August 5, 1867

ELECTION CALL TODAY?

There was a small cabinet meeting late Saturday evening with only a quorum of ministers in attendance: the Prime Minister Hon. Sir John A. Macdonald, the Minister of Militia Hon. George-Étienne Cartier, the Post Master General Hon. Alexander Campbell, and the Secretary of State for Canada Hon. Hector Langevin. The meeting appears to have been called so that the prime minister, in his role as Minister of Justice and Attorney-General could present an Order-in-Council (1867-0036) for the payment of a bond for the performance by William Ferguson, Esquire, of the duties of Sherriff of Frontenac.

With still no word of the election writs we have correspondents staked out around the capital today to bring you any movements of the Privy Council we can find.

MACDONALD PREDICTED TO WIN ELECTION 98-82

With the election call delayed still further concern continues to grow amongst supporters of the prime minister that he has waited too long to call the election. Predictions in both the Reform and Conservative press presage a difficult election for Sir John A. Macdonald, who though projected to win the campaign 98-82, will only do so on the back of an overwhelming majority in Québec. The Opposition is expected to carry the other three provinces. The following is a breakdown of seats expected to be won by each faction once the writs are returned to Ottawa:

Ontario

30 - Conservatives/Liberal-Conservatives
52 - Reformers

Québec

55 - Conservatives/Liberal-Conservatives
9 - Liberals

Nova Scotia

7 - Government Supporters
12 - Opposition Supporters
(In Nova Scotia, the candidates have arrayed themselves as supporters or opponents of Confederation with such support not being indicative of whether they would support the existing ministry of Sir John A.)

New Brunswick

6 - Conservatives/Liberal-Conservatives
9 - Reformers

EAST MIDDLESEX VOTERS’ LIST IN COURT

Lawyers have appeared in the London courthouse this morning before Deputy Judge Parks to try allegations that the Clerk of London Township, William Taylor, who is also the Conservative candidate in the riding for the Ontario legislature, has tampered with the list, omitting some 200 names that ought to have been included.

Deputy Judge Parks has ordered the production of the assessment rolls on which the voters’ list is based, as well as the original notes of the assessors which, the lawyers involved believe will prove their claims. They are seeking the return of the missing names to the voters’ list.

Deputy Judge Parks has adjourned the proceedings until tomorrow morning.

The penalty for tampering with a voters list is imprisonment in a penitentiary for a period not less than two years and not more than seven.

JOE SIMPSON BLOCKED BY HON. W. HOWLAND

A letter appears in today’s Globe from manufacturer Joe Simpson, upset that Hon. William Howland (Inland Revenue) has blocked Simpson’s attempts to communicate with him. Simpson has written two letters thus far to the minister, both of which have gone unanswered and for which Simpson has not even received an acknowledgement of receipt. Simpson writes:

Permit me to remind you, sir, that, as an official of Government, one of whose supposed offices is the protection of individual right, you have been guilty of a sad dereliction of duty. As a gentleman you have committed a grave discourtesy, as a politician a most unlucky faux pas, and as a man a most unappreciable sense of your obligations.

It is burning question whether citizens have a right of reply when they attempt to communicate with their politicians.

MÊLÉE FOR MCGEE

An election meeting called by D’Arcy McGee and Alexander Ogilvie, Conservative candidates for the Dominion and provincial seats in the constituency of Montreal West was ended before it began when an angry mob began hurling rotten eggs at McGee. McGee and Ogilvie fled the scene after police were unable to stop the attack. McGee, undeterred has scheduled another meeting at Point St. Charles.