Mr. John Sandfield Macdonald, who was at this time Premier of Ontario, earned the sobriquet of the Axe-Grinder by some self-descriptive expression he had made use of in a public speech. His political methods were largely based upon the quid pro quo principle.
Flysheet, 1868.
THE NEEDY AXE-GRINDER.
Needy Axe-Grinder, whither are you going?
Rough is the road, your wheel is out of order,
Bleak blows the blast, your hat has a hole in it,
So have your breeches.