142

EXAMINER.

A owas

+

=

—~

PCE Ie SIS Te ar

ee oe

m the Hon. Col,

re Eee Ter a ag _ —- = “-

oF

et, state a te — ~ - ———

who was a land agent, and | conduct, in the matter of the scrutiny betwee poe: | Secretary and Mr, Boer, and the return of the writ, correct, He well knew that [ should receive a handsome majority of |and that he did the best that eould be ome, apeet a ne vote: at his polling place. When IL was informed of that, [ cunistances, Both parties demanded a wid Col o. wis fifteen miles distant from the polling place, and’ I at) time appointed, Mr. Beer attended, butatte 7 I te ; thus cv -e proceeded there, and found the Returning Officer and! retary did not make his appearance. A a ; . hes Poll Clerk enjoying themselves in a proprietor’s house. beeame nece-sar ys and Mr. Binns returned Mr. beer, ¢

He positively refused to go on with the election. [ theu re- | having tlt ma Shy wc oh gh pg ork 9 quested the Poll Clerk to hold the poll, as he was authorised ment ot the House of Assembly. As ; 0 + 7 ae by law.to do. He declined as expressly as the Returning the Hon. Col. Secretary, that the lente, WOW oa ere Officer. Then, sir,“as about 509 or 600 electors were there ‘action on the writ, why, Mr. Speaker, the = = i . waiting to record their votes, it was deemed necessary to get rer, who was at the time Cul Secretary, a es ~_ up a requisition to the magistrates to hold the poll. . Under , down, wou!'d not say in what way it Sia , shit that requisition, between two hundred and three hur fred | House. I agree with the hon. a (Mr. | <i , th

yotes were recorded; and then, about five o'clock ih the | we shall in’ future have partizan Sheriffs, if this I ere afternoon, the Returning Officer, with his Poll Clerk, made | law, and that conviction induces me to differ a the on his appearance, and ecnsented, at ‘length, to de -his duty ; | member who spoke ast, when he advocates mon anon and the large-number of votes taken before the magistrates | ment by Government. I fear that many anc een 8, were struck off; and, sir, the conduct of Mr. Binns, whén in / hitherto unknown in the country, will result from 0 Bill.

ofgee, was one continued course of open, undisguised hostility | Hon. Con. Secrerary.—Mr. Speaker, [ may state in an- to thé’ Government, whose officer he was. They were the) subjects of his constaut abuse in every public house in Char- lottetown. It would be impossible to continue such a man in office. And, sir, if the Government, under the system proposed by the Bill, should make improper appointments, they are responsible to the people ; but at present, there is no responsibility any where. Suppose, Mr- Speaker, that’a

ley River Bridge, in my district, politically opposed to myself, refused to conduct the election.

that by the Election Law, the Sheriff is to return to the House the proceedings and details of the serutiny, and he is liable td a penalty if he wilfully return the wrong party. | believe that Mr. Binns had received a guarantee to save him harmless if’ he made the return; and, sir, it was the duty of the Col. Sceretary to Jay before the House, as soon serious disturbance should occur—for instance, a riot arisitig | as possible, the writ, as the return expressly referred it to during the heat of an election—what confidence could ‘be | the Louse fur their decision. placed by Government in a Sheriff like Mr. Binns? But, | Mr. McIxrosir—Mr. Speaker, I approve of the change, sir, [ may tell the hon, member that the Government do not | which, I think, will be w great improvement, and, I hope, expect, and would not allow Sheriffs of their appointment to will give satisfaction to the pedple of the Colony ; and L do act as he has alleged that they would, Or as Mr. Binds has! not see that the Bill casts any reflection upon the Chief done; they would be required to support anid enforce the | Jastice. In giving it my support, L can truly state that L laws and preservé the peace. In conclusion, I trust that the |have no such feeling. But this is the age of improvement, arguments of the hon. member will not influence this House | and the alteration is required in this Island, if not in other to reject the Bill now before it. ‘countries. Why, sir, woen | first heard of the partiality of Hon. Mr. Wuetax.—Although the discussion at this stage | the Sheriff, in making the return he did, I almost dispaired of the Bill is irregular, 1 think I may assure my hon. friend, | +t thought we might as well give up every thing, Respon- the Secretary, that the arguments advanced by the hon. mem- sible Government, escheat, and ‘all. ber for Charlottetown are not at all likely to influence the} ffon. Mr. Psnwee.—I cannot, Mr. Speaker, sit still, and opinions of hon. members at least on this side of the House. | Jet the rewarks of tlie Hon. Col. Sceretary, with reference to The hon. member for Charlottetown knows that the House ap-/ the Chief Justicé and the Sheriffs, to whom he has alluded, go proves the measure and there is no doubt of the result." I must | forth Yo the country uncontradicted. I repeat, sir, what I said eay, sir, that I was surprised that there was no opposition from | fofore, that’ there are no sufficient grounds adduced for the the hon. member and his party, in the previous stages of the passing of the Bill, but there are the strongest and best rea- Bill, as it involves a principle dear to the heart of every | s.ns for maintaining the present system, But now, because Englishman, Irishman and Scotchman. I shall briefly refer the Hon. Col. Secretary fancies that he has been unjusily to the two objections urged by the hon. gentleman against the | treated by the Sheriffs, he, not unaturally, feels anxious to Bill. His first observation that it tonveys a reproach upon jaye the appointments in the hands of the Government, his Lordship the Chief Justice, is of howeight. We ought to, | But reasons must be found, if they do not exist, for the pro- and I hope we always will, pass any measure which se may | posed change. and those charges are trumped up against in- deem necessary and conducive to the public good, irrespectively | Qjyiduals as a pretence, though the true motives are apparent of the feelings of any individual, no matter what his official arid lthrotigh the flimsy disguise. Mr. Bourke, I admit, made a sociat position may be, and a good measure should not be | inistake in not furnishing the returning officer with jnstruc- deferred, even if, as the hon. member alleges, of this bl, | tions; but that omission, on the part of the High Sheriff,

it should actually convey acensure. I will admit, sir, that ould not be made the ground of attack upon the returning |

in all probability under this Bill, Sheriffs will be appointed | officer, who was justified in his refusal to open the poli, if he from among the supporters of the political party who may, | yas not fully authorised. The Hon. Col. Secretary endeavors at the time of the appointment, be in power. That’ has ¢, stab that individual behind his back, by representing bim always been the case hitherto, andsir, 1 maintain that it is j,inking and enjoying himself at the time he asked him to absolutely impossible to find gentlemen fit to fill these offices paid the poll. Whatever he might be doing at that time, who have not their party feelings. And however the how has no bearing on the case, for, as [ said before, he was jus- member may argue, he knows and hon. members around me ¢igeg in not holding the poll, and, [ have no doubt, whiskey know, that it is anreasonable to expect that a Tory Govern-|j. 45 well liked in Rustico as it is in Charlottetown, I ad- ment will appoint a Liberal Sheriff, or that a Liberal Govern- | mig that the Sheriff was guilty of a culpable neglect in omit- ment will select a Sheriff from the ranks of the Tories. A!

, . ; : @ ogy ‘ting to send the necessary papers to the returning officer, but parties have hitherto had to bear with partizan Sheriffs. The | 4.5 z

. ‘that does not prove that he was partial, and, consequently, conduct of the hon. member for Charlottetown and his patty, | gi,nosod to favor ove of the candidates at the expense of the when they held the reins of Government, affords the best) ¢:-yu° Tf such desire existed, his course would have been justification for this measure, and the strongest argument | eqaally ‘injutidus td his owe party.“ With ‘reference to the in its favor. And, sir, ‘this is not the first occasion on which | Q)..o¢s against Mr. Biuns, they have often been made, and the principle of this. Bill has-been brought under the con-| .. often disproved. I consider, Mr. Speaker, that Mr. Bins sideration of the Legislature. “Six or seven years ago 1’ 45 not only justified in the course he pursued, but that he

introduced a Bill based on the same principle ; and although |

; tc oe! jority, but submitted the matter to the judg

swer to the remarks of the hon, member (Mr. Longworth), |

it passed this branch’ of the Legislature, it was rejected at the other end of the building.-’ And, sir, [ask who appoints the Chief Justice? Is it not the Government of the Colony ? And if they appointt that officer, can ‘any reason be assigned why the same Government should not have the appointment of | Sheriffs? They shouid have the right of appointing an! con- trolling the conduct of all public officers. Yet we are told, that we are conveying a reproach on the Chief Justice ? The assertion is not entitled to consideration. ‘There will always be political parties, and the Chief Justice himself is

was actually driven to it. A scrutiny was demanded, | and at the time appointed, one of the candidates treat- ed the Sheriff with centempt, by declining to appear. | Now, sir, all votes must be either good or bad; all| bad votes are to be considered nullities; and when the | Sheriff appoints a certain time for scrutinizing those votes, | if either of the candidates do not appear, he may con- sider their absence as an admission that they have no proof to sustain their objections to their opponeut’s votes, and that | they cannot substantiate the legality oftheir own votes which |

have been objected to. In noticing the remarks that have |

| the public peace.

epproval of the Bill, which L consider

1 I will admit, that [ presume we ‘shall have party men as ‘Sheriffs, and if so, we certainly cannot ‘be worse off.than we have hitherto been.

| Hon. Cet. Secretanx.—-Mr. Speaker, the remarks that

| , merely express my a great improvement, an

have been made with re ; or ‘ber for Charlottetown, call for a reply. He has stated tha | ber for © to. ; ( p eS — I aceused the Chief Justice of favoritism. Sir, said no

L said he was a partizan, and I can prove it by re- collection of the hon. member, the time when t of the day proposed to elevate him {the rank of Queen’s Counsel, and he refused because his political party to which the d advised him to decline. Doubtless ‘the hon. member gave him one of his scornful glances, “ ‘would not consent that he should receive the favor at the | hands of a Government to which he = we ae ‘though his commission as Queen's Counse . capone 9 {in the Colony. What but political partizanship in we ‘

‘to refuse? Tecan understand the feelings that suggested t r ‘remarks of the hon. member, about the sentence impasse

he last Court. Doultless it would have gratified his ‘spleen to have seen me even in the dock, and to have heard ‘me censured from the bench, That might bave gratified his feelings of hatred of me for the public defeats, and humilia- ‘tions he has sustained at my hands. But, Mr. Speaker, not- withstanding all he has said ubout the affair, I will ask what ‘were the circumstances of the ease? A blackguard insulted ‘me, and [ took the only satisfaction a gentleman can obtain ‘from a blackguard. I gaye him a kick and a bex on the ‘ear, and for so doing I had to pay a fine altogether dispro- | portionate. I say, Sir, with confidence, that the records of the court contain no statement of a fine so large, imposed ‘for so trifing an offence. And, Sir,.the grand jury who ‘found the Bill. of indictment were summoned by a Sheriff /who was a political oppenent of my own. And ut the time ‘the occurrence took place [ was but a private individual. ‘held no official position, nor was IL a member of the Legisla-

thing. calling to the re the Govérnmen Chief Justice) to the to accept the honor,

hon. member belonge

on me in t

i

the conduet of the returning officer is absurd. He says that Mr. Bourke had omitted to send him any instructions, and ‘that he did ‘not know the names of the candidates. Why, Sir, how did He -know that he was appointed returning officer, unless he ‘had received instructions from the Sheriff? He had stuck up his handbills shewing that be was returning officer, and if the Sheriff had not forwarded the names of the candidates, he could have easily have sent to the Sheriff, and ‘have obtained them. No, Sir, that is not the true reason— ‘the whole was a preconcericd plan to prevent my election— it was well known that that polling place, was the strongest for me, of any in my district, aud the Tories imagined, that if they could prevent the votes being taken there, they might ‘manage by some means or other to get a majority in other | places — there never was such tyranny and injustice in the ‘Island. Yet, forsooth, we are told by the hon. member that the returning officer did bis duty! Oh yes! and Mr. Sheriff Binns did his duty, when he made a return in disre-

gard of the Jaw — that law states that the party having a ‘inajority of votes ghall be returned by the Sheriff, and the

ference to myself, by the hon. mem-|

ture. “And, Sir, the hon. member’s argument in excuse of

Hon Mr Loneworra admitted the inconvenience to the Go. vernment, and approved of imcreasipg the | usefulness of the library, by having it kept open every dey. Phat lun Drovernent could not be expected while the librarian received but £10 ¢ year, as at present. But he considered that the lib. ary com, ‘mittee was the proper tribunal to appoint the librarian, and the Government, as suggested by the Hon Col Secretary,

Hon Con Secrervary replied to the effect that the province of the committee was merely to menage the details of the libra. ry, as to importing bouks, ete , but that the Government, bei now responsible to the House, should have the sppointment of the librarian, as of other public officers. of a librarian, appointed as at present, dying during the recess of the Legislature, in what position would the fibrary be left?

Mr Coorg agreed with the Hon Col Secretary, that while the Government are responsible to the Legislature, they should have the appointment of the librarian asa public officer, [ft was understood that the committee would acknowledge the sense of the Legislature on the valuable present of Captain Bayfield, and would admit him to the free ase of the library,

The Normal Schno! Bill was read a third time and passed,

|

Ile supposed the case

The Hon Cot Secretany could now congratulate the coun. |

try on having perfected as good and efficient a eystem of free education as was to be fuund, he believed, in ary part of the world,

The Bill for the naturalization of Mr James Searle Mann, wae read a second tiu.e. ; Brown’s Creek, Lot 58, praying that the House would not ac- cede to the prayer of the petition previously introduced fur the lmposiiion of a tax on timber floated over mill dams.

The report of the commitiee on Patrick Scully's petition for road compensation, was referred to the members of the petitions er’s district. .

Mr Havitanp introduced a Bill for applying the electirg principle to the Legislative Council. The hon teanber, in moving that 1 be read a first time, briefly explained the princi. pal points, which are, that as soon as the Bil! shall have receiy. ed the Royal Assent, no appointment to the Legis'ative Counzil, by authority of the Crown, shall be made. That on receipt of the Royal Assent, the Governor in Conneil shalt, by proclamation, declare the Billin force, and the seais of members of the then Council become vacunt, and writs are to issue for the election of members to serve in ihe Council, as follo viz: One from each electoral district, and one from each of the

town and Georgetown, After organization, the Couneil to apportion the coustituencies into three sections, to be distin- guished by numerical order, to be determined by lot. At the expiration of three years, the members for section No. 1, shall go out, and writs issue for successors; at the-expiration of the next period of 3 years, the members for seciion No. 2; and the next 3 years, No. 3 will be treated in the same way. After this first rotation, a Councillor to hold his seat for nine years, with power to vacate; in case of vacancy arising, not from periodical determination, a writ to issye for an election for the unexpired period, unjess when a vacancy shall have occurred within a year of the expiration of the original time, meinbers eligible to election. ‘The qualifications of a member are as follows :—ile must be a British subject, of at least thirty years of age, resi. dent five years in the Island, and owner of freehold or leasehold estate of the clear value of £ , and must, before taking his seat, deliver to the Clerk of the Council a schedule of his quali- fication, aud the evidences of his title. The qualifications of an elector are, that he shall be a British subject, twenty one years of age, resident three yearsin the Islawl, and one year next before the election in the district in which he votes, and

‘Sheriff can only strike off the yotes which are given at wrong pulling places. ” The reason I did not go on with the Scrutiny, ‘was, that it was not demanded in the time limited by law. | The Sheriff should have returned me, as having the majority

’

‘of votes. But the party well knew the result, and made | ‘their calculations very cunningly. And [ have heard of one ‘long gentleman going to an hotel in Charlottetown, where lind of the members who bad been elected as a Liberal was staying, to induce him to rat. He suceceded, but too well,

and the desertion of his party, and betrayal of his constitu- ents by that individual, gave the hon. member for Charlotte- town a majority. I firmly believe, Sir, that bribery to a large extent was at work. For, while Mr. Binns’ return of Mr. Beer | was astonishing all men, [ heard that be had stated he did not ‘care, he was prepared to pay the penalty, But what bas been | the judgment of the County upon those nfen now ? Look at the state of these benches—in those days they wou'd be crowded by the Tory supporters of the hon. member and his party, now

lown President.

entitled to the present possession and use of, ot Lave an interest in real estate of the clear value of £ . ‘lities of electors to be registered six months previously to election. Elector to vote only in district in which he resides. The Crown to have no power to dissolve the Council, ‘The Council to appoint ite President and six members a gnorum for die- patch of business, but a less number miy meet to adjourn from day to day. President to have a casting vole, Seats vacated, on intimation to the President of the members of a wish to resign, or on a member becoming a subject of ony foreign power, or bankrupt, or insolvent, ora puble defaulter, or at- tainted of treason, or convicted of any imfamous crime, A two-thirds vote may expel s member for cause,

day, the {9th inst. ° The Honse then took np the qnestion of the disposal of the sum of £2,200, appropriated for special grants to roads and bridges, The Hon Cot Seererany and other members for Queens County, advecating the propriety of giving £R00 to them, and £700 each to King’s and Prinee Counties. That the central

we scarcely see more than three or four of them. ~ It may be that their consciences keep them away. And, Sir, Lhope that the julgment the people have passed upon those men,

will teach their represntatives, that punishment will follow | The object of |

the betrayal of the trust reposed in them. the Bill is to enable the Government to protect the rights of all, maintain the impartial execution of the laws, and protect Contrast, sir, the difference between the last election in Charlottetown with the seenes which nsed to

not devoid of party predilections and sympathies. Before | heen made as to the conduct of the House of Assembly of

his elevation to the Bench he took his side in polities, and |

that day, on the Writ returned by Mr. Binns, I trust, sir,

. ° . . 7 . +,¢ J ous | a identified himself with one pelitical party, and it is not to be | that I shall never see the day when the Government shall

supposed that he is or can be uninfluenced by the reminiscences of uld associations. In speaking thus of that gentleman, I mean no disrespect to him: On the contrary, -[ éntertain much respect for him, not the’servile fecling of a sycophaut, but a sincere respect which a man may feel, and may express without self-abasement. I, sir, was not opposed to his ap- pointment. But the Chief Justice bas given us Mr. Binns as Sheriff, and may’ impose upon the people others who will act as he did. ~I can assure the hon. member and those whom I am addressing, that the Liberal party would not appoiut such a man as Sheriff. Government will exercise dis- cretion in filling the office, and their responsibility to the people is the best guarantee that they will exercise it wisely and with a due regard'to the just and proper discharge of' ite duties. : ws

Hon. Mr. Moonry.—Mr. Speaker, the hon. member (Mr. Whelan) is not correct in stating that the hon. member for Charlottetown was in power at the time his Bill was rejected. That Bill was introduced ‘in 1851, when the Liberal party held the reins of Government. It is well known that the attenticn of the House has been turned to the conduct of

Sheriffs for the last three or four years. They have always |

‘been appointed by the political party who might be in power at the time, and this Bill will make no difference in this re- spect. I would not for a moment cal! the hon. member (Mr.

‘at the same door.

dictate toethe House of Assembiy on a matter of their owa privileges; if they are once allowed to do so, we shall soon see them dictating the time, manuer and nature of the votes to be given. Ifa candidate be a member of the Government, or one of its supporters, there should be no difference made between him @d the poorest man whom the coufidence of the people may send to this House. They must both enter ‘he election law upon the statute book is clear and explicit upon the mode of returns to be made of writs for the election of members, and the caurse to be pur- sued is not so much matter of privilege as of law, which all are bound to obey. The House could do nothing else than they had done. Sir, I am indeed surprised to hear the charge of favoritism that has been made against his Lordship the Chief Justice, but his character is too well known for sach impu‘ation to have the effect of injuring him ia public opinion. But, sir, there do exist fcelings aguinst him in the breasts of some who now attack him. What did we see at the last Supreme Court in Charlottetown? Two individuals

who had been convicted of violating the laws of the country, |

were allowed to be absent when their sentences were imposed.

Que of them, doubtless, found it conveuntent to absent himself

from the country to avoid the humiliation of receiving, in

open court, an address from the bench on the impropriety of

his conduct; while the other, holding a bigh and influential

Palmer) a Tory (laughter), or that he would interfere with | position, was ‘walking about the streets of Charlottetown. the appointment of Sheriffs. His Government might just | ‘That, sir, was the first instance of seatence being passed on

suggest to the Chief J ustice the name of any one whom they |any one, being at the time in Charlottetown, and nat pres ‘might wish to have appointed, and the Chief Justice could’ in the court.

send that name to the Governor. Sheriffs should not be dabbling in politics; their duties are due equally to the people and the Government.’ TI support the Bil, believing it to be absolutely necessary, and that it is ufconstitutional and dangerous to the liberties of the people, that 2 minority in. ‘opposition should have the power to appoint public officers. ‘It is easy for them to find’ some paltry tool tco’do what- ever they may wish, and embarrass the Govérnment. Mr. Coorer approved of the principle of the Bill. The Government are now responsible to the people. Let them be ‘responsible for the appointment of Sheriffs, as well as for other officers. The Chief Justice is not responsible, and,

therefore, the present system is void of all responsibility. 1

consider that the Hon. Leader of the Government has suffered ‘quite enough ‘under the’ old system to satisfy himself’ of the necessity of a change,

_ Hon. Mr. Loxaworra.—Mr. Speaker, I do not think that individuals should be zppointed Sheriffs because they miay be adherents of Government. They should not be selected with a view to their supporting the Government, but to carry out the laws fairly and impartially; and [ wust say that tlie observations that have been made with refereiice to Me. Binos and the present Sheriff of Queen’s County, are un-

eut Had that been the case of a poor man, he would have had ‘to appear in open court, in the degraded Situation of a convicted criminal ; and, sir, had the individual to whom I have reference, been compelled to do so, as he should have béen, it would, probably, have been better for him, Instead of having to pay a trifling fine, he would, in

shewing him the position in which his conduct had placed him, and that the law could not be violated with impunity by him or any others. But, sir, what evidence of partiality or prejudice does that case afford? Is the Chief Justice to be attacketl because in that case he was too lenient? Yet this is dore. 1 should not have made those remarks, Mr. Speaker, had it not been for the imputations throw. out against the Chief Justice, and I could not suffer them to pass without refutation,

nevessity of wasting tie time of the House in this discussion. Some allowance should be, made for che hon. member for Charlottetown, and his party, feeling sore, been sufficiently punished by the peuple, I think they may

cussion is, I fear, the first approach to the style of debates

— nee not deserved ~ either of those gentlemen. I ‘Geny that there is any ground for the imputation of pavtial- +7 that’ bas beén made against Mr. Binns. I consider his

of three or four years since. L[ hove we are not to bave a

renewal of those discussions. I see no reason why gentle-

men cavaot discuss this or any other question, and give their

reasons pro and con without personal bickerings. I will - * ™ - -

ea

a a ee

addition, have had to listen to a good, wholesome lecture, |

Hon. Mr. Loxv.—Really, Mr. Speaker, I do not see the

but as they have When the Ls

be allowed a litte indalgeuce in this House. But this dis-

be exhibited on similar occasions. At the’ last general elec- tion, the people were peaceable and quiet. In other times, when the hon. member was in power, unnecessary expense was incurred in providing a posse of constables ; and he had the military at the barracks ready to march against the people with loaded muskets and fixed bayonets. Such proceedings were highly injurious to the character of the Country, and an insult to the people whose conduct did not render those preparations necessary, as the last elections-manifested. This

‘ean rely upon to uphold the laws. :

Hon. Mr. Monrcomery.—I must say, Mr. Speaker, that the charges which have been made against the late majority are unfounded, and that their conduct is not liv le to the re- proach that has been thrown upon it. Had the Hon. Col.

eandidate, he would have had an impartial bearing. But perhaps he felt his position was ‘oo high to allow him to adopt such a mode. As to his remarks on the selection of

| ‘has no power to select the jurors; that the names are handed ‘in to the Clerk of the Crown, and that he draws the names of \those who are te serve. It is not true that Mr. Bins was | guaranteed. He acted on his own judgment of the law, and ‘reecived no guarantee. I am afraid we shall have worse 'men in cffice than Mr. Bthns; I have known him well, and |[ am not acquainted with a better man. We shall have par- tizan Sheriffs now more than ever. In saying this, 1 do not mean any particular allusion to the party now in power, but | [ speak with reference to the appointment of Sheriffs by party ‘Governments, geuerally. In New Branswick, the Sheriffs are very seldom changed; they are not deprived of their | offices on a change of government. Party spirit should not influence a government in the appointment of such an officer. ‘In the case of Mr. Binns, the Goverument had the choice of

‘three names, and that gentleman was selected, because he was | considered to be the best qualified for the office.

|__ The Bill passed—Hons. Messrs. Longworth, Palmer and Montgomery, voting against it.

SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS.

Monpay, March 12.

Hon Con Treasurer read to the Louse a note he had re- ceived trom Captain Bayfield, R. N, accompanying a very valuable book of statistics of the United States, which he pre- Bented to the Legislative library.

The Hon Cox Secretary alluded to the limited benefils derived from the present system of managing the fbrary.

gisiature Was not in session, it was open but two days in each week ; and, frequently on those days, the livrarian | was not presert when his services were necessary.. He admit- ted that the salary at preseat paid was utterly inadequate to | Secure the regular attendance of a librarian, and thought the Goverment shou d appoint a campetent person. As the library is at present managed, officers of the Government frequently experience great inconvemence from net having access to it when they may require it bo e

i,

ae

Bill will merely give the Government a Sheriff on whom they |

Secretary come before the House by petition, as any other |

the grand jury, in his case, he must know that the Sheriff |

ZL

situation of the County,and the extensive business of Charlotte

town, the capital of the Island, eansed the reads and bridges in

Queen’s County to be more used by the publie of the whole Island than either of the others, and under ali the circumstances, the extra £100 was very moderate. That Poplar Island bridge, which though in Queen’s County, was of as much benefit to Prince County, would alone require more than that amount, That the wharfs at the opposite side of the harbor would require extensive repairs. That the greater population of Queen’s County rendered necessary a larger appropriation than other Counties required.

Ilon Mr Wargsurton moved in amendment that the £2,200 be equally divided between the three Counties, which was carried, the nembers present from King’s and Prince Counties voting for it. They contended that Queen's County had already received £900 more than either of the other Counties, and that should be deemed sufficient; that the sum ap) octioned to each by equal division, £733 Gs 84, would not be sufficient for the requirements of King’s and Prince Counties. Several members expressed their objection to the division, on the ground that the plan proposed was directly adverse to the principle on which the amourmt had been voted in supply, namely, for special pur~ poses.

Tvespay, March 15.

The Bill incorporating the Mechinies’ fustit ste, Vharlotte- town, was read a third time and passed

The Bilt nataralizing Mr Jaines Searle Mann, was read a third time and passed. Mr Mutrhead obtained leave of absence til! Saturday, and | Hon Mr Whelan till Friday next.

| Tuurspay, March 15.

| Ten Mile House, Lot 35, praying for the establishment of a court of escheat.

Mr Perky presented a petition from Patrick M Power, post- master at Summerside, praying that his saiary be raised to £23. Referred to post office committee.

The House went into committee of the whole on the Bill re- gulating the public wharfs, and the scale of wharfage for alt the public wharfs except those in Charlottetown, was fixed at the following rates, viz: on all vesseis from 10 tu 30 tons, Is per day; from 30 to 60 tons, 13 Gd; from GO to 80 tons, 23; and the additional sum of 3d on every 20 tons admeasurement

beyond that amount. Fray, March 16.

Hon Mr Mooney presented a petition from Daniel Scott, pray- ing a grant of £4 193, for railing on Poplar Island Bridge. ‘The petitioner stated, that on entering into the contract for repairing the bridge, he not understand that he would be required to build a railing on the abutmenss, Williams, the then commissioner, at the bridge, that gentleman informed him that the railing was required for the whole extent of the bridge ; that he explained that the abutments were in #0 decayed a state ag to render of no use a railing on them; that Mr Wolliams then told him to erect a railing on the plank covered portion of the bridge, and to fasten dowa the planks in leu of the rail on the abuunents. ‘That he accordingly did 80, but that Mr Wiliiams refused to certify that the work had been

asked by the petition from the lreasury, and had, of course, re tained it to his own use. Hon Me Mooney, in moving that the petition be referred to the committee of supply, stated that when he received the petition, he wished to get all the in’ormation he could obtain from the parties, and on enqui.y of Mr Williams, he was informed ethat the reason why he did not certify, was because the work was not done according tocontract. That had not received the money, but had no doubt that Mr Scott was under the impression that he had, and that he was desicous that it should be brought before the House.

Hon. Cot. Secretary was opposed to referring this or any

The second reading was made the order of the day for Mons.

Mr McDona op presented a petition from the inhabitants of

im Townships, Royalties and Commons of Charlottetown, Prince.-

Hon Mr Mooney presented a petition from inhabitants of

That when petitioner met Me -

performed, and that Me Williams had received the amount —

,

‘ a

&

>

LO Pa Aga OR PR CR: oS OT eae

ee: : 4 Coe

SM UE 2

similar petition to supply. Here we have a man make ge