bridge would be afforded, no matter | Cape Breton; yet from it you never hear whether it was owned by a company a complaint at all. That Island is excepor by the Government, and whether it tionally situated as a portion of this Dois constructed by one or the other it minion. I have no hesitation in saying should be undertaken without delay. that for extent of territory the Island of The time has beyond all doubt arrived Cape Breton is the most important and when a better means of crossing the valuable portion of our country. Its harbor of St. John can no longer be de- coal, iron and copper mines, and its other Jayed. resources not to speak of its exhaustless Hon. Mr. DEVER - I did not mean fisheries — and its situation as the eastto say that if a private company should ern extremity of the Dominion, make it build the bridge they would try to the most valuable portion of the territory prevent railways from crossing. I mean to of Canada in proportion to its area; and say that if a weak company got hold of yet it is most neglected in regard to the that bridge and expensive piece of rail-public means of any portion of this Doroad, and delayed the construction for minion. We were once an independent six or seven years, it would be a great province, baving our own governor and misfortune to the public. I know it assembly; but it was unfortunate for us would be to their interest to accommothat the union with Nova Scotia took date the public as well as they possibly could, but the completion of the work might be delayed for a period that would appear very long to us; and, in my opinion, it never will be done without a large bonus from the Dominion Government, therefore, they had better see this matter themselves, and have the thing done satisfactorily. to place before we came into the Confederation. If we had been a separate province at the time of the Union we would have of Prince Edward Island, which had come in with advantages similar to those secured a complete railway system and had the cost of it assumed by Canada. Hon. Mr. HOWLAN - I beg the hon. gentleman's pardon, it is not a burden on the Dominion. Hon. Mr. MILLER gentleman's pardon, it is. -- I beg the hon. If the hon. Hon. Mr. HOWLAN gentleman will allow me I will explain. If we had never built the railway we would have had a similar amount credited to the Province; we came in entitled to a certain debt, and we had a right to build that railway or anything else we liked with it. Hon. Mr. MILLER I know all Hon. Mr. MILLER I have no doubt the hon. gentlemen will succeed in getting what they want, because my experience is that anything leading cities take into their heads to apply for they are successful in obtaining in the end; and, as both St. John and Halifax are interested in the construction of this bridge, I have no doubt they will suc ceed in having their views carried out by the Government. The misfortune is that these localities possess more influence than they ought to have with every Administration, and other localities which are deserving of more consideration do not possess equal influence. Now, it seems to me that in this House and the other, representatives are looking after the interests of their own particular localities more than the general interest of the whole Dominion; but there is one locality of which we seldom hear anything, and which is more neglected than any other portion of Canada. I allude to Cape Breton. There is no similar extent of territory, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, which has greater grievances to complain of, in respect of its means of communication, than the Island of minion. that, and it does not alter what I say. I Hon. Mr. HOWLAN The hon. gentleman is entirely wrong. When we entered the Dominion we had a right to use the funds we had as we thought fit, and it is not just to say here that our railway was made a burden on the Do Hon. Mr. MILLER I adhere to what I said. The hon. member is entirely wrong in the construction he places on my remark, which he evidently does not understand. The debt of Prince Edward Island was chiefly incurred in railway construction, and that debt was assumed by the Dominion under the terms of union with that Island. So were all the debts of the other provinces assumed by Canada in the same way. They all became a burden on the Federal Treasury. I would like to know what else you would call all those liabilities but a burden on the country and one too of which Cape Breton had to pay its share without any corresponding advantage? The debt of Nova Scotia was all contracted for public works in Nova Scotia proper. We have no public works to show for the large share of Nova Scotia's debt charged against us. That is what I mean by my reference to Prince Edward Island. I do not say there was anything wrong in the terms of union with that Province. The same thing occurred with regard to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Their whole debts were assumed by the Dominion at the time of Confederation, and the debt which was contracted in the construction of their railways is now part of the debt of Canada. I do not mean to say that Prince Edward Island got any advantages over Nova Scotia or New Brunswick in this connection. That is not my point at all, but my point is that we would have got the same terms as those which were received by Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island when they came into the Union, if we had been an independent province; but, unfortunately, we came in as a portion of Nova Scotia, and the public debt of Nova Scotia proper was charged against Cape Breton without any advantage to us. Although we were called upon to contribute our share towards the construction of the whole railway system of Nova Scotia, and although we have been called upon, since Confederation, to contribute our portion towards the whole railway system of the Dominion, including the Intercolonial and Pacific railways, we have not a single mile of railway in the Island. Yet Cape Breton is a country that has been settled for over 150 years, and has to-day nearly ten times the white population of British Columbia, and nearly the same population as Prince Edward Island. The first duty that devolves upon the Dominion Government in regard to further expenditure on railways in the Maritime Provinces will be to construct a railway across the Island f Cape Breton to Louisburg. This subject is one which must, sooner or later, force itself prominently on the attention of this Parliament, because I do not believe the people of Cape Breton will much longer submit to the unjust treatment they have received from all governments in regard to railway accommodation. We are coming to understand that if we want anything we will have to do the same as other portions of the Dominion-do as British Columbia has done, threaten to go out of the Dominion ; talk about annexation; or send representatives to England and get the assistance of the Imperial Government to force the Dominion Parliament to do us justice in this respect. I do think that, before any additional expenditures are given to other portions of he Maritime Provinces, the glected condition of the Island of Cape Breton should be taken into consideration. I believe this Government is as well disposed towards us as any we ever had, and I do hope they will see their way to do some small measure of justice to that important Island, in regard to railway communication, before long. ne Hon. Mr. KAULBACH As something has been said about the railway system of Nova Scotia, and in justice to Cape Breton, I claim that something should be done for the County of Lunenburg. I think it has also been neglected; it is one of the largest and most important counties in the Province, and its industries are important. We have abundance of gold, copper and iron, and natural resources which only require to be developed; and we have the largest exportation of fish. If any county has been neglected, it is Lunenburg. We have tried to get railway communication there, and a railway is half completed the money run out and the Company failed and I think the Government might also be alive to that very important county. I wish to draw public attention to it, because we pride ourselves on being one of the first if not ranking ern I the very first County in the Province of Nova Scotia. But, apart from such local matters, I am in favor of the motion of my hon. friend, because I believe that a bridge across the St. John at the Falls, with connection with the WestExtension Railway, is as essential to the trade of Nova Scotia as it is to that of New Brunswick. believe the City of Halifax is, perhaps, more interested than the City of St. John, because, if Halifax is destined to be the winter port of the Dominion, we require that bridge. With that connection completed, a largely increased freight will go that way, and passengers can land at Halifax, and reach New York in 30 hours. Whether it is to be built by a company or by the Government I cannot say. I prefer that it should be built by a company. It is important that a charter be granted; negotiations, I hear, are pending, and the money can be ob CONSOLIDATED INSURANCE ACT AMENDMENT BILL. THIRD READING. Hon. Mr. BELLEROSE moved the third reading of Bill (P) "An Act to amend the Consolidated Insurance Act, 1877." The motion was agreed to, and the Bill was read the third time and passed. THE WALKER HEIRS' CLAIM. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ADOPTED. Hon. Mr. GUEVREMENT moved the adoption of the report of the Select INDIAN ACT AMENDMENT BILL. Hon. Mr. AIKINS moved the second tained. I am sure the Dominion Gov-reading of Bill (S) "An Act to amend ernment will assist, if necessary, in se- the Indian Act, 1880.” He said: This curing charter rights to the Company, Bill consists largely of details which and will not interfere to obstruct it. No could, perhaps, be better discussed in company or Government would have any Committee of the Whole. object in retarding the completion of what is so essential to the trade of the Maritime Provinces. It may be a question whether the Local or Dominion Government should grant the charter. The motion was agreed to. BILLS INTRODUCED. The following Bills from the House of Commons were introduced and read the first time: Bill (80) "An Act to incorporate the Acadia Steamship Company, Limited." - (Mr. McLelan). Bill (20) "An Act respecting the Northern Railway Company of Canada." -(Mr. Vidal). Hon. Mr. MILLER object of the first clause? What is the Hon. Mr. AIKINS- The object of the Bill as a whole is to save the Indians from the cupidity of the white man. They barter away their clothes, their cattle, and everything they possess. Hon. Mr. AIKINS I will make The following Bills passed the first inquiries and inform the hon. gentleman and second readings:when the House gocs into Committee on the Bill. Bill (10) "An Act to remove doubts as to the true construction of section 12 of the Northern Railway Company's Act, 1877." (Mr. Allan). Bill (53) "An Act to amend the Acts incorporating the Montreal, Portland and Boston Railway Company." (Mr. Chaffers). Hon. Mr. CORNWALL I should also like to call the hon. gentleman's attention to the 10th clause, which provides that every Indian commissioner and assistant Indian commissioner shall be ex officio a justice of the peace. It seems to me that is a rather curious provision, and in many cases it might be men. a very unfair provision unless the duties | ordered to leave the village. Now, of a justice of the peace were confined there is another instance, of more imto cases which might arise among the portance. There is a gentleman in the Indians themselves. In the case of an same village who contracted to furnish Indian agent who has especially under stone for the Lachine Canal works and his care the interest of any particular other large public works in that neighband of Indians, and is more or less an borhood. This gentleman has made a interested party, it seems unfair that he contract to deliver a quantity of stone for should be invested with power to deal a cut stone house, and he provided emwith disputes between Indians and white ployment for about fifty Indians. It is a great advantage to the Indians, but as there were no stone-cutters amongst them he was obliged to bring them from other places. As soon as these stonecutters came into the village to work they were ordered to leave the place, so that this man, who is himself a halfbreed, is obliged to abandon his contract, and deprive the Indians of the Village of Caughnawaga of very great advantages to themselves. Orders have also been their farmers and servants employed given to owners of farms to dismiss on the farms, because they are white people. These facts show that Hon. Mr. AIKINS The reason for placing these extraordinary powers in the hands of these officers is simply this: in those remote districts, unless you clothe those officers with such powers, justice will not be meted out to those who violate the law. That has been our experience in the North-West, and I think it is intended for that country more than for British Columbia. absolutely Hon. Mr. CORNWALL-It is quite possible that it may be absolutely necessary in the North-West, but I think it is unnecessary in British Columbia. I think it very unfair and unwise that the Indian agents who, I understand, are to be very shortly appointed in British Columbia, should be invested with the powers of justices of the peace. If the Government could avoid conferring such powers on Indian agents in British Columbia it would be better for all concerned. Hon. Mr. TRUDEL I should like to know if it is the intention of the Government to enfranchise the Indians of the Dominion Last year I had the honor to call the attention of the Government to this matter, and to-day I have read a letter which expresses the same feelings, and I know that this sentiment is shared by many people of the Province from which I come. There are facts mentioned to me which show very clearly that in some parts of the Dominion the Indians should be enfranchised. For instance, there is one case mentioned to me. In Caughnawaga there is a half-breed who keeps a store; he is a man of great ability and energy, and has succeeded in establishing a good business. Of course he cannot find, amongst the Indian women, anybody suitable to keep his house. He engaged a white person last year, but that person was summoned before a magistrate and the time has come for enfranchising these Hon. Mr. PENNY-My impression is very strongly in the same direction as that of the hon. gentleman who has addressed the House. I know the gentleman of whom he spoke; he is just as well able to take care of himself as anyone in this House, and perhaps better than most of us. able men and well educated, and I have had occasion, in the exercise of my profession, to learn that they lend large sums of money to the farmers in the County of Laprairie and elsewere. Those men are treated in the most unjust and barbarous manner by the Department, and the gentleman in the Department from whom this advice comes, is a fanàtical man I think they call him Mr. Vankoughnet. He issues his orders like a despot. More than that, this Department encourages dissersions among the Indians; it encourages them to take possession of lands that do not belong to them, because they declare that the property in the reservation is held in common. Up to a recent period the Indians were very prosperous, many of them cultivating their own lands, with the assistance of white agricultural laborers, and when they cleared a farm they had the benefit of it. But now we are told that, because the reservation is held in common, the men who have improved these properties will be obliged to share the result of their labors with the lazy Indians who have own living. The effect of such a policy is most disastrous and Hon. Mr. BUREAU-It is quite impossible to apply the laws which are applicable to bands of Indians in the North-West to the tribes in our Province, and I am astonished to learn that the Department at Ottawa is not moving in the direction of enfranchising the Indians. On the contrary, every difficulty is thrown in the way of leading them to rely on their own resources. A few years ago the Indians in our part of the country were paying their debts and doing very well; but the Department at Ottawa thought fit to say that the Indians should not be obliged, for the future, to discharge their obligations. The consequence is never attempted to earn their they have become dishonest, and have refused to pay any of the debts they had contracted, and the worst of it is that demoralizing. During the present nobody will trust them now when they are in need. In the village of Caughnawaga, there are several first class farmers, but the Department at Ottawa has issued an order to expel the white people who are working for these Indians from the reservation, and it will be impossible to obtain labor to cultivate these lands. The Government tells them, "you cannot for the future derive any benefit from your lands;" and under the orders of the Department the farms of Caughnawaga cannot be cultivated next spring. The owners of these farms come here and lay their cases before the Superintendent, because, I suppose, the Minister at the head of the Department does not care to deal with the question and the answer is always: "we will not allow white men to be there, or to be your servants." The Indians say, "if we cannot get these lazy fellows on the reservation to work, what can we do?" How do those people live? Their wives are compelled to earn a living for them. I know some of those Indians at Caughnawaga who are respect session, one of the chiefs came here and said to me "I cannot obtain justice from the Department; they stick to their absurd rules. Their is no way of obtaining redress, as they will not allow white men to work for the Indians, and we cannot get the lazy fellows, who are depending upon the rafts coming down in the spring, for employment, to work for us." They have no knowledge of agriculture, and the consequence is they are obliged, as the result of the present policy of the Government, to lose all the benefit which they should derive from their land. I am confident that the Government will take notice of what I have said to-day. I say it in the interests of peace, in the interests of the people who are affected by those regulations, and even in the interest of the Government themselves. Hon. Mr. DICKEY — I am inclined to think it quite possible that there is such a thing as legislating too much for the benefit of the poor Indian. You have |