106 DEBATES OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY FOR 1866.
THURSDAY, APRIL 12.
HON. Mr. SMITH stated that the correspondence had not yet closed concerning the resignation of the
Governemnt, as they had not received a reply which his Excellency had promised them;
under these circumstances, he thought they should proceed with the business of the
country.
The House in Committee agreed to "A
Bill to establish an additional polling place in the County of Your."
Also "A Bill to amend the law relating to the widening of Cross Street in Saint John."
" A Bill to incorporate the President, Directors and Company of the Northern Bank."
"A Bill to authorize the Corporation of St. John to become Shareholders in the European
and North American Railway Company for its extension from St. John Westward."
Mr. CORAM said the bill was to authorize the Corporation of St. John to take stock in that
Railway to the extent of $60,000 and to issue debentures for that purpose.
Mr. ANGLIN said if the road was likely to be built by the Company he would be willing to pledge
the credit of St. John for a much larger amount, but he saw no prospect of this, for
it had been five months since the Company had commenced operations, and he believed
that not one dollar of the Company's stock had been paid up by the stockholders. The
day he came up to Fredericton he saw but 17 men employed on the road, and he thought
it was a bogus transaction from beginning to end. He did not know whether to oppose
the bill or not, particularly as it was only a Permissive Bill. Mr. CORAM said the
Common Council would not sell these debentures without they were certain that the
Company would carry out their arrangement, and build the road.
Mr. HILL said he was authorized by
Mr. Burpee to state that there were seventy-five men working on the road. He (Mr.
Burpee ) said that he had no doubt but what they were in a position to go on and complete
the work. He (Mr. H.) thought it was the duty of the House to render all the assistance
they could to the Company, as that was the only means of preventing its being built
as a Government work.
Mr. LINDSAY thought the City of
St. John should give a bonus to the Company of that amount, as the building of this
Railroad would prove a great benefit to that city, as was the building of the Grand
Trunk Railroad to Portland, which increased that value of property there fourfold.
He was surprised that his hon. friend from St. John (Mr. Anglin) oppos
ed everything that came up regarding
Western Extension. He (Mr. Anglin) was afraid he was going to be a false prophet,
for he had stated that a foot of Railway never would be built under the Subsidy Act.
He (Mr. L) thought St. John would be a gamer if they gave four times that amount as
this road would bring the trade from the interior to the sea-board. He would do all
he could for the company, but he was opposed to Railways being built as Government
works.
Mr. GILBERT said his hon. friend
from St. John, (Mr. Anglin), who should be well informed in regard to the ability
of this Company to build the road, being lately a member of the Government, called
this a bogus Railway Company. We should, therefore, hesitate before passing a bill
authorizing the Corporation of St. John to tax the citizens to aid this company. He
wished to encourage the building of Railroads, as it opened up the country and leads
to emigration and the settlement of the country. but he considered that a company
that undertook the work of building Western Extension should have a very large capital
to carry on the work successfully. Â
Mr. ANGLIN said his hon. friend
(Mr. Gilbert) could judge for himself. The road would cost $2,500.000, and there had
not been one dollar paid up or called for. The Company had already a subsidized stock
of $140,000, and they want this $60,000 in addition. If it was not permissive Bill,
he would give it his most strenuous opposition.
Mr. FISHER said the only objection
he had to the Bill was that the amount of stock to be taken in St. John was not one-tenth
of what it should be. The town of Woodstock, with only two thousand inhabitants, had
given $40,000 in aid of their branch line, and surely St. John, with its wealth and
population, should give $500,000. He would vote for the Bill.
Mr. WETMORE said that Common
Council had sent this Bill up to the House and they had no right to reject it without
sufficient cause. The Corporation would not take stock in it if they thought it was
likely to prove a bogus company.
The Bill was then agreed to, after which
some Bills were introduced, and the House adjourned to meet at 10 A.M. tomorrow.
T.P.D.
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