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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 75

[introduction]

The article in the "Review of Reviews" for August, from the pen of Mr. C. Wilson, dealt with the superficial aspects of the recent police enquiry. With the exception of a few unimportant words, he has given a fair description of the circumstances which led up to its appointment. His profuse expression of opinion as to the qualifications of the gentlemen who formed the Commission is a more debatable matter. They are, doubtless, most estimable gentlemen; but, with one exception, their relations with the Ministry which appointed them are of such a nature as to make them unconsciously the victims of a bias which is none the less real because it does not find open expression. The humility of the poor woman who looked for even the crumbs which fell from the Master's table was a "controlling influence" in the woman's faith, whether she knew it or not. And Mr. Wilson has given sufficient details in his article in this connection to show what marked caution and wisdom was displayed by the Government, from their standpoint, in making the selection of Royal Commissioners. Tribunals so constituted are inevitable under a system which is equivalent to an accused person selecting his own judge and jury. The weakness or incapacity of the present Minister of Defence, or the characteristic administration of his predecessor, the present Premier, are as wide of the real issue as are lengthy details of the birth and subsequent experiences of the Royal Commissioners, their secretaries, or of the ex and present Commissioners of Police.

The question of public moment is, What has been proved? I propose to answer this by extracts from the evidence. With the evidence in our possession we are as competent to form an accurate judgment as a Royal Commissioner, even though he be fully armed with His Excellency's warrant of appointment.