County of Perth Herald (Stratford), 8 Jul 1863, p. 2

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¥ Gg adjustment scheme ? * eam ow) The Perth Gounty Herald. ; WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, vats Representation. There is no question, since the Cler- gy Reserves were settled, about which there has been more spoken or writ- ten, than has been about the question of Representation. The Reformers have heretofore made it their party cry. They were never done speaking about it and writing aboutit. Every person expected that, when the Macdonald- Sicotte ministry took hold of the reins of Government, this question would have been taken up and an atiempt at least made to settle it. The people of Upper Canada of all shades of politics were perfectly astounded when this ministry made the announcement that they had abandoned Representation by Population and had taken in its place the "double majority." Even the Globe was taken by surprise and was unable to conceal the disappoint- ment he felt. No person fora moment thought that men who had said so much on the subject of representative reform as had Wm. McDougall and others of the same school would or could have acted as he and his col- leagues did. His celebrated resolution on that question placed on the journals of the House on the 4th of March 1862 in which he declared that the peace of the province would be endangered unless something were done inthe way of giving to Upper Canada her rights in the matter of Representation,--and his speech as a member of a Reform (?) Cabinet but a few weeks after in which he called Representation by Population a "humbug", stand before the people in terrible contrast. There is no doubt, there can be no doubt but that Upper Canada is justly entitled, on two grounds, to a larger share in the Representation than she now has. Her population greatly ex- ceeds that of Lower Canada; and she pays a much larger proportion of the general revenue than the eastern sec- tion does. The questions then for the people of Upper Canada to ask them- selvesin regard to this matter are these: shall we demand Representation by Population pure and simple; or shall we ask a readjustment which will sep- arate the united counties, and divide the over grown ones in Upper Canada, so that we will receive an increase of fiye or six members ; or representation in proportion to our numbers and the proportion of the revenue which we pay. Ail parties admit that Upper Canada, as the matter now stands, is not justly and impartially dealt with. All agree that a readjustment of the Representation which would give a few more members to thie upper section of the Province is the only means of remedying these evils--unless the extreme course of separation, which should be the last resort, be adopted The question now comes up, who are the men to carry out a proper re- We have seen what the Reformers called an equita- ble readjustment, viz: to give an in- crease on the whole of six members, three to Upper and three to Lower Ca- ada. Had this scheme been carried out in what way would it have re- moved the evils under which Upper Canada was said to be groaning ? It is clear to every one that an ad- dition of three members to each section could not in any manner have changed the relative proportion of the present Representative System. The number | of Representatives returned in each section would have been increased from 65 to 68; but would not Lower Canada still have had as many mem- bers as Upper Canada? Where then was the benefit? Thisscheme would have increased the ordinary expendi- ture without having removed one single defect. We know Representaton is a diffi- cult matter to deal with. It is hardly to be expected that the members from the Lower Proyince will support a scheme which would take a certain amount of power out of their hands. Still we are confident did Upper Can- ada stand a united body in this mat- ter, a redistribution}might be had. We are forced to say however that, as re- fidence whatever in the present min- istry, nor do we believe they will ever attempt to settle that matter. Look at their composition--the Premier has always been and now is opposed to any change in the Representative Sys- tem; the Lower Canada section ofthe ministry are pledged to oppose any measure which may be introduced having a bearing upon that subject-- Mr. McDougall has declared it to be a humbug--Mr. Wallbridge and Mr. Holton are opposed to it--where then Would the Globe These are evidently are its supporters ! point them out! not the men to settle this much vexed question. They have already shewn themselves to be regardless of every thing except office; they have aban- doned principles which they had held, or pretended to have held, for a life- time, in order to secure the place and salary of ministers of the Crown : is it to be even hoped then that they will grapple with this most difficult of all We hope they may, but we cannot believe it. If ever this question is settled it will be by the moderate of all parties uniting for that purpose. men--surely there are men who love principles rather than gain; 'right in Let these men stand forward--let them raise their voice so as to be heard, and there is no doubt of the result: either the pres- ent men will be driven from power or they will be forced to take the matter up. Any ministry that will take up Re- presentation with a determination to settle it satisfactorily, deserves, in that at least, to be supported. It is a mat- ter of too much importance to us for our friends to offer any opposition toit because it might be taken up by their opponents. If the present Min- istry, in accordance with what the Globe promised, introduce a measure for the proper redistribution of the Representation, let every Upper Canadian member support it. Let there be no more readjustment humbugs, however, such as that pro- posed by. the Macdonald-Sicotte _ca- binet, ment, let it be such as will in some way or other tend to benefit us, and not a scheme that would add to the ordinary expenses without removing one single evil. We consider that the Hon. George Brown is pledged before the Country, pledged particularly to Upper Canada to see that something be done in this matter as soon as the House meets. Since the fall of the Macdonald-Sicotte ministry the Globe has not failed to keep that measure before the people. Mr. Brown, through the Globe main- tained that the reconstructed Cabinet were more favorable to the interests of the western section than were their predecessors. Let the people of Upper Canada see to it that Mr. Brown keeps his promise inviolatelet them see to it that there is no mote shirking, questions !! There are preference to wrong. has If we are to have a readjust- gards Representation, we have no con- | no more double majorities, no more humbugs--but that Representation be granted. Mr. Brown, who appears to be the magician behind the screen, tue maker of the Cabinet and the or- ginator of what ever pulicy they mem- bers of it have, has long kept up an agitation throughout the Country about this reform. He has long called upon the people to vote down any ministry which would not legislate upon it. He has now a Reform ministry in power, he says they are sound upon this question, he says Upper Canada is Shall he and those whom he has recommended to Upper Canada escape if the pledges he has made be not observed, if a re- distribution of the Representation be Either Representation suffering for want of it. not granted, or an overthrow of the Ministry--let that be the motto of the Representa- tives of Upfer Canada. Remarkable. It would appear, from a speech de- livered by the Hon. Wm. McDougall at Uxbridge, Norih Ontario, on the 27th June last, that it is not the inten- tion of the Ministry to summon Par- liament to meet before the usual time. Mr. McDougall says :-- "He might just say, that he thought, notwith- standing the supplies had been withheld through the factiousness of the Opposition, the House would not meet much---if any---before the usual time. The supplies for two years could as well be given then as earlier, and the expense and inconvenience of an extra session saved. He thought it prudent to caution the people against too high expectations from retrenchment in the ex- penditure. There is only $3,000,000 upon which any saving can be effected, and on that amount the reduction must necessarily be small. The government had, however, determined to make the income meet the outlay, so that there should be no more annual deficits. The interest on the public debt could not of course be reduced, but the other expenditures would as far as possible consistent with efficient service and sound policy. They might think his salary of £1,200 per year large, but he could assure them he was greatly the loser, and the same was to be said of other salaried officials. In matters of that kind retrenchment was not to be looked for. A sound practical Reform government was in power, and a bright future was before the coun- try." After theggdmissions here made we need not feel surprised at any thing these men will do in future. The statement of the Commissioner of Crown Lands is certainly bold. We doubt, however, if the Ministry will dare pursue such a course. It would be doing the very thing they, as indi- viduals, have so strongly and so justly condemned--spending the people's money without the authority of Par- liament. We can hardly imagine them capable of such an act. They must know and feel that it is a most dangerous, a most suicidal course. | If ministers have a right, or if they can spend the public moneys without the sanction of Parliament as may suit their own convenience, where is the use for a Parliament at all? Where is the use for the expenses connected therewith? The right to spend the people's money without their consent as expressed by their representatives in Parliament assembled, is a power the ministers do not possess. It is a power they have no right to assume, After the money has been expended what can Parliament do? It is not then possible to.get it back. It is of no practical importance to say this The supplies, so far as that part of it is sum or that was too much. concerned, may as well be voted as not. It is different, however, when Parliament is asked to vote the sup- plies in,the first place. Then if there is any sum too large or any too little the representatives of the people have it in their power to changeit. Hence the reason why Parliament is asked to yote the supplies. The right of voting the supplies is too important a matter to be quietly yielded up. The right of the people to control these matters, and the attempt on the part of the sovereign to take away that right caused a king to loose his head. Should. the present ministry dare as- sume the power and the right to do as may to them seem best, seem most convenient in the matter of spending the people's money, we trust there is spirit enough in the people to resist it We can hardly believe such a course will be pursued by the Ministry. We do not think they have lost all respect for constitu- tional usuage: if they have, however, and if they elect to pursue the course foreshadowed by Mr. McDougall, let such an example be made of them as will prevent other Cabinets from daring to follow such an unconstitu- tional precedent. There is another matter referred to in Mr. McDougall's speech which we must not pass over. Retrenchment! He says there is but $3,000,000 upon which any saving can be effected, and on that amount the reduction must necessarily be small. The truth be- gins to come out. Mr. McDougall and his colleagues have abandoned all their former party cries for the sake of office. So low were they reduced before the vote of non-confidénce was taken, that they claimed support upon no ground but that of retré¢nchment. In that, however, wonders were to have been effected. It is patent to every one that up to the time the House was dissolved, in the matter of retrenchirent they had eflected no- thing. Now we are informed by Mr. McDougall that no retrenchment can be effected. We presume they begin to find out that their policy, whatever it is, is not likely to be such as will meet with general approbation, and have therefore made up their minds to hold office as long as they can. They have nothing now to care for but to pocket the $5000 till the usual time for convening Parliament, when, no doubt, they anticipate defeat. Mr. McDougall consoles himself for his past abandonment of principles by saying, ** George Brown and all the party had been compelled to adopt it" --the course pursued by Mr. McDou- gall and his colleagues. Here thenis the Commissioner of Crown Lands boasting that Mr. Brown and all the party were compelled to adopt the policy of the late Ministry! | What was that policy? Was Representa- tion by Population or the rights of Upper Canada part of it?) How could it? Did not Mr. McDougall say. it was a humbug--that he did not be- lieve in it--and does he not still say he will oppose it unless it has a large majority in the House indgpendent of the twelve ministers? Was non-Sec- tarian Schools, or the non-extension of the system, part of that policy? Certainly not. Was not the Sectarian School system extended, and does not Mr McDougall now say that his views are changed upon that subject. He need hardly have given us this piece of information; his course on that question shewed his views had changed. It follows then, from this, that Mr. Brown's views, notwithstand- ing what his paper says, have changed on both these important questions. It is also evident from Mr. McDougall's speech, that Geo, Brown is now mis- leading the people of Upper Canada in regard to the policy the Ministry intend pursuing There can no long- er be any doubt in the mind of any one but that the re-constructed Cabi- net will refuse to grapple with the re-distribution of the Representation. A short time, however, will clear up all. War News. In our last we noticed that General Lee had advanced into Pensylvania and had succeeded in establishing himself pretty firmly on Northern soil. We also noticed that General Hooker had been removed from his command and a General Meade putin his place. Hooker has proved to be useless as a commander, otherwise Lee could not so easily have advanced as far as he did. The President saw that some- thing must be done: and General Meade was appointed. On Wednes- day of last week a battle commenced between Generals Meade and Lee, which lasted till Friday, when Lee was forced to retire. The accounts of the battle, which, we have no doubt, was well fought on both sides, are so conflicting as yet, that nothing really definite, except that the North has had rather the best of it, is known. The losses in killed, wounded, and prisoners are variously estimated at from 20,000 to 30,000 men on each side. There is no doubt, but Lee is retiring in good order, and will take up his position again in Virginia. European News. ) . Jt would appear by the latest news that France and Spain, conjointly, are about to make another proposal to England to mediate in the Ameri- can question, The "Times" consid- ers that Her Majesty's ministers will either have to refuse or accept an of- fer of joint recognition, or hit upon a third course if that can be found.-- There is little doubt entertained but that France and Spain will now move in the matter. Potawp.--The Polish insurrection appears to be unchanged. The atro- cities said to be practised by the Rus- sian troops on the insurgents are most inhuman. Russia, itis believed, will not listen to the proposals made by The ' Times" con- ' the other Powers. fesses to feel somewhat uneasy as to the position which England may be compelled to assume in the Polish question. It is possible the Polish insurrection may end in an Kuropean war. Dicceseof Huron: Meeting of the Synod. The annual meeting of the Synod of the Anglican Church for the Dio- cese of Huron, was held in London last week. The Synod assembled on Tuesday, 30th June, and continued its sittings until Friday. The address of His Lordship the Bishop opens with a thankful acknow- ledgement of the mercies vouchsafed them during the interval since last meeting, during which time no inroad had been made on their number by death. It then refers to the deaths during the year of the late Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Que- bec, and proceeds to detail the per- sonal labors of his Lordship during the past year. His Lordship visited 62 congregations in the diocese ; confirm- " ed 520 candidates ; opened 10 and consecrated 11 churches ; ordained 6 priests and 4 deacons; preached 126 sermons ; attended 12 meetings of the Church Society ; andin the discharge of these duties travelled 6120 miles. The total number of churches in: the diocese wNich lave been opened for divine service is now 105, while in 1857, when the diocese. was created, there were 59. Since the last meet- ing of the Synod in June, 1862, some changes haye taken place in the body of the clergy. Three have removed. from the diocese, and are now em-- ployed in the dioceses of 'Toronto and! Montreal, and one has returned to Europe. Thus the number of the clergy has been reduced by six, and in their stead four deacons have been ordained in the course of the year, and two clergymen have been receiv- -- ed into the diocese, one from the United States and one from the Church | of Rome. Thus the number is' still seventy six. The inerease anticipat- ed last year has not been realized. in consequence of the withdrawal. of so. many clergymen, which he trusts will be the cause of renewed action on their part to educate, ministers in their own diocese--His Lordship -- next referred to the flattering success of the project mentioned by him in : in his charge to last Synod of form- ing a' college where young men might be trained under his own eye. For this purpose he commissioned | the Venerable Archdeacon Helmdth | to proceed to England as his commis- | sioner to plead their cause. In this: he-was successful in his first visit, -- $23,000, and as a result the 'property | of the late L. Ridout Esq.; was pur- chased immediately for the college the venerable Archdeacon being ap- pointed principal-and divinity pro-_ fessor. In 'October he again went to England, when his missiéa was signally successful. A kind friend" ofiered. him £5,000 sterling to endow _ divinity chair, which has been ac- | cepted and the amount. invested. A number of afrangements have al- -- ready been made, by which. the col- lege willbe opened without delay , and he expressed his intention to ¥ make further efforts in order that the J institution may .in a few years be -- placed in an independent position. The _ Bishop next acknowledged the re- ceipt of a number of book donations -- from several English societies, besides | the grant of £100 from the society for -- the promotion of Christian Know- -- ledge, for the erection of churches -- -- The Church Society of the diocese re- ports a slight decrease in its funds this -- year.. The Lord Bishop next referred -- to the Colenso controversy in terms

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