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A WEEKLY JOURNAL OF POLITICS, LITERATURE AND NEWS, |

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EDWARD WILELAN]

Chis is true Liberty, when Free-born Men, having to advise the Public, may speak free.—-euRiPIDEs.

Vor. IV.

—_ ee sn nner erent

Colonial Legistoture. |

PALL OB LO LO

~

(Continued from our last.)

Ton. Mr. Wieurman could confirm the Hon. Mr. Whelan’s Mr. Dixon had told hm that he thooght, as tre!

statement. Liouse had grant d money to Mr. Gurney, he considere) he wi u'd receive tie sine treatment. Nr. Dixon had expended some £500 or £700 in the ercetion of va'wrble and extens- ive buildengs. ie had also introduced from Nova Seotia workmen experienced i: the preparation of superior kinds of cloth: and bad that not been a benefit to the couniry? He, hovel the House would give a return of the duties paid on) the machen ry, but was not disyescd to go further. It was neee-sary that a revenues sould be ratsed from some source.

Hon. Mr. Mooxey —[t is all very fine, Mr. Speaker, for thie hon. member (Mr. Whelan) to go for granting drawbacks | on duies on machinery; he will do so unl he obtains all | he wants on this matter, and then he will oppose any similar | apolication. L hope the hon. member (Mr. Wightman) will | not be offended, if { hivt that it is just possible he may have | svne petition of the sume kind to present. Mr. Scantlebury | hil import-d a steam engine last year. and there was the ce eat horse machine of Mr. Huisza:d, that was to tramp out tie n ws at the rate of nine knots an hour; and their peti- tious were rejected; and it will never do 10 establish the pre- eedent. Lt ix wbsurd to think that this House will take the money of the public to pay bounties to persons who import articles for their own benefit and aggrandizement. If Mr. Dixou’s mili is the best, he will get the most business, and not neel bounties.

lon. Mr. Lonewonrtm stated that Mr. Seantlebury told h'w he inten led to apply for a remission of the duties on his engine, aud he stated to him that it would be of no use, that

‘aid towards the publication of a book for the instruction of | being responsible to the people. will, in dealing wit! ibe guided hy the opinions of their Representatives. The liberal party expressed their views on the matter in an ad-| ‘the petitioner, who, he said, had instructed himself in the art’ dress to Sir Alexander Bannerman, and the Government |

learners.

Hon. Mr. Wueran enlogised the talent and industry of

prietors contest the extent of the reserves. In the original

with the petition; they were executed in a style worthy of aj grants, 500 feet fiom hight water mark are reserved to the

law officers of the Crown in England, that the right to the

no personal interest in the matter, he merely wished to en-' soil of the land so reserved is in the Government until so re-

_ courage laudable enterprise, and a small sum wou'd be of

se:vice to the petitioner. Iu conclusion, he trasted hon.

‘members would not come under the condemnation of the poet,

who suys— “The man who hath not music in his soul, And is not moved by concord of sweet sounds, Is fit fur treason, stratagem and spoil. Let no such man be trusted.”? (Laughter.)

ion. Mr. Moony op»osed the petition; and, in doing so, expressed his funiness for the art, and his high opinion of the character and labors of the petitioner, whose professional labors had been beneficial tothe country. He wished him every success in life, and only opposed his petition on principle.

A petition of John LePage, third master in the Central Academy, for increase of salary, was withdrawn.

A petition of inhabitants of Lots 61 and 62, for compen- sation to John Gay, courier, for the loss of a Korse, which died while carrying the mails, was recommended by Mr. Munro, who knew the petitioner was an industrious but poor tau, and as he had lost a valuable borse in the public ser- vice, he hoped the House wou'd grant some, even a small amount. The petition was withdrawn, the House declining to sanction the principle.

A petition of inhabitants of Lot 55, for alteration-in road, was ordered to stand over.

A petition of the inhabitante of Princetown Royalty and

tive House had refuse] to eutertain such applications for the | vicinity, for the adoption of measures to prevent hogs run-

last five or six years, and even last Session,

Mr. MeLwrosit was inglined to give bounty, but not draw- back. A moderate premium to the man who has built a mill, will encourage others to do so, and thus the price of the manufactures will be reduced to the public There are premiams to ayriculture and the fishe:ies: why not to a ful- ling mill?

ping ut large, was referred to a special committee, consisting of the Hons. Messrs. Montgomery, Longworth and Wight- man, to report by Bill or otherwise.

A petition of the inhabitants of Princetown Royalty and others, complaining of the neglected state of Richmond Bay, and stating that the light house on Fish {sland, so far from being a benefit to navigation, was calculate to mislead ves-

tom. Mr. Waetan denied that he advocated’ the petition

revious arran ment with Hon. Mr. Woghtman, as alleged | the hon. member (Mr. Mooney). ‘That hon. member |

} ro bly ju ig wd others by his own conduct.

nie ticy had acted in a parsimonious spirit }

sels, and praying for the appointment of a commission of

‘pilots and other competent persons to survey and report. It i } p vy po

'was considered by the House that the information which

Hle denied that} ould be oftained from Uaptain Bayfield, ef the Gulnare,

ou j avi ticle ie os 1 es tue Elou-e had established the rule of refusing all such appli | would render the commiissicn unnecessary; and that the Go-

lust S.ssion, that w ae lof lighting the house on Fish Island. With this understand-

Oe ee ee nie last rear: b if} - ; . cations. True. they Mat refaced a couple last year; but if) coenment would turn their atte.tion to an improved method

no reuscu why they should exhibit tie same fec.ing this ine, the petition was laid on the table.

invde. I must ad:

ae ee ee ji ‘oe a .| A petition from Jeremiah Simpson, Esquire, formerly a Hon. Mr. DIOON! ¥ was s:nec a in statemn nt e@ ee read comm'ssioner, for £? 10s., being balance alleged to n it, Mr. Speaker, the fom. memocr (Mr./ ho due him as such officer. The petition was supported by

W ‘24 i ld hie kdl ak wine ie seldom, | Whelen) is not very troublesome to the House. He seldom jthe Hon. Mr. Montgomery, Hou. Mr. Longworth, and Mr.

fuvors us with his presence. Tle scorns to waste his elo- quence on such humble individuals as we aie. die allows us

to squabble smong ourselves,

| McDonald. After some discussion, the petition was, on

‘motion of the Hon. Mr. Mooney, withdrawn. The Honbls. Mes:rs. Mi n'gomery “and Loneworth, und Mr. McDonald,

. 1’ 7 7 sneake , 1- ho rey . . , > , , lion. Mr. Waretax.— Mr. Speaker, the hon. member from | 64 ny aguinst the motion; and the Hous. Cul. Secretary,

Plinty Glen seems to be anxious for an opportunity to attack |

jue. This is the second time he has done so in this short diseussien, and has made unprevoked insinuations, calculated to damage me with my coustituer'ts. I am accused, sir, of being seldom in ny place. [ believe I anrhere as regularly as he who prefers the accusation, and am abe to perform my

duties ws well as he does. It is true, my voice is not often

‘Col. Treasurer, Mooney, Wightman and Wielan, Messsrs. | Cooper, Munro, Mcintosh and M uirhead, supperting it. | A petition of Langhlan McKinnon, praying aid to enable | him tu procure seed for the ensuing season.

Mr. Meyno, who had presented the petition, advocated its | prayer, and stated that he believed the petitioner was-de-erv- ‘ing of the favorable cousideratien of the House; that he was

: - 2 — ot ene } . ! > iPrA erp. j a ‘ ‘ . heard in this House, and, | must say, it wi uld be mix Be cte- | ay industrious, hard working man, and although afflicted by ditable to the hon. menber h mscli, honorabie to the district |} aving three deaf and dumb children, had never applied to

he re resents, ond useful to the c.untry wh:se business he retards, if he fUllowed my examp'e lu this respect. waste the time of the House in enJeavoring to exhibit mysel! as witty, when Lam but impertinent, and thus reudering my-elf rediculous,

“Hon. Mr. Muosry.—Me. Speaker, I give notice that if the hon, member is aliuwed to speak again, I shall claim the right to reply.

jlon. Mr. Moxrcomeny —If the cloth from Mr. Dixon’s

estublis!ment is of so superior a quality, he will obtain plenty | by fire.

of custumers, and do so good a business that he will need no bounty. I do not se: on what groands the House is asked to remit the duties. Tiere are a great number of carding mach'nes in the count: y, and they find the basiness for such | miils as Mr. D’xon’s, yet they nave never received any aid from the Legi {:rure.

lion. Mr. Wigurman repeated his statement, that a large sum of money was annuilly leaving the country for the very article that Mr. Dixon's establishnient was intended to sup- ply, and that it was a benefit to she whole Isiand to retain the mouey in the Country.

the Llouse for assistance. He moved that it be referred to

I do not ‘the committee of supply. The meritorious character of the

petitioner, and his clam to the charitable consideration of

the House, in the unfortunate circumstances in which he was placed, was universatly acknowledged by the House, and the petition was referred to the committee, with the understand- ing that they were to report merely on that part which re- ferred to the de-titute stute of the petitioner, tlre House hav ng previously decided not to grant compeusation fur loss

SaturpDay, March 10.

Hon. Mr. Loxawonrtn presented a pet tion fiom James Ande:sen, of Chaclottetown, praying return duties paid on Canadian fluur.

FISHERY RESERVES.

Hon. Mr. Waetan, in accordince with the notice he had given, would proceed to put certain questions to the Govern: went with reference to the Fi-hery Reserves. A good deal of agitation on the subject has been got up, and considerable anxiety is felt, particularly among my own constituents, It

Mr. Cooper would prefer to amend the motion, hy a re-| commen lation to Government to remit the amount of duties. | When he was formerly in the House, a boun'y was given for | the first fulling mill. Now, it appeared that Mr. Dixon's | was the best, and he had o!tained premiums fur the superi-| ority of his manufaetares. If the Louse did not sanction his amendment, he would vote for the petition being referred to supply.

llou. Mr. Loxaworty.—The business pays Mr. Dixon, 1) have no doubt, well enough. The reference to the Agricu!- tural Society, has no avalogy to this ease. That Society is but a trustee for the pubiic; it disburses publie funds for the pudli¢ henefit, But this is an application for granting the public money lor the benefit of a private individual,

Mr. McDonald could not support the prayer of the peti- tion. There is another mill of the same kiad in Prince County, the dutics on the machinery of which were paid, and the proprietor would have an equal right with the petitioner, te tue return of the duties. Li the Tlouse granted money to Mr. D.xon on this petition, they take just us well give a! bounty to every saw mil in the eonntry.

An anendment that the Hon, Mr. Whelan have leave to withiraw the petition, was carried by a majority of 9 to 4,

Mr. Metsrosu, on petit on of Hugh MeYarsh, for roma- nerution for a house burnt, wished to let it stand over till he: could obtain in‘ormation va to the ownership. ile deprecated tie House des ding hastily, as their judgment might be bused OU imperfect or erroneous information.

several members; and it tppeared that five pounds were | reserves in the original grants: Que veserves to the Crown |

is right that they shou'd know the position in which the m.t- ter stunds; and | will, therefore, ask the Hion. Leader of the Government what has been done with the proceedings insti- tuted, two or three years ago, aguinst the pioprietors ? whether they have been abandoned? If so, for what reasons? 1f Government has instituted proceedings against an individual living at Moreil? Lf so, why has that judivid- ual been singled out for prosecution; in short, why has Go- vernment not proceeded against large as well as small proprietors? L trust that the Government will give full infurmation on the questions I have put. There are, among my own constituents, a great number of small freeholders, und tenants who have small reserves, and they are naturally anxious to know what the Goyernment has done, and what line of action it intends to pursue on the subject, as they fear that the course adopted towards one may be pursued against others. I hope the reply will be satisfactory, not to them alone, but to the people generally, whose attcntion has been strongly Cirected to the mutter of late,

Hon. Cou. Secrerany.—Really, Mr, Speaker, I wish fhe hen, member would reduce his questions to writing; he has asked s» many, that I may po-sibly omit to answer some of them. I thought, from the terms in which he gave notice of enquiry, tiat his questions related ouly to the Worrel estate. i will eudeavor to answer ail his queries, however, as fully

| 3 ° . By ! as L can, consistently with the obligations of my (fiices as, Colonial Secretary and a menber of the Exceatiye Council. | He wus cp oved by In the £ st place, L w lI say that there are two clas-es of Sshery vol the House of Assembly to Sir Alexander Bannerman.

quired. Several actions have been instituted by the Govern- ment to test the poiuts in dispute, which will be tried and determined according to law. With reference to the person alluded to by the hon. member—as I presume he refers to Mr. Cox—I will briefly detail to the House the cireumstances of his case. By the first proposal to the Government to purchase the Worvel estate from Messrs. Pope & Co., the Government were to receive it as fully and amply as Pope & Co. had received it from Mr. Worrel’s trustees. But be- fore the bargain was concluded, Mr. Cox, who was only a tenant on the estate, stepped inand purchased the most valu- able portion of the property, because he could obtain more land from Pope & Co. than any one individual could pur- chase from the Government under the Land Purchase Bill. When the Government ascertained this, they considered that as Messrs, Pope & Co. were selling the best parts of the pro- perty, they should deduct from the sum agreed to be paid for the estate, the amount of Mr. Cox’s purchase, which was accordingly done. They had stipulated with Mr. Pope for an allowance of 800 acres, for the fishery resérves, but as there were about 170 acres of reserves on Mr. Cox’s pro- perty, he would only allow 600, and would leave the Govern- ment to deal with Mr. Cox. Now, Mr. Cox’s property has a very extended front on St. Peter’s Bay, and the Govern- ment took the earlie-t opportunity, after the completion of the purchase from Messrs. Pope & Co., to iotify Him to attorn to them for the reserves. They did so, as soon as possible, in order that Mr. Cox should not have it in his power to say that Government had proceeded to enforce the public claims against him without previous notice of their in- tentian. But I am told that Mr. Cox now s:ys that Govern- ment ought not to single him out, and that he ought not-to be interfered with any more than the smaller freeholders and tenants; and thus he seeks to excite apprehensions in the minds of those frecholders who have purchased their 50 or 160 acres from the proprietors, that the Government intends to deprive them of the small fronts of their farms. I can state, Mr. Speaker, that there is no occasion for those people to be uneasy on the subject. The Government do not intend to interfere with them, further than as recommended in the address to Sir Alexander Baunerman; but Mr. Cox’s case is very different from theirs. His land has a very extensive front on St, Peter’s Bay, and the general interests require that the Government shou!d scethat the reserves on so large an extent are secured to the public. And what have the Government done to Mr. Cox, that justifies the agitation that has been got up on this matter? Why, sir, they have simply given hia notice to attorn to them, and, had he done so, he could, at a moderate rent, have retained the exclusive pos- session of the reserves until they shou!d be required for fish- ing purposes. He has refu-ed to do so, and has thus left Government no alternative but to assert their rights. Mr. (ox knew, when he purchased, that the Government had a right to the reserves, and that Messrs. Pope & Co. could not, and did not sell them to him. I wi!l state also, Mr. Speaker, that it is the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill to prevent proprietors from exacting rent from tenants for reserves. That measure, however, will probably be introduced next Session — as time must be allowed for the settlement, by the courts of law, of the points in dispute, otherwise, the tenants might be sub- jected to suits at the instance of the Landlords before the rights of the crown were ascertained. It is better for them to go on as at present, until the points in dispute are dis- posed of, than to snbject themselves to the annoyance and ex- pense of going to law. But Mr. Cox says it is unfair for the Government to make any difference between his case and theirs. His ease, Mr. Speaker, is very diffrit from that of the small freeholders and tenants, who only occupy four or five acres of reserves. And Government would be doing an injustice to the public, if they allowed him or any other ian, te step in and purchase the most valuable reserves, to au extent that he well knew he could not obtain under the Land purchase Bill. He has no right io complain of the Government for instituting proceedings again-thim. He well knew that tue Government would c'aim the reserves, and that he did net purchase them from Messrs. Pope & Co. And now he is only asked to acknowledge their right, by the payment of a small annual rent, until they may be re- quired for Fishery purposes, as specified in the original grants, With reference to the question put by the hon. member, whether Government intended to make any distine- tion between large and small proprietors, I can only say, that, up to the present time, the Government has not come into contact with any of the large proprietors. When part- ies have required wilderness jands on the sea-coasts of the Island, for fishing purposes, Government has granted them licences of occupation, and propiietcrs have not interfered. Une individual refused to take a licence from the Govern- ment, but-took a lease from the proprietor. He will be cal- led upon to atiorn and pay as other tenants. In one instance, at Cascumpec, a very valuable fishi g station has been let by the proprietor to an American He will be cal!ed upon to attorn to Government, if he decline to do so, he will he treated in the same manner as the proprietor. The Government have nothing to do with him. They only look to the party who is in possession of the reserves. All that can be dene will be to make the parties in possession attorn till the reserves rre requised for fishery purposes. I have now, I trust, answered the questions of the hon. member to his satisfaction, and that of his constituents, and the people generally, And I repeat, that there is no necessity-for the agitation and excitement which has been raised in the minds of the holders of the smaller lots. Government do not intend to deprive them of the water fronts of their properties, but wiil merely ask. a smal! rent till they are required, as set forth in the address

Hon. Mr. Wretan was satistied with, the tenor of the

plreed last year at the di-posal of the Government, to be paid ‘until the land is» quired for fishing purposes; the other re- statements of the Hon. Col. Secretary, but regretted that he to the ascertained owxer, and that sount was still in their! serves tor the ase of all Her s.aje-ty’s subjects engaged in| had not introduced the Bill he spoke of without waiting for

hands, Pet tion withdrawn. x A petinon of Veter MeConnc., for balance of duties pxld on guxis subsequently asceriained to have been damaged, was withdrawn; the Hone eons'dering that granting its prayer wouid probsbly lead to frauds in other cases. A petition for aid to Roseneath School was withdrawn. A petition of John Ross, a teacher of yoes! music, praying’

th pa secution of the fisheries. The first class ali ne is that! . ‘ . ; crapple ; and their |

: ys ¢ with whicu the Gover:mest intend to gg

parpose is to.secure to the public at large the benefits of the: yeverves; aud to ellect that, they cannot ard will not favur and their extent were ascertained, might lead to confusion,

one at the expense of all, At-the tine of the settlemeut of,

the Civil List Bul, the control of those reserves was surren- dered to the Colony by the Crown, and the Government

the decision of the suits that bud been instituted. Hon. Con. Secrwraxy explained that su-k Bill, if enacted previously to the rights of the Govern.nent to the reserves,

and place the class to whom it was intended that the Bill should agply, in a state of uncertainty and anxiety, as to

their rights, It was better that the disputed questions be

CHARLOTTETOWN, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1855.

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1 them, | first settled, and Government were anxious to have them set

at rest as soon as possible. The conversation then dropped. An act for the incorporation ef the Mechanies’ Institute

of printing, ar? he would refer hon. members to the specimen | propose fo act in accordance with those views. Several pro- of Charlottetown was read the first time, and referred to shoots of the forthcoming book, which were laid on the table |

committee.on private bills to report on. Hon. Cot, Secretary presented a petition from Robert

‘regularly educated printer, and eminently creditable to the! Crown for fishing purposes; and it has been decided by the Robertson, which was read and referred to the committee

petitioner. The hon. member proceeded to say, that he had | on School Teacher’s petitions.

Mr. Havitano moved to refer to the committee of sup. ply, a petition from the inhabitants of Georgetown, praying

_aid to purchase a Fire Engine and a grant to open new roads, This was strenuously opposed by the Hon. Mr. Mooney, who’

eontended that it was an application for public money for the beuefit of private individuals. That they who owned property in Georgetown should protect it at their own ex- pense. That it was the duty of the House to vote public monies for public objects. This view was opposed by seve- ral members, who instanced the various public buildings and places of worship iz Georgetown, which justified the petition- ers in applying to the House ; that Georgetown was the second Town in the Island, and contributed more to the revenue than any other place, save Charloitetown. It was finally referred to committee of supply.

A petition of Patrick Scully, for compensation for the value of land used as a road, was referred to the members of the district.

A petition of James McLeod, of New London, one of the contractors for building the bridge over Mill River, praying the House to make good the deficiency, on the subscriber’s list, of those who refused to pay their respective amounts, and those who had died, or left the Island, was rejected : Tae majority of the Hoyse considering that the petitioner took the list of the subscribers at his own risk, and that he had the power to compe! payment from those who had re- fused, and he had no right io ask the House to make good the deficiency.

A petition of the Inhabitants of Princetown Royalty, against the preseht system of granting licences, was referred to a special committee, consisting of the Hon. Mr. Montgo- mery, Hon. Col. Treasurer, Messrs. McDonald, Haviland and Muirhead, to report by bill or otherwise.

A petition ofthe Inhabitants of Georgetown for aid to a packet, and for extension of a wharf, was referred to the members of the district. :

The House went into committee on the Act consolidating aii amending the Act relating to the wharf in Georgetown, and other wharves. :

Tuespay, February 20.

SHERIFF'S BILL,

The Bill was reada third time, and on motion that it pass—

Hon. Mr. Patmzr.—lI rise, Mr, Speaker, for the purpose of declaring my opposition to the passing of the Bill, and as far-as I have been able to understand the grounds alleged by the hon. leader of the government for the introduction of this measure, I consider the reasons advanced unfounded and insuffi- cient to justify the change sought to be effected by this Bill, and calculated to produce the very evils it professes to remedy. The great objection urged against the continuance of the present mode is, that it causes the appointment of partial Sheriffs, and that objection eonveys a grave and unmerited reproach on the high official personages with whom the ap- pointment has hitherto rested. At present, Sheriffs are appointed by the Lieut. Governor and the Chief Justice, and those functionaries are responsible for their conduct, not to this House, it is true, but to their superiors. The imputa- tion upon those gentlemen, implied by the introduction of this Bill, is so apparent, that it is unnecessary to allude to it more particularly. While the Lieut. Governor and the Chief Justice are undera grave responsibility, and bound by solemn oaths, they cannot, and it is not to be supposed that they will, appoint #8 Sheriffs partial individuals, But, sir, once trans- fer the power of appointment to the Government—and that a party Government—and then you will have partial Sheriffs. No longer will impartial and disinterestedgmen be found fill- ing. those offices. They must then be partial, appointed by a party, bound to carry out the views and wishes of a party, none but violent political partizans will be appointed, while the Lieut. Governor and the Chief Jutice are impartial. The case will be different when the appointments shall be wade by the leader of a political party, who cannot, and will not, appoiat disinterested men. [ regret the change. In other colonies the High Sheriffs are seldom removed. Such is the case in Nova Scotia, unless the system has been recently altered. Hon. members have been induced to form erronéous unticipations of the results that will follow the working of this Bill; and I prophecy, and [am seldom wrong in my predictions, (laughter,) that. as I said before, the Bill will cause the very evils it is professedly intended to remove. I move that the Bill be'read a third time this day six months.

Hon. Cor. Secretary.—I have no objection, Mr. Speaker, to the hon. member fur Charlottetown indulging in as many prophecies as he pleases ; but I think I could recal] to his recollection a good many instances where his predictions have not been quite correct. Why, sir, it is impossible that the Liberal party can be worse off, in the matter of Sheriffs, than they haxe been hitherto, under Sheriffs appointed by the Chief Justice —a member of the old Tory party. The ap- pointment, in effect, is solely with the Chief Justice—on one occasion he put down on the list three names, but took care to put down the names of two individuals who were not likely to serve. The Governor could do nothing. What did we see at the General Election befure the last? There Mr. Sheriff Binns mde an illegal return: he did not return the candidate who hed the majority of votes; but he returned, as having a majorrity of votes, the candidate of the minority. The party of the hon. member was then in a majority in the House, and would not allow the return to be Jaid before them. The Hon. Col. Treasurer. who was at the time Col. Secretary, brought it down, and really, sir, so opposed were the majority to its re- ception, that I wonder they did not commit the hon. member to custody for breach of privilege. A change jn the present system is absolutely necessary. The present mode is not in force in the neighboring colonies. In Nova Scotia, which the hon. member has instanced, the appointments of Sheriffs are made by two Executive Councillors and the Chief Jus- tice. That system might be far more offensive to the Chief Justice than the plan propesed by the Bill; for, in that Pro- vinee, the Chief Justice can be at onee out-voted in the selection. In New Brunswick they took the appointment oat of the hands of the Chief Justice, and vested it entirely in the Executive Government of the Province. No Govern- ment can exist with Sheriffs hostile to them, and independent of the Government for their appointments. Why, sir, at the last general clection, one of the Returning Officers at Wheat.

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