crown. While I do not admit that the
elective principle has been a failure in Canada, I think we had {79}
better return to the original principle, and in the words of Governor
Simcoe endeavour to make ours 'an image and transcript of the British
constitution.'

Differing on other issues, Brown and Macdonald were at one on this.
They were opposed to a second set of general elections, partly because
it would draw too heavily on the organizations and funds of the
parties. As an instance of the stability of Brown's views, it should
be remembered that he never, at any period, approved of an elective
second chamber. The other Liberal ministers from Upper Canada, Mowat
and McDougall, stood by the elective system, but the conference voted
it down. The Quebec correspondence of the _Globe_ at this time throws
some light on the reasons for the decision: 'Judging from the tone of
conversation few delegates are in favour of election. The expense of
contesting a division is enormous and yearly increases. The
consequence is there is great difficulty in getting fit candidates, and
the tendency is to seek corrupt aid from the administration of the day.
There is also fear of a collision between two houses equally
representing the people. It is less important to us than to the {80}
French. Why should we not then let Lower Canada, which desires to
place a barrier against aggression by the west, decide the question and
make her defensive powers as strong as she likes? It would be no great
stretch of liberality on our part to accord it to her.' During the
debates on Confederation in the Canadian Assembly, in the following
year, Macdonald derided the notion that a government would ever
'overrule the independent opinion of the Upper House by filling it with
a number of its partisans and political supporters.' This, however, is
precisely what has taken place. The Senate is one of the few
unsatisfactory creations of the Fathers of Confederation.[6]

[Illustration: Sir John A. Macdonald. From the painting by A. Dickson
Patterson.]

The question of the financial terms was surrounded with difficulties.
The Maritime Provinces, unlike Upper Canada, were without the municipal
organization which provides for local needs by direct taxation. With
them {81} the provincial government was a nursing mother and paid for
everything. Out of the general revenue came the money for bridges,
roads, schools, wharves, piers, and other improvements