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The Examiner]

THE EXAMINER EXTRA.

Charlottetown, Monday, April 17, 1871.

TI AU

[10s. per annum.

~ DEBATES

OF THE

(HOUSE OF ASSEMBLI.

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

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

Hon. P. Suxctam said the hon, gentle- msn (Hon, Mr. Howlan) shoald bear in mind thet the revenue of the country to which be referred was teo millions a year, and that the cost of their railroad was but a trifle over ove year’s revenue. But could that hon. gentleman shew him any country that had embarked in a speculation which exceeded in amount more than ten years’ of its annual revenue? What the couviry would hsve to pay sdould first be clearly and distinotly laid down and placed before the people, The length of the road would be at least 120 miles; then there was the purchasing of the right-of-way, salaries of commissioners, and the expense of survey, which, with other contingencies, would, he 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 inorense in the revenue, but nothing re- specting the inorease of expenditure, which that Hon. Commitiee knew alrays kept pace with the increase of receipts in the Treasury, The road would cost, before it would be finished, £7,000 a mile, which 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 Government said there was 2 good deal of floating capital io the country, which would become invested jn the railway; but, even admitting that capitalists wou'ld invest, yet he was con- vinced that it would still continue to draw at least 430,000 annually out of the coun- try. eveu though payment was made in the first place by debentures, and the effect would be felt by their merzbants in the dif ficulties which they would experience in getting exchange to meet their bills. The railway scheme, if proceeded with, would leave the country in a worse position thaa it was at present.

Hon. Mr, Howan said the staple export ot Queensland was wool, yet 150,000 tons of freight was carried upon their railway, and 10,0000 passengers. But when that Colony commenced ber railroad, its revenue was but £772,000 which after the railway was in operation, soom increased te three times what it was before that period. That coustry con'd not have attained to her pre- sent position without a railway. Every in- terest in Queensland benefitted by that en- terprize lis hon. friend (Hon P. 8) should surely reeolleet that much of the money spent in the coastructioa of the road would be expended in the country, and of eourse woatd t be cireulated among the peo- ple. The pro-perous condition of their pec- ple was evidenced by the state of their Savings’ Baok. Their exports were in- creasing to such an ex‘ent that the balance of trade was bec-ming every year greater in favor of the Colony. Suppose, for in- stance. that a young wan, setting cut in fife, was offered 2 farm with sufficient capital to give him a zood start, at-six per cent for thirty years. would it be wise in bim to re- fuse it? Fie thought that ne man of usual energy woud be wise in doing so, and the ease in poin', when applied to the eountry, was predisely the same.

Hon. P. Srxcraiz, when speaking, for- got to draw the attention of that Hon. Committee ‘o a statement contained in the Year Book for 1871. which placed before ibepublie ths financial condition of the rail- road in the Dominion. On pege 194 he found the following ;— We subjoin our usual! tables of railway traffic, Which are, in many respects, very imperfect. They are compiled frora the Government tables in the Canada Gazette, Several railroads seldottt or vever send im returns to the Govern- ment; and those which do, make omissions whieh mar the completeness of the infor- mation, such ss the Grand Trunk, the St, John’s to Water'oo, the Montreal and Ver- mont, the Provinee Line, and the N. Scotia Railway, alihough it is under direct Gov- ernment menagement,’’ from which ib ap- peared that no reports had been sent in for those roads, so that when the hon. member for Tignish said that he (Hon. P. 3.) bad to go back to 1867 for his information, he was im error, as the extract he read was io the Year Book for 1871.

ion, Mr. Howxan could assure the hon. gentleman (ihe member for New Londoa) that for the last three years Reports of the earnings and exrenses of the railroads in the Lower Prov aces bad been made.

Hoa. J. ©. Pope in answer to arguments against Railway.

Hoo, Leapsa cr rue Govers Ment thought the Commic!ve should bring the discussion to. elcse. He koow the hon, member for New Londoa was well read, but regarded the argumen's be made use of as entenable, To say that beeause nc couc‘ry of the same extent had uedertaken a work, the cost of which would so fur exceed their revenue, would apply if they purposed to uvdertake and build a road directly from the resources of the Colony ; but, wheo such was not the intention, the arguments of ihe bon. gentile- man dic not apply to the question at ali, Suppose he (ilom Leader of the Govern- ment) kad po capital, aud be wished to work a farm. and £1,000 was offered to him at six per cent for thirty years, would he not be much betier off by accepting the offer ihaa to spead bis days plodd ng along with- out means to ‘urn bis labor to a profitable account? He(Hon. Leader of the Goverr- ment) believe’ he would, and that he would act very fooli-hly indeed if re rejected it. Was not the proposed mode of buildiog their railway similar? Mach money would be thereby circw'ated ia the country, and as mouey made money, their people would profit by that operation, ‘Theve was in that city and in the Banks large sums waiting investment, a!| of which would be put to use; and he believed that during the next

three years—ibe probable time which it

would take to complete the road—that ful! one-half the sam which the road would cost would be spent in the country. They knew that many farmers, who were situated 80 that they sould avail themselves of the ad- vantages whieh were derived from the traf- fic carried on by the means of the steam- boats plying to their harbors, were growing rich, and bad no doubt but that many ot them would invest capital in the undertak- ing, and thereby retain among themselves much of the interest which it was appre hended would go abroad. Men wishing to invest invariably preferred Government warrants to any other security and it would bs the same with the Bonds which must be

iven for the building of a railway. He fad carefully considered the question, and and firmly believed that not more than £12,000 would, in any one year, be drawo 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 experiensed ; #0 that he 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 at the idea put forward during the debate by his hon. colleague (Mr. Howat) who im- agined that, by means of tho railway, 400 or 500 laborers might be added to the number of votes in a district, and brought forward to influence an election, and thus be used by the Government as an engine for political purposes, He believed his hon, colleague wished to overthrow the Govern- ment, (Laughter )

Mr. Howar—No, He did not wish anything of the kind, but would give it a fair trial.

Hon. Leaver or rr Government did not doubt but that the building of a railway would be the means of bringing more people into the country, and of settling much of the land still lying waste, but did not sup- pose they could be used by any Government for political purposes, As he did ovt feel well he was unable to go into the question as fully as be wished, but thought any hon, member would vote for the umendment would stultify himself, becavse it contradicted itself - by asserting that it appreciated the advantages of a railroad, yet opposed considering the expediency of the undertaking. Wheo a specific proposition was brought down, em- bodying a princ ple proposed to be adopted, it would be time enough to submit such reso- lution, but to introduce an amendment which would prevent giving any consider- ation to the subject, was ridiculous. The hop. member for Belfact, and bis hon Col- league, would prefer subsidizing a Company to having the work undertaken on the plan proposed. He knew that euch had been done in some places, but the experience of those countries where subsidies bad been so

their probable indebtedness would be in- creased to ten times the receipts of their present annual revenue ; so tbat the annual interest alone would come up to witbin £15 000 or £20,000 of their present annu- al net receipts in the Treasury, He made these statements beeause he thought that hon. Committee should look at both sides of the question, and also, lest, if that para- graph passed without opposition, the Gov- ernmevt 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 Summersice, thatno 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 offer to which reference had been made, did so without first ascertaining from a re‘iable source what the work could be done for.

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

Mr. McMrtran admitted that he was not opposed to the principle of a Railroad, nor did he suppose amy man in the country could be found who was. Every persoa living in Charlotte:own, and also those who occasionaly visited it, was in faver of side walks, and would admii that every street io 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 readly 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 not think the country was able to afford to be so much more heavily taxed fora railway, In bis (Mr. MoMillan’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 profi's, were in favor of it. He thought if the roads were macadamized to within eight or ten miles of the City of Summerside and other marte of business, it was al) that was then required, and was sur- prised that any one should speak about building a railway before the line had been sarveyed. No pradent man would proceed to mauage his private affairs in the same way. He knew the hon member for Al- burton (Hon. Mr. Howlan) had at one time in bis (Mr. MeMillan’s) hearing, expres- sed himself in opposition to Railways. But would sot blame any man for changing his

given, was such that they did not wish To7r Opiaion, providing he could give satisfactory

continue them ; on the contrary, it was be- coming daily more apparent that such a policy was opposed tothe general interest of the people. Some years ago, he (Hon. Leader of the Guv’t.)} aid his best te induce his hon. colleague (Mr, Howat), to aid him to endeavor to have steam communication extended to Crapaud, bat was unable to in- duce bim to lend him his influence and as- sistance.

Mr. Howar had supported such a movc- ment,

Hos. Leaver or rae Governmest.— Yes! but not uuti! after steamboat com. munication had been extended there. But, at the time he referred to, the hon. gentle- man would bot support bim in the proposal, No doubt be bad done so since, but not then. To new projects whieh were bene- ficial to the country, the bon, gentlemau’s support could only be had after they had been introduced and found to succeed; but he would not face the difficulties attending their construction. He thought, when that hon, Committee took into consideration the fact that they were backing behind the age io not having a railway, aod that such undertakings improved the eounirics where they were established, and considered the state of their roads, the difficulties a:tending the transport of produce, with tbe many dis- advantages attending their pre-ent state of of affairs, not one hon. gentleman on that Committee would oppose giving to the ques- tien his earuest consideration,

Hon. Mr. Callbeck on the Cost of Railroad.

Bon. Mr. Catuegcr thought it was not well io go to such extremes in considering the question as he thought some hon, gentle- mea had gone, who had already spok-n, It had been stated that the line would be 100 miles long, and that an offer had been made t> construct it at the rate of £5,00) per mile, bat nothing had been said about the other expenses which must necessarily «t- tend the andertaking, which, in his (Mr. C’s.) opinion, would come up to at least £1,800 a mile, which would be altogether outside the contract or land damage. Such had been the result im other placcs, and he saw no reason why the Committee should suppose that such should not be the case also on this Island, for he, (Hon, Mr. C.) believed the right of way would cost more here than it had been in other places, inag- much ax 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 eoet of building the road was included, they might set it down at £2 000 more per mile. Admitting such to be the case, the cogt per mile would then be about £7 000, 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, whicn would increase the public debt to # x or seven times what it then was, He wes not, therefore, prepared to sanction such an important wodertaking until he had more time for considering the question. But while thus expressing himself, he meant no reflection the Government, but would not like to see the matter pressed forward too hastily. He believed the in- terest which the debt of the proposed wader- takiog would impose upon the country, would be equal to ihe present receipts to the Treasury. The impost receipts then amounted to about £69,000, and tucir whole revenue (not including the receipts at the Lend Office) was shout £20,000, and

reasons for that change. It had been argued that the price of produce would be raised if they had a railroad, but he always saw that whea their were the largest quan- 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- jand mails, would be less than at present had they a Railway, bet not that which would justifiy so costly an undertaking, The distance from Cascumpec to Georgetown, would be about 120 miles, and if branch lines were extended to Tignish and Souris, it would be at least 2@ miles more, and when they took into account the purchase of the road, tha law, and other expenses which would come up in connection with the work, it would be found that the estimate of the hoo, member for West River (Hon. Mr. Calbeck) was not far below the mark. He (Mr MoMillan) was in favor of the broad principle, and believed nine-tenths of the people were in favor of the principle tco, but woold not go aguinst the views of bis frrends or cons ttuents, as he did not cousider the time had arrived for commit- ting the country to so costly an undertaking, and if bis constituents were not satisfied with him, they had but to say so, and he would resigo.

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 Generat would remind that hon. Committee, that the paragraph merely referred to the advisability of diz- 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 Colomes in British America. Now what were they going todo? Was that hon. Committee going to say that the country was so miseribly poor, that the representations of the people dare not even consider, or discuss the genera! principle whieh the constraction of a railway invol- ed? Ef the Committee did so it would proclaim to the world that this country was far behind the age, and he would not hes:- tate to say, that those who wou'd vote against that paragraph would shew that they bad no energy, The Legislature had said, and the people bad also said,that they did not wish to be taken under the wings of any country, bat that they were prepared to shoulder their own burden io order that Prince Edward Island might maintain its present position. He had listened to the remarks of the hon. member for New Lon- don (Hon Mr, Sinclair) with attention, be. cause many of the hon, member’s remarks, were well worthy of being considered. But did he (Hon, Mr. Sinclair) in what he bad said, mean to hold up to that hon, Commit- tee the idea that the pub!ie men of Canada made a great mistake, when they undertook the construction of a railway, and that their

- error should be held up aga waruing to the

people of Prince Kdward Island? Did the hom. member meun to say that the pub- lic men of Canada, Nova Scotia ant New Brunswick, eaerificed the interest of tho.e provinces by the construction ef those lines of railways ?

Hon. P. Sinctatr meant to say that judgivg from the statistics which bad been published, it appeared that those Railways did not nay Worsing expenses, and main- tained (hat the Goverzment shoa!d first have had placed before (hem all the expense bike-

ly to be entailed by that undertaking before brioging 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 would de- rive those advantages from it which was expected, To be comparing a large and extensive country like Canada with Prince Edward Island was unfair.

Hon, Arty. Generat was astonished to hear the hon. member say that because a railway would build up Charlottetown, that it would necessarily follow that it would injare other places, as if it was possible for wealthy capital to grow up in an impoverish- ed country. He (Hon. Atty, General) had not compared this country to Canada; but 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 pence- trated by railways was, to a great extent, a howling wilderness, He bad travelled a large part of it, and in going through 4 sp'endid and wealthy country, was told bya 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 asylum for ihe fugitives of justice. (Hear, and ap- plause.) Those who argued that the road should be built by a company which should be subsidized by the Government, be thougiat 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 eurefully 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 other countries; and surely it wou'd be unwise to adopt a policy whieh 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 been the result along that barren and sterile tract of country, surely that Committee were just-fied in assuming that equally pleasing results would be re- alized on this Island among a much more thrifty people, and where all the land was good. (yes, and applause) He addresacd those remarks to those bonest ant:-Confed- erate hon, gentlemen in the Oppoeition, and would ask them if they intended that the people of this [sland were to travel on con- tinually in the mud? (No.}) Why to do so 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 wan 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 country, 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 years would not elapse from the time of its construction before the people, almost to a man, would thank the mea who introduced it. Publ’e 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 advanta by jobbery or otherwise should be allowed. fie thought the Leader of the Goveroment deserved the thanks of the country for his eff.rts in that importaut matter (Applause).

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

Hon, Leaper ov rue Governaeyt 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 surprised to hear that hon. member say that while he believed ninc-tenths of the ;eople were in favor of the principle, yet he would oppose it because his political friends were not im favor of it, (Laughter) The opin‘on of the other hon. member for Summerside (Mr, Lefurgy) was much more sensible and worthy of a pub‘ic man. ‘ihe hon, member in effect, said, if left alone he would support the measure, but his leaders would not permit him to do so. He (Hon. Leader of the Government) would like to know vho the political leaders of the hon. member were? Was the chief of those his hon. cdleage (Mr. Howat)? And did he keep his followers under such subjection that they were not to turn their head or cast theiz eyes in any direction without his permission (Laughter),

Mr. MeMitvan was under the influence of his own judgment, and was guided alone by what he believee to be the wishes of bis constituents, and if those who sent him there were not satisfied, they had but to say so, and be wou'd readily resign,

Hoo. Leaver cr rae GovennmMent,—The hon member had virtually stated thet he would be guided only by the progressive ideas of the hon. member for Tryon, (Laugher) and would only say if others did the same they would simply stultify them- selves, as voting against the paragraph weelddeclare they were 20 opposed to the measure that they would not admit that the question should even bo considered.

Mr. McMittsn thought the Hon. Leader of the Goverament had as much reason to look to some of his new found friends as he had to be finding fault with him (Mr. McMillan). He(Mr. MeMillan) believed that the Hon, Leader ef the Gov- ernment and the Hon, Mr. Howlan had been leagueing together to break up the Liberal Party more than two years ago. He found that that party could mot depend

upon that hon. member, and as he saw no man in his party who he thought qual fied to make as good a Leader as he (Mr, Me- Millan) would like tohave, had last year, of his own accord, spokea 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 17 were opposed to a railway while the most of those ia Summer- side were in fa¥or of it.

Hon. Affoiney Generat had great ree post for thé hon. member, but when he spoké (6 him (Hon. Atty, General) he id fi6t see any valid reason why he should separate himself from his political friends: The conversation was private and confidential, and would not bave been re- ferred to had not the hon. member brought it up himself. The 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. Howtan 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 Goy- ernment, Ifthe hon. gentleman had no confidence in him (Hon, Mr. How'ar) how came he to vote in caucus last session, in favor of lim (Hon. Mr. Howlan) as leader of their party, on the floor of that House. fle had not sought the honor, and believed the reason why he was appointed was be- cause they considered him the best qualified for the position, of any they then had in their ranks. But that hon, member told the Committee the reason why he went to the bon. Att’y. General, was because he had more confidence in the hon. Att’y General, than he had in him (Hor. Mr. Howlan) well he could but say that he was off the Island when the party choose him for lead- er,that he had not sought hunor,acd thought the hon. member showed that he was rather green, when he made such aproposal to the hon. Att’y. General, but found that the gentle. man was not quite so green as he supposed he was, (Laugher).

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

Mr. McMitiaw did not find fault with the hon. member for associating with the Hon. Leader of the Government. He (Mr. MoMillan) 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 be (Mr. MecM.) made, on his own responsibilty, the proposal he did to the Hoo. Attorney Gen- eral. He (Mr. McMillan) never sought for nor held a Government office, Trae, be had been made a Justice of the Peace, and that was the only office he bad or cared for.

Hon. Lzapsr oF rue GoveRNMENT was gied the hon. member had not been able to seduce the hon. member (the Hon. Actorney General) from bis allegiance to his party, notwithstanding the shrewd and wily ap- proaches of the hon. member. [Laughter.]

Hon. Mr. Howran--——The hon. member for Summerside seemed to think it would have been quite rizht for the ton, Attor- ney General to have changed 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 (Hon. Mr. H.) to do, He would, in reply to his hon friend (Hon. B Davies) merely say, that he |Hoo. Mr. Howlan) was not chosen Leader last session, because he was a member of the Catholic Church, but for the reasons he had before stated, Had the hon, member himself been deemed cap- ab'e for the position, be would have been appointed.

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

undertaking.

Mr. Leroroy thought it was due to his constituents to state, that he be'ieved the majority of them were not opposed to a rail- road, He had taken some trouble te ascer- tain their opinion, and felt that such wae the case. He represented an electoral distriet, and would be always glad to consult the wishes of his friends, and do what he could to promote the interests of the distriet he represented, Lui would oot wish to forget that he had also to east a vote upon measares which effected the interests of the whole Is- land, and would, in the discharge of his public dutie:, endeavor to act upon his own convictions, while he would also endeavor, in 80 far as he consistently could, to respect those of others, In the Linkletter settle- ment they might be opposed to a ruilroad, because their situation gave them the advan- tage of the Summerside market, but other portions of the district, he believed, were mostly in favor of the undertaking, of whiob, he thought, pretty good evidence was ob- tained at the public mecting held to consider the subject io Summerside. The paragraph would not commit them to the building of the et and he could not see why any hon,

entleman eould consistently y i 6 y vote against Donald Cameron, Esq , argument in favor of Railroads in this Island, value of the land held

by actual settlers will only be increased,

Mr. Camznow remarked that the faciliti for the shipment and transportation telented to in the paragraph were of vital importance to the people of the Island, and hoped the Government would procnre » steam dredy. ing machine for the improvement of their

harbors and rivers, It was well known that, in many of these mud and sand often acoumulated, to the detriment of their trade. It was therefore absolutely necessary to have the harbors well dredged. The con- struotion of wharfs and breakwaters we indispensably necessary in some parte of (he Ieee. This would apply to New Londor, avd the northern end of the distriot he re- presented, where sand bare offered consider- able obstruction to navigation, The people in those parts were therefore entitled to due consideration, No hon. member of the Committee bad spoken against the geveral principle of @ railroad, Even the bon. member for Tryon (Mr. Howat) who held strong, and somewhat eccentric views on some questions, had not opposed it on certain condilions, He believed many advantages would arise from having a railway construct- ed through the Island, It would tend to equalize prices in all parts of the Island, so that those who were now obliged to dispose of their productions at a low figure, could avail themselves of the best markets. The people in the intericr of the country were particularly anxious for it.. They regarded it a grievance to be taxed for improvements in other parts of the Island, from whieh, owing to their position, they derived little or no benefit. Oxhers, however, who either had faculities for communication, oF 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 ques- tion in all its bearings, before immediate action should be takep, He admitted that @ railway would not do away with the ne- cessity of our common turnpike r which would still have to be kept up. Yet, he believed a railway would greatly diminish the traffic on those, and, consequently, lessen the expenditure for keeping them im repair. He could not agree with all the a’ gumentsacvanced against the railway, and bad yet to learn that it would enhance the proprietors’ interest in their estates, par-

ticularly where long leases were given. All _

the proprietors could claim im sucli casce was the rent which they received at present. The value of land could therefore be in- ereased only to the teoantry or actual settlers, and proprietors, if disposed to sell at all, would fiud it aecessary to accept a sam somewhat equivaient to the rent they received, and they, the Legislature, could no mors now than then, them te secept any other. He (Mr. Cameron) wae, however, very apxious to see the jeasehold sysiem abolished, and hoped that any estate that might appear in the market, on reason- able terms, would be secured by the Goverv- ment. Many were of opinion that before deeiding the question of a railway, a survey should be made, the line located, and an estiwate of ibe cost laid before the people. The purchase of the right of way would form an item of cost. The number of miles over which the kine would extend also, was aot well defined, and would necessarily de

on the course followed. The offer made to the Gevernment to finish the road, with rolling-stoek, stations and fenving, for £5,- 0045 per mile, was certainly much below the cost of railways in other countries, If the Government wou'd first confine themselves to extending it from Okarlottetown to Sum- merside and Georgerowa, for an experiment, the burden would not be so heavy. A line of communication would thus be formed be- tween the Is/and and the Proyinees of New Brunswick avd Nova Seotia, conneeting by sicamer the terminus of tho railway ir Shediac to theirs in Summerside, and Pistos to Georgetown. And as the harbor is tle latter place, was open some months later in the fali, and earlier im the spring, than any other in the Island. the importanee of eon- necting that port with the rest of the Island, would thus be manifest to al), Tne advan- tages of Georgetown harbor would thus be made available to peopie io distaat parts of the Island—advanta,es which lasted uearly the whole year round. P.¥, Is.und #cu'd thus beeome a public highway ior ihe veople of the neighboring Provinces and the United States, who in their tours through ut would spend large sums of money, besides being consumers cf dutiabie goods while remain- ing, whieh would largely increase the revenue. He did vot 2) preheud that any constituency would be in canger o/ bei swamped or out-voted by labo.ers imported by railway contractors, though the hoo. member for Tryon appeared so much alarm- ed on that score. The construction of the work would give employmen: to their young men, many of whom, under present eircom. stances, were yearly leaving the Island, for the United States and British Proviaces, where greater inducemenis were offered, He (Mr. Cameron) was opposed, however, to forcing a question of such magnitude on the people, wihout their sanction, and thought no violence should be done to their feelings by taking any undue advantage of them,

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

Hon. B. Davies moved the following amend- ment to the 13th paragraph, *‘ Bat while duly appreciating the advantages of a rail- road, we consider the resources of the Colony inadequate to the undertaking, and that in no case should such @ proposition be adopted without submitting it to the people at the

lis.”’ For the amendment, Hon. Mr. B.

avies, Calibeek, Sinclair, Mr. Howatt, Mac- Millan, MacNeill, Hooper, (8). Against ir, Hon. Mr. Pope, Owen, Howlan, Duncan, D. Davies, Perry, McEachern, Atty. General, Mr. Munro, A C. McDonald, Beer, Arseneult, Lefurgy, Beer, Cameron. (15).

Mesere. McNeill and Hon. P, Sinelait severally moved an amendment which was lost on the same division,

House adjourned until Monday. @.

a me

Monpar, Feb. 27.

Mr. A. C. McDonald from the Committee Sppointed to wait upon Hie Honor the eut. Governor to agcertain when bs would receive the Address in answer to the S h at the opening of the House, announced that His Honor would reevive it at 44 o’clock, in a kaaintie a Hon, Atty. General rom ommit on expiring

laws. Report committed: a

A Bill to continue some Acts about to ex-

_ pire read Ist time,