D BROS. | the ablest minister of railways the | that did not affect bis standing as | bo the best able to apply and enforce ---- atagin« Director. THE DAILY WHIG. ' 4 Opifer pes Orbem Dicor.' ---- ---- MR. BLAIR'S GOOD OFFICE. Hon. A. G. Blair has resigned his place in the federal parliament and accepted the chairmanship of the rail- way commission. For thin the com: mons legislated at it last session. 'Mr, Blair is the most competent man in Canada for the position. He was country ever had, He differed with the government as to the Grand Trunk Pacific's astern section; but authority on railways, their rights hi under Canadian laws. _ The statute whish directs this com: mission--~the statute which in its de tail involved an immense amount of labour and a great knowledge of rail various and his discussion of its haustive charact Clearly the man who framed such a measure will it. Nr. Blair is to be congratulated up- on his appointment, and the govern: ALDERMAN CRAIG RETIRES. He did not do this without considerable thought. Ho 'came out as a cendi- date at the solicitation of personal friends. They recognized him as a ness integrity. He was not anxious for public office and public responsi ol citizenship, arid so accepted the invitation to enter a campaign for The difficulties of a triangular con test 'wete presented when Mayor Bell offered for a second term. The favour with which a continuation in office is regarded in other cities did not seem 0. CLIFF. Insurance OPPOSITE POST OFFICE. to imp! his worship very much un- | i® til he thought he might run in be. tween Alderman Craig and Mr. Gra- ham. He hesitated yet while he be- came convinced that these two were settled in their plans. Then he was prepared to make personal and pro- fessional ifice afresh for the cov "LUMBER Pine, Hemlock, Maple, 'Birch, Walnut, Cherry, But- > Whitewood, Georgia Pine, Plain Oak, Oak, Cypress, etc. jmoved, how will he fare ? that the conservative party "bound to do all in its power" for | Y., af ected h 4 Singular to say in the meantimo many wicked stories and roorbacks, injuring Alderman Craig, were given currency. All these fictions could not be traced by Alderman Craig. Some of them were circulated cravenly aod privately. His course seemed to be clear, though he wanted to con- sult his friends. They decided upon his withdrawal, reluctantly, but as the wiser proceeding under the circum- stances. The situation may not be so pleas- ant to Mayor Bell to-day. He ran in between two candidates last year, but he cannot do it again. Some of his political friends applauded the attacks that were made in the city hall on Alderman Craig. With Mr. Craig re The reasoning of his friends is not a secrets Mr. Graham was expected to take the labor vote and more liberal than conservative votes, and Dr. Bell was expected to get enough of his own party to give him the election. What about the outlook now ? Some days ago it was announced was Dr. Bell. It was announced that he Was "pushed forward by the conserva. tives, as a solid phalanx," and there was no apprehension of his defeat ! But at that time he had not the con servative labour vote behind him, and | A. it is not behind him now. it Mr. Ross does not seem to be dis- i about the election in North | t . He has not decided yet to Way matters--was Mr. Blair's creation | nominated for a second term in phases in parliament was of the most | has had political aspirations. His de- on council," The remark is speciall tion which ought to be, and probably will be, resented at the polls. The liberals had no occasion to feel ashamed of the men 'who have pro- fessed the same political faith and had seats at the council board. The fibe- other way quite as creditable as the gentlemen with whom Dr. Pell has been allied, . Indesd 'the occasions 'for offensive language in public places--the instan- ees in which the dignity of the chair, stake--were not of the liberals' mak- speaking, into the 'mayor's wounds, and helped to restore peace and har- mony. Such being the case--the fact appearing that the liberals sought to 'in place of embarrassing--he should be above the task of reflecting up- on their worth. J The remark which Dr. Bell made on Monday evening, as reported in the press--that to preside over a grit council would be a humiliation to him--is an insult which will be re- membered. EDITORIAL NOTES. A conservative 'authority announces that "the machine must have spent $50,000" in North Renfrew. How much of it did the conservative machinists him to preside next year over a attractive because it conveys a reflec: and the men who sat in it, was at | Let more lected Lhe years litical I now come to + an aldérmanic vote, I have LETTER ON QUESTION. -------- Experiences in London and Ham- ilton -- The Election System Prostituted by The Political Parties--The Place of The De- mocracy. election by of intensilying this feeling by a change of tactics. No. politics Sections | municipal campaign. me say that [ did not expect to see politics' eleminated from the coun: cil. I did not, however, look for any er.one system of eleo tion than under 'gnother. What about of it ---- ing. The liberals, on the contrary, The Change In London poured oil and wine, metaphorically | By o vote of the le some years ago--the date has not been learned by one--and a vote that -w it was decided to red of wards from six to four, with three representatives for each, or a make the work of the mayor pleasant {of twelve, as compared with eighteen previously. The aldermen are elected by the wards, "and, as ter," writes a correspondent, 'there are things to be said for and against the new plan. Graham, in proposing the abolition of elections by wards ward grabbing, and while this aim has been accompl certain total whole people, and not by in every other mat- The idea of ex-Alderman , was to prevent d 'it can be said that parts of the city are now neg for the reason that they have not an alderman' in the council who happens to live in those parts." council. during the last two appears to have become a po- machine, as the following, taken from the Advertiser of the 26th will show ; dispose of ? "Last year and this year we have had ------ a council controlled by an outside or- It is alleged that Dr. Bell has been | ganization. Municipal dppointments the | have been made by a non-municipal clijue and the majority of the alder- mayoralty as a means to an end. He feat now would end them. men have been 80 many. rubber stam to register the decrees of the re ers of the éomservative club. The sys- tem has been perfected under Mayor Im. : re the itical aspect Ph by general nded with several | 9 places and asked for a candid expres Fas Ee finds poh the sobs: ve "mo statement. 1 hate hot ivishud lo deceive the peo or myself. ve heard points. From others there has been no In 'respect to politi people n- 0 politics some have suddenly become very sensative. They have been the keenest politicians, some in municipal the present as very large, uce the number wd Wh who alleged remove The Mail is Grand ferential Wagerville, Miss Isabella great] grand Lean Mr. iss wo t not in a position Trunk Pacific Mr. Tarte is going to Rouville make a speech Rouville is the consti which Mr. Brodeur represents, ile in office he cannot discuss politics. Is that brave of Mr. Tarte? Bob Bermingham, who managed the conservative election in North Ren- frew, alleges that the machine } The mayoralty contest has under | been smashed and put out of commis- {gone a significant change by the re | tirement of Alderman Craig. sion. So that it will never be heard of again. Whose was it anyway ? In Hamilton, where the political ma- chine is operated for all it is worth, there are thirteen liberals, sixteen con- . busi. | #ervatives, and four other candidates EX ar) Dusintetability and Busi. || oe eid, Such a thing an a coun cil of one political bility, Bist Be did not shrink from the | impossible. Elijah II. (John Alexander Dowie) is leaving for Australia and away several months. He Says he taking with him only enough money to pay his expenses. "Tis well. City will be safe till he returns. stripe is simply will The conservative party in Kingston to talk much about purity of elections. The that hé and his friends had been "beaten at their own game," has especially no call to reflect upon his opponents. Goldwin Smith advises the dismissal of the Ontario government if it does not resign. The lieutenant-governor is too shrewd a man to act unconstitu- tionally, and it is unconstitutional to a government which has the backing of a majority in the legisla ture. determined that contract shall The government appears to be satis- fied with the deposit of $5,000,000 pre- bonds, and the Grand Trunk company goes in with the road, A Happy Re-Union. attended ter an Those Dec. 20.--On Wednesday Cronk was united to Ernest Bertram, Parham. She will be ¥ missed, as she was the organ- 1st in the Methodist church at Wager- ville. On Thursday, December 24th, a ball was given at Arden. merry load from here and from Mc- it, and danced until five o'clock in the morning. Miss M. McCumber is home from Kingston for a week's visit. On Christmas night a party was given by W. Wager, and a easant evening was Walker is home from Brockville, N. absence of six months. On Sunday last a number of friends and relatives spent Sunday at William McCumber's. and Mrs. W. Wager, Cronk, Mr. and Mrs, P. Wager, Mr. and Mrs. T. Wager, F. Wager, Miss ager, Miss Maud McCumber, and and Mrs. J. Wager. day was spent. Christmas also brings grief. On Thursday last | of M. Johnson passed away -after years' illness. Visitors: B. Cronk at G. Sills'; John Vanvolkenburgh at 8. Cronk's; H. Cronk at 8. Fox's: D. McCumber at W. Wagers; T. McCum- ber at A. Wager's, "ln: spent. Mrs, t were Mr. r. and Mrs. W. A pleasant brings joys; has Zion man 'to | Beck, who has shown a new and rabid species of partizanship. The aldermanic slate is drawn up in the club, and the names of the machine nominees are printed on cardboard slips for distri. bution among the voters. The conser- vative alderman who dares to kick over the party traces knows that he must pay the peatlty. His name is left' off the ticket as an intimation to the faithful to give him the knife on election day. . "The system has its disadvantages afd the besses are finding that their chickens are coming home to roost. As a place on the ticket is an assur ance of getting the party vote, mors or les§, a competition has developed which .is very isturbing to the plans of the machine. Some party henchwnen, who are not wanted, are pressing for recognition and one or two of the aldermen, who are no strength to the ticket, object to being dropped. It is no secret that a lively row: is in pro- gress behind the scenes. be| "A great many conservatives depre- ig [ cate the present state of affairs and are ready to support good men, who will not be dominated by either po- litical party. It is a reproach to the city of London, that it has tolerated this machine rule for two vears. The jack-in-the-box candidates should be marked for defeat, and if a few men of the right calibre will come out 'the machine will be overthrown by the independent men in both parties, who regard any connection between party politics and municipal administration as a'detriment to the best interest of the city." Mark you there is not a sylable in all this which indicates that the sys- tem of election is to blame. Some people have simply politics on the brain, and they have carried their ia fatuation into the council and into all its proceedings. - The dominant party is conservative. Experience In Hamilton, Hamilton has been repeatedly refer- red to by correspondents. Months ago the Whig quoted from the letter the cease. But the Mail and its friends 4 Mayor Hordes to the Toroute : & 8. Pp \! OL an admirer of the are not the masters in this matter, election of alderman. at large, and there are others. 1 wanted a criticismy from an independent source; from one who is not in the council and not connected with its devices, and I got it. An elector wrote me : "You ask my opinion of the work. ing of the new system. Perhaps it is yet too early to form a settled con- clusion on the subject, but one thing is certain--the change has not wrought the great benefits that its advocates predicted. They asserted, confidently, that it would bring about the elec. tion of a better class of aldermen. It A | has not. "No doubt one reason for this is that a better class of candidates had not offered for election. But it was promised as one of the benefits of thé change that a better class of citizens would forward as aldermanic E. | candidates. "To my mind a decided evil result- ing from the new system is the inten- sifying of party spirit which it has brought about. Under the ward sys- tem, iff is true, there was always more or less party rivalry, and the council would be sometimes split on party lines. But the elections were never conducted as party contests. "Now the election of aldermen is as much a party affair as the election members of parliament. Each party organization brings out its tie- ket. and 'the faithful' are expected to rally to its support. The whole pow- er of the grit.and tory machine is brought to bear to secure the triumph of the party tickets, The result is ---- that all Hizough ttn are regal in 8 i rather than on their: merits. yd "The git minority is tempted r proposed = by measures 'power, and the tories so far the civic ments j. pointees having ~ mostly been fair n' - Such as Hamilton's remarkable re- cord, as sketched by an independent pen, and excepting London's it is without a parallel. These are the only instances in which politics have been carried to extremes and under the circumstances, are they to be taken as safe and infaliitle guides ? m-- Apathy Of The People. i lic i It is the opinion of some. thought: fala who mrved. the people this pane aooted wy, hie st en ful men that it is the supreme indif- year in the civic government have | 0 and voted politically in muni. | ference of the masses that makes been mentdlly, morally and every cipal elections, and bolt at the idea] municipal polities defective. "The bulk of the electors do mot concern themselves about the proceedings of the council," said one writer. "They are not, therefore, very much concern- ed about the candidates for municipal office, and some will not, however capable they may be, offer themselves as candidates." It was this indifference that caused the Toronto Star, on a recent occa- tion, to break out in. indignant lan- guage, and to pronounce the condi- tions which existed in Toronto - as most unseemly. "There " is," it re marked, "too much talk to sectional or ward influences and too little ap- peal to the whole city. It would be different in retention of office was not the 'supreme object of these represen tatives of the people. The city needs representatives who will at all times be governed by the popular sentiment cof the peopl:, but not men whose sole object is to use every side wind that promises aid to re-election. Eliminate the talk that is spent in the various municipel bodies to secure the sup- port of a street here and the sym- pathy of a few ratepayers there and the transaction of the city's business will not prove an exacting task." This is an angry protest against the supineness of the best men, and their refusal to engage in municipal life. But incidentally it is a condemnation of the ward system of electing the aldermen. Place Of The Cemocracy. Reference has been made to the fuct that the election of aldermen at large would be a decided disadvantage to the property owners. That point has been enlarged Hy me so that it may not be misunderstood. It is a mis- tale, however, to picture the man hood suffragists as largely the pro- ducers of evil in the political system. "It seems unfitting,"' says one corres- ndent, "that one not having similar (fixed) interests should select men to make laws for both himself and those whose interests are quite unlike his own." It must be remembered that councils do more than levy taxes. They have to do with measures which affect the well-being of the people, and so far as the public health, the order and de corum of the people, the administra- tion of justice and such things are concerned. the man of intelligence has as much right to be consulted as tle men of wealth. But the council can tax the people until, as the mayor last January observed, they groan un- der the burden, and it is hence de sired that the members of it shall, as far as possible, have property inter- sts in the city. At the same time it is inexpedient to offend, unnecessarily, manhood suffragists. I have something farther to say on this matter, and wll embody it in one more" and concluding letter. . --R. MEEK. ------ A Popular Teacher. Brewer's Mills, Dec. 28.--School clos: ed on Tuesday, with the usual exer- cises. A large audience assembled to show their interest in the advance- ment of the pupils. After the exercises the teacher, Miss Berrigan, was pre- sented by "hér pupils with a handsome glove box and a costly parlor lamp. The address of the pupils was read by Miss N. Murray, and the gifts were handed over by Misses N. Murray and H. Webb. We are pleased to hear that Charles Rochefort, dangerously ill of typhoid fever at Port Huron is im- proving. Mr. and Mrs. S. Keeler and family, Manitoba, have arrived to spend the winter with her mother, Mrs. Fisher, and his parents in iteel- esville. Miss L. Fisher, Kingston, is spending holidays at her home. E., J. and B. Murray have returned irom Buffalo, where they spent the past summer sailing. They were acom- panied by their cousin, J. Murrav of Buffalo. Miss M. Berrigan and F, Dunn, Kingston, are spending holi- days at the home of the former. Miss- es C. Rochefort, Vermont, and C. Rochfort, Kingston, are visiting at J. Rochefort's. F. Rochefort has re- turned from the United States, where | he spent the past two months, Mr. and Mrs. W. Smith, Harrowsmith, nv.d Mr. and Mrs. H. Orr and faniiv. of Sunbury, spent Christmas with Mrs. W. Fisher. Look at The Record. Brantford Expositor. The bye-election record for the pres- ent Ontario parliamentary term is : * Won by Liberals. ' North Grey North Perth North Norfolk Sault Ste. Marie North York.--5. Won by Consatvatives, Centre Bruce Muskoka North Renfrew.--3. So far as "the popular wave" is concerned. it can scarcely be said to t be with Mr. Whitney. | Attacked By Highwaymen. New York, Dec. 29.--Dr. J. M. Ot- to was found unconscious early to- day on the sidewalk at Fifth avenue and 30th street. The back of his skull had been crushed and he died soon rfterwards. To all appearances the doctor was a victim of a hichway- ; man, who had been frightened off be- { fore he had time to search the dying + man's pockets, through oat onestions to the are ry in inclined to look 'upon proposals ema- na from grit minority as bids popularity and attempts to manviacture po'itical capital. "However, it must be admitted that e government has not suffered much by the dominance 'of the tories and their conduct of aflairs on party lines, although all appoint- ite have gone to tories, the 5 AOREEES O00.) ) Right Pri Some clothiers think that in order to conduct a retail clothing business it is necessary to advertise day after Jay, week in and week out : '""Men's $15 Suits and Overcoats special to-day $10," and "Men's §io @ Suits and Overcoats special at $3." - E 3 These values exist on paper only and the custom. B er never gets them ; in fact he never expects to find § them, People are disgusted with this method of ad- [i vertising. ; 'What Makes-Trade ? | It's the pleased customer telling his friends where Jo he was treated right and where his' money was well § spent. « We treat our patrons fairly--give 'them scrip- ture measure. for their money, and gvrarantee every article of clothing we sell. One tells another agd so § our business grows. . 3 P.S.--ASK TO-SEE Our Chamberlain Overcoat at $13.50. - : Gor Wostmiastor Overcoat at $12.50, | Our Grosvenor Drerceat at $10. § { THE H. D. BIBBY (0. | 4 Cash and One Price Clothing House, Oak Hall. : ) G WARM FEET! If You Want OVERSHOES Warm Feet Wear Men's Overshoes, = =~ $1.25, $1.50, $1.75 and $2.50. Zoadies' Quvershoes, $1.50, $1.75 and $2. : The Sawyer Shoe Store Lhe "REMEMBER That we are just as well prepared to serve those of our customers who leave off to do their shopping for New Year's as we have /been for those who buy before Christmas. We are sure to please you ! Greeting ! We wish to thank our numerous friends for the liberal patronage tendered us during the past year and hope they will continue same, and take pleasure in wishing all H Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year Jo. Abramson, ™ Presa i... § 180 Princess Street. REMEMBER THE PLACE--Botwaen Reddén's and Crawford's. CATARRI *Pe-ru-na is a Blessing Catarrh," Says Unite Tolds Not Promptly Cured =~ -~to Cause Catarrh, Catarrh Improperly Treate to Make Life Short and Mi Many "Wonderful Cures A by Pe-ru-na. Cg AATARRH spares no orga Aten' of the body. It is « "destroying sight, taste, smell digestion, secretion, assimil; -- PRESSING AND REPA A SPECIALTY. YOUR OWN made into up-to-date suits. GALLOWAY, 131 Brock St., » bv'e livery. I. G. BOGART, M.D. FORMER RESIDENT HOUS Keon of the Kingston Gene ital. Office and residence, ington St., Kingston, (nea site Post Office). Telephone . FOR SALE. A FIRST-CLASS DAIRY FAR property taken in exchanye at Wood Dros. 234 Prince STOCK, GRAIN & (0 We b:g to announce that we ened a branch office in Exchan Lers, 114 Brock street, with di connections, to all the leading ¢ We buy stocks outright for i or on margin, all orders are ex legitimate cxchange. The lates advices from New York, Bosto go and Toronto, are always « our office for the benefit of th ested in the markets McMillan & Ma; Exchange Chamber 114 Brock Street - Kingst« Adap Toronto and Peterboro. LS COMMERCIAL. MONTREAL MARK ET Canada Pacific Ry. Toledo Ry Montreal St. Ry Montreal St. Ry. Teronto St. Ry- Twin City Transit Commércial Cable Montreal Telegraph Pominion Cotta™ Co Canada Colored Cotton R. & 0. Nav. Co. Merchants' Bank Dominion Steel Dominion Steel, pid Dominion Coal Dominion Coal, pid . Detroit United Montreal Power ... Nova Scotia St Ry Ogilvie Mig. Co. Union Bank Bank of Commerce Bank of Hochelagg new Ba NEW YORK STOCK BXCH ol Ope Un onghucine : \ Fd St. Pasl iE Manhattan . i 3 B. R. Transit 1 Sugar .. 20 Peoples Gas i U. S. Steel . 12 U. S. Steal, pid 5 Tenn. Coal' and Iron 38 Mish, PRE. oli ot (4 96 Southern Pac. ........ + bal Ontario & Western . 2 No¥e Lf§.0e os . Atchison: pid i Louis. & Nash 8 Rock Islend iy Pennsyivenia RR. 33 Texas & Pacific 201 Atchison ° a Col. T & F n American Loco 18 Amal. Copper : -------------- The remains of the late Pattullo will be brought 1} burial. 3 £ J. 8. Hamm, Napance, was #Xaeer ioidny.