Sir John Macdonald,

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND = =|"TERPSICHORE HALL,

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTION

Liberal-Conservative Candidate for

Charlottetown, HENRY LONCWORTH, ESQ. Tue Datty EXAMINER,

OCTOBER 21, 1878.

Abolition of the Legislative Council

Tse Patriot condemns the “ Plural Vote Scheme” submitted by the Local Govern- ment in April last as one of the planks upon which the pairty would stand during the Legislative Council Elections ! The Patriot

believes that—

. . . ‘* Any scheme that divides the electors of the same representative body into two classes —which makes a distinction, which cannot but be, invidious, beween the elector who possesses some fproperty and the elector who poseesses none—will be found on trial to be unworkable. The Chamber, so elected, would find itself in the unhappy predicament so graphically described in Holy Writ of the man who attempts to serve two masters. Such a scheme would be also contrary to the spirit of our age and the nature of our institu- tions—on this side of the Atlantic at any rate. Class distinctions are not popular in this part of the world, and the tendency is to narrow instead of to widen the gulf that separates the rich from the poor. The re- flecting reader will see that any system of electing representatives to the Legisla- ture that perpetually reminded the poor ef the differences between them and their richer neighbors, and which gave to men, owning property, privileges and advan- tages in an election contest, which poor men who felt themselves to be in every res- pect their equals, if not their superiors, did not possess, would create divisions and antagonisms in the Province infinitely more virulent and more enduring than any arising out of our present political differ- ences. Besides political experiments and constitutional tinkering are generally un- satisfactory and discouraging, and are al- ways exceedingly expensive in more ways than one. It would, therefore, we think, be wiser for us P. E. Islanders to keep on the beaten path than to try to find a new road for ourselves through the wilderness of speculative politics.”

With all of which we heartily agree.

But the Patriot is opposed to the aboli- tion of the Legislative Council. The Pat- riot says :—

** Leaving out this fanciful scheme of a sin- gle Chamber elected by a sort of compound constituency, there remain three courses for the people of this Province to consider. 1. The first is to leave our two Chambers as the are at present. 2. The second is to abolish the Legislative Council and leave the House of Assembly to be eleeted by its present con- stituency. 3. And the third is to have one

islative Chamber, but to abolish universal suffrage and to require a property qualification for all voters, nearly, if not quite as high, as that of our present Legislative electors. For our own part, we candidly confess that we prefer the first of these three schemes.”

And we candidly confess that we prefer the second. We think there are few whose opinions are worthy of any consideration, opposed to it. Why should they? Far- mer’s sons and the tradesman’s sons—who comprise the entire body of non-property- holding voters—who possess all the advan- tages of our Free Educational system—are surely as capable of casting a ballot intelli- gently as their fathers. But, what is the ground taken by those who favor the abo- lition of theCouncil ? Not, certainly, that property holders enjoy any privileges under it er derive any benefit from it. Quite the contrary. It is asserted that the interests of property holders are not conserved by the Council. It is stated that the Council has invariably faiied in its duty to property holders when put to the test. Itis declar- ed that it has always been the obedient tool of the Lower House. It is said that the Council has never—since it became elective —put a check upon legislation. If this be the case, the Property Qualification of yoters for the Legislative Council has been of no practical value.to this— according to the Putriot—‘‘ the best and most cheaply governed of the Rritish American Provinces. ‘‘The good government” en- joyed has been, in fact, due to universal suffrage. If, then, universal suffrage has done well while a useless Legislative Council existed, is there any good reason for supposing that it would not do well if the useless Legislative Council were abolished ? None whatever.

It is remarked by John Stuart Mill

that—

If there are two Houses, one considered to represent the people, the other to represent oly a class, or not to be representative at all, I cannot think that where democracy is the ruling power in society, the second House would have any real ability to resist even the aberrations of the frst. It might be suffered to exist, in deference to habit and association, but not as an effective check. Lf it exercised an independent will, 1t would be required to do so in the same general spirit as the other House, to be equally democratic with it, and to content itself with correcting the accidental oversights of the more popular branch of the legislature, or competing with it in popular measures.

We do not suppose that John Stuart Mill had the second House of Prince Edward

Island in view when he made these re- marks, but certainly it has been unable to resist even the “‘aberations of the first,” as witness the legislation of the last two sessions.

If, then, the observations of John Stuart Mill be not at fault; if the contention of the people that the Legislative Council

affords no protection to property- holders be a right contention, surely it is folly to retain the Legislative

Council merely to enable property-holders to vote for a representative body which can do them no good and which costs them $7,000 or $8,000 a year !

The proper basis upon which electoral qualification should be established is a diffi- cult and delicate question. With regard to a property qualification : We think property should undoubtedly have its due influence in the representative body of the Province. But we strongly incline to the opinion that property-holders indirectly obtain that in- fluence by the exercise of the influence they necessarily and legitimately possess over persons with whom they are connected. Any man of property, who is reasonable and active, and hasa show of right on his side, can, without either bribery or intimi- dation, or doing anything unlawful, influ- ence the votes of one oe two poorer persons in favor of the candidate he supports. If he is not a man of sense and has not right on his side, then there is no reason why he should possess greater weight in the com- munity than his poorer neighbor who is endowed with sense, and has right on his side. On this point the celebrated Lord Brougham remarks :—

‘‘If the possession of certain pecuniary means at anyone time showed him to be of that class which may safely be entrusted with the elective franchise, does his loss of these pecuniary means degrade him to an inferior class, and make him who was trustworthy last year not to be trusted this? Are his industry, sobriety, information, judgment, al} gone with his money? At least, let us be’ consistent with ourselves, and admit that, having once been proved to be a fit person, he should be recognized as such ever after. The rule, to have any color of consistency with itself, should be—‘Once a voter, always a voter.’

‘** But it seems, if possible, more absurd to adopt such a test, or any test at all, unless there is an absolute impossibility of obtaining the quality itself directly, or at least by much easier methods. If the possession of wealth is allowed to be a criterion of sense and informa- tion, all must admit it to be liable to error, as the most silly and ignorant of men may have it. So if it be taken as an evidence of indus- trious and sober habits, or of general respecta- bility, the same uncertainity must be allowed to attend it.”

On the whole, we see no good reason why the Patviot’s second proposition should not be accepted.

But if it be thought that manhood suf- frage has been a failure in this Province of ours; if it be thought that—should the Legislative Council be abolished—there shonld also be a change in the elec- toral franchise, why not consider wether or not it is expedient to make the possession of education and character qualifications for voting? By the exercise of a little in- genuity a plan could, we think, be in- vented by which our Free School system would be materially strengthened and im- proved, while the qualification of electors would be placed upon a basis as high as

the interests of the Province demand. eS

Cost of Presidential Elections.

Tue public moneys appear to have been

uandered in a magnificent manner in the

nited States during the years of presiden- tial contest from 1865 downwards. It is fairly estimated that during those years the ‘¢ miscellaneous expenditures” were in- creased for the three presidental elections more than thirty millions of dollars over the preceding years, and ten millions more, including the Congress elections, in*the in- tervening years. In other words, over forty millions of dollars expended by one political party only, as a ‘‘bribery and cor- ruption” fund to carry elections! This spoliation is effected by lumping all the great variety of iteme for the civil list under the head of ‘‘iniscellaneous expenditure,” and presenting the account in that shape to Congress. This is making a ‘‘big push” in earnest, and ‘‘Come along, Jolin, there’s

lenty of money,” is indeed there no idle oast.

Russia.

Wuite the whole energy of Russian statesmen seems to be directed to fresh an- nexations and the aggrandizement of the empire as a military power, the domestic condition of the country threatens speedy social dissolution. Plots seem to be the normal employment of a large number of the people. Nihilism and other phases of discontent and rebellion are daily gaining fresh disciples. Loyalty, in our British sense, isa thing hardly known among the great mass of the population. And yet they love their country, and are susceptible of patriotic enthusiasm. If the rulers of Russia, instead of looking abroad for fresh fields to conquer, were to properly utilize the knowledge which they have gained by | intercourse with and contemplation of other and happier nations, those millions of people would graduaily solidify into a great nation, which would play no insignificant part by and by in the civilization and settlement of Asia. That, with its half barbarism, Russia should covet still more territory, and should undertake crusades for the improvement of other nations is worse than an absurdity.

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AS SEEN THROUGH AMERICAN SPECTACLES.

The New York World, in concluding a biographical sketch of the new Premier, the Right Hon. Sir John Macdonald, says :— “Sir John strongly resembles the great Conservative Premier of England, Lord Beaconsfield. He also resembles him most strikingly in personal appearance ; indeed a portrait of Disraeli would find ready sale in Canada as a life-like likeness of the ‘Knight of Kingston.’ Slightly above the medium height, slim, irreproachably dressed and buttoned up, close-shaved, pale and sallow, with dark hair and eyes, a prominent nose that looks a little Oriental at the nostrils, and a curl that ‘hangs right down on his forehead,’ the resemblance is remarkable, and Sir John has been thought not to be wholly unconscious of or indiffer- ent to this fact. Sir John walks witha semi-limp and has hardly aged perceptibly during the last twenty years. He isa clear, easy and unaffected speaker, best in bebate, but no orator as McGee was. Even his finished orations on confederation, the best of his productions of that sort, will not en- courage the general reader to their perusal. Personally, he is a charming companion, witty, agreeable and caustic, with a fund of anecdote. Lady Macdonald, his second wife, to whom he was married at St. George’s, Hanover square, in 1857, im- mediately after the passage of the Con- federation Act and at the time of his elevation to the rank of K. C. B., wasa Miss Bernard, daughter of a member of the Jamaica Council, and sister of Sir John’s Deputy Minister and friend, Colonel H. Bernard. She is much younger than her husband, to -whom she is devoted, and her tact and fascination, it is said, prove power- ful aids to him.”

A correspondent of the New Youk Heretd, writing from Montreal on the formation of the new Cabinet, refers to the Premier as follows:—‘‘When I addressed him to day he looked like a man in the prime oi life, so jauntily did he bear himself. He bears avery striking resemblance personally to Benjamin Disraeli, the English Premier, and is personally the most popular man in Canada, politics out of the question.”

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Matrimony.

(From the Toronto Mail.)

In a young country like this, with a great North. West to open up, it would be well if early marriages were the rule. Were it not for our expensive ideas of living we believe early marriages would be much more common. If our readers will look around and observe they will see that those young men who n.arry early get on best in life. A man is always a better and abler man after marriage than before. It is not eee to explain its philosophy even if we could; enough to state the undoubted fact. The improvement which marriage makes in men and their enhanced value te the State has been emphasized by lawgivers and thinkers. The celibate was despised in Lancedzmon. There is a dispute whether or not he was condemned by the laws of Solon. Certain- ly a e in Demosthenes would indicate as much. Plato refused to admit a man who had not been married into the Admin- istration of his ideal republic. Such a law, however, be it observed in passing would, would have deprived England of Pitt. Opinion, especially in modern times, is the great lever of reform, and no pains should be spared to impress on the mind of youth that an early, virtuous attachment culmin- ating in marriage is the happiest of all hu- man fates. The ‘‘ blameless king” in re- counting the oath he administered to his knights, says that among other things they swore ‘“‘to love one woman only, and to cleave to her and worship her with years of noble deeds until they won her.” For, adds the king, ‘‘ I knew and know of no more subtle master under heaven than is the madien passion for a maid, not only to keep down the base in man, but teach him high thoughts, and amiable words, and courtliness, and the desire of fame, and love of truth, and all that makes a man.” Such is the reflexive power of a pure love fora pure woman over imagination and will, over aim and hope. A woman of an evil, vicious turn of mind, whether she flounces in society or cowers in some name- less hovel, will crush down whatever is truthful and manly in the character of those whom she brings within her spell; while a good woman sheds around her a spring like air, that brings out all the freshness, and beauty, and strength, lately hiddeuin frozen concealment.

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An Alcoholic Craze.

A WOMAN'S DESCENT FROM A SECOND STORY WINDOW TO THE STREET.

Mrs. Gillen lives in Mr. Hugh McDevitt’s house on Main Street, Portland. She is reported as having been using stimulants rather freely of late, and yesterday morn- ing she imagined that some man, whom she called Cassidy, was going to kill her, and ran into one of the neighbor’s rooms beg- ging them to protect her. They tried to quiet her, and induce her to remain with them. She would not be persuaded, but went to her own room in the second story and, letting herself out of the window, hung on by her hands for some time; but, finding that hard work, let go and fell to the sidewalk. Her dress caught on a nail, however, and broke her fall, so that the only injury she received was a sprained wrist. Some of the neighbors led her into the house, and sent for Dr. Christie, who advised that she be kept quiet and liquor kept from her. He did not consider her insane, but attributed her strange actiorfs to drink.—Sun.

>_>

Is St. John, the other day, a young man named McClintock fell a distance of thirt feet—striking upon his face and left shoul- der, and breaking his jaw bone, He re- ceived several internal injuries.

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RATIUW AY.

CHANGE OF TIME.

¢ ke public will please note that a new Trmk-TABLE will come into force Mon-

day, November 4th, 1878. Cc. J, BRYDGES, | W. McKECHNIE Gen. Supt. Gov. Ry’s. Supt. P. E. I. R’y.

‘Ch’town, Oct. 21—pat 5i

Merchants Bank Notes

KEN AT THEIR FACE IN EX- CHANGE FOR GOODS at the London

House. GEO. DAVIES & CO. Oct. 21—

TURNIPS, TURNIPS. FOR SALE,

4,00 ee re T. MORRIS.

Ch’town, Oct. 21—pat 3i

COMMERCIAL

Union Assurance Company, OF LONDON, ENCLAND.

eermeeet {pau

Capital, Twelve Million Five Hun- dred Thousand Dollars.

$12,500,000.00.

NSURANCE EFFECTED against Fire

on all descriptions of Property throughout the Island,

s® Low rates and prompt settlement of

losses, HORACE HASZARD, Agent for P. E. Island. Ch’town, Oct. 19—pat tf

A MUSICAL AND LITERARY

ENTERTAINMENT

WILL BE GIVEN IN THE

REFORM CLUB HALL, On Wednesday, October 23,

U* DER the auspices of the WOMAN’S TEMPERANCE UNION. The Com- mittee will endeavor to make this—the first Entertainment of the season—a success, and request a full house.

10

Admission - - - = cents. Doors — at 7.30 p. m., to commence at 8

o'clock. By order of the Committee. L. JOST, Sec’y. Ch’town, Oct. 19, 1878-— =e 9 « mown wa Se gis: : us 5% —_— ee 3 s m= o3i::::4 = So Bg E mes SS lSlts 8 sb ESaananse © Fe ity 2 f : = B.S::::9¢ = ht @|is’ ...3328 BAg::::2 22G GS is. oot f S45 ARRAS a2 8 5 . = 2 > =p S29.:::3 23 203 ms 2 ic bdddess ge OB: cocoons gk 7 ; bed Seeeeeg Be 2 en Sgurwmnrdg FB |; S$ i seaE S mm FE sae8 S @ agesssseyh™ ¢ S oO" 3A RAGS b 8 a $n = nl = = o

REMOVAL.

: = Subscribers would respectfully an- nounce that they have removed to that new studio in the new building south of Mr. Fraser's Drug Store, where they are prepared to furnish their patrons with

PHOTOGRAPHS

of every style, the quality and finish of which cannot be surpassed in America. Having had a long experience in some of the leading Photo. graphic Studios in the United States, they are confident that they can guarantee satisfaction to their patrons.

The superior quality of their work is evi- dent, and they are prepared to furnish several styles of ,Pictures that cannot be obtained elsewhere in the Provinge.

The public will find our prices very reason- able, and will receive their: Photos in the shortest time consistent with first-class work. We make

PHOTOGRAPHS, TIN tTYPES, GLACE PICTURES, and the beautiful

PHOTO-CHROME,

which cannot be surpassed for its softness and

delicacy. a@ Old Pictures copied and enlarged.

?| Faded Daugeretypes restored.

ROSS BROTHERS,

QUEEN SrrREEr. s@ Entrance opposite George Full’s,

Ch’town, Oct. 18, 1878—1lm eod

COAL. COAL.

ARRIVE in a few days, per schooner

** Lively,” 150 Tons Gowrie Mines

NUT COAL. Will be sold at $2.00 per ton

—FOR CASH ONLY. This will be the last chance to get coal cheap this season.

W. KOUGHAN. Ch’town, Oct. 18—3i eod

UBSCRIBE ior the DAILY

EX- most newsy

CREAT CEORCE ST.

ae 30 i

NOTICE.

E USUAL DANCING CLASSES at the above Hall wili be formed on the evening of THURSDAY next, the 24th inst., at 8 o'clock. All the old pupils—both Ladies and Gentlemen—and any others who wish to join are respectfully invited. No deduction for absent time only in case of sickness, and fees strictly half in advance. An afternoon Class for Children will be opened at any time after, the hours for which to be agreed upon by their parents. Private

tuition given as usual. E. BURRIS. Ch’town, Oct. 19—

SECOND

Annual Prize Meeting

—OF THE—

Queen's County Rifle Association, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 23, 1878.

Ist Competition. Open to all members of the Association. Ranges 200 and 400 yards—5 shots at each range. Entrance fee, 25 cents.

snd Competition. Same qualification as Ist. Range 500 yards —seven rounds. Entrance fee, 25 cents. Prizes will also be given to the two highest aggregate scores at this meeting. rizes will be apportioned on day of match

MEMBERSHIP.

Any person paying one dollar previous to commencement of matches will become a bona Jjide member of the Association and entitled to compete for any of the prizes.

The shooting will be governed by the rules of the Provincial Rifle Association for 1878,

Firing will commence at 8 o’clock, sharp, om day of match.

The Council intend making this a very in- teresting meeting ; and, besides the annual allowance from the Dominion, they have se- cured, through private subscription, consider- able sums to swell the list of prizes.

EWEN MACDOUGALL,

Secre . Oct. 16—eod t match a

Merchants Bank Notes

KEN AT THEIR FACE in exchange

for GOODS. Oct. 15—5i . R. BRIDGES.

EDUCATIONAL. CHARLOTTETOWN

Young Ladies’ Institution. Y the kind permission of the Rector and Vestrytmen, the classes in connection with this Institution will meet in St, Paul’s Schoolroom, pending future arrangements

J. CUNNINGHAM DUNLOP. Oct. 14—3i

NOTICH.

ERSONS who took Tux Examiner before

the Dairy Examiner was issued, and have not yet paid for it, will please send the amounts of their respective accounts, without

delay, to W. L. COTTON. EXAMINER OFricz, Ch’town, dy & wkly

Oct. 17, 1878. DR. CREAMER, PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON,

Kent Street, Charlottetown, (Three doors from Dr. Johnson’s).

a7 ENTRANCE BY SIDE DOOR. ws Oct. 15~-—3m

RANKIN HOUSE,

CHARLOTTETOWN, P. E, 1

J. J. DAVIES 7 » + Proprietor (Formerly of St. Lawrence Hotel, Pictou).

— ee

HIS well-known Hotel is now open under

the present management ; an , havi been newly furnished throughout, it offers every comfort to the travelling public. Suit- able Sample Rooms for commercial gentlemen.

Oct. 15, 1878—3m Prime Labrador Herring, JUST ARRIVED PER SCHR. “ADA R.”

ye FROM LABRADOR, 1,037 Bar- rels Prime HERRING, which we are sell- ing cheap at PEAKE’S NO. 2. WHARF.

MATTHEW, McLEAN & HEARTZ. Ch’town, Oct. 18—dy pat 4in

VESSELS FOR CHARTER.

FOR GREAT BRITAIN, UNITED STATES, WEST INDIES, Apply to

FENTON T. NEWBERY & CO. Oct. 17—3i

Coal for Sale. —

ICTOU NUT AND ROUND COAL for sale at Water Street. Apply to

CAPT. JOHN HUGHES, or HENRY SELLERS, City Scales,

Paper published in the Province,

T'S Bxiinii Printite Booms

oe

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