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ROBERTSON TR£i\$URER OF THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC, f DBI.IVKUED IN THE :] LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, QUi^BEC, ^\ i3th JANUARY, 1874. {Reported for Morning Chronicle.) QUEBEC : miNTKD AT THE "MOUNINO CHRONICLE" OFFICE. 1874. ^ \ » m ;<^i|b. \ jm BUDGET SPEKOH '■:''• OF THE HON. TREASDRER OF QUEBEC. /.i' -,h »ft^; <.-::.;,•:■: - :i I ) ^. ■» 4 I ! ^, •» 4 1 allude to the Arbitration hetwein the Provinces of Quebec and Ontario. (Hear, hear.) This quostioii has caused the Government a great deal of care and anxiety. Some Huppor-ied the Crovernment did not push the settlement of the matters in dispute between the two ProA inces as fast as they might — that we allowed matters to slip along without caring much how the question was settled- and were rather inclined to censure the Government for their seeming carelessness of the interests of thi' Province. Others, perhaps, more inclined to judge favora])ly of the acts of the Gov- ernment, thought they had done all tht>y could to adjust the dif- ficulty, and were disposed to allow the Government to proceed in their own way. The allusions made from year to year in my financial statements respecting the Arbitration question have excited some remarks more or less favorable to the position taken by the Quebec Gov- ernment in relation to this important subject — although it is but fair to say the House sustained the Government, and to this. I have no doubt, in a great measure may be attributed the success which has crowned our efforts, so far, in relation to the debt chargeable against the Provinces of Quebec and Ontario in the Confederation Act. I long ago formed the opinion that the framers of the British North America Act of 1867, in providing that the surplus debt of the late Province of Canada, over sixty-two and a-half millions of dollars should be charged, jointly to the Provinces of Quebec and Ontario, the interest on such surplus debt to be deducted annually from the subsidies payable to those Provinces by the Dominion, did these Provinces a great injustice ; and I was determined as far as I was able that this injustice should be removed and remedied, if possible. It was, perhaps, impossible in 1867, to foresee what the annual revenues of the respective Provinces would be, and what would be the charges upon these revenues, and it is not to be w^ondered at, that a few^ years' experience of the working of the Confederation Act shewed that a readjustment of the subsidies payable to the different Provinces was required in order that the business of the country might be satisfactorily conducted, and the Provincial Governments carried on respectably, and in such a i. MianiiLT iui to permit ol" local improvt'inouts buiii^ oliected, and l)ul)lie uf[airN not injured through the want of the ueci'ssary nieauu to curry them on. As occasion olFered, and reiH»atedly, in Heason and out of season, I urf^ovl on the Federal Govornment, and members of the same, the Jnsliee and propriety of the Dominion assuming the whole debt of the late Province of Canada, and thus relieving the Pro- vinces of Qui'bee and Ontario jointly from the payment of interest upon the "surplus debt" out of their annual subsidies, amount- ing to from ten and a-half to eleven millioiis of dollars. The settlement effected last spring by the Dominion Parliament, I looked forward to, and in alluding two years ago to this subject, and the determination of Ontario to carry the so-called award of Messrs. Gray and MacPherson before the Privy Council in Eng- land for a decision, I remarked that " I personally confessed to hav- ing strong objections against appealing to the Privy Council upon the arbitration matter, and that the whole question might, and should be, settled on this side of the water, where a better know- ledge existed of the whole facts of the case, and the preten- sions of tlie two provinces could bo better adjudicated upon than in England," and I further said " that Quebec united could not fail to obtain her just rights." While w^e were ready, if forced to go to England before the Privy Council, I felt, as I stated in my financial statement last year, " that the sooner the matters at issue between the Provinces of Quebec and Ontario ■'vpre settled the better, and that hon. membeis might rest assured the Quebec Government would use every efibrt to obtain an early settlement of this important question, and see that the Province obtained that justice to which it is entitled." I said further that " the action of the members of this House and of the members from this Pro- vince in the Dominion Parliament could do much to obtain a fair sattlement." After numerous conferences among the members of the Quebec Governmeiit, and considering the last session of the Dominion Parliament as an opportune moment, for various reasons, to agi- tate for the settlement of the debt question, it was decided that I should proceed to Ottawa and in connection with my colleagues iix >■■"■" (1 r ,'' i\nt House of Commons, iMidoavour to induce tln» Federal Go- vernment to introduce a measure into the Dominion Parlia- ment, whereby the Dominion would assume the surplus debt of the late Province of Canada. ' /jccordingly, I went to Ottawa, and we finally succeeded in having the measure introduced, which passed in the form of a statute, enacting that " in the accounts between the several Pro- vinces of Canada and the Dominion, the- amounts payable to, and chargeable against, the said Provinces, respectively, in so far as they depend on the amount of debt with which each Province* entered the Union, shall bo calculated and allowed as if the sum fixed by the 112th section of the British North America Act, 1867, were increased from $02,500,000 to $73,00G,08S.84 ;" which, in effect, means that $10,506,088.81 of the debt due to the Dominion jointly by Quebec and Ontario was assumed by the Dominion, and these Provinces freed from any further liability as individual Pro- vinces in respect thereof; and the interest on the sum last named, instead of being withhold annually by the Dominion Government in paying the subsidies to these Provinces, will hei-eaftor be paid to them without any deduction for interest. (Cheers.) It was proposed that, on the Dominion Government assuming the surplus debt referred to, they should also take possoision of the assets, mentioned in the Confederation Act, as belonging joint- ly to Quebec and Ontario, which are exceedingly valuable. This I strenuously opposed, and would not consent even to discuss the point, urging that these assets were declared in the Conlederation Act to be the joint property of Ontario and Quebec, and could not be alienated, or taken from us, except by Imperial legislation or common consent of the parties interested, which legislation I had no fear of, and I felt sure no consent would be given ; avi.I that if, as I contended, an injustice was done these Provinces in charging them individually with any portion of the old debt, of Canada, that injustice would be only partially remedied if ouv assets we. o given up to the Dominion. ;.., I need not enter into the details of how the settlement effected was brought about, or allude to the many difhcultics which pre- •/ sontod themselves, from timo to timo, in conducting tlio matter to u satisfactory issue. There are hon. members in this House who know Homiithing of those; and I take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, in the name of our Provinco, of thaukinj^them and other members of the Dominion Parliament, and above all, the mem- bers of the late Admini.stration, and spi'cially the hon. member forQuol)oc Centre, in this House (lion. Mr. Langevin), for their action in the premises,, w'.thout ^vhich I could have accomplished nothing. (Hear, hoar.) , I am sorry to have to say that a few members of the Dominion Parliament from our sister Province, Ontario, opposed the adjust- motit of the matter in issue between the two provinces. Not that they considered it unjust in itself, but for jwlitical considerations, they, well knowing lliat Ontario would gain more than Quebec in the proposed arrangement of the question, and would be placed in the same position by the Act passed, as if in the Confederation Act the Dominion had assumed the whole debt of Canada in 18G7. I am not aware that a single member of Parliament from this Province voted directly against the measure, though there wore, a few who failed to give it all that support which, in my humble opinion, it was entitled to. Hon. Mr. Holton said — The Hon. Treasni'er must recollect, in this matter, that the late Premier of the Quebec Government had, in the House of Commons, at the session previous, voted against a similar measure, proposed by himself, (Mr. Holton,) who was the first to introduce a measure of the kind. Hon. Mr. Robertson — The late Premier voted agahist the measure of the hon. Member for Montreal Centre, because ho had one himself in contemplation, which he considered a more satis- factory one, and moreover the House had declined to consider the proposition, which had been introduced in an irregular man- ner. (Applause.) s , Hon. Mr. Robertson continued — This measure, I :.onsid"er, Mr. Speaker, of vital importance to this province. It places our financial position in a better condition than ever before ; it in- creases our revenue, and thereby enables us to dc more for the i m ■#■ i i .,..•' Province in tho wny of pii})lio improvements, nr vvoli an removes ft source of great uneasiness and possible fjuavrt^l between the two provinces. It is quite true wo shall have to pay our share of tha debt, placed on the whole Dominion, in common with the other Pro- vinces, but it is a dili'erent alFair from having a direct drain upon our comparatively limited resources ; and, besides, the interest saved, if judiciously spent, will enable us to meet our share of the debt as part of the Dominion, bettor tl. an directly paying the interest annually on some live millions of dollars. (Hear, hear.) I may add, on this subject, further, that almost immediately after my return from Ottawa, 1 addressed a commiinication io the lion. Mr. Crooks, Treasurer of Ontario, respecting a division of assets belonging to the two Provinces, and after some corres- pondence ho visited Quebec, and met the hon. Premier and my- self, when we had several unofficial interviews on the subject, and considerable progress made in relation to this matter. Sub- sequently, the hon. Mr. Mowat, Premier of Ontario, visited Quebec, and again We met and discussed preliminaries for several days. It would, perhaps, be improper, at the present stage of nego- tiations, to say more. These interviews were entirely unofficial and informal ; but, this much I must say, that we found several of the positions formerly assumed by the late Treasurer of Ontario, respecting the division of certain assets abandoned, and a more liberal and just appreciation of our pretentions frankly admitted. I am in hopes we may be able to arrive at an amicable arrange- ment respecting these assets, now that the question of the divi- sion of the surplus debt is settled by the assumption thereof by the Dominion. I would again thank those members, from this Province, who rendered such valuable assistance in this matter, and whatever opinions may be entertained as to the conduct of the Dominion Government on some other points, this I must say, they showed a desire, on this question, to do justice to this Province, and, also, towards the other Provinces of the Dominion, I'or which I con- sider them entitled to tho thanks of the country. (Hour, hoar,) , One thing more, Mr, Speaker, in relation to the intreas.'d rcve- liuj of the Province, consequent on our not having to pay inictrest to the Do.ninion on our share of the surplus debt, W«) uiUKt not forget that our resources are still limited, and that equal care must be exercised in our expenditure as heretofore, I am of opinion, that We may employ our incroasod income in such a way, that while i>romoting to a greater extent than was possible before, the improvement of our own Province, and aid in developing our resources, the eftect upon the Dominion will bo such, by affording better means of commun cations from one part of the country to another ; by stimulating industries of all kinds ; by largely increasing our population, and thus i>roducing and in- creasing the wealth of the country, that the Dominion will bo paid ten-fold directly the amount of the debt of our Province, which has been removed- from our shoulders. (Hear, hear,) In initiating a comprehensive policy for public improvonie h in the Province, I am aware that the GoA'ernment has many dif. ficulties to contend against. We have local interests and local jealousies to propitiate and remove, each locality entertaining the view that their particular project is the most important and de- serving of special consideration and support, to the n(>glect of others. We have also the fact staring us in the face that our resources are still limited, audit is the business of the Government to see that these resources are not merely, not squandered, but not exceeded. However willing the Grovernraeut, and this House, might be, if larger means were at their disposal, to afford assistance to many enterprises useful in themselves, and advantageous to the country still it is not wise management ; it is not a liberal policy ; it is not right for the Government, or this House, the guardians of the public interest, and public purse, to go into enterprises, good in themselves it may be, but w^hich will prove bad and disastrous to the Province, if gone into to such an extent, as will involve burdens heavier than the people can ^e&r, to meet tho liabilities thus incurred. (Hear, hear.) t^ ■ ' ' V -; V '^.. Wc must not iiivolvo the Proviiicd in debt for any object l)Oj'ou(l what our means will easily permit us to meet. We must each- and everyone of xis, be prepared to make sacriQce if need b.\ of our own pet projects for the good of the whole Province, and steadily keep in view the interests of the Province in the iirst place ; the interest of our individual enterprises taking the second place in all our discussions and decisions. If the Government is able, as I think it is, to give additional aid towards the construction of railways, than hitherto done, it ari83s entirely from the fact that our Province is freed from the debt due to the Dominion under the Confederation Act. Had the de])t remained, no Government could have done Avhat it is now proposed to do, nor would the country have sanctioned, even for railways, an increase of our debt to such an extent as is now proposed. ..,-.■.■-., ■:„:.. V...'" •'•■■■ ..-„.'v.-v. . .,.; ,' -ii. It is a curious fact, Mr. Speaker, that since it liecauie known that oiir revenue in the future would be increased, in the way I have alluded to, there have been increased demands made upon the treasury, in aid of railways and other projects, each claiming- that as our revenue would be increxsed, their particular scheme, upon which the prosi^erity of the Province depends — as they pre- tend — must necessarily receive all the aid asked lor. I have in view of these increased demands, sometimes thouglit, that jo far as mere money in the hands of the treasurer was concerned, it is doubtful whether in ten years hence, we would be bett(M- off than if we had continued to pay interest to the Dominion. I must frankly acknowledge that I felt, at times, almost sorry that I could not urge the settlement, by the Dominion Govern- ment of Quebec's share of the surplus debt, without, at the same time, freeing Ontario from her share also, more especially as the prominent men in the Dominion Parliament, from the sister Pro- vince, did all they could to defeat the scheme, and the result was hnally obtained against, seemingly, the consent of Ontario. I am in hopes the sober, second thought of Ontario, will lead her to acknowledge that after all, Quebec did her good service against her will. (Cheers.) * 4 One other point in this connection. - ' It is well known that the Quebec Government claimed, and justly too, the property in this City, known as the Jesuits' Bar- racks, as belonging to the Province, and had made application to the Dominion Government for possesion of the same, informally, repeatedly, and finally by a dispatch to the Federal Government urging the transfer. On my arrival in Ottawa, last winter, I found, to my surprise, that the Dominion Government entertained doubts as to our right to the property mentioned, and were indisposed to acknowledge our claim In order to understand the subject better than I had heretofore, I spent most of my time, for several weeks, while in Ottawa, in examining the records of the Legislature of Lower Canada, before the Union with Upper Canada in 1841, and the proceedings of the Parliament of Canada since the Union. The dis- patches, of the Home Government, relative to the .Tesr.Its' Estates, and addresses from the Houses of Parliament, &c., and finally made out, and sent to the Minister of Justice a memorandum, of what I considered our pretention to the ownership of the Jesuits' property here. I think the authorities cited fully sustained our view of the case. What effect the document may have had in the settlement of the question I know not, at all events the result was, that the " Jesuits' Barracks," in this city, have been formally handed over to Provincial Authority, and are now in our possession. ^Hear ! Hear ! and applause.) The disposition proposed to be made of the Barracks has already been communicated to the House. I may mention, also, that I consider the property in Three- Rivers known as " Jesuits' Barracks," in that city, justly belongs to this Province. And, in the memorandum referred to, I made formal application to the Dominion Government, through the Minister of Justice, for possession of these also. Our title, however, is not quite so clear to the " Jesuit Barracks " in Three Rivers as it v/as to the property in this city. It seems that the French Government, while Canada was in possi^ssion of .1- I .« '<• W > 4 ' » «« '•► O u Franco, had obtained, by some means or other, possession of the plateau of land in Three Rivers, and built a fort thereon, to pro* tect the inhabitants against Indian depredations, an I at the ces- sion of Canada to the English, the fort, and adjoining land, w ere handed over to the English military authorities by the l''rench. It is claimed, therefore, that the property formed no part of the Jesuits' Estates at that time, having being out of their possession, previous to 1760, and consequently belonged to the Imperial Grovernment. , I looked, for a long time, amongst the old records at my dis- posal in Ottawa, for some authority, or lease, from the Jesiiit Fathers to the French Government, but found none. But the fact that in several lists of the Jesuits' property, furnished to the old House of Assembly of Low^er Canada, and also to the Legis- lature of United Canada, mention is specially made of the " Jesuits' Barracks " in Three Rivers, and in the despatches from the Home Government also, that all the property of the late Order of Jesuits belonged to Lower Canada for educational purposes — no exception being made — I am convinced that we ought to ob- tain the property in Three Rivers, as well as what we have obtained in this city. Further research amongst the old archives of the Province will probably reveal further details, which may remove all doubts on the subject. I trust, Mr. Speaker, I have not wearied the House with these details. I feel that the House ought to know what has been done in the interest of the Province, in order that our rights may bo protected, that the House may act understandingly in the pre- mises. REVENUE. ' .'' ' "^ '"' I now come, Mr. Speaker, to the Revenue received during the past fiscal year, ending 30th June last. I find tfat I had estimated the Revenue during the period mentioned, at $1,709,621, instead of which, it actually amounted to 11,999,942.57 ; but there are certain items included in this 14 amount which ought not, properly sp^^aking, to be called annual revenue, such as the sura received from the Dominion Govern- ment, for the St. Vincent de Paul Reformatory, the Insurant upon the Quebec Court House, the special deposit made on behalf of Roman Catholic Institutions, &c., but after deducting- these and one or two other sums, there will be found some $ 1 25,000 more received than estimated by mo during the session of 1871. Upon several items I confess I received less that I expected, on others more, on the whole the result is, as just mentioned. I prefer coming out a little better in my estimate, on both re- ceipts and expenditure, than to have the receipts less, and the general result worse than calculated upon. (Hear, hear.) ■ ' ' Receipts for flscal year, ended 30th June, 1873. f ' Cash on account Subsidy $800,000 00 Reformatory Prison, St. Vincent de Paul, sold Dom- inion IIO.OOC 00 Special subsidy from Dominion for Immigration 13,700 00 Crown Lands Department — G-eneral receipts $ 55,111 90 : -•, "Woods and Forests 518.682 63 Crown Domain, Seigniory of Lauzon '* * -'• & Surveys and Deposits 19,215 12 ' ■ $593,009 65 "Woods and Forests collections are $73,929 95 more than last year, ' ■%-:\h' SPECIAL FUNDS. Clergy Lands: - - ? • - ^;^.;, . ;- .. ^'' > Municipalities Fund $ 5,608 90 Jesuits' Estates : Superior Education Fund and Income Fund 13,193 33 Bills receivable matured and paid since 30th June, - 1872 18,802 23 m 4,148 10 $615,959 98 J t Hi '■ '^: 15 -•=» )' i I Loss — bills receivable, net yet matured, included in the above t 37.957 38 Total Cash Receipts from Crown Lands $578,002 60 The Crown Lands Recoipts, bills receivable, not duo on 30th June last, but since due or paid, included, amount this year as per statement No. 5 of the public accounts Last year they were /;^i'*J ,./}: Increase this year '.'..'. ;\-';'-';:-^i: liAW FEE FflND. stamps 170,124 60 Collections upon civil processes in our Courts 7,269 91 ' ;''■•• '* ■ -■ - >*,"r UUILDINO AND .JURY FUND. Stamps $ 8,238 26 Collections 13,770 46 $611,811 88 533,093 64 $ 78,718 24 *|H'! COURT HOUSE TAX. Stamps...... $19,442 94 Collections ],503 53 Distributed as follows : 4*: -^ ;, - *; , , , . Montreal Court House $19,309 10 Kamouraska 818 90 Ottawa 747 17 Ronaventure , 51 30 ■;"—■ -^-:r■ ' $20,926 47 SI AMPS UNDISTRIBUTED. Law Registration, Law Fee Fund, Building and Jury Fund, Court House Tax and Stamps undistributed 8.3,394 51 22,008 72 .'.: <■ -^.;,i,i; 20,926 47 f - $8,875 96 3,439 18 $138,644 84 > 16 r ,.,,:.-, To be found in the Statement of Receipts No. 2, viz : Law Stamps $106,540 25 Registration Stamps 9,560 69 Law Fees, exclusive of Stamps 7,269 91 Building and Jury Fund, exclusive of Stamps 13,770 46 Montreal Court House 1,503 53 ■''•i';'r-'^[:^t^'r- y::rr. $138,644 84 -■^:;.,yi l^-Vt »Vf-;{". ■ . ... .^_____ LICENSES. Proceeds of Tavern, Shop, Auctioneer, Pedlar, &c .. $122,487 83 Marriage Licenses 4,932 00 : : ^ . .. $127,419 83 EDUCATION. Normal Schools : • • ; • • McGill $2,342 07 Jacques Cartier 2,425 00 Laval 4,011 66 $8,778 63 Teachers' Premium 274 82 Journals of Education 294 19 Maps of the Province, sold 186 01 ^ * ">yi $9 533 55 School of Arts and Sciences (special for R C institu- tions) deposited by Education Dex)artment $12,546 41 Interest on same from Bank 431 00 -f ,.,;..■',■ ■. ^ ■. $12,977 81 Special Protestant Superior Education Fund, depo- sited by Department $129 37 PUBLIC WOEKS. ^Dv .; Rents of houses in Montreal $520 00 Provincial Police, amount paid by Quebec City Corporation for 2 years 69,072 27 Reformatory St. Vincent de Paul maintenance 1,417 97 St. John's Lunatic Asylum 838 60 I ,~-\ •I ( / 1 'I ■ ■■•»» Rnilding and Jury Fund : i Quebec Court House, Insurance $40,000 00 Do. do. debris sold 80 OO Municipal Loan Fund on Actof interest 13,465 50 Quebec Fire Loan 3,470 82 Sale of Statutes 07 40 Printing Private Bills 826 51 Quebec Official Gazette 14,959 43 This does not include printing done for the Government during the year, which at reduced rates would amount to $3,161 97, which, if paid by the Government direct, would make the amount, $18,121 40. r v -7 u- . < r^^ The $14,959.43 arc therefore cash receipts; all receipts being- paid into the Treasury, and all expenses paid by it. Cash profits show $6,063.73 over expenditure, and including what the Gov- ernment would have had to pay if the Gazette was published by other parties, $9,725.70. There were also gratuitously distributed 1,944 numbers of the Ga/ette, which, at a value of $2 each, would make $3,888.00 more to be added to the r(?ceipts. The Queen's Punter's Office, after paying the cost of printing the Official Gazette and of the Laws and of their distribution, shows for this year a net cash profit of $1,697.82. Fees on Pri- vate Bills $1,745.35. ADMINli^TRATION OF JUSTICE. Sheriff of Montreal : House of Correction $2,536 65 City Corporation for Gaol Guard 2,400 00 4,936 65 CASUAL REVENUE. Consists of " Conscience " money, sale of Municipal Code, of old papers, and of unclaimed goods, lines and penalties from Clerks of Peace, fees on . : Registration Bonds, &c , and copies of official documents $3,030 68 I I 18 INTEREST. On special Bank deposits . On Bills receivable $41,339 10 61 11 $41,400 21 REFUNDS. Immigration (sundries) Clerk, Legislative Assembly Do. do. Council Administration of Justice : Sheriff of Montreal $1,343 07 Auditor, on travelling expenses 56 85 Judicial Deposits, Salaries, &c 2,278 03 $191 42 4,6»8 55 2,080 14 Contingencies of Departments : From accountant Rev^. "W. Anderson Judicial Deposits, Postages 3,677 95 $572 28 25 750 00 „^ , •■ Superior Education Schools in poor Municipalities McGill Normal School Superannuated Teachers Common Schools 1,322 53 115 35 11 00 48 33 57 00 1,971 75 Total Refunds. Total receipts for year On hand 30th June, 1872. $14,174 02 1,999,942 57 679,809 64 2,679,752 21 .-:¥;■ -f SUMMARY OF RECEIPTS. Dominion Reformatory St. Vincent de Paul, sold Quebec Court House, Insurance Crown Lands -... Law Fee Fund, Building and Jury Fund, Court House Tax and Stamps $800,000 00 110,000 00 40,000 00 578,002 60 138,644 84 i V I J \-i r- ^' (^ \ I u I »-; ■ *\ 10. Licenses of various kinds $127,410 83 Police 09,072 27 From all other sources : Education, Tleforraatory, Asylum, Municipal Loan Fund, Quebec Fire Loan, Official Gazette, Intorest, &c 136,803 03 Total receipts for year ending 30th June, 1873 $1,999,942 57 EXPENDITURE. As to our Expenditure for the past year, I may remark that I had estimaled our expenditure, under votes of the Legislature, to be $1,669,481, whereas it actually amounted to $1,731,750 78; but in the latter amount will be found special warrants for unforseen expenditure, the sum of $139,050 15, as reference to the statement contained in the Public Accounts will show. Deducting these special warrants, about w'hich I will have something to say by and by, our expenditure has been less than my previous estimate by $106,786 37, and, inclusive of special V warrants, the expenditure exceeded my estimate by $32,209 78. It will thus be seen that, after deducting the items in our receipts, which are not, properly speaking, annual revenue, th'3re remains in the Treasury about $100,000 on the year's operations, and, including all receipts for the year, there was in the Treasury, at the close of the year, the sum of $948,001 43. (Hear, Hear.) ■ M, e EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR 1872-73. Legislation $163,591 10 Legislative Council $ 39,700 00 do Assembly 108,100 00 Expenses of elections 1,06160 Pari? i.nentary Library, Clerks of Law ^y*,;. -^ and Chancery's salaries and Contin- .^v%= vlf^S' sV wi; geucies. Printing, binding and dis- • iv,. .. tributing the Laws 14,729 50 ' ■■.;,.,■. $163,591 10 ^* •■.: M i Civil Oovcrmnent Departmental Salaries $102,780 21 *iai>,10G 74 do Contingencies... 32,370 53 '1/ ■; 1185,100 74 Administration of Justice Law Fee Fund; Salaries of Sheriils, Prothonotaries and Clerks of Circuit Courts, Crown & Peace, old districts and Court of Appeals #117,438 51 Building and Jury Fund 1,000 00 General Expenditure : — Criminal Pro- secutions, Sheriffs Contingent ex- penses, Prothonotaries do. Coroner's salaries and contingencies, Clerks of the Crown and Peace, New Districts, District Magistrates, &c 192,494 93 311,884 07 '' . A Police General salaries, &c.: — Montreal and Quebec $ 8,144 83 Special Police under 33 Vic. Cap. 24... 30,401 29 ^'■"■^^■'':''■■''-y '':■■■'■ $47,540 12 lloforraatory St. Vincent de Paul maintenance.... do Montreal, do do Sherbrooke, ^!l^ / 47,546 12 ' >: 25,010 33 11,846 00 1,143 67 VK' Prison Inspection Thus making Administratiou of Justice, Police, Re- formatory Prisons and Prison Inspection Education Superior Education $ 74,079 00 $38,000 00 $ 3,298 68 400,728 87 308,447 19 ••••••■* Common Schools ... Schools in Poor Municipalities Normal Schools Salaries of School Inspectors Books for prizes 144,260 44 8,000 00 48,956 00 23,151 75 2,500 00 > t . 4Jif^.* J r .»"'^, 12 r* 4 j/w' ,/ J'^h 41. Journal of Education >j!2,400 00 Sup Tunnuatod Teaehors r,,100 00 $308,447 10 Literary and Scientific Institutions, Quebec and Montreal 3,800 00 Alt and Manulivcturcs 3,000 00 $315,247 19 '■ ACIIUCULTUIIK. Sundry Agricultural Sociotios and p.^rconlag-c allow- ed by law to the Council of Agriculture $47,048 00 Council of Agriculture Grants to Agricultural Hchools, Ste. Anno and I/As- somption 4,000 00 1,000 00 Total for Agricultural purposes $ 53,248 00 t, «^;;'-th; Immigration $ 40,381 25 Colonization ". 129,2U1 31 . Colonization Societies $ 8,851 04 Do Roads, Ist. class 85,090 38 2nd. do 22,348 90 3rd. do 9,000 00 Ste. Anne des Monts or Gulf Coast Road 4,000 00 $129,291 31 Making the expenditure for Agriculture, Immigrr tion, and Colonization $223,220 56 ,:' -^.M if^-s, PUBLIC WORKS AND BUILDINOS. >^J^*' ^ '- Rents, Insurances, Repairs, &c., of Public Ruild- iwgs $36,475 49 Inspections and Surveys 3,324 78 Rents, Insurances and Repairs of CourtlHousesand Goals 12,947 22 Gaol for Females, Montreal 523 04 22 Montreal Oaoi I 1,832 00 Court JIouso and Oaol, Bonavonturo l,r.>3 08 Do. do. OaspC- 2,284 18 Quebec Court House (before fire) 0,752 99 Quebec Temporary Court House 14,988 27 Sherbrooke Court House 1,200 0:) ThreeRivers do 1,700 00 Court Houses and Gaols, new Diatricts : — Beauce 6,977 90 Saguenay 3,904 08 Making total Expenditure for Tublic Buildings ..... $92,004 05 ''•''' ': ■ CHARITIES. ■■, «. ■ * ■'' "■ -'■ ■' •■ "'' '' Beauport Lunatic Asylum $118,829 54 St. John's do 20,545 29 Marine Hospital, Quebec 4,000 00 Belmont Retreat Inebriate Asylum, Quebec 400 00 Miscellaneous Charities, consisting of grants to Hos- pitals and Asylums of various kinds 40,710 00 Reformatory Schools 4,015 02 Industrial do 5,300 00 . ■ » ' ;:. n ' ' Total Charities $193,299 85 MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES. Quebec Official Gazette $ 8,395 70 Arbitration under Constitutional Act 2,893 01 Aid to distressed people, Saguenay 790 55 Saguenay Roads and Bridges, in aid of distressed ' , ' settlers 2,819 33 Miscellaneous Expenditure 12,331 GO Municipalities Fund C. S. L. C, Cap. 110 72 00 Licenses, Stamps, &;c 1,910 90 Marriage Licenses 4,932 00 Expenditure through Crown Lands Department... 142,502 15 ■ y .( i'V ■•■4 28 Uogistrulioii Service ♦18,202 00 Surveys 24,000 00 Special Kxploratory Survey for Gosford Koad (],(]33 48 Boundary line, Ontario and Quebec... 8,000 00 Purchase of Ga.sp(i Fishery and Coal Miniuff Company's huids ^ViOB 67 Ooncral Expoudituro, Agencies, &c SO,! 00 00 $142,502 15 Making the total expoudituro for the year paid by warrants through the Treasury $1,700,451 72 To which must be added amounts paid by Revenue Officers out of collectious made by them, viz : — By Sherill's, out of Building and Jury Fund 5,440 73 By collectors of revenue licenses, forexpensos of col- lections and tavern licenses paid to munici palities 15,109 92 $1,721,002 37 Add amount credited Municipal Loan Fund from Dominion 10,835 64 This amount is credited the Province, by the Dom- inion Government, in open account. Add also, warrants outstanding 30th Juno, 1872 28,821 96 $1,760,659 97 Less warrants outstanding 30th June 1P73 28,909 19 $1,731,750 78 So that taking the total receipts during the year with the amount in Treasury on 30th Juno, 1872 $2,679,752 21 And deducting the total expenditure for the year.... 1,731,750 78 Leaves in the Treasury ^J48,001 43 ¥ *• .24 Disposed of as follows : Bank of Montreal $550,000 00 Un. nBank 100,000 00 Metropolitan Bank 125,000 00 Special deposit?, bearing G p. c Bank of Montreal i3il27.C03 09 Union Bank 20,000 00 Metropolitan Bank 3,415 00 La Banquc Rationale 13,308 31 do 120 37 Ordinary deposits Our principal expenditure would appear to bo on tho following services : — Legislation Civil Governraont Administration of Justic?, Police, &c Education, &c Agriculture, Immigration and Colonization '.. Public "Works and Buildings Charities, Hospitals, Insane Asylums, &c Crown Lands Expenditure Sundry other items $775,000 00 173,001 43 $048,001 43 $163,591 10 185,100 74 400,728 87 815,247 19 228,220 50 92,004 05 198,299 85 142,502 15 84,151 21 ■ ■ $1,700,451 72 To which adding the payments made by lleveuuo Collectors out of their collections, as Htated 20,550 0') And the warrants outstart*ding 30th Juno, 1872 28.821 90 And the amount credited Municipal Loan Fn.nd from Dominion ,.. 10,885 04 Makes $1,700,059 97 Deducting from which the warrants outstanding 30th June last 28,009 19 Total expenditure for year ending 30th Juno, 1878.. $1,78 1, 750 78 J i 25 JUDICIAL DEPOSITS. ^: And now a few words respecting Judicial Deposits, which are not included in the Treasury Accounts propor, aiid the amount at the credit of the Gorernment in the several l)anks forms no part of the amount in the Treasury belonging to the Province. The Judicial Deposits law is, I believe, giving good satisfaction throughout the country. The confidence felt that moneys d.'posited into Court arc sale, removes a good deal of suspicion and distrust, which Ibimorly existed in the minds of suitors, as to the safety of their deposits, and as to the certainty of obtaining them at once, on judgments of distribution being rendered. The system is now in full opera- tion and in good working order, i ^ ; The whole amount deposited in the Treasury Department since the coming into force of the Act in March, 1872, to the 30th June last was $827,854.97 ; and paid out on judgments of distribution during the same period $558,761.55, leaving a balance, on actual deposits, of $269,093.42. There was allowed, by the Banks, for interi»st during the same period $14,655.29, and deducting from this the expenses of manage- ment, salaries and allowances of two per cent to Prothonotarics and Sheriffs $7,120.87, leaving at the credit of interest account a balance of $7,534.42, which added to the balance upon deposits, makes $276,627.84, and which is deposited in ten ditt'erent Banks, In case the money market gets easier and the interest allowed by Banks becomes less, there is no dangor of any expenses accru- ing to the Province in the management of this fund. J In a year or two when the receipts of our interest can bo cal- culated with some degree of certainty, the House will bo better able to decide as to what disposition is to be made of any surplus interest received. In the mean time it stands to the credit of that accQUut, i- 26 I SPECIAL WARRANTS. I desire to explain to the House the reason for issuing some of the principal special warrants, which authorized the Government in cases of urgency to expend money, without the direct consent of the Legislature had first been obtained. As regards the expenditure on the Quebec Court House, I may remark, that it became necessary on the burning of the old Court House to provide, at once, accommodation for holding the various Courts, of the District and Province, with as little delay as j os- sible. The Dominion Government, on our application granted us per- mission to use the Military Hospital, in the City, temporarily, as a Court House. No other building being available, it was found* on examination, to require considerable expense, in order to its being made to answer the purpose intended, and, besides, fur- niture was required for the Court rooms and the use of the various offices connected with the administration of justice. Funds not having been voted by the House for such purposes, it became necessary' that a special warrant should issue to authorize the Treasurer's Department in advancing money to prosecute and complete the works. This was done and the cost, I must say, is larger than I had anticipated. The necessity of having the building put into pioper shape as soon as possible, and the kind of repairs required, pre- cluded their being done by contract, and although the work was carefully done, under the superintendence of the Public "Works Department, the cost was larger than at first was supposed. A certain amount was spent during the past fiscal year, and paid durmg the current year. For the latter, I propose a special vote amongst the sums required for services not sufficiently pro. vided for in the vote taken for this vear, in order that the whole cost may be paid out of the present year's revenue. (Hear !) There was an insurance upon the building and furniture of the old Court House amounting to $10,000, which was received by the Government, and which pays so much of the expense incurred in the fitting up of the present temporary building. .» St t am sorry to say there was but a small sum insured on tke valuable library contained in the Court House, and I intend, with the permission of the House, to propose a small grant in the Esti- mate to aid, in part, the Advocates in replacing, as far as may be, their library. (Hear, hear.) The amount $5,000 will be paid the Bar of this city, if voted, for the purpose mentioned. This is, perhaps, not a very good precedent to set, and I would remark here that it would be a good precaution, for the Bar of the different sections in the Province, to insure their respettive libraries against lost by fire rather than, in case of similar acci- dents, to rely on obtaining grants from the Legislature, to make good any loss occasioned by fire. In this connection I may say that the Quebec Court House fire called attention to the state of the so called vaults in the St. Francis District Court-house, and these were so utterly worthless, as against fire, that, on examination of their condition, it was found absolutely necessary to build a new vault, which hns been done, the cost of which will also appear in the Estimates. Another item in the special warrants is for Spencer Wood, under the heading of " rents and repairs." It was found on examination of this property, upon which scarcely any repairs had been made, either to the buildings or furniture, since it was first built and furnished, that in order to preserve the property and renc' 2t it habitable, as a residence for the Lieutenant-Governor at all seasons of the year, considerable expense must be gone to, and exceeding the usual small sum allotted for that purpose. The amount expended during the cur- rent year, I will ask a vote for, also, so that the amount expended on this property, and on the temporary Court House, will be voted at this session, and appear in this year's transactions. With respect to the large amount paid, and payable for the purchase of lands, in Gaspe and Bonaventure Counties, formerly held by the Gaspe Land and Fishery Co., it will be in the recol- lection of the House, that certain petitions were presented to the Legislature, praying that the Government would purchase these Hi 28 iaiids unci i)revoiit sp.'culators irom acquiring them, to the great damage of si»ttlenieiit. These petitions were reported upon by a committee ol' the House, favorable to the purchase of said lands l>y the Government, if they could be obtained at a luir rate. The universal opinion of the House, I believe, was in favor of the report being carried into practice. It was clear, to the Government, that unless some arrangement could be made with the English creditors, to take a reduced amount for their claims, it would be impossible to buy the lands ; and, after a good deal of negotiation, the Government were able to purchase the property at less than the claims held upon it, and accordingly bought at Sheriff's sale some 122,312 acres of land, for the price of about forty cents per acre. There is no question but that the Government will, in time, be fully reimbursed for the outlay. The Province will suffor no loss by the transaction, and at the same time, speculation will be prevented by private parties, and the settlement, (hear, hear,) of that part of the country promoted. It was found necessary also to come to the relief of the distres- sed settlers in the Counties of Chicoutimi and Saguenay, in older to help them to live, and accor,dingly we provided some money which was expended in road-work, the settlers paying for the ad- vance made in this way. I have no doubt the House will cheer- fully sanction this expendilure. The Survey of the Boundary Line between Ontario and Que- bec, it was found necessary to proceed with, and a special warrant for $8;000 on account was issued during last year, and the balance required to complete that Survey during this year will be asked for in the estimates. , , There appears also a warrant for Immigration purposes, which it was considered necessaray to issue in order that the work should not be discontinued, and an amount will be asked for, to complete the expenses of the current year for this important pur- pose. . , • . ■^• V N< ^'-,., * '» -r / <: n ■'\- ^'"«, * '•* -K 29 It was also found that the Legislative provision lor the Adiiii* nistration of Jr.stice and to meet the increase of salaries to em- ployees of this House, granted by it, last Session, were deficient, and, to meet such deficiency, special warrants were issued to the amount of $38,000, which the Legislature will be called on to sanction. • . Hon. members will bear in mind that these special warrants have been paid out of last year's revenue and appear in the Pu- blic Accounts, but to avoid as much as possible the issue of such warrants, during this year, I have thought it best to apply to the House for Legislative sanction, which, from the causes stated, make the appropriations voted at last session inadequate for the purposes intended. (Hear, hear.) I now come, Mr. the next fiscal year. Speaker, to the Estimated Receipts for These have been calculated from the previous receii)ts, and al- tered, I thought, as was required to meet the circumstances ; and first in the list is : Dominion $1,000,000 00 This amount is founded upon the Subsidy specified in the Con- federation Act, and includes the interest, on certain School funds, in the hands of the Dominion Grovernment, and also allowing a small amount, for contingencies, which the Dominion Govern- ment may likely charge us with, during the year. Crown Lands Department $560,000 00 This amount is larger than my last year's Estimate by some $27,000, but some $18,000 less than their actual receipts during the past year, and will, I believe, be realized from this Depart- ment. Of course fewer lumber limits being sold, or likely to be, will affect our revenue for the time somewhat, but continued care in the officers of the Department, and attention to collections will amply keep up our revenue from this source. The Provinoe, by- and-by, in the increased timber dues which the law authorizes to be placed on cutting timber, can afford to wait awhile before disposing of large quantities of limits ; so The next items are : Law and Registration Stamps 1^120,000 Law Fee fund, Building and Jury fund and Court House tax 21,600 Educational receipts including Normal Schools 9,600 Reformatary St. Vincent de Paul, (debts due) 10,000 Licenses of various kinds including Liquor, Auctioneers, &c 13f,000 House of Correction, Gaol guard Montreal, St. John's Lunatic Asylum 5,800 Municipal Loan Fund 20,000 Official Gazette 17,000 Casual Revenue 2,500 Sale of Statutes, Printing the Laws, Fees on private Bills 2,500 Police 27,000 Rent of House in Montreal 600 Contribution of City of Montreal, on account of Fe- male Gaol, in that city 25,000 Interest on Bank Deposits, &c. 44,000 Making in the whole an Estimated Revenue for the year beginning the 1st July next $2,000,300 I hope the result will, as heretofore, somewhat exceed my esti- mate of receipts, and I have endeavoured to place the amount within, rather than beyond, the expected Revenue, and, of course, this does not include the cash balance which may be in the Trea- sury at the close of the current fiscal year. I now come to the proposed Expenditure for the next fiscal year, corresponding with the estimates submitted to the House, — and I may remark here, that in some services there will be found a larger appropriation asked for than last year. This is accounted for by the increase of salaries made at the last Session of this House, and which made the previous amounts voted too small, both for last year, and for the current year. It will be recollected that, with respect to the increase of Expenditure and raising of salaries of the employees of the Legislature, this House set ^. \ + .. 81 aside the report of the special Committee appointed to consider that question, and in acting independently of the report of the Committee, considerably augmented the charges under the head of Legislation, which 1 begin with first. Legislative Council ; Indemnity to members, Mileage, Salaries and Contingent Expenses $ 41,507 Legislative Assembly ; for similar services in this branch of the Legislature 97,000 Expenses of Elections 2,500 Parliamentary Library 5,000 Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, Salary, and ordinary Contingencies 800 Law Clerk , Salaries of office and contingencies 3,800 Printing, binding and distributing the Laws 5,000 Making, in the whole, asked for Legislation $1 55,607 Being for the reasons I have already mentionod in excess of the same total last year by $7,711. II. CIVIL GOVERNMENT. Public Departments, Salaries and Contingencies, $143,295. The details of this service have been submitted to the House in the printed statement, accompanying the estimates. And owing to certain increases made to the salaries of certain employees, which I fully explained to the House last session, and which wore approved of ; the increase asked for this year exceeds last year's appropriation by $5,175. ..... It is quite possible that, during the year, there may be some small increase in remuneration made to certain of the Civil Service clerks, for I hold, that officers should be paid a fair return for their services, in proportion to their responsibilities, efficiency, industry ,^and attention to their duties, and I much prefer having only efficient and useful officers in the Departments, with fair salaries, to having a larger staff of employees, upon small salaries, or to having comparatively useless persons in the Departments, even if they pretended to work for almost nothing. (Hear, hear.) r 32 The neit item of Expenditure, and which will be found to be large, is III.— ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE— $332,840. This amount is arrived at by a comparison of the expenditures for several years past. As was intimated to the House last session, and which seemed to be the universal opinion, there was an increase of salaries required in several of the Court Houses of the Province, distributed as judiciously as possible, upon representa- tion from those best acquainted with the services performed, and it is found, that in order to make the administration of justice prompt, effective, and useful to the public, an increased expend- iture is absolutely required. I have ca'-efuUy gone over all the accounts, from time to time, and am of opinion that the sum asked will be required in order to carry on this branch of the public service eflfectively. „.■ tjtn liw* a =4'>' !>n7:* ^v^rrfiv: j.)i?; i<«« v^iy?.-,^ . . Police appropriations, inci'uding Provincial Police, $69,800.. jt./>, It was found impossible to keep up an efficient police force without increasing the pay of the officers and men. They, in common with all others in the community, had to contend against the increase in prices of the necessaries of life, and it was thought better to retain the services of the members of the present force than to engage others not acquainted with such duty, even if they could be found at a lower iigure. The proportion of cost, however, paid by the city of Quebec, is too small for the benefits conferred on the city, and measures will be taken to increase the contribution from the city, which I have no doubt will be acceded to by the Corporation. I notice the hon. member for Quebec county smiles at this. I trust he will use his influence towards increasing the Corporation proportion. Reformatories, — Montreal and Sherbrooke, $38,000. ' 'l The inmates of these institutions, I am sorry to say, are increas- ing, and the estimate is founded on the draft of contract submit- ted to, and approved by the House last Session. Prison Inspec- tion, the same as last year, |3,400, making for Justice, Police, Prison Inspection and Reformatories, $434,040, an increase of $5^,503 over last year's appropriation, (' : .' r V,,. IV.— EDUCATION, '^^ ^ • <^ • t Superior Education ,, $ 71,000 Common Schools 145,000 Schools in poor municipalities 8,000 Normal Schools 42,600 Salaries of School Inspectors 26,810 Books lor prizes 2,500 Journals of Education 2,400 Superannuated Teachers 6,000 High Schools Quebec and Montreal 2,470 Compensation to R. C. Institutions for anints to Hiirh Schools ;... 4,940 Total Education <>31 1,620 The only increase in Education, with the exception of $700 to superannuated teachers, is in the allowance to school inspectors. An examination of the extent of several of the districts assigned to some of the Inspectors, the large amounts, comparatively, in proportion to their salaries, which had to be disbursed for travel- ling expenses, rendered a revision of the salaries paid, and of the Inapectors' divisions, absolutely necessary. It was found requisite, in order to promote efficiency in the In- spection of Schools, to appoint three new Inspectors, and to in- crease in some instances the allowance for travelling expenses, more especially as, in addition to the expenses of visiting the Schools generally, they are frequently obliged to travel long distances to settle difficulties which arise as to school houses, the division of districts, &c., which involves them in more or less expenditure from time to time. ^ ."..^ !..-->. /, I should have been glad could I have seen my way clear to recommend an increased grant for Common Schools, but I could not at present do this. The affording of every facility for obtain- ing an education in those studies, usually taught in our Common Schools, to the very poorest family in the country, situated it may be in the back woods, should engage the serious attention of the Government and the Legislature, and I am in hopes that in a few 5 n 34 years we will be able to augment our grant to Common Schools to such an extent as to give to all our people, poor and rich, an opportunity of obtaining such an education as will enable them better to perform their duty to themselves, their families, and the public at large. The general diffusion of education I take to be the duty of every Government, and, without this, our country will soon go behind other countries in civilization, commerce, manufactures, and general prosperity. .:■;. .. „.,..:.. -.^ . -. ,, V' .•',' ;-' ''; ■ , -. <• . ,*,•,, LITKBABY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS. , Quebec and Montreal |4,000 00 Advocates Library, Quebec 5,000 00 Board of Arts and Manufactures 8,700 40 Total Education, Literary and scientific Institutions, Arts and Manufactures 1324,826 40 In settling up the aflairs of the Board of Arts and Manufactures in Montreal, under the law passed last session, there was a dispute concerning some accounts, which the officers, were not able to arrange satisfactorily, and under the new law the cash in hand had to be sent to the Treasury Department, and accordingly the sum of $706.40 was remitted, which sum I intend, should be sent to the new Board in order that the whole sums originally granted may be applied to the uses and purposes of the Board. '-"'" V. AQRIOULTUBE, IMMIOBATION AND COLONIZATION. Agricultural Societies $50,000 00 Board of Agriculture 4,000 00 Board of Agriculture, to assist in establishing a Stud for the Province (revote) 5,000 00 Stone breaking machines 10,000 00 Two Agricultural Schools 1,600 00 '-.: \Qj'r>r.>tr-:viK,mmi^'->:i -'^r--. wiiTt^r;.' .--..v-^-"-;' $70,600 00 ImmigrationM..... , 20,000 00 M - -I tr\ 85 Colonization Societies $12,500 00 ]2o. Roads, Ist class 60,000 00 Jhi do. 2uddo, 18,000 00 Do. , do. 8rddo, 7,000 00 92,500 00 Total of Agriculture, Immigration and Colonization.. $188,100 00 "^^n . I \ With respect to the grant for Immijinration, had our finances allowed, I should have asked for a larger appropriation. It is to be remarked that out of this grant heretofore, quite a sum has been appropriated and paid towards encouraging and bringing back our population from the United States, and not spent in bringing Immigrants from Europe. , .., ,. > i, ..;..,,, With regard to the European Immigration, which has reached and remained in our Province, the results last season have been satisfactory. (Hear, hear.) i ^ - . <^ When it is taken into account, not only the ignorance which prevailed in the old country respecting Lower Canada, but the united efforts of the Ontario and United States agents, to cry down and depreciate this Province, it is not to be wondered at, that several years' time was necessary for our agents to inform tho p3oplo, in Europe, of our real situation, and the facilities afforded for settling amongst us. We had to disabuse the minds of the people of their prejudices against this Province, which, for years, had been instilled into their minds, and fostered by every possible means in the power of the multitude of agents working against us. I think the result is as great as we had any good reason to expect. Now that information has been disseminated of our true position ; of our liberal policy in aid of Immigrants coming to locate on our wild lands : and false and erroneous impressions removed, we may expect a large influx of just such people as we need. Of skilled agriculturists and artizans ; of men of capital and experi- enee ; of men who, while bettering their own condition in com- ing to this country, will give a stimulus to our present population, by introducing a better system of husbandry than obtains now 4> 4 li I t » 86 among>«t ws, by the introduction ol' buttor broedw of cattio ; by the introducing improved machinery of all kinds, and ewpocially by the introduction of capital, not morely conh capital seeking in- vcMtment in a new country, but capital of a better kind than cash, strong arms and willing hearts, men, able and willing to assist us in developing the Agricultural, Mineral and Industrial pursuits of our Province. These we need, these we must have, ond can- not do without, if wo would keep our true jiosition amongst the other Provinces of the Confederation. These remarks are applicable as well to the encouragement to be attbrded to such of our people as have left for the United States within the few past years. Now if the Government, by means of grants, in cash or land, towards the construction of Railways, can induce capital from other countries, to flow into our Province, and whi'ih. without this aid, from the public purse, or domain, would not seek investment here, if every dollar granted by the Legislature will be the means of procuring from abroad the expenditure of from $4 to $5 more, surely this is the best means of affording parties, from Europe or the United States, the means of providing for themselves and families, until such time as they tinally establish themselves in some branch of industry which these railways will encoiirage and foster, as well as introduce into the country. (Hear, hear,) In the United States, every able bodied immigiant is calculated to add #1,000, to the wealth of that country, and this, irrespective of the cash which each may bring into the country with him. If this be true, and I believe it is within the mark, we can well afford to spend money in this direction. It will give a better return for the outlay than any other mode of expenditure. Besides all this, Mr. Speaker, the amount of actual cash brought into the Province by these immigrants is of great importance. Why Sir, I believe that laat season alone the amount of money brought into this Province and being now expended in public improvements — in farming operations or granting aid to parties 'wishing to establish themselves on our wild lands, directly and ^ r I- CttJl- tho ^ w . > ^ r indirectly throwgh the cflbrtH of our apontM in the Old Country, would surprise us all. I l.ave no doubt that the interest of Iho money alone thus brought amongst us, would far exceed our entire expenditure during the past year for immigration purposes. Another point, this Province must always stand at a great dis- advantage in our Dominion Legislature, if our population does not increase in somewhat the same ratio as that of our sister Pro- vinces. Already wo have seen increased representation given, under the Confederation Act, to Ontario than existed in 1867, and self preservation should stimulate us to endeavour to retain our present status, at least amongst our sister Provinces. (Hear.) With regard to the grant towards Colonization, the Government, in view ot the hrge expenditure on Railways and other works of a public nature, felt that it was necessary to diminish the grants towards these roads, more especially to those parts of the country where railway works are, or will be, in progress. The amount, although smaller than usual, is, at the same time, larger consider- ably than the appropriation made for both Upper and Lower Ca- nada during the Union, and it is unquestionably better at present to afford Railway accommodation within easy access from new settlements, than even to make good common highways, and leave Railways unbuilt. I should have mentioned before that the Government iu'.end bringing down, in a supplementary Estimate, a sum specially to be applied in aid of the purchase of seed grain for settlers on any, and all, lands of the crown, and to encourage those now in the country to remain. This will, I am sure, receive thj support of the House. Now I come to, VI. PUBLIC WOKKS AND BUILDINOS. Rents, Insurance and Repairs of Public Buildings, generally $38,234 Inspection and Surveys 4,000 Public Departments, to repair and fit up the Jesuits' . Barracks 8d,00a situated famishes an amount sufficient to com- plete it ♦ 8,000 Chargeable to the Building and Jury Fund of each Judicial District as far as expended there. Rents of Court Houses and Gaols 687 Insurances of Court Houses and Gaols 3,800 Repairs of Court Houses and Gaols 80,145 Montreal Court House, for the construction of out- buildings, Lodging for the Keeper and covering the roof with sheet iron 12,000 Montreal Common Gaol ; Guard House in gaol yard, work shops, &c 4,000 Gaol for Females, Montreal, provided the City of Montreal pays quarter of cost 60,000 Court Houses and Gaols, new districts 6,000 Making for Public Works and Buildings 1 1 86,266 The next is, '' VII. CHARITIES. f Beauport Asylum $180,000 St. Johns do 20,000 Lunatics under charge of Sisters of Providence, Mon- treal 10,000 Lunatics, St. Ferdinand d'Halifax ; ..-. 8,000 Belmont Retreat Inebriate Asylum, Quebec .,• u 700 Marine Hospital, Quebec , 4,000 Miscellaneous Charities 42,190 Reformatory Schools 6,940 Industrial do 6,000 Making a grand total under this head of $221,880 The large increase asked for in order that the Lunatics should be cared for is founded on the actual number at present in the In- stitutions r amed, and the subject of the large increase in the num- ber of the insane in the Province, within the past few years, de- mands the serious attention of the Legislature and of our people. ' - ,000 80 It becomes a serioos question also, besides fiiiding the causes which produce so much insanity, whether it is not the duty of those localities, from which the insane may be sent to the asylums, to contribute directly from local resources, a certain proportion of the expottse of keeping the lunatics, and providing for their wants. The expenses of the Lunatic Asylums at Beauport and St. Johns, for the first year after Confederation, amounted to $97,946, and for the same class, now requires the sum of $163,000, under the more favourable contract entered into with the proprietors of the Beau- port Institution, while at the same time the Miscellaneous Chari- ties have increased from $27,300 to $46 890, including the grant to the Marine Hospital and the Inebriate Asylum. These facts are startlmg and acquire an importance aside from the monetary question, deserving minute enquiry and considera- tion. It will also bo necessary ;.o provide accommodation, for an in- creased number of the unfortunate class referred to, and the Gov- ernment seeing this, made application to the Dominion Groveni- meut for the use of the St. John's Barracks, with that purpose in view. The Dominion Government, however, declined to surrender pos- session of the Barracks at St. John's, but oflfered, on reasonable terms, to give us the Barracks of Chambly, for the parpose of our establishing an asylum larger than that at present in St. John's, and commensurate somewhat with the demand for increased accommodation required. The Government has under considera- tion this important matter at the present time. I next come to VIII. MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES. Quebec Official Gazette Arbitration under B. N. A. Act, '67. Miscellaneous • • »'^^^ Total ( 10,800 2,500 20,000 $32,800 — . 40 IX. OOLLEOTION, MANAGEMENT AND OTHER CHARGES ON .., REVENUE. Municipalities Fund under C. S, L. C, Cap. 110, to meet demands for the year $ 5,000 Registration Service (Cadastres) $ 30,000 General Expenditure by Crown Lands Department, including Jesuits' Estates, Clergy Lands, Crown Domain, "Woods and Forests, &c 48,670 Surveys 24,000 . ... ,. ,.. ., . $102,670 Stamps, Licenses, &c 4,000 In all 1111,670 Making the whole estimated appropriations for the next fiscal year $1,792,934.40 I hope it will not be found necessary to expend the w^hole amount asked for, and that something less than voted will be found sufficient. Hon. members will understand that the appro- priating of money does not necessarily imply that it will be spent if not required. All unexpended balances are written off at the close of each fiscal year. . .». i ;; -,„r . ^; v ,,.: I now come to certain items of expenditure required for the present fiscal year, and which will come out of the present year's revenue. 1 have already explained why this vote is asked for, owing to increased expenditure, not foreseen, when the current year's esti- mates were voted, and to do away with the issue of special war- rants for the services mentioned during this year. Legislative Council and Assembly $40,200 Expenses of Elections 10,000 Civil G-overnment — Contingencies of Public Depart- . ,,r ments 2,800 Administration of Justice , 30,000 ON 5,000 41 Police ImmigTatiou Colonization Soads, 1st class Public Works — Rents, Insurances and repairs generally , Quebec Temporary Court House Sherbrooke Court House, Vaults Beauport Lunatic Asylum Montreal " " St. Ferdinand d'Halifax Survey of Boundary Line between Ontario and Quebec Towards Purchase of Gaspe Fishery Lands $12,000 12,000 4,000 32,550 25,000 2,500 29,500 2,500 500 14,000 r l;j,000 $232,550 These amounts, if granted, will be placed to the various ac- counts mentioned, and the expenditure will appear in the Public Accounts for the current year. Now, Mr. Speaker, my remarks heretofore have been directed principally to the receipts and expenditure of the last fiscal year, and to the estimated receipts and expenditure of the next fiscal year, giving such explanations as I considered necessary, in. order to a full understanding of the whole subject presented. < I am quite aware of the difficulty I labor under in making such a statement interesting to the House, and I have to thank Hon. Members for their attention and patience under the infliction of so many details of dry figures, and, perhaps, drier explanations in the effort to make things clear. With your permission and that of the House, I will now, Mr. Speaker, add a few words upon our future prospects as a Province, and particularly as respects our financial position, in view of the large expenditure proposed i.'i aid of Railways, and RAILWAY POLICY. V T-) I beg to reiterate here, what I have on previous occasions stat(»d to the House, that I still adhere to the determination I I'ormod' 1 1 42 when I accepted the office of Treasurer, to keep our annual ex- penditure within the limits of our annual revenue. This I have been enabled hitherto to do, and when I fail to do this, when I find that the demands on the Treasury exceed what I consider should be made — which cannot be resisted, and which the revenue of the Province will not permit — that moment the House will be acquainted with the fact, and I will resign my office — quite pro- bably to a better man, one more competent than myself to manage the finances of the Provinces, but none more careful of our re- sources or more anxious they should be spent legitimately for the public good, and in accordance with the expressed wish of the Legislature. (Applause.) I am not one of those, Mr. Speaker, who will consent to run our Province hopelessly in debt, in order to please any man, or set of men. I prefer rather to withdraw from public life, than be a party to burden those who come after us, with direct taxation to meet expenditure on even important objects — to suit th3 views of any- body, where such expenditure, in my humble judgment, is not absolutely required, and not likely vo yield direct returns to Gov- ernment. I know these views are not likely to make me popular either in this House or out of it. There are some who, to ensure the •execution of certain works which interest themselves personally, would not hesitate to test the credit of the Province to its utmost limit, place the Province in debt to such an extent as to absorb most of our revenue to meet the interest, and let those who come after us take care of themselves. Such is not good, sound public policy, and the adoption of such a course has led to financial dis- honor, and extreme distress, to meet the liabilities incurred, and finally to bankruptcy and repudiation in other States at one time equally well off" as we are. To initiate a period of prosperity by the expenditure of large sums of money is quite easy, if future consequences are overlook- ed or ignored. To resist the demands of friends is hard, but the interest of our country should be preferred and maintained, even at the expense of such friendships as would likely entail on the Province financial ruin, . - r^ ■ \ 48 Holding such opinions, I now come to consider whether the position of the Province, financially, is such as to warrant us, even for the important purpose of promoting Railway enterprises, in incurring a certain amount of debt, for which the Province will be responsible in principal and interest, and also to consider the amount of the liability we should incur. I believe, Mr. Speaker, the people of this Province are alive to the necessity of increased Railway accommodation, both as re- spects our local interests, and, also, as to attracting from other Provinces, the trade which our position in the centre of the Con- federated Provinces entitles us to expect and provide for. Municipal councils all over the country show this feeling by subscribing liberally towards Railway operations, in the shape of stock subscriptions, or bonuses, in aid of Railways ; and the large indebtedness of the municipalities throughout the Province, should be constantly kept in mind, in calculating the amount which the Legislature should grant towards the same object. If our municipalities find the taxes, thus voluntarily imposed . on themselves, bear heavily on them, for a series of years, they will be the less disposed to meet whatever burdens the Legisla- ture may impose. True, the stimulus given to all branches of industiy, by the construction of Railways, M^ill give additional means wherewith to pay taxes, but quite possibly the disposition to pay may not keep pace with the ability. The Railway fever is very prevalent amongst our whole people. When it subsides somewhat, it is to be hoped the advantages of Railways will be found equal to what has been anticipated. It will not do, then, to overlook the actual state of thingp, in the Province, respecting Railway indebtedness by the munici- palities, in deciding what the Legislature should do. The posi- tion of municipalities and the Province as respects debt should be kept in view, each acting on the other. We need not, Mr. Speaker, go into any discussion or considera- tion of the question how far all Railways should be built by gov> ♦ « 44 urumeiits, and raaiutuinod and worked by them. However in- t.'restiug such a discussion might bt», under some circumstances, it has no practical blearing in our case. No person, however «>nthusiastic on Railway matters, or interested in a pet Railway scheme of his own, would venture to assert that the Province of Quebec should, or could initiate and attempt to cany out such a inoposition. All the Quebec Go\ernraent can do, is to aid, to a limited ex- tent, such Railways as seem most necessary to the development of the Province, in the first instance, having at the same time a due ie 45 grant is uselt^ss. Whatever amount ol' aid it is possible for thot Province lo grant, must not be subdivided into such small amounts to each Railway as not to answer the olyect intended, which is, the construction of Railways. (Hear, hear.) These propositions, if kept in mind, may enable us to arrive at what should be given, or liability incurred by the Province, which amounts to the same thing, and which Companies are first entitled to consideration at the hands of the Legislature. Representations have been made to the Government, by many chartered Companies, that the aid already provided by the Legis- lature, to their respective Railways, is not sufficient, and further assistance prayed for. These rej)resentations set forth in glowing colours the absolute necessity, in the public interest, that the particular Railway on behalf of which the memorial, or deputation speaks, is beyond all question the most important road in the Province, and that all parts of the country cannot fail to agree in this opinion. In fact so eloquently and forcibly are the advantages to some particular interest set forth, that one would almost be tempted to think that the welfare not only of the Province, but of the Dominion if not the whole British Empire, depended on this particular Railway being built. Minor considerations, such as the state of the Provincial finances, the necessity of carrying on the business of the country, or doing justice to other parts of the Province, weigh nothing with some parties. Visions of fat contracts, of personal popularity, shut out all other considerations. Some go so far as even bint, that a special session of the House should have been called, to give the members the privilege of testifying their appreciation of the disinterested efibrts of some enthusiastic Railway operators, for the salvation of the country, by granting funds so that they could make something for themselves, or at least be in a position to sell out the little stock they were foolishly induced to subscribe in a Rail way" company, let us say, running from this i^oint to the North Pole. (Laughter.) This rough sketch is not mere fancy, Mr. Speaker. Neither you nor myself, would go to such extremes, of course not, "We i li I "'"~l! i6 ate disposed to bo reasonable in our demandH ! So every one else, with Railway on the brain, pretends, bui '-he sincerity of such pretensions, ours amongst the rest, v/ill most likely be tested before long. Coming back again to the pvoposiiion I laid down. lc«t That with our limited means we ought to aid those Railways which are most necessary to the development of our Province in the first instance, and having regard also to the general advantage of the Dominion. Of all the Railways chartered by the Legislature since 1867. I think it must be admitted that for our Province and the Dominion — for the interest of both — are those Railways chartered from this city to Deep River in the county of Pontiac. These possess, without doubt, the first claim on the country for assistance, not to the exclusion of other Railways, but as to amount of aid to be granted. (Hear, hear.) In the first place, there is no direct communication between the capital of this Province, and the capital of the Dominion, by Railway, on the north side of the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers. The late Province of Canada assisted largely, by grants from the public chest, to aid in the construction of the Grand Trunk Railway — towards which grants, those living north of the St. Lawrence between Quebec and Montreal, and the north of the Ottawa river between Montreal and Ottawa city, contributed equally with those parts of the late Province of Canada, now most favoured by the Grand Trunk Railway. That part of the Province proposed to be traversed by the Railways referred to, the North Shore and Montreal Northern Colonization Railways, are shut out to a great extent from the benefits of the Grand Trunk, which they helped to build. In the winter season they are completely isolated from communication with our principal cities, except by the old-fashioned sleigh road, and allowance should be made to this section of country for the reasons stated. - ' "We cannot afibrd an equal expenditure, per mile, to that given the Grand Trunk Railway, but in judging of the relative im- portance of Railways now proposed to be built, and the relative f- 3lse, 47 claims for aid, that important part of the Province referred to without Railway communication ; certainly demands the first con- sideration at the hands of the Leginlature, and iho largest amount of aid. (Hear, hear.) Again— It is highly important to our prosperity as a Provinct', that the Eastern End of the Pacific Railway should be built direct through our Province, to the tide waters of the Ocean a': this city. To secure this we should be ready, as soon as possible, with that portion which passes through our territory. If we wait till the Pacific Railway is built, before being ready for the connecting link, between the Easterly End of the Pacific Railway proper, and the Western End of our Northern Grand Trunk Line, we may rely upon it, we shall be cut ofi* by other connections made from On» tario, and find ourselves too late ; other communications for trade and transport of goods opened up, trade will be diverted into other channels, and we will be left out in the cold, so far as being part of the Pacific Railway, is concerned. Our Railway if not built now will probably never be built, at all events, we would lose the main connection with the West or the North, and lose it for ever. Another point with reference to the Railways referred to, and that is, the Legislature has already discriminated in favour of those roads over others, both in quantity and quality of the land set apart for their use. (Hear, hear.) This was done partly because of previous engagements made by former Legislation, but princi- pally because of the importance of the roads to be built, and with the view of rendering justice to those parts of the Province that were comparatively excluded from Railway advantages ; and also with the view of affording another outlet for the immense traflic, which will in a few years seek an outlet, by the St. Lawrence, to all parts of the world. (Hear, hear.) ■■- These considerations I think, Mr. Speaker, show, that the Gov- ernment, in deciding to grant more aid to certain Railways, than to others, have acted wisely and in the true interest of the Pro- vince, and in su^h a way as will receive the s'^pport of this House and the country. .'-''' '■ ' '-* 48 It is to be borne in mind, however, that in the scheme proi>o8ed, the Gtovernmeut intends to deal at present only with that part of the line of railway between Quebec and Aylmer. Provision is made, however, for that of the railway between Aylmer and Deep River, should the Company prefer to surrender their land grant for that portion of the road at a future time, and accept, in lieu, a money subsidy. When that part of the road between this City and Aylmer, is well under way, and there is a prospect of the Pacific Railway being built, the same provision is made for conti- nuing the road towards Aylmer, as is proposed for the eastern por- tion of the line. (Hear, hear.) That part of the Main Northern Grank Trunk line is by no means abandoned or unprovided for, but in order to avoid too large an issue of dt'bentures at once, it is postponed, until some progress has been made in the other por- tions of the line, then to be resumed, — when the precise locality as to connection with the Pacific Railway can better be ascertain- ed and decided upon. (Hear, hear.) I now come, Mr, Speaker, to the consideration of another pro- position I laid down, which was, that as the resources of the Pro- vince will not permit of granting aid to all the Railway Com- panies asking assistance, those having already Legislation grant- ing aid, should first be provided for, before granting assistance to other enterprises of a like kind. This class of railways is a large one, and for the most part situated on the south side of the St. Law- rence. It has been represented to the Government, both by me- morial and verbal statements, that the aid granted to what are called Colonization Railways in the law, viz : three per cent per annum for 20 years on $5,000— the estimated cost of wooden rail- ways, per mile, equalling a capitalised subsidy of $1,710 per mile, payable upon completion of the Railway, is not sufficient to ensure the completion of the Railways referred to. >! j*, .^. !;. .. t, i The fact that Wooden Railways have not been found to answer the purpose intended, as well as was at one time expected, has led the companies to decide upon using iron or steel rails on, I believe, all the roads, so far as 1 know, entitled to the subsidy mentioned. This change of rail materially increases the cost of construction, not only in the difference of cost in the rails, but in the necessity U ( • 40 of reducing gradients and building the road-bod, and particularly bridges, in a more substantial manner than was required for wooden railways. In order, therefore, to assist in the construc- tion of a better class of railways, than that originally pioposed, when the subsidy referred to, was granted, it is proposed to give a small additional sum per mile to these railway companies, not including, however, any additional subsidy for bridges, the grant being so much per mile counting the bridges as part of the lejigth of the road. The number of miles thus subsidized already will be about G20 miles. The subsidy now proposed to be paid, will be paid in Government debentures, so much per mile, upon the full comple- tion of the road. It seems to me quite clear that . o ensure the completion of these Railways, it is better to grant additional aid to that already guaranteed by statute, than to refuse it and apply the amount proposed now to be added to ibrmer subsidies towards the construction of other lines of Railway. To adopt the latter course, the probability is, that but few of the roads would bv built, on account of thesmallnessof the aid given, whereas by the construction of these lines, and the impctus^which will thereby be given, to all kinds of business along the lines ol" road, when fully in operation, the Gover* ment may hereafter feel better able, at no very distant day, to conie to the relief of other Railways. (Hear, hear.) Inasmuch as the Government cannot with justio»^ to the Pro- vince, and in view of the other services which must be performed, grant aid to all the Railway companies seeking for assistance, that is, such aid as would practically be of any service if divided among all the Railway companies, it seems to me reasonable, and just, that good faith ought to b' kept with those companies, which have gone on expending money, on the strength of the provision already made, and which are endeavoring to build a better class of Railways than at first intended. These Railways require more aid than those of an inferior class. It is much to be regretted that larger means are not at our disposal. As it is we must make the best use possible of what we have, having due regard to pros ^nt obligations and our financial position. (Hear.) 7 x 60 I Olio thing it is important to keep in mind. This class of Rail- way shoulcl. not be allowed to retain their right to a subsidy for an indeRnite period, pi^rhaps to the exclusion of other Rail- ways equally important, though at present, owing to previous obligations, they cannot receive aid from the Legislature. Any Railway company which has received promise of aid ought to be oWiged within one year, not merely to organize, but to be bona fide in active operation, and have at least ten miles graded ready for the rails, and to have their road, say in four years, fully com- l^leted and ready for public travel. In default of compliance with these provisions the grant and the right to it should cease, leaving to the Legislature the power to dispose of the money as may be found advisable (Hear, hear.) The adoption of this rule will test the sincerity and good faith of the projectors of any Railway, and if the company fails to fulfil the conditions imposed, the Legislature may, on good cause being shown, re-grant the subsidy or appropriate it to some other Railway, or dispose of it in any other way in its discretion. There is still another class of Railways which have received grants of land from the Legislature, other than those first men- tioned — (from Quebec to Deep River,) and which are of more or less importance to the Province — the Government intend making provision for these by subsidy payable in Government Debentures instead of land, in case the companies, or any of them, wish to surrender their land grants and take the subsidy, in Debentures, instead. Keeping always in view what I have repeatedly men- tioned as to the desire of the Government to aid, as far as possible consistent with the resources of the Province, the construction of Railways, it is proposed to give a subsidy equal to that granted the second class of Railways I have alluded to, in case the land grants are abandoned. It is not proposed to repeal the land grants given to any Railway company, but should any such company, within one year, notify the Government that they prefer the cash subsidy to the lands, they may be authorized to accept the same, and the Government to grant it, upon full completion of the Rail- ways in sections of 25 miles, as provided for other Railways. (Hear, hear, and applause.) , I 61 ,k -> Now lot UH look, Mr. Spoaker, for a moment at what proportions of tho Province will be traversed l)y the proposed Railways, to which, either lands or money, have boon p^ranted. If it is found that the largest part of the rrovinco will l)o benefitted by the ex- penditiiro of from $10,000 to $20,000 per mile — consequent upon the aid granted by tho Government — and that by far the larger share of our population will either directly, or indirectly, reap the benefit of such expenditure, and the benefit of tho Railways when built, then I think the scheme ]• oposed will commend itself to the good sense and judgment ol this House and of the country. "Wo begin first at the eastern extremity of the Province with the Bay of Chaleurs Railway Company. This road will run through tho Counties of Gaspe and Bonaventure, and has a land grant of 10,000 acres per mile. Then we have the Quebec and New Brunswick Railway — from River du Loup to Woodstock, N.B., with 10,000 acres of land per mile. This road will pass through the Counties of Temiscouata and K amour aska. Mext we come still on the South side of the St. Lawrence, to the Levis and Kennebec Railway. This railway, which I am happy to say shows signs of life and vigour, will pass through the Counties of Levis, part of Dorchester, and Beauce, to the Province line. Then comes the Sherbrooke Eastern Towniships and Kennebec Railway, which I hope to see running next summer for nearly 40 miles from the Town of Sherbrooke. This road will pass through the Town of Sherbrooke, the Counties of Wolfe, Megantic, Lotbi- niore, Beauce and part of Compton, and connect with the LeVis and Kennebec Railway. (Hear, hear.) Then, we have the Richelieu, Drummond and Arthabaska Rail- way, of which about 60 miles are in operation as a Wooden Rail- way, with some 20 to 30 miles more ready for the rails, which are to be of iron instead of wood its entire length, and will pass through the Counties of Brome, Shefford, Bagot, Drummond, Ya- maska and Richelieu. 52 Then we have the Missisquoi and Black Rivers Valley Kail- way, starting from Kiehmond and passing through that County and those of Shefford end Brome. Then we find the Philipsburg, Farnham and Yamaska Kail- way, which is intended to pass the Counties of N icolet, Yamaska, Itichelieu^ Bagot, Rouville and Missisquoi. Then the "Waterloo and Magog Railway Company, which will pass through Shefford, Brome and part of Star.stcad Counties, and I hope part of the Electoral Division of Sherbrookc. The St. Francis, Megantic and International Railway Company, which will pass through part of the Electoral Town of Sher- biooke and through the County of Compton almost its entire length. The Quebec i>'rontier Railway is intended to pass through the Counties of Huntington, Ch&teauguay and Beauharuois. All these are on the South side of the St. Lawrence, and include all to which any gi'ant attaches so far as I know. Then there is the branch from the Montreal Colonization Rail- v.'ay to St. Jer6me, a distance of some twenty miles, to which a subsidy is promised irrespective of the grant of land to the main line. There is next the Montreal Northern Colonization Railway, which v.'ill pass through the Counties of Hochelaga, Jacques Car- tier, Laval, Terrebonne, Two Mountains, Argentcuil, Ottawa, and part of Fontiac. The North Shore and l-iles Railway passes through the Coun- ties of Quebec, I'ortncuf Champlain, St, Maurice, Three Rivers, Maskinong6, Berthier, Joliette, L'Assomption, and Hochelaga. The Quebec and Lake St. John's Railway is proposed to pass through the Counties of Quebec, Portneuf, part of Montmorency and Chicoutimi. This list of fourteen Railways, all subsidized by the Legislature, either by land or money grants, will be found to include most of f I t ^. ./* * i t> "^ ^ ■'\ 3SS \c r t » j '. to 63 the Counties of the Province, and do not include many other Railv/ays, such as the G rand Trunk and Intercolonial roads, the Shefi'ord and C'hambly, South Eastern Counties, Sorel and Cham- bly, and others which are not included amongst them, towards the construction of which the Legislature has pledged aasistance. (Hear, hear.) It will thus be seen how large a proportion of the Province wiirderive direct advantages from the Kailways subsidized by the Legislature, both by the expenditure of large sums of money dur- ing their construction, and especially by the establishment of va- rious industries which uniformly follow the introduction of Rail- ways into any country. I now come, Mr. Speaker, to the distribution of the sul^sidies proposed] to the various Railways, instead of the land grants, and the proposed increase to be made to cash subsid es. It is to be ob- served that the Government, in no case, wicies to disturb the existing arrangements, as to land grants, unless the Companies, in whose favour these were made, see fit to relinquish them, and prefer to accept the provision proposed to be made in their favour. It has been represented, by several Companies, that money cannot be raised upon the security of the lands granted and on security of the roads proposed, sufficient to build the Railways, and pro- vide sufficient rolling stock. The importance of having our Rail- way system perfected as far as possible, and the necessity of something being done to ensure the construction of Railways press- ed itself so much on the Government as to induce them to endea- vour to grant such assistance from the public purse, and to show their confidence in the various projects submitted, as would in- duce capitalists to invest money in Railway enterprises, believing that such investments would be safe, and at the same time large- ly benefit the Province. (Applause.) To assist hon. members in understanding what is proposed, I divide the Railways mentioned as having aid promises, into ihree classes. A, B and C. In class A I place the North Shore Railway including the Piles branch and the Montreal Northern Colonization Railway, both extending from Quebec to Aylmer. * "^ ^ i 54 Tiiese two Companies, it is proposed, should surrender the whole of their land grant with the exception of what is known as block A, on the Ottawa River, containing some 1,827,400 acres of land, which will remain to the Company. It is proposed, in addition to this, to grant to these Companies, the sum of two millions of dollars — (Applause) — in Government five (6) per cent debentures, interest payable half yearly, with sinking fund of one per cent. This amount to be divided between the said companies in proportion to their land grant respectively. Before any debentures are issued, the Government must be satisfied that suificient funds, including the Government aid, are at the command of the companies respectively, to complete their railways, including station houses, machine shops, rolling stock, &c., complete. The debentures only to be paid to the respective Railway Companies, as each 25 miles of railway are built pro rata as the amount payable by the Government bears to the whole length and cost of the road. That part of the line, from Aylmer to Deep River, to remain in its present position as respects subsidy, subject to be dealt with in the same manner, and in like proportion when the line is permanently located, its exact position and length ascertained, and further action required. These Railways to be built as first class Railways, and the Companies are, so soon as any amount of Gov- ernment debentures are handed over to them respectively, to deliver to the Treasurer of the Province, an equal amount of six I)er cent bonds of their Company, to rank and hold, as a lieu or mortgage on the entire property of the Company, next after the 1st mortgage bonds and the subscription of the Cities of Quebec and Montreal and other municipal aid ; the amount of first-class mortgage bonds to bf issued by the said Companies respectively, to be fixed and approved by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council. In order to secure the proper expenditure of the moneys of the Com- pany, and to insure the building of the Railways mentioned as first class roads ; the Government to have the right to name certain addi- tional directors in said companies, which will appear in the law. The object of the Government in retaining the right to withhold payment of the Government bonds, until such times as they are • i * I -. T * '^' ^ i s ^ ■ \ .1 55 satisfied there are funds sufficient at command of the respective companies to complete the road, is to ensure the completion of the whole line of road under each company. It will never do to repeat the Grand Trunk policy over again — (hear, hear,)— and have to give repeated assistance towards building these roads, owing to failure in completing them, on the ground that unless more aid is granted to finish the construction, what had been granted would be lost. This must be avoided, and accordingly the Government must be satisfied, that the companies respectively, are prepared to complete these Hnes of road, before the Govern- ment commence paying their debentures. The consent of the Government being necessary as to the amount of first class mortgage bonds of the company to be issued, will guarantee the purchasers of said bonds, that no more will be placed on the market than absolutely required, any over issue prevented, and that the proceeds of such bonds will be legitimately expended for construction purposes. Possibly instead of reqvuring bonds of the company in lieu of the Government debentures, the contribu- tion of the Province may be held as so much subscribed stock. This is a matter of detail which can be easily arranged so as to meet the views of the parties interested. I am in a position, I think, to state that the amount of aid granted to the North Shore and Montreal Northern Colonization Companies will be sufficient, with the other subscriptions at their command, to fully complete the respective roads. Of course more aid from the Government they would have liked, and it would have given greater profits to some one, but the Govern- ment has gone as far as was consistent with the interests of the country. (Hear, hear.) I now come to those Railways which have been i)romised a cash subsidy on their completion, which I call class B. The subsidy granted, and at present existing, was principally made on the supposition that wooden rails would be used. The amount thus granted was found insufficient for Railways with iron rails, and it is now proposed that to such companies as use iron or steel rails, the subsidy shall be increased to $2,500 per mile, in similar Government debentures to those already mentioned, and I 66 payable as each section of 25 miles and upwards is oompleted and ready for public travel ; no extra allowance to be granted for bridges, the length of which will be reckoned as part of the road. These roads are — The Levis and Kennebec. " Sherbrooke Eastern Townships and Kennebec. " Eichelieu, Drummond and Arthabaska. " Phillipsburg, Farnham and Yamaska. " "Waterloo and Magog. • Missisquoi and Black Rivers Valley, " Quebec Frontier. *' St. J6r6me Branch. * This class is estimated to be 620 miles in length, which I hope may be shortened somewhat, but at that figure, at |2,500 per mile, would amount to $1,450,000, deducting what has been paid on the Richelieu, Drummond and Arthabaska, and Gosford Railways. I am quite aware there are roads in this class which are more import- ant for the interest of the Province than others, but I found it im- possible to discriminate in such a way as to recommend different subsidies for different roads, and, besides, the Legislature in grant- ing aid formerly treated all alike, and I feel bound to recommend the same course. I hope, however, the increased aid granted will be sufficient encouragement to secure the construction of the Rail- ways most needed, and if, as I fully expect, there are some which will not be built, the aid granted vfiW be retained in the Treasury, subject to appropriation by the Legislature, for similar or other purposes as may be found advisable. (Hear, hear.) In the next class of Railways, which I call class C, aro those Railways towards the construction of which land grants have been made, and aside from Railways leading from this city to Deep River. These companies may, on the prosecution of the work of construction of their respective Railways, receive the lands granted, upon compliance with the terms made in the law, but if said companies or any of them wish to surrender their land grant, and so declare their opfion, within one year, to the Government, in writing, they may receive instead of their land • ... I' J mLi 1 67 grant, $2,500 per mile subsidy iii debentures, of the kind already- mentioned, in sections of 25 miles and upward, completed and equipped as the law requires. This class includes — ^ . . The Quebec and New Brunswick Railway — from River du Loup to "Woodstock, New Brunswick, for the length of the lino in the Pro\nnce. The Quebec and Lake St. John's. '* Bay of Chaleurs. " Aylmer and Deep River, " St. Francis and Megantic International. It is not very likely these companies will take advantage of this provision, as they will probably consider their land grants more valuable than the proposed subsidy in Government bonds. At the same time circumstances may induce them to surrender their land grants, in which case the Province will be fully reim- bursed for any outlay on account of these roads, by the value of the lands suiTcndered. I am inclined to think it will be several years before the roads in this class will be built, but in order to complete the Railway policy, as far as possible, it was thought better to make provision for all the Railways, towards the con- struction of which assistance had been promised, heretofore, by the Legislature. It is to be remembered that the Railway from Aylmer to Deep Itiver, though in class C, will receive no part of the $2,500 a mile, but a larger amount, equal to that given to the eastern end of the Montreal Northern Colonization Railway. Now it is to be borne in mind that while the Grovernment have every desire to aid in the construction of Railways, it is equally their duty to see that the finances of the Province are kept in a sound condition, and the credit of the Province not impaired, or the value of their securities reduced by too large an issue of their debentures. Nothing would have given me more pleasure, Mr. Speaker, had I been able, in the interest of the Province, than to have increased the amount of the subsidy proposed to Railways, but, I must repeat, that I cannot be a party to incurring liabilities, to such an extent as to interfere with the efficiency of the public 8 *Ks 68 service, or requiring additional burthens to be placed on the people. This is my bounden duty, and one which I feel, beinj^ intrusted to my hands, must be performed, even at the sacrifice it may be, of my personal feelings, or of the feelings of some of my friends. (Hear, hear.) In order that wo may see at a glance what indebtedness the carrying out of the proposed plan will entail on the Province^ lot us look at a summary of the amount proposed to be given. IN CLASS A. The North Shore including the Piles branch and Mon- treal Northern Colonization RaHway as far west as Aylmer $2,u00,000 IN CLASS B. > 620 miles of liail way, deducting payment made 1,450,000 ' .■<.'i ,- , IN CLASS C. .„ ( _ , Aylmer and Deep Itivcr, special .$ 040,000 Other Railways 495 miles at $2,500 less pay I. ;, made 1,190,000 ' ' ' 1,880,000 ''■?■■''" Total Amount $5,280,000 Even if all the Railways mentioned are built, and all the com- panies entitled to land grants surrender the same and prefer the cash subsidy instead. I must acknowledge that in working out the proposition, adopt- ed by the Government, the amount comes higher than I had anti- cipated, owing to the greater number of roads subsidized and their aggregate length being more than I had sxipposed. I do not anticipate, however, that the Province will be called upon to ex- ceed four millions of dollars — advance on the Railways mentioned, as several in Class B, will not be built, and the companies in Class C, may not give up their land grants. If, however, they should, f < the f 1 f 69 it would result, ivs to amount of aid, as I have stated, and there would revert to the Crown with that part of the giants to the roads in Class A, surrendered some six millions of acres of land, which would fully compensate for any outlny toAvards thesp roads. (Hear, hear.) In any case, I am fully convinced that the Provinci' can iifFord to pay the interest required to meet the annual charge thus im. posed, without materially affecting the other services of the country ; and it is only for the important purposes of opening up the Province by means of Kaihvays, and thus developing the resources of ouv Province, stimulating industries of all kinds, and increasing our population, wealth, and standing in the Dominion, that the Government would have consented to incur anvthinu- like so large a liability. (Applause.) 1 am quite aware that the .scheme proposed will 1)0 cvilioised by many. Some will olyeet to tlie amount thus proposed as l)eing too large for the Province to l)ear ; others that it is quite too small, and might with perfecl safety have been doubled. Some will object that their particular line of road does not receive enough aid, and that others are receiving too much. There are still others who will say that some ne^v lines of road should have been sub- sidized, either by grantinu' no increase to those companies at pre- sent entitled to siibsidies, or by increasing the amount payable by the Province. But, I am satisfied, the Province generally, will think the Government have acted liberally in the premises — acted w^th due regard to the different sections of the Province, as far as possible, and have extended as much aid as our present resources will permit. (Hear, hear.) In order that we may mes-t the interest and sinking fund of the bonds proposed to be issued, on the whole, say 6 per cent, there will be required the strictest economy in our expenditure on the other branches of the public service, and probably a cutting ofi from seA'eral items which now receive aid from the public purse ; with these we can carry on the bi-sincss of the countiy and i^ay our interest, without doubt, although our present surplus may possibly be enoroaclied upon year by year. The expenditure, h 60 however, on Railway enterprises, of all of out avoilable fands, will be much better for the Province than investing them at inleitst in the Bank ; the pfain to the Province fair exceeding any interest we mpy receive on permanent deposits. I have estimated that it will require four or five years for the issue of the bonds proposed, if all the Itoil way companies avail themselves of the law proposed. Thif w'U give ample time for our expenditure on works of a public kind to be done, and arrango- nuMits for the future business of the coimtry to be proA'ided for. AVhile I fully believe that all the Railway companies, referred to, will not call on the Government, for the aid mentioned, in the shape of cash or bonds ; at the same time it would be highly imprudent, at present, to increase the debt of the Province, until our permanent public works are about finished, and we are in a position to judge better of the revenue, which I believe may be increased, to any legitimate amount required and of the annual charges which must be pro , ided for, out of cur annual revenue. (Hear, hear.) Notwithstanding our large proposed expenditure on works of a permanent character during the coming yepr, we may, I think^ safely calculate on a saving of $200,000 ou ^he year's operations ; more than enough to meet any interest on bonds issued. And when once our offices in the Jesuits' Barracks are fitted up ready for use, the rent and taxes at present payable by the Government will cease, amounting to a considernble sum annually. Possibly, Mr. Speaker, the fact that we ma/ have to economise somewhat hereafter, may be oS no practical disadA'antage to the country, ai:d. as . 'lave said before, if anything would justify us in ru.nuing into a moderate amount of debt, it could not be for a better object than opening up our Province, in so many different directions, by affording Railway accommodation. Looking then ar our position row, and at our prospects in the future as a Fro , mce, I think we have no need for alarm. On the contrary, I think we have great cause for hope. "We ha ^e every reason to look forward to pro:,pcx'iiy, and to expect that the ccxu- r ^L. plotiou of our Kystem of Railways will loave our people, nothing to envy in other Provinces of the Dominion, and nothing to induce them to leave our country for the neiohboiuing States. (Applause.) I trust the Railway project presented, will not be looked upon as a mere party question. This Housi» will, I hop.*, look at the pro- position submitted in the light of the interests of our whole ■ people. On questions so materially affecting our prospei-ity, and on which our advancement as a people so much depends, the only rivalry which should exist amongst members of this House, should be, who can do most to render a measure of this kind per- ^ feet, so as to produce the greatest possible amount of good. It has been urged against the people of this Province, Mr. Speaker, that they were old fashioned, — behind the timts, had little enterprise, and could not get out of the plans, customs and habits of their forelathe'*s I think the legislation of this House on the Railway interests of this Province will convince the most sceptical that such reproaches against the people of Lower Canada are entirely unmerited. Comparisons are said to be odious, but I would not fear com- parison with any part of this continent, taking into account our situation, soil and climate. As to the interest felt in the promotion of public iniprovemenis, and in respect for the laws and constituted authority ; as to interest in the promotion of education, secular and religious, and as to the good feeling which exists in our community ])etween people, originally of different nationalities, race and creed ; no Province, no State, can outdo our i)eopl(\ in these respects. (Applause.) Mr. Speaker, I must now conclude these remarks. I thank you and Hon. M'nnb.ns for the attention and patience with which - they have been listened to. I have attempted no ihm speaking, no flignts of fancy, but only to \n:}ko my meaning as plair. .is poss ble. • . :' :• • We will soon have a change of a good part of the "personnel'' , • of this House, I cannot help regretting this, and I sincerely hope, * that the general harmony, which has hitherto prevailed amonust m 62 tlui MciiihevMou both sidt's of lh«' Uoust*, may be as marked in tlu' future an in the past, and, 1 alNO v«'nture to hope that, when the present Members of this House are replaced by others, as they must be in the course of a few years, their successors may be found as loyal to the person and Crown of our beloved Sovereign, Queen Victoria ; as attached to British Institutions and British connections ; as earnest in the advancement of the prosperity of our Province, and as desirony of securing and maintaining those inestimable blessings, a free press, free Legislation, free Institu- tions, civil and religious liberty, now common to all, and which all hold sacred, and of transmitting these to their successors, all of which, I feel, has been the earnest wish and desire, of the Mem-* bers of this House, since they first met under our present Consti- tution. ,, ,vi . .. 4> The Hon. Gentleman closed his address, which was listened to with marked attention, amid loud cheers. /I ^/ ■^- ^'% ■'«. r::i y\ ■i- -4.^ ^ "■^*>k** f