FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. Bill (18) "An Act to amend the Act incorporating the Souris and Rocky Mountain Railway Company." Hon. Mr. VIDAL moved the suspension of the 41st rule in so far as it relates to this Bill, and that the Bill be read the second time presently. The motion was agreed to. DON RIVER IMPROVEMENT COMPANY'S BILL WITHDRAWN. Hon. Mr. DICKEY, from the Committee of Railways, Telegraphs and Harbors, reported that the promoters of the Bill, "An Act to incorporate the Don River Improvement Company," desired to withdraw it. Hon. Mr. SCOTT moved that the re Bill (41) “An Act to incorporate the port of the Committee Le concurred in, Hull Mines Railway Company." and the fees be refunded to the promoters of the Bill, less the actual cost of Hon. Mr. SCOTT moved the suspen-printing. sion of the 41st rule in so far as it relates to this Bill, and that the Bill be read the second time. Hon. Sir ALEX. CAMPBELL said he had no objection, if it were understood that hon. gentlemen were at liberty to take such course as they please at a future stage of the Bill, and that explanations should be made on the third reading. The motion was agreed to. The Senate adjourned at 6.15 p.m. The motion was agreed to. ST. JOHN RIVER RAILWAY BRIDGE. MOTION. Hon. Mr. DEVER moved : "That an humble Address be presented to His Excellency the Governor General, praying that His Excellency will cause to be laid before this House copies of all correspondence between the Government of Canada and any parties interested, or offering to construct a bridge across the falls of the St. John River, St. John, N.B." The motion which I have placed before you to-day is one bearing on the bridge at theity of St. John, as well as a small piece of railway connecting with that bridge, which would make a union be tween the terminus of the Intercolonial Railway at St. John and the railway known as the Western Extension, on the western side of the River St. John. Our railway system at St. John at present is very complete, with the exception of about a mile or a mile and a quarter of road which is not yet constructed, from the terminus of the Intercolonial Railway at St. John and the road known as the Western Extension. It has been a matter under consideration for a long time, whether the Government of Canada should construct this short piece of road, or whether it should be allowed to re main until private enterprise would I take hold of it and make the counection. I have had occasion to bring this matter before the House three or four times during the last few years. brought it up frequently during the term of the former Government, and in justice to the late Government I feel it my duty to bring it now before the pre-ent Government. Like a good many others, I feel that the Intercolonial Railway ter- be spent in the North-West should minating at St. John, and having no receive some consideration as a quid pro connection with the great system of rail- quo. I see by the newspapers from St. ways of the United States, is placed in a John that a private Company is position to somewhat lessen the traffic of contemplating the undertaking of that road. We feel that if the In- the construction of this bridge, tercolonial Railway were connected and possibly of the intervening piece of by this short road a good amount road. I do not, for one, concede that it of traffic would be created between the United States and St. John, and ultimately with Halifax. I know that there are two hundred miles of railway owned by the Government at present between St. John and Halifax, and if the traffic could be encouraged along those two hundred miles of railway it would be of great advantage to the Government. would be desirable that this work should fall into the hands of a private company. I think that, the Government owning so much property at St. John, and being desirous to control the working and action of their great road through tha Province and the Province of Nova Scotia, ne intermediate link that might be a barrier to the free intercourse along that road, should think that Hon. Mr. McLELAN Two hun- be permitted. I also dred and seventy miles. the Government of Canada have a direct interest in this bridge, as it is a scheme to span a navigable river. Therefore I hold it is time that the people of St. John should know whether the Government of Canada are taking seriously into consideration the desirability of Hon. Mr. DEVER My hon. friend says two hundred and seventy miles. We know that if traffic could be encouraged on that road it would be the means of lightening the burdens of the people of this country. This traffic could be en-building this bridge as a public work. couraged by the construction of this It cannot be denied that St. John is not bridge and this short piece of road at St. in a very prosperous condition at present. John. A great number of the support- I admit freely that the great fire of a erts of the present Administration feel few years ago had a great deal to do with that it is due to them that something this state of affairs, but, even though the should be done in this direction. Pre-effects of the fire have to a considerable vious to the last election campaign, extent been overcome, I see by the all must admit very plainly that newspapers that in so short a period as a great many inducements were from 1878 to 1880 th voting strength held out to the people of that community, of that City has decreased some 618 and very extensive promises were made votes. And these were not voters that the change of Government would merely for civic purposes, but voters for certainly be beneficial in many ways, and the legislatures of Canada. Now, I that St. John would have no cause of think it is but fair, seeing complaint. I cannot say that these that we have suffered considerably promises have been completely broken, by the change in our trade relations, and but I must submit that no great public the fact that our public works there are expenditure — no great public notice not as beneficial as they might be made, has been taken of St.John since the change we should expect the Government of of Government took place. I am quite Canada to take hold of this work. It is conscious, too, that the City of St. John but a trifle in the hands of the Governand the Province of New Brunswick ment. The whole amount would not have been put to additional expense in possibly be more than $1,000,000, but if the way of duties and the loss of trade, it be undertaken by a private company, because we find that we have got up to who might possibly linger at it, and have an average of 33 per cent. upon all the to contend with many difficulties, they dutiable goods entered for consumption might be an obstruction by and by, at a in 1880, as against 27 or 28 per cent. on time when we could not help ourselves. the same basis in 1877, and, this being I think it is the duty of every thinking the case, it is proper that the people sub- man to point out that now is the time to mitting to this additional expense control this matter, and place it beyond - to the possibility of difficulties that may hereafter be very annoying. I feel very anxious about this, because I see that two party newspapers are divided on this question. I am anxious to agree with the present Administration, but I admit freely that I cannot take the dictum of the writer or writers of the Government paper in St. John as indicating a proper spirit on the part of the Government. I do not know by whom those articles are inspired, or whether the writer is acting upon his own responsibility or not in aking the line that the Government of Canada had better not touch this matter, that it would be better done by private enterprise. He argues that a private company would give better and cheaper facilities for the transport of traffic, and, as the Government of Canada are now about to construct large works in the shape of sheds, railroad depots, etc., at that City, that nothing more can be expected of them. I cannot see it in that light. The Government have a large property at St. John, and it is their duty, as representatives and protectors of that property, to build depots and sheds for their own accomodation. That is nothing more than any private company would do. It is nothing more than any common carriers would do to protect their own property it necessary, and I do not see that the people in St. John have any right whatever to feel grateful about that. If the House will bear with me for a moment, I will read some of the opinions of the press of St. John on this subject. The writers are both men of intelligence, who are specially calculated to impress their ideas very largely on the country. The one who is in opposition to the construction of the work by the Government writes as follows: "The special railway interest of the Government in the connection is not sufficient to justify the Government in building the bridge. The Intercolonial is only one of a number of railways interested in the scheme; and hence, while the Government would be acting fairly in contributing to the maintenance of the undertaking by a subsidy it would not be supported by the public or by Parliament in shouldering alone responsibilities which should be shared by private roads. It may also be fairly held that, looked at from a St. John point of view, it is better that private means should make this important and costly connection. The undertaking in private hands will bring in, say, $800,000 of outside capital. This will not shut our city and port out of other expenditures by the Dominion Government, houses, elevators, and other necessaries of a such as proper stations, buildings, and ware. well equipped railroad. But if the bridge were built by means of a large grant of Dominion money, there would of course be strong opposition in Parliament and the Dominion generally to granting St. John free appropriations for those other needed expenditures. Let us have the bridge and its connections built by the private means which offer, while we look to the Gov ernment to deal liberally with St. John in the matter of station, warehouse and shipping accommodation. It is not well to call on the Government to help us in matters where private enterprise stands ready to assist; we should rather limit our demands on the Gov. ernment to such matters as private enterprise is not likely to supply.” I trust these views are not held or inspired by the Government, but rather would hope that the following views expressed by another paper in St. John -- will be held by them as being more in accord with the true interests not only of St. John, but also the people of this country, and Government, too, in my opinion: nection between the Intercolonial Railroad and - "While a conflict is going on as to the site of the proposed bridge across the mouth of the St. John, there is another question of greater importance which ought to engage attention, and that is as to the party by whom the conthe railroads west of St John should be made. The public interest in this case should be the supreme law. Can there be any doubt as to what the general interest is? The owner of the Intercolonial Railroad - that is, the Government of Canada - should unquestionably supply the missing link, securing at the same time the fair and equitable use of the bridge by railroads west of the St. John, who would speedily arrange to make their connections control a noble line of road. If any single line of railroad is interested in a connection with other railroads, much more is the Intercolonial. The territory over which the connecting link should extend is clearly defined by great natural boundaries. The Dominion Government alone should control that extension, in the interest of the general trade and commerce of the country, and in the particular interest of the commerce of this port. The Government of Canada, and their Railway Committee, must be satisfied as to the location of a great bridge across a great river. They are the general guardians of navigation. They have in their possession all the nautical and engineering information which exists applicable to the case, and, if additional information be wanted, they can send proper engineers to obtain it. It being necessary, ultimately, to satisfy them as to the site with it. The Dominion Government own and selected, the character of the structure proposed, the mutual arrangements made as to the proportion in which the different railway interests shall contribute to the work, why not go a step further, and assume its entire control, making a fair arrangement with all other roads? Again, agreeing with those who think a railway bridge desirable in the interests of trade and commerce, while at the same time the navigation of our great waterway must be protected, we cannot but conclude that, when the work is commenced, it should be put through with as little delay as possible. We have bright hopes for St. John in connection Railway to the St. Lawrence, and also with the completion of the Megantic line. We wish to see as many railways come into our city and Portland as possible, and to afford all reasonable facilities to them for doing so. The Domin with the extension of the New Brunswick friends and present to them the fact that something practical was about to be done for the people of St. John by the Government of Canada. Promises are very good, smiles are pleasant, but really we would like something more beneficial than we have had yet. We have been most desirous to be friends and supporters of Confederation, and I think we have done so faithfully, and we are not wholly deprived of the belief that it has done some good, but I believe that the completion of those public works, that is, the connection of the railway, together with the bridge and some other slight improvements necessary, would give great satisfaction to the ion Government could put through the bridge and its eastern connection with the Intercolc- people of St. John. I do feel grateful nial Railway with the greatest promptness, for the construction of the Courtney Bay and could make the most equitable arrange-extension of the Intercolonial Railway. ments for the taking of land and the considera- I brought that matter under the notice of tion of all interests that might be affected by the former Government, and I believe the location and erection of the bridge. A panic, even a stringency in the money market, might embarrass even a company, and either cause delay or induce it altogether to surrender a project on which it had embarked, but it ment would not be likely to experience any embarrassment of that kind; the less so, as the work undertaken would be sure to add considerably to the revenues of the Intercolonial Railway. The link in question, in private hands, subject to change in their personnel, and even in their nationality, might make heavy demands on all who have occasion to use it, but no fears on that head could reasonably be entertained if that work formed part of the Government railroad, and its befitting completion. When Halifax wanted the Intercolonial carried as far as possible into the heart of the rity and a noble terminus erected, the work was done. The business of the road is to be further stimulated by the erection of a grain elevator, at a cost of $130,000, to be provided by the Government. In view of these facts, and of the hopes entertained of a new departure in the cattle and produce trade with Europe, the right and proper thing for the Government to do is to take hold of this work." is needless to say that the Dominion Govern Now, hon. gentlemen, the great object in bringing this question before your notice to-day is to have an expression of opinion from Nova Scotia and from the Province of New Brunswick as to whether it is desirable that the Government of Canada should seriously take into consideration the ivisability of constructing this road and bridge as a public work. It would give me the greatest satisfaction to know that the Government were going to undertake it, and I should go back to my an arrangement was satisfactorily concluded between the corporation of St. John and the Government of Canada of that day. I should like now, if possible, to impress upon this Government the pleasure it would give me, and many others, if we could induce them to look at this matter in a serious light, and see, if possible, if this connection could not be made, so that traffic of every kind would have those facilities that we have expected would result out of the union with Canada. Hon. Mr. LEWIN I wish to make a few remarks in addition to those which have been made by my hon. colleague from St. John. This bridge is not by any means one of merely local importance, but it is one which is of equal importance to a large portion of the Province of New Brunswick, as well as Nova Scotia the connection of the Intercolonial Railway with the railways on the western side and the American system of railways. There are now two railways on the western side, the St. John and Maine Railway, running to Bangor, and the Grand Southern Railway, which runs from St. John to St. Stephens, which is in connection with Calais, in the State of Maine. There is this peculiarity about this connection. Some five and twenty years ago the Legislature of New Brunswick incorporated the St. John Suspension Bridge Company, with the pro vision that the flooring of the bridge casion when the interests of that City should be seventy feet above high water or his Province are affected, he never mark. This has been considered ever hesitates to stand up in his place and since as the standard at which any put his views strongly before this House. bridge over the River St. John, at St. In reference to the construction of this John,'must be maintained that a high bridge, every one who knows the locality level bridge must have a clear space of must certainly be aware that a bridge st seventy feet above high water mark. that point is of very great consequence to There is only a limited space on which to the community, as it would connect the build such a bridge. At the time the Intercolonial Railway on the one side St. John Suspension Bridge was incor- with the American system of railways on porated, I was connected with it, and the other. The question is whether the had some interest in it, and had a great bridge should be constructed by private deal of intercourse with the very emi- enterprise, or whether it should be built nent engineer, Mr. Sorell, from New by the Government. It appears that in York, who constructed that bridge. He the City of St. John the matter has not pointed out the difficulties of construct yet been fully decided as to which would ing a high level bridge of seventy feet be the proper course. I know very little except at one limited spac> very near to of the locality, though I have seen it, where the present bridge spans the river. and am not competent to express an Any other point of crossing the river opinion on the subject. There is no with the bridge seventy feet above high objection to bringing down the correswater mark, would involve the expen-pondence which the hon. gentleman diture of an exceedingly large sum of desires. money. But this spot appeared by nature to have been formed for the construction of a bridge. The Suspension Bridge is built there, and the space for the construction of a railway bridge is very limited. I observe by the newspapers that some parties are applying to the Legislature of New Brunswick, for an Act of Incorporation. A great difference of opinion exists as to whether it should be grantel. I quite concur in the opinion of my hon. friend that any bridge crossing there should be in the hands of the Dominion Government, where the various roads which run on either side should have full, free and fair running powers over it. It would be a great misfortune if any thing like a monopoly should be given to a private company. The matter of connect ing the Intercolonial Railway with our system of railways and those of the United States is one of very great importance, and I certainly hope that the Dominion Government will take the matter in hand, and not allow it to fall into the hands of any private company whatever. Hon. Mr. MACFARLANE — I think it is hardly agreed upon, even in St. John, where the site of the bridge should be. A very serious difference of opinion exists as to whether it should be at Navy Island or at the Falls, where the Suspension Bridge is. There can be little doubt, however, that wherever it may be constructed it is of very great interest. The river presents a complete break in the travel between the United States and the Maritime Provinces. A bridge ought to be constructed, either by private enterprise or by the Government, at that place, and the time has arrived when, in the interest of public travel and public traffic, a bridge must be constructed. Whether the Government can find their way clear to build it as a portion of the Intercolonial Railway, and in that way make the terminus of that line on the western side of the harbor of St. John, or not, its construction would be a very great public convenience. A Company is now being incorporated in New Brunswick for the purpose of undertaking the work, and I do not at all concur in the opinion gen-expressed by. my hon. friends from St. John that if built by a company they would necessarily block the traffic. is well known that every facility for railway communication across this Hon. Mr. AIKINS - The hon. tleman who has brought this motion before the House certainly deserves well at the hands of the citizens of St. John. I have noticed on every oc It |