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R 17,479. ' _ If the ladies of Ontario felt any re-- sentment at the lack of franchise privi-- leges they did not display it yesterday when they filled the Legislative cham-- ber at the opening of the second ses-- sion of the eleventh Parliament of the Province. -- The Government was incon-- spicuous among the palms around ths steps of the throne, private members were undiscernible, even the representa-- tive of the Crown was but slightly dis-- tinguished in the brilliant picture pre-- sented by the crowied scene. _ Almost all the seats were occupied by ladies, ; and their costly and rich--tinted raiment 'rose in great banks of color from the narrow searlet carpet strip on the floor of the House over the steep gailleries almost to the roof, _ There was a faint --prevailing tinge of green in many shades of the fashionable line, and when the military uniforms were assembled about the table these formed a bright knot of color among the ladies' costumes. _ This brightness was reflected in dots of crim-- son here and there, with dark purple and gold and lavender, while a number of black gowns lent depth to the general | tone. While perhaps not quite so gorge-- | ons as last year, the whole effect was one of great beauty, The first event loaatitract attention was the entrance | of Mrs. Mortimer Clark, escorted by the 'Premier, and followed by Miss Clark and Miss Elsie Clark. The assembly rose in greeting, and almost immediate-- ly the first gun of the salute of fifteen for the Licutenant--Governor -- sounded | dully from outside, _ At the moment | Hon. Geo. W. Ross, leader of his Ma-- jesty's loyal Opposition, came in and : took his seat, his desk, like that of the ' Premier, being decorated with a vase of roses and narcissi, A few moments Imore and the military procession enter-- i('d, His Honor was escorted to the i building by a detachment of Royal Cana-- dian Dragoons, under Lieut,. MceMillan, ; and was accompanied by Major J. F. @ io M | Macdonell, his secretary, Lieut,. Young, R. C. D., his personal aide--de--camp, and Brigadier--General Otter, A. D. C. to his Excellency the Governor--General. The guard of honor consisted of 100 men of the 48th Highlanders, under com-- mand of Capt. Cosby, and the band of that regiment was also present, . The salute was fired 'by the Toronto Field Battery, under command of Capt. Rich-- ardson. _ His Honor the Lieutenant-- Governor walked beside Hon. J. P. Whitney and proceeded slowly towards the throne, _ Seating -- himself -- and wearing his plumed hat, he read the speech, which bid fair to rival a Presi-- dential message in length. The read-- ing was received with waving ftans on the part of the ladies, and as soon as it was concluded all rose once more while his Honor retired, 'The throng im the eorridors caused an almost unseemly erush at the door during the reading of the speech, The Speech From the Throne. The spech from the throne was as follows :-- "Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Leg-- islative Assembly : "I take great pleasure in meeting you again as representatives of the Province in Parliament assembled. ' "Gur very earnest thanks are once more due to Almighty God for the boun-- tiful harvest of the year that has passed, which even excels the one that called for our gratitude last year. With this harvest, the market conditions have been such as to maintain the prosperity which our farmers have enjoyed in re-- cent years. -- This has been noticeable in the dairying industry, the output of which has been very large. The evi-- dences of steadily increasing enterprise and activity on the part of our people which have been apparent for several years past are to be seen on all sides at the present time, and afford good rea-- son for congratulation and thankfulness. Ontario Agricultural College. "The past year has been the most suc-- cessful in the history of the Agricultural College from the standpoint of the num-- ber of students, the number of farm visitors and the amount of work done. For the first time in its career, the total number of students of all classes ex-- ceeded one thousand. -- The Macdonald Institute has apparently taken firm hold on the appreciation of the public, and farmers' daughters have come to its halls in numbers that promise a very bright future for the institution. _ You will be asked to provide funds for in-- creasing the teaching facilities of the college in various departments. The Increase in Immigration. '"The past year has shown a large in-- crease over previous years in the num-- ber of immigrants settling in Ontario. Preparations are being made to receive and settle a larger number during the present year, who will be directed to the farms of the Province. _ With increased facilities and an improved system, it is confidently expected that the immigration and colonization work of this Govern-- ment will reach the highest mark yet at-- tained. _ The funds appropriated are be-- | ing used solely to ass i farm and domestic help. Earl and Countess Grey. "Since the last meeting of the Legis-- lature, his Excellency, Karl Grey, Gov-- ernor--Genera} of Canada, accompanied by Countess Grey and their estimable family, have visited several sections of the Province, and the seat of Govern-- ment has been honored by their pres-- ence on two occasions. . The people of the Province have noted with satisfac-- tion the great interest taken by his Excellency in all matters affecting their welfare and happiness. _ The extensive experience gained by his Excellency in the various public positions which he has occupied renders his opinions on such questions of the greatest possible value; while the interest manifested by the Countess Grey in all movements of a philanthropic--and social nature has been a source of great satisfaction. The T. & N. 0. Railway. "Since the last' session, an agree-- ment has been arrived at with the Do-- minion Government for the negotiation, on equitable terms, of a treaty with the Indians who occupy large portions of the Province not now under treaty. Many Important Bills. '"The growing importance and value of the mineral interests of the Province call for the most careful consideration and management, ®#nd necessary amend-- 'ments to the mining law will be sub-- mitted to you for your consideration. "You will be pleased to learn that the operation of tfle first section of the Temiskaming & _ Northern -- Ontario Railway for the past year has been very satisfactory,--the income being largely in excess of the expense of operation,-- and that 'the construction of the ex-- tension of this road has been proceeded with in the most energetic manner. "Among the measures to be sub-- mitted to you for your consideration, in addition to the amendments of the min-- ing law above mentioned, will be: Bills, respecting County Councils; respecting the Department of Lands and Mines; amending and consolidating the liquor license act; amending the volunteer land grants act; revising and amending the railway act, the street railway act, and the electric railway act; amending the agricultural and arts act; amending and consolidating the several acts relat-- ing to companies; revising and amending the acts relating to public schools, and the act respectipg the Department of Education; respecting the University of Toronto; and amending the supplemen-- tary revenue act, 1899, providing for the taxation of railways. Electric Power. "The extraordinary possibilities which | the future may have in store with refer--| ence to electric power are still attract--| ing increased attention on the part of scientific and practical men. It is ex-- pected that the report of the commis--. sioners appointed <-- to enquire into and-- report upon hydraulie and electric power in the Province will be laid before you. before the close of the session. . A mass | of information has been collected, which. will, no doubt, be of great value in the: future consideration of this very import-- ant question. The University Commission. "In the month of October last a com-- mission was appointed to report upon in providing hi th t1, P! &1 B1 ti eg t fc Tt