4003

for which Confederation seemed to offer the only remedy. In April of this year (1872), Mr. Haythome having obtained terms from the Dominion Government, submitted these to the people. Mr. Pope opposed their ac- ceptance on the ground that they were in— adequate, and came back from the polls with a following sufficient to defeat the Govern— ment. He was again called upon to form an administration. With Messrs. Haviland and Howlan as co—delegates he visited Ot- tawa, obtained what are known as the “Bet- ter Terms,” and, having moved their adop- tion in the House of Commons, succeeded in carrying them. Under authority of this act the union was consummated July Ist, 1873.

At the election for representatives to the Federal House of Commons, held a few weeks later, he was returned for Prince county and loyally supported Sir John Mac- donald during the historic session when the latter had to face the odium cast upon him by the Pacific scandal. In 1875, under strong pressure, he was induced to again enter the provincial legislature. At that time the question of subsidizing denominational schools became the predominant issue, the feeling growing so intense as to break down all party lines. Mr. Pope advocated the policy of “Payments for Results,” and in conjunction with the Hon. F. de St.C. Brecken, contested Char- lottetown. He was defeated by .a majority of less than 100. Yet such was the confidence his party had in him that three months later the same constituency gave him a majority of over 400, when he was returned by Queens county to the seat in the Federal Commons rendered vacant by the Hon. Da- vid Laud’s acceptance of office. In Septem- ber, 1878, at the general election, he, with Mr. Brecken, was again elected with a ma- jority of over 900, and on the 19th of Oc-

PAST AND PRESENT OF

tober was sworn a member of the Privy Council and received the portfolio of Minis- ter of Marine and Fisheries under his old leader, Sir John Macdonald.

While taking so prominent a part on the political stage he was even more actively engaged in mercantile pursuits. A large ship—owner, there was scarcely any line of business carried on in the province in which he was not actively engaged, endeavoring to himself do the work of half a dozen men. When the hard times of 1876-1880 set in, which in his case were accentuated by heavy losses at sea and by fire, he, though a man of magnificent physique, gave way under the strain.

Retiring from public life, he lingered on until May 18th, 1885, when he passed away deeply regretted. \Vriting of him at that time one who well knew him said:

“In the days immediately preceding con- federation political feeling ran higher than it ever has since and the political contests of the time will never probably be equaled in our history. They were indeed famous days: the passage of the Railway Bill and the consummation of confederation marked a new epoch in our history. The most po- tential factor in these great political and constitutional changes was James C. Pope. A man of remarkable force of character, seemingly born to be a leader of men, his magnetic influence drew around him a sup- port by which he carried through great measures in the face of the most powerful, talented and able opposition. It is no dis- paragement to any other and it is no flat- tery to his memory to say that he led his party as no other could have then or has since led it, and his personal influence tran- scended immeasurably that of his contem- poraries.”