Demands had been made upon the Ontario Government for a Special Act incorporating the Orange Society. The Government steadily resisted the appeal on the ground that such an Act would be class-legislation, and that the demand was made, not in good faith, but for the purpose of embarrassing the Reform Party in the interests of their opponents, with whom the Orange leaders were allied. At length, however, the Globe came out in favor of the Act, and urged the Government to grant the demand and end the difficulty. This advice the Ministry disregarded through the influence, it was generally believed, of Hon. C. F. Fraser, the able Roman Catholic Member of the Cabinet. Subsequently a General Act was passed, under which any organization of a legitimate character could secure incorporation.
Grip, February 10th, 1877.
ORANGE BILL CROSSING THE POLITICAL BOYNE.
(SLIGHTLY ALTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL PAINTING.)
NOT A REAL LION.
At the numerous political picnics throughout the country, Sir John and his lieutenants were loud in their denunciations of the Government in connection with various scandals. In the presence of their opponents in Parliament, however, they refrained from formulating their charges or pressing for investigation.
Grip, February 17th, 1877.