Pacific scandal
The Pacific scandal of 1873 was a political scandal in Canada . It was about the allegation that the government of the Conservative Prime Minister John Macdonald had allowed itself to be bribed.
After British Columbia joined the Canadian Confederation in 1871, an agreement was reached to build a transcontinental railroad line from the Atlantic across the Canadian prairies and the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific . The: two groups competed for the contract to be able to build the railway line Canada Pacific Railway from Hugh Allan (not with today's Canadian Pacific Railway identical) and the Inter-Ocean Railway Company . In 1873 it was revealed that Hugh Allan had donated a large sum of money to the Conservative Party which was used to campaign in 1872. The Liberal Party , then in the opposition, alleged that this was a tacit agreement to secure Hugh Allan's contract.
Although John Macdonald protested his innocence, police found incriminating evidence that money had been given to him and some of his fellow party members. Even more embarrassing for Macdonald was the discovery of a telegram that had been posted six days before the general election in 1872 . It said, “I need another $ 10,000. This will be the last message. Do not disappoint me. Answer today. "( " I must have another $ 10,000. Will be the last time of calling. Do not fail me. Answer today. " ).
Macdonald then had to resign from the office of Prime Minister. He also offered to resign as party leader, but was persuaded to continue. The direct consequence of the scandal was that the Conservative government lost the favor of the electorate and also the lower house election in 1874 . Then was Alexander Mackenzie , leader of the Liberal Party, the new Canadian prime minister.
Web links
- Pacific Scandal ( English, French ) In: The Canadian Encyclopedia .
Individual evidence
- ↑ See Bruce Hutchison : Mr. Prime Minister 1867–1964 . Longmans Canada, Toronto 1964.