Document Information

Date: 1905-03-01
By: Canada (Parliament)
Citation: Canada, Senate Debates, 10th Parl, 1st Sess, 1905 at 72.
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73

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THE RESIGNATION OF THE MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR.

Hon. Sir MACKENZIE BOWELL—Before the Orders of the Day are called, I should like to ask the leader of the government, whether there is any truth in the ominous rumour about the streets of the resignation of some of the cabinet. It is said that the difficulty has arisen over that very vexed question, the school question, of which we have heard something in the past—that it is disturbing the quietude of the cabinet at the present time, and that some members of the cabinet have retired on account of the policy adopted by the government. Can my hon. friend inform the Senate of the facts concerning that rumour?

Hon. Mr. SCOTT—The fact is that Mr. Sifton, Minister of the Interior, has sent in his resignation. I will read the letter he has addressed to the premier:

Ottawa, February 27th, 1905.

Dear Sir Wilfrid,—After giving my best consideration to the matters which we discussed last evening, I have arrived at the conclusion that it is impossible for me to continue in office under present circumstances, and that it is better for all concerned that I should act at once. I, therefore, beg to tender my resignation as a member of the government. I trust that the unhappy necessity which has arisen will not in the least impair the friendship with which you have been kind enough to honour me.

Believe me,

Yours most faithfully,

CLIFFORD SIFTON.

Right Honourable

Sir Wilfrid Laurier, G.C.M.G.

The reply is as follows:

Ottawa, February 28th, 1905.

My Dear Sifton,—I received yesterday your letter of same date, whereby you tender me your resignation as a member of the government.

There is no alternative for me, but to accept it, and with much regret, it will be my duty to place it in the hands of His Excellency.

After our conversation of the other day, I had left you with the impression that the differences between us were more of words than substance, and until I received your letter, I had cherished the hope that it would be possible ere this, to find a comparatively easy solution.

Whilst I feel more regret than I can express at this termination of our official relations, let me assure you that should our old friendship ever be impaired, the fault will not be mine.

Yours very sincerely,

 WILFRID LAURIER.

The Honourable

Clifford Sifton,

 Ottawa.

Hon. Sir MACKENZIE BOWELL—The explanation is satisfactory as far as it goes, but no reason is assigned for the resignation. Mr. Sifton speaks of matters which he had discussed with the premier, but does not say what they are. I notice also that the reply sent by the premier to Mr. Sifton is equally non-committal, that there is no reason given. Could the hon. gentleman tell us what the point is upon which these gentlemen differed, or rather the point upon which the retiring minister differed from the cabinet?

Hon. Mr. SCOTT—I have had no conversation with Mr. Sifton and no explanation beyond what his letter conveys other than what I understand—which may or may not be correct—that he differs from the premier on the language of the education clause in the Autonomy Bills for the two new provinces. That is what I understand; it may or may not be correct; there may be other grounds that I know not of.