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in: to Am canise the lnstitut as of On- mio. "your" came with'giad iruce from the members of a party which were doing all that lay in their power to dis- credit democratic institutions; and it came with especially bad grace from a party which no more than a year or two ago was ready to hand over the commerce of Canada to the United States. (Opposition applause.) Mr. Meredith twitted Mr. Ross with having in prospect a fee-paid posi- _ tion for himself after his approaching de- feat in West Middlesex. Mr. Ross retort, ed that Mr. Meredith should not indulge in prophecy. and for a moment or two some sharp cross-firing took place between the two hon. gentlemen. Continuing. Mr. Meredith charged the Goverrunent,wtth all the boasted ability and talent of which they heard so much, with having no policy on this important question. That was the reason why they had appointed a commis- sion of inquiry.and now, after all.it seemed that this commission, which had not yet been appointed. was to have its report ready before the close of the session.) Why, he had expected the commission; would be sent to China and Peru. and all _ kinds of barbarous and semi-barbarous countries.to get information on the fee sys- tem. (Laughter) Mr. Meredith contended there was really no ground for opposing} the proposal to abolish the fee system. Why did they not carry the tee system further and adopt it In the payment of other offices? Mr Meredith said t'ounty Treasurers Were. as a rule, an abler set of men than the class of oilicials they were discussing. They were not paid by . fees. and their salaries averaged less than those of Registrars and other county of- iiciais appointed by the Government. Why should the fee system be malntaitwd for one class and not for another? Mr.Meredith closed by stating that the subject was one that would have to be dealt with in the; next Legislature, though he would rot; prophesy by which side it would be dealt l with. He thought. however, there wt-re; many signs that the people of the country were awakening. and there was every probability that the next elections would see a great change pass over the Province, topposition applause.) Mr. Davis began a brief speech by refer. ring to the news Just received in the House of the sustention of the Liberal Government of Nova Scotia by a great majority. and the defeat of the leader of the Opposition. The announcement was received with loud cheers from the JottV erals in the House. He repudiated Mr, Meredith's lnsinuation in regard to. the Liberal trade policy. The Liberals of ~(hin- ada had adopted the British trade policy. It was the Conservative party which had adopted the American policy of protec- tion. The tee system he considered the best which could be adopted. He was op- posed to the election of otticers; the ex- perience ot the United States in that Ptte was not encouraging. Tearing down was easier than building up, and yet that was what the Opposition was trying. ".'litir policy was indetinite, as to whether elec- tive or municipal appointments. Dr. Meacham followed, referring to a l special example in which the Deputy Reg- istrar had for some time given complete satisfaction in the absence of a Registrar, and giving instances ot unseemly strife for otttce under present arrangements. The commission he thought a farce. while un- der present circumstances the poor man pays the fees. To say that the Dominion Government should be asked to adopt the system proposed was beside the qm-stion, as the cases were not analogous. Dr. McKay moved the adjournment of , the debate at a quarter to 11 o'clock. I Before the House rose Mr. E. F. Clarke asked when the redistribution bill was to be brought down. Hon. Mr. Hardy te-. plied that it was at present not possible to say exactly when. Mr. Clancy asked when the drainage bill would be-brought down and Mr. Hardy replied that it would be ready in a few