After British Columbia became an integral part of the Dominion in 1871, Senator Macpherson entered into negotiations with the Government at Ottawa with a view to obtaining the contract for constructing the Canadian Pacific Railway. A rival applicant for the contract was Sir Hugh Allan of Montreal. The subsequent history of the negotiations is too well known to need much recapitulation in this place. The Government contracted obligations to Sir Hugh Allan which were nullified by its fall in the month of November, 1873. Senator Macpherson not unnaturally felt himself aggrieved at the treatment to which he had been subjected, and for some time the cordial relations between him and his old political associates were interrupted. After a brief interval, however, harmony was reëstablished between them, and Senator Macpherson's support has ever since been loyally accorded. During the five years' existence of the Mackenzie Administration his opposition to that Administration was very conspicuous. On the 19th of March, 1878, he called attention in the Senate to the public expenditure of the Dominion; more especially to that part of it which is largely under administrative control. He arraigned the Government policy as extravagant and indefensible, and his remarks gave rise to a long and acrimonious debate. Senator Macpherson's speech on the occasion was considered by the Conservative Party as being one of exceptional power and research. It was published in pamphlet form, and distributed broadcast throughout the land. It was used as a campaign document during the canvass prior to the elections of the 17th of September, and was replied to by the Hon. R. W. Scott, Secretary of State. On another occasion during the same session the Senator assailed the policy of Mr. Mackenzie's Government with respect to the construction of the Fort Francis Lock, and other public works in the North-West. On the 10th of February, 1880, he was elected Speaker of the Senate, which position he now holds. Almost immediately after his election he was prostrated by a serious illness, and in order that business might not be interrupted he temporarily resigned office, the duties of which were for the time discharged by the Hon. A. E. Botsford.