The Herald -- 1868-04-22 -- Page 4

ae me rr
LEGISLATIVE ‘SUMMARY, rising generation. Religious training, he observed, !
: meen, was a subject of vast importance, and one upon which
P ASSEMBLY, the ablest minds tound it difficult to legislate.

too HOUSE: O

ela S L551 Wepnxspay, April 8th.
On motion, Hons Callbock, Laird, and Mr George
Sinclair wore 7, sont to bring in a Bill to Incorpo-
rate the Baptist Church at North River.

he tigal ta Committee of Supply. Mr Reilly in tha

f.

Hon Atty General enbmitted sevoral Resolutions,
among which, were for expenditure on bridges and
wharfs in Road Drstrict Nos. 3 and 4, Prince Coanty,
at extra expenditure of last year, £223 I4s. Od.
To build a wharf and block at Battery Point, provided
a eight oF way be given for said wharf, £26 Gs. Od.
To ommissioners for revising jaws from 1862, £60.
A sum sufficient for takin: the Cenaus. ‘To Daniel
Gillis, Miscouche, for keeping a Way Office for some
years p £7 10s, Od. House vent for Professor of
P. W. College, £25,

To the following persons as School Teachers, to be
paid out of the educational funds of the Colony, viz:—

.

Robina Richardson, Summerside, £15 0 0
Ellen VJelsh, 0 158 0 0
Julia fant, St. Bleanor’s, 8 0 0
Dovwald McKay, an old Teacher, 5 0 0
James Stewart, Belmont, Bast Royalty, 10 0 0
Elizabeth’ McKinnon, Charlottetown, 10 0 0
James il, Fitzgerald, Lot 13, 5 0 0
Charles, Fowle, Lot 31, 5 0 0
Arch. MeKenaie, West Royalty, 5 0 0
Eulalio Arsenault, Egmont Bay, 10 0 0
Louisa Arsenault, Lot 15, i5 0 0
Franeis Buote, Lot 1, 10 0 0
John d, Arsenault, Lot 15. 0 0
Geo. Corbett, Ohavlotietawn, 10 0 0
Alice McKenna, do, 6.0 0
Bog School, do, 20 0 0
$t. Ann's, da. 200 0
James. Easton, Georgetown, Bo 0 0

£203 0

The foregoing grants are given for this year only,
and not to form a precedent for future years.

fon Atty General said, that the object of the note
appended to the foregoing Resolution was to prevent
disappointment relative to the continuance of sach
grants “in fatare. The schools taught by the parties
named did not come under the provisions of the School
Act, but as similar sums had hitherto been given, it
would not be just to deprive the said recipients of their
usual allowances withoat an intimation to that effect.
As to the question of special grants, that could not be
entertained without a complete change of the Free
School system of the Colony.

Hon Leader of the Opposition said he had been
anxiously: waiting for the Hiselutice granting the usyal
annual allowance to the teacher of the Georgetown
School, and was glad to find that-item among the sums
named in the’ Résolition then before the Committee.
Thougb the school in question was principally support:
ed by ‘the Church of England, three-fourths of the pu-
pils belonged to other denominations. As to the subject
of secular schools, he would defer any remarks thereon
until the Bdacation Bill was before tho House. :

Mr Breeken was glad to observe that £10 had been
voted for Mc Corbett, the assistant teacher of the school
held in.the Temperanee Hall, Charlottetown, Over
100 pupils were in attendance at that school.

Hon: Atty General thea submitted Resolutions
granting £533 for the relief of paupers.

The grant.of: £7. 10s: to Donald Gillis, Misvouche,
for way office, called for some remarks.

Mr Owem said that the way office in question had
not been established over a year or two. Newspapere
might have’ beew left at Gillis’ house for the neighbor-
hood, as was the ease in many instances through the
country, but that. did:not constitute a way oftice.

Ilon Atty General said, that it appeaed, a bag was
always left at Gillis’ tor the accommodation of the pub-
hie for many years past, for which he never received
any remuneration,

After seme further remarks from hon members on
both sides, the Resolutions, as submitted, were agreed
to.
Mr Brecken asked the Government what action, if
any, would he, taken relative to a Memorial from the
City Council om the subject of a Workhonse?

Hon Tjeader of the Government replied, and snid
that the question was under the consideration of the
Government.

ffon Atty General presented ‘a Bill for the better
security of the Crowh and Government of the United
Kingdom, within the Island, which Bill. he said, was
based upon a Dispatch from the Secretary of State for
the Colonies, to his. Excellency the Lieut.Governor,
and introduced tv compliance with the wishes of the
Home Government.

Hon Atty General moyed that the Education Bill be
read a second, time, and in doing so observed that, as
he had and the principal amendments contem-
plated by the Bill, when first introducing it, and also,
when the resolutions touching those amendments were
before the House.in Committee, he considered it unne-
cessary toy remark: again at any length on the subject,
at that stage of the proceedings.

Hon Legder of the Opposition then addressed the
House, a) kevigped the leading amendments. of the
School Aét, as submitted in the bill under consideration.
The alt ate relative tothe Normal School, three Vi-
sitors. instead of two, the Board-of Bdacation tobe,
composed pf eleven members, instead of nine, as for-
merly, #ranting £5'Gxtrh to teachers of the French
language, were, ‘he said, the principal amendments con-
templated by the bill, and were rot. im lis opinion, cal-
culated to proye er material. iraproyement to. the
general educational interests of tho Colony. The
questions’ fo the beet syatem 6f Educhtion to be im-
parted by the State,’ wae, he void, agitating the public
mind. @ held theopinion that a mere secular edu-
cation was futile, and in fact, injarions, Whinit was
not based on a religious and sound moral training. [fe
expected that on that vital. and 4! important point,
gome expression of opinion -woul® ° ive by bon.
cectabedd MIRE Géverndien?™ wee yeh eae

“Hon Atty General tephed, he allaied to thé momen-
tons intérest#involved in thé question, and’ said that a
religiou# ¥diteation was of the first importance, compar-
ed with® Whteh mero ‘teenlar yak By pf ay
secondary consideration. But.the mode, of imparting |
to the A td a Kho ope of pt haa 0s
was a qiestibn op which some of the geoatest minds. of)
thenge differe), He then “compared the eeveral en-
actments of the Conservatives, with thoseiof the Liberal’
penty, rel to Edueation ; and said; that if the former

ad in any way Charged Aheir views, and were prepared ))

to effect any vital change of the present system, let
then table their Teboldtiohs to that effect and the Gov-
ernment would be prepated. to) treet the question.

Dr Jenking aaid-that he felt very much, disappointed |
that something of more impo tenon an & few trifling
alteration: Dy din the bill. The incompe-
tency of te ek hers, generally aa a class. the,
necessity of a uniform a efficient en pelo
eaniidates f G te; j the riety. of a
pewuemrat. ty | fs) abt 14 hay of Roddiicees the im-

vat ary training ia. connection, with the

pes schgol;:a compulsory meneure,

4 t, to secure a ci attendance at

; and the im hiniag-religion with

moral btm as ly cormevted with the

‘théesdddniry’, were ‘some of ‘the remarks

w he (Dr. Jenkins) soffered, and upon the adoption

of which he depended the improvement of the
school of the’

Hon Lemfe

s i {
he Government observed that _ some

of the requisites alluded to by the hon member Dr.
Jenkine, were al led for jn the Schoo! ‘
The nts to the law were but matters of detail,
‘The mait bf the free school syatein, ‘as first
Sree eta we seal nit were bea tapered ee Gy te

and on by the
pe oe pad svernmédts. “As to the Normal
bv at the on was to do away with the im-
perative art of candidates for the office
of teacher cir attainments, of serving
five mont whieh would stilt continue,

) whom the Board of Edu-
might pronea : incompetent to obtain license.

-THE HERALD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1868.

"Siiliaie

Mr Breoken said that the allasion made to the st
ot Edaecation in His Excellency’s Speech, at the close
of last Session, and the opening of the present, led the
public to look forsome more important changes. than
the mere trifling amendments referred to in the Bill.
He then spoke of the memorial of [lis Lordship the R.
C. Bishop, and sald that the Catholic population, whose
exclusive support was given to the party composing the
present Government, expected what His \ordship's
Memorial termed—common justice—at the hands of
the party in-power. It appeared, however, from the
Minute of Council in reply to said Memorial, that those
whose influence placed the Government in power, were
deceived. Some hon. members of the Government,
doubtless, responded to the views expressed by their
Bishop. and thought it a erying injustice to be denied
the prayer of His Lordship's Memorial, and yet they re-
mained silent on the question. ‘The system of paying
the whole of the salary ef teachers from the treasury,
was contrary to that which obtained in the sister Colo-
nies. The principle of raising a portion ofthe teachers
pay by local assessment was, in his opinion, a sound
one; if not, all the Colonies and the United States also,
were wroug, and P. E. Island alone right.

Hon Mr Laird, the only important change relating
to the Education Act that had been on the platform at
the last election, and that had been promised by the
Liberal party, was the paying of teachers’ salaries ex-
clusively from the ‘Treasury, and not in part, a8 provid-
ed by the unpopular amendment of the Conservatives.
He said that the reducing the salarics of teachers, led to
the opening of many Private Schools. Ho qnoted ex-
tracts from a Report of Commissioners of Education in
Scotlam, showing that the recommendation of said
Commissioners favored one uniform and more concen-
trated national system; similar in its provisions, rela-
tive to the nature of instruction, to the secular system
which had, hitherto, given general satisfaction in our
Colony.

Mr MeNeill was of opinion that the daty of the State
was to impart a sound system of secular Education,
leaving in the hands of parents the religious training of
their children. He spoke of the manner in which he
said Liberal Protestants had been maligned by the Con-
servative party, because they acted in harmony with
their Catholic feilow subjects on politieal grounds; and
that :n hia opinion, the people appreciated too highly
the privileges of a free system of Education, to allow |
any vital change to be effected in tnat system.

Hon Mr Howlan replied to the remarks of the hon
member (Mr Brecken) retative to the Memorial allud-
ed t> by that hon member. He, ( hon. Mr Howlan.) |
reviewed the labors of His Lordship the Bishop, touch-
ing the advancement of the educational interests of the
whole Island, and his efforts to provide schools for the

i

|
|
i

poor of Charlottetown. The amount it cost the Colony |
to educate the 640 pupils that attended the different

schools in Charlottetown, paid for out of the Treasury, |
whilst not one shilling was paid towards the education |
of the 500 children provided for, as set forth in said)
Memorial. In New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and other

places, similar grants to that asked for here had been

given, and.no Hue and ¢ry was raised against the ‘prin-

ciple in those Provinces, Surely hon members should

consider that something of more lasting importance

than a mere knowledge of reading and writing should

be imparted in the school, He thenreviewed the course

pursued by the Conservative party towards the Catho-

lies, relative to the Orange Bill, and the writings and

speeches of one who had been Colonial Secretary of

that party at the time that bill had been introduced,

and which, he was proud to say, Her Majesty was pleas- |
ed to disallow; and asked if it was reasonable to sup- |
pose, that the Catholics conld reeeive even-handed

justice at the hands of a party Who had sanctioned such

proceedings as those to whom he alluded.

On motion, the debate was then adjourned until _to-

morrow.

Ilouse adjourned,

Tuunrspay, April 9th.

Hon Mr Davies presented a petition from inhabitants
of Lot 62, and its vicinity, praying tor the establish-
ment of a Small Debt Court in that locality. Ordered
that sed petition be referred to the Committee appoint-
ed on similar petitions presented during the Session.

Hon Mr Callbeck from a Committee appointed for
that purpose presented a hill to Incorporate the Baptist
Church at North River. Received and read. :

Mr Yeo asked the Government what action they. in-
tended to take relative to West Point Wharf, according
to a petition on that subject, already before the House.

Hon Leader of the Government replied tothe effect,
that no farther action was taken on the su!yect.

Ifon Mr Davies said the situation selected for. that
wharf was of sneh an exposed nature, that no work
would stand. there.

Mr Yeo referred to the favorable report given by

competent Engineers, touching the practicability of the
work ; and said that it was impossible to suppose a work
left in an unfinished and insecure state as that wharf
had..been, could stand. The building of the West
Point Wharf was a work of the greatest importance to
a large portion of the people ih that part of the country.
and he hoped the Government would consider the ne-
cessity of causing. its, completion,
Mr Ranisay said that in addition to the grants of the
Legislature, amounting te £500, the sum of £150 had
‘been subseribed by the people, making ,in all £650.
The amount of the contract was £900, and he hoped
the securities would: not, be relieved from the said con-
tract. There was no difficulty about making the work
permanent, if properly, built,

Ifouse in Committee df the whole, on general matters
relating to Roads, Bridges, and Wharfs. :

Mr Geo. Sinelair, after some time spent in Commit:
tee, ‘the Chafrinan reported the Road Appropriation
Scales for the current year.

AFTERNOON SESSION:

House résumed the débate on the Edneation Bill.
Mr Prowee said the bill to amend the School ‘Act
now, before the House, contained but very trifling
changes comparéd toll that might be expected from
the prominence given to the subject in speeches of His
Exeellenty wlready referred ts. The appointment of
two. Exathiners was a move m the right direction, but
tthey should haye been selected, from the.numbers ,al-
ready composing the Board of Edacation, ‘The change
which the bill would effect, relative to the Normal
School, wag, He éaid, chle ied to destroy the future
fami of that Thstita He wns not in tavor of
Biving a t tb the Roniah Catholic Bishop, nor for
separate ‘Stligdlk, bat ax head of the 35,000 Rotman
Catholics Who gave their dnilivided support to the party
now: An ‘power, that gentleman had a right to expect
what ho'considered justice ht the hands of. that party.
He ( Mr Préwge ') ther replied to the remarks made,
tobching the actions of the Conseryative party, by hon
members onthe Government side of the House, and
sail that no allisions of that kind wool satisfy those
disappointed at’ the manner in which the Memorial of
ay Song C. Bishop had been treated. ;
. Mr. Kickham alluded to the peace and armony that
Jed whet no such religions dissensiotsand bicker-
13 ye that now displayed on the floor of that House ex
feted in the Shionyeeehen Catholics and Protestants
alike contributed to the building of each others Churches
and Schoolhouses, and all lived as neighbors should in
the enjoyment of peace and goodwill towards each other.
‘Hot MroHenderson replied to the remarks made by the
hon Member, Mr Howlan, on the previous evening,
tonching the different matters alluded to by, that hon
member, He t on Mr. Henderson) defended the course
pursued, and the action taken by the Conservative party
relative t6 the Ofafige bIIL the Bible question, and other
subjects affecting, he said, Protestant interests In the
Colony. He also expressed his opposition to giving any
, t of the pubtic Money for the purposes alluded to in
Mine Momor of His Lordship the &. 6. Bishop. | H® then
reviewed the aggressive characteristics of the Roman
Catholic Religion. and qnoted bey ath In defence of
hia arguments. Th een & the bill before the House,
he Said, would receive His attention when In Cominittec.
r Arsdnanit said: the amendthents fn the bill were, on
ho whole, a Improvement v6 the Schvol Acti | The
‘ iF in His Lordship's. Memorial were a3 de-
tying ofawhara of the public money as others. Gatho-
“members
government

e request of their Bishop, but

said, .were.tannted.for supporting a
UE erp the,
sil ' (Continved on second page.)

the oanand lof the free school sya-
tem, and rt incalcolable.

td it conferred on the |

(Continued from flrst page.)

an act was passed to abolish imprison-
meut for debt, and the people petitioned
to have it repealed, so that they might be
allowed to go toJail again. If they
wauted to have more executions issued,
so that they might be able to get to Jail,
it was perhaps, better that they should
huve more courts for that parpose,

The petition was ordered to be laid on
the table.

Adjourned till to-morrow at eleven o’-
clock.

Wepnespay, April 1.

A bill further to amend and explain the
Land Purchase Act, was again referred
to a committee of the whole House and
reported agreed to, It was then, on
motion of the Hon, Mr. MacDonald, read
a third time and passed,

WILDERNESS LANDS BILL.

A bill to encourage the settlement and
cultivation of public wilderness lands,
was again referred to a committee of the
whole House, Hon, Mr, MacDonald in
the chair,

Ifon. Mr. Anprrson asked if there
was avy provision in the bill for opening
roads, as it would be very inconvenient
to give a man a tract of land which might
be several miles away from a road.

Hon. Mr. MacDonato replied that the
Commissioner of public lands was au-
thorised to open roads where they were
required,

Ion Mr, Parmer proposed the follow-
ing amendment ;—

‘** And, whereas, it is necessary to pro-
vide for the protection of valuable timber
and growing wood on the said wilderness
lands, intended to be let by virtue of this
act, in cases where waste thereof may be
committed, or suffered, or any improvident
use made thereof, especially by purchasers,
where there may be reason to appre-
hend that snch purchasers do not in-
tend permanently to settle on and improve
such lands, Bo it, therefore, further en-
acted, that no purchaser, who shall receive
possession of any land by virtue of this
act, shall, at any time, during the first three
years from the date of his Government
deed, have power or authority to sell or dis-
pose of any timber or other valuable wood
off or from the land so by him purchased,
to any person whomsoever, without first
obtaining for that purpose a license in
writing, under the ao of the aforesaid
Commissioner of public lands, avything
herein-before contained to the ocntrary
thereof wotwithstanding.”

Hon, Mr. Paliner, on moving the adoption
of this amendment said: | My object is
to prevent the improvident use or waste
of timber, which there is ro doubt would
be made by designing persons taking

land without any view of settling upon |

it. I think there should be some means
prescribed to prevent such destruction
of property without interfering with the
liberty of an actual settler in using as
much timber as he requires. I think a
man should be prevented from selling
timber for a given period—say three
years—without permission fromthe Com-
missioner of public lands; but yet not
absolutely preventing him, if he can make
it appear that he is really and truly going
on with the improvemeut of his farm.
and that there is more timber upon it
than he requires for his own purposes.
The Commissioner should then be author-
ised to permit bim to sell a given number
of trees, or tons, as might be ugreed
upon. 1 do not seo what reasonable ob-
jection there can be to a provision of that
kind, for if the man is going on honestly
working an@d improving his farm, and if
he can satisfy the Commis:ioner that he
intends to settle permansatly upon it,
he can get whatever timber he requires.
The Commissioner, with the aid of the
information in his office, wil! have a good
idea of what timber is on the iand, and
will act aceérdingly. If a man who had
taken land woold say, ** Lam hard ran
fora few poutids to assist me in the
ordinary operations on my farm, and I
can obtain what I require by selling a
few tons of timber,” the Commissioner,
in whoso hands a large discretionary
power would be placed. could grant him
a license to do go. A provision of that
kind io, the bill would prevent. specala-
tors from destroying. Government. pro-
perty. I do mot wish ito take wp the
time of the House with further discussion,
but I feel, that.I have done. my cuty Bo
far as to endeavor to preserve public pro-
perty from being plundered,

Hon. Mr. Harrnonne: I think the
clause which his honor has submitted is
rather opposed to the spirit and intention
of the bill... Our object isto promote the
settlement of those wilderness lands, and
that.ean be best effected by giving par-
ties possession, not only of the land, but
also of the timber that is growing upoa
it. To debar, a settler from the use: of
the timber for three years,. would be
depriving him of the best means he
would have of abtaining a subsistance,
and it is at the commencement, or during
the first three years, that settlers gener-
ally have the-greatest difficulty, "There-
fore, I think that'to gell a few pieces of
timber, under these circumstances, would
be a very legitimate use to make of it,
and it would be. very intpolitie to deprive
a settler of the privilege of doing #0, 1
say 80 with greater. donfidence, when I
consider that few stich restrictions’ are
imposed by the proprietora upon their
tenants, and yet, the leaschold system is
very objectionable, aad very anpopular.
I wonld:very much regret, as a Member
of a Government whicl calls itself liber-
al, to sanction such hn exeeedfugly illi-
beral provision. Heaven “knows: the
labor « new settler has ‘to undergo is not
80 light, that we should refusé'to let hit
lighten it by selling a few sticks of timber
off the land where he intends ‘to make
his futuke home.’ Another objection’ I
have to the elnnae, which hid honor pro-
poses adding to the ‘bill, is, that it is so
complicated, and such serioas fesponsi-
bilities are thrown of, the Commission-

_,et, for Tcannot conevive of any more

‘unenviable position than to have to ad-
| minister it. The whole power of granting
| permission to cut timber would be in the
hands of the Commissioner, who might
'be a strong partizan, and might use his
power to advance the political interests
of his friends, or to influence votes at an
election, which would be a still greater
evil than that which his honor proposes
to femedy. Ido not think any possible
position would be more invidious than
that{ neither do I see what better use
can de made of Government lands than
to offer them to settlers. A tree is of
little value while standing in the forest,
but when it 1sconverted into a market-
able eommodity it may represent every
article used in civilized life.

Hon. Mr. Batperston : I believe the
expense of keeping wood-rangers, or par-
ties to look after the timber, would be
greater than the value of all the timber
they would preserve; and I am still ot
opinion that the method proposed yester-
day, by his honor on my right, (Mr.
Beer,) would have been the most prac-
ticable, Rather than impose such re-
strictions npon the settlers, as his honor
from the city proposes, I would run the
risk of losing the timber. I would let
the settler take what he can get off the
land, and if he does leave itat the end
of eight years, it will be of some value.

Ifou. Mr. Lorn: As I stated yester-
day, there should be some guarantee
given that the parties settling upon the
land would not have full liberty to cut
any timber they think proper, I have
been thinking over the bill, and Iam of
opinion that it is not rightly framed at
all, Here isa large quantity of land
thrown open to settlers, and so far, that
may be quite proper, but what is the Go-
vernment todo? They are bound to sur-
vey aud open out roads where they are
required, and they are doing all this, at
the expense of the country, without re-
ceiving a single shilling from the ocen-
piers of the land, for eight years. Now,
T think it would have been much better
if the parties who framed this bill had
proposed to give the intending settlers
possession, upon a paymentof 20 per
cent, of the purchase money, and give
them their deeds; then let them have
ten years free occupation, at the end of
which time, they would commence to pay
their instalments, and have the whole
paid in eighteen years from the time
they took possession of their land. I do
uot wish to prevent parties from settling
upon the Government land, but I am not
wedded to this bill, and I think the Go-
vernment lave made the greatest mis-
take in introduciag it that they have
made since they came into power, or
that they will make, As to the amend-
ment, it would be placing the whole
power in the hands of the Land Com-
missioner. Ife will be able to do just
as he thinks proper. If any settler on
the land does not exactly please him, he
will have it in his power to say: ‘I will
not allow you to cut a stick of timber.”
Iam confident that the Government will
see before three years are passed, that
they have committed a very serious er-
ror in granting those lands, as they are
doing by this bill.

Yfon, Mr. Bern: I expressed: my-
self yesterday, as being in favor of letting
those lands upon such terms as would
give the settlers some caance to live up-
on them during the first few years of
their occupation, and I do not see any
reason to change my opinion, I am
only sorry that there was not a majority
in favor of the amendment 1 proposed
yesterday.

Hon. Mr. Dixowetr: I also express-
ed my opinion yesterday, and my views
have not undergone any change. I do
not thiak it would be liberal to put such
restrictions on the settlers as are con-
tained in the proposed amendment.
Neither do I apprehend that all the Go-
vernment land will be taken up under
this bill until will we have an opportunity of
seeing huw it will work, and if it is vot
found to work well, it can be amended or
repealed at a futusd session. I think it
is perfectly safe as lovg a8 the Commis-
sioner knows who he jg dealing with,
Of course he would not Jet a tract of land

Hon. Mr, Gorpon: There ts nothing
in the amendment to debar a bona-fide
settler from getting what timber he re-
quires, he has simply to ask leave to cut
it. The object is to protect the Govern-
ment property from being plundered. I
am pleased to hear his honor, who spoke
‘ast, say he is opposed to the bill in its
present shape. For my part, I am pre:
pared to support the principle of the bill,
but I cannot assent to the details of it.
It is my opinion that the country will be
up in arms against it. (Mr. Palmer—
Hear).

Hon, Mr. Anperson: If a man is al-
lowed to take as much timber as he likes,
he may take off all the most valuable
trees the first year, and then look for
another tract; but if he is ouly allowed
to take what he requires for his own use
during the first three years, he will be
more likely to settle permanently upon
the land.

Hon. Mr. MacDonarp: I must say
that I am surprised at the expressions of
some of your honors, for the proprietors
would lease their land on better terms
than you propose to let Government land
to settlers, They sometimes let their
land free for the first five years, then at
three pence an acre rent, the next year
six pence, and so on till it reaches the
maximum price, and that without any
such condition as building a house or im-
proviug the laudin any way, But we
would all exclaim against the injury aud
injustice done to the tenants by the pro-
prietors debarring them from the free use
of the timber upon their farms. The
settlers under this bill will be bound to
make certain improvements, which will)
be u sufficient guarantee to the Govern-
ment that the lund, with the improve-
ments, will realiae the full amount of the |
movey they were bound to pay in the
first instance, Ifa settler fails in fulfill-
ing the conditions upon which he takes
the land, even the first year. the Com-
missioner will be authorized to issue a
writ, eject him out of the property, and
sell it to another person, If the Com-
missioner finds that a man, who has taken
a piece of land, intends to plunder it, he
witl be at liberty to eject him at any
time,

Tlon. Mr. Gorvon: True, the pro-
prietors do not often impose such restric-
tions, and for the very good reason that
they cannot carry them out; but we have
power to protect the public interests, and
why should we not do so? I feel very
well satisfied that the bill in its present
shape will be very unpopular.

Nou. Mr. Haytnorne: I differ from
his honor who has just spoken, as to the
reception the bill will meet with. I
think itis a bill which will be welcomed
everywhere, more particularly by tenants
who have short leases and have to vacate |
their farms without knowing where to go.
These men will have some other course
in their power besides taking the bitter
alternative of expatriating themselves, or
going to a foreign country, It iv surely
a hardship that, after a man has reared
a fumily here, and they have been edu-
cated at the public expense, they should
have to go, with what little effects they
possess, to enrich a foreign nation, simply
because they cannot obtain land here on
reasonable terms. That is a great evil ;
and if it can be remedied by this bill, it
is a most desirable thing. [| do not con-
sider it an evil to convert timber, which
is useless as long as it stands in the
forest, into an article of merchandize ;
but of conrse, I would not sanction the
indiscrimiuate use of timber on public
lands. It is quite possible that timber
may be carried off those lands in a
clandestine manner now, and we will re-
quire precisely the same machinery at
work under this bill, as under the Land
Purchase Bill; but I cannot see that we
will run any greater risk than a pro-
prietor when he takes new settlers upon
his estate. His honor from Prince
County, (Mr. Lord), mado some refer-
ence to the expense of opening roads, and
really I think his honor should have been
better informed upon that subject. His
honor is now opposed to the bill, but he
is as responsible for its introduction as
any member of the Government, and if

to a person who he appreiended was
going to destroy the timber; and thea
leave it, Some member of the Govern-
ment would have some knowledge of al-
most any man who would apply for land,
and he could direct the commissioner to
refuse the application of any man who he
thought had an intention of practicing
fraud upon the Government, ‘There may
be some reason to apprehend that par-
ties will take advantage of this bill, and
it some cases, the Government may suf-
fer loss, but.the question is, how are we
to discriminate between those who in-
tend to settle upon the land, and. those
who do not? Wouldit be fair to de-
prive the honest settler ot the very
means, perhaps the only means within
his reach, of earning a livelihood du-
ring the first few yoars he is.in possession
of anow farm. If we attempt to pre-
vent the dishonest man from taking the
timber, we will probably be depriving
the honest man of his rights. For these
reasons, [ will oppose the atiendment.

Hon. Mr. Banperstox: His honor
from the firgt district of Prince County,
(Mr. Lord), thinks it would be better to
require an instalraent of 20 per cent., to
be paid when the land is taken, but I
cannot agree with him. We know that
the greater aumber of mon who settle upoa
new farms have very little to dommence
with, ah they have enoazh to do to
struggle along without paying anythin
for their aed rt, cae

Hon. Mr. Loup: Tam willing to stip:
port the amendment, thoagh 1 would like
to see it modified. I am not secking
for popularity, and Ido oot hesitate *to:
say that I am pen to the ‘bill ti ity’
present shape, I will not shrink from
‘my duty) whether I am a member of the’

ment or not, add I'féel it to he
my Unty to support the amendment,

|

he had objections to it, he should have
stated them in another place, or aave re-
signe’ his seat. It is an extraordinary
course for him to oppose a bill which he
was instrumental in bringing io, If I
thought there would be any serious diii-
culty in the operation of it, or that it
woutd give facilities for pluodering gov-
eroment property, I would be as much

cupied by settlers. I, therefore, differ from
those members who think they are doin

good service to the publie by passing that
bill, This wilderness land’ is costing the
Government a great deal, and now, you ae
just throwing it open to the public. I ain
sorry to. differ from members'of the Goverr
ment, but I am here to discharge my duty,
and I will do 80 Without fear, favor or affec.
tion. ‘The people will not find fault: with
what I have said respecting this bill.
Though I am a member of the Government,
Lam not 80 pliable as some people may
imagine, His honor from Queen’s County,
(Mr. Haythorne), passed a few lines to me
yesterday, saying the Government should
thank me for my assistance. Does hie
honor think I am sent here to act just in
accordauce with the-views of the Govern-
ment? No, I will do my duty independent
- any person, even of his honor the Presi-

ent.

Tlon. the Preswoenr;: His honor has a
perfect right to act as he thinks proper.
certainly do not pretend to control bis
opinion, neither do I desire to do so.

Non, Mr, Dixowett,: We all profess to
be here to represent the interests of the
country at large, and though we may differ
in opinions, our differences should be char-
acterized by liberality and forbearance. I
regret that members of the Government
should differ among themselves, and f hope
that difference will not be carried to any
greater extent, Itisrightand reasonable that
members of this House should express their
opinions freely upon important questions,
As to the fate of the bill, I think itis likely
to pass, and it is our duty to pase it on the
most liberal terms. It is introduced to en-
courage the settlement of of the wilderness
lands, and if wo shack! it with restric.
tions, it will render it inoperative. ‘That,
I conceive, will not be doing ourduty, I
am sorry that any part ot the community
should suffer by giving unlimited power to
the settlers, to appropriate the timber on
the lands they occupy, to their own use, bus
IT cannot coneur in restricting those men,
as the amendment proposes, for they will
require all the advange we can give
them, toindace them to settle upon those
lands. Our young men are not so willing,
or so anxious, to settle upon the wilderness
lands as their forefathers were; and if wo
put such restrictions upon them, they will
not settle upon them at all, but will leave
their native country, We should, thero-
fore, waive those little objections. I think
those objections aro magnified, for the Go-
vernment does not possess such very valu-
able tracts of wilderness land as to make it
of such great consequence whether the tim-
ber is taken off or not, and it sounds too
hard, according to my viows, to say a man
should not be allowed to take the timber off
the land he occupies.

Hon, Mr. Paumer: [am sure your hon-
ors must see that in offering that amend-
ment it is not my intention to obstruct the
bill, You have not heard me say I would
oppose the bill, for I always mtended to
support the principle of it; therefore, pour
honors must see that my opposition to some
of the details of the measure, do not by
any means savour of party opposition, I
am sure your honors must be still further
convinced of that, from the fact that it is
Government moasnre, for if I were so dis-
posed, I might probably induce such «
difference of opmion, as would ocenpy the
Ifouse for two orthreo days, T do not object
to the main principle of the bill and as the re-
+ponsibility of it rests with the Government’,
Tam quite willing that it should pass; but
[think the amendment I have offered is a
very necessary safeguard. And however
cheap and pleasant it might be for me to
rise up here and advocate liberal measures,
or to give my voice for the people having
free scope upon all Government lands, I do
not consider that I would be justified in do-
ing so. I might earn for myself the appella-
tion of an exceedingly liberal member, but
I do not desire the name of a profligate
member. It is the duty of the Legislature
to see Government property disposed of
honestly, The amendment I have proposed
is for the protection of the Government and
the honest man. It is to prevent the land
trom being laid waste by improvident spec-
ulators, so that men of honest intentions
would not be prevented from settling upon
it. There isnothing in the amendment to
prevent a good honest man from cutting
down every tree upon the land he occupies,
and building ships or whatever else he likes,
but it isdesigned to prevent a tract of land
from being swept of valaable timber, which
would likely ensue, without that reasonable
pre caution of going to the Commissioner for
permission to sell, or part with the quan-
tity he may have to dispose of. I bave not
such an opinion of the present land Com,
missioner or of any other gentleman who
may hold that office, as to suppose that he
would make his power to serve or advance
the mterests of any particular party, Ifthat
officer would presume to act in that way,
it would be good ground for removing him
from office, and if the Government would
choose to keep him in office, it would be
their fault and they would be résponsible.
Tt would be easy for that officer to consult
with some of the members of the Govern-
‘ment near at hand, as to whether ho should
grant such a license when applied for or
not.

opposed to it as any of your honors;
but I think it would be a great hardship
to prevent settlers from taking what
timber they require. And suppose his
honor’s proposed amendment were car-
ried, it would only be necessary for a
settler to ask permission from the Com-
missioner to cut the timber, and, there-
fore, Ithink all tho security it would
afford would only be nominal, The un-
pleasant nature of the duty that would
be imposed on the Commissioner, is a
serious objection to that amendment, but
as that has already been referred to, I do
not deem it necessary for me to say
anything more at present.

Hon. Mr. Lonp: I oan tell his honor who
fee seat rpoken, that I know exactly what
the duty of a Member of the Government is,
Thave not to be tanght that by his honor.
1 have the privilege of exprexsing my
opinion here, and | will exercise it. I am
not a political hunter, but will do what I
conceive to be right and just, and I believe
the public will bear me out in the view I
take of this bill. Isaid Lintended to vote
for the bill, and I will do so, bat [ will aleo
vote for the amemdment, which I am con-
vineed willbe an improvement. It is said
that the honest eetiler would suffer with the
dishonest one, but tho amendment will pro-
tect him, for it is left to the Commissioner
to give him perthission to take what timber
ho requires-«not to atrip the whole land.—

Me. Palmer—Hear,) Another objection
have to the bill, is, thatothere will be no
monéy raised ander it for opening now

roads, for there must bo ronda rapes atthe
public expense before the ‘land will be oe

The question of concurrence was then
pat on the amendment, and it passed in the
negative.

House rosumed and progress reported.

Adjourned till
o'clock.

to-morrow ‘at eleven

Tnurspay, April 2.
BILLS FORWARDED.

The following bills Were brought up
ftom the House of Axsombly, severally
road a fivet time, and ordeted to be read &
second time to-morrow :--

By Mr. McNeill. » bill to prevent acoi-
dente to persons travelling on the ice, in
this Island.

By Fon. Mr. Callbock, a bill to Th-
corporate the Baptist Church of Long Creek,
Weat River.

By Hon. Attorney General, a billyto
consolidate and amend the several acts
et mentioned, relating to the Savings

ank.

A bill to encourage the settlement and
cultivation.of public Wilderness Lands,.was
again referred to a Committeo of the w
House, and further progress reporied.

Adjotiroed tilt to.motrow at eleven °:

¢
(To he continued.) >. +