most important of our industries-the the terms of the contract been made most important perhaps after agriculture, public, so that the people would have the lumber trade-was languishing to a had an opportunity of discussing the most extraordinary degree. We all saw matter face to face with their represenin our daily rambles about the capital tatives before leaving for their parliathe vast piles of unsold lumber standing mentary duties. The Government would in the owners yards; we saw the idle then have taken into their councils, not mills, and we knew that for years that merely the members of Parliament and industry was practically perishing. Upon Senators, but also the people. As it is what did that depression depend? Did now, and as my hon. friend the leader it arise from any fault of the Govern- of the Opposition in this House has ment? Not at all; it depended on the stated, this matter will probably be deparalyzed condition of trade in the United cided upon before a large majority of the States, over which we had no control. people of the Dominion are aware of We might have good harvests, but that the exact terms of this great contract, would not set the lumber trade in motion which is to bind them and their children again; neither would it set the other in- to so gigantic an undertaking. This was dustries in motion which were also in a an error, a grave error, that they did not dormant condition in the United States, make the terms of this contract known and, consequently, we were deprived of before summoning Parliament, or, at all the markets for our lumber: but, when events, contemporaneously with the ever circumstances occurred such as have summoning of Parliament. I do not taken place during the past year--and I believe that the course they have purmay say two or three preceding years of sued is that which would be adopted scarcity in Europe, the last season espe- under the more modern practice of Bricially-an active demand arose in Europe tish Governments and British Parliafor American corn, and it was evidentments. My impression is that in Great that that demand was likely to continue Britain the course now more generally for some time. Then American industry was at once set in motion, and there was again a demand for our lumber. The result has been a return of prosperity; but to assume that the National Policy has actually contributed in any material degree to that pros perity, I think think is an assumption without proof. The next paragraph in the Speech refers to the important question which has brought us here, but 1 am happy to find that in a general way throughout the debate very little reference has been made to the details of this is adopted by governments is to give full publicity to questions of national importance; and, if. I remember rightly, when Lord Beaconsfield made the purchase of the Suez Canal shares he made no secret of it; the terms of the contract were made known at the earliest possible date, and I think that everybody who concerns himself at all with the course of public affairs in England must agree that in all quarters-in the public press, and amongst statesmen in and out of Parliament-there is a universal demand that that extreme reticence which used to preval in the management of public affairs in former times should no longer continue. I think that any person who takes the trouble to inform himself on these affairs will take that view of the case. I say nothing about the inconvenience of this early session. think early session. I have always considered that when a man becomes a member of Parliament, or accepts a seat in the Senate, it is his duty to hold himself prepared to appear here and do his duty and remain here just as long as the public service requires his attendance. For my part if it is necesrary to do without the usual festivities of Christmas and 'new contract. Of course everybody felt New Year's, I am prepared to stay here It may be, as the Government state in and do my work as long as the Govern- that clause, that they have reduced the ment require my services. I observe a expenditure on that road, but have they little further on in the Speech a para-maintained its efficiency? There's the graph respecting the Intercolonial Rail- point. Now, I have positive proof to way and the Prince Edward Island bring before this House that its efficiency Railway, which will require a few has not been preserved; on the contrary, remarks from me. I felt it my duty last that the roadway was reduced to such a year, in consequence of a paragraph in condition as to result in a most serious the Speech with which Parliament was disaster this last summer. A train got opened last session, to make some reflec- off the track and was completely smashed tions on the management of the Inter- up, and a considerable portion of the line colonial Railway. I, and many other was torn up, and several passengers were members from the Maritime Provinces, most grievously mutilated. There were had recently performed a journey on that men on the train at that time who have road, and we all had complaints of more scarcely recovered; in fact one of them or less gravity as to the state of things I know has not recovered from the on that line. Some of us complained of effects of that accident to this day, and accidents to wheels, some of cars off the probably never will. A sort of inquiry track, and some of one thing and some was held at the time, I believe, under of another. There certainly was suffi- the superintendence of the management cient cause to criticize, and criticize with of the road, and the witnesses produced some severity, that paragraph of last were all employees on the road. They year's Speech which claimed credit all declared that the line was in excelfor the good management of the Inter-lent order, with one exception. There colonial Railway; but I can coincide was one person who did make a suggeswith the view expressed by my hon. tion. I do not know as it is necessary friend from Halitax, that on this occasion, to give his name, but that gentleman deI for one, have found the line of the clared that the accident must have arisen Intercolonial Railway, as far as a passen- from defective sleepers. I think that I ger can judge of these things, in admiram warranted in saying that it did able order, and I have no fault to find occur from defective sleepers or ties. with its management on the present That accident occurred within a couple occasion. If there is anything that of miles of my residence, and as soon as requires notice, it is, that the staff I heard of it, I made it my business to chargeable with the transfer of luggage inspect the road, and it was only two or is rather inadequate, but the road appears three days after the accident that I to be in a most excellent condition. I visited the spot. wish I could, consistently with my duty, speak in terms equally agreeable to the Government upon the state of the Prince Edward Island Railway, but that I cannot do. Credit has been taken by the Government for the economy that has been produced in the management of that road. They say "You will be glad to learn that the measures adopted to promote economy in the working of the Intercolonial and Prince Edward Island Railways have resulted in a large reducHon. Mr. HAYTHORNE-It was tion of the difference between revenue built for the Prince Edward Island Govand expenditure." Now, hon. gentlemen, ernment by Messrs. Scriber and Burpee. that clause is skilfully worded, I admit, What I wish to say is this: that the acbut at the same time I cannot agree that cident was clearly traceable to defectiv any credit is due to the Government for sleepers. I examined them myself, and reducing expenditure upon the road pro from my own observation I can state vided they fail to maintain the perina-positively--although, of course, my of nent way in safe working condition. servation goes for no more than that of Hon. Mr. DEBOUCHERVILLE Who was that road made by? Hon. Mr. HAYTHORNE-It was made by a contracting firm named Scriber and Burpee. Hon. Mr. DEBOUCHERVILLE Was it not built by the Prince Edward Island Government? who have to "It will be satisfactory to you to know that the existing tariff has not only promoted the manufactures and other products of the country, but has so far increased the revenue of the Dominion as to place it beyond doubt that the receipts of the current fiscal year will be in excess of the expenditure chargeable to Consolidated Revenue." Now, the latter part of that paragrap is a matter upon which we might fairly congratulate ourselves, although our congratulations would be more thorough and more complete provided the revenue had been raised by duties only calculated to raise revenue, and not to protect manufacturers. It speaks of having promoted the manufactures of the country, but I very much doubt whether there is any reason to congratulate the country on the success of manufactures promoted in the manner the paragraph describes, because every additional profit made by the manufacturers is evidently made at the expense of the people of those provinces who could have provided themselves with the articles that they required under a revenue tariff on cheaper and more beneficial terms than under the National Policy. I notice that. a private individual that the sleepers | the right direction. There is a paragraph in the immediate vicinity of the spot, in the Speech with reference to the tarif when that accident occurred, were in a and the revenue. I could join in the defective condition; and any govern- congratulations which are claimed front ment who would knowingly tolerate such Parliament upon this subject if a small a condition of things as that, are directly portion of that paragraph were omitted. responsible for the lives and safety of It is there stated that:the people of the Province from which I come travel over that railway. I do not say anything as yet, nor shall I until the papers, which I shall move for at the proper time, come down, whether the failure to remove defective sleepers lies at the doors of the local management or of the Government. An extensive renewal of sleepers has taken place on different parts of the road since that time. I cannot state to what extent this has been done, but probably the papers which will be laid upon the table before the session closes will elucidate that point. I can state that the road from Charlottetown to Georgetown is in very fair order, and there have been large renewals on the road since that accident occurred. Now, hon. gentlemen, if the agent of a house proprietor, for example, were to boast to his principal that he had effected a considerable increase in his rental, and if that agent had allowed the roof trees of the dwellings under his charge to decay through inattention, would he be entitled to praise for his management, or would it be thought that he was doing his employer justice I think not, and I think that the Governin the French rendering of the ment are not entitled to credit for Speech the word "favorise" has been economy when they are allowing the used, a term more analogous to protec roadway of the Island Railway to fall tion than the word "promoted," used in into decay. I would hear with great the English edition. I feel, hon. gensatisfaction of any measure coming for- tlemen, that to occupy your time any ward that would place the Civil Service longer on this occasion would only on a good footing. I think the success-render my remarks somewhat tedious. ful carrying on of the public de- I admit, for the reasons stated in the partments depends on the efficiency beginning of my address, that my ideas and permanency of those employed are not a little disjointed, owing to the in the Civil Service. I could interlude which occurred just before I quote some high authorities in proof of rose to address you, and that being so that assertion, but I decline to do so on I conclude very briefly by stating my account of the lateness of the hour and conviction that, fortunately, the prosperity the length of this debate. I think if the of this country cannot be made to depend Government will bring forward such reupon fiscal laws connected with the form as will place that service on a per-customs. They may affect our prosperity manent and efficient footing, they will to a very great extent, but to shut it out. be doing a lasting service to the Dominion, and I, for one, will be prepared to give them credit for taking a step in or stamp it down, it is beyond the power of the tariff to do. I say this because I believe that the neighboring Republic has a like experience with our own. I have quoted before in this House the words of Mr. David Wells, the Commissioner of Revenue in the United States pon similar an occasion somewhat to this in the history of his country. Congress had established a strongly protective system-stronger than that which exists in Canada. Mr. Wells, in his report to Congress on the state of the revenue, said, in some such words as these, which I may quote again in this House if I hear it asserted, as I have heard it to-night, that the National Policy is the cause of the measure of prosperity that We now enjoy: "Throughout the length and breadth of the United States, from east to west, from north to south, prosperity prevails, abundance of employment for labor and abundance of employment for capital. Everything prospered; but," he added, this prosperity is due to the inherent energies of the people and natural resources of the country, and not to legislation." I say the same here to-night, and I shall close my remarks with theso important words of Mr. Wells. The motion was agreed to. Ordered that the said Address be presented to His Excellency the GovernorGeneral by such members of the House as are members of the Privy Council. THE PACIFIC RAILWAY CONTRACT Hon. Mr. SCOTT inquired of the leader of the Government what course the Government proposed to take to ratify the contract with the Syndicate who had undertaken to construct the Canadian Pacific Railway. Hon. Sir ALEX. CAMPBELL said the contract would be laid on the table of the House on Monday, accompanied with a Bill, which would become the Act of Incorporation if it was passed. The Senate adjourned at 10.07 pm. THE SENATE, Monday, December 13th, 1884. The Speaker took the Chair at Three o'clock. Prayers and routine proceedings. THE PACIFIC RAILWAY. THE CONTRACT WITH THE SYNDICATE. Hon. Sir ALEX. CAMPBELL read a Message from His Excellency the Governor General, transmitting a contract entered into for the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and accompanying schedule, and recommending the same for the favorable consideration of the Senate. He said that it was his intention to have presented these documents on Friday evening. The desire of the Government was to have presented them to both Houses simultaneously, but up to the time that the Senate adjourned the debate on the Address had not terminated in the Lower House. The Government, as represented in that body, presented the papers that evening before the adjournment. He now laid them, at the earliest opportunity, before the Senate. BILLS INTRODUCED. Bill (A) "An Act respecting prize fighting."--(Sir Alex. Campbell.) Bill (B) "An Act to amend the law respecting documentary evidence in certain cases."-(Sir Alex. Campbell.) THE SENATE DEBATES. DELAY IN PUBLICATION. Hon. Mr. MILLER called attention to the fact that only a portion of the debate of Friday last appeared in this morning's paper. He did not know where the fault lay; he did not say that it rested with the reporters. Very often it was the fault of members who, when reports of their speeches were sent to them for revision, failed to return them to the reporters in time for publication. He (Mr. Miller) had made it a habit when reports of his speeches were sent to him to revise them promptly and return them as soon as possible to the reporters. He threw out this suggestion at the opening of the session in the hope that affairs might be managed more pleasantly than last session. REPLY TO A QUESTION. Hon. Sir ALEX. CAMPBELL de Hon. Mr. DICKEY thought that his THE PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND JUDGES. hon. friend had furnished the key to the delay that had occurred-it was the result of members not returning the reports of their speeches in time for prompt publication. He (Mr. Dickey) happened to know that in this instance the report had been delayed from this cause. The hon. Senator from Ottawa might be able to explain whether it was so or not. Hon. Mr. SCOTT regretted if he had been the cause of retarding the gratification of anybody. He did not know that his speech was so exceedingly important, but he had to-day written a brief paragraph and furnished it to the reporters a lieu of the full report of his speech, and in future he would act upon that principle and give no cause for complaint. Having delivered a speech, he did not want to read it again; it had not that "attraction to him. sired,before the adjournment of the House, to reply to a question which had been asked last session by the hon. Senator from Prince Edward Island (Mr. Haythorne) as to the judges' salaries. He had promised that the matter should engage the consideration of the Government. Since last session the Government had considered the subject, and would be prepared, during the present session, to submit to Parliament a revision and readjustment of the salaries of some of the judges of the Maritime Pro vinces. Tuesday, December 14th, 1880. The Speaker took the Chair at 3.20 p.m. Prayers and routine proceedings. THE STANDING COMMITTEES. Hon. Sir ALEX. CAMPBELL Hon. D. L. MACPHERSON, Speaker, Alexander, Allan, Hon. Mr. BELLEROSE, as a member of the Debates Committee, thought that such delays would at times be unavoidable, and that they ought not to be attributed to the reporters, but to certain members of the House, who were the cause of them. As for the members from Quebec, who spoke in French, deJay was unavoidable, owing to the diffiealty they experienced from having no French reporters. Their speeches had to be translated, and delay necessarily resulted from that cause. It was not only the practice for members to revise the reports of their speeches, but the reporters were required, by the terms of Baillargeon, their contract, to give Senators opportun- | Boucherville, De, ity for such revision, and to wait until the reports were returned to them for publication. Members could not at all times be ready to read the manuscript of their speeches when it was sent to them. They had meetings of committees to attend and other duties to discharge, which often prevented them from re- Hon. Sir ALEX. vising the reports in time to have them moved the appointment of the following CAMPBELL sent to the printer. Under the circum-Senators to the Joint Committee on the stances there should be no complaints. Printing of Parliament:It was the result of the system adopted by the Honse and of the terms of the contract with the reporters. The subject then dropped. Bourinot, Cornwall, Odell, Reesor, Ryun, Scott, Stevens, Trudel, and The motion was agreed to. THE PRINTING OF PARLIAMENT. Aikins, Bureau, Cochrane, Fabre, Hon. Messrs. McClelan (Hopewell), Macfarlane, Northwood, Odell, |