THE NEW VICTORIAN MINISTRY

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 666, 26 April 1870, Page 4

THE NEW VICTORIAN MINISTRY

[daily telegraph.] Mr MacPherson'slate colleagues adopted a marked manner of showing their displeasure at his acceptance of office. No sooner was his name read out than they took up their hats and walked to the other side of the house, seating themselves on the front Opposition benches. Mr Cohen, however, remained behind, and in the course of the evening, Mr M'Kean warmly defended his ex-colleague from a charge of personal corruption, suggested by Mr G. P. Smith. Mr M'Kean characterised these remarks as "cowardly," and they were then explained away. Afterwards, the supporters of Mr MacPherson were invited to meet at the 'Treasury Buildings, to receive from him an explanation Of tho reasons which had led him to accept; office in the present M'Culloch Administration. All his late colleagues except the law officers were present. The following members also responded to the invitation : — Messrs Everard, Macartney, Hanna, Harcourt, Kernot, Richardson, Plummer, Bayles, Blair, Walsh, and Bailey. The discussion which ensued was characterised by much warmth of expression. The step was strongly condemned on all hands. Mr MacPherson said he owed no apology to his late supporters fcr what he had done. He asserted that he had always looked upon Mr M'Culloch as his political leader, and that he was forced into the position he took against Mr M'Cnlloch because of the colleagues he had associated with him. Those objections having been removed, he felt he could with confidence act with him and support him. Several of Mr MacPherson's colleagues regretted the step he had taken, which they unhesitatingly characterised as a political mistake. Others were less choice in their language, and spoke of his conduct with considerable harshness. It was said of him that the leader of the M'Culloch Administration knew his price, but did not know the price of the party who had supported him. It was also said that the progressive party had recognised in him the possessson of abilities, and looked forward to his being their leader in the struggle which they had initiated against the corruptionist section in the Legislature. Mr Bayles said it wa3 with | extreme regret that he denounced the course which Mr Macpherson had taken. On all sides Mr Macpherson was submitted to a badgering which at tirne3 became so intolerable that he repeatedly endeavoured to leave the Executive Council chamber, in which the meeting was being held, but was earnestly entreated by his colleagues to stay. Mr Blair denounced his conduct as "infamous," and the most "dastardly treachery," and occupied the meeting for some time with his denunciations of the betrayal of the trust reposed in the hon. gentleman by his party. Before the meeting broke up, the question was asked for what object it had been convened, and if it was intended to solicit the support of hon. members for the M'Culloch Administration. To this there was no answer, and the members separated in anything but an amiable frame of mind. The discussion was afterwards revived in the Assembly, and there are indications that when the House meets some attempt will be made to obtain a distinct expression of opinion upon Mr MacPherson's conduct.