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G. ROBKRTSON, TREASURER OF THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC. *:A^A^Sii**.i- DELIVERED IN TKE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, QUEBEC, 24th Novembei?. 1871 {Ih poried fur Morning Chronicle,) QTJEBEO : PZIZSTTEID B3r J. J-. FOOTB, 1S71. ■■!•* '■■*?■ ,t;"'"!^*" p BUDGET SPEECH OF THE HON. TREASURER OF QUEiJEO. November 24th, 1871. AFTER RECESS. The House met at half-past seven. cI^^T f<- ^^^^l^^t'l'SpN then moved the House into Committee ol ^upply. In (loing so, he said :— l/^^";u''^^n^'-^'~^,"l"''^^^"- ^^^^"'o^'on that vou should id';: fK 'l^'"",' TV^'' ^^''''' ^"^ "^^^ Committee, to c^ s'doi the ^,upply to be crranted Her Majestv, for the fia-^al .av begnnng lie Ist ol' .July next, it is duo to the Hovm! and country, tha^ somo explanations be -iven as to our ^^m:^::^^''''''^- ^'- ^^^ ^-^ ^-al yea. e^d^:^ Under our syst,mi of C'onslitutional Governm<')it 't be- bule.^ n^""S '' necessary for carryino. on the public and ^ fM w ''''''*'^ "^ *^" ^-^"«"« departments ; and as this House is responsible to the people fo Its acts, Hon. Members have a right to understand iulv our imancial position and to pronomice thereon ; to exaS DOsed of'T^f' 'Y ^''"^''' '^PPr«P^i«tions ha've been dis- posed oj, s also to examine into the probabic income mand of the government. I shall Mr. Speaker, endeavor to give the House (he fullest information, in my power, on tfese points tmstin; members will, as heretolori', give me their patient atten- tion and extend lo me that courtesy and consideration which have always been given to every member of this House, V\iiile addressing his colleagues. I am qi\ite aware of the difficulty of making a financial statement interesting. There is no room for lancy or imagination to play. No- thing but plain, dry muttors of fact to be dealt with, and did I rely on my ability to make my remarks interesting to Hon. Members — I am aware I should only miserably fail. At the same time, as it devolves on me, to give such infor- mation and explanations as the House requires, I shall do so in the best way I can, trusting that in connection with the printed documents in the hands of Hon. Members, such information may be given as will enable them to arrive at a true knowledge of the state of our affairs. I would, at ilic outset, wish to guard Hon. Members, from supposing that the Public Accounts cf the Pro- vince, submitted from year to year, are to be taken as shewing the real standing of our Provincial aflairs — that is, that the sources of revenue irom which our receipts an^ credited from year to year, and the items of expenditure shown in our published statement. s, are the only available sources of revenue which the Province can command, or the only objects for which the Provhice may be called upon hereafter to disburse money. The Public Accounts there- fore are merely .statements of moneys received and moneys paid out by the Government, and do not show either our resources or liabilities. Happily for us, our sources of re- venue are more ample than those from which we have hitherto received our cash receipts, and the principal ob- ject for which we will have to pay out money, over and above those highly important objects, which have already been aided and assisted from the public purse — will be, for payment of interest upon our share of the surplus debt of the late Province of Canada, over the sixty-two and a half millions of dollars, assumed by the Dominion Grovernrnent. As the Province advances in population and wealth ; as our natural resources are develop- ed ; and as our means of communication are perfected, our sources of revenue will increase, thereby, our ability to aid still further in developing and assisthig enterprizes likelv to benefit the Province. In the meantime, may I be allowed to allude shortly to our position, as respects the pending Arbitration between Ontario and Quebec. I am well aware that this question was fully aiul aoly discussed at last session of tne House, and also the other day durinij this session ; but the importance of . j sub- ject is such, that, 1 think, it is desirable that the House and the Country, should be put in possession of all facts tending to make it well and clearly understood. 1 cannot admit even for a moment, or for the sake of argu- ment, that the pretended award given by the two Arbitra- tors, is worth anything either in favour of Ontario or against Quebec — not worth to Ontario what it is rumored she had to pay, before the so-called award would be signed. It will be in the recollection of many of the members of this House, the action which was taken by the Government, and fully endorsed by the Legislature, in protesting against any validity being giveii, by the Dominion (jrovernment, to the pretended award, as rendered by tvvo arbitrators only, when this Province was unrepresented on the Board or before the arbitrators. The action of the Dominion Government was anxiously looked for by our people. That Government has the pay- ment of the subsidies to the respective Local Governments to make, under the B. N. A. Act of G7. Inasmuch as the interest on the surplus debt of the late Province of Canada, over the sixty-two and a half miilion dollars, assigned by that Act to the Dominion Government, has to be paid by the Provnices of Ontario and Quebec, or retained by the Dominion Government out t f their respective subsidies. It was no wonder, considering the issue at stake, that we, in this Province, were anxious to know what validity, if any, would, be given, by the Dominion Government, to a judgment rendered so much at variance with what we believed to be equitable and just The Dominion Govern- ment did whj,t I am bound to say I fully expected, in so far as paying no attention to the a\vard was concerned, that is, that no calculation should be made in paying the sub- sidies to the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec respectively, upon the proportion of the surplus debt assigned to each Province by the award . I um The Dominion GcJvornnn^nt troatod tho awuvd as no just award, and actod as it'it hiulnoil)ocn rcndorod, without ox- pressing- in sot tovnis, aN I was in liopcs would havo l)een done, tiiat the proceediii<>H of the two Arbitrators, — the one ajjpointed by the Doiuinioii Government and the one ap- pointed l)}' the (lovcrnment ol' Ontario, — alter tlie .vith- drawnl ol the Ar])itrator appointed by the (.Quebec (Jovern- ment, were utterly null and void. (Hear.) However, so iar as practical purposes were concerned, the iJominion iro\>: ernment treated the award as worthless, and, possibly, with the A'iew oi'geiting' out ol'rather a tiuht place, or ot'shil'tiiifj' oil' some measure of res))onsibility upon othert;, it was sug- p;ostcd that the two Provinces might agree on a joint case to be submitted to the Committee of the Privy Council of lllng'land — the hig-hest tribunal in thi' British domhiions — for its opinion thereon, or if this were not done, either Province might appeal to the Privy Council for an opinioit: on the question submitted. Such opinion, when obtained, to be a guide for the Dcnninion (Tovcrnment in its future action in the premises. Now I must confess, p.-rsonally, to having strong objec- tions against appealing to the English Privy Council, upon the Arbitration matter. I am of opinion the whole question might, and should have been settled on thi.sside the water. Here a better knowledge exists of the whole facts of the case in relation to the former position of the l^rovinces of U. and L. Canada at the time of the Union in 1841, and of the whole current of legislation during the Union ; and here also the pretensions of the two provinces could be better imderstood, appreciated, and adjudicnted upon than by a tribunal in another country, however learned, ttdentcd and desirous of doing justice in the premises the members of that tribunal might be. (Hear, hear.) ■ ^'viv':' ■;• Ontario, however, insisted upon goinii- before the Privy Council in England, and lest itm'ght he supposed — or urged against us hereafter, that we had fears of the justice of our cause, and of the result before the English Privy Council, and lest our non-action and non-consent aiul silence might be construed into an admission of the award, or a waiver of our protest against it, the Government agreed, so far as to acknow- ledge the record of proceedings had before the Arbitrators as kept by the Dominion Arbitrator, while Quebec was repre- "■*'■.■ scuted before them, to be substantially correct. (")!' course, al'ter Quebec withdrew iVom the Arbitration we could su) nothing about the records. The Minutes, ] must say, were kept imperfectly, not signed l)y the party keepinj^ them, no evidence reanced to writing, and the oriuok of Minutes given into the po.sses,'jion ol the Treasurer of On- tario. ■.V'."'-'.- .'. The Government of Quebec has agreed tlius far, in order that the record of proceedings, such as it is, might be made up for the Privy Council. Our Oovernment has had prepared, in order to protect ihe rights of the Province, and now nearly ready for priming, a statement of our preten- sions, respecting the legality of the proceedings of the two Arbitrators, and of our rights as a Province, respecting the division of the sur])lus debt and assets, with documents, and legal ophiions in support of whn! \,\) l)elieve to be our joint and equitable claims, to be laid, if need be, before th(^ Privy Council, in answer to the case of Ontario, (Hear, hear.) Hon. Members may rest assured everything will be done to present the claims of Quebec in their true light be- fore the Privy Council in England, and no pains spared to obtain justice. It would be useless for us, to endeavor to induce the Dominion Government, to assume the surplus debt of Canada and make compensation to the other Pro- vinces, before in the first place, having the pretended award declared — as I have coniidence will be done — b^ the Privy Council, null and void. Then when matters are placed back as they were at the lime of the withdrawal of our arln- trator, we can, I'ailinq; an amicable arrangement l)etwf en the two Provinces, bring the matter before the Dominion Government and Legislature, with some chance of suc- cess. (Cheers.) ■■•.,■■-,. ^V- ••" 'C:' I need not, Mr. Speaker, allude at much greater length to this subject. The Blue Book issued at last session of the House, if carefully read by members, will aid them in forming an opinion as to hov.' matters were conducted by the Government. For the information of such Hon. Mem- bers who were not present at last session, and as siievving the iniquity of the .so-called award, 1 may say, that notwith- standing U. Canada came into the Union with Lower- Canada in 1841, with a debt of nearly six millions of dol- lars, as proved by her own public accounts — and Lower* 8 Canada at that time (in 1841) had not a single dollar of debt, but had upwards of $300,000 in cash in the Treasury, and equal assets to Upper-Canada — the award rendered, 1 was goinff to say by tVie two Arbitrators for Ontario, g-ave only aboixt $500,000 more of the surplus debt, for Ontario to pay, than to Quebec, and awarded of ossets to Ontario three dollars in vahie to one dollar given to this Province, They ignored the fact that Upper Canada in '41 was bankrupt, while Lower Canada was prc'Sperous, and not only that, but the fact to which I would direct the attention of Hon. Members — that the debt duo by Upper Canada in 1841, the time of the Union with Lower Canada, is still unpaid, and forms part of the surplus debt, st this day, over the 62^ millions assumed by the Dominion Government. (Hear, hear.) If Upper Canada had come into the Union with Low^er Canada in 1841 without debt, as we did, there would have been onlv some 43t millions of dollars of surplus debt to be divided between Ontario and Quebec, instead of some 10 J millions, as the account now stands. (Hear, hear.) Again, one other point which reference to the printed documents alluded to, will prove, is, that the Hon. Mr. Justice Day, the Arbitrator appointed by Quebec, did not resign his of- fice, as some have pieiended, because he differed, in opinion with the other Arbitrators, but because they persisted in pronouncing apreliminary judgment, which, if adhered to, bound them to a course of action — before the w^hole case wat: submitted to them — which could not, in the nature of things, leavo them in a position to do justice, or which, if departed from, placed them in the unenv: ble positic/U of violating tlieir own judgment. ^Cheers.) This latter alter- native they adopted, nnd in every case in favor of Ontario and against Quebec. The said memorable award actually gives to Ontarit) a less share of the surplus debt to pay, than her factui*', laid before the Arbitrators, said she ought to pay, consequently placing upon Quebec a larger amount than ever Ontario said this Province should boar. But this is not all. Ontario had awarded her a larger share of the assets than she pre- tended belongvd to her, thus taking off from Quebec assets which Ontario said belonged to uS. It is hardly to be wondere^^ at that Ontario shovdd wish such an award to be }> confirmed. Mr. Speaker, I have no learw ol" l>oing oalled upon to submit to the decision of the Privy Council in England, confirming the award. (Gheers.) No disintoroBted tribunal can sanction such gross and manifest injustice to this Province, entailing lasting injury on this important part cf the Dominion, (loud cheers,) — which is, I boldly say, second to none other in its loyalty and submission to constituted authority, whether human or Divine, ar d second to no other Province in the Dominion m its elForts to pro- mote the prosperity and advancement of our common country. Quebec, as a unit on this question, cannot be ignored, or fail to obtain her just rights. And, ho^vever much we may difl'er on minor questions, alFecting our Pro- vince, let us act with unanimity on this vital question. (Cheers). AVith one heart and voice, bit us assert our deter- mination to obtain a just and equitable deci.sion of the question at issue b'^tween us and Ontario, niid I have no ^ar as to the result. (Loud cheers.) I now proceed, Mr. Speaker, more particularly to my statements concerning the receipts and expenditure, of th(> past fiscal year, ending the 30th June last. I may remark that the estimated receipts of that period v.'^ere included in the estimated receipts of the previous six months, owang to the plan adopted by my predecessor in office, I may say, however, that the estimated receipts were fully borne out by the actual receipts ; and the estimated expenditure more than the actual expenditure. I come iirst, therefore, to tlie receipts and expenditure of the fiscal year ending 30th June last : Receipts for Fiscal Year ending' 30//t June, 1871. DOMINION GOVERNMENT. Cash on account subsidy $Y90,000 00 (Retained by Dominion Govern- ment on the years Subsidy $109,252.80 CROWN LANDS DEPARTMENT. General Receipt ^ Gl,272 76 Woods and Forests 406,480 57 10 Crown Domain — Seigniory of Lauzon — De- posits on Lands and Timber Collections, «tc 40,278 28 SPECIAL FUNDS. Clergy Lands (Municipalities Fund) $ 6,783 64 .Jesuits' Estates (Superior Educa- tion and Income Funds) 22,217 51 $508,031 56 BILLS RECEIVABLE. Paid since June 30, 1870 $29,001 16 $ 14,285 91 Total Receipts from Crown Lands $551,268 62 Less Bills Keceivable included in above, not yet matured 15,853 66 $535,414 96 Showing an increase of Receipts, over the preceding year, in the Crown Lands Department, of $33,913 28. We have heard something of the oppression, by the Crown Lands Department, of poor settlers, by the enforce- ment of collections on lands purchased of the Government by actual settlers. There is now^ due upon lands sold for settling purposes, by the books of the Crown Lands Department, the large sum of $626,769.89 and the collections of the past year, from this source, only amount to $66,360.17, about lOf per cent., and I don't believe a single case can be made out of oppression of any settlers actually living on their lands, and unable to pay, by forced collections being exacted of them. As Roads and Railways are built, these settlers will be more able to pay, and I anticipote, year by year, a gradual increase of receipts from this source of revenue. 11 LAW FEE FUND. ^^Wf. $73,927 95 t-ol lections upon civil processes in onr Courts 8,598 85 #82,526 80 BUILDING AND JURY FUND. ^^^^f. • $ 7,966 46 Uollections 14,424 84 —1 22,391 30 COURT HOUSE TAX. Stamps- ^n,058 58 Collection 3^695 i2 ^r , 1 20,754 50 ^^o"treal $19,203 15 Aylnier 816 53 Kamouraska 719 gj Bo'iaventure 35 qi $20,754 50 STAMPS UNDISTRIBUTED. ^»W 16,338 46 Registration 3,202 99 9,641 45 $135,214 05 To be found in Statement No. 2 of Receipts, viz : Law Stamps $99,648 74 Registration Stamps 8 845 70 Law Fees, exclusive of Stamps *,' .. ... 8,598 85 Building and Jury Fund, do 14,424 84 Montreal Court House, do 81695 92 r> ' .u X, .. $136,214 05 Proving the above credits. 12 LICENSES. Proceods of Tavoni, Shop, Auctioneer, Ped- lar Licenses, etc $100,964 91 1 am happy to say, that under our new License Act, the Rovenuo derivable I'rom Licenses willprobably be increased a little for the current year. AVhen doing away with Ta\ ern J^icenses to Grocers, in Montreal and Quebec, I expected a decrease of llevenue ; but I hoped that crime Avould thereby be diminished and the cost less lor the ad- ministration of justice, llevenue, in my opinion, should not bo our only object, when good morals and the peace of the community are at stake. or EDUCATION— NORMAL SCHOOLS. Mcam $2,282 34 Jaquec Cartier 2,432 10 Laval 2,039 37 ^Superannuated Teachers' Fund contributed by Teachers.. Normal School Building Fund Journal of Public Instr net ion $6,763 81 $626 00 800 00 449 14 :i It PLJIiLIC WORKS. J,629 04 Rent pasture near gaol , CASUAL REVENUE. )0 CO <> ConsiKsts of proceeds of stolen goods, lines from Clerks of the Peace, copies of official documents, &c Reformatory St. Vincent de Paul, maintenance St. John's Lunatic Asylum, maintenance Municipal Loan Fund Quebec Fire Loan $1,008 70 3,996 66 365 00 15,865 75 5,688 30 13 er OFFICIAL GAZETTE. "Official Uazette" ^18,185 11 This does not include printing- done for the CTOvernment during- the year, which, at reduced rates, would amount to $3,172.42, which, if paid by the Grovernment direct, would make the amount 121,557.53. 1 he $18,18"). 11 are therefore cash receipts, all receipts being paid into the Treasury, and all expenses paid by it. Cash profits show $11,075.68 over expenditure, and including what the Government would have had to pay if the Gazette wi's pub- lished by other parties, $14,247.90. Printing of the Laws 12 00 The fees on private bills were not paid into the Treasu- ry until after the 30th June, and will appear in the current year's receipts. INTEREST. h On Special Deposits. On Bills Receivable. 26,383 49 41 78 26,425 27 I ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. Sherift* of Montreal, House of Correction Sheriff of Montreal, Corporation for G-aol Gruard Sheriff of Montreal, old furniture sold BEAUPORT LUNATIC ASYLUM. Received from British Sailors, and repaid by Collector of Customs 3,250 63 2,400 00 15 00 1,665 63 41 28 REFUNDS ON APPROPRIATIONS. Schools in poor municipalities. Common Schools Books for Prizes 10 00 447 66 101 39 14 Agricultural Instruction Superannuated Teachers Special Police, 33 Vic, Cap. 24, per Commis- sioner Colonization Society, L' Islet Roads and Bridges, per J. D. E. Lionais Ijegislative Council Legislative Assembly Contingencies of Departments 1 148 45 31 00 63 35 150 00 40 69 139 90 1,378 93 1,244 09 13,750 46 Total Receipts lor the year $1,651,287 09 On hand 30th June, 1870 667,243 49 !|2,318,630 68 SUMMARY OF IIECEIPTS. Dominion Uovernment 5^790,000 00 Crown Lands Department 535,391 48 Law Fee Fund, Building and Jury Fund, Stamps and Court House Tax ' 135,214 05 Licenses of various kinds 100,964 91 From all other sources. Education, Casual Re- venue, Municipal Loan Fund, Reformatory, Official Gazette, Interest, Quebec Fire Loan, &c., &c ,„ 89,716 % Total receipts for the year $1,661,287 09 EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30TH JUNE,'- 1871. Legislation i|i28,921 93 For Legislative Council $31,600 00 "^Do Assembly 86,400 00 Sundry expenses of Elections, Par- liamentary Library, Salaries and Contingencies of Clerks of Chancery and Law, Printing, Binding and distributing the Laws , 10,921 98 $128,921 93 T^ \Y O 15 T (Ir Civil Government |128,67i] 2ii Departmental Salaries $102,085 00 Do Contingencies 26,588 25 $128,678 25 Administration of Justice $271212 13 Law Fee Fund, Salaries of Sheriffs, Prothonotaries, Clerks of Circuit Courts, Court of Appeals, &c...$108,806 88 Building and Jury Fund 72 66 General expenditure, Criminal Prosecutions, Clerks of the Peace, Coroners Contingencies, &c , 162,332 59 271,212 13 Police General: Salaries, Montreal and Quebec I 7,912 61 Special under 33 Victoria, Cap. 24.. 35,028 83 .T|i*2,941 44 $42,941 44 . $284 013 41 Superior Education $74,088 00 " ' Common Schools 124,339 03 Schools in poor municipalities 7,735 00 Normal Schools 43,590 00 16 School Inspectors' .salaries $11^061 38 Books for Frizes 2,500 00 Journal of Education 2,400 00 Superannuatc^d Teachers' Fund... 4,700 00 $278,413 41 LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS. Sundry— In Montreal and Quebec. $8,600 00 Board of Arts and Manufactures... 2,000 00 Total Education, &:c $284,013 41 AGRIC-JLTURE. Sundry Agricultural Societies, with per centage allowed by law to the Council of Agricul- ture #46,553 00 • Board of Agriculture 8,000 00 Agricultural J<]dr.cation in connec- tion with Normal Schools 615 09 Grants to Agricultural Colleges, Ste. Anne, L'Assomption and Compton, (each S800) 2,400 00 Paid Ste. Anne and L'Assomption, amounts due since 1867 2,180 70 Total for Agricultural purposes |59,748 79 Immigration 19^581 94 This amount has been expended principally for salaries of agents in Europe and Quebec, and for printing and distri- buting information in Europe, concerning the capabilities and resources of the Trovince. The results may be expect- ed in the influx of immigrants next season. We must make great efforts, in this direction, and in order to keep pace with our sister Provinces, we hope to receive, from the Dominion Government, an additional amount to our ow^n appropriations for this service. Colonization purposes $221,652 30 Societies (of which 30 are paid) $7,694 75 . n Roadb — 1st class |;124,347 J>(» 2nd do 17,587 10 3rd do 11,951 35 Ste. Anne des Monts, (special) 10,000 00 Maps and statements 2,000 00 Railway, Quebec and Grosford 48,171 20 $221,652 30 Making the Expenditure lor Agriculture, Colonization, and Immigration purposes, during past year, $300,983 03. Gosford Road — "We were obliged to give debentures or cash to the Company. Bonds must have borne 6 per cent, interest, and Sinking Fund 2 per cent, to meet Bonds at maturity, in say 24 years. The Government only receives from 4 lo 5 per cent, in- terest upon deposits in banks. To have money lying at that interest, and to pay 6 per cent, interest and 2 per cent. {Sinking Fund, seemed to me poor poUcy. I therefore recommended the Government to pay thei48,171 20 in cash, which is the amount capitaliz- ed of the $150 a mile, payable for 20 years under the law. A considerable saving was thus effected to the Province. The Railway Company would have probably preferred the Bonds of the Government, for which a premium would have been paid; but I thought the interest of the Province would be better protected by payiii'v the money at once, and, at the same time, do no injustice to the Railway Com« pany. This amount paid, should be recollected, in looking at the amount in the Treasury at close of fiscal year. PUBLIC WOBKS AND BUILDINGS. Rents, Insurances and Repairs....! 25,230 07 Inspections and Surveys 1,884 10 Reformatory St. Vincent de Paul.. 3,098 57 Montreal Court House 941 77 Batiscan Bridge 6,500 00 3 18 Hunts, Iiifjuiaiices and Hepairs to Court Houses and GTaols- !|8,735 77 Aylmer Court House and Gaol.... 8,146 60 Montreal Gaol 7,519 81 Court House and Gaol, Bonaveu- ture County 2,775 48 Court House and Gaol, Gasi)6 County 2,590 09 New Gaol, Quebec 16,189 81 Do Sherbrooke 3,904 63 i$87,5ie 6« tUOL WALLS. Court Houses and Gaols, new dis- tricts : — Arthabaska.. $3,564 88 Joliette 4,500 97 Montmagny ; 4,647 52 Richelieu 4,792 22 Bedford 2,232 90 Iberville 2,162 08 Eimouski 3,010 27 St. Hyacinthe 3,212 37 Terrebonne 3,369 00 31,492 21 Total Public Works and Buildings |119,008 87 Dorchester Bridge Investment, North Shore Quebec Turnpike Trust Company 15,000 00 Charities 172,193 00 Beauport Lunatic Asylum, (say average cost of 770 patients at 1143 each) is;105,458 00 St. John's Lunatic Asylum (say 75 patients, cost about !i«!266 each).... 20,000 00 Marine Hospital, Quebec 4,000 00 Miscellaneous Charities — Hospitals and Asylums, various • kinds 35,970 00 lleformatory Schools. 2,434 79 Industrial Schools 4,330 30 ii «172,1SI8 09 19 iSxpenditure through Crown Lands Depari- l:*or Kegistration Service (Cadastre) $16,202 70 Surveys 24,000 00 General Kiponditure, Agencies, &c 53,498 47 ,, , $ 93,701 17 Quebec Official Gazetle % 7 109 48 Municipalities Fund, C.S.L.C. Cap. 110 Sec 7 ' 494 00 Arbitration under Constitutional Act 2,598 65 Miscollanoous Expenditure ij^013 44 Aid to sufl'erers by fire at Saguenay 10,400 00 ,V® ^^ do Ottawa 3,000 00 Licenses, Stamps, &c., &;c 2,116 45 Making the total expenditure by Warrant through the Treasury Department for the .,>'*^'Y"i' ;•; \-\ $1,618,997 30 1 o which must be added : — Paid by Revenue officers out of collections on account of Li- censes and to Municipalities ^ under Law #15,227 <3 Building and Jury Fund, paid by Sheriffs on account of their col- letitions 7^264 31 22,481 74 A 1 J 1 . , $1,641,479 04 Add also paid on outstanding Warrants June ^^» 1®'^^ • 38,639 92 , „, , $1,675,118 96 Less— Warrants outstanding June 30th, 1871.. 15,623 71 $1,659,495 25 So that taking the total receipts during the year with the amount in Treasury, June ,8?*V870.... $2,318,530 58 And deducting the total expenditure during *^«year 1.659,496 25 Leaves in Treasury, June 30th, 1871 $659,086~83 20 '■■:;'- -^u: ■>■'''■,■■.:'• . ■,);...',,. ■ :\>- ^ . Disposed of as follows : Special deposit on lutorest, Bank of Montreal S3")0,000 00 Do do Union Bank 200,000 00 Ordinary deposit Bank of Montreal, 109,035 83 659,036 83 It will he observed that this amount is only !|8,208.16 less in the Treasury than on the <3(Hh June, 1870 — but it will bo recollected that we have paid the Quebec and Gos- lord Railway Company, $48,171.20, and invested on in- terest $15,000 in the Dorchester Bridge, and paid outstand- ing Warrants $33,089.92 on the former years' business. If these amounta, which may in some account bejreckoned as extraordinary payments, were added to the actual balance in Treasury the amount would have been larger^this year than last, by $72,979.25, after deducting^warrants unpaid on 30th June last. Our principal expenditure would appear to be on the following services, viz : Legislation $128,921 93 Civil aovernment 128,673 25 Administration of Justice, Police, etc 341,770 58 Education 284,013 41 Agriculture, Colonization and Immigration... 300,983 08 Pubic Works and buildings 119,008 87 Charities, Hospitals, Insane Asylums, etc 172,193 09 Crown Lands Expenditure. Agencies, Com- mission, etc 93,701 17 Sundry other items including donations to Saguenay and Ottawa sufferers by fire 34,731 97 Investment Dorchester Bridge 15,000 00 $1,618,997 30 To which must be added paid by outside ser- vice, Tavern Licenses Sheriffs on Building ; and Jury Fund 22,418 74 Paid outstanding Warrants of 1869 and 1870.. 33,639 92 $1,676,118 96 Less outstanding Warrants.. 15,623 71 Total expenditure for fiscal year ending 30th June, 1871 , ♦1,659,496 26 t I \, . f (i [ . Thus far, Mr. Speaker, I have been dealing with the ac- tual Receipts and Expenditure for the past fiscal year. Hon. Members will iind in the Tublic Accounts the de- tails of the business of the past year, arranged, I think, in such a manner as to bo easily underHtood. I now proceed to lay before the House the Estimated He- ceipts and Expenditure for the fiscal year beginning the Ist July next. These have been prepared with great'care, brsed on tha experience of the past four years both as re- gards receipts and expenditure, and 1 hope the House will find them reasonable and hi the main correct. I have not the faculty, Mr. Speaker, of giving a couleur de rose to my iinancial statements which some have. I rather prefer to give the Estimate of receipts under the mark than over, thinking it wiser, in our circumsfances, to have our actual receipts over than ufider the Estimate, it being far more pleasant for a Treasurer to had receipts' in excess of his calculation, than in the opposite direction, and more pleasant for the House and the country ioo. It is a remarkable circumstance that a Treasurer, finds a much larger number of persons wishing to help him in spending money, for purposes, which they allege, the safety of the country materially depends upon, and with- out which the Constitution is in great danger, than to find parties suggesting modes of increasing the revenue, and trying to save the Constitution from danger, and the coun- try from ruin, by assisthig in increasing the Treasury re- ceipts from time to time. However, so it is, and I hope the assistance of Hon. Members will be zealously devoted to bringing in money to the Treasury, as others are to draw it out. Amongst all the petitions to this House there has not been one propos- ing to put money into the treasury, but the leverse. The first item of receipts I put down is from the Do- minion Government— $800,000. The annual subsidy com- ing from the Dominion to this Province, according to the population by the census of 1861, amounts to $959,252.80.- This estimate is allowing the Dominion Government to ii fetain, on account of interest, $151^352.80 besides the in* terest on certain trust funds, in the hands of the Dominion, about which there is no quebtion as to their belonging to us. I have made a calculation of what should have been paid us, by the Tominion, as compared with what Has actu- ally been paid us, for the past four years, including amounts paid for us by the Dominion and received on our accoixnt by that Government, charging the interest on the trust funds belonging to Quebec against the Dominion. This statement has been prepared up to the end of the next fiscal year, showing a fair balance, in our favor, to apply on our share of the interest due to the Dominion Government, on whatever part of the surplus debt this province may even- tually have to assume. What that may be, it is impossible for me to say, but 1 have no hesitation in statii.g that, if anything like a fair proportion of the surplus debt is assigned to us — we have no reason to be discouraged as to our perfect ability to pay the interest, in any year, without making any very serious inroad upon the cash in the Treasury, These calculations are based on receiving $800,000 a year from the Dominion Government for the present a!id next fiscal year. I now come to the Estimated Receip'^". from THE CROWN liANDS DEPARTMENT. These are put down from a careful Estimate made by the officers of that department, which 1 have no doubt will be fully re- alised at.... $ 615,001 From Law and Registration, Stamps (Law Fee Fund, Building and Jury Fund, Court House Tax, etc., etc) 135,000 Inland Revenue Licenses of various kinds 110,000 I find that the Estimate made last year for the current year's receipts will firo- bably not be quite realized. The difference arises from withholding Tavern Licenses to Grocers in Montreal and Quebec. From Educational receipts, including Normal Schools 10,000 Casual Revenue 1,260 00 00 00 00 00 J H 28 Relorinatory St, Vincent de Paul, St. John's Lunatic Asylum, House of Correction, Mon- *-^.*V"VV i^-"^ ^^'^^^ ^^ Municipal Loan Fund 60,000 00 Quebec Fire Loan g'ooo 00 Official Gazette 18,000 00 Fees on Private Bills and Printing 2,000 00 Literest on Deposits and Bills receivable 25,000 00 Special Police 28',500 00 Making our Estimated Revenue amount to $1,709,621 00 I come now, Mr. Speaker, to the Estimated Expenditure for th© fiscal year between the 30th June, 1872, and the 30th June, 1873. Hon. Members will bear in mind, that in appropriating the respective amounts for the different services mentioned in the Estimates, it does not necessarilv follow that the sums voted will be all spent; bat I prefer to ask for enough to cover the probable expenditure, preferring to have a little too much appropriated, to having special warrants issued, to cover deficiences in appropriations. Any balance appropriated which is not required to be spent is retained in the Treasury, and written off the par- ticular appropriation at the end of the tiscal year. In this way the House knows exactly the appropriation for the year to any particular service. And first I come to I. LEGISLAIION. Legislative Council, Indemnity and Mileage to Members, and Salaries and Contingencies $ 37,751 00 Legislative Assembly for similar services 93,000 00 Expenses of Elections 2,000 00 Parliamentary Library s'oOO 00 Clerk of the Crown in Cnancery, Salary and Contingencies .' j^qOO 00 Printing, Binding, and Distributing the Laws. 6,000 00 Law Clerk — Salary and Contingencies 3,445 00 Making a proposed Total Expenditure for Le- gislation of $147,796 00 M 24 II, CIVIL govp:rnm»<^,nt. Salaries of Officers and Contingencies $132,325 00 The items of this estimate have been printed in detail and given to the House, showing the salaries of all em- ployed in the Departments. HI. Administration of Justice $293,238 00 Police — covering statutorj'- appropriations and including special Police 44,000 00 Reformatory St. Vincent de Paul, Mainte- nance 33,000 00 Prison Inspection 3,600 00 Making Total Expenditure proposed for the Administration of Ju stice $373,888 00 In connection with these items, I would say, that com- plaints are frequently made as to the cost of this service in this Province, as compared with Ontario, and with certain parts of the United States. It should, however, be kept in mind that a large portion of what is paid in this Province, direct from the Public Treasury, is, in Ontario and in the United States, paid from local taxation through Municipal Councils and other bo- dies. And so soon as Municipalities are prepared to assume the payment of a share of the expense of the Ad- mniistration of .lustice from local funds, this portion of our eij^enditure may be ^.-educed. Till then I do not sec how much reduction can be made ; only in so far as old officers die or resii!,''n, or otherwise vacate office, the new incum- bents will, when it is possible, be placed on fees of office, as regulated by law, instead of salaries, as heretofore. The next item is for IV. EDUCATION, COVERING STATUTORY APPROPRIATIONS. Superior Education $ 71,000 00 Common Schools 146,000 00 Schools in poor MuixJcipalities 8,000 00 Normal Schools 42,r.0Cy 00 25 Salaries of School Inspectors %i>ii uui iw. Books for prizes * M^ ^^ Journals of T.ducation . . . .■'.■.';;;;;;;;;;;;.; ziZ nn Superannuated Teachers ^u^nnn High Schools Montreal and Quebec.:..::::::"" oTq on Compensation to R. C. Institutions for grunt *" to High Schools I ,,4^ ^^ Total Education 1^^04 410 nn Literary and Scientific Institutions Montreal ' ^ and Quebec „ oaa n^ Arts and Manufactures '''Z:',ZZ'.'.Z'. 3,000 00 I3n,2l0 00 With respect to th item for Arts and Manufactures i( was increased last year $1,000. it being p^opoTed t^o^^^^^^^^ schools m the principal cities and towits of the P o inci i f encouragement is given by local assistance '' '^ I have great confidence in educating our people our The gentlemen who take f>hiro-A nf fv,;- • .. 26 V. AORIOULTURE, IMMIGRATION AND C0L0NIZA110I^% Agricultural Societies — coverino- statutory ap- propriations.. |50 000 00 Board ot Agriculture 4 000 00 This amount is less than formerly, as the Board does not anticipate so large an expen- diture as formerly. Agricultural Schools— two French and one E"&li«h 2,400 00 Total Agriculture $56,400 00 Immigration, the same as last year 20,000 00 COLONIZATION. Colonization Societies— covering statutory ap- propriations ... . I1500Q OQ Colonization Roads, 1st Class 90 000 00 ;; 2iid " ::;; sa.'ooo oo T, ./' ". 3rd " 10,000 00 Kailways— covering statutory appropriations. 15,000 00 Ste, Anne des Monts to Fox River Road Gulf Coast Road 4O0O ^q Making for Colonization, Agriculture and Im- migration purposes.... $233,400 00 The amount for Colonization Roads has been somewhat reduced, owing to the expected drain on the Treasurv for Colonization Railways. We do not expect to be able to meet, in cash, the de- mands on the Treasury for the subsidy to these Railways- but 1 have made provision for the interest on what is ex- pected to be paid. We intend to issue Debentures under the law, if neces- sary and may, or may not, place these Debentures in the hands ot the several Railway Companies^ but the Govern- ment intend to either pay cash or Debentures, so soon as the law is complied with by the respective Railwav Com panics. * . ' I now come to V ^1 VI. PUBrilC WORKS AND BUILDINGS. Rents, Insurances an i Repairs generally $82,680 00 This item is a trifle larger than last year, owing to the i arliament Buildings needing repairs. Inspection and Surveys ^ 4 qoo 00 Public Departments— toward purchase of, or alteration of buildings 50,000 00 This is a re-vote of the amount formerly appropriated- but which will not be spent during the current fiscal year.' Montreal Registry Olfice— to purchase or •^^"^^ $8,000 00 The following appropriations are chargeable to the linildiiig and Jury Fund of each District, in so far as ex- pended therein. Rents of Court Houses and G-aols and Insur- ances and Repairs $13 920 00 Montreal Gaol (for females,)— to erect new building. This is a re-vote 40 000 00 Montreal Gaol— to increase the height of sur- rounding walls and construct Guard House 5 000 00 Bonaventure Court House and Gaol— to com- plete 4.(j(j Q^ Gaspe Court House and Gaol— to complete... 4,.500 00 It is possible these two last amounts may bo required be- lore the 1st July next, in which case, I propose to have a iSpe- cial Warrant issued, to cover these appropriations and at once on the beginning of next fiscal year, to have these written clt. These amounts only will be spent. Quebec Court House— to enlarge the same (a re-vote) ij^T 000 00 Quebec Court House— for fencing groiind..... 300 CO Sherbrooke do do— to erect a room for Ad- vocates Library j 200 00 Three Rivers do do— to erect awing...!!!!.. i'too 00 Court Houses and Gaols, New Districts, (re- ' ^'®*®)"V 0,000 00 Total Public Works and Buildings $178,800 00 is This service has had less appropriated by some $50,000 thin last year, and I hopa will be gradually reducing from year to year as Court Houses and G-aols are now mostly erected xU all the Districts. The next item, v/hich is a serious one is ' VII. CHAEITIES. Beauport Lunatic Asylum $114,000 00 St. John's do do 22,000 00 Marine Hospital, Quebec 4,000 00 Miscellaneous Charities, — consisting of grants to Hospitals and Asylums of various kinds. .. . 39,870 00 Reformatory Schools 6,940 00 Industrial ' do 5,400 00 Totai Charities $191,210 00 It is impossible to grant assistance to all the Institutions requiring aid. The principal part of the list on Estimates are taken from that used by the former Legislature of Ca- nada. Possibly a revision of the list might be male so as to apporti(m the grants a little differently; but on the whole, so long as the practice is followed of granting aid to such Institutions, and I do not well see how it rm bo discontinued, the aid is given, as near as may be, according to the necessities of each particular case. VIII. MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES. Quebec Official Gazette $ 7,6C'0 00 Arbitration under Constitutional Act 6,000 00 Miscellaneous 20,000 00 $32,600 00 IX. COLLECTION, MANAGEMENT AND OTHER CHARGES ON REVENUE. Municipalities Fund... $ 3,000 00 Registration Service under Crown Lands De- partment 18,202 00 t ; / t ^^rveys $24,000 00 Q-eneral expenditure by Crown Lands De- partment, including Jesuits' Estates, Clergy Lands, Crown Domain, Seigniory ofLau- zon and "Woods and Forests 50,100 00 Stamps and Licenses S^OOO 00 $98,302 00 Making the proposed expenditure for fiscal year ending June SOth, 1873, amount to $1,699,481 00 To cover Special "Warrants for expenditure already madt for fiscal year ending June 30th, 1871, (see Public Accounts, 1871, page 86) 143,159 32 It will be in the recollection of many Hon. Members, that on previous occasions, when presenting the Estimates, I stated that I believed my estimated receipts, would be less than the actual receipts ; and the actual' expenditure, less than the appropriations. Such have been the facts of the case, and I shall be much disappointed if the same results are not found at the close of the present and next fiscal years respectively. I estunate the balance in the Treasury, June 30th. 1873. at $700,000. ' Mr. Speaker, if the House is not already wearied with my remarks, I shall advert, for a short time, to our posi- tion as a Dominion and as a Province. A retrospect occa- sionally of the events which have transpired in our coun- try, may teach us lessons for the future. Looking at what has been accomplished within the past few years— may stimulate to further efforts in a certain direction— or teach us to avoid certain other courses ; and, although I do not intend to lecture the House as to its duty, or to indulge in criticism, particularly on past even is, at the same time, with the permission of the Houst, I hope not to weary Hon. Members too much, in glancing backwards on the history of our country for the past few years, and forward, on what it appears to me, this country may become. 80 Any one acquainted wirti the state of political parties in Canada, a short time previous to Confederation, well kjiows that things, in our political atmosphere, did not look very promising. Party spirit ran so high, and parties were so equally divided, that it was difficult for any G-overnment to stand any great length of time. Any government might be eatjily overturned by the union of a small number of in- dividuals ; and things assumed such uu aspect that, to avert some crisis of a serious nature, a change in the constitution seemed absolutely necessary. Amongst other solutions of our difficulties, a Confedera- tion of the Provinces was proposed, and, after several com- binations of political parties, which I need not advert to, and conferences between delegates from Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, the present form, or nearly so, of a Union of these Provinces, was adopted, and finally came into operation on the first July, 1867, under the cons- titution and provisions of the B. N. A. Act of 1867, passed by the Imperial Parliament. I need hardly say that great differences of opinion existed, amongst our public men, as to the measure of Confederation itself and its effects on the country. To the credit of many of our public men, be it said, that while they opposed the Union, before it was accomplished, still when Confederation became a fixed fact, they took hold and endeavored to make it a success — a line of conduct creditable to them as public men, and advantageous to the country. (Hear, hear.) Let us look for a moment at what has been tlie result so far of the Confederation since it was accomplished, as I have said, 1st July, '67. At that time the old Province of Canada was divided, after a union of some 26 years, (between Upper and Lower Canada) into two Provinces, Quebec and Ontario. These with the Provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, formed in July, '67, the Do- minion of Canada, while each Province was made distinct for certain purposes, and endowed with certain powers and privileges, as defined in the Confederation Act. It cannot be denied, I think, that the new system of Government has had the efiect of advancing the prosperitv of the Provinces, respectively. They are in a better posi- tion, to day, financially, commercially and socially, then t n \ T n 81 before the TJiiion. (Hear.; In these Provinees, there is every protection to life and property that ever existed or exists m any country in the world, and to the fullest extent, civil and religious liberty are enjoyed. (Cheers.) The facilities which the construction of the several lines of railway, now in progress or in contemplation, with the removal of duties on articles imported from one Province to the other, will promote interchange of products between the several Provinces, which did not exist heretofore, and which, without Confederation, would not probably have been brought about, for many years to come. The numerous steamers and other vessels which, within the past few years, have been employed in commercial operations between these Provinces— formerly almost like foreign countries to each other— have proved, and will prove mutually advantageous to them all. The improvement of the navigation of the St. Lawrence, by the erection of Light-Houses and the placing of buoys,* to assist the mariner in reaching and coming into port] from the Ocean, and the deepening of the Channel above the tide waters of the Atlantic, will give still further im- petus to commercial transactions between the different Provinces and foreign countries. The enlargement of our magnificent canals, and the construe lion of like works, in addition to what has been done, will attract to the St. Lawrence the immense ti-ade of the Western States, as being the cheapest and shortest route to Europe, and will attract foreign commerce to our shores. (Cheers.) MANITOBA. The incorporation of the Province of Manitoba and its s\irrounding territory, with its vast tracts of agricultural land, which are equal to any on this continent, and the magnificent lakes and rivers which intersect that countrv in every direction, will aflbrd means ot communication from one section to the oth?r, than which no better can be found in any country. T 82 The oi)eni«g- of that part ol the Domiiiioii by roads, rail- ways and water communicntion, will attract settlers, and probably induce such of otr own people as loill migrate Westward, to enter the Manitoba territory, who otherwise would have probably ^ono to the United States, where, too many by far, for the good of our Province, have gone heretofore. In Manitoba a system of Government has been adopted, and is now in good working order, similar in most respects to that in operation in the other Provinces. BRITISH COLUMBIA. British Columbia, also, our most western sister, has within the present year, been admitted into the Confede- ration, on terms satisfactory to her people ; and the liberal treatment by the Dominion Government and Legislature, as to the material aid granted for carrying on the Govern- ment of that Province, and the development of the vast resources of that extensive and important region, cannot fail to produce the happiest results. There, also, a Govern- ment has been organized on a similar basis to our own. Is in good working order, and we shall soon see represen- tatives from the Atlantic coast, sitting side by side with representatives from the Pacific, along with the represen- tatives from Central Canada, in the Dominion Parliament, consulting together and legislating, we hope, in such a way as will lay the foundation of a free, enlightened sys- tem of Government, which will last for ages, and hand down to posterity the names of those instrumental in form- ing this great Confederation, to be cherished for centuries to come by a happy and grateful people. (Cheers.) The construction of a railway to the Pacific, and a conti- nuation of our railways already built or in course of con- struction, will give a vast impetus to the prosperity of the whole Dominion, and will tend to bind the Provinces closer and closer together. It is not affirming too much, to say, that the Union of these Provinces and territories into one Confederation, has given us a statue among the nations of the earth, which the several Provinces could never have singly attained. This has also been accomplished, not by war and bloodshed, not at the expense of life and treasure, > "^ T t :{8 «; J but has been all quietly brought about by the t.'Hbits of u free, enlightened people, exercifing rights enjoyed under a free system of Government, with the consent of all inte- rested in the change; Ibrni'ig a hajjpy contrast, with th«' former mode of establishing governments and nations by the power of the swoid, and at awful sacrifice oi' lile and property. (Cheers.) The union, therefore, of our Provinces may justly bo called a success so far. Our future success, as a natir i, will depend, doubtless, upon the people of the Domini( i, themselves, and how they exercise the rights thoy possets under our Constitution. If wise counsels prevail ; if the trup interests of theDomiuion are looked to, guarded, and promot- ed by wise legislation; if the resources of the country arc sought for and properly developed by judicious assistance from the Government in aid of private enterprise ; if party spirit does not run so high a« to make our public men seek the triumphs of party, and their own aggrandisement, above the true interests of the Dominion, then, we may tp- tionally look for and expect the establishment of a free, enlightened system of Government, which will prove high- ly beneficial to our own people, prove an example to other countries, and leave the inhabitants of this Dominion to wish for no better position than that which they enjoy under their own government, and under the protection of the paternal government of Old England. (Loud cheers.) The healthy competition which will naturally exist be- tween the several Provinces, each to develope the particular resources of their own locality, by the introduction of foreign capital and foreign labor, will have a tendency to promote, not only the growth of the; respective Provinces, but will build up the whole ])ominion, in material pros- perity. The variety of soil, climate, of mineral wealth of almost every kind, within the Dominion, cannot fail, in a few years, to induce a large immigration to our country, of just that kind which we need the most. What our Province lacks, another Province can supply. If Quebec cannot com- pete with the Western Provinces in the growth of bread- stuffs, she can supply them with manufactures in exchange for these. If one Province needs fuel and the products of the ocean, the Maritime Provinces can supply them in ex- change for agricultural products and iron, without more 5 84 ptiiticulurlv fuuuK'iatinu thedilFfrent urodiu-tw 'jfeuoh Pro- viuce (C'hcors ) Now, what has Quolx-c, as a rroviuce, done towards ])uildiiiir up lier own prosporitv and that of the Dominion ; ---Lar<»v sums ol' money havo boiM* spiMit during the last four years, in (he promotion of son-eral iniportaiit objects, the most pionunent ol which liavc? boon lor Af^riciilture and Colonization purposes. 1 had prepared a statement of ihe sums spent on the principal objects ol" importance for the past lour years, but I wilhvot trouble the House further with li-^-nres to-nin-ht, I will mention only the amount paid .)ut for Aj^ricuitural purposes, Colonization, Administration of .fustice, and Charities, as s8.70').05(;.04. out of $5 731- 7UG.40. ' ' The rollovvini>- is a Summary <'f disburse- ments for four years, ondincr .Tune 30th, 1 871, by the Quebec (lovernment : Leo-islation ^ 518,520 67 Civil Government 4g5 75(3 72 Administration of Justice, Police. Reformatory St. Vincent do Paul, and Prison Inspection'.. 1,300,511 78 liducation , Literary and Scientific Institu- tio'is. Arts and Manufactures 1,113,106 79 Asrriculture '212!464 09 Colonization Societies, Uoads and Railways... 521 565 95 Immigration 25',540 06 Public Works and Buildings 365 261 48 Charities, Lunatic Asylums, Hospitals, Refor- matory and Industrial Schools 018 107 45 Crown Lands Department, general exper.diture 224,729 34 S^^T^ys *'83,'568 05 Registration (Ca/^astres) 44 575 72 Licenses and Star ) . -s. Commissions paid to Mu- nicipalities, pK'.i by Sheriffs on Building and Jury Fund fix in colloctions made by them. 107,914 96 Miscellaneous, comprising aid to Labrador settlers, aid to Saguenay and Ottawa suf- ferers by fire, Olfidnl Gazette, Arbitration expenses, removal from Ottawa to Quebec, Montreal, &c .' i09,263 43 Total expenditure for 4 years for all services. $5,730,796 49 ? •<^ I ^\i> 35 la addition to those lart^e amounts actuully sneut and I behove m most cases to th« best advantuire, with the full approval and consent ol- the Legishiture, and lor Affricul- ture and Colonization purposes far iu excess of what was cTadn"/^"' ^T'T 1^"^^"^ the late Government of Canada; I may, Mr Speaker, allude also to a few other points. ouier , RAILWAYS. The important aid given towards opening up various parts ot the Province, by means of railvvays, iTas slm^XaZ priva e enterprise to that degree, that ;ve iave various Hnes ot railway in progress of construction, in almost every sec- Zl n '^', ^?r'T ^^^'"''-^ These, when completed. Mill piove highly advantageous to the country, and will I doubt not, prove good investments, if not directly in cash returns to the Public Treasury, still in the stimiflus gl^^n to private pursuits ol every description, by furnishing cheap and rapid conveyance for agricultural products and manu- acturcs, and will return us a hundred fold indemnity for the expenditure made. It is, I think, quite clear, that vyilhoui aid given from the public chest, and froin our ^rowii Lands Keserves, we should have seen very few ivaihvay enterprises begun in our Province, and, perhaps no one It may not, Mr. Speaker, be unp:-ofitabii for us to ioc/: for a moment at what the jwsition of Quebec will be, when the contemplated railways, towards the construc- tion of which assistance has been promised, by the Lejris- faturc, either in cash subsidies or land grants, are in full operation. THE GOSFEOD RAILWAY. .1, '^^.i!'^?!'' l^ '''''* ""'''" ^'''■'^«' ^ ^""^^ ff^"<^e «^fe in sayinff that the Quebec and Gosford Railwav would not have been built, without assistance from the' Public Treasury I lancy the President and Directors of that Company, found i u ^'''■^^ enough to accomplish what they did, even with the Government aid ; and would not have undertaken the worK without such aid. A block of Crown Lands was sold to the Company at a reduced price, in order to induce the citizens of this city to assist in building the road, so that hrewood might be obtained at lower rates than otherwise 86 il' not at present, certainly in a lew years hence. The ex* pectation of the Company that the (joveinment would, on completion of the Railway, advance either debentures or cash, enabled the Directors to borrow money to carry on the undertaking. This expectation of the Company was fully met by the G-ovornment, as the public accounts show. This Railway, some twenty-six miles in length, will I hope, in a few years be i xtended to Lake St. John, thus opening up a large tract of valuable settling lands, now al- most inacessible by land communication ; and, while en- couraging settlement, will tend to build up the city of Que- bec, consequent upon havinof a well settled thriving back country. « n THE NORTH SHORE RAILWAY AND THE MONTREAL N0RTH3RN COLONIZATION R.AILWAT. Then we have the project of a Railway alie!i:dy secured, taking us i' curly 300 miles in a westerly direction from this city, 80 soon as local jealousies are allayed and conflicting local interests reconciled. I refer to the North Shore Rail- way from Quebec to Montreal, including the branch to the Gf amies Piles, and the Montreal Northern Colonization Rail- way, from Montreal to Aylmer, The grant of about 3i millions of acres of land from the; public domain, with the local aid afforded by the cities of Quebec, Montreal, and the municipalities along the line of road, will, without doubt, secure Buflicient capital to ensure at an early day, the building of a railway from, this city to Aylmer; and, I hope before long, a continuation of that line to Deep River, there to connect with and form part of the great Northern Pacific Railway through British terri- tory its entire length. (Loud Cheers.) This line of road will open up the country north of the River St. Lawrence from this city to Montreal, from thence north of Ottawa River, and before long, I hope, as far west as Deep River, proving a source of wealth to these regions, and assisting not only in our important lumber operations, but in developing the vast mineral wealth with which the country north of the Ottawa abounds. (Cheers.) i * ' I 87 THE QUEBEC AND NEW BRUNSWICK RAILWAYS. Then again, commencing on the Southerly Shore of the fet Lawrence a I iver du Loup, en bas, we find ]iot only the Intercolonial Railway fast approaching completion-Wilt tribute Its full share-but we find the Province of New Jirunswick—anxious to possess more direct communication with our Province and those west of us, than the Inter- colonial will aiford-asking assistance from Quebec towards W r^l'*''' V* ' ^' ^r ^"" "»^ ^''"^ Brunswick Railway, rom the New Brunswick line to River du Loup, through this Province (Hear.) ^ This assistance our L<>-i^iature at last session granted to the extent asked for, viz :-~A grant of 10,000 acres of land per mile for some 60 or 70 milts, through which the road will pas«m this Province. The Government, how- Zli T'^Z ^^'^ H^f''^ *^"« 8'*^^ted, should noi keep back the settlement of that part of the country, stipulated tha one-half, at least, of the land, should be located with settlers, within ten years from the opening of the road This Ime of road, which I am happy to learn, is in fair prospect of bemg-^speedily built, will open up a large tract of fair sett- ling lands, m this Province, and enable commercial opera- tions to be carried on with much greater facility, between existd bv fy^'^'if T^'' ^^ ^'''^ Brunswick, than formerly mea? hear f ^ Lawrence, or the United States routes. THE LEVIS AND KENNEBEC RAILWAY, Then, to come a little nearer home, I refer, Mr. Speaker to a proposed railway, of which you have heard before, and 111 which I am aware you feel a deep interest, and towards ^!nn''^^ri!T''-'''^\^ty'^''^^^ contributed. I mean The Levis and Kennebec Railway." To encourage the building of tins line of railway, some seventy to eighty miles, south from Levis to the Province line, the Govern- ment and Legislature promised aid to the extent of that given to the Quebec and Gosford Railway, vis- $150 a year, for twenty years, for each mile of road built, and t^^^^^tT^ kept running during that period, or a capital- izati ,n oi that subsidy, on completion of the road, either in 38 : cash or G-overument debentures, which amounts to about $1,700 per mile. The confidehce entertained, by the Company, of this en- gagement being carried out in good faith by the Govern- ment, enables them to borrow money to carry on the work, and hope to see before long the completion of the whole line, which will open up a magnificynt Agri^ltural Country through its entire length, and through several important Townships of Government lands. Already some 40 miles of this road are graded and ready for the rails. (Cheers.) If the citizens of Ancient Quebec, do not bestir themselves, a Sister City '* South Quebec," will be compethig for the trade of the country opened up by this railway. THE EICHELIEU, DRUMMOND AND ARTHABASKA COUNTIES* RAILWAY. Then, following up the St. Lawrence, at v^' '"^ .ve find another railway, making rapid progress towards completion, assisted in like manner by a similar subsidy, to that granted the Levis and Kenn(?bec Ilailway. This line of road, of which 1 am pleased to say, from 40 to 50 miles have been built during the past summer, runs nearly south from Sorel, and is called " The lUchelieu, Drummond and Artha- baska Counties Kailway. This road, after reaching Drummondville, is intended to branch oft' westerly and to cross the G. T. Kailway at, or near Acton, thence through part of Sheffbrd County by Waterloo and Knowlton, and connecting at, or near, the latter place with the South Eastern Counties Junction '■\:'\]- way, built last summer. I hope also to see another b* ' \ in continuation of this road, to Arthabaska and llickn ..y.,^ to connect with the Grand Trunk. This will depend f- ' what local assistance may be obtained from municipalities along the proposed line of road. Already business oj^erations have been begun along this line of road, which, without this railway, would not have been thought of. If the whole line, as proi>osed, is built, it will be from one hundred and forly to one hund';^d and filty miles long. Possibly, should these proposed bru iches not be constructed at an early day, a portion of the • ; f'idy 1. ( i i 1 ^ ^ f . 4 i i L 89 promised may, by consent of parties interested and bv le- gislation be directed and appropriated towards aiding in the cons^truction of an important line of road, which wiR be belore the Legislature this Session. (Hear.) THE SHERBROOKE, EASTERN TOWNSHIPS AND KENNEBEC RAILWAY. Then passing more into the inierior from the St. Lawrence we have the Sherbrooke, Eastern Townships and Kennebec Kailway, commencing- at Sherbrooke and runnino- north- easterly iollowmg the valley of the St. Francis river to connect with the Levis and Kennebec Kailway, in the county of Beauce. This road is partly graded for a si^ort distance and will, I hope, soon be sufficiently advanced to entitle it to the usual subsidy from the Government, accorded to this road 111 common with the other lines mentioned Ihis road will open, for some 70 to 80 miles, a good atrri^ cultura country, abounding with good water powSrs which the completion of the road will tend to utilize and develope. THE ST. FRANCIS AND INTERNATIONAL RAILWAY. Then again we have the St. Francis and Liternationai Kailway Company, chartered by the Dominion Legislature --running from Sherbrook.:^ by the Grand Trunk line, for a lew miles, thence running entirely through the county of Oompton, to connect at the Province Line with an Ameri- can JIailway, and forming the most direct route from Mont- real to tne Maritime Provinces. This Railway, if bull L as it should be, m the most direct possible line from the Grand Trunk, at, or near Sherbrooke and connecting at the Line with an American Tlailwav' cannot lail of attracting to it a large share of jxissenger and goods traffic, between Montreal and places west thereof :-Kl the cities of St. John and Halifax, owing to the large saving m distance over the Liternationai l^aiI^^'av, and United States Railways. (Hear, hear.) Li connection, also, with th 3 American railways connect- ing with the Grand Trunk cvt Sherbrooke, the route by the proposed International Railway will be the shortest be- 1 40 tween Halifax and New York. This road, if suitably located, will also open up in this Province, a valuable tract of Crown Lands, vhich will thus be brought within the reach of settlers ; and I hope soon, to see this important link of rail- w^ay, between Montreal and the Maritime Provinces, com- pleted. This road is also entitled to a cash subsidy from the Grovernment, or a grant of land in lieu thereof, should the company prefer the lands to money. Legislation in this sense will probibly be introduced this Session by the Gov- ernment. (Api^lause.) Let any one, Mr. Speaker, trace on the map of our Pro- vince, the various lines of railway referred to, entitled to Provincial aid — and with this aid there is little doubt, but In a few years all will be built, — then let him say, if he can, that the Government and Legislature of Quebec, have not ' ?n a laudable desire to advance the prosperity of the t ince by encouragement to private enterprize, and to develope the resources of the Province and advance its set- tlement. For my own part, Mr, Speaker, I feel proud, as a member of this Legislature, and of the government, of having done what little I covild do, to promote these important objects. The tar.nts and scorn, heretofore heaped upon the people of this Province, as being unprogressive, and of being backward in promotion of public enterprises have, I think, in the action of the Quebec Legislature, been shown to be false and unmerited. (Hear, hear.) Having done and promised so much already, great pru- dence will be required hereafter, not to embarrass the Pro- vi"ce by promises of more cash in the M^ay of subsidies, than our finances will permit ; or of land, so as to interfere with our revenues from this source. What iias been done has been in the true interests of the Province and of the Domi- nion, and so soon as aid can safely be granted in fur- therance of these and like enterprizes, I shali, at all tnneb, be only too glad to do so to the utmost of my power. V .1. V • IMMIGRATION. In order to derive that advantage, which we ought, as a Province, from onr past and futur<^ expenditure, we need i 41 i to uxert ourselves to attract Iinniigraiits to settle in th« Pro- vince. We need a large influx of population, for we, in common with the Eastern States ot the American Union, have lost the services and industry of many valuable citi- zens, by Emigration to the Western States. Efforts should be made to induce such of our people as are in the United States to return to this country again, and efforts also should be made to encourage immigration from various parts of Europe to settle on our wild lands, or to develope our mineral deposits, or engage in manufacturing pursuits. (Hear, hear.) What has built up the American Union to its present high position ? Perhaps more than any other one thing, it has been the encouragement given by the Government of that country, and the private enterprise and zeal of its citi- zens, in fostering and encouraging the introduction of for- eigners to their shores. The United States people well know, and appreciate, the importance of affording aid to the industrious laboring population of Europe, incoming to this country. If we would not fall behind our sister Provinces, we must not fail in this regard : we must use every legitimate means in our power to aid and encourage the introduction of capital and men from European countries. (Hear.) I care not particularly from what part, but the more of an industrious, sober, hard-working c]ass of people, accustom- ed to agricultural, dairy, or manufacturing pursuits, we can get, the better. For many years no special effort was made to introduce immigration to Lower Canada. What little was done by the late Government of Canada benefited mostly Canada West. Steamship and railway companies were interested in having immigrants go as far West as possible, so that, for several years, but few remained here. Tius subject is under the control of the Dominion as well as the Local Governments, and we were a little too much disposed to ;et things take their course, in fact, to help the Dominion Government in doing nothing. The grant for this purpose for the two years after Con- federation, was trifling in the extreme. The votes of the last two year* of this House have been more respectable, »nd more comcnsurate with the imT)ortance of thQ object. 6 42 The principal oxpenditun^ has heeii made hist year, and the results as lavoiiraWo as could reasonably be expected. 1 have no doubt, but the circulation in Europe of valuable information respecting- the capabilities and resources of our l^rovince, ^vill give good results, as soon as the information given is diilused more generally among the people. Al- ready there have been settled in the Province, through the eftbrts of our agents, within two years, some 4,500 persons from various parts of Europe, and at least 100 families of our own people have come l^ack from the Eastern States to remain here permanently. (Cheers.) These results may not be large ; but as a oeginning, after the long sleep of our people, on this question, are not to be - despisecl. The Dominion Grovernment, I am happy to say, intend to grant aid to the several Provinces, to supplement what the respective Provinces may do themselves. It also undertakes to erect suitable buildings, at Quebec and Mon- treal, for the reception of the Immigrants on their arrival. These Jjuildnigs are, I understand, under contract, and will, I hope, answer the purpose intended. I have every hope the new Minister of the Agricultural and Immigration De- partments, at Ottawa, will gladly co-operate with the I ocal Governments in deviling, and setting in operation, those agencies likely to produce satisfactory results. He has here- tofore been active in this regard, and I have no fear but he will fully give himself to this important part of his official duties. (Applause.) .11. Were it possible for a Legislature to afford pecuniary aid to assist in establishing manufactures of various kinds, and aid to develope our min'?ral resources, — and I do not say but that some means may bo devised to do this before long, — it would doubtless do much to keep our people in the country, and induce the establishment of various works of industry, which would ultimately pro\e valuable to the Province, and attract Ibreign capital to come among us. Government cannot aid every important enterprise in the country, but only such as men of capital and enterprise will embark in, and as are general in their nature and results. This has al- ready been done as i'ar as could have been expected, and so far with good results. 'f .11. 43 our wild lauci 1 S„i „?7"'=,"" ™"™°» >o«ls into Colonization tiociHicl 17 .tj ' !" '^"""'■<^^l'on with them, will do niuoh low-til "°'*'"a' ''"nuoniously with d^o, and the eflbr x ol' (1 k, oth,?. P,!' "' "''"".Q«<'>>ec ha. direction, „., ourselvc Lo'' ?»"* for hope as to our ii ,, Tn^''":,?;:f ''''"'>• ^••™«' income than Ontario less cash,,', Z ", Q^bec, have less to year, but I venttn-e to s,v .1 ,r"' ^"'"''"'T from year means, we have done mot, i i ' '" ..P'oporiion to our Dominion, by the e^poTdh.ro"™ "'■''" *^ ''"'=''™' "^ *'"' n.ade, i„ our Provi co han 1^ ""f, •"■"" *^<* *" ^o vinces. (Cheers.) by any other of the I'ro- in '^roS7;i:::l>:/tri:«'''' "•■"^ -;■ -p^dit^- agricultural Snd col^.u^l^ioTrTie;;;,';,.^^:?;, j" .i";^ "*' to any oAhe meLfcl^olThl'Sral/cr' h 'ft]!"^ '^" imperfectly said I hiv,> o„„,.„ ,' , . ,'" "'"" "iT ination worth remLtrno- Y^,'-:,i''™^K'^''.^""'' "''0'^ sent in a concise Ibrm he Sato orour tl^ '"'"' '° P'''^- paiiied with sncli remarks as seon.ed Zj'""'' '"""""- the occasion, and J hive to h^Tir ^,?" "PP'opiu'te to kind attentio't^l^ whaTlh:,!,^::;|'d "• ^^""''"■^ '"' ""oir thifDom1l.!j;/l!rst'rimt1ir?^'^^'^' i^^'- ^P-^er, in consequent upon ou as?umi,t- L^r '''* '■''■^P<""'ibilities the family of ,Lio„::" s::" rd K™.r:;v™;j''''f "i was stnvnir by force of n,',„» t„ J^^^'s ago, Jingland Colonies to^remdrsubiect o the IwTil'iJ'r' ""^ ^•"''"<=^" England, through the rn staVj^/i'l,^;" ^^"»":, T»-daj' statesmen at the head of her attW h . J "T ' \, "' *^' extreme, and so far from endeavoW , ^ "" '" ""' ""'«'■ mission to in>periara;s;:°riVi;rs::;-r;:::rt V' 44 leel more and more the necessity of exercising self-govern- ment, and more and more to look to our own protection. (Hear.) Had the policy of the British G-overnment of to-day been to cast adrift, an extent of territory containing a population equal to thai of the original 13 States of the American Union, at the time of the Revolutionary War, nearly a cen- tuary ago, I must say the course pursued would have re- sembled, in some degree, what has been the policy adopted, and followed for some time past. Her language may be construed thus : In times of peace, you must look to your own internal government, and herealter be prepared to do your share for solf-protection, against whoever may assail you. Should any other nation attempt to interfere with your liberties or territory, England then will intervene for your assistance and protection. In the mean time you must gradually prepare yourselves for acting, more as an ally of England, than wholly dependant on her. For upwards of a hundred years past, there was to be found, by day and night — in summer and winter— in our streets and in various parts of the Citadel of the city, tho British sentinel keeping guard over us, pacing up and down in the discharge of his duty — to day he is removod to give place to the sentinel, provided from amongst our own people, by the Dominion Government. The gun which daily boomed from our citadel, giving notice to our people of the passage of time, and that Old England was at hand, ready to fight in our behalf, is no longer charged and light- ed by the British soldiers, and the associations which hav gathered around us by the citadel signal from time to time, are for the moment rudely broken up and scattered to the winds. The troops in our city, heretofore not only ready to act in our defence, but to assist from time to time, on all accasions of joy and festivity, when their presence could amuse or instruct our citizens — and especially ready to assist when life and property were at stake in consequence of the numerous conflagrations by fire which from time to time have visited this city — under the command of superior authority, have bidden us farewell, leaving behind only kind recollections of the intercourse had between the mili- tary and our people, and the colours of some of the regi- r 46 ments in one of our cathedrals, for safe keeping and as mementos of the British soldier stationed in our country. But are we, therefore, to be downhearted and discouraged as to our future posicion and prospects { Are v/o to lancy that England, because of this action, the short sighted po- licy of her statesmen in withdrawing her troops, cares nothing about us and is regardless as to our future ? By no means. I have such full faith in the British people that, should occasion arise for our needing assistance against any foreign foe, the entire nation would, as one man, leap to our assistance ani pour out, as freely as water, their trea- sure and blood in our defence, (Cheers.) We see no like- lihood of our ever needing such assistance, but if we should, I feel confident it would cheerfully be rendered by Eng- land to-day, or years hence, as ever before. A new era in the history of nations has dawned upon the world, by the reference of matters in dispute between two of the greatest nations of the earth, to a joint commission for settlement, by mutual concessions and compromise, rather than as heretofore by an appeal to arms for redress of real or fancied grievances. I do not, therefore, fear the least interference with our affairs by our American cousins south of the line forty-five, (Hear ) I think, upon a fair comparison of the state of things in Canada, and the most enlightened nations in the world, we will find that, as respects wise and prudent legislation ; the administration of justice ; the integrity of our Judges, Legislators, and public men generally ; tHe efforts made to advance the country in education of all kinds ; the liberty and purity of the press, in its efforts to defuse information throughout the Dominion and the world ; the freedom of all religious denominations, to worship God according to the dictates of conscience ; the exercise of the election franchise ; and in every department of life — public, private, and social — we, in this Domini'^n, stand second to none. (Loud Cheers ) We are still a young people, and improvement, in many respects, will doubtless follow as time advances, and our circumstances and rhose around us change. If we learn from history — our own and that of others — what to avoid, 46 and what to promote ; xvhat to shun, and what to fnniar wro come alter us In the meantime we have each our duty to perform, whether as private individuals or as hoi iiiff pubhc positions, and entrusted with ffreat resnonS' ties by our fellow citizens. Let those dTes bSt v po Ho med m our various stations and relations af Lr an I with the aid oi Divine Providence, wehave nothing to fear cheerin'I '"*"" ^^"*"" ^"^ ^^^P^*- (^^^olonge'd The House went into Bellerose in the chair. Committee of the Whole.— Mr. f •-«t-f- .. ^.