The Ontario Scrapbook Hansard

Ontario Scrapbook Hansard, 14 Jun 1922, p. 2

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"I think the charges made by Mr. Lewis were made recklessly, with indifference as to their truth . or falsehood, and without excuse or warrant," states Commissioner J. A. MaciIntosh in his report on the death of Capt. Orville Huston at Fort JFrances last fall, and the serious charges levied against the Attorney-- (ieneral's department in that con-- mection by A. C, Lewis, Conserva-- tive member for Northeast Toronto, on the floor of the Ontario Legis-- jature. "In conclusion, I thank you for the enactment of much beneficial legislation, and I trust that the bless-- ing of Almighty God will continue to be bestowed upon our people and our country." "*Necessary provision has been made_ for the financial requirements of the Government, both for carry-- ing on the public service and for raising money for the various Pro-- vincial undertakings which are in progress. 1 desire to thank you for these appropriations, and to assure you that they will 'be administered with a proper regard to economy and efficiency, iX etk "Important legislation has been passed in amendment to the Ontario Insurance: Act. Many of the prin-- cipal recommendations of the Insur-- ance Commissioner and of the Select Committee _ Respecting _ Insurance, which sat during the recess, have been adopted. It is expected that the general revision and consolida-- tion of the Ontario Insurance Act will be completed next session. '"Among the measures which have received your consideration and ap-- proval are bills to consolidate the Municipal Act; respecting-- voters' lists; to amend the Corporations Tax Act; respecting works and measures to relieve unemplqyment, and re-- specting the Lake of the Woods Con-- trol Board. Commissioner Macintosh declines i0 give an opinion as to whether Captain Huston was murdered or committed suicide, stating that, no matter how strong an opinion any-- one might have on the facts, "there tan be absolutely no certainty." HMHonest Investigation. Perusal of the Attorney--General's file, says the commissioner, would convince any fair--minded man that there was nothing to substantiate the charge. of departmental "in-- brtia, inactivity or inefficiency," in connection with the Huston case. '"'The evidence bearing on this branch of the Lewis charges,"' he says, "has convinced me that, from the time of Huston's death, all the officials of the Attorney--General's department, including the Attorney-- (Gieneral himself, and including those at Foxrt Frances, were all in their yespective capacities constantly, honestly, zealously and efficiently engaged in endeavoring to solve the true cause of Huston's death. I can-- not find any evidence of culpable negligence, or, indeed, negligence of any kind.". Consolidate Insurance Laws. LEWIS CHARGES WITHOUT BASIS, REPORT STATES No Shadow Rests on Backus «or Raney, Says Com-- missioner NO SHIRKING OF INQUIRY Where Is Porter Report? After lengthy review of the evi-- dence, the commissioner, comment-- ing upon the non--production of the Porter report, says: "It does seem in the highest degree extraordinary that this mysterious and elusive re-- port is not forthcoming, and that Mr. Lewis, venturing out on his proposed crusade, should not have protected himself by retaining this report, procured for himself, or at least have kept a copy of it." 4% The commissioner feels that Mr. Lewis' statements, "so far as the Backus charges are concerned," were based on pure hearsay, and, so far as the charges against the Attorney--General's department are concerned, "the only information which he had was the criticism of the department contained in the various issues of The Telegram." '"-A-t'"gr_é{liwlength the report re-- views the business relations of Cap-- tain Huston with E. W. Backus, the commissioner stating: ¥o Contract With Backus. SU

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