members whose seats were assailed were Mr. Jones and his relative the Hon. William Berrian Vail, the representative of the county of Digby in the House of Commons, who held the portfolio of Minister of Militia and Defence in the Government of the day. These gentlemen had, in the interest of their Party, taken shares in a Halifax newspaper and printing establishment, which had obtained a certain amount of advertising and printing from the Government. Neither Mr. Jones nor Mr. Vail had ever derived, or expected to derive, any pecuniary profit from their connection therewith, but the decisions of the Select Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections in other cases led to the conclusion that they must also be held to be disqualified, and, therefore, subject to the heavy penalties imposed by the statute in that behalf if they ventured to sit and vote in the House of Commons. They both accordingly resigned their seats and appealed to their constituents for reëlection. Mr. Vail was defeated in Digby by Mr. John Chipman Wade, the Conservative candidate, and at once tendered his resignation as a member of the Government. Mr. Jones, whose election was still pending, was prevailed upon to accept the vacant portfolio. He was sworn in before Sir William O'Grady Haly, as Administrator of the Government of Canada, at Halifax, on the 23rd of January, 1878. This event stimulated the opposition to his return which had already been inaugurated by his political opponents. Mr. Matthew H. Richey, the Mayor of Halifax, a very popular citizen, was brought out in opposition to him. The conflict was short, but most exciting, and resulted in Mr. Jones's election by a majority of 208 votes, six days after his acceptance of office. He at once entered upon his official duties, and displayed in his new sphere of action a great capacity for an efficient administration of the public service. He exhibited a very ready grasp of departmental details, and a familiarity with Militia organization highly useful and important in connection with his relations to that branch of the public service. During the progress of the session he engaged in several active passages of arms with Dr.--now Sir Charles--Tupper, who made somewhat telling references to a speech made by Mr. Jones at a meeting in Halifax just prior to Confederation, and during a period of great political excitement. This speech afforded Dr. Tupper an opportunity for impugning the loyalty of the new Minister of Militia, of which the former did not neglect to avail himself very early in the session. The reply of Mr. Jones was vigorous, eloquent, and aggressive, and although the subject was more than once revived at later stages of the discussions it was felt that Mr. Jones had fully held his own in the wordy warfare. The latter remained in Mr. Mackenzie's Government as Minister of Militia and Defence so long as that Government remained in power, and was looked upon as one of its shrewdest and most capable members.