The Ontario Scrapbook Hansard

Ontario Scrapbook Hansard, 12 Mar 1903, p. 4

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A Three Weeks' Adjournment. . I am going to move, t1ym,'rrreset.tt- ly, for the appointment of a commis- sion, and if the House should agree to that view, I am going to propose that the House should adjourn for three weeks, pending the investigation, and to allow the report to be received, and for various reasons. In the first place, I do not think eithef side of the House can comicrt- ably go on with business while an in- s vestigation of this kind is being held h either in this House or at Ospvrie. Hall, or wherever it may be held. a Sec "at-o. dual; who; the r mi',,efi,18.!l oi the Government can give their attention to the public business p as they might like while such an in- t vestigation was pending, involving the honor of one of their colleagues. These are two very good reasons, but perhaps most important of all-l, as leader oi the Government, and my colleagues all share this view-do not feel that we could go on with public business 'while such a cloud, if I may use an easy expression like that, rests over the reputation and standing of the Government. I want to say to the country that unless our character will r t stand clear of reproach, above sus- picion, vindicated of all such insinua- t tions and charges as have been in f brought against us by the hon. mem- - her for Manitoulin, then we'do not te want any longer to govern this coun- o ' try. (Loud Ministerial applause.) r As Honorable Men Only. re We will govern this country as hon- B orable men, with characters unim- t peached. or we shall not govern it at - all. (Renewed applause.) We ask this I House to give us every facility, and I I e ask my hon. friend opposite to give us f every facility for the vindication of our e character and reputation as members q - of the Government. I think every o member of this House, irrespective of 'fr party, is bound to see that the matter q tt in dispute is so settled. Every mem- i- ber has a stake in the honor of the 1l House, no matter what political party t he belongs to, and until this is so dis- i f posed of or settled by investigation, by n the examination of the proper wit- n n nesses and by counsel. it will be in n. that unsettled condition in which I for f one do not want to bring down any proposal to this House of any kind 1 whatsoever. lo i- A Clear Statement. P. it If we have been guilty of these charges we are unworthy to sit here. B s- We are certainly unworthy to ask hon. s s. gentlemen in this House or the CO1tn- l- try to give us their confidence, and n [unworthy to bring down any measures w 'lto this House. no matter how simple. Ii,,", order to facilitate this investigation t elwe propose that. the parties in this C linatter on both sides shall have a fun- c'ior and senior counsel if they desire, tl [ii:',),! I think the House when the time ' comes will vote the necessary expendi- A - tures for that purpose. Whoever con- ducts the prosecution can elect his own . - junior and senior counsel. Means will di be found to pay expenses of witnesses. an iIt is a State pr-'secution practically. . lThe State js bound to. provide means Ri to have th t prosecution complete in ar ,.all its dct:;ls. We think that within Vhree wetfs the examination can be t ";pncluded/tiud a report returned to his " Honor, Aid under these circumstances, p t'therefo . Mr. Speaker. I propose mov- B ,ing tilt following resolution _ de i ..Mox by Mr. Ross, seconded by . 1 Mr. G son: That an humble address th I be pre ted to .his Honor the Lieut.- tr ' Gave r, praying that he will be " l graeio y pleased to issue a commis- de S ', Sion t inquire into and investigate H di the ch es of bribery set forth in n ------_ Di ontinued on Page 2.) h A - "

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