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A word as to the unfortunate condition in which we find the family of the late premier. The highest tribute that can be paid to the memory of the leading politician who dies in harness to day is ta be able to say “he died a poor man.” That may truthfully be said of the de- ceasad premier. "u pour man" in all that the words imply. He did not enter pol~ itics for what he could make out of it, otherwise a different storv would have been told. Had he devoted his ability to his legal profession) fume and fortune gwaited him. While we have difiered with him politically. and without ad mit- ting or endorsing the soundness of his political judgment, would it not be a fitting tribute for Liberals and Conservat- ives alike to join hands in urging Parlia. {Dent to make some provision for the widow and orphans. he has left behind, asaiecognitiou of his great ability, 3 Canadian of whose abilities all Canadians of every stripe of politics may justly feel proud. Let us not carry our political feelings to the grave. He served the state, whether wisely or well let us no longer discus. but in extending our sym- patby to the bereaved ones do so uith 23 Willing heart and fnrgiving spirit. It is no exaggeration to say that the family of late premier has been left peuuiless, and to the credit of the country let it be said that as Canadians we do not permit the widow and orphans to walk out to fight the battles of this selfish world withuu: mu- lending them a helping hand in their wiction. . Under such conditions and with such surroundings the inner life of Sir John was far from a happy one. There are pnliLiciane who delight in intrigue and the more latitude they find fur praciici‘ng their political methods of warfare the more agreeable to them is their work Such was not the case with Sir John Thompson. He wished to prove to the world that. there might be honesty in politizs and he might have succeeded under mher conditions, but. with the crowd with whom he took counsel he failed to demonstrate the fact and no one regretted.“ more than himself. We are net inclined (o linger 10ng over regrettedit more than himself. We are not inclined to linger long over ihe grave of a. pnlilical opponent when he falls by the hand we directed against him, but when to us does not, belong the victory we reflect for a momem upon his good qualities, forgetting thnse Wu, in the heat of political warfare, Were ever ready to condemn. Death has how aCcompllshed What we had set out to do. It has gone further, (or it has forever removed from our midst one of the most brilliant legal minds Canada has ever claimed. Asa politician Sir John Thompson may be said to have only partially shoceeded, but as a judicial mind he had no peers, He was a man of sterling integrity and honor at heart but unfortunately he was enrrounded by those who were less scru- pulous and whose counsels too often pre- vailed. The fact must not be lost sight of that since Sir John Thompson took command of the ship of state, a vessel that veers before had shown strong eri- deuce of rotten timber. the task of keep- ing her afloat has been one surrounded with innumerable difficulties and perils. It has not been plain sailing, and in addiâ€" tion to her waterlogged condition only the greatest amount of strategy prevented her being dashed on the rocks long ago. Extreme and questionable methods alone kept her afloat sud averted the disaster with which she has repeatedly been threatened during the past few years. It was in emergencies like these when Sir John Thompson shrank from party duty, The work was distasteful to him and often it was apparent to the most casual observer in the House of Commons who listened to the late premier defending a weak cause that it was a great struggle within him whether or not he should yield to the dictates of his finer impulses or sacrifice those interests to save his party from further disgrace, possibly ruin. But alas these finer instinme in a good man's character become warped and hardened in time by constant Contact with characters like some of filmse with whom Sir John had surrounded himself. The corrupting influence 0, evjl asso- ciation and communication 6 not give him immunity although he-(Dnglwâ€"havé against it. Having come to t‘nb rescue of the sinking ship he had but one of two alternatives to choose from ; fiesert her or patch her up with any available mat- erial, good or bad, wlialever might, come to hand, in the hope of getting her safe to shore. It was in the selection of some of this material that Sir John Thompson committed the error of his life. Once it became part oi the structure it must re- main or the whole fabric would fall [,0 pieces. For the second time within a little over two years Canada moms tlze death of a premier, It, is when deathicter- vanes and takes out of our hand the work we had designed for uureelves that we forget all those qualities we were float to condemn and remember only those traits in which we saw good. In the battle of political life it is not usual for as to parade the good qualities of our opponents, leaning them for others to discover and hold up as an offset against those qualities more likely to provoke ad- verse criticism. This is the fact. the world (War. RICHMOND HILL. Thursday, Dec. 20, ’9'4 Our Ottawa Letter. LEFT PENNILESS J. L. Paterson. Thos. Paterson, J. Kunnedy, the Sec'y. J. 0. Clark, and Ltbers. The Seo‘y, J. 0. Clark, gave a report of a meet in]; o! the directors at. which they had decid- ed to hold the winter mass meeting at Agin- oourt, and had the O. A, C. for the usual number of speakers to assist, and had rec- ommended the Supt. hnvmg in hand the ar- rangements for the meetings the names of E. W001, S. Rennie. A. J. Reynolds. L. E Annie, J. Lemmy. 5051. Armstrong. \V.Soott. J. Pike and the Seo‘y, J. 0. Clark, to address meetings or prepare suitable papers. and had submitted mixed farming, (mule {Peding. dairyiug. fruit growing and weeds injurious to farmers as sulljecls most likely to interest those who would be in nuendunoa. A cit- cular was read from F. W. Hudson, Supt. of Farmers’ Instituten.to the effect that the mass meeting would be held at Agiucourt, on lhe 4th and 5th of Jan, and that three delegates would bu sent from the O. A. 0., and Good Roads Association, who would de- liver addrrssos on the eonsnuctiou and maintenance of roads and drainage, on dairyingand swine feeding. also on grain growing, fruit growing, the care of live Block, (in. The subject of “ The Advisnbil- ity of Establishing Urenmexiea," was then taken up and discussed in a vigorous and practical manner. The next meeting will be held at Agiucourl on Wednesday. Dec. 26%. when the subject for discusfion will be the “Spraying of Fruit Trees," to be imm- dpced by Geo. Elliott. Farmers‘ Institute. The first meeting of the East. York Farm- ers' Institute for the Benson 1894-95 was held at Agincomt on Monday, the 10th inat., anti was well attended, the members manifesting great interest in the proceed- ings. The president, 8. Kennedy, Esq.. oc- cupied the chair, and among those present were Jus. G. Paterson. W. A. Paterson, F. Glendenning. W. H. lecerson, W.S. Walton, Thos. Gray, J. Marshall, Wm Jahnson, G. J. Kennedy, Thos. Crawford, Jns. Maxwell, T. A. Pateiéou, Robt. Clark. Wm. Young, R Galbraith, H. Kennedy. E. Wood. Wm Oliver, 8. Rennis, Geo. Elliott, M. Elliott Obituary. One of the old landmarks ol Markham has passed away in the person of David Byer, who died at his late residence, Lot 23, 8th Con. Markham, on December 10th, 1894, in the 74th year of his age, He was born on March 3rd, 1820, on the {arm on which he lived his lifetime.and on which he died. Mr. Byer was best known to the general public as the “Cancer Doctor." Having come into possession of a valuable formula and posses sing the native abilities necassary, Mr. Byer started about 20 years ago to treat cancers and he has been eminently successful, and though he never advertised. and though he met with opposition from (some) medical men, his house was often like an hospital, and patients came from as far west as Bri‘ihh Columbia, and south as Virginia. Mr. Byer- was also a veteran apiariet, his honey crop of late years running into tons. I think it is a pity he did notgive the benefit of his large experience to the Bee Journal; it would have been valuable to amateurs. In his earlier life he was connected with the (old) Mennonite Church. About forty rears ago he joined the River Brethren (or '] un- hers) of which he remained a memner until his death. While in his temporal affairs Mr. Byer was very progressive. his farm and apiary being equipped with all the latest imâ€" provements, yet In his religious views he was rigidly conservative. and viewrad the slightest innovation with suspicion and alarm. As with the lapse of time some slight, but necessary. changes had taken place in the church, he with his family were making preparations to unite with the York Brethren, a small sect existing in York 00.. Pa., holding views identical with their own. Two weeks before his death he caught a se- vere cold which developed into inflammation of the lungs. The funeral services were held on Thursday morning last in the Men- nonite church. Rev.B.Holmer, of Roseville, Out., a York Brethren Minister, assisted by others, preached a sermon to a large con- nggaLiOll.â€"C0fl. THE FUTURE. But the world goes on. Neither our regrets, not oer sorrows, nor our com- miserstions will check it, and for the future we must provide. We find selfish motives prompting us again, and we stop to ask what effect the death of the late premier is likely to have on the political future of the country. We question ourâ€" selves, for we are as Well able to supply the answer as to expect any one else to supply it for us at the present moment. It is all problematical. There, however, appears to be a concensns of opinion that in sending Hon. Mackenzie Boivell to form a government the Governor-General has availed himself of the best material at his disposal. There were four to choose fromwBowell, Haggart and the two Tuppers. Foster was never in the race. Although active for a man of his years, Mr. Bowel), at the age of seventy- one, is not likely to be found possessed of the same power of endarsnee and energy we would look for in a younger man. He is an extreme pro- tectionist, and considerable interest. will now be directed towards him to see whether he will assert his views, now the opportunity is given him. against the eVident wishes of the country for a mod- erate and lower customs tarifi'i At the time of writing it is impossible to any what the result of the ministerial crisis will be, or whether the reorganization of the Cabinet will involve many or any material changes. Nova Sootia, of course, gets a new minister. Some little time ago it was pointed out that possibly Sir John Thompson would resign, and that on the appointment of his successor the latter might demand a dissolution and an immediate appeal to the country on the old lists. It. is possible that this may follow now. “Be ready.” The third page of the Toronto Daily Mail is noted for “Want” advertisements. If you want a situation. a mechanic, 3 business, machinery, lodging, if you have lost or found anything, or if you want to find out where anyone is, advertise in the Toronto Daily Mail, and read the adâ€" vertisements on the third page of that paper. The charge is two cents a word each insertion, or ten cents a wurdfor 31x insertions. Address The Mail, Toronto, Canada. 2mm E? g mm R5,. 4m / IJOIl't Cough,- / Don’t Choke, Don’t ficrape your Thrqat Don’t Inilu-e Your 141111.33 BUY A BOTTLE OF I,’ Geoifigfiggam, â€" Richmond 141111. THOS. - MEREDETH - 8L - CO. FlNE HARNESS A SPECIALTY. ; You can save money by buyng yom.‘ Home Blankets, Knee Bugs and Rober nere Light and heavy bLab‘B blankets from 50 cents up, 1894 . . XMAS. PRESENTS . I00 pr. 0 Hated bkates .................... 1:31.00, Iegmar puuc qu.uu zoo pr. 3 “ .................... 1.25 “ 2.5 ' 100 pr. 7 “ .................... 1.75 “ :VZ; SLEIGH BELLS in great variety. {x CHEAP POCKET & TABLE CUTLERY. PLATED \VAREâ€"See our new stock before buying Xmas. Presents. ' See our Rapid Transit Cross-cut Saws and Chopping Axes. Without doubt the very best Robe I but a genuine black hide robe Aho selling the MA'I robes down in p ~ ‘1 x ‘Wholesafis i S $5 ’f & Retafl r > n- ' 9 Importers. For a Quarter It will Manufacturing Druggists, 171 King St. E., Toronto, â€"â€" Oppo Farmers’ 8c Storekeepers’ Supplies, HAENESS Sfifli HARDWARE - STD WELKEN§ 4% (30., PAINTS OILS & GLASS {01111 PRICEss CAN’T W _/ { BE BEAT. } - 166 & 168 KING ST. EAST, TORUNROE Hardware and. Hause Furnishings, Iooo pair Genuine Acme Skates ; also bankrupt'stock: ) pr. 0 Plated Skates .................... $1.00, regular price $2 DAVi D’S CQUGH BALSAM 156 KING STREET, E.. TORONTO. Next Door to Clyde Efiotel. 5 doubt the very best Robe made for the money. No dyed imitation of fu ut a genuine black hide who, a“ one piece ; moth and weather proof. Abo selling the MATASSANA COAT, both coat. and robes down in price, Can also supply first- class fur gunds of any kind cheaper than can be bought elsewhere ROBES TRHMHED AND LENED in fll'st-ciass style. I THOS. MEREDITH & CO. Aud Fancy Wool Knee Rug If 11) need of 3. RC - Announce that their store is full of useful RECEâ€"ISIOND 1111.414 We import direct from Manufacturers. CHRISTMAS. . DANIEL & CO, RIOEâ€"IMOND HII FANCY” WOOL IB‘LAIQKE'JZEa (3 Doors from George St.) give instant relief. Get from your Storekeeper or I Stoves and Tinware, Glas and Putty, Skates, the latest ake, 60 cts. up; Chopping Axe 6o cts. up; Cow Ties 15 cts. up X-cut Saws. Table and Pocket all kinds of tinware mlgde to order. ‘3‘ I . . . . . . . . . . :s, cheaper and better than ever. )be buy nothing but the Repairing promptly done. Opposite Clyde Hotel C. REAS‘WN 1894: