7

THE EXAMINER EXTRA.

The Examiner]

Charlottetown, Monday, April 17, 1871.

DEBATES

OF THE

HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

(Continued from first page of this week's Examiner.)

Speech of Hon. P. Sinclair, and Reply of Hon. G, W. Howlan.

Hon, P. Sunciair said the hon, gentle- man (Hon. Mr. Howlan) should bear in mind that the revenue of the country to which be referred was ten millions a year, and that the cost of their railroad was but a trifle over one year’s revenue. But could that hou. genthemau show him any couotry that had embarked in a speculation which exceeded in amount more than ten years’ of its annual revenue? What the country would have to pay should first be clearly and distinctly laid down and placed before the people. The length of the road would be at least 150 miles; then there was the purchasing of the right-of-way, salaries of commissioners, and the expense of survey, which, with other contingencies, would, be felt persuaded, amount to a quarter of a million more before the road would be com- pleted. A good deal had been said about the increase in the revenue, but nothing re- specting the increase of expenditure, which that Hon, Commitiee knew always kept pace with the increase of receipta in the Treasury. The road would cost, before it would be finished, £7,000 a mile, whieb would involve the country in inextricable debt and difficulties, and saddle a tax upon the Colony, which would amount to at least £2 103. for each family in the Colony, The Hon, Leader of the Goverrment said there wes a good deal of floatiag capital ia the coup'ry, which would become invested in the railway; but, even admitting that capitalists would invest, yet he was con- vinced that it would still continue to draw at least £30,000 annually out of the coun- try. even though payment was made in the first place by debentures, and the effect would be felt by their merchants in the dif- ficulties which they would experience in getting exchange to meet their bills. The gailway scheme, if proceeded with, would leave the country in @ worse position thaa it Was at present.

Hon, Mr, Howzan eaid the staple export ot Queepsland was woo!, yet 150,000 tons of freigh' was carried upon their railway, and 10,0000 passengers. But when that Volody commenced her railroad, its revenue was but £772,000 which, after the railway was 10 operation, soon increased to three times what it was before that period. That eountry could not bave attained to her pre- sent positon without a railway. Every in- terest ia Queensland benefitted by thet en- terprizs, iis hoo. friend (Hon P. S&S) should surely reeolleet that much of the money spent inthe eonstruction of the road would be expended in the country, and of course would de circulated among the peo- ple. ‘The pro-perous eondition of their pec- ple was evideneed by the state of their Savings’ Baok. Their exports were in- oreasing t@ such an ex‘ent that the balance of trade was. bec*ming every year greater in favor of the Colony. Suppose, for in-

eatance. that a youog maa, setting out in life, was-offred a farm with sufficient capital to give bim a good start, at six per cent for thirty years, would it be wise in him to re- fuse it? He thought that po man of usual energy would be wise in doing so, and the gasé tp poiat, when applied to the country, was precisely the same.

Hoo. ? Svetarz, when speaking, for- got ta draw the, atieation of thet Hon. Committce to a statement contained im the Year Book for 1871, which placed before the public the financial ccndition of thé rail- road. in ‘he Dominion. On page 194 he found the following ;—“ We subjoin our usual tables of railway traffic, which are, in many re-peo's, very imperfect. They are compiled ‘rom the Government tables ia the Canada (sazette, Several railroads seldom er never send mm returns to the Govern- ment; aod those which do, make omissions whieh mar the completeness of tbe infor- mation, uch ss the Grand Trunk, the St, John’s to Waterloo, the Montreal and Ver- mont, the Province Line, and the N. Scotia

tailway, although it is under direct Gor-

ernment management,’ from which ii ap- peared that.no reports had been sent in for those roads, so that when the hoo. member for Tiguich said that be (Ulon. P. 8,) had to go back to 1867 for his information, he was in error, as the extract he read was ia the Year Book for 1871.

Hon. Mr, Lown 1s could assure the hon, gentleman (the member for New London) that for tue last three years Reports of the earnings sud exveuses of the railroada in the Lower Prov.aces had been made.

Hon. J. C. Pope in answer to arcuments against Railway.

Hon Leapercr tue Govers Ment thought the Committee should bring the discussion toa cicse. He knew the boo, member for New London was well read, but regarded the arguments he made use of as untenable. To say that because no country of the same extent hal undertaken a work, the cost of whiely would so far exceed their revenue, would apply if they purposed to ucdertake and build a road directly from the resources wf the Colony; but, when such was not the jatention, the arguments of the bon. geutle- goat did not apply to the question at all, Suppose he (Hon. Leader of the Govern- ment) had a0 capital, and he wished to work a firm, and £1,000 was offered to him at six per cent for thir.) vears, would he not be much better off by accepting the offer than to epend bis days plodd‘ng sioag with- yut means to turo his labor to a profitabie scoount? He(Hon. Leader of the Govern- wen') believed he would, and that he would sct very foolishly indeed if he rejected it. W as not the proposed mode of building their iailway similar? Much money would ve thereby circa!ated in the country, and as money made money, their people would profi: by that operation, There was ia that oty and in the Banks large sums waiting mvostment, all of which would be put to wee; and he believed that during the next iusee years—the probable time which it

would take to complete the road—that full one-half the sum which the road would cost would be epent in the country. They knew that many farmers, who were situated so that they cculd avail themselves of the ad- vantages which were derived from the traf- fic carried on by the means of the steam- boats plying to their harbors, were growing rich, and had no doubt but that many of them would invest capitaLin the undertak- ing, and thereby retain among themselves much of the interest which it was appre- hended would go abroad. Men wisbing to invest invariably preferred Government warrants to any other security and it would be the same with the Bonds which must be given for the building of a railway. He had carefully considered the question, and and firmly believed that not more than £12,000 would, in any one year, be drawn from the Colony for interest; the balance would remain in the country, and that, in- stead of draining the resources of the Colony, it would make money more plenty, and give an impetus to the trade and industry of the Colony never before experienced; so that be thought the hon, member for New London, with all his acknowledged ability and shrewdness, would yet fiod that his cal- culations were not reliable. He was amused st the idea put forward during the debate by his hon. colleague (Mr, Howat) who im- agined that, by means of the railway, 400 or 500 laborers might be added to the number of votes im a district, and brought forward to influence an election, and thus be wed by the Government as an engine for political purposes. He believed his bon, colleague wished to overthrow the Govern- ment. (Laughter) —

Mr. Howar—No, He did noi wish anything of the kiad, but would give it a fair trial.

Hon. Leaver or tHe Government did not dou't but that the building of a railway would be the means of bringing more people into the country, and of set:ling sauch of the land still lying waste, but did not sup- pose they could be used by any Government for political purposes, As he did nct tee) well he was uuable to go into the question as fully as he wished, but thought any hon, member would vote for the amendment would staltify himself, because it contradicted itself by asserting that it appreciated the advantages of a railroad, yet opposed considering the expediency of the undertakiog. Whea a speeilic proposition was brought down, em- bodying a prine ple proposed 10 be adopted, it would be time enough to submit such reso- lution, but te introduce an amendment which would prevent giving any consider- ation to the subject, was ridiculous. The hon. member for Belfact, and bis hon Col- league, would prefer subsidiaing a Company to having the work undertaken on the plan proposed. fie knew that euch had been done in some places, but the experience of those countries where subsidies bad beeo so given, was such that they did mot wish to continue them; om the contrary, it was be- coming daily more apparent that such a policy was oppcsed tothe general interest of the people. Some years ago, he (Hon. Leader of the (iov’t.) aid his best to induce his hon. colleague (Mr, Howat), to aid him to endeavor to have steam communication extended to Crapaud, but was unable to in- duce bim to lead him his influence and as- sistance.

Mr, Howat had supported such a move- ment,

Hoa. Le,pzr or tee Go¥ERNMENT. — Yes! bat not ati! after steamboat com- munication hac been extended there. But, at-the time he referred to, the hon. gentle- mnan would not support bim in the proposal,

No doubt be bad done so since, but not

then, To mew projects which were bere- ficial to the country, the bon, gentlemar’s support cowld only be had after they bad beem introduced and found to succeed; bat he would not face the difficulties attending their constraetion.” He thought, when that hon. Committee took into consideration the fact that they were backing behind the age in not having a railway, and that such undertakings improved the ecuatries where they were established, and considered the state of their roadz, the difficulties attending the transport of produce, with the many dis- advantages attending their present state of of affairs, not one hon. gentleman on that Committee would oppose giving to the ques- tion his earnest consideration.

Hon. Mr. Callbeck on the Cost of Railroad.

Hon. Mr. Cartpeck thought it was not well to go to such extremes in considering the question as he thought some hon. gentle- men had gone, who bad already spoken. It had been stated that the line would be 100 miles long, and that an offer had been mado ¢) construct it at the rate of £5,00) per mile, but nothing had been said about the other expenses which must necessarily at- tend the undertaking, which, in his (Mr. ©’s.) opinion, would come up ‘0 at least £1,800 a mile, which would be altogether outside the contract or land damage. Such had been the result in other placce, and he saw no reason why the Committee should suppose that such should not be the case also on this Island, for be, (Hoo. Mr. C.) believed the right of way would cost more here than it had been in other places, inas- much as the land had cost more, and was also, taking it as a whole, more valuable ; so that, when all the cost outside of the pro- posed cost of building the road was included, they might set it down at £2 000 more per mile. Admitting such to be the care, the cost per mile would then be about £7 600, and assuming the line when completed to the points proposed to have it extended to, would be one hundred and thirty miles, thereby invo'ving the country in a debt of £910 000, which would increase the public debt to sx or seven times what it thea was. He wes not, therefore, prepared to sanction such an important uodertaking until he had more time for cousidering the question. But while thus expressing bimself, he meant no reflection upoa the Government, but would not. like to eee the matter pressed forward too hastily. He believed the in- terest which the debt of the proposed under- taking would impo:e upon the country, would be equal to the present receipts in the Treasury. The impost receipts then amounted to about £6,000, and their whole revenue (not including the receipts at the Laud Offize)' was about £90,000, and

their probable indebtedness would be in- creased to ten times the receipts of their present annual revenue; so that the annual interest alone would come up to within £15,000 or £20,000 of their present annu- al net receipts in the Treasury. He made these statements because he thought that hon. Committee should Icok at both sides of the question, and also, lest, if that para- graph passed without opposition, the Gov- erpmevt might consider it had a right to commit the country to the undertaking. But he (Hon. Mr. ©.) doubted if the Com- mittee would be justified in taking a step which would increase the debt of the Colony sevenfold, without allowing the people an opportunity to express their opinions there- on,

Hon. D. Davies would not support the paragraph if he considered that it was not non-committal, but quite agreed with the hon member for Summerside, that no pru- dent man would make an offer to construct any important work unless he knew what he could do it for, nor did he suppose that the company which made the ofler to which reference had been made, did so without first ascertaining from a re‘iable source what the work could be done for.

Angus MeMillan, Esq., not oppos- ed to the principle of Rail- roads.

Mr. McMrizan admitted that he was not opposed to the principle of a Railroad, nor did he suppose any mun in the country cou'd be found who was. very persoa living in Charlottetown, and also those who oceasionaly visited it, was in favor of side walks, and would admis that every street ia that City should have them. But while that was the case, it was as true that not one man in ten was willing to be taxed for their construction, although, they wou!d readily admit how pleasant it would be to have them. Now if they could not afford to vote money for the side wa'ks of the streets of Charlottetown, he did aot think the eountry was able to afford to be so much more heavily taxed fora railway, In his (Mr. MeoMillan’s) opinion, the most of the electors were opposed to the undertaking, although he did not doubt but that the merchants and others, who expected to get a slice of the profis, were in favor of it, Ee thought if the roads were macadamized t. within eight or ten miles of the City of Summerside and other marts of business, it was all that was then required, end wassur- prised that any one should speak about building a railway before the line had been surveyed. No prudent man would proceed to manage his private affairs in the same way. He knew the hon member for Al- barton (Hon. Mr. Howlan) had at one time in bis (Mr. MeMillan’s) hearing. expres- sed bimself in opposition to Railways. But would not blame any man for changing his epivion, providing he could give satisfactory reasons for that change. It had been argued that the price of produce would be raised if they bad a railroad, but he always saw that when their were the iargest quao- tities of produee in the market, that the prices were regulated by the quantity in the market, more than by the state of the roads, What was then paid for carrying the in- land mails, would be less than at present had they a Railway, but not that which would justifiy eo costly an undertaking, The distance from Caseumpec to Georgetown, would be about 120 miles, and if branch Hines were extended to Tignish end Souris, it would be at least 20 miles more, and when they took into account the purchase of the road, the law, and other expenses which would come up in connection with the work, it would be found that the estimate of the hoa, member for West River (Hon. Mr. Calbeck) was not far below the mark, He (Mr MeMillan) was in favor of the broad principle, and believed nine-:enths of the people were ig favor of the principle too, but would eo against the views of his friends or constituents, as he did not consider the time had arrived for commit- ting the country to so costly an undertoking, and if bis constituents were not satisfied with him, they had but to say so, and he would resiga.

Speech of Honorable Mr. Brecken, showing the influence of Rail- roads in developing the re- sources of countries in which they are constructed.

Hon. Arrorney GeNnerat would remind that hon. Committee, that the paragraph merely referred to the advisability of di:- cussing the principle to which he thought there could be no objection, It was general- ly admitted that this was one of the most prosperous Colonies in British America. Now what were they going todo? Was that hon. Committee going to say that the country was so miserably poor, that the representations of the people dare not even consider, or discuss the general principle which the construction of a railway invol- ed? If the Committee did s0 it would proclaim to the word that this country was far behind the age, and he would not hesi- tate to say, that those who woud vote against that paragraph wottd shew that they bad no energy. The Legislature bad said, and the people had also said,that they did not wish to be taken under the wings of any country, but that they were prepared to shoulder their own burden in order that Prince Edward Island might maintain its present position. He had listened to the remarks of the bon. member for New Lon- don (ion Mr. Sinclair) with attention, be- cause many of the hon, member’s remarks, were well worthy of being considered, But did he (Hoo. Mr. Sinclair) in what he bad said, mean to hold up to that hon, Commit- tee the idea that the public men of Canada made a great mistake, when they undertook the construction of a railway, and that their error should be held up asa warning to the people of Prince Edward Island? Did the hon. member meus to say that the pub- lie men of Canada, Nova Seotia and New Brunewick, sacrificed the interest of tho:e provizses by the construction of those lines of railways ?

Hon. P. Sryctarn meant to say that judging from the statistics which bad been published, it appeared that those Railways did not pay worsing expenses, and main- tained that the Government shou!d first have had: placed: before them all the expense like-

ly to be entailed by that undertaking before bringing it to the notice of the country, Nor did he believe that a railway would be of so much advantage to the Island at large as the hon, gentlemen seemed to suppose, The experience of other countries went to shew that they promoted the in- terest of the capital, while they injured those of rising towns and villages, Nor did he believe that Summerside wou!d de- rive those advantages from it whieh was expected. To be comparing a large and extensive country like Canada with Prince Edward Istand was unfair.

Hon. Arty. Gunerat was astonished to hear the hon. member say that because & railway would build up Charlottetown, that it would necessarily follow that it would injure other places, as if it was possible for a Wealthy capital to grow up in an impoverish- ed country. He (Hon. Atty. General) had not compared this country to Canada; bat he wished to know if the hon. member held the action of the public men of Canada in the matter of railways up for their disap- probation? Why the greater part of Western Canada, before it had been pene- trated by railways was, to a great extent, a howling wilderness, He had travelled a large part of it, and in going through splendid and wealthy country, was told by a gentleman who was with him, that before the introduction of railroads in that part of Canada, all that part of that magnificent Province was nothing more than an asy!um for ihe fugitives of justice. (Hear, and ap- plause.) Those who argued that the road should be built by a eompany which should be subsidized by the Government, be thought had not given to the question that general consideration which they should, He (Hon. Atty, General) believed it was wise to pro- fit by the experience of other people, and they who would take the trouble to look curefully into the matter would, he thought, come to the conclusion that a great mistake had been made in England when private companies were allowed to have control of their railroads, nor was the time far distant when the British Government would have to buy them al} out. Such also was the ex- perience in otber countries; and surely it wou'd be unwise to adopt a policy whieb the experience of others had condemned, It had been already stated that on the road leading from Poiut da Chene to St. John, 90 per cent of the traffic was local, and when such had beeu the result along that barren and sterile tract of country, surely that Committee were justified in assuming that equally pleasing results wou!d be re- alized on this Island among a much more thrifty people, and where ell the land was good- (yes, and applause) He addresscd these remarks to those bonest anti-Confed- erate hon, gentlemen in the Opposition, and would ask them if they intended that the people of this Island were to travel on con- tinually in the raud? (No.) Why to do eo would be to libel the country, and say, Oh, those miserable Islanders, they will have to do without a railroad (Laughter) Such, in effect, would be what every man would say who voted against the paragraph in the Draft Address, He would reiterate the fact that they who voted against that paragraph would libel the eountry, as it was not committal or binding that Committee to agree to the building of a railway. Al- though there were several who were then op- posed to building a line of railway, yet he was sure if a line should ever be built, three year? would not elapse from the time of its construction before the people, alavost to a man, would thank the men who introduced it. Public men should inform themselves upon a'l such matters, and use their in- fluence in endeavoring to lead public opivion. If such a work should be urder- taken it would be the duty of the Govern- ment to see that proper guarantees and pre- cautions were taken so that no advantage by jobbery or otherwise should be allowed. He thought the Leader of the Government deserved the thanks of the country for bis eff.rts in that important matter (Applause),

Hon. J. C. Pope, Angus Mac- Millan, Esquire, Hen. Mr. Brecken, Hon. B. Davies, Hon. G. W. Howlan, re- marks on various subjects, and regarding Leadership of the Liberal Party.

Hon, Leapzr oF tax Government could not refrain from offering a few remarks upon the broad principle to which the hon, member for Summerside (M-. MeMillan) had referred, and was curprised to hear that hon. member say that while he believed ninc-tenths of the ;eople were io favor of the principle, yet he would oppose it beeause his political friends were not in favor of it. (Laughter) The opimon of the other bon, member for Summerside (Mr. Lefurgy) was much more sensible and worthy of a pub!ic mao. ‘the hon, member in effect, said, if left alone he would support the measure, but his leaders would not permit him to do so. Ue (Hon, Leader of the Government) would like to know who the political leaders of the hon. member were? Was tho chief of those his bon, colleage (Mr. Howat)? And did he keep his fol!owers under such subjection that they were not to turn their head or cast theiz eyes in eny dircciion without his permission (Langhter),

Mr. MeMitian was under the influence of bis own judgment, and was guided alone by what he believed to be the wishes of his constituents, and if those who sent him there were not satisfied, they bad but to say so, and he would readily resign.

Hon. Leaver c¥ tae Government, —The hon member had virtually stated thet he would be guided only by the progressive ideas of the hon. member for Tryon, (Laugber) and would only say if others did the same they would simply stultify them- selves, as voling agaiust the paragraph woulddeclare they were so opposed to the measure that they would not admit that the question should even be considered.

Mr. McMittan thought the Hon. Leader of the Government had as much reason to look to some of his new found friends as he had to be finding fault with bim (Mr, McMillan). He(Mr. MeMillan) believed that the Hon, Leader of the Gov- eromeat and the Hoa, Mr, Howlan bad heen leagueing together to break up the Liberal Party more than two years ago. He found that that party could not depend

upon that hon. member, and as he saw no man in his party who he thought qualfied to make as good a Leader as he (Mr. Me- Millan) wou'd like tohave, had last year, of his own accord, spoken to the Hon, Atty. General (Mr. Brecken) who he wished to join them and become their leader, but that gentleman, he regretted to say, had declined. He had no confidence in the hon, member for Tignish ; nor did he when he spoke to the Hon. Attorney General do 80 by the request of others, but on bis own responsibility. He believed the majority of the people on Lot i7 were opposed to a railway while the most of those in Summer- side were in favor of it.

How. Afronvey Genenav bad great ree pest for the hom. member, but when he spoke (6 him (Hon. Atty, General) he did dt see any valid reason why he should separate himself from bis political friende: The conversation was private and confidential, aud would not have been re- ferred to had not the hon. member brought it up himself. he responsibility attend- ing the position of the leader of a political party was much greater than he (Hon, Atty. General) would wish to undertake,

Hon. Mr. How tan was surprised at some of the statements of the hon, member for Summerside, and surprised that he censured him for joining with the Leader of the Gov- ernment, If the hon, gentleman had no confidence in him (Hon, Mr. How!an) bow came he to vote in caucus last session, in favor of tim (Hon. Mr. Howlan) as leader of their party, on the floor of that House. He aad not sought the honor, and believed the reason why he was appointed was be- couse they considered tim the best qualified for the position, of any they then had in their ranks, But that hop, member told the Committee the reason why he went to the hon, Att’y. General, was because he had more confidence in the hon, Att’y General, than he bad in him (Hon, Mr, Howlap) well he could but cay that he was off the Island when the party choose him for lead- er,that he had not sought hunor,and thought the bon. member showed that he was rather green, when he made such aproposs! to the hon. Att’y. General,bat found that the gentle- men Was not quite so green as he supposed he was, (Laugier).

Hon, B. Davies would remind the hon, member for Alberton, that be bad not been chosen leader of the Liberal party in that end of the building on occount of bis abili- ties, so much as cut of compliments to the other Catbolic gentlemen with whom they then acted. Nor were they as deficient of men as well qualified to lead, as was the hon. gentleman. The had the Hon, Mr, Laird and the Hon, P, Sinclair, either of whom eould have filled that position as well as the bon. member,and be (Hon. Mr. Davies) regretted that the hon, member for Alber- ton had not been as true to his principles at was those hon. members whom he hzd named,

Mr. McMituan did not fiod fault with the hon. member for associating with the Hon. Leader of the Government. He «Mr. McMillan) was on as friendly business terms with the hon. Leader as he supposed the hon, member was. Nor did he think that he did anything wrong when he (Mr. McM.) made, on his own responsibilty, the proposal be did to the Hon, Attorney Gen- eral. He (Mr. MeMillan) never sought for nor held a Government office, True, he bad been made a Justice of the Peace, and that was the only office he had or cared for,

Hom. Leaver oF toe Governmenr was glad the hon, member had not been able to seduce the hon. member (the Hon. Atrorney General) from his allegiance to his party, notwithstanding the shrewd and wily ap- proaches of the bom. member. [Laughter.]

Hon. Mr. Howtan.—The hon. member for Summerside seemed to think it would have been quite rizht fer the Hon, Attor- ney General to have ehanged sides and gone over with the hon. member, but what would have been right in the hon. member for Charlottetown, was very wrong for him (Hw. Mr. H.) to co. He would, in reply to nis hon friend (Hon. B Davies) merely say, that he {on. Mr, Howlav] was not chosen Leader last session, because he was a member of the Catholie Church, bat for the reasons he had before stated. Had the hon, member himself been deemed car- ab'e for the position, be wou'd have been appointed,

John Lefurgy, Esquire, on the opinions of his constituents, most of them in favor of the undertaking.

Mr. Levurey thought it was due to his constituents to state, that he believed the majority of them were not opposed to a rail- road. He had taken some trouble to ascer- tain their opinion, and felt that such was the ease. He represented er electeral district, and would be always glad to consult the wishes of his friends, and do what he could to promote the interests of the district he represented, but would not wish to forget that he had also to cast a vote upon measures which effected the interests of the whole Is- land, and would, in the discharge of his public duties, endeavor to act upon his own convictions, while be would also endeavor, in so far as he consistently could, to respect those of others, In the Linkletter settle- ment they might be opposed to a railroad, because their situation give them the advan- tago of the Summerside market, but other portions of the district, he believed, were mostly in favor of the undertaking, of whioh, he thought, pretty good evidence was ob- tained at the public meeting held to consider the rubject in Summerside. The paragraph would not commit them to the building of the road, and he could not see why any hon, gentleman could consistently vote against it,

Donald Cameron, Esq , argument in favor of Railroads in this Island, value of the land held by actual settlers will only be

increased.

Mr. Cameron remarked that the facilities for the shipment and transportation referred to in the paragrarh were of vital importance to the people of the Island, and hoped the Governmeat would procure a steam dredg- ing machine for the improvement of their

[10s. per annum.

harbors and rivers, It was well known that, in many of these mud and sand often accumulated, to the detriment of their trade. It was therefore absolutely necessary te have tae harbors well dredged. The con- struction of wharfs and breakwaters was also indispensably necessary in some parts of the Island, This would apply to New London, and the northern end of the district be re- presented, where sand bare offered consider- able obstruction to navigation, The people in those parts were therefore entitled to dae consideration, No hon, member of the Committee had spoken against the general principle of a railroad, Kven the bon. member for Tryon (Mr. Howat) who held strong, and somewhat eccentric views on some questions, had not opposed it on certain conditions, He believed many advantages would arise from having 4 railway construct- ed through the Island, It would tend to equalize prices in a!) parts of the Island, so that those who were now obliged to dispose of their productions at a oe tears could avail themselves of the best markets, The people in the interior of the country were particularly anxious for it. They regarded it a grievance to be taxed for improvements In Other parts of the gland, from whieh, owing to their position, they derived little or no benefit. Ochers, however, who either had faculities for communication, or believ- ed the railway would not be of immediate benefit to them, were opposed to it. Like some other parts of the Island, there was a difference of opinion in the district he had the honor to represent. It was no doubt a heavy undertaking, and the people there- fore should be allowed to consider the quee- tion in all its bearings, before immediate action should be taken. He admitted that & railway would not do away with the ne- cessity of our ccmmon turnpike reads, whieh would still have to be kept up. Yet, he believed a railway would greatly diminish the traffic om those, and, consequently, lessen the expenditure for keeping them repair. He could not agree witb all the @ guments advanced agaiust the railway, and had yet to learn that it would enbanse the proprietors’ interest in their estates, par ticularly where long leases were given, All the proprietors could claim in such cases Was (he reut which they received at present. The value of land eould therefore be in- creased only to the teoantry or actual settlers, avd proprietore, if disposed to sell at ail, woald fiud it necessary to accept a sum somewhat equivalent to the rent the received, and they, the Legislature, eo Bo more now than then, compel them to accept any other. He (Mr, Cameron) was, however, very anxious to see the leasehold system abolished, and hoped that avy estate that might appear io the market, on reason able terms, would be secured by the Govero ment, Many were of opinion that before deciding the question of a railway, a survey should be made, the line located, and an

~ estimate of the cost laid before the people.

The purchace of the right of way would form an item of cost. ‘Phe number of miles over which the line would extend also, was not well detined, and would necessarily depend on the course followed. The offer made to the Government to finish the road, with rolling-stock, stativas and feneing, for £5,- 00) per wile, was certainly much below the eost of railways in other countries. If the Government wou'd first confine themselves to extending it from Charlottetown 'o Sum- merside and Georgetown, for an experiment, ihe burden would not be so heavy. A line of communication would thus be formed bs- tween the Island and the Provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Seotia, connecting by steamer the terminus of the railway in Shediac to theirs in Summerside, and Pictou to Georgetown... And as the harbor in the latter place, was open some months later in the fell, and earlier in the spring, than any other in the island, the importance of com- necting that port with the rest of the Island, would thus be manifest to ali, The advan- tages of Georgetown harbor would thus be made available to people in distant parts of the lsland—advautages which lasted nearly the whole year round. P. FB, Island would thus becowe a public highway for the people of the neighboring Provinces and the United States, who in their tours through it would spend large sums of money, besidcsa beimg consumers cf dutiable goods, while remain- ing, which would largely inerease the revenue. He did not apprebend that any constituency would be in danger of bein swamped or out-voted by laborers imported by railway contractors, though the hon. member for Tryon appeared so much alarm- ed on that score. The construction of the work would give employment to their young men, many of whom, under present circum- stances, were yearly leaving the Island, for the United States and British Provinces, where greater inducements were offered, De (Mr. Cameren) was opposed, however, to forcing a question of such magnitude on the people, wi:bout their sanction, aod thought no violence should be done to their feelings by taking any wuudue advantage of them,

Amendment of Hon. B. Davies, and the Division on the Ques- tion,

Hon. 8. Davies moved the following amend- ment to the i3th paragraph, ‘‘ But while duly appreciating the advantages Of a rail- road, we consider the resources of the Colony inadequate to the undertaking, and tbat in no case should such a proposition be adopted without submitting it to the people at tke

olis.”” For the amendment, Hon. Mr, B. Davies, Callbeck, Sinclair, Mr. Howatt, Mac- Millan, MacNeill, Hooper, (2). Against it, Hon. Mr. Pope, Owen, Howlan, Duncan, D. Davies, Perry, McKachern, Atty. General, Mr. Manro, A O. McDonald, Beer, Arsenault, Lefurgy, Beer, Cameron. (35).

Messrs. McNeill and Hon. P, Sinclair severally moved an ameadment which was lost on the same division.

House adjourned until Monday. @.

Monva¥, Feb. 27.

Mr. A. C. McDonald from the Committee appointed to wait upon His Henor the Lieut. Governor to ascertain when he would receive the Address in answer to the Speech at the opening of the House, announced that His Honor would receive it at 44 o’clock, in the Legislative Library. Hon. Atty, General reported from the Committee on expiring laws. Report committed:

A Bill to continue some Acts about to ex- pire read 1st time,

org a es nome a

gromtttinlpetileaiepinnanathts saci ene een yas

eee

tat AIDA, OLE TT ONE A BATT , .

cof

1

A

‘ ie ¥

———

; ‘ ' '