The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

of the measure he was criticis- ng it ia tio part of a Iegislator's duty to obstruct yalushle sud much needed rms or defend and perpetuate and extedv Let 'every ed into six districts ot rict send one Tere. 'sentative to County Qouncil. 'minor. municipalities when voting for municipal councilors, can at "tinte cast their ballots for the tative of the district in which the municipality is situate. Plain Talk. The grand jury at the St. Catharine's Assizos o few daysago-in their present- ment amongst other things recom- mended a reduction of the number of grand jurors to fifteen was also recom 'mended, an agreement of two-thirds of that number to be sufficient for the finding of a true bill. To promote tem ce'it was suggested that bars be abolished in hotels and that it be made a penal offerrce for one person to treat another. Mr. Justice Armonrin discharging the grand jury comwented somewhat pointedly on that part of the presentment recommending a Te- duction' in the number of grand juors. He characterised it as an effort to economise in regard to trivial matters, while overlooking the things that were of real importance. There were a t many people, he said, notably iinet who were in the habit of seek- ing curtailment in small things, obliv- jous. of the great leakages that were elsewhere going on. = They plugged up the spigot, but left the bung open. wy 'allowed themselves to be taxed sides without ord. place Lio'ders, : and their friends in a towering passion ond the direct tax advocate is : Rearily sat upon. Bat notwithstand- ing all the righteous indignation of the Antidirect:men a great deal can be said in favor of that mode of furnish- ing supplies for running the machinery of the country. If direct taxation were substituted for indirect, one * fourth of the money which we now pay indirectly would run the whole mnchinery of the country ; for a very large ion of the indirect taxes is [A ep in its collection. In- direct taxation is a costly, cumbersome machinery, leading to and encouraging Doodlism in all its phases ; taxpayers know how much indirect tax 'pay and bave no means of know- ng, so that indirect taxation is the boadiers and it is only when 'boodlers stealings run into the millions that they are ever detected, The broad. ked, heavily laden happy-go easy 2 trudge along with eyes shat ind mouths open paying away at their indirect tazes without knowing or how much. When somebody the | amount equal to the' tire to pay any it it was. unjust to permanent residents and to those who afterwards become residents. Had a sinking fund 'been Somwened many. years ago the corporation 'wou now tres of debt_and the taxes of the town would have been comparative ly light. By paying interest at six per cent per annum on any debt large or small, for 17 years we pay an debt, still the debt remains unpaid er -------- A Golden Wedding. Owing to the shortness of human life and the numerous vicisitudes which * beset its path comparatively few couples are blessed with so long « life together as fifty years, thus entitl- ing them to the honor of a golden wed- ding. Ouresteewed townsman, Mr. Robert Dobson, and the amiable partner of hus life, Mes: Dobson, hav- ing lived together in peace, harmony and love for half a century, sharing each others joys and sorrows, sunshine and shade, going hand in hand where duty led and combining their efforts for the general good. x lively appre- ciation of the genuine worth of the estimable couple induted large numbers of their neighbors to honor them with a golden wedding on the afternoon of the 8th inst. A large representative gathering of the intelligent inhabitants of Epsom and surroundings met at the residence bringing numerous and valuable golden wedding gifts. A most enjoyable time was spent, and the busband and = wife received many hearty congratulations on their long life, and all many more and prosperous married joined in tho wish. that eas.of t may yet ¥ gratul those present on generous acknowledgment of "worth, and we congratulate the happy couple on proving them- selves worthy of general esteem. An Enjoyable Entertainment --The ladies of the Methodist Church, Prince Albert, will give an "at Home" at the Methodist Parsonage on the evening of Friday, 18th mst. A specially attractive program has been arranged and a grand time is assured. Lots of choice music, vocaland instru- mental, recitations, readings, -§c., &e. The ladies know how to entertamn their guests and make them feel at home and an enjoyable Tea will La provided for all present. Tea will be seaved at 7 o'clock and a hearty invitation is ex- tended to all to come.and enjoy a really social # at Home." Remember the time don't fail to be present. All are welcome, £ wm wants are e to eat, drin & Co. have to wear of the Brown, Waite srously, supplied their all that is necessary best quality, newest pest rate. They Diffionlt 'may arise connection with public instituti the administration of laws; the manner in which the revenue of the country is disbursed, snd the plans adopted for increasing and advancing the public interests. 'These, properly managed, lie at the foundation of national great: ness, and their success or failure must increase the joy or saduess of all loyal citizens. May not' the present time be opportune, for at least touching upon some of the public affairs of our country! The changes, failures and disappointments, which have over- taken many of our public men, and the lessons which these things are designed to teach us, in recoguition of the overruling providence of God, may lead to something more cheering for time to come. Now in whatever may be stated in this article, the writer disclaims all intentions of being influ- enced, either by party polities, or sectarian views of Religion, but hetrusts that the views here presented may command the respect of independent thinkers, as well among ordinary com- munities, as politicians and statesmen. Surely it is worth considering, what could possibly have led to such 8 sweeping failure, of the Hon. Mr. Mercier and his parliament, in the late election contest in Quebec ! and which has filled 'the country 'with' astonish- ment. Who could bave supposed a short time ago, when the hon. gentle: man, with giant strides, was step by step, niounting the pinnacle of earthly glory, in which he had not only beguil- ed the country, but even the Church, to indorse his plans of personal ambi- as you state, but rath dence. that . Local the action to quash this: of the seven otelkeep would assume the ing such an action, in the name of one H tion, until after taking what he could | from the State, he was honoured by the uplifted Hands of his Holiness at FH e, with the choice decordtions of thisso manson will sy the prod the public funds; mediate cause, but we think we must look - elsewhere for the real cause, The hanging of the man Riel, and what led to that, in the North West, will readily be remember- ed, now it is probable, that event, the necessity of which, all right-minded people regretted, would have been al- lowed to pass by our French fellow subjocts, as any other similar case, but the Hon. Mr; Mercier, contrary to what might have Leen expected of a gentleman, claiming to be a statesman, saw a chance to make personal gain out of it, and seizing the opportunity, went among his fellow countrymen, mounted the platform, and haranged them upon their national descent and religion, assuring them, that it was the bitter hatred of the Ontario Protes- which were manifest, direful hatred to them, in the hang- ing of Riel. Thus he sounded the Tocsin of war, declaring that. if nec- essary to obtain a national existonce, the flag of our Empire, which so long has braved, "The battle and the breeze," should be neutral, and the Tricolour lifted over the land. This Mercier and his Parliament took office, expen | But now that 'our fellow subjects, in | helping the hon. 24 drawn er, ini itheir support, did allowed this andacious man, to think of that may be the im- te It appears that | increasing in num vince of Ontario, arty, or Oounty Ji don, we have the rights. If voters' the receptacle of view to preventing representatives the whole franchise 8 erates such an people should ki honest, franchise 'country, they have with- |i