A WEEKLY JOURNAL OF POLITICS, LIT

DOES 2 TS ST ere <

SRATURE AND NEWS,

7 TEEN ES

EDWARD WHELAN] Chis is true Liberty, when Feee-born fen, having to advise the Public, imay speak fvee.——EURIPIDES. SS a TR canner en aE Mee ER ON oa neem Vou. IV. CHARLOTTETOWN, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, MONDAY, MAY 28, 1855.

Gleanings from late Papers.

? . . Mi rtiintnpir na ROE, Snide rorcvciiinii OTR Vy tit its brought the pleasing intelli |

THE PROUIBITORY LIQUOR LAW.

The following humorous and effective speech on the Liquor Bill was delivered by Mr. McNaughton in the New Brunswick Assembiy, 21st ult:

Mr. MeNaug):ton said he was rather disposed to look upon the by! favorably at first, but the more he heard about. it, the worse he liked it. He did not agree with the views taken of the subject by his hon. colleague; he thought there was no need whatever to speak of the temperance societies in harsh terms, or to eompere their acts to the -religious perse- eution thet took place two or three centuries ago; neither would he fellew his hon. colleague in quoting Seripture, as

dye wonsidered sach a course uncalled for. The less of Holy |

BEE ESAS Pa a a, Sa ew

— ae -——

| Tom Ramway.—We are gratified to be able to state that

) gence that the slight misunderstanding concerning our rail- } way matiers—which some of our contemporaries have taken

such pains to magnify—are removed, and that no difficulties jneed be apprehended. Mr. Giles returns by the next Hali- | fax steamer, and it is our opinion that shortly after his arrival the whole road will be Jet out to sub-contractors in , 20 mile sections, to be finished “within the time fixed in the ,contract. Of one thing the prblic may be assured, that our or affairs are, all things considered, in the most satis- | factory position, and that the road will be completed within the time specified in the contract.—St. John Freeman.

¢ >

| Tus Newrounptann Svup-Marixe TELEGraru, — Mr.

en ¢ . =e ° Writ there Was dee 286. tuto thie Llouse, he thoueht the | Tields, the Managing director of the Company for laying

fetter. There was one fact which could not be disputed ; the Sos of Temrecrance, by their excriions for severa. yeark pasi—y thetr examp'e as wel wast deal of good; they had effected a tion. (ilear, hear.) ““welve or filteen years ago he resided | in Canada, and when he spoke of the habits of the people| there, he presumed that tle fushitons of socicty were the samé} At that period, then, no visits were given |

} Mechanics |

creat moral revolu- |

iu this Province. cived without liquor being introduced ; could not work a day without so many glasses of rom a-day ; whenever two frien !s met, thf first question asked “what wij! you drink ?” and lips and glasses very often met.

Or re

was, |

|

aire S ; ; down a sub-marine telegraph wire between London, New-

,foundland and New York, has just returned from Europe,

“ae Apr’ | where he is said to have made a very fvorable contract for 1 as by precept—ha i done a} tl

he sub-mariae cable to connect Newfoundland with C2ne Breton, This cable is to be seventy miles in length, and is to be ready for shipment on the Ist of May, ‘The Company confidently expects to have telegraph communication estab- lished between New York and St. John’s, Newfoundland, by the Ist July. It may not be generally known that when this telegraphic communication is completed, it is intended that the Collins steamers shall call at St, John’s on both their outward and inward voyages. The enterprise is one of the utmost importance to the neglected, but extensive and

ii-verend Pastors tuck a litte of the best liquer for their! important Colony of Newfoundland.— Quebec Chronicle.

stomach’s sae, and even ladies, when they inet, could take}

a o'ass of one of the lighter kinds ef provocatives to volubil- |

ity. (Laughter.) [fa man got wet, he must take a glass of) groz to prevent him from taking cold; if he entered a warm |

+ » +

_ Revorr at Sea.—The ship Cynosure, from Liverpool, ar- rived at New York on the 22d ult.. with seven of her-crew

poom!, be must take another to neutralize the effects of a too|i% Irons, for an attempt at revolt when three days out.

sudden change; ts fact, the

harometers showed how many | They refused to do duty, and the captain, second mate, and

glassed a man ought to dink; (laaghter;) why, in those | Physician, art NOOR them with their revolvers. One re- days a man Who got a sheet in tie wind got into a room, and ceived five bullets—one in the mouth, and another in the

got a black eye, was recko: ed an ornement to sovicty. (Roars of laughter.) Times ha | changed, howcver, and no man was now recke ned re speciable who drank ardent spirits. (Hear, hear) Let him a-k to whem were they indeLted for this great moral change? It had been brought about by the efforts of the Sous of Temperance, whom bis hon. colleague

had stigmatized as conspirators. (Hear, hear.) He felt waiting, the drums of a dattalion of the Voltiguers ot the to the petition, for it isa part of my political creed that the bound to say thus much ia vindication of the Sons of Tem-| Guard, that happened to be on its way from St. Cloud to. Legislature should lead public opivion, should shew a proper

perance, as hy wasa member of the socicty, and he knew what their efforts had been, and the eminent suceess that bad attende] their labours. Liav.ng done what he considered his duty towards the society, he we uld address himse!f to the bill. He did not be‘ieve it would produce the effect its pro- moters desired, but that, on the contrary, it would destroy ail the good the Suns ef Tem) e:anee had hitherto effected ;

\region of the heart, and was removed to the hospital.

Several others were wounded.

Tre Express axp tix Troops.—As the French Empress, unaccompanied by the Emperor, was walking on Saturday |afterncon, in the Bois de Boulogne, with the carriage in

Paris, was heard; her Majesty entered the Eee appeared to move out of the way, but the moméfitthe troops saw the Empress they drew up in line, and she*passed: slowly in front amid the most enthusiastic shouts. The officer com- -manding the column approached the carriage door, took the | Empress’s hand, and pressed it to his lips. this.act the shouts were again renewed. The Empress appeared much

° . - . i } . } » ffacte a ‘ 1 +o en the principles of coereion aud moral suasicn would never work, #flected at the manner iv which she was received, for to ail

together. (Llear, hear.) | 1 :

By the 18th section, a peace officer would have full power to decide when a man was druvk and when he was not. All he would say was this,—there were nien iz his own conntry whom be would not like to trust with saeh great power, would enable a constable, if so disposed, to gratify bis malice, should he bear any person ill-wt!,—it would enable him to srrest whomsoever he chose, aud confine him as long as he chose. (fear; hear.) When he heard an hen. member sxeak of takiug up the question of temperance, he cou'd not he p usking himself what was. meant. Pevhaps it meznt drivking one's brandy without any water in it. (Laughter.) Surely ihere was nothing temperate about this bill, If any state of anarchy Was worse than aro:her, it was a law on the statute Look that was treatéd hy the people with disrespect

or contempt, or resisted. (Hear. hear.) Tf this bill became

I! juvested in business, $100,600,

| appearance the meeting was most unexpected.

{

} —_e~

| A Toran Wrecx.—On the Ist January, 1851, a gentle. ‘mau doing business in this city was worth, with what he bad At the samo time he was blessed with a lovely and intelligent wife, beautiful and blooming children. He was surrounded by friends who esteemed and respected him. His business was lucrative, | and promised to continue so. Indeed his position as well as | his prospects were, seemingly, all that he could desire to | render his happiness perfect. How complete the wreck which the year closed upon! The first misfortune was the ) transfer of merchandize to the amount of $18,000 to a Cali- | fornia dealer, for which not one cent was ever received. The ;hext were two successive robberies, by means of” which | $55,000 were lost. . After this, the unjortunate man made /an investment in real estate to a large amount. The next and crowning misfortune was a trip to Europe with his family. They embarked, on their return, with $38,000 in goods, on board the luckless Aretie, and all shared her fate, | In setiling up his affairs, his estate was sold under the-ham- mer, at a sacritice of $40,000, making the aggregate loss to

| | |

wearares; they would stir up strife and bickerings his property duréng the year $118,000—$8,0U0 more than

law, tt would not be carried out unl ss the wembers of tem-| reranuee societies took an active part in it,—they would be recieant to their duty if they did not. (lear, hear.) Now he would ask the Sens of Teamerance if they wished to be cor 8} res, and i. forme 8, and tusters, 2 nj breath-sinellers ?

launches.) - Heaven forbid! Le was opposed to ex-

aaa Jae

oul if-fecliugs amens the people, and be productive of no good. If the bill shou!d ; ass he weuld still abstain from

strong drinks, bat he would imuwdiatcly retire from member- } mother, childre

suip with the Sons of Temperance,—t:e wou'd be no party to tLe carrying out of such a measure; (heir, hear;) cr rather he would never have anything to do. with a measure he was

1 could not be carried into cficct. Why, there was the ‘eunty of Gloudester, which le had the honor to represent; bud over one hundtyed miles of ecust, and he had seen fifiy

ac £4

American schooners lying on the coast at one time. How the 30ch ult.

gould they prevent tho.e schooners smuggling in ds much Sayor as they chose? There Was no coast cuard, and ne <cpstd ax the supporters of the bill if they were prepared to

yablish such a coasteguard as tyould effectually “prevent Jing, and to charge the cost upon the revenues of the

his assets. cieney.

Ilis friends were obliged to make good the defi- Was ever destruction more complete! Father, n, fortune, all gone—swept from the face of ihe earth—nothing left to show that they ever existed. We doubt whether among the many wrecks which the past year has witnessed there has been one more melaacholy than this. —WN. Y. Courier and Enquirer. :

Tio shocks of an earthquake were felt at Cairo, Tll., on The interval berween the shocks was about five minutes. ‘Their duration was about five seconds each, and the vibratory motion being sensibly feit, and the rumbling sound distinctly heard.

‘The last official estimate stated the strength of the Roman

s nugy. Province= “tutions of the United Stafes. oraised the. mst. -., lodged the United Bie ther see this Province tu reatness of that country, wilh . chat the passing of this billhere Wou OP Sat hon, the State of Maine. He bad no douv. § 2nthe Witte, members in the Louse had, he presumed, rex. * °° a a . ho thought quite appropos to the occasion, and by y ie *: of the House he would read it, (The hoz. member *™'

voad (he faule of the fox that lost his tail, and called a coun-,

Y au o

h L Maine having got into a predicament, wished to see New Te unewick ia the same position °

©

i ls

~*t 2S2e +...

‘Coe Myarary StreNGTt oF vue Unrtry Srarrs.—Capt. |

Marryett, speaking of the military strength of the United

<, suid that tweuty thousand regulars could march from one end of the Union to the other without much serious re- setance: but he added a most important hint, and it was, chat ho doubted whether a single one of the twenty thousand would ever get back! His idea was that, being without a Banding army, the country taken by surprise, with no time ert plans of resistance, the twenty thousand ae, a rapid movement, traverse the whole length of

oto paws '

LO con might, by sie ales but, in attempting to return, they the: nstines of, <bsings pte The whole land would me jicerally bristling with bayonets.—The captain took a meet view of things. The republic is got up on the prise’? which distinguishes the mysterious architecture of an °

‘ erap—very casy to get ia, but mighty difficult to get = of. if you doubt this, consylt those who wadeciogs tp eeaRe

New Urieans.

tes was a great country, but he would | ‘main as it is than partake of the}

Z he end d to them all, that they should) g } of meee 2 = er dds: applied to the State of| jurlingtan has yet been attacked, but the Gazette urgently

would find |

ge he Cent (Mr. Cutler), had, Catholics in China as follows: 326 churches, under 84 Eu- Martner vic a i. He sexnen.| Fopean aud 135 native priests, with 315,000 native Christ-

' jans. Boston issues 113 papers, with an annual circulation of

‘olbits isms. It had been said , 4,000,000; New York 104 papers, circulation 78,000,000, “ld give great pleasure to | and Philadelphia 51 papers, circulation 43,000,000,

A counseller-at-law was fined in Boston, last week, two )dollars for smoking a cigar in the streets of that city.

"The Barlington (Lowa) Gazette of the 24th ult., states that the cholera is again making its appearance among the enii- canis on the Mississippi river steamboats. No resident of

suggests the adoption of precautionary measures,

Breadstuffs continue pretty high. The quantity of flour forwarded on the New York Central Railroad for four months up to the Ist of May, was 79957 barrens, ‘Total forwarded by Ceniral, and Genessee Valley Railroad during April, | 30,125 barrels. |

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Covington, Ky., has inter- ‘dicted processions with instrumental music by his people on the Sabbath day.

At a review of the fire department in Detroit, about one-

half of the companies were disbanded, in consequence of the | passage of an ordinance prohibiting the running of engines |

upon sidewalks in paved streets.

| Two agents of the English government, who have been endeavouring to enlist recraits in New Orleans, for the army in the Crimea, were arrested in that city on the 27th ult.

Axorurr Piayet.—An astronomer named M. Chacornac, discovered in the night of the 6th instant, at 55 minutes ‘after 10, a new planet, 13 deg. 40 min. right ascension, and 7 deg. 20 min. southern declination.

i |

Colonial Legislature.

| wre

THE MAINE LIQUOR BILLIE. _Wepyuspay, April 4. (Continued from our last.)

Mr, Crank.—Mr, Chairman, I must say that I consider many of the arguments I have heard advanced against the law are perfectly futile. The Won. Tressurer and Mr. Whelan have said that the law is inoperative in Maine, but I require some better authority than their assertions, respect- able as they are, before 1 can believe that to be the case. Can it be believed that if the law were inoperative the peo- ple would put an annually increasing majority of the friends of the law into office? The people are the best judges of the working of the law, and the reports of competent parties shew a large decrease of crime and pauperism, ag the natural effects of the law. Such documents afford too stroug proofs of the benefits which have resulted from the law, to allow mé to take the assertions of the Hon. Treasurer and Mr. Whelamw as of any weight; and really, Mr. Chairman, some of their arguments are too miserable to be brought forward. As to the revenue suffering, it is strange to hear gentlemen in their position arguing the propriety of deriving a revenue from a traffic which demoralizes the community. Wherever liquor is used it is abused, and I believe if all the drunkards were driven out of the country, unless this law were passed, you would have more in a week. The moderate use leads to the abuse, and I cannot see that the revenue will sufer. Liquor creates no wealth; on the contrary, it destroys the constitution of those who use it, wastes their property, and diminishes the legitimate sources of revenue. The money now wasted on it would be applied to other and worthier purposes ; the time lost would be beneficially employed— habits of industry would be formed, aud increased consump- tion of dutiable articles would be the necessary result. As to the argument that it would lead to lying and fraud, the same might be urged against the Revenue Lill, because under that Act it is necessary that importers shoul] take an oath to the truth of their statements. No doubt some importers do take false oaths, but every law is liable to some partial infringe- meut. In my observations and the vote I shall give on this question, I am not influenced by the number of names signed

example, and legislate for the benefit of the people ; and if ,a measure be deemed sound in principle, and required for the moral elevation of the community, it is the duty of the House Ito sanction it. I believe that there is a majority against the Law; and that the resolution of the hon. member for Char- lottetown will not pass, and I also believe a majority of my own constituents differ from me on this question, yet believ- |g it to be based on sound princip!e,and required for the moral and social improvement of the people, I'shall vote for it, even at the risk of my seat. As to the alleged iafringement of | the rights of individuals, [, will read the opinion of Chief Justice Taney, one of the most eminent Judges in the United States. There have, I admit, been judges in the States who ‘have been opposed to the law, but they were not like Judge Taney, (Laughter)— . .

| “If any statedeswis the retail and internal traffic in ardent |“ spirits injurious to its citizéhs, and calculated to produce “idleness, yiee or debauchory, [ see nothing in the constitu- “tion of the United States to prevent it from regulating or ‘ restraining the trafic, or from prohibiting it altogether, if ‘it thinks proper.”

[ will also read the opinion of Judge McLean—

“A license to sell qn article, foreign or domestic, as & “merchant, or inn-keeper, or victualler, is a matter of police “and revenue, within the power of the State.”—5 Howard, “O89, And again: “ It is the settle] construction of every ‘regulation of commerce, that under the sanction of its ‘general laws, no person can introduce into a commanity “malignant diseases, or anything which contaminates its “morals, or endangers its safety.”—Ilbid. “If the foreign ‘article be injurious to the health or morals of the community, ‘(a State may, in the exercise of that great and comprchen- “sive polce power which lies at the fountain of its prosperity, “prohibit the sale of it. No one can claim a license to re- “tail spirits as a matter of right.”

Besides these, we all know that there are many other judges in favor of the Bill. Some have condemned the laws as un- constitutional. ¢ '

Hon, Mr. Wietay.—No part of Her Ma jest y’s dominions has adopted the principle.

Mr. Crark.—I may mention that last year a namesake of my own was elected Governor of the State of New: York on the Temperance ticket, though opposed by Mr. Seymour, a gentleman of great influence. He has recommended the adoption of the Maine Liquor Law. The State of New York contains a hundred times more inhabitants than this Island, and the Bill will pass there. It passed the Canadian House of Assembly by a majority of two or three to one, It has re- carried the sanction of the Nova Seotia House, and bas been arrived through both branches in New Bruaswick,and in a short time it will be the law of this Island, because it is founded on a just and righteous principle. The opposition to-night will not prevent the agitation of the measure.

Hon. Mr. Wicuruan,—Mr. Chairman, this question is one of such importance that [ cannot give a silent vote on it. It met the approval of this House last year, and I was given to understand that a much greater number of petitions for the law would come before the House this Session. That great exertions have been made to obtaifi signatures, is proved by the size of the document before us. We have been told ‘that the petition bears the names of men, women and children, and that one shect of names is affixed in duplicate. Ve all know that it is an casy matter to obtain signatures to pei- tions for any object. In my opinion, Sir, the day has not arrived for the enactment of the law prayed for. I wilt not, therefore, support it at present, but when there is sufli- cient pressure from without — when public opinion is mani-

!

EDITOR axv PUBLISHER

ee Senet

opposed ? I know that the measure has done good in many

places—it has brought peace and happiness to many families, but I cannot see the propriety or policy of passing the law in the present state of public cpinion in the Island.

Hon. Mr. Lonv.—Really, Mr. Chairman, I think the hom

member has adduced the best argument in favor of the

measure he says he intends to vote against it. I should like to know what stronger reason can be found for passing the law, than that it will bring peace to families? I sup- ported the Bill last year, and I will go for it now. When I. was asked at the hustings if I would support the Bill, I said that I would, and distillers and tavern-keepers voted for me notwithstanding. As tothe political action of the Sons of Temperance, if any one has cause to complain ef that, L have. Jiast_ year on the eve of the general election, an emissary of the Sons whnt into my district with a document signed by their G.W.P., as they call him, telling the people to vote against Lord and support Dr. Conroy, although [ had voted for the law and Dr. Conroy had opposed it. The majority of the Sons: at Tryon and Bedeque voted against me last election, but it was of no avail; and now, Sir, although I received the active opposition of that body, I stand here as supporter of their views. In giving my support to the reso- lution of the hon. member for Charlottetown, I can only re- gret_that L have not the powers to express my sentiments as I could wish. The evils of intemperance “are universally ac- knowledged. Why, Sir, the list of parties fined for assaults last year shews that three fourths of the offences were com- mitted under the influence of drink. There is one case of a poor widow’s son in jail at present fur a disturbance he ocea- sioned while intoxicated. A Magistrate kindly interposed to save him, and for so doing he was fined very heavily.- We require a law to prevent the common use of ardent spirits, and there is no use in having. such a law on our Statute Book urless it is properly enforced. At present the law is a mere dead letter. Low drinking houses are to be found all over the country. They should be put down. As to the anticipated loss to the revenue, it is true a large sum is derived from liquors, but if the Bill should pass this year, it need not come into operation for a couple of years, which will give ample time for all engaged in the business to dispose of their stock and direct their capital into other channels, which may produce as much or more reyenue.

Hon, Mr. Moxraomnry.—I consider, Mr. Chairman, that itis the duty of every hon. member to express his opinion on 2 question of this nature. The subject has been frequently brought to the notice of the House, and the number of those who petition for the Jaw, is constantly increasing. The names signed to the petition now before the House is nearly double the number of last year. That shows that public opinion in favor of the law is increasing, and although I was on pro- vious occasions opposed tothe law, yet I will waive my objec- tions in deference to the will of the people, and shall support the resolution of the hon. member for Charlottetown, beliey- ing that the law will confer great benefits on society, and that it is only the practicable means to get tid of the evils of intemperance. If other arguments were wanting, the state- ment of the hon. member, Mr. Wightman, would induce me to vote for the law. If it has brought peace and happiness elsewhere, it must have the same effect here, and [ must say, Mr. Chairman, that it does appear strange that, alter mak- ing such a statement, he should sit dowwu declaring his in- tention to vote against it.

Hon. Mr. Moonzy.—It seems, Mr. Chairman, that it is the size of the petition which has converted the hon. member, Mr. Montgomery, for last year he voted against the law. My speech printed in Haszard’s Gazette for 1852 might serve for me to-night. Iam sorry I did not get a copy of it and read it, as reading speeches ix the order of the day. (Laughter.) It is truly amusing to listen to the hon. mem- ber, Mr. Clark. He says he knows the majority are opposed to the Jaw, yet he is prepared to legislate against the wishes of the people. If he is sincere in his opinions, how can be act as Ucllector of Excise? Low can he give a man a per- initeto land liquor, as he dees from day to day? He ig just giving permission for parties to go to the devil and shake themselves, (Laughter). I approve of the resolution of the hon. member, Mr. Laird, and I agree with him that under that introduced by the hon. meinber for Charlottetown, peo- ple will get puncheons of liquor duty free, and then tax tho poor man’s tea and tobacco to make up the loss of the re- venue. Next, we have the hon. member, Mr. Lrod, who say« he will support the bill, but hopes it will not go into operation for two or three years. Now, Sir, [ say, if it is a good measure, let it come into operation at once. The people were not fairly dealt with last year. The Maine Liquor Law should have been made the political platform at the elections, but it was not madea test. My hon. colleague voted for it last year, yet the Sons voted against him and sup- ported Dr. Conroy, whdé was opposed to it. I do not believe that there are a hundred and fifty signatures to the peti- tion which are not the names of parties opposed to the present Government. As to myself, { was never questioned as to my vote on this matter, save by one young man. And when I told him my views, and that I should act according as [ thought right, he said, “Then L cannot vote for you.” I replied, “then you ave right too. Do as you think fir, and I will do the same.” I have never been opposed to the Sons of Temperance; they have done much good. When I say this I do not refer exclusively to what takes place in the Temperance Hall, because preaching toryism and teetota!- ism together, is not exactly the thing, but they will do good by teaching the youths of Charlottetown and other place, to avoid the evils of intemperance. Liking a moderate glass myself, Tam not inclined to interfere with the rights of others. and I think you might just as well say whata man is to eat or wear as what he shall drink. God Almighty gaye mau free will, and intended him to exercise it.

Mr. Crank.—Mr. Chairman, the hon, member for Fliuts Glew has, as usual, made an atiack upon me, but I do not deem it necessary to reply to mere noise, further than to let him know that it is my duty as a public officer to carry out the law, as much so us it is his duty in the office he holds ; and I assure him that I shall not ask his opinion as to the

fested by twenty or thirty thousand people asking for the

additional burdens on the people, who are taxed quite enough already. Iam opposed to coercion, which would trammel

the large amount derived from liquors, where is it to come

law, then I shall be prepared to go for it. I should like to} at know how the loss to the Revenue, if the traffic ia liquor is|ency of the hon. member in supporting a measure to which prohibited, is tobe met. The only way will be by laying | he admitted that the majority were oppesed ?

° ' ee L. indivic 2a ls from, excopt from additional taxation, to which I am strongly; well known that ip dividuals e!

performance of my duties, as it is not worth a straw. Hon. Mr. Mooxry wished to know where was the eonsist-

Mr. Coorer would withdraw his resolution. Hon. Cou. Secnerany.—Mr. Chairman, { do not intend

the constitutional rights of the subject ; and it is not a Bri-|to give a silent vote on this question. — The hon. member for tish principle to allow those rights to be trampled on. We/ Charlottetown, in introducing the subject, stated that there know the Government must have a revenue to meet the exi-| was a majarity in the House in favour of the measure }:.+1 gencies of the publio service, and if we doprive ourselves of | session.

[ ask where are those men now? It was supp. - ed last year as a good source of po-itical capital, and i 1+ the hon. mewher's party weut