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Referring to the article in The Globe the Prime Minister pointed out the statement that he said: "No one can compel me to answer this ques- tion." "Now my language as every hon. gentleman knows," he went on, "was 11y way of illustration. and it refers to the remark that there was no compulsion on a Minister of the Crown to answer any question what- ever." Further. Sir James pointed out. supposing his position had been wrong and the Speaker had ruled that the question was proper, he could still refuse to answer. "All who Meanwhile his attention had been called to it. and he secured the tele- gram and brought it to the chamber waiting for the hon. gentlemen op- posite. to move for it or ask a mics- tion about it, but. when he saw that instead of following that course a lot of veiled allegations were made as to what was in the telegram, he thought he would let the matter go. inst week, however, when Mr. Elliott pressed his question, and as it was the contents of an original document that he wanted, the Prime Minister said h pointed out that H motion for g return should he made in order that the procedure of the House should be complied with. Globe Editorial. That telegram had been tossed aside into the drawer of a desk, where it remained for a month. As a matter of fact, in the House last session a certain return was asked tor-Correa.. pondence relating to the extension of the T., & N. o. Railway to Elk Lake. "It never occurred to me, nor does it now, Mr. Speaker, that the corres- pondence mentioned and intended to he included in this return had any- thing to do with a telegram like this." Not That Telegram. Premier Makes a Statement in Legis- lature as to the Now Famous-a Mess sttqe-rtvrers to a Globe 11alitoritti--. Ameml University Act. Was Buried in Sir James Whit- ney's Desk a Month KEPT UNDER COVER l YEAR ELK LIIE 'lflffilllMl glllllliS BACK T0 LIFE I "John Rowlandson." 'I'UIaJSJ'LH'. FERIHARY '13- Ill?: It is expected that the debate on the address will conclude to-day. There will he a vote on Mr. Proud- , foot's amendment with regard to an- iti-treating. Dr. McQueen (South Wentworth) will he the other speak- 'er for the Opposition. Yead trriciiiiir'er"7ir11 Me the manner in which truth was laid aside and a nasty attempt made to create feeling against myself. However, I would not look to gain anything in the pub- Iic estimation if this paper alluded to mp in any other terms." Sir James went on to explain the Practice in the British "on" of Com- mnns. and indicated how often a gen- oral discussion might arise out of a (Illostion put to a Minister. But it ofion happened when questinns were "sked that the Minister did not even Pxpress a disinclinatinn to answer, but :merely remained silent. Mr. Fay stated that the attention of the Government had been called to the recent decision of the Privy Council in the case of the town of North Toronto and the Toronto & Niagara Power Company, and that a deputation from the municipality had seen Rt. Hon. ft. L. Borden with the view of securing an amendment to the act, which had been favorably received. The remainder of the session was spent in committee on a number of statute revision bills. Sir James is keeping the members at work with the view of overtaking the amount of routine business that has to be accomplished. . A bill was introduced by the Prime Minister to amend the univer- mty act, to provide for the appoint- ment of four additional governors. A certain number of the members of the board resided outside of Toron- to, and it was often difficult to secure a quorum. The result was the busi- ness of the university was delayed. The additional governors to be ap- pointed will reside in Toronto, and thus the difficulty will be overcome. "Unguarded and incorrect state- ments were made w1th regard to this telegram. I said that if any such statements as these were the con- tents of that, telegram, it was a for- get-y." The incident closed with Mr. EI- liott reiterating that if there wasany responsibility for the telegram not having been brought down sooner it rested with the Prime Minister, and not. with the members of the Oppo- sition." Amend University Act. a question was not objectionable the Minister had a right to give an an- swer to the House. A great deal of ditnc'ult.v would have been obviated if the Prime Ministor had included this telegram in his t1rst return. He did not think that any responsibility attached to members of the Opposi- tion if during some of the debates the impression was given, which the Prime Minister referred to as "veiled insiuuations," that if this teiogram had not been sent. hy Sir James him- soll' it was a forgery. l'ngual'ded and Ittcormit. After reading the telegram given above. Sir James added: "This in the opposite of what the public has been induced to believe in regard to the matter. An attempt has been made In induce the, public to helleve that I sent. a telegram announeinq the c'onstruetion of a railway. They did not give the exact, facts as T have stated here." t l Flip James' reply to tho Rowland- unn wire read:---- "John Ttowlandston, "Elk Lake, via Charlton: "f have not seen the statement. but it pa true that the Government has decided to build a branch line to Elk Lake. siper will See the manna? nth was 1am aside and a pt made to create feeling self. However, I would gain anything in the pub- m if this paper alluded to "J. P. Whitney."