Volume 2 - ElectricCanadian.com

THE CHARTER 39McMaster would not countenance such tactics and his correspondencewith the officials of The Canadian Bank of Commerceis full of scorn for those who devised them.In his first letter after the session opened, dated February24, he tells his Board not to be alarmed by the rumours asto cabinet differences appearing in the Globe and other Liberalorgans. "The Government is strong and I have every reasonto believe will weather the storm. Gordon Brown 1 is here atwork among the members, exciting their prejudices againstthe government banking policy, and he, as well as otherkindred spirits, actually seems sorry that Rose's billhas notbeen brought forward. The reason is obvious; they confidentlyexpected to upset the Government on the measure.They view the question from a purely political standpoint andwould turn out Hincks upon it, even if they were sure thatGait or Rose were certain to take his place, while we look atit only with reference to the interests of the country. I sawSir Francis this morning and am satisfied his banking measurewill be everything we were led to expect. All things considered,I feel sanguine we shall get a pretty good bill." Thenext day he expresses regret that he cannot run up to Torontoto satisfy certain gentlemen of the fidelity of Sir Francis tothe interests of Upper Canada, the impression having evidentlybeen created that the interests of the "western" banks were tobe sacrificed once more. "There are many," he says, "endeavouringto make mischief and I cannot well be spared fromOttawa at present." It is quite evident that he had a voicein framing the resolutions about to be introduced into Parliamentby Sir Francis Hincks, for on February 28 he writes:"The banking resolutions are to be introduced tomorrowin the House of Commons, and I think they should givesatisfaction in Upper Canada. Be this as it may, one thingUohn Gordon Brown (1827-96) was a brother of the Hon. George Brown (1818-80),the founder of the Globe. He was born in Scotland and educated in Edinburgh andNew York. He became editor of the Globe in 1851 and subsequently managing director.In 1882 he retired from the Globe, and the following year was appointed Registrar of theSurrogate Court of Toronto.