" A Bill to revive and continue an Act to amend the law for the relief of insolvent
               Debtors." 
               
            
            
            " A bill relating to the Registry of Deeds and other instruments." 
               
            
            
            " A Bill to amend the law of evidence. 
               
            
            
            " A Bill to authorize the Justice of the Supreme Court to preside at trials in which
               the City of St. John is interested." 
               
            
            
            " A Bill relating to Debtors confined in Jail or on the limits." 
               
            
            
            
               
               
               
                  CONTINUATION OF THE DEBATE ON MR. 
                  FISHER'S RESOLUTION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF DELEGATES. 
                  
               
               
               
               
               Mr. TILLEY resumed.—I feel that I am trespassing upon the patience of this House in continuing
                  my remarks upon this resolution, for it is well known that thirty-three of the members
                  of this House have been elected in favour of the principles of this resolution now
                  on the table, and some of the remaining eight for Union but against the Quebec Scheme.
                  My hon. friend (Mr. Smith) has taken exception to a great many of the provisions of
                  the Quebec Scheme, therefore I feel myself called upon to occupy the attention of
                  the House for a short time in discussing this question, but before taking up the principle
                  points in the objections, I desire to reiterate the financial statement made yesterday,
                  because it has been stated it was imaginary and there was nothing real in it. In the
                  first place can there be any doubt about our being relieved from paying $420,000 annually,
                  that being the interest of our debt of $7,000,000 ! Can there be any doubt about the
                  construction of the Intercolonial Railway that under the arrangement of 1862 we would
                  have to pay 3 1/2 twelfths, whereas if we go into Union we will have to pay but one-thirteenth
                  ? Can there be any doubt but that the salaries of the Governor and Judges and the
                  expenses of the collection and protection of the revenue will be paid by the General
                  Government. The deficiency in the Post Office will be paid by the General Government,
                  although it may be that there will be a charge upon newspapers the same as in Canada.
                  My hon. friend (Mr. Smith) has not spoken upon 
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  these points because he knows that they 
                  are unanswerable. If he had had a leg to stand upon he would have used the same arguments
                  here that he formerly used in addressing his constituents. The very fact that he himself
                  has given adhesion to Union upon some terms has taken away a great deal of the arguments
                  which he used twelve months ago. I have just been informed by the Postmaster General
                  that there is now a proposition before the Canadian Legislature to do away with the
                  postage on newspapers. ( 
Mr. Smith—very opporture.) There are many opportune circumstances which have convinced the
                  public mind of the advantages of Union, while the late Government have not been favored
                  by Providential circumstances or anything else. Let us look at some of the points
                  which the late Attorney General considers objectionable. He says we have not a sufficient
                  number of representatives in the upper branch of the Legislature. There might be some
                  concessions made to us in this. When the arrangement was made, and representation
                  by population was conceded, it was considered that there was a great protection given
                  to the Maritime Provinces, for New Brunswick was to have one representative for every
                  25,000 of her population, Lower Canada one to every 50,000, and Upper Canada one to
                  every 75,000. That was twenty-four representatives for Upper and twenty-four for Lower
                  Canada, and twenty-four for the Maritime Provinces, and Newfoundland was to have four.
                  In every case the interests of the Maritime Provinces are nearly identical, and there
                  is scarcely an important question that can come up in which Lower Canada would not
                  be with us. It has been said that Upper Canada wishes to buy the North West Territory,
                  suppose such a question came up, and a majority of the people's representatives were
                  in favor of the measure. It would still have to pass the Upper House, and twenty-four
                  representatives of Upper Canada would vote for it, and the other fifty-two members
                  against it. Is there not some protection in this? Again there is a protection in the
                  fact that the number of representatives in the Upper Branch cannot be increased by
                  the Crown. Suppose we had not that protection, the Government could come to the Upper
                  Branch and say, unless you pass this Act we will increase your numbers and force it
                  through. There were some remarks made in reference to the residence of the Legislative
                  Councillors. The sixteenth paragraph, in reference to Lower Canada, says : 
                  
 
               
               
               
               
                  
                  
                  Each of the twenty-four Legislative Councillors representing Lower Canada in the Legislative
                     Council of the General Legislature, shall be appointed to 
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     34 DEBATES OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY FOR 1866.
                     
                     
                     represent one of the twenty-four Electoral Divisions mentioned in Schedule 
                     
                     A of chapter first of the Consolidated 
                     
                     Statutes of Canada, and such Councillor shall reside or possess his qualification
                     in the Division he îs appointed to 
                     represent.  
                     
                     
                   
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
                  This paragraph was proposed. by the 
                  
                  Lower Canadians, because there they 
                  
                  have electoral districts for the Upper 
                  
                  Branch, and their law requires that they 
                  
                  should possess property and be residents 
                  
                  of their several districts. I am quite 
                  
                  sure that the delegates will see that the 
                  
                  Scheme is amended so that the representatives in the Upper Branch will be 
                  
                  required to live and have their property 
                  
                  qualification in the Province, although 
                  
                  I do not think the evil would be so 
                  
                  great as the late Attorney General has 
                  
                  represented it. He says they would go 
                  
                  to Ottawa to reside, and thus become 
                  
                  representatives for Canada, and we may 
                  
                  look for the same result here as has 
                  
                  been produced in Ireland, in consequence of the Irish going to London. 
                  
                  Do they go from Maine, Massachusetts 
                  
                  or Rhode Island and settle in Washington because it is the seat of Government? He
                  (Mr. Smith) having himself gone for Union should not point 
                  
                  this out as an objection. He objects to 
                  
                  representation by population. I was 
                  
                  surprised to hear him take exception to 
                  
                  that, for he was prepared even to go for 
                  
                  that during the last session of this 
                  
                  House. ( 
Mr. Smith—It is no such 
                  
                  thing ) He admitted that no Union 
                  
                  could be had if two principles were not 
                  
                  affirmed, they were representation by 
                  
                  population and a Federal Government, 
                  
                  and his language conveyed no other 
                  
                  idea but that he would go for Union, 
                  
                  provided there were sufficient checks. 
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
 
               
               
               Mr. SMITH.—I stated distinctly that 
                  I never would go for the principle of 
                  representation by population unless 
                  neutralized by some checks in the 
                  scheme.  
                  
                  
 
               
               
               Hon. Mr. WILMOT.—I understood 
                  him to say that he would not go for it 
                  unless there were some checks in the 
                  Legislative Council.    
                  
                  
 
               
               
               
               
               
               Hon. Mr. TILLEY.—I should like to 
                  know how he is going to neutralize it 
                  except by checks in the Upper House. 
                  He says the revenues collected in the 
                  different Provinces should be for the 
                  benefit of each Province when collected, 
                  except a certain amount to be givin for 
                  the support of the General Government. 
                  That objection might emanate from a 
                  gentleman who had just come into political life, but any person who knows 
                  anything would know that it never 
                  could be acted upon. If New Brunswick and Nova Sootia are to be the 
                  frontage of a great back country they 
                  will collect all the import duties, and 
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  Canada would never consent that we 
                  
                  should take all the duties on imports 
                  
                  collected on articles consumed in Canada, therefore not one check can be had 
                  
                  except in the Legislative Council, and 
                  
                  we thought that was secured   No arrangement can be made except upon 
                  
                  the principle of representation by population. Have we heard any objection 
                  
                  to representation by population on the 
                  
                  floors of this House. The members for 
                  
                  King's asked for an increase of representation because the population of their 
                  
                  county is greater than the population 
                  
                  of some other Counties, but you never 
                  
                  saw the members for Queen's rising and 
                  
                  saying, because Westmorland had four 
                  members Queen's should have four 
                  Governments generally try to do justice to all parties in order to hold on 
                  to their power, for they know that 
                  members will come out in opposition if 
                  they do not. In this Union let any injustice be perceived and no Government that permits
                  it will be able to 
                  stand, for a very few members going 
                  into the Opposition can generally oust 
                  a Government, and in this lies our 
                  safety. It has been said  that all the 
                  Provinces should have equal representation in the Upper House. ( 
Mr. 
                     Smith.—How is it in the United States.) 
                  The Senate in the States is an Executive power, and is altogether different 
                  from ours. They are in a position to 
                  exercise executive functions, therefore 
                  in their executive position it is necessary for each State to have an equal 
                  representation. Their is no appointment, even to a subordinate in the 
                  army, but has to go to the Senate and 
                  be ratified by them. We now come to 
                  another objection, and considering the 
                  long time the hon. member had to consider the scheme : the time he has devoted to
                  it, and the number of addresses he has delivered upon the subject, and we admit that
                  he has great 
                  ability, but his ability lies in taking to 
                  pieces rather than constructing ; he is 
                  an admirable member of the Opposition, 
                  but as a member of the Government he 
                  is not so successful. After fifteen months 
                  study of the subject, he has come to the 
                  House and presented his objections to 
                  the Scheme, and they amount to very 
                  little. The mountain has brought forth 
                  but a mouse. He objects to the General Government and the local Legislatures each
                  having power to legislate on 
                  the same subjects, for instance on the 
                  seacoast and inland fisheries, immigration and agriculture. And he says the 
                  same power being given to each Government there would be no right of 
                  appeal at all.  It was desirable that the 
                  seacoast fisheries should be under the 
                  direction of the General Government, 
                  because the cost of protecting them 
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  should be borne by the General Government, but the local Governments should 
                  
                  have the power to make laws for the 
                  
                  fisheries in the rivers of their respective 
                  
                  Provinces. If, however, any one of the 
                  
                  local Governments do not make laws 
                  
                  sufficient to protect the fisheries in the 
                  
                  rivers, where all this wealth originates, 
                  
                  it was considered expedient that the 
                  
                  General Government should have power 
                  
                  to enact laws to protect them. Again : 
                  it was thought necessary that there 
                  should be an Agricultural Bureau for 
                  the General Government, and the local 
                  Governments should control and regulate their own Agricultural Societies. 
                  Then it was thought necessary for the 
                  General Government to have the control of immigration, while, at the same 
                  time, it was desirable that the local 
                  Governments should have the power of 
                  arranging the locality of the immigrants, therefore this power was given 
                  to both. The  forty-fifth paragraph 
                  says :   
                  
                  
 
               
               
               
               
               
                  
                  
                  
                     In regard to all subjects over which 
                     
                     jurisdiction belongs to both the General and Local Legislatures, the laws of 
                     
                     the General Parliament shall control 
                     
                     and supersede those made by the Local 
                     
                     Legislature, and the latter shall be void 
                     
                     so far as they are repugnant to or consistent with the former. 
                     
                     
                   
               
               
               
               
                  This was prepared for the purpose of 
                  
                  protecting the Fisheries, so that if the 
                  
                  laws were not sufficient to  secure the origin 
                  
                  of the great wealth of the country, the 
                  
                  General Government could enact laws for 
                  
                  that purpose. The next objection is to 
                  
                  this paragraph.   
                  
                  
               
               
               
               
                  
                  
                  
                     All such works as shall, although lying 
                     
                     wholly within any Province, be specially 
                     
                     declared by the Acts authorizing them to 
                     
                     be to the general advantage. 
                     
                     
                   
               
               
               
               
                  This produced considerable discussion 
                  
                  at the Conference, and a decision was arrived at different from this, but the subject
                  was reconsidered upon the motion of 
                  
                  the present Attorney General because we 
                  
                  found that New Brunswick would get 
                  
                  more benefit from it as it is, then if it was 
                  
                  put in a different  way. Then in regard to 
                  
                  beacons, buoys and lighthouses. we now 
                  
                  collect this money and expend it among 
                  
                  ourselves, and it is charged upon the shipping. In the Union you do not suppose 
                  the General Parliment will charge the 
                  shipping with anything more than is necessary for this purpose ; if they brought 
                  foward a measure for that purpose Lower 
                  Canada would go against it as well as the 
                  Maratime Provinces. There might be a 
                  law passed by our combined influence to 
                  place this expense upon the General Government, as it is in the United States. He
                  
                  (Mr. Smith) also takes exception to the 
                  37th section.   
                  
                  
               
               
               
               
               
                  
                  
                  
                     " And generally respecting all matters 
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     DEBATES OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY FOR 1866. 35 
                     
                     
                     of a general character, not specially and 
                     exclusively reserved for the local governments. 
                     
                   
               
               
               
               
                  There can be no reasonable objection 
                  
                  taken to this. We had the experience of 
                  the United States before us, and had seen 
                  the working of their constitution. We had 
                  seen the difficulties that had arisen and the 
                  clashing of interests  that had taken place 
                  between Congress and the State Governments. The people had delegated a portion of
                  their power to the State Legislature, another portion to Congress, and 
                  certain powers remained to the people 
                  themselves ; the States claiming certain 
                  rights which they did not possess in the 
                  Constitution, and this led to the United 
                  States war. The hon. gentleman (Mr 
                  Smith) has expressed himself in favour of 
                  a Legislative instead of a Federal Union. 
                  Then how can he object to this power 
                  being given to the General Government, 
                  for much more power would be given 
                  them under a Legislative Union. He has 
                  spoken of this Legislature becoming a 
                  mere corporation, with but limited powers, 
                  but under a Legislative Union all these 
                  towns and  counties would be municipalities, but they would have powers given 
                  them which would be clearly defined. St. 
                  John has certain corporate powers given 
                  to it, but there is no clashing with ours. 
                  He says that when Acts are passed by 
                  each Government which conflict there is 
                  no power to appeal to. Does not the 
                  Scheme say that the laws of the General 
                  Parliament shall control and supersede 
                  those made by the Local Legislature. 
                  Suppose they attempted to interfere with 
                  the rights and privileges of the Local 
                  Legislature, the Local Government would 
                  at once appeal to the Imperial Government, and say, the General Parliament 
                  have exceeded their powers and ask them 
                  to interfere. This is the protection in 
                  this matter. Then he says we have to 
                  send the Bills we pass here to a political 
                  body for their approval. Do we not send 
                  them to a political body when we send 
                  them to the British Government, and no 
                  difficulties occur. Can it be supposed 
                  that more difficulties will arise in getting 
                  the assent of the General Parliament to 
                  our Bills, when we have representatives 
                  there who will make and unmake Governments, than will arise in the Imperial  
                  Government where we have no direct 
                  voice in the matter. He takes exception 
                  to this : 
                  
                  
               
               
               
               
                  
                  
                  
                     34. Until the consolidation of the laws 
                     
                     of Upper Canada, New Brunswick, Nova 
                     
                     Scotia, Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island, the judges at these Provinces appointed
                     by the general Government shall be selected from their respective bars. 
                     
                     
                  
                  
                  
                  
                     35. The Judges of the Court of Lower 
                     
                     Canada shall be selected from the Bar of 
                     Lower  Canada. 
                     
                     
                   
               
               
               
               
               
               
                  He says this implies that Judges might 
                  be selected from other Bars in any of the other Provinces. I ask legal men if they
                  do not consider it an advantage for gentlemen to be taken from the Bar of New Brunswick
                  to be made Judges in Nova Scotia, and vice versa. Cases have occurred here where there was only one Judge on the Bench who was not
                  interested in the matter. It was put down as one of the most desirable propositions
                  that could be made, for it secures Judges who have no local interests or political
                  bias in the Province to which they are appointed. Is it to be said that the members
                  of the profession in New Brunswick are to be confined simply to New Brunswick. If
                  you can put them in a better position they have a right to it. But this cannot take
                  place unless our laws are assimilated. If our laws are different from those of Canada
                  and Nova Scotia there would be a difficulty in having Judges appointed from other
                  parts to decide upon laws they are not conversant with. The Judges of Lower Canada
                  have to be selected from the bar of Lower Canada, for they are under a code of Laws
                  secured to them at the time of Union and they will not change it. The French language
                  being used there it was the wish of the Lower Canadians that they should be selected
                  from Lower Canada. He then objects to the way in which the basis of representation
                  by population was arranged. The basis made was that Lower Canada was to have sixty-five
                  members upon which there should be no increase. That was to prevent the number of
                  representatives increasing in the General Parliament. There is to be one representative
                  for every 17,000 of the population. If the population of Lower Canada increases so
                  that she will have but one representatie for every 20,000 of her population, none
                  of the other Provinces can get any increase unless they have 20,000 in addition to
                  her average of 20,000. 
                  
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
                  Mr. SMITH—Suppose you increase 
                  
                  the representation thirty per cent., does 
                  
                  not that give Canada a larger majority ? 
                  
                  There is a provision that the number of 
                  
                  members may at any time be increased 
                  
                  by the General Parliament. 
                  
                  
 
               
               
               
               
                  Hon. Mr. TILLEY—If that would be 
                  
                  for the benefit of Upper Canada alone 
                  
                  the representatives for Lower Canada and 
                  
                  the Maritime Provinces would not support it, and it could not be carried. 
                  
                  Then again, Railway stock shall be the 
                  property of the General Government. 
                  Our Railway yields but three-fourths per 
                  cent., while the Railways of Canada, 
                  combined with the Canals, yields them 
                  one and a quarter per cent. The hon. 
                  member says that there is no protection 
                  that the different Provinces will receive 
                  this eighty cents per head which is to be 
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  secured to them by an annual grand of 
                  the General Parliament, for he says they may incur liabilities, and this eighty cents
                  per head might not be left for the Local Governments. This might be made a first charge
                  upon the revenues of the country. Do you imagine that a 
                  Parliament representing the Provinces,  
                  the population of which are to get this  
                  eighty cents a head, would vote away 
                  the money that was to be appropriated 
                  for that purpose. Again, all engagements 
                  that may before the Union be entered 
                  into with the Imperial Government for  
                  the defence of the country, shall be assumed by the General Government. We  
                  will have to pay some $105,000 for the 
                  defence of New Brunswick during the 
                  late danger of a Fenian raid. In regard 
                  to the opening up of the North West 
                  Territory, there have been no arrangements made. The Hudson Bay Company have bought
                  that territory, and have 
                  ÂŁ500,000 worth of property there, and 
                  those people will contribute not to the 
                  revenue of Canada, but to the revenue of 
                  the Union. He says that after communicating with Mr. Galt, he was satisfied that 
                  there could be little or no change made 
                  in the Quebec Scheme. I entertain a 
                  different view. I would have been willing to go into Union upon the terms 
                  named, but a large number of the people  
                  of New Brunswick think we should have 
                  a better scheme, and I am willing and 
                  anxious that we should get the best terms 
                  we can. He says that after a conversation he had with Mr. Galt and Mr. Howland at
                  Washington, he came to the 
                  conclusion that no changes could be 
                  made. Then I claim him an advocate 
                  for the Quebec Scheme. How was it 
                  that after he came back he had a conference with His Excellency and agreed to 
                  go into Union. 
                  
                  
 
               
               
               
               
               
               
                  Mr. SMITH—I told His Excellency 
                  
                  that I was opposed to the Quebec Scheme. 
                  
                  The correspondence explains how far I 
                  
                  was in favour of Union, and I never committed myself to any Scheme. 
                  
                  
 
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
                  
                  
                  
                     We also discussed the question as to 
                     
                     whether it had better be a joint committee of both Houses or seperate committees 
                     
                     of each. He told |me at one of our interviews that he thought he would go to 
                     
                     Canada. When I saw him again, I think 
                     
                     the next day, I asked him it he had determined to go to Canada ; he replied 
                     
                     that he had, and asked me what objections I had to the Quebec Scheme, and 
                     
                     said that he would try and ascertain when 
                     
                     there what modifications they would make. 
                     
                     He rose and took the Journals of 1865, 
                     
                     containing the Scheme, and I proceeded 
                     
                     to enumerate the following as some of 
                     
                     the objections, viz : 
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                  
                  
                  1. Representation by Population.  
                     
                     
                  
                  
                  2. That each Province should have an 
                     equal number of Legislative Councillors. 
                     
                     
                  
                  
                  3. That the Lower Provinces should be 
                     exempt from taxation for the Canals of 
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     
                     36 DEBATES OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY FOR 1866.
                     
                     
                     
                     Upper Canada, and for the purchase money and other expenditures connected with the
                     North West Territory. 
                     
                  
                  
                  4. That the Revenues collected in the different Provinces should be for the benefit
                     of each Province when collected, except a certain amount to be given for the support
                     of the General Government. 
                     
                   
               
               
               
               
               Here was an understanding had with His Excellency immediately after his return from
                  Washington. When His Excellency put the acceptance of Mr. Wilmot's resignation on
                  the grounds of Union, he (Mr. Smith) told him that he would go and consult his friends
                  and colleagues upon the question of Union. 
                  
               
               
               Mr. SMITH.—I never was to consult my friends with regard to Union. I was to consult my friends
                  as to whether they would consent that a Select Committee should be appointed to take
                  the subject into consideration after the despatches had been laid before the House.
                  They were to take the whole subject into consideration, and make such suggestions
                  as they thought proper. I stated distinctly in the House that we had no Union policy
                  to submit to the House. This the Governor knew well, and so did every member of the
                  House. 
                  
 
               
               
               Hon. Mr. TILLEY—I think if you were to poll the country North and South on this question of whether
                  the late Attorney General had committed himself to Union or not, there would not be
                  one in fifty but would say that he had. 
                  
 
               
               
               Mr. SMITH—That impression has been created by speeches which have been made not founded on
                  fact. 
                  
 
               
               
               Hon. Mr. TILLEY—I will take the Speech and the Address in answer to the Speech as evidence. 
                  
 
               
               
               Mr. SMITH—The Government in preparing that Speech did not commit themselves to Union. The Governor
                  wanted us to put in something that would have committed us, but we did not. The Governor
                  did not pretend to say that we were committed to Union. 
                  
 
               
               
               Hon. Mr. TILLEY—Then we have no constitution in this country. It is the opinion of every one who
                  knows anything about Responsible Government that they were committed to Union. Some
                  years ago the Governor had a despatch from the Colonial Office which he wished referred
                  to in the Speech. The Government objected to refer to it, because it would make them
                  responsible, and they waited upon His Excellency, and had it struck out. This Union
                  was also referred to in the Address in answer to the Speech, which was moved by Mr.
                  Boyd, a representative from Charlotte. In that it is stated that any measure for Union
                  submitted to the House should receive attention. 
                  
 
               
               
               Mr. SMITH—It is not any measure submitted to the House. It is any 
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  measure that should be proposed. I want the Secretary, when he quotes from these records,
                  to read them. 
                  
 
               
               
               
               Hon. Mr. TILLEY—Is there any difference whether they used the word propose or submit ? The way they
                  dealt with the subject was enough to destroy any Government. To throw the question
                  upon a Committee with the understanding that they should report favorably when the
                  hon. and learned member would be in a position to brow-beat every member. 
                  
 
               
               
               
                  Mr. SMITH—I will not take such  
                  
                  insinuations, for they are false. That 
                  language is unparliamentery. I have 
                  ever treated this House in a respectful 
                  manner. 
                  
 
               
               
               
               
               
               
                  Hon. Mr. TILLEY—If what he says 
                  was correct that at Washington he was told by members of the Canadian Government that
                  no important change could be made in the Scheme, what position would he occupy entering
                  into a negotiation for a change, when he was told no change could be made ? I do not
                  want to create any ill-feeling, but I want to put the matter just as I understand
                  it. Was it treating His Excellency with candour to negotiate for changes when he knew
                  those changes could not be made. I think they can be made. When I read the correspondence
                  relative to the resignation of Mr. Wilmot, I felt the blood rushing to my cheek to
                  hear his motives impugned—to hear them say that they never heard him say anything
                  about Union until he went to Canada. But to come down further in Mr. Smith's speech.
                  He says : 
                  
 
               
               
               
               
                  
                  
                  
                     The Council met at Fredericton about 
                     the third of March. His Excellency in the meantime had returned from Canada. He told
                     me that he had seen Lord Monck and some of the members of the Canadian Government,
                     and he said he thought they would be willing to make concessions. 
                     
                   
               
               
               
               
               This was after Mr. Smith had been told that no concessions would be made. Therefore
                  there is some chance of getting concessions. I have taken up every objection referred
                  to by the ex-Attorney General. I have taken up the finances and shown that in Union
                  with a uniform tariff New Brunswick will not pay more, if not as much, duties as other
                  parts of British North America, because we do not consume as many dutiable goods.
                  It will give us more money for local purposes. It will secure the construction of
                  the Intercolonial Railway. $9,000,000 of the money necessary to build this Railway
                  will be expended in New Brunswick thereby developing the resources of the country.
                  It gives us $1,400,000 for Railway Extension, without costing us a cent more than
                  we paid in 1864. It 
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  was these facts known by the great bulk of the people that caused them to go for Confederation.
                  If the population of Kent Westmorland, and Gloucester had been a reading people, we
                  would not have had the pleasure of seeing some of the hon. gentlemen who represent
                  those Counties, here in opposition to the Government. They have been returned because
                  the French do not read as much as the English population. The press does not have
                  the same influence upon them, and public opinion does not reach them. 
                  
               
               
               
                  The late Attorney General comes here 
                  
                  and appeals to the House upon this question, and tells the members that if they 
                  
                  invest so much power in the delegates 
                  they cannot go back to their constituents and say they have done their duty. I doubt
                  whether the leader of the Opposition—the great anti-Confederate, now a Unionist, can
                  lead them astray. There are a thousand reasons why he should not, although he has
                  made some suggestions which may be acted upon. The country has declared against him
                  both with reference to his administration of the Government, and with reference to
                  his policy on this question. A more inconsistent politician does not live in New Brunswick.
                  When he was in the Government of which I was a member we constructed a railway but
                  when he went out of the Government there was not a man who denounced his own act with
                  as much power and force as he did. When a proposition was before the House to provide
                  for the extension of our railways, he opposed it, and said ÂŁ200 a day was sent out
                  of the Province as interest, and the country could not bear it ; but now he says build
                  these extensions and our railway will pay six cent. His vote is recorded against the
                  Subsidy Act, but he has put those extensions through and even in one respect exceeded
                  the authority given him by law. He brought in an Act to appropriate $10,000 for Military
                  purposes when he was in the Government, and when out of it he voted that that money
                  should not be appropriated for that purpose, but should be given to the bye-roads.
                  The next year he comes in and asks for $30,000, for military purposes, and is there
                  not a letter published in which he tells us that after Union with Canada we will have
                  to heep up an army and navy, and yet he came down to the House when a member of the
                  Government and asked for a navy. He is now a Unionist, although a short time ago he
                  was against any Union with the Canadas. Great as may be his abilities he is more successful
                  when he is seeking to break down, than when he is endeavoring to build up. He is endeavouring
                  to delay this question with the hope that something might possibly grow out of the
                  delay. 
                  
               
               
               
               
               
               DEBATES OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY FOR 1866. 37 
               
               
               
               
               
               
                  Mr. SMITH—Is the thing in that state 
                  that it cannot stand the delay of a few hours. 
                  
 
               
               
               
               
               
               
                  
                  
                  
                  HON. Mr. TILLEY—The proposition 
                  
                  is not for a delay of a few hours but for 
                  a delay which will render it impossible 
                  for that Act to come into the present Imperial Parliament. The object of the proposition
                  is that it shall come back and be 
                  confirmed by the people before it goes to 
                  Parliament, with the hope that a European war, .or a change of ministry might 
                  delay or defeat it, or that it might come 
                  into other hands to carry it out, so that it 
                  could be moulded and shaped to suit the 
                  purposes of those who are now in the Opposition.   
                  
                  
 
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
                  Mr. SMITH—Do you expect the Government will break down ? 
                  
                  
 
               
               
               
               
                  HON. Mr. TILLEY—We do not. If 
                  
                  we were to act as the late Government 
                  
                  acted we would soon break down. We 
                  
                  have made up our minds that when 
                  
                  changes are to be made we will make 
                  them. I will not say as my hon. and 
                  learned friend said to me after we were 
                  defeated—" Tilley we have got you by 
                  the hair of the head for four years," for I 
                  do not consider it a party victory, but a 
                  national one.   
                  
                  
 
               
               
               
               
               
               
                  Mr. SMITH—If any man says anything 
                  
                  in a joke is it to be brought up in a serious debate. I have no recollection of 
                  making this remark at all. If I did he 
                  must have understood it to be in a joke. 
                  
                  
 
               
               
               Hon. Mr. TILLEY—I was not speaking of it seriously. He asked me if I 
                  was afraid the Government would break 
                  down, and that remark brought it up. 
                  We are not going to make it a personal 
                  conflict, for it is a national question, 
                  inasmuch as the people of this country 
                  have felt that their connection with the 
                  British Empire depended upon this 
                  question. Canada is for it, and Nova 
                  Scotia is for it, and this brings to my 
                  mind a statement made by the ex-Attorney General that there was hope for them 
                  yet, and the hope was that the Imperial 
                  Parliament, when Mr. Howe appears before them, will not consent to pass this 
                  Scheme. Whatever may be said in reference to the policy of Canada in this 
                  matter, I should like to know from him if, 
                  when he was in England, he heard any 
                  expression of dissatisfaction on the part 
                  of the British Government that it had 
                  passed through the Canadian Legislature 
                  without being left for the approval of the 
                  people. Did Mr. Cardwell say it could 
                  not be passed in the Imperial Parliament 
                  until the people of Upper Canada had 
                  passed upon it. Whatever may be the 
                  policy in Nova Scotia in regard to the 
                  question, it is perfectly constitutional. I 
                  have no doubt of the course the Imperial 
                  Parliament will pursue, even though 
                  Mr. Howe present all the arguments of 
                  which he is capable. It was thought 
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  a majority of the people of this country 
                  that if they did not go into Confederation Annexation would follow. Those who have
                  been engaged in negotiating for the extension of the trade of British North America,
                  know that peculiar difficulties exist when negotiating out of Union, compared with
                  the facilities which would exist in negotiating when united. It has been said that
                  the Reciprocity Treaty could not be renewed with the United States, because a large
                  portion of the members of Congress and members of the Senate thought it was only necessary
                  to cripple the trade of British North America to bring about Annexation. Will we not
                  let them know that we are for Union, and that our intention is to increase the power
                  of the British Government. We are not as likely to have difficulty with the Fenians
                  as if we had gone against Union, because if we had gone against Union, the opinion
                  of the people of the United States would have been that we were in favor of annexation,
                  and we would have had hordes of men down here, and had difficulties which will not
                  now exist, because the moral effect of this Union is, that both the whole power of
                  the British Government and the whole force of the nation will be put forth to maintain
                  our integrity. The people have spoken emphatically that they desire this Union to
                  be consummated, and their representatives will not accept any proposition to delay
                  this Union, but knowing the principles upon which they were elected, they will speak
                  the opinions of the electors who sent them here. 
                  
 
               
               
               Mr. BABBIT.—I shall take up very few moments, for the subject has been discussed over and over
                  again, and the people of the country have expressed their opinion upon it. It would
                  be entirely out of place for me, even if I had the ability, to take up time in reviewing
                  it. We are informed that Government intend to take the Quebec Scheme as a basis, and
                  delegates are to be appointed to go to England to get the best terms they can. When
                  the subject was brought before the people, after the Quebec delegates had returned,
                  the first objection in our country was representation by population, but after this
                  subject was ventilated, it was ascertained that we could not get anything else, and
                  the public mind was directed to ascertain if a check could not be provided. it was
                  believed that an increased representation would provide that check, and my constituents
                  now ask to have the delegates instructed to endeavor to secure increased representation
                  in the Legislative Council. I agree with the remark made by the ex-Attorney General,
                  that if the Legislative Councillors appointed to seats at Ottawa are simply to have
                  a property qualification here, it 
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  will not amount to a great deal, because some of them would remove to Canada, and
                  instead of looking after our interests they would be looking after the interest of
                  the Canadians, for it is natural to suppose that a man would be most interested in
                  the place in which he resides. We should instruct our delegates 
                  
 
               
               
               
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  in unmistakable terms, that it should be 
                  
                  provided in the Scheme, that our Legislative Councillors should both reside 
                  
                  and have their property qualification in 
                  
                  this Province. If this idea is not carried out I shall think it was the fault of 
                  
                  our delegates and not of the Canadians, 
                  
                  because it is immaterial to them whether 
                  
                  they reside here or there. The next  
                  
                  question the people have mentioned to 
                  
                  me is the eighty cents question ; we feel 
                  
                  that there should be some advance upon 
                  
                  the eighty cents per head. I do not 
                  
                  want this advance to apply to Canada, 
                  
                  let it remain as it is there, but give us 
                  
                  more. I may have narrow views upon 
                  
                  this question, but I say if you increase 
                  
                  it in Canada as well as here we will 
                  
                  have to pay our proportional part of it, 
                  
                  and there will be no gain ; but if you  
                  
                  stop it there and give us the increase 
                  
                  we will gain something. The next 
                  
                  really important question is to define 
                  
                  the action of these two Governments. 
                  
                  I do not believe you can so define the 
                  
                  power but what some little difficulties 
                  
                  will arise, but it should be so defined 
                  
                  that no difficulties should arise which 
                  
                  can be prevented. The delegates should 
                  
                  give that subject every consideration, 
                  
                  so that there may not be a constant turmoil and strife between the two powers. 
                  
                  If we want to prosper, the Legislature 
                  
                  must work in harmony with the General 
                  
                  Government. I cannot agree with the 
                  
                  remarks made by my hon. friend from 
                  
                  Westmorland, (Mr. Smith,) that the 
                  
                  Canadians are prepared to give us 
                  
                  everything rather than not have Confederation, and that we should demand 
                  
                  everything from them. I only ask that 
                  
                  the bargain shall be fair. These are 
                  
                  some of the main things that should be 
                  
                  taken into consideration by the delegates, and I trust they will go unbiassed 
                  
                  and agree to a Scheme calculated in 
                  
                  their judgment to promote the welfare 
                  
                  of the country. 
                  
                  
               
               
               
               
                  Mr. STEVENS —I am not sorry that 
                  
                  this discussion has taken place upon 
                  
                  this question. I think that if we had 
                  
                  passed the resolution without any discussion it would not have been so satisfactory
                  to the country. Whether we 
                  
                  adopt the Scheme in its entirety or have 
                  
                  it modified, the country expects a discussion to arise to give them information in
                  regard to the details of the 
                  
                  Scheme. Those of us who were rejected fifteen months ago for having 
                  supported Confederation, now come 
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  38 DEBATES OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY FOR 1866. 
                  
                  
                  from the great battle, and I feel proud to take my place here where another conflict
                  is going on. If there is one man who should feel more proud than another, it is that
                  man who from conscious merit, when he sees that the people are running against the
                  views which he is conscious are right, takes his stand and breasts the tide, and when
                  after the lapse of time these people who were against him come round and embrace his
                  views, that ought to be the proudest day of his life. We come here after a conflict
                  with renewed vigor, because when this Scheme was rejected before, it was enough to
                  daunt the hearts of any one, that the ablest men in the Province were rejected upon
                  that question. These men were strong in their belief that this question was sound
                  in principle, had truth as its basis, and that it must come in and prevail. Though
                  the trial might have been severe, though you could not see through the cloudy vista
                  any ray of the sunlight of promise breaking in upon that gloom, yet we believed that
                  the time would come when if it was a proper principle it would prevail. "Truth crushed
                  to earth will rise again." 
                  
 
               
               
               So it is in every question that has taken place in history, I refer you to the great
                  emancipation of slaves ; when Britain was agitated from its centre to its circumference.
                  Still men stood strong in the belief that Britain would at last accede to the justice
                  of their cause and that the manacles of the manumitted slaves would fall powerless
                  to the ground. Need I refer to the Reform Bills, and the repeal of the Corn Laws.
                  Though they were supported only by a few leading men of the day, they knew their principles
                  to be correct, and their glory was, what we now ourselves can experience, when the
                  tide of public opinion turned in their favour. History in these questions but repeats
                  itself, and it is repeating itself at this moment. Strange as it may appear, fifteen
                  months ago the people rose in their might and rejected Union, but now they come round
                  and adopt it by large majorities ; just as we have seen and experienced in past time.
                  Let us enquire for one moment into the causes of this change, for certainly there
                  must hve been a reason for it. Had it been a neck and neck race so to speak, then
                  it might have been said that those who possessed the greatest amount of means and
                  money at their command would have had the advantage, and by this means accomplished
                  their purpose ; but when we find that it was not carried by a neck and neck race,
                  but by an overwhelming majority, we must believe it was because the people had an
                  attachment for the institutions of their country. Did they adopt a scheme of Union
                  which they once rejected. I deny 
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  that the scheme of Union as such was what they rejected. Any why ! Because we all
                  know that many of us who had taken the Scheme in our hand, wanted time to consider
                  it in detail, and how were we to expect the people of the country to be more ready
                  to understand the Scheme than we were. What was the result ? The people being frightened,
                  and thinking they were well enough as they were took the wisest and best course for
                  them to take. That was to reject the Scheme, and they did this from the act that it
                  was hurriedly brought upon them, and there were many of those who were unprincipled
                  enough to take advantage of that, to circulate throughout the country the most falacious
                  stories, and taxation was a hobby which they rode to death. Our hens would be taxed
                  and the very eggs they laid would be taxed. They told the poor man who had ten children
                  that he would have to pay $30 because the tax would be three dollars a head ; was
                  it to be wondered at that they rejected it upon those representations. The cry was
                  raised throughout the Province that we were going to sell ourselves to Canada : we
                  were going to be connected with a set of political rogues. If all that was said about
                  them were true, they would be the most horrible people upon the face of the earth.
                  We had men among us who would go to the humble abode of a poor woman, and clap her
                  child upon his head, and say, what a pity that son of yours will have to be sent to
                  Canada as a soldier to fight for her defence. One of the great reasons brought forth
                  why this Scheme should be looked upon with abhorrence was because it was originated
                  by designing men who were seeking their own aggrandizement, and that Mr. Tilley wished
                  to be Governor, and Mr. Gray Judge of Appeals. Whilst these things were being said,
                  people began to suspect the originaors of the crime, and they rose up in their wrath
                  and almost desired to annihilate them. Such was the fearful daubing that was given
                  to this Scheme, that it has taken fifteen months for intelligent men, with all the
                  scrubbing brushes they could get together, to wipe away the dust from it. The opponents
                  of the Scheme said it could not have been the wish of Her Majesty that we should adopt
                  this Scheme, for we could not put our hand upon any despatch to show that the Imperial
                  Government desired it. It was called the Quebec Scheme, and this provided arguments
                  for our opponents, simply on account of its name. If it had been called the New Brunswick,
                  or the Nova Scotia Scheme, it would not have met with so much opposition. As it was
                  called the Quebec Scheme, they said it had its origin and emanated from those reckless
                  men in Canada, and people looked upon it with suspicion, and said 
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  if that is the case, we had better remain as we are. It was said let well enough alone,
                  and it was amusing to find all those fossil putrefactions in the shape of human beings
                  rise up in those days, and take advantage of all the old fogies who felt they were
                  well enough as they were, in the Province of New Brunswick, as hewers of wood and
                  drawers of water, and ought to be content with their position. I am drawing no picture
                  of fancy when I say these were some of the reasons why the Scheme of Confederation
                  was rejected. When the people had these reasons urged upon them, and believed them
                  to be true, it is unfair to say that fifteen months ago this Union was rejected. I
                  find that fifteen months has made a great change in the minds of the people. What
                  has been the cause of this change ? Within the last fifteen months there has been
                  a discussion within these walls, and printed matter circulated throughout the country,
                  and people have read for themselves. This victory is not one party triumphing over
                  another, but it is the noblest victory human nature can achieve. It is the victory
                  of sound reason and mature judgment, that is the triumph that does honor to humanity.
                  If the people have considered this and given their verdict in favor of Union, I say
                  we stand here responsible to carry that out, and not to allow any delay to take place
                  to thwart that great principle. If we were to clog the delegates who go home with
                  instructions, and require them to return and report to the Assembly or people, we
                  might be taking what we consider a desirable course if practicable, but we would be
                  doing what the people did not send us here to do, that is, to endanger the passage
                  of Union. Let us look at some of the other causes which have produced this change
                  in the people's minds. We know that there is a large revolving wheel in the world
                  moving onward, we cannot know all the details of what is reolving on that revolving
                  wheel. If there is anything to be accomplished, at the very nick of time when it does
                  come round, all the power of man is powerless to arrest its force. We are just in
                  that position at present, while we might desire to be let alone, and think we would
                  be better off as we are, there is a pressure of surrounding circumstances that impels
                  us to take to the ship, or lie down and be destroyed. My hon. friend (Mr. Smith) has
                  said the people were in a state of political intoxication. If that is the case now
                  what were they fifteen months ago ? Has it been one continual drunk, or has there
                  not been time to sober off during the intervals. Is it not generally found that when
                  the drunk is over that reason returns. He 
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  DEBATES OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY FOR 1866. 39
                  
                  
                  says again that Fenianism had much to do with this change in the people's minds. I
                  agree with him. It had much to do with it in this way : Mr. Killian and his brother
                  would tell the people within the neighboring border, that if the people of New Brunswick
                  did not wish to go into Confederation they had only to call upon him, and he was ready
                  to come with his band to do the bidding of the disaffected. This sunk into the hearts
                  of loyal people, and if ever New Brunswick did honor to herself, she did it when she
                  threw aside all considerations of mere dollars and cents, and said that rather than
                  join herself to them, or sail in the same boat with those that held their doctrines,
                  she would sacrifice a great deal and go in for Union under any circumstances. I have
                  heard people say, that now the elections are over we will hear no more of Fenianism
                  in the Province. If we do not, its death blow was struck when we showed unmistakably
                  that we were in favor of Confederation. Another reason for this change was the repeal
                  of the Reciprocity Treaty. We found that we were to be placed at the mercy of our
                  neighbors across the border, and that our supply of flour and breadstuffs might easily
                  be cut off, but if we were united we would be independent of them. We found that many
                  of those people in the Province who had annexation proclivities and desires were most
                  violently opposed to the Scheme, while those who desired to maintain British connection
                  were in favor of it. The ex- Attorney General alludes to back-stairs influence in
                  carrying these elections, and speaks of what he calls the treachery and unconstitutional
                  conduct of the Governor. Any man who brings a charge against the Queen's representative
                  ought to see that his own garments are perfectly clear. The Government found they
                  must adopt a Union policy or resign their seats. When that confidential memorandum
                  came out, we found that the Government had had several communications with the then
                  Premier of the Government, and that His Excellency was desirous of espressing his
                  views on Union at the opening of the House. This correspondence discloses what the
                  policy of the Government was, that these despatches were to be submitted to a Committee
                  who were to report in favor of Union. The Government did not desire to take the responsibility
                  upon their own shoulders, but that they might more easily effect their purpose and
                  relieve themselves from embarrassments, they were going to throw the responsibility
                  upon the House. They call themselves constitutionalists, because they say the Governor
                  acted in an unconstitutional manner 
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  in not consulting with his Council. If 
                  he had consulted his Council, and they had not endorsed his reply to the Legislative
                  Council, they would have had to resign, and His Excellency would have had to diasolve
                  the House in consequence ; but if they had endorsed it, this Union policy would have
                  been carried out, and the leader of the late Government would have received honor
                  for it. When Sir Robert Peel, who occupied a high position at home, found it necessary
                  to alter his policy, and stood forth ready to sacrifice place, power, and position
                  for the time being, conscious of his own rectitude, there never was a time when he
                  stood higher as a statesman than when he came manly forth with no covered scheme and
                  no desire to shirk responsibility, but took it upon himself, with a few followers,
                  to advocate his changed policy. Had this been the policy of the late Attorney General,
                  there is no doubt but that he would have made himself one of the foremost men in the
                  Province ; but instead of this he adopted what might be termed a cowardly policy.
                  We came here not to act in that cowardly spirit, but determined to advocate Union,
                  and to carry out the principle of Union in all its integrity. We have been cautioned
                  to act with solemnity, and not to surrender our judgment to the guidance of others.
                  I think it was scarcely necessary to ask us not to surrender our judgment and follow
                  a leader who would leave us wandering in an inconsistent path, one who was opposed
                  to this 
                  Scheme of Union, and whose policy 
                  was a  vacilating policy. We will 
                  follow these statesmen on the floors of 
                  the House who have been an honor to 
                  the country, and the country have honored them, and are only climbing that steep 
                  ascent where their names shall rest when they are no more. We are told that our Local
                  Legislatures will dwindle away. Are we to remain as we are, and never increase in
                  population ? Has it not been shown that there would be very few bills that we would
                  not still have to discuss here ? Suppose our Local Legislature 
                  were to fall into comparative insignificance, must we sacrifice this grand idea 
                  for the sake of a Local Legislature ? 
                  Are we to sacrifice the interests of three 
                  millions of people for the sake of a Local Legislature. All we want of it is to 
                  manage the affairs of the Province. It 
                  was said that the Legislative Councillors 
                  would reside in Canada. Could they 
                  imagine that men with a property qualification of $4000 would remove to Canada and
                  reside among men whom they termed French Canadians and reckless and corrupt politicians.
                  A man would not take all his equipage and remove to Ottawa 
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  for the sake of being there three months with a paltry salary of about ÂŁ250.  
                  
                  There is another objection made to the 
                  Scheme which really has much force in it. 
                  It is said we should have an increased 
                  representation in the Legislative Council. This, if it can be obtained, would 
                  provide the necessary cheeks against any 
                  action taken in the Lower House detrimental to our interest ; but as it is, the 
                  terms are more favorable to New Brunswick than to Canada, because, according 
                  to population, we have two representatives  in the Upper House to Canada's 
                  one. It is said that in the United States 
                  each State sends an equal number of representatives to the Upper House, and  
                  that it should be the same here. The 
                  Senate of the United States exercises the 
                  functions of an executive body, and therefore the same reasons for an equal representation
                  does not apply here. 
                  
                  
               
               
               
               
               
               
                  Were we elected to support Union in 
                  
                  the abstract, or Union under the basis of 
                  
                  the Quebec Scheme, hoping to get improvements ? The main question which 
                  
                  agitated the minds of the people of New  
                  Brunswick was this : was  it Imperial 
                  policy ? If we cast our vote, will we not 
                  be casting our vote for or against that 
                  policy ?  The people believed the Queen 
                  and the British nation desired it, and they 
                  said they would not cast their votes 
                  against the policy of the British Empire, 
                  lest the construction might be put upon 
                  it that they were disloyal to the British 
                  Crown. The cry has been raised throughout the country that the Quebec Scheme 
                  was not a good Scheme. Many people 
                  said they would agree to Union, but 
                  could not agree to the Quebec Scheme, 
                  and when I asked them to point out their 
                  objections to it they could not do it. 
                  This was an easy way of letting themselves down; they had formerly opposed all 
                  Union, and now they would go for Union 
                  but would oppose the Quebec Scheme. 
                  They do this because they think it degrading to change their views. Why 
                  should a man be always crying out against 
                  a building when he has the power to remove it, and build better superstructure 
                  if he can. Any fool can cry down but it 
                  is the part of a wise men to build up. If 
                  the ex-premier does not like the Scheme 
                  why does he not bring in a better. If he 
                  would bring in a Scheme we should  bind 
                  it round with silks and ribbons, and crown 
                  it with a high cocked hat. If he would 
                  only bring it in and present it as his firstborn, in the present emergency we would
                  
                  render it due obeisance. It may show 
                  itself but until, it comes we will take the 
                  liberty of dealing with the one we have. 
                  We have been told that if we went for 
                  this Scheme of Union we would be cutting the last connecting link which binds 
                  us to the mother country. If it is simply the appointment of our Lieutenant 
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  40 DEBATES OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY FOR 1866. 
                  
                  
                  Governor that binds us to the British 
                  
                  Crown our connection must be weak indeed The ex-premier would have had 
                  
                  no objections to have had a Governor appointed even from our own Province, for 
                  
                    it would have relieved him from embarassing difficulties, having come in contact
                  
                  with the present Governor.  The Governor-General will still be appointed by the 
                  Home Government and the Local Governors will be appointed by him. How 
                  easy it is to raise the warning voice—to 
                  act upon people's sympathies, and even 
                  frighten them out of their very senses. 
                  The eloquent voice and the deep tone will 
                  affect the heart and reach even the understanding. I am told that the reason given
                  
                  for this warning is, that we will bitterly 
                  regret our adoption of this Scheme which 
                  is fraught with ruin to our country. Is 
                  he certain of this ? Has he lived so in 
                  the future as to know it. True he is justified on the floors of the House in doing
                  
                  all he can to frustrate what he believes to 
                  be fraught with ruin to the country. But 
                  whilst he believes this measure to be attended with such disastrous consequences,
                  it has occurred to me that instead 
                  of regretting the action now taking place, 
                  the time is not distant when the people of 
                  this Province will praise the men who 
                  aided in raising this mighty fabric. Why 
                  is it that it looms so brightly in the future, 
                  and has a response in every heart that desires to see the country rise from its state
                  
                  of isolation. It is because we are to 
                  have free intercourse in commercial commodities ; and having our mines, minerals and
                  all that make a country great, is 
                  there not reason for any one to judge that 
                  what has taken place in other countries 
                  will take place in our own, when that Union takes place. Is it to be wondered at that
                  in our isolated position the country does not grow as rapidly as other countries.
                  Our manufacturers will tell you they want a larger market. I need not enter into this
                  subject which has been travelled over so often and so well. I ask this House should
                  we not consummate that Union immediately ? Why should be delay when we have been sent
                  here for that purpose ? We should go for Union as speedily as possible, and endeavor
                  to get the best terms we can. Who are to be the Delegates ? I trust they will be men
                  true to their trust, carrying out the wishes of the people, expressed through their
                  representatives, and endeavor to get a larger representation in the Legislative Council,
                  and as many other improvements as possible, but I for one, on behalf of my constituents,
                  say that if by insisting upon them, you fail in obtaining a Scheme, then abandon your
                  insistance and go for the Quebec Scheme. I will refer for one moment to what is said
                  about Canada ; it has been called a bankrupt country, and then again 
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  we have been told that the Canadians 
                  
                  have given $50 a head to every Fenian 
                  
                  that came to our borders, in order to aid 
                  
                  the Confederate cause. I heard an election story, wherein  it was urged that 
                  
                  we should  not go into Confederation 
                  
                  because Canada was a poor country, 
                  
                  and contained more fiddles than 
                  ploughs. We find that the agricultural 
                  implements of Canada is more than sufficient to pay the debts of the Lower 
                  Provinces. It is a country that will 
                  draw the weaker Provinces towards it, 
                  and give strength to them. The geographical lines of distinction between 
                  the Provinces will be swept away, and 
                  we shall be amalgamated as one people. 
                  We shall all be bound together, so that 
                  if you touch the smallest member of the 
                  body the heart will feel the throb, and 
                  send forth all its power to protect it. 
                  We look with ardent hope for the establishment of this glorious Empire, whose 
                  greatness shall be measured only by 
                  comparison, and who in a few short 
                  years shall rival the parent stem from 
                  which it sprung.  
                  
                  
               
               
               
               
                  Mr. HIBBARD—I intend to vote 
                  
                  against the amendment. This is a measure that rises above all party considerations.
                  All party lines should be obliterated, and every man should come 
                  
                  here to help in every reasonable way 
                  
                  he can to bring about a measure so well 
                  
                  calculated to promote the general good. 
                  If the Delegates from the different Provinces were here we might have some alterations
                  made ; but I think it would be 
                  
                  asking too much to ask three million 
                  
                  people to do just as we say. I had the 
                  
                  opinion that the Constitution agreed 
                  
                  upon by the Delegates should not be 
                  finally consummated until it had been 
                  submitted to the Legislature, but I think 
                  now that as the people have decided in 
                  favor of  Confederation, and ask that a 
                  constitution may be consummated, it 
                  would be unwise to delay the matter by 
                  such a course. There is a difference of 
                  opinion on this question between two 
                  of the ablest speakers in the Province, 
                  and their arguments confuse my mind, 
                  for I am not as well versed in the workings of that Scheme as I ought to be. 
                  My hon. friend from Westmorland (Mr. 
                  Smith) says the object of Canada is to 
                  get the Lower Provinces into connection with them in order that their revenue may
                  be applied to the improvement of the canals of Canada. I 
                  think that when we enter into Confederation the Canals and Railroads of Canada will
                  belong as much to New 
                  Brunswick as they will to Canada. I 
                  believe the day is not far distant when 
                  from the first of May until the last of 
                  September the working capacity of the 
                  Canals of Canada and the Intercolonial 
                  Railroad will be taxed to the fullest ex
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  tent. I say New Brunswick ought to 
                  
                  bear its portion of the tax necessary 
                  
                  for the general improvement of British 
                  
                  North America. I have made this a 
                  
                  matter of calculation, and have not  
                  come blindfolded into the Confederation Scheme. I have looked at too vast 
                  opening that lies before us in the consummation of this Union, and asked  
                  myself what benefit will it be to New 
                  Brunswick. I look around, and see 
                  our public domain teeming with the 
                  treasures of the forest, the vast mineral 
                  wealth, the fisheries, and the agricultural capabilities of the Province, and I 
                  say that entering into Union would develop those resources and increase our 
                  wealth. Under Union we would advance more rapidly in science and literature, in railroads
                  and telegraphs, 
                  in civilization and religion, than 
                  we do at present. I believe that 
                  when the General Assembly meets 
                  at Ottawa they will not infringe 
                  the rights of New Brunswick, for 
                  we will form one people, and our interest 
                  will be their interest. We will start in 
                  the race of national greatness, and go out 
                  to the world as competitors with those 
                  who will compete with us. I feel a diffidence in addressing this Assembly, for I 
                  have not the necessary legislative education, or legal knowledge, that the members
                  of the profession have, but I do not 
                  envy them. I am going to vote for the 
                  appointment of delegates  to meet with 
                  other delegates, and I hope they will 
                  never leave London until they have settled the constitution of this Confederation.
                  My hon. friends who oppose this 
                  Scheme are going to shake off the responsibility but at the same they will reap all
                  
                  the benefits. This is a very comfortable 
                  position to be placed in, and if we should 
                  err how nicely they can take the advantage of us. If we should unfortunately 
                  commit an error, it will be a fearful one. 
                  I will not take the responsibility of it, but 
                  will throw it back upon my constituents. 
                  Though I endorse their sentiments they 
                  have an equal responsibility. But presuming the constitution is made, will 
                  there never be a means of amending it. 
                  
                  
 
               
               
               
               
               
               
                  Mr. SMITH—The American Constitution has a provision for amendment. 
                  
                  
 
               
               
               
               
                  Mr. HIBBARD—Perhaps the delegates will see that a provision for that is 
                  
                  inserted in ours. It has been said that 
                  
                  Fenianism has had something to do with 
                  
                  the result of the elections. I believe it 
                  
                  has, but if this Fenian excitement had not 
                  
                  occurred we would still have had a majority. Am I colouring the picture too 
                  
                  highly when I say that thousands of the 
                  
                  surplus population of Europe will be glad 
                  
                  to find a home in British North America, 
                  
                  and at the end of  eighty-eight years is it 
                  
                  unreasonable to suppose that our population would be 20,00,000. If a man 
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  DEBATES OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY FOR 1866. 41 
                  
                  
                  had said eighty-eight years ago that the 
                  
                  neighboring republic would have been 
                  
                  what it is now, he would have been 
                  
                  stamped as a fanatic. Would New 
                  
                  York ever have stood in the rank of 
                  
                  cities which she now does, if it had 
                  
                  not been for the great western country ? If we can get these inland lines, 
                  and compete for a portion of that trade, 
                  and pass it through our canals and from 
                  thence to Britain will it make any difference to us if the tolls go into the Canadian
                  revenue. The Welland Canal a year 
                  or two ago after paying working expenses 
                  yielded $200,000 revenue to the Government. I think Canada will  reap no more 
                  from us than we will from them. 
                  
                  
 
               
               
               Mr. BOTSFORD.—The hon. gentleman who proceded me has said, that in 
                  speaking on a subject of such vital importance to the country, we should divest ourselves
                  of party  spirit and party 
                  feelings. It would be desirable not to 
                  have such observations made in the 
                  course of this discussion as were made 
                  with reference to my hon colleagues in 
                  the late Government and mysel f; when 
                  he applies to that  body the word 
                  treachery, he may be familiar with the 
                  epithet, but I think it more applicable 
                  to his political actions and the actions 
                  of the late Government, of which he 
                  formed a part. The late Government, 
                  of which I was a member. acted both 
                  politically and sociably a fair, honorable course with the Governor, and they 
                  treated him with respect and courtesy. 
                  I have yet to learn that when His Excellency  chooses to enter the arena of 
                  the public press and brand  his Council 
                  with feloniously pilfering a paper from 
                  the archives of the Council, that they 
                  have not a right to hurl that imputation 
                  back, no matter how high the source it 
                  comes from. I would be wanting the 
                  the feelings of a man, if I did not reply 
                  to so gross an imputation. As the 
                  previous speakers have chosen to take 
                  ground that the late Executive 
                  Council have acted with treachery in 
                  their intercourse with the Lieutenant- 
                  Governor, I will draw the attention of 
                  the House to a few preliminary facts. 
                  The Provincial Secretary told us that 
                  we, in endorsing the answer to the address of the Legislative Council, bound 
                  ourselves to a Union policy, and that it 
                  made no matter whether the Governor 
                  consulted us or not, he was justified in 
                  answering the address of the Legislative 
                  Council, praying tor the Imperial Parliament to pass an Act for Union based 
                  upon the Quebec Scheme. If I understand the Constitution of the country, it 
                  is simply this, that when the Governor 
                  speaks on behalf of Her Majesty the 
                  Queen, or with reference to the Imperial policy, it is not binding upon the 
                  Executive of the Province, but if he 
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  
                  chooses to speak on behalf of himself or  
                  
                  his Government, then the Executive 
                  Council become responsible, under our 
                  Constitution, for what he says. In the 
                  first reply to the Legislative Council he 
                  speaks on behalf of Her Majesty, but 
                  in the second reply he speaks on behalf 
                  of himself, and makes his Government 
                  responsible when there was no need 
                  for his doing so, for the address was for 
                  the Queen and not an address to the 
                  Governor at all. I am accused of purloining a paper. ( 
Mr. Speaker.—The 
                  Governor is not responsible for what 
                  he says ) If the Governor chooses in 
                  the 
Royal Gazette to blacken my character and parade his name, not in connection with his Executive
                  Council, I 
                  think I have a right to make use of 
                  such language as will clear my skirts. 
                  I shall make use of the word intrigue, 
                  unless the House says I am not in 
                  order. ( 
Mr. Speaker.—That is not 
                  Parliamentary language.) Then I will 
                  qualify it by saying political intrigue. 
                  His Excellency charges his late advisers 
                  with having improperly taken from the 
                  files of the Executive Council a document which should have been there. 
                  That document was what? It was the 
                  absolute acceptance of our resignation, 
                  and the moment that paper was given 
                  to us we ceased to be Executive Councillors, and we had no rght to go to 
                  the Executive Council Chamber, and it 
                  was our paper. I say that was a gross 
                  charge against us. 
                  
                  
 
               
               
               
               
               
               
                  His Honor the SPEAKER.—This is 
                  
                  contrary to Parliamentary rule. The 
                  
                  communication in which the expression 
                  
                  was made was addressed to his present 
                  
                  advisers, and they are responsible. 
                  
                  
 
               
               
               
               
                  Mr. BOTSFORD. —If the Governor 
                  
                  in Council had laid that communication 
                  
                  before the Council, that would have 
                  
                  been the view to take of it. But this 
                  
                  was published in the 
Gazette and signed 
                  
                  by Arthur Gordon, therefore I treat 
                  
                  him as an individual. I wish to give 
                  
                  the representative of Her Majesty all 
                  
                  due deference, and I shall try to keep 
                  
                  within the bounds of Parliamentary 
                  
                  language, so as not to give offence to 
                  
                  you and the House, and shall err in 
                  
                  judgment  alone. 
                  
                  
 
               
               
               
               
                  The debate was then adjourned until 
                  
                  after the Journals were read to-morrow. 
                  
                  
               
               
               
               
                  The House in Committee agreed to a 
                  
                  Bill introduced by Mr. Kerr, entitled 
                  
                  " A Bill to incorporate the Provincial 
                  
                  Oil Company " 
                  
                  
               
               
               
               
                  The following Bills were then brought 
                  in : 
                  
               
               
               
               
                  "A Bill to amend a law relating to 
                  
                  water supply and sewerage in the City 
                  
                  of St. John, on the Western side of the 
                  
                  Harbor." 
                  
                  
               
               
               
               
                  " A Bill to incorporate the Caulkers' 
                  
                  Association in the City and County of 
                  
                  St. John." 
                  
                  
               
               
               
               
                  " A Bill relating to Warehousing 
                  
                  goods " 
                  
                  
               
               
               
               
                  " A Bill to incorporate the Shipwrights' Union in the City and County 
                  
                  of St. John."   
                  
                  
               
               
               
               
                  The House adjourned until 9 A. M. 
                  
                  tomorrow.
  
               
               
               
               J. P. D.