British Whig (Kingston, ON), Feb. 9, 1883

p.2

DRY DOCK HUMBUG.

Editor, British Whig.

Dear Sir, - On the 5th of June, 1879, Mr. Wise, with a staff of men, arrived from Ottawa and spent a couple of days in taking measurements of the size and depth of the Power Dry Dock. They intimated that Sir John Macdonald was going to construct a large dry dock for the city at Government expense. The building of it was to employ a large number of men. Profuse were the promises of employment to those in Sydenham and Ontario Wards. It will soon be four years and no work has been done yet. It struck me that it would be a good thing if Mr. Metcalfe could have this same squad sent up from Ottawa, now that the basin is frozen over, in order to see if it would not do to commence the work in winter, and to make promises of work until after the 27th. They could then skip out. This would be just as honest a proceeding as that of 1879, and no doubt the fertile brains of our friends are engaged in concocting some splendid humbug similar to the one perpetrated. It may as well be understood, however, that such a game will not work worth a cent. People cannot be caught twice, and Mr. Metcalfe will find out that the deception which assisted him in his last election will greatly assist to create his political funeral on the 27th.

Yours, SYDENHAM WARD. Feb. 6th