The Blyth Standard, 1903-03-19, Page 11
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VOL. XVI.
BLYTH, ONTARIO, THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1908. No. 32.
SCANDAL IN LEGISLATURE
Mr, Robert R. Gamey, M,P.P. for
'Manitoulin, who gave out an interview
.en January 29th, announcing that, al-
4hough elected as a Conservative, he
would afford the Liberal government
an independent flu pport because of their
New Ontario policy and bemire his
own politics were " Manitoulin," created
one of the greatest sensations in the
political history of the province at the
first business session of the legislature
on Wednesday last by stating that he
bad been bribed with the sum of $2000
to support the government, and had
taken the money with the intention of
enuring proof of tho corrupt transac-
tion to lay before the house.
Mr, Gamey, in his etatoment, charged
that payments of $4000 had bean made
by Hon, James R. Stratton, the provin-
cial secretary, to insure his support,
and that Frank Sullivan, an officer of
the public works department, had been
the go-between. Sullivan, he says,
received $8000 in bills on tko first
occasion from a messenger sent by Mr.
Stratton to the sraokiug room at the
parliament buildings where Gamey
and Sullivan sat waiting, and $1000 in
bills on the second occasion, directly
from Mr. Stratton, Sullivan, by an
arrangement previously made, took half
the money giving Gamey the other
half, On the second occasion, which,
Mr, Gamey asserts, was the evening on
which the said interview was prepared,
Mr. Stratton, according to the story of
the member for Manitoulin, told him
personally the denomination of the bills
in the package handed to and after-
wards opened by Sullivan and divided
between the two,
Han. Mr. Stratton bas given the fol-
lowing statement to the prem
"Mr. Gamey came to my office in
tho parliament buildings on three or
four occasions. On one occasion Mr.
Gamey spoke to me in reference to the
appointment of a justipe of the peace in
Manitoulin, and 1 suggested that if he
(Mr. Gamey) bad any recommendations
to make, he should forward it in writ•
fng to the attorney -general, who had
,charp of such appointments, but who
Ivaa at Mist time out of the city,
On $the occasion of another of Mr.
Gamey'A visits, ,,,he came to see about
some roadgrants which he desired ter
certain roads in Manitoulin. I told }aim
be lead better send his application in
writtng in the usual way to the depart -
mentor public works, which has charge
of colonisation road matters.
"On another occasion Mr. Gamey
came to me oompleiu ing of the bad en-
forcement of the license law in Mani-
tqulin. He asserted that hotel -keepers
were not observing the law, and that
the inspector was absent from his offi-
cial duty a great deal., attending to his
private affairs. Mr. Camey 'eked for
the appointment of an inspector, but
his request was not acted upon, and he
oleo asked to be allowed to name ono of
the license commieeionera, who were to
be appointed for the new license dis-
trict, resulting from the sub -division of
the district into constituencies,
"Mr. Gamey a'.ao spoke of his inten-
tion of supporting the government—
that he had no use for Mr, Whitney --
his mining policy was bad, and he was
not in favor of giving any encourage-
ment to the development of New On-
tario, He believed the Liberal policy
would be beet for the improvement of
the northern country, and that he felt
that the intereete of his constituents
would be beet served by his supporting
the government. I told him that if
that was the case he had better declare
his intention. The government would
In that event consider his recommeuda-
tione,as they would do in the case of
their other supporters,
"I never saw Mr. Gamey in any
capacity outside of my office in the par-
liament buildings, and only when he
came to to see me on the business men-
tioned.
"No consideration for support, or
money, was ever mentioned directly or
indirefoly between us in any shape or
form, •During his visite Mr, Gamey
was gory energetio and severe in
denouncing Mr, Whitney. He said he
was an impossibility as a leader on
account of his undecided policy, his
domineering dimsosition, his temper,
and his habits. Mr. Gamev's expressed
diseatiafaction with Mr. Whitney as a
leader, and of his policy, was exceed-
ingly pronounced, and might have been
considered extravagant corning from
the most bitter opponent.
"The government will order and
insist upon the strictest investigation
into the matter, and the public will
have an opportunity of judging of the
correctness of Mr. Gamey's story,"
After the orders of the day had been
passed at '1'hureday's sitting of the
house, Premier Ross arose in his plane
amid the applause of hie supporters,
Before proceeding any further he de -
aired, he said, to speak on the matter
which was brought before the house
Wednesday afteraom, by the honorable
member for Manitoulin. The charges
made by the honorable gentleman affect-
ing the character of a member of the
government were of a very serious
eaters, as the spectators could well
understand, and OWthe government
seine concerti. He had said in the
he r.se on Wednesday Net his esteemed
colleague. the provincial secretary, de-
nied those charges in toto, particularly
that portion of them which was of a
corrupt character. He had reason to
believe that the statement of his col-
league was true. He had unbounded
confidence in his (Stratton's) honesty,
in his integrity, in hie ability, in hie
fidelity to the oath of office, and the
serious responsibility he assumed as a
member of the government. He had
always been found trustworthy, and he
(Roes) did not believe him capable of
betrayiug the trust reposed in him.
" We propose," said the premier "to
have an investigation. I advised his
honor the lieutenant -governor last night
that such a charge had been made.
The government proposes to proceed
immediately with an investigation, as
fast as the interests of justice and
facilities for examination will warrant,"
Mr. Ross then explained that it was
the intention of the government to pro-
ceed by a royal commission, consisting
of two of the chiefs of the superior
courts, Each party in the house was to
be represented by a junior and senior
counsel, and full opportunity would be
given .for a thorough investigation of
the charges, He asked the house to
approve of the e,ppoiutment of a com-
mission, because of the high character
of the judges, and because he believed
when tho.r oonciusione were arrived at
they would command the confidence of
the public.
The denial of. the honorable provin-
cial secretary, Mr, Ross said, was not a
suifloient answer to the grave charges
which had been spade against him.
Mr, Roes said that he objected to any
member of the house making chargee
against another without assuming re-
sponsibility for the same. He continued
by proposing thstthe house adjourn for
three weeks, pending the investigation
and until the report of the commission.
Ile did not think that members of the
government could give their attention
to public duty while an investigation
was pending involving the honor of one
of their colleagues, He wanted an in-
vestigation so that the character of the
members of the government might be
cleared of this reproach, and if the
chargee were eubetantiated he did not
want to continue as' a member of the
government.
The following resolution to refer the
charges to a committee of two judges
of the high court was then moved by
Hon. Mr, hoes, seconded by Hon. Mr..
Gibson:
"Resolved, that a humble address be
presented to his honor the lieutenant -
governor, praying that he will be
graciously pleased to issue a commission
to enquire into and investigate the
charges of bribery set forth in the
statement made to this honorable house
by Mr, Ib, R. Gamey, member for the
electoral district of Menitoplin, on
Wedneeday, the 11th day of March
instant, and all smatters and things
which, in the judgment of the com-
missioners, relate thereto or affect the
same; such commission to be directed
to two commieeionera, who shall bo two
of the chief justices of the supreme
court of judicature, or the president of
the high court of justice, and one of the
chief justices of the supreme court of
judicature; and the said commission
shall confer upon the said commission-
ers all the powers contained or given
in, or by, chapter 19 of the revised
statutes of Ontario, being an act
entitled, 'An aot respecting enquiries
concerning public matters,' or in, or
by, any act amending the came,'
After the resolution had been read to
the house, Mr. J. p, Whitney, leader of
the opposition, arose amidst the
applause of hie followers, He said the
reeolution WAS to the effect that the
accused parties were to choose the
tribunal which was to try them. It
WAS an astounding thing that parties to
actions of such a serious nature were to
come to the house and say they were
not willing to be tried, except by a
tribunal chosen by themselves. It was
to be a state of prosecution, and the
prosecutors are to prosecute themselves
before a tribunal nominated by them -
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selves, and these who made the charges
are to he permitted to be represented dy
counsel. Search the history of all civi
lined nations, said Mr. Whitney, and he
would defy anyone to produce authority
for such outra roue procedure.
The leader of the opposition said the
government wanted to make the
legislature powerless for three woke,
and to emasculate the will of the
public. lie thought that the people
would be most surprised to hear their
representatives say they would volun-
tarily shut themselves up. What
reason could be given for asking that
this procedure be made, except that the
government did not want to face the
legislature?
Who knows what might be done in
those three weeks? The government
did not want to be compelled to meet
the legislature, and face the criticism of
the representatives of the people.
Since last Wednesday the charges
mads by Mr, Gamey have developed
into a war of worde, in which members
on both sides of the legislature have
taken part. The word war is still in
progress.
The Liberal members want the Gamey
charges dealt with by a commission of
high court judges, while the Conserva-
tives want them left to the Committee
on Privilegee and Elections, and there
you ere.
During the speeches of two Conserva-
tive members, Mr, Sutherland, of South
Oxford, and Dr. Resume, of North Es-
sex, the Liberals were charged with
offering bribes to these gentlemen for
their support. Mr. Sutherland said ho
was offered $5000, and Dr. Resume said
he was offered the speakership in the
legislature. The offers were not made
in writing, but verbally,
When Mr. Gamey made his chargee,
he read his speech, at the close of which
he walked to Mr. Whitney's desk and
handed that gentleman his speech and
other papers containing important evi-
dence against the Liberals, and $500 of
the $2000 -bribe he had received. On
Monday Mr. Whitney returned the
papers and money to Mr. Gamey who
‘immediately left the house and did not
return that day.
In speaking of the above disclosures,
Mr, W, H. Bertram, tjie well-knowu
and prominent London lawyer said :
"The proper course to mane, I
think, in the Gamey disclosures, is to
have Mr, Gamey and the Hon. Mr.
Stratton prosecuted under phe Criminal
Code and tried before a jury by which
all the facts would become known to
and judged by the public. Anyone
could start title proceeding in the
Toronto police court."
Referring 'to the proposed comniesion
Mr. Bartram said:
"An investigation before a committee
of the legielature, or by a royal
commissiou would, in my opinion, be a
farce. The matter is one for the peo-
ple. Neither of these parties should
control the situation at the present
juncture.
"In the meantime both Hon, Mr.
Stratton and Mr. Gamey should be
suspended from the house, or both pair
off from parliament pending the trial
of the criminal charge which I have
already suggested should be placed
against them."
Railway 11111e are Numerous.
Upwards of 80 railway bills are to be
suhmitted for the consideration of the
()aerie legislature at the session which
ripened lest Tuesday. Some of the pro-
posals conflict with existing roads,
others with unconetructed lines for
which charters have been granted,
while in some cases two or three rival
parties are seeking for rights in the
same territory. Altogether, the see
sions of the railway committee are
likely to be warm.
In the heart of Western Ontario the
proposals for the development of radioed
railway systems are very numerous and
intricate. In most cases electricity is
the motive power to be adopted.
Incorporation is asked for an electric
road to run from Stratford along the
Huron road through Sebringville to
Mitchell, through the townships of
Downie and Blanchard to St. Marys,
and through the townships of Downie
and West Lorra to Etnbro, in Oxford
comity.
A somewhat similar proposal is that
embodied in an act to incorporate the
Emhro Radial Railway Co., which pro-
poses to run through the .townships of
West Zorra and North Oxford to
Beachyille, through East and West
Zorra eo Woodstock, thrqugh West
Zorra end Downie to Stratford, and
through East Nissouri or Downie to
St. Marys.
An application will be asked for a
bill incorporating the London, Parkhill
and Grand Bend Electric Railway Co.,
which proposes to run from a point on
the south shore of Lake Huron through
the townships of Stephen, McGillivray,
West Williams, Enet Williams, Lobo
and London to the city of Loudon,
taking in the town of Parkhill,
A bill will he preeented in behalf of
the Huron and Bruce Electric Railway
Co., amending its charter and changing
the name to the Ontario West Shore
Electric Railroad Co. It purposes to
run from Dungannon to Lttckuow,
thence to Walkerton and also through
W st and tact Wawenosh to connect
with the C.P.R, at William. The
company also wishes to connect with
London and Sarnia, a proposal which
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Another lot of those good washing Prints and Zephyrs,
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MOM
' -Q
Miss Morrison is again in.eltarge of the
MILLINERY DEPARTMENT
getting ready for the openings which will be an.
'Jounced later.
D. M. McBEATH PRETORIA
was defeated before the Railway com-
mittee last year,
Child Rename Werk.
Two cases of carelessness on the part
of provincial ;clergymen in conducting
marriage ceremonies without ascertain-
ing the correct age of the parties, have
been noticed by Mr. J. J. Kelso, super-
intendent of ueglected children. A
bride of 12 is reported from Slmcoe
county and one 14 from Heetinge
county.
Speaking of some capes of rescue work,
Mr. Kelso says:
"To know what the home life has
been it is only necessary to hoar the
language and witnees the actions of
tome of the chit lren when first taken to
the shelter. Gee boy of six, who knew
nothing else, could use the moat dread-
ful profanity with perfect eat, while
girls of eight and l0 have displayed
a familiar knowledge of immorality
simply aetouishing to the good women
who subsequently took ,them in hand.
"A most surprising thing too, hie
been the number of children of ad-
vanced school age who were unable to
real er write, who had never said a
prover, and who had never received any
of t};e ordinary nrmal iuetructfon which
is supposed to be Riven to all children,
These aro the children who, grown to
manhood and womanhood, make our
prisons and refugee so necessary, and if
a ehild,en'e aid society can lay kindly
hands on them before it is too late and
turn their feet into paths of usefulness
and honor surely they aro doing a work
for the whole community worthy of the
highest praise ! "
The officers of the Children's Aid so-
ciety in Goderich invite inforntatiou
from any parties, either in town or else-
where through the county, of cases of
needy or neglected children, and will
gladly co-operate to place the little ones
where they will be properly looked after
and trained. Address Mr, James Mitch-
ell, president, or Mrs. James Clark,
secretary -treasurer, Goderich,
—So prevalent has the speculation
spirit become in Toronto that the large
financial institutions realize that their
business is exposed to the dishonesty of
their employee to an alarming extent
end that measures of protection meet
he adopted. An official of the Central
Canada Loan & Savings Co. mays unit
the company felt obliged to send a
private letter to each of their 10 em-
ployes forbidding them toetecalateill
Mod, or as an altereatica to suffer
prompt dismissal. Other ompanics
!rave decided upon the same course.
-.-Subigribe for TIM Sri sn.asp,