Chapter 8

Hon. George Brown had undertaken a mission to Washington, on behalf of the Government, to secure a reciprocity treaty between the United States and Canada, but was unsuccessful in his efforts. Mr. Brown was now a prominent member of the Canadian Senate.

Grip, February27th, 1875.

OTHELLO BROWN’S APOLOGY,BEFORE THE SENATE, FEBRUARY15TH, 1875.

WAITING FOR THE SIGNAL

The growing sentiment of the country against the liquor traffic had been voiced in Parliament by Mr. G. W. Ross, a member of the Reform Party. The Government expressed a willingness to consider the subject of Legal Prohibition as soon as they had evidence that a majority of the people desired such a measure. Rev. Mr. Afflick, an eloquent English lecturer, was at this time making a tour of Canada in the interest of the temperance cause.

Grip, March6th, 1875.

WAITING FOR THE SIGNAL.

ARTEMUS WARD MILLS AND BETSY JANE SENATE

Hon. David Mills, Minister of the Interior in the Mackenzie Government, had moved a resolution in the House looking to the reorganization of the Dominion Senate. By the Confederation Act, the Members of the Senate were appointed for life, by the Governor in Council. A Conservative Ministry having made most of the appointments the Chamber naturally partook of a complexion highly unsatisfactory to the Liberal Party.

Grip, March13th, 1875.

ARTEMUS WARD MILLS AND BETSY JANE SENATE.

THE NERVOUS PASSENGER

TheGlobelooked upon Mr. Mills’ anti-Senate agitation with disfavor perhaps because Hon. George Brown had assented to the appointive principle as a member of the Government which drew up the Constitutional Act. It has already been noted that Mr. Blake’s Aurora speech had “disturbed” the Liberal organ, and that Mr. Goldwin Smith’s theories were also regarded as dangerous in that quarter. Under this combination of circumstances Mr. Brown’s Conservative tendencies were severely jolted.

Grip, March20th, 1875.

THE NERVOUS PASSENGER.

THE POLITICAL SPELLING-SCHOOL

The popular craze at this date was “Spelling Matches.” The persons represented in the cartoon were prominent members of the respective parties; those on the left (Conservative) being: Sir John A. Macdonald, Hon. M. C. Cameron, Messrs. P. Mitchell, Beatty, Patteson, Bunster, Alonzo Wright and Rykert; on the right (Reform) Messrs. Brown, Blake, Mackenzie, Laird, McKellar and Mowat, with Mr. Goldwin Smith. Mr. Samuel Platt, M.P., for East Toronto, had just passed successfully through the ordeal of an election trial, and is commended for his correct spelling of “Purity,” a word which had often bothered some of the other boys.

Grip, May1st, 1875.

GRIP’S POLITICAL SPELLING MATCH.

A GUESS AT THE GREAT SLEEPER’S DREAM

Mr. Blake had on several occasions spoken in favor of Imperial Federation—a scheme under which the colonies would send representatives to the Home Parliament. Taken in connection with the known fact that public life in Canada was but little to the taste of the able gentleman,Gripventured to conjecture that a seat in the Imperial House, with its broader arena, might be amongst the visions of his moments of reflection.

Grip, May15th, 1875.

A GUESS AT THE GREAT SLEEPER’S VISION.

RE-ORGANIZING THE QUARTETTE

Hon. William Macdougall, at that time a Member of the Ontario Assembly, was regarded as an opponent of the Government. His ability assured for him a prominent position, and Mr. C. J. Rykert having obtained a seat in the House of Commons, Mr. Macdougall was supposed to have taken his place as a member of the celebrated “Quartette.” The cartoon represents the members as tuning up for a performance.

Grip, May22nd, 1875.

RE-ORGANIZING THE QUARTETTE.WILLIAM McD—G—LL (New Recruit)—“I’M PERFECTLY IN ACCORD WITH MR. CAMERON.”

MR. DAVENPORT BLAKE IS PUT INTO THE CABINET

Mr. Blake was induced to accept a seat in the Mackenzie Ministry without portfolio. His presence added a great element of strength to the Government, but the gratification of his colleagues at his accession was somewhat modified by the fear that he might at any moment begin to play upon the “disturbing” instruments.

Grip, May29th, 1875.

MR. DAVENPORT BLAKE IS PUT INTO THE CABINET.

PERFECT FREEDOM! O, FOR LIBERTY!

Mr. Mackenzie was at this time on a visit to his native country, where he was honored with the freedom of Perth and Dundee, and otherwise handsomely recognized. It had long been a common saying in Canada that Mr. George Brown, through theGlobe, exercised a supreme influence over the Reform Government.

Grip, July24th, 1875.

PERFECT FREEDOM! O, FOR LIBERTY!

THE POLITICAL SITUATION

Mr. Goldwin Smith’s teachings on the subject of “No Partyism” excited the hostility of both Grit and Tory partizans, and his position between theGlobeandMailwas precisely that of the hapless school-boy pictured in the chromo of which the cartoon is an adaptation.

Grip, July31st, 1875.

THE POLITICAL SITUATION.(ADAPTED FROM A POPULAR CHROMO.)

THE UNPATRONIZED NOSTRUM VENDOR

The note to Cartoon No. 120 might be repeated as a comment upon this. Mr. Smith was the recipient of a good deal of violent abuse in reply to his attacks on Partyism, and being naturally a man of uncommon sensitiveness, and very impatient of criticism, his lot was indeed “not a happy one.”

Grip, August7th, 1875.

THE UNPATRONIZED NOSTRUM VENDOR.

PROFESSOR SMITH’S SERMON ON PARTYISM

It is needless to say to those who know anything of Mr. Goldwin Smith that he defended himself against his critics with passionate brilliancy. The sentence he is represented as speaking in the cartoon occurred in one of his retorts upon theGlobe, and was considered unusually cutting as an exposition of that journal’s strict religious orthodoxy in contrast with its merciless treatment of its opponents.

Grip, August21st, 1875.

PROFESSOR SMITH’S SERMON ON ATHEISM.(See the “Nation,” August 13th.)

INCONSISTENT PRACTICE OF FREE TRADE DR. BROWN

Mr. George Brown was an earnest advocate of the Free Trade principle in political economy, and was always vigorous in his denunciation of the opposite principle in any direction. About this time theGlobehad earnestly denounced the action of the Ontario Society of Physicians and Surgeons for having prosecuted an unlicensed practitioner, under a law which theGlobealways regarded as narrow and tyrannical. This was not very consistent with the attitude it sustained towards Mr. Goldwin Smith as a healer of the body politic. Mr. Alderman Baxter, well-known in Toronto, is used as a metaphorical figure of Justice.

Grip, September4th, 1875.

INCONSISTENT “PRACTICE” OF FREE TRADE DR. BROWN.

PISTOLS FOR THREE

Rev. Egerton Ryerson, D.D., was drawn into the Brown-Smith controversy, and it soon became what is known as a “game of cut-throat”—each against the others.Grip, believing that, in the stereotyped newspaper phrase, “this correspondence had gone on long enough,” was tempted to suggest a fatal shot all round as perhaps the only way of securing a “rest” for the reading public.

Grip, September11th, 1875.

PISTOLS FOR THREE;OR, THE TRIANGULAR “DUEL.”

CANADIAN POLITICS: A PICTURE FOR THE PARTIES

Mr. Goldwin Smith continued his attacks upon Partyism with unabated vigor in the columns of theNationand theCanadian Monthly, his contention being that the chief end and aim of both “factions” was office.

Grip, September25th, 1875.

CANADIAN POLITICS: A PICTURE FOR THE “PARTIES.”

POLITICAL PURITY; OR, POT AND KETTLE

Mr. George Brown had written a letter to a political friend—Senator Simpson—asking for a contribution towards the election fund of the Reform Party in the heat of the general election. This letter was secured by the Conservative Party, and commented upon as a set-off to the celebrated telegram of Sir John Macdonald, calling upon Sir Hugh Allan for “another $10,000.” Mr. Brown vigorously denied that he had used any of the money contributed for other than legitimate expenses, or that his letter had been written with any corrupt intent.

Grip, October2nd, 1875.

POLITICAL PURITY;OR, POT AND KETTLE.

THE MINISTERIAL SHANTY

Mr. Joseph Cauchon, a prominent representative of Quebec, was taken into the Mackenzie Cabinet. M. Cauchon had, some time previously, been denounced by Mr. Brown, in connection with an episode in his Provincial career, as a most unworthy man. The incident referred to—that of making a speculation at the expense of the inmates of the Beauport Asylum at Quebec—was characterized by Mr. Brown as an offence that was “rank and smelled to heaven,” and this expression was constantly quoted by the Tory press during M. Cauchon’s connection with the Ministry.

Grip, December18th, 1875.

THE MINISTERIAL SHANTY;OR, THE CAUCHON AT HOME.

THE EQUIVOCAL RECOMMEND

The note to No. 127 will sufficiently explain the difficulty theGlobefound in giving M. Cauchon a very hearty “send off” as Member of the Reform Administration.

Grip, December25th, 1875.

THE EQUIVOCAL RECOMMEND.

“IF THEGLOBEBELIEVES M. CAUCHON FIT TO SIT IN THE MINISTRY, IT OWES HIM AN APOLOGY FOR MALIGNING HIM IN THE PAST.”—KINGSTON WHIG.

THE PRINCE OF ORANGE

Hon. Mackenzie Bowell occupied a high place in the Conservative ranks by virtue of his connection with the Orange Order; Sir Hector Langevin was regarded as similarly representing Ultramontane views. Politically and personally they were warm friends and colleagues. The cartoon was a satirical allusion to some Orange “bounce” that had been indulged in by Mr. Bowell out of the House.

Grip, February19th, 1876.

THE “PRINCE OF ORANGE;”OR, ANYTHING TO BEAT THE GOVERNMENT.

RUNNING BEFORE THE PROTECTION WIND

The Conservative Party, becoming weary of the cold shades of opposition, took advantage of the “hard times” to proclaim a policy of Protection to Home Industries as the only salvation for the country. The Government, it was alleged, was largely responsible for the depression, and could relieve it only by raising the tariff. This cry seemed to meet with popular approval.

Grip, March18th, 1876.

RUNNING BEFORE THE PROTECTION WIND.

THE POLITICAL SAMSON

Mr. Blake had settled down into a steady and efficient Member of the Administration, though the popular belief was that his heart was not really in his toil.

Grip, March25th, 1876.

THE POLITICAL SAMSON GRINDING FOR THE PHILISTINES.

EATING THE LEEK; OR, “HENRY V.” AS LATELY PLAYED IN THE COMMONS

Mr. Mackenzie had been charged with nepotism in connection with the purchase of steel rails for the C. P. R.—the contract for the purchase having been awarded to a firm in which it was alleged the Premier’s brother had an interest. This charge had been repeated frequently upon the hustings, although Mr. Mackenzie had demonstrated that it was unfounded. His explanation upon the floor of Parliament at this time gave the final death blow to the slander.

Grip, April8th, 1876.

EATING THE LEEK;OR, “HENRY V.” AS LATELY PLAYED IN THE COMMONS.FLUELLAN.—MR. MACKENZIE. — PISTOL.—DR. TUPPER.

THE DEPRESSION COMMITTEE SIMPLIFIED

The Protection agitation induced the Government to appoint a committee to investigate the causes of the Depression of Trade. This committee was composed mainly of Government supporters, well-known to be free-traders, and its report was to the effect that a Protective Tariff would not cure the difficulty, which arose from causes beyond Governmental control.

Grip, April29th, 1876.

THE “DEPRESSION COMMITTEE” SIMPLIFIED.

OFF WITH HIS HEAD

The Crooks Act, a measure intended to further restrict the evils of the liquor traffic, came into force at this time. Under the provisions of this Act the number of licenses to be issued by any municipality was limited, and the consequence was a wholesale “decapitation” of liquor sellers throughout the Province. The Act was framed by Hon. Adam Crooks, and in the cartoon is being appropriately carried out by Hon. O. Mowat, the head of the “Executive.”

Grip, May6th, 1876.

OFF WITH HIS HEAD!“RICHARD III.,” AS PLAYED BY MR. CROOKS THROUGHOUT THE PROVINCE.

THE COOL RECEPTION

Sir A. T. Galt, a statesman to whom reference is frequently made in earlier sections of this work, felt called upon to lift a warning voice against the political pretentions of the Romish hierarchy in Canada. With this view he delivered an able lecture on “Church and State” in Toronto. His effort met with considerable popular applause but was studiously ignored by the newspaper organs of both the political parties, plainly out of regard to “the Catholic vote.”

Grip, June10th, 1876.

THE COOL RECEPTION.G. B. AND JOHN A.—“SORRY WE CAN’T RECEIVE YOU CORDIALLY, MR. GALT; BUT—YOU SEE HOW IT IS.”

MASTER OF THE SITUATION

Mr. Justice Wilson, speaking from the Bench in the matter of Simpson vs. Wilkinson (a suit for libel which arose out of the publication of a letter from Hon. George Brown to Senator John Simpson, requesting a contribution to the Reform Election Fund), declared emphatically that the letter had been written for corrupt purposes. This Mr. Brown had repeatedly denied, offering to account for the expenditure of every cent contributed to the fund in question. The Judge’s repetition of the statement—which Mr. Brown contended had been actuated by political malice—threw theGlobeinto great fury, and the learned jurist was “handled without gloves” in several articles.

Grip, July15th, 1876.

MASTER OF THE SITUATION.

TRYING TO SMUGGLE ACROSS

Sir John Macdonald had so far recovered his self-assurance by this time, that he and his followers were calmly asserting that there really was “nothing in” the Pacific Scandal. The Conservative press had in fact ceased to call it a “Scandal” at all; “Slander” was the word now used. The possibility that Sir John could so far regain the confidence of the Canadian people as to get back to office was amongst the things theGloberegarded as ridiculous.

Grip, July29th, 1876.

TRYING TO SMUGGLE ACROSS.POLICEMAN G. B.—“NOTHING IN IT! THEN WHY NOT VINDICATE YOURSELF BY HAVING IT THOROUGHLY EXAMINED.”

THE POLITICAL MRS. SQUEERS

To the upright and respectable members of the Conservative Party the Pacific Scandal had been a terrible blow, and amongst these there was none whose character stood higher than that of Hon. M. C. Cameron, the leader of the Opposition in the Ontario Assembly. The exigencies of his position, however, made it imperative that he should be in accord with the Party at large, and in due course he brought himself to believe that there was moreslanderthanscandalin the unpleasant affair.

Grip, August5th, 1876.

THE POLITICAL MRS. SQUEERS AND HER NAUSEOUS DOSE.

THE ONLY SATISFYING PICNIC AFTER ALL

While the Reformers were enjoying the good things of office, Sir John and his principal colleagues were passing the summer in making a picnic tour. The political picnic had become of late years a Canadian institution, and although there were pleasures to be derived from the outings in the leafy woods, with their accompanying buns, lemonade and political addresses, these were not to be compared to the attractions of the Treasury Benches.

Grip, August19th, 1876.

THE ONLY SATISFYING PICNIC, AFTER ALL!

BRANDED

TheMailproved a most vigorous and alert Oppositionist and lost no opportunity for an attack upon the Government, whether fair or foul. For the sake of political capital it did not hesitate to “run down” the country, and thus to furnish the European press with arguments against emigration to Canada. The incident which called forth the cartoon was theMail’sendorsation of a baseless slander on Canada which had been forwarded to the LondonTimesfrom California.

Grip, September2nd, 1876.

BRANDED!FOR ENDORSING UNFOUNDED SLANDERS AGAINST CANADA.

DETECTED

During the Session of Parliament it was discovered that Mr. Anglin, Speaker of the House of Commons, and proprietor of theSt. John Freeman, had, during the recess, performed $8,000 worth of “extra printing” for the Government. This, being contrary to the spirit and letter of the Independence of Parliament Act, created a strong feeling against the Cabinet. TheGlobe, greatly at a loss to find an excuse for the job, suggested that Mr. Mackenzie had given the work to his supporter “inadvertently.”

Grip, September9th, 1876.

DETECTED.G. B. (The Innocent Page.)—“PLEASE, MR. POLICEMAN, I KNOW IT ISN’T RIGHT, BUT PERHAPS MR. MACKENZIE GAVE IT TO HIM INADVERTENTLY.”

FALSTAFF AND HIS FOLLOWERS

In a speech at Watford, Mr. Mackenzie had stated that one of the “hon. gentlemen” who were then on a tour with Sir John Macdonald, had been the first to apply to the Reform Government for an appointment. The reference was well understood to be to Hon. William Macdougall.

Grip, September16th, 1876.

FALSTAFF AND HIS FOLLOWERS.SIR JOHN A. FALSTAFF.—“IS THIS TRUE, PISTOL?”—Merry Wives of Windsor, Act i., Scene 1.

CONFEDERATION, THE MUCH-FATHERED YOUNGSTER

Although the historical facts as to the origin of the idea of Confederation were familiar to most intelligent Canadians, (and they by no means the oldest inhabitants,) there was a standing dispute as to the party to whom the honor of its paternity belonged. Claims were put forth (amongst others,) on behalf of Messrs. George Brown, Sir F. Hincks, Wm. Macdougall and Sir John A. Macdonald.

Grip, September30th, 1876.

CONFEDERATION!THE MUCH-FATHERED YOUNGSTER.

THE TRANSPARENT FACTS

His Excellency the Governor-General (Lord Dufferin) undertook a mission to British Columbia, in connection with a vice-regal visit, to bring about, if possible, a good understanding between that Province and the Dominion on the subject of the projected Canada Pacific Railway. The British Columbians were at the moment in a state of great excitement over what they regarded as a breach of faith by the Federal Government, and were even threatening secession. Lord Dufferin was, as usual, successful in his efforts at peace-making. The “transparent facts” given in the cartoon detail the various stages of the difficulty up to the date of Lord Dufferin’s intervention.

Grip, October7th, 1876.

THE TRANSPARENT FACTS.IN THE MATTER OF THE “CARNARVON TERMS.”

THE NEW CABINET MINISTER

Mr. David Mills (to whom reference has been made in cartoon No. 113), was now taken into the Cabinet as Minister of the Interior, to the evident dissatisfaction of theGlobe, which regarded him as dangerously radical in his views on the Senate and other questions. As has already been noted, Mr. Blake was also looked upon as a young man rather inclined to be “fast.” On the appointment of Mr. Mills, theMailexpressed a sympathy for Mr. Mackenzie which was very touching under the circumstances.

Grip, October27th, 1876.

THE NEW CABINET MINISTER.LITTLE BOY MACKENZIE PICKS UP MORE “FAST” COMPANY.

THE POLITICAL COLONEL SELLERS

The character ofColonel Sellersas presented by Mr. John T. Raymond, in the comedy of “The Gilded Age,” was at this time the rage in dramatic circles. TheColonelwas an amusingly imaginative speculator, who, though enduring abject penury, was “in his mind” revelling in luxury. Being obliged by cruel fortune to restrict his diet to cold water and raw turnips, he rose equal to the occasion and gave it out that these staples were his special choice as table delicacies. Being unable to afford fuel for his stove, he used a lighted candle therein, on the philosophical ground that it was not heat but merely theappearanceof heat that was required. This eccentric genius found a political anti-type in Sir John, who was now bravely making the best of his reversed circumstances.

Grip, November11th, 1876.

THE POLITICAL “COLONEL SELLERS.”

THE CONSERVATIVE POSITION

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