Volume 2 - ElectricCanadian.com

46 HISTORY OF THE BANKConservative Government against the opposition of importantmembers of his own party, and that he had been successfulin inducing other Liberals to follow his example. It is apparentthat Sir George Cartier developed a personal opposition tothe bill of The Canadian Bank of Commerce, for on April 2Mr. McMaster alludes to an appeal he had made to Sir FrancisHincks for an exercise of his friendly offices with his colleagues."I hope the result may be favourable," he writes, "but thereis no certainty beyond the fact that Sir Francis has urged meall along to keep quiet and he would see that the matter ismade right."Two days later he sent to Toronto the gratifying tidingsthat the bill had passed its second reading in the Commons,but he anticipated that when it came before the Senate,Senator Ryan would offer strong opposition, especially to theamended clause increasing the authorized capital. On April 6the bill finally passed the Commons and the Senator writes:"I think the Government will not care to have another bill inwhich I am interested before Parliament for some time, as Ihave kept badgering them constantly, and finally succeededin making them believe that I am a very badly used man."A few days later he was able to write: "It was indeed withunfeigned satisfaction I telegraphed you to-day to the effectthat our amalgamation bill went through committee thismorning, was reported to the Senate this afternoon, whenit passed its final and third reading, so that my anxietyregarding the measure is now at an end. Ryan showed histeeth repeatedly when the bill was under discussion in thecommittee, but having taken the precaution of either seeingmy friends who are on the committee, or addressing them anote requesting their presence and co-operation in the matter,everyone came to time. I had Mr. Street 1 on hand to speakfor the Gore Bank, so that Ryan, who evidently wished togive trouble, found himself so powerless that he soon gave upthe fight." It is evident that the Government was resolved tostand by Senator McMaster, for he adds that the only two