SHERBROOKE, Que., November 3. Hon. John McIntosh, in accepting the Liberal-Conservative candidature, the other day, said to the convention of delegates that he had no pledge to offer the electors of the county of Sherbrooke other than would be afforded by his past record. The applause which greeted the announcement evidenced the fact that those assembled considered this a strong and sufficient guarantee that their candidate just chosen, when elected to Parliament, will energetically employ every honourable means within his power for the furtherance of the interests of his constituency and of his country. Mr. McIntosh did not make the statement boastingly and probably did not realize the weight of the bond he offered for his future conduct as a representative. The men who have made him their standard-bearer appreciated it, however, and his political opponents understand something of its strength. It is a general opinion that Mr. McIntosh's popularity, resulting from his past honourable record, would elect him at the coming election even should the strength of the political party he represents be un-able itself to do so. The nomination of Mr. McIntosh has, in fact, staggered the hopes of the Liberal leaders as the choice of no other man in the county would have done. Many Liberals who have hitherto felt confident that Sherbrooke might be won for the Government now admit Mr. McIntosh's election, and some go further and say that, thought politically opposed to him, he will have their votes for personal reasons.
A review of Mr. McIntosh's life and public services, though already more or less familiar to the public, will, at this time, prove interesting, He was born at Laprairie, Que., October 27, 1841, of Scotch parentage. In the autumn of 1860, in company with his parents, he came to Compton and settled on a farm about one and one-half miles north of Waterville. His father, John McIntosh, Sr., lived there for twenty-five years and then removed to Sherbrooke, where he lived up the time of his death, which took place in 1894, while on a visit to Montreal. Mr. McIntosh received his education at Laprairie and became proficient in French as well as English. After coming to Compton, he followed farming for a number of years. His knowledge then acquired enabled him in his subsequent career, particularly as Commissioner of the province at the Columbian Exposition to do valuable service for the farming communities of the province and today, in the county of Sherbrooke, gives him a strong hold upon the good will of the rural sections.
On the establishment of the Canadian Meat and Produce Company, with headquarters in Sherbrooke, in 1875, he became connected with that company having full charge of selecting and buying all cattle required for the operations of the company. After the dissolution, Mr. McIntosh entered largely into the export of cattle for the English market.
He was a member of the Compton municipal council for six years, and of the Waterville council for ten years, also a member of the Board of School Commissioners. He is a prominent member of the Congregational Church.
Mr. McIntosh entered politics in 1886 when he was elected as representative of Compton County as Quebec, defeating Mr. Hugh Leonard by over 600 majority. In 1890 he was re-elected, defeating Mr. Geo. Layfield by a still larger majority. After the dissolution of the Mercier Government in 1891, Mr. McIntosh was chosen as one of the members of the Hon. Mr. de Boucherville's cabinet, and was returned by acclamation at the general election following. Mr. McIntosh was a strong member of the Government, and his personal influence in the House was excelled or equalled by but few. This was largely due to the fairness and liberality with which he viewed all questions. This earned for him the highest respect of his political opponents as well as the members of his own party. A strong fighter in a campaign and a staunch defender of Conservative principles, he never takes undue advantage of an opponent. He never strikes below the belt. He never stoops to the petty personalities and slurs with which some political speakers in the heat of campaign endeavor to meet their opponents. This was signally manifested on one occasion several years ago at a political meeting in one of the counties of townships. A politician of Mr. McIntosh's own party in his speech took occasion to employ language abusive of his opponent. Mr. McIntosh in his turn repudiated such tactics and expressed his regret that his political friend had employed them. Mr. McIntosh's manifest honour in debate, his refusal to take undue advantage of an opponent, and the sincerity with which he defends the principles he believes to be right, have won him many votes. There is no doubt that he contributed more than any other man to the overwhelming defeat of the Mercier Government in the Townships in 1891, when eleven out of the twelve constituencies elected anti-Mercier candidates by large majorities. He was the provincial leader of the Conservative party in the Townships at that time and it chief organizer for the fight against Mercierism. His health failing, he retired for the political arena before the expiration of his term.
In 1892 he was appointed commissioner for the province of Quebec at the Columbian Exposition, held in 1893. His services to the province in this connection are well known. The success of Quebec's exhibits, particularly the butter and cheese exhibits was largely due to his personal activity in selecting them. As is well known, it resulted in the establishment of Quebec butter and cheese in the English market in successful competition with the products of the United States or any other country. Mr. McIntosh's practical knowledge of farming enabled him to accomplish for his province at that time what another not so qualified could not have brought about. The Quebec Government and indeed the people of the province made fitting recognition of his services on his return form Chicago.
In 1895 he was offered the position of sheriff of the district, rendered vacant by the death of the late Joseph L. Terrill. This he accepted and moved from Compton County to this city. The duties of this honourable and responsible office, he has ably performed during the past five years.
Mr. McIntosh is, also, well known in connection with the Eastern Townships Agricultural Association, of which he is president, a position which he ahas held for several years. In fact, his labours in connection with the Sherbrooke Exhibition are in a great measure responsible for its success.
Mr. McIntosh is a man of sound judgment, and this, coupled with his uprightness of character, so strongly manifested in both his public and private life, will make him a valuable member of the House of Commons and a worth representative of the Townships metropolis.
