He took part in all the important debates, including the provincial autonomy question, the exercise of the veto power and the Riel affair.

He resigned his seat and the post of leader of the Opposition when he was appointed a judge of the Court of Queen's Bench on September 19, 1891.

Later that same year, the Liberal government of Honoré Mercier was deposed by the Lieutenant Governor and the Conservative Charles-Eugène Boucher de Boucherville became Premier.

He married Jeanie, youngest daughter of Gen. Silas Seymour of New York, on August 5, 1878 at the Anglican Cathedral in Quebec.

The couple had three children: Seymour, Florence (Mrs. Norman Craik Ogilvie, and by her second marriage, Mrs. Herbert A. Laurie), and Maurice.