The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

TheJudges are Condemned by the Leader of the Opposition who Believes fiamey’s Story On Wednesday of last week began the debate on the finding of the Com-y mission on the Gamey charges. ‘11: was begun by Premier Ross, speak- a resolution that. the finding spoke next. lie? Ruffifms ROSS AND \\ flITNEY SPEAK The premier’s Speech justified the judges’ finding, and reafl'xrmcd his belief in the innocence of the provin- cial Secretary, as regards the Gamey charges. - - LL LLA VLA\LA b“ u . Mr- Whitney denounced both the finding and the judges who made it, and declared that he believed that Gamcy’s charges were substantially true. \u "\- Mr- Stratton complained of the at- titude of the Conservative, and the ‘ treacherous independent" press, in judging him before he was tried. He with regard to the “Cant-youâ€"Forâ€" , ,1.’ vvayn- -va-., , got” episode he said that he would resign if Hammond would say that he had asked him to forget or omit any evidence bearing on the Gamey case. Toward the close of Premier Ross’ speech he said he was glad that the case had reached its present stage, which he knew was not the final stage. There was a jury beyond the House, and to that jury he was ready to appeal without any misgivings. Tlteir verdict, he was sure, would be that of the commissioners. He did not wish to speak in any boastful spirit. but he was proud of flu- conridmicv the Liberal party had shown in their leader. Had it not been for that, confidence there might have been a Stampede, which would have proved disastrous to the gov- ernment. But, with commendable courage and devotion not a single supporter had shown any signs of \u is. tzing. It. was not any blind pair; spirit which had caused them to v'u éhis; it, was the confidence of men who knew the government’s re- cord, and who refused to believe evil of it till satisfactory proof was ad- duced. As, for the Opposition, said Mr. Ross, he would have esteemed its members still more, and placed them upon a. higher plane, if they had maintained the same attitude as the government members. They shouldl have waited for some proof before1 Condemming the accus<ad minister. If charges were ‘to be believed on first hearing, then every man who entered public life and did so at the hazard of his reputation and of his moral and social standing. The press also had failed to treat the government with the consideratiOn it deserved. The cabinet members were not bri- gand‘s : they were men with as good standing as any in the community. They were not deceivers, Pharisees, or whited sepulchres. Who would dare to say that after 30 years of service the government should be de- nounced as an assemblage of hypo- crites and villains, unmasked at an opportune time and worthy only to be condemned to oblivion? That treatment was not deserved. The Opposition were as much custodians of the honor of the House as the government. If the government had gone down, every member of the Iouse would have had a cloud over his name. ‘ The proper course to pursue in thel debate, and the one which would! commend itself to the best men of! both parties, would be for the House i to at once accept the report in the terms proposed, and so close the pre-‘.. sent chapter in the case. The preâ€"f mier said he was not asking this in1 order to- escape criticism oi the gov- ernment, for they had nothing to fear for criticism. He and his cdi. leagues had not. borne the burden and heat of the political strife to sell out at last to a political malefactor, merely that they might keep them- selves in office a few days longer. ,EULOGY FOR STRATTON Speaking of the provincial secreâ€" tary, the premier said he had reâ€" turned at every election with con- stantly increasing majorities. He had occupied a high standing in the financial world. Surely such a man must possess the elements of integâ€" rity and political morality. His deh meanor through his trying ordeal had not been that of a swaggerer, but that of the man who knows that no charges against his honor could be proven. For that reason, when he had tendered his “resignation, said the premier, he had been. told by his leader and his colleagues that they would not. believe the charges against him till they had been proven in the court of law. ‘ “We appeal to the great jury of this country.” said the premier, in conclusion, “in thé" hope that the re- port of thes commissioners‘will be the crystallized judgment of the peo- ple of the whole country. We hope that this matter will be removed from the sphere of active politics, that this house will never have to weary itself as it has done, and pre- occupy its time with similar investi- gations, but relieved from this, it, will have time to apply itsell to its PAGE THE PRENER great functions I 01 18W ing for the prosperity 01 try and for the elevation morality and the progress tion.” \, MR. WHITNEY sian you would find under the skin a Tartar, but. it you scratched some of the hon. gentlemen opposite you would find a mixture of demagogue and tyrant such as Russia. could not cnnnlv_” was Mr. Whitney’s com- would find a mixture 01 ucumfivauv and tyrant such as Russia. could not supply," was Mr. Whitney's com- ment. - He repeatedly taunted the premier because he had not gone into the witness box. Even when the judges had asked for an explanation of how the Gamey letter had reached the premier’s hands, the premier, instead of appearing himself, had sent a. wo- man, reminding one of a certain tribe “rhn nnf. their women out in front of l-LLG uswb --â€"v' The premier had spoken of Hamâ€" mond’s evidence. The point was not that the evidence did not differ from Stratton’s, but that the provincial secretary had attempted to get Ham~ mend to commit a crime. CRITICIZES JUDGES Mr, Whitney maintained that even judges could properly be criticized, and if judges, why not mere com- missioners, hired by this legislature, to work for it at so much a day ? The judiciary was falling into disre- pute. They had no right to com- plain if they were criticized for their actions when they stepped off the \tvv< '-_â€" bench and denuded themselves of the halo which surrounded them as mem- bers of the judiciary. The judiciary of Ontario had long been looked up- on as examples for the whole world. Now one could go upon the street and learn from the passerby that the {reputation of the judiciary was not m1 '_ -v‘ H cc what it “as tno veals ago. This was a trifle in the eyes of the Gov- ernment, which was largely to blame for the circumstance. “We have seen Sir John Boyd,” said Mr. Whitney, “on whose words the fate of the Govermncnt depends, with three sons in the employ of that Government, and himself dt'aWing Ices from it, in addition to his salary, for the past seven or eight years. It is indecent. I am sorry to say it, but, it is indecent.” . BELIEVES G ABLEY “I believe," he went on, “ that the statements made by the member for Manitoulin in this House are mainly true. The paying of money by the provincial secretary is an arguable point, and a. jury might disagree on it, but the commissionersthemselves believed that the member for Mani- toulin received money, and. as I take it, for the purpose he said, and that does not leave much more to be pro- ved.” If it were not such .3. serious matter it would be laughable to see the atti- tude taken by the judges towards Frank Sullivan. When Sullivan’s evidence discredited Gamey’s, Sulli- van was lauded, but where it was Stratton’s evidence that was discred- ited the judges practically said in plain English that Sullivan was a. liar. Mr. Whitney had scarcely sat down‘ until Mr. Stratton was on his feet. He recalled the glee with which the Opposition members had received Mr. Gamey’s statement on March 11 last. Their faces were written over with unholy joy. They went into um- vulsions of delight because they be- lieved that the charges were practi- cally going to destroy the Governi ment. They thought this story mar- ked the dawn of a brighter day. No matter how the fair name of this province might suffer, no matter how. a minister of the crown might suffer, they rejoiced because they believed that the charges were to mark their entry to the seats across the floor of the house. They folded their arms around the member for Mani- ‘toulin, and figuratively speaking. lay Edown to sleep with him and- had lpleasant dreams of the future of the province in the hands of hon. gentle- men opposite. But when the flood of the investigation poured_ in, the {charges collapsed like a bubble. “Principles of British fair play in this Legislature were outraged,” said Mr. Stratton. “I was condem- ned without the opportunity of being tried. I Was condemned by many leaders of hon. gentlemen oppositci Without the oppurtunity given me to prove myself innocent of the charge. In one sense they were not to blame “because it was the only chance they were ever going to have to make po- litical capital out of the charge of the member for Manitoulin. (Hear; hear.) And after the first outburst of enthusiasm was over, then asser- tion took the place of proof, and the assertions were perhaps made more strongly than they had been previou Ly, with a view to snatching from the people of the province :1. Verdict that could not be got from any inâ€" dicial investigation before any Judge in the British Empire to-day." 1 l He also referred to the attitude taâ€" ken by the Opposition press, and not only by the Opposition press, but by the “treacherous, soâ€"called independ- ent press of this city." The latter had out-Heroded Herod." “I could not fail to recognize the serious character of the statement that was presented to [the House, but with the knowledge I possessed. II knew it could not be proved by any! credible witness. I was satisfied that} no one of credier character could be, Ill-ought forward to substantiate thei statement made by the member upon . his responsibility as a m‘ of GAMEY’S' CHARGES Mr. Stratton dealt specifically with Mr. Gamey’s statement. He said : MR. STRATTON of 16851318“?ion 19°” the coun- of pllblic of educa- or loyal evidence of support than I received from the premier and my colleagues in the Government, and from members of the House, a con- fidence and support which was en- couraging to me, and which I felt satisfied would be borne out by the investigation that Was about to take place. I felt, Mr. Speaker, that I had done nothing but what was con. stitutional and legitimate as a memâ€" ber of the Government, and I was not even injudicious in my actions or sayings with the member [or Mani- toulin. And I am violating no con- fidence of the late Lieutenant Govcr; not when I sayâ€"and it was my duty to tender him an explanationâ€"that he was perfectly satisfied with the ex- planation that was made. “Mv denial to the premier was wâ€"v- wuuw us ~ said to the premier, most an: mtéally that there was no truth In the statement Io! the member tor Manitnulin, so far as the mammal . - barge were concerned. P019? 9‘ In? E... A.“ can that. I planation that was made. “My denial to the premier was practically accompanied by my resi- gnation as provincial secretary of this province. His instant compli- ance with my desire to have a full investigation of the charges was a cause of gratitude to me. I felt the necessity of the investigation. I had. been charged with actions that im- periled my honor as a citizen of the province and as the member for the constituency which I represent. And I felt, Mr. Speaker, that it was abâ€" -..1..+a1v unressm and essential to cars,‘,and {xiiiâ€"(hie. vindictivenws which he thought the people of the Province would resent when they had an op- portunity. - -- 9‘s- _______ ‘ t’V- v“..- '0 . Mr. Stratton dealt with several points in the evidence, one being the attempt of the prosecution to trace the money. The Speaker said: muucg . a. “v -rv..__v_ , V “ They may trace till the crack 0' doom, and never wil.l they be able to trace to my hand any money given to the member for Manitoulin.” “CAN'T YOU FORGET?” Then, as to the one crumb of comâ€" fort the Opposition had. the state- ment of Mr. Hammond,_the Globe re- porter. Mr. Stratton said that. Mr. Hammond’s statement of evidence to Mr. Johnston had contained extend- ed references to a Carnegie interview and to letters which he had written to the Globe over the signature of Taxpayer on the Toronto and Nia- gara. Company’s power question. He said he had made no attempt to see Mr. Hammond. Meeting him one day in the corridor, he had asked him if he could not forget some of the stuff. That harmless remark had been distorted as other statements had been distorted. And that was the one crumb of comfort the Opposi- tion had. “I’ll resign my seat to-morrow," said Mr. Stratton, “if Mr. Hammond will say that I asked him to with- hold one iota of his evidence that had a bearing on the Gamey case." “Not withhold, forgot," said Mr. Whitney. f‘Or forget, " said Mr. Stratton, “Or I- will resign to. morrow if Mr. Hammond withheld a. single scrap of his evidence by reason of anythincr I said to him.” ° Mr. Stratton concluded with the following words : “The finding of the Royal Commie, sioncrs I accept without any feeling of triumph or personal boast, and in the same spirit‘as I hope thex will be accepted by my friends in this House and in the country. my relations with the her" who We the accusations ' ould bear the most careful scrutiny. and feeling sé- cure in the ultimate triumph 61 truth, Ibomwithpati‘emetheabuse “I was content to have the charges preferred against me investigated and tried by any tribunal chosen by the Legislature. I dwircd the fullest in- qui and‘sought the fullest inves- tigarzion. The consequenscs were of greater importance to‘ me than to any other member of the Govern- ment. It is true that the political life of the Government was endanger. ed, but my whole business and per. sonal career depended on the vault. Yet throughout the long a'nd trying investigation that was made,‘ I neith- er feared or falta'ed. Consciou's that, {($110me day. STOOD HIS GROUND At the some time I was , the statement. serious It as it m. was being he press. and would up- hat was possible for me The close of the month looms in sight, only 5 more days in which to: make a glorious finish. After such genuine success as we have had this: , erousiy with shoppers during the next five; That we’re going to do so neeis no-further argument than the follows . .. thursday have the best chance:of:get,: - mgeeeeeem :2- '2 sn El ' tr 8 (9 B a ‘a’u 2 9. fl 0 E‘s‘ ”3. :3 E 0Q 27: n O m -o :3 O 8 r-i D‘ O I. 0 s 5" O n O B O o a Q ting what they want. iCommissioners may not. be able toV {undo all the wrong that has been done to me and minc. and may not Peflectualb silence the tongue of the islanderer or stag the pen of the :ncedy libeller. but it will be aaource of gratification to the may friends of the Tory press, and never flinched under the lash of the Tory hireling. Long before the accusations had the sancity of an oath, however worth- less, to support them. 1 was condom-a ned and pronounced guilty by my opponents. The average fair play which is given to the worst and meanest criminal was denied me. Every fact was tortured. every cir- cumstance was colored, every act was purposely misconstructed. in or- der to destroy my character as a public man and as a private citizen, and all this was done with a greedy delight far beyond the linw 0! (hr cency and honest self-respect on the part of my enemies. (Loud ap- plause.) “At length, in the halls of justice. I met my accuser. I stood my ground. whilst he fled. (Loud ap- plause.) I had everything to lose. He had everything to gain. I at. least played no part of the coward shrinking from justice. I waitede silence, whilst some of those who once called themselves friends. doubt-i ed my innocence. When called on {or my answer, I was ready. There was no mutilation of booksâ€"(hear hear) â€"-no fabrication of documentsâ€"(hear. hear)â€"no fleeing from the honors of the law on my part. HAS HIS REWARD “To-day l have my rewardâ€"(hear, hear)-â€"and I accept that reward more gratefully in the interest of the good name of my native province than as a vindication of my own ‘per‘ sonal reputation. (Loud applause.) The attempt to cast .a stain on the fair name of Ontario has miserably failed. The strenuous efl’ort made to destroy the character and wreck the future of myself has met with a. like defeat. The judgment of the Royal who have stood loyally by me in thésc montli‘s of shadow and sun- penm to' know that their confidence was hot unfpunded. Such [fiends 2O dozen Women's and Childrens Cotton Undervests, half-sleeve or sleeveless style, fine elastic cotton knitt, exceptionally good at 10c. 30c Lawn Apron; 19.: Women’s White LaWn Aprons, full size with wide strings and bib, hcmstitch at bottom. A snap. 50c Print and Peca'c Shi-t Walsts 24c Women's Print and Percale Shirt Waists, fancy stripe and plain colors. all sizes, while they last Women's Wrappers of strong, heavy print, deep flounce with trimmed yoke on shoulder, belt strap, re- duced to clear, all sizes. $1.00 Black Sateen Waisls 75: Women's Black Sateen Waists, good bright finish, corded front, all sizes. 20c ‘ $1250 Tailored Sum 3750 15 Women's Tailor-made Suits of Venetian Cloths, Wool, Freizc Cloths and tweed eflects. all made for this season's selling in the most approved styles. any size. Your choice to buy a suit for the price of a separate skirt or coat . I $2.00 Heavy Print Wrappers $1.44 12 l-Zc Cotton Underv‘sts l0: and 25c Women’s Stockings 15c Women's and Boys' Cotton n28, fast, black, plainr or 25c never flinchud me to enjoy. but not one of them with that. great. feeling of afiection and thankfulness which I owe to my esteemed friend, the premier at this prOVinceâ€"(loud applause} â€"- whose faith was never shaken for a mo- ment and whose sympathy for me new wavered in the hours of great,â€" est adversity. will r be gratefully mmaubcred throughout the years God may give "I hold no resentment against those of m opponents who have been mis- lod,‘ for the great wrong they have endavorod to do me. And I-would uytomywcuwa. that I hopethcy will learn. from their experience in um WATCHMAN-WARDER 00 W Hell uuua connection “it“ machood works i“ deceit brings "5 HS C‘Ic. Wm vorth c 5‘5“ 1 15‘ from ‘14 â€"‘l f‘unml gutter 1013:85- g1“goods. 0’“ 035: Hardware W917! 9‘15“ .“A‘ 92m Medal 1 Silv'er Shaft! Gold Medal and cheapest h {Fe-e‘fiâ€"Sheat 5 Plymouth Spe MCL DIVIDE Notice is I a dividend at} mt. has N the paid up i wanna lad W for the half 1 I903, and “It able at the I Ind after .Iu WRONTO Seas Stri