THE COLONIST. Published Daily-Morning. Nelson, Tuesday, June 28, 1898. THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

Colonist, Volume XLI, Issue 9209, 28 June 1898, Page 2

THE COLONIST. Published Daily-Morning. Nelson, Tuesday, June 28, 1898. THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.

Unless the telegraphic report of the reception accorded Captain Russell, the Leader of the Opposition, last night, on his return from the Old Country, is woefully at fault, it is very evident that the cause of the Conservatives is extremely weak. The address presented the gallant gentleman, who is ohief of her Majesty's Opposition, was a deplorably bald one. It sets forth the desire of his supporters to co- operate with him in insisting upon pure administration; and the establishing of a healthy system of Parliamentary procedure- The aims thus set forth might be regarded as noble ones if there was reason to believe that the present Administration was actually corrupt, or that Parliamenta.ry procedure was not healthy. The Opposition have, it is true, indulged in vague generalities, and in that fashion asserted that there has been corruption in the administration of the present Ministry, but beyond a broad and impotent charge they cannot go in face of frequent challenges. No individual case of wrong doing has been alleged. The old experience of following the 'tactics of the pettifoging attouney, who, lacking a case, resorted to abuse, offers the members of the Opposition the only hope of achieving a victory, and no one can say that they have not taken kindly to the

uttering of abuse. Captain Russell has just returned from a visit to England, and as travel enlarges tlie mind of niaii, we might reasonably have ekpeefced that he woul^.haVe retu^nfed whh something like a specious programme to offer against the large-minded efforts of the Liberals. We are woeful 'y disappointed, however, for the gallant gentleman has n thing to oftor but i*,nreasonirig opposition;. lie" cc rly thioks that this is sufficient for his supporters, bufc he has to deal with men who are not blind supporters of Conservativeinaction, orreaction, and those who are capab'e of thought must perceive the wide difference between the progression indicated by the Premiei?, and the gratification of indolent leanings sh'addowed b^ the tieader of the Opposition. The people are top sensible to be misled by mere assertion^ that the Groverninenfc programme is a bare one, for they can read and think for themselves. The Opposition people are simply insulting when they make asl sertions that are contrary to sense.