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From early morning the rain continued falling in torrents, yet this had apparently no damping effect on the people, who were determined on doing honor to Mr. Mer- cier, the great Liberal leader of Quebec, the true representative of more than two- thirds the i)opulation of the province. The fete was no merely local att'air ; it was the spontaneous outburst of the great heart of Quebec, irrespective of creed or nationality, to honor the man who by his untiring energy, his justice of purpose, and his earnest efforts for right had at last liberated the people from the thrall of Toryism, under which they had been enslaved for years. Many Tories of Montreal had been frequently heard to say that the picnic would be a fizale, Yesterday in spite of the rain ^^ioe^-l and unfavorable weather they proved how false were these prognostications and this morning even tlie croakers themselves have to admit that the de- monstration was a grand success and a day of surpassing triumph for Mr. Mercier. EN ROUTE. The special train runnins: from Mont- treal to St. Hyacinthe was advertised to start at ten o'clock, but it was" half an hour later before it steamed out of the station. Before the start it was found necessary to attach three more cars to it, making fifteen cars in all, which were filled to their utmost cap»< city. At a low estimate there were from 1000 to 1200 on board. At the rear of the train was attached the Pullman palace car "Bodega," which contained Hon. Mr. Mercier, other members of the Cabinet and many prominent politicians. It would be impossible to give the names of all the Montreal contingent but the following are a few who were no- ticed : Madame Mercier, Hon. James- and Mrs. McShane, Hon. George^ Duhamel, Solicitor General, Hon. T, Langelier, Mayor of Quebec, Mr. Charles Langelier, M. P., Hon. R. Lafiamme, ex-Mayor Beaugrand, Aid. Kainville, Aid. Berger, Aid. Jacques Grenier, Aid, Prefontaine, Jl.P.; M. P. A. Choquette, M. P., Montmagny ; Lieut.-CoL Amyot, M.P.; Mr. Dennis Barry, Mr. J. X. Perrault; Mr. Choquette, M. F. Nolan, Mr. George W. Stephens, ex-M.P.P.; H. J. Cloran, Aid. Perreault.T.Lafontaine.M.P.P.; Aid. Beausoleil, M.P.; F. Weir, F. A. Quintt, T, Lapointe, A. Duperrouzel, J. Riendieu, • Chas. Meunier, W. S. Walker, secretary Young Men's Reform Club ; B. J. Cough- lin, vice-president YouiiL' Men's Reform Club ; D. Messier, secretary Montreal Bar; Dr. Desrossiers, li. Mantha, J. lievesque, E. Larue, M.PR; J. D. Leduc, E. O'Rourke, G. A. Marchand, A. Dandurand, L. La- noier, L. N. Patenaaile, P. Kivard, Dr. Roy, T. Moreau, C. Marnrie, W. H. Scott, . Alfred Brunei, Dr. Lapierre, A. Racine, , H. Brousard, J. Laurrier, Joseph Mercier, . T. Lenard, J. Toupin, A. Cliristin, Joseph Levy, C. Desmarteau, Dr. Lanctot, J. Sheridan, G. Adam, H. A. Bnuilt, John L. Martin, G. S. Beauchanip, G. Disser, R. Gohier, A. Crochetiere, F. X. Bessette, Winnipeg ; L. J. D. Pai)ineau, G. Pare, S. J. Remington, Mr. Cardin, M.P.P., Riche- lieu ; P. E. Tremblav, E. G. Phaneuf, B. Rivard, T. Valade, S. A. Hamelin, Joseph St Marie, Alex. Bouthillier, J. A. Rien r •/- ! J * 'S 2 THE NEW ERA deau, Art Nadeau, Alf. Ciiseon, B. J. Coughlin, Ant Rocheleau, M.P.P., Cham- bly ; Chafl. Allard, aiambly, M. BroMord, Fre. St Germain, J. P. Francceur, H. Eocheleau : F. Bayard, President Butch- ers' Aesociation, 01. Derome, Jos, Le- vesque and N. Versailles, deputation from Butchers' Association ; A. Chabotand six other representatives of the Shoemakers' ■ Union. The train stopped at all the stations be- tween Montreal and St Hyacinthe, at each of which further additions were made to the number on board. At each station the greatest of enthusiasm was manifested. By the time the train ar- rived at St Hyacinthe the Montreal con- tingent had been increased by about 300. A pleasing incident of the trip was the presentation by Hon. Mr. Mercier of a mainiificent gold medal to Rev. Father ■VVillet, Superior of the St Hyacinthe College, as a prize to be competed for by the students. IN ST. IIYAaNTHE. On the arrival of the Montreal train at St Hyacinthe, the population, headed by Mavor Uessaulles and the councillors of the^town were out en musse. The Montreal visiiors on landing were headed by the band of the G5th Battalion, and the instant Hon. Mr. Mercier and the other ministers were recognized the cheering was deafening. The band of the 84th Battalion also played some enlivening strains, while hearty congratulations were ex- changed on all sides. The pretty little city, in spite of the rain, presented a very gay appearance, flags, bunting and appropriate mottoes were to be seen on every hand. Almost all the houses and streets being handsomely decked out, while each doorstep, gallery and window was thronged with the townsfolk and thousands from the surrounding country, all eager to do honor to the people's premier. Tlie hour for the speaking had been fixed for two o'clock, and in consecjuence of the falling rain it bad been decided to hold the meeting in the skating rink, a building capable of containing some six thousand people. As it was only 12.30 o^cloik when the train arrived, and as the Quebec and Three Rivers excursions were not exi)ected for some time, the party dispersed for dinner. Hon. Mr. Men'ier and Mr. Murphy, of the Post, by invitation, with Mr. Desmarais. Hon. Mr. McShane and Mr. Stewart of the Gazelle dined with Mr. Boaz, while Mayor Dessaulles and his estimable lady entertained Hon. Laflamme, Hon. Mr. Thibaudeau, Mr. George W. fitenhens. ex-M.P.P., Mr. Hugh Ms- Kay, Aid. J. Grenier, Mr. Lemieux, La Patrie, Desaulniers, L'Etendard, Mr. Mosher, Witwsg, Mr.|Boyd, Star, and Messrs. O'Brien andJCarey of the Hebald. / The excnrsion trains from Quebec and Three Rivers, with a contingent num- bering about 1,000, arrived at 1.30 o'clock^ and Bbortly afterwards A MONSTEB PROCB8BION, headed by the two bands, marched to the Skating Kink. Although it had only been decided that morning that the meeting should be held there, the build- ing was magnificently decorated for the occasion. This immense building, which has a large gallery running around its four sides, was crowded to the doors, it being impospible for another person to gain admission. At a rough estimate, there must have been fully seven thou- sand persons packed within it, while in the gallery the fair sex were largely re- E resented, prominent among the latter eing the families of the Ministers, Madame Dessaulles, and those of other prominent citizens of St. Hyacinthe. An immense crowd was ■ gathered without the building, who were utterly unable to gain admission. Hon. Mr. Mercier entered the building shortly after two o'clock, his entrance being the signal for such a storm of cheering and applause that the building fairly shook. There were in the galler>tr from which Hon. Mr. Mercier spoke, be- sides the Ministers, many of the above named, and also the follow- ing gentlemen: — Hon. Mr. Gagnon, Minister of Crown Lands ; Hon. - Arthur Turcotte, M. P. P., Three Rivers, Hon. Mr. Shehyn, Hon. D. A. Ross, M.L.C. Mr. Bazinet, M.P.P., Mr. . Lorrain, La Franco Canudien, Mr. La- fonde, Mavor of St George de Stuvelle, . Mr. Pilon,*M.P.P., Mr. Sylvestre, M.P.P., Dr. Renfret M.P.P., Mr. Pacaud, Q.C. Arthabaskaville ; Mr. Belanger, Sher- brooke ; Mr. Deschenes, M.P.P., Mr. Tes- sier, M.P.P., Mr. Bernatchez, M.P.P., Mr. Owen Murphy, M, P. P., Mr. Martin, M.P.P., and Messrs. C. A. Mercier and A. E. Michael, delegates from the national association Montmagny. Dr. Beauchaud, delegate of the Club Jsationale of Coati- cook, and many others. Mr. G. C. Dessaulles, Mayor of St Hyacinthe, naving stepped to the front of the gallerj', read the following ADDRESS OF WEUXJME : Hon. Sir, — Your presence in our city in the midst of such a gathering of tried patriots is tons a legitimate subject of satisfaction, pride and hope. When you became our representative the Province had entered on a peried of regeneration which unhappily did not last owing to the immoral means made use of against us by those to whom public interest has always been of the least interest ! Our destiny seemed to be united to that of men who were precipitating us into an abyss, ruining our prosperity and sacri- ficing our national future. Bravely j^ou remained in the breach, forgetting. ■^^ THE NEW E y /" your personal interests for those of the men who had put all their confidence in you. You did not hesitate before th j flght; and, thanks to your generous etforts ably seconded, an energetic ^reaction sot in. To dis<^lose suspicious acts, to keep public opinion awake, to keep alive that noble moral agitation which ensures success to good causes were the mission to which you devoted yourself and suddenly was seen an audacious attempt against free men. But there are sentiments which cannot be provoked with impunity; we all re- member iiow people shuddered when it was learned that Kiel iiud been executed. While foi seeing probable cowardice, you appealed to hearts jealous of their digni- ty, to refuse to tolerate this insolent chal- lenge to our sympathies to unite under the same flag to work for the rehabilita- tion of the nation. There was to be a fight, there was to be work. OLD TRADITIONS are not broken away from without sacri- fice. Nevertheless, you succeeded. Our adversaries had to meet the enlightened sense of the electorate. They encoun- tered on that occasion the solid resist- ance which was manifested in tlie last elections, and which, we hope, will save us. We joyfully acclaimed the noble and manly policy of which the election of the Nationalist representatives, under your direction, was the the symptom. We seemed to breathe a purer and. freer air. To-day a new perspective opens. The hour of efforts and sacrifices is past, the hour of deliverance is at hand. The access to power of a na- tional government with you as its leader, will be one of the great dates in our his- tory. It closes the past; but it oj)ens the future ; with it has commenced, will be continued, a new era, purer and greater than that which has juBt ended. The better elements of the nation seemed decided to work together to remedy the evils which the division of races or par- ties have caused, and with such a leader as the one whom we havefuJie honor to call our representative, succe.s8 is certain. The previous administration took care to leave no resources in your hands ; you have established tiiat by your inventory of our financial situation. You have un- dertaken the great task of introducing OKDER WHERE DISORDER REIGNED. What you have already done allows us to foresee that the task is not too great for you. The disappearance of the float- ing debt shall cause the disapjiearance of annual deficits. The session which has 1"ust ended presages well for the future. )espite the short time at your disposal, you have enacted several important measures, you have caused public moral- ity to advance a step in the ri^ht direc- tion by granting reforms vainly asked for by the religious authorities during % L-^' 3 up ana many years from Conaervative ministers with immense majorities. With only the object in view you prepared ' a law severe but just seeing that in all things eternal justice should be the guide to all actions, by governments as by individuals, you did justice to the Jacques Cartier Bank,- You rendered a real service to coloniza- tion by undertaking to uproot the cancer which was i)reying on it, and by punish- ing some of the authors of the frauds discovered through your vigilance, and have assured to it as well as agriculture a real progress by the creation of a spe- cial department The consolidation of statutes commenced in 1880, and which seemed fated never to end, has been ably , completed by you, and you have borne special attention to the Code of Proce- dure which was greatly in need of it. You have undertaken to settle, im a practical manner, the question con corning asylums by adoptintr a mea- sure which will enal)le you to prepare a wise law which, while respecting indi- vidual rights, will be based on ascientiflcr system. But what to us is the gra-idest- idoaof your Government is that of caus-' ing the LEADERS OF THE SEVERAL MEET PROVINCES TO in a great conference of which the result " must be immense if proportionate to the end in view. We repeat it, we are satis- fied and proud. But the work to be ac- complished is still more serious; the crimes of many years cannot be atoned for in a day, the path of rectitude is not regained without an eflbrt, and- the National party has a grand and noble mission before it We must sustain our friends when the battle, far from being won, has hardly begun ; we must give our support, and' that of public opinion, when they are needed : we, the electors, must assume our part in the fight in the present strug- gle. That is wiiat the whole Province desires to do to-day by this patriotic de- monstration in honor of tlie man in whom rest al' our hopes. The final triumph of the good cause is assured if we always thus understand our responsi- bility, our interests and our duty. Take courage, therefore, hon. sir ; as a mem- ber, your electors are with you ; as leader of the National Party, the Province sup- ports you ! You have in your hands' the fate of the nation and of a great principle — you have to hold your enemies in check. Such is the condition of those desirous of doing good. Take courage, you shall need it to-morrow — in a year — to the end. Take courage I your role is a great one, to rehabilitate the province is as great as to create it. (Signed), G. C. Dessaulles, Mayor. Then followed an address from the N»» tional Association of Sherbrooke. /. 4 nee o?Mr. s.h ^m NEW ERA. In the absence of Mr. Edjrar Judge, Pre- sident of the Young Men's Reform Chib of Montreal, Mr. B. J. Coghlin, its vice-president, read the following : TOTJNU men's reform CU'B. Son. Honore Merckr, Premier of th£ Pro- vince of Quebec. DkabSir,— The offl'^ers and members of the Young Men's Reform Club of Montreal desire to congratulate you upon the triumphs which the Liberal party of this Province have won under your leader- ship. They reco^ize that lo your preat ability and untiring devotion to its in- terests those triumphs are almost en- tirely due. In the face of op- ponents who have long ruled this province, who seemed all but invin- cible and who had all the advantages which officifl position gives, you never lost hope but v irried on the contest with a \ ■ OOUEAGE AKD DETERMINATION which deserved and eventually achieved success. They believe that under your wise leadership a prosjperous future awaits the Liberal party ot this province, and they pledge to you their heartv sup- port in the great work which is before you. They feel that they may con- fidently look to you for many needed reforms, and for such a wise economy in the administration of the provincial Finances, as will put an' end to the long period of deficits and fully demonstrate that the party you lead deserves the confidence which has been reposed in it by the people of the pro- vince. Representing," the English speak- ing element of that party, they desire to cordially unite with other Liberals of the province, in again oflering-you their sincere congratulations and again pledg- ing you their hearty support in the high office to which you have been called. Signed, Edgar Judge, President B. G. CocmuN, Vice-President. W. Simpson Walker, Secretary. Addresses were also presented from the National Associations of Coaticooke and ^lontmatriiy, alter which were read telegrams and letters of regret for un- avoidable absence from Hon. W. Laurier, leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons; Hon. 0. Mowat, Premier of Ontario; Hon. j\Ir. Longley, attorney- general of Novia Scotia ; Hon. Mr. Blair, Premier of New Bninswiok ; Joseph Morin, M. P. P., Charlevoix ; S. A. Fisher, M. P., Brome; Alf. St. Laurent, Quebec; Dr. A. Morrissette, Ste. Henedine ; Senator J. R. Thibaudeau ; Mr. Honan, Three Rivers, Mr. Edgar Judge, President Y. M. Reform Club, Montreal, and many others. | HON. MR. coming forward MEBCIBR was received with' The vast gathering and during several hon gentleman was unable When quiet had been re- on deafening applause rose to their feet, minutes the to be heard. stored he said Mr. Mayor, Ladies and FelloitHiountrymen : At the sight of this brilliant assemblage — this grand demonstration — on hearing the too flattering words which are ad- dressed to me and the more than kindlv appreciation of a public career which has been modest enough, I would natur- ally be covered with confusion, did I not know that it is friendship more than anything else which has inspirwl this ovation and these sentiments, and that both are intended more to honor the cause which I represent than to exaJt my own personal merits. I am not the less grateful to you all, for this warm and generous reception, and I beg of you to believe that 1 never will forget this memorable day, which has been to me a veritable oasis in the desert of my political life, a happy occa- sion, when a too generous people, coming from all parts of the Province, congregate together to encourage and applaud my feeble efforts for the happiness and pros- perity of our country. I regret that I must, with you, admit that my health is not as good as I would wish, .but I console myself with the thought that it is not as bad as it might be, if like a revengeful creature, as it had a right to be, it had wished to take revenge and punish me for the poor care that I have given it. I also trust that Providence, which protects everybody, even the worst of people, drunkards and such hke,will not punish me too severely for any excesses of labor and effort of which I nviy have been guilty in a cause which is dear to us all, and which, I am confident, is not indiflerent to Him who presides over the destiny of nations. In order to be spared the fatigue of a second speech, and to give more time to my distinguished colleagues who have done me the honor of accompanying me, I will, with your kind i)ermission, im- mediately say what I intended to say later in the day, on certain questions wliich now occupy public attention. THE NATIONAL MOVEMENT. The Government which you now ac- claim was born of a National movement, which was itself created outside of and even to gome extent despite former poli- tical parties and political divisions. National in its conception, national in its birth, such a Government was bound to be national in the constituent ele- ments of its organization, in its aflirma- tion of its ideas and in its principles and inspirations. The Legislature of the Province has- admitted that such was its character I.--.. -^r THE NEW ERA. 'and the coantry confirms that judgment by this meeting to-day, held in one of the most Liberal counties of the province, and in a meeting as imposing in its numbers as by the distinction of those who compose it The Government is, tlierefore, national; I hasten to add ttiat it must and shall re- main national ; it is our intention, as it is our duty, to preserve for it this Special •character which is ita strength and gives confidence to thousands of disinterested fellow-countrymen long since disgusted witli the ruinous struggles of tlio past and anxiously longing that they never should Teai)pour. Tlie National Party has opened its Tanks wide and free and has warmly re- ceived into its bosom all who place the interests of the country before those of party, those who believe tiiat prosi)erity IS the reward of liaruiony and iieace, and ruin the punishment of fraticidal strife ; those who are convinced that discords of the past have left nothing but sorrow and disaster and that in bringing together men capable of understanding each other, English, Irish, Scotch and French, Lib- erals and Conservatives, Protestants and Catholics, people and clergy, the har- monv of to-day will increase and mul- tiply the powers of the nation and will bring about one of those happy epochs which console the people for past suffer- ings, soothe its wounds and secure peace, happiness and prosperity. PROVINCIAL FINANCES. To restore the equilibrium of our fin- ances was our first and greatest diffi- culty. To accomplish this, we did as would have done an experienced busi- ness man who had just obtained control of a new business, We immediately set about making an inventory. This was, indeed, an ungrateful and difficult task to perform ; for — and I regret to say it — our aiiairs have been badly managed. We knew of course the amount of the Consolidated Debt represented by the obligations of the Province, easily ascer- tained and amounting in round numbers to §^18,0Ul),000; but then there was the floating debt, made up of subsidies to railroads some anterior to IS.s'i, some granted in that year, temporary loans, deposits, sinking funds, sums rec[uired to complete the Legislative buildings and the Court House at Quebec, claims aris- ing out of these contracts, etc., etc. These amounts exceeded four million dollars, and to meet them we had not a dollar. AV^hat could we do ? Repudiate these obligations ? This would have been dishonest. Then, stop the works ? This would have bee*, runious to the country and to the parties interested. We tiiought that, like honest men, we should pay those debts, and, to do so, that.we should borrow. The Legislature empov, ©red us to effect a loan of three millioni and a half of dollars, and it is now our duty to float this loan. " HONESTY IS THE BEST POUOT.'* This ia alwJt'Mj.+^io, especially for Gov- ernments, an'*~~-^|^. Mr. 81:ehyn, our worthy and skilly Provincial Treasurer, in his Budget Si)eech, remarkable alike for its fulness and clearness, as it is for frankness of statement, has given another instance of the truth of this time honored aphorism. Our oi)i)onent8 had systematically con- cealed the true financial state of the Province ; not only did they sometimes deny the existence of a floating debt, but they had gone so far in their political de- ception that they often dared to deny even the existence of a consolidated debt. The less dialionest among them would fain estimate it at four or live millions, whilst it was in reality 818,000,000 duly counted ; the more dishonest even went so far as to deny it completely and would pretend, amidst the applause of tlieir irantic friends, this was onlv another of the diabolical inventions of the Rouges. We considered that our first duty was to seek out the truth, — to find the truth, —to tell the truth. We have sought and found and told the truth. Our opponents pretended that we would ruin the credit of the Province. Fools I As if credit, founded on falsehood and fraud, could last; as if truth, wliich is spoken honesty, could ruin him who holds it forth ! We have said : Honesty is the best policy, and we have acted as honest men, in revealing to an astonished and indig- nant country the situation such as it was aud is. What has been the consequences ? Far from injuring the credit of the pro- vince — we have strengthened it. Prev- ious loans have been made at rates which in reality amount, with commissions, to 5-20, 5, 5-25, 5-10, 5-05 ; we can hope, if we are not deceived, to efi'ect our loan at 3i per cent, or at the utmost at 4 per cent. NO MORE FLOATING DEBT. We have concluded to pay the floating debt and to have no more such debts. A floating debt is a kind of a lie, gener- ally created without regular authority, or at least with incomplete authority, tt is ignored entirely or in part, and is never really made known until its amount becomes too great to be any longer con- cealed, and the demands of creditors remler necessary another temporary loan. It is an every day story, and that of all borrowers. He who wants money borrows at first on his word, later on he gives a promissory note — this is the floating debt. If he delays payment, his debt rapidly increases, creditors press for payment; then he must needs give a mortgage in due form, and here we have a permanent loan. / -6 THE NEW ERA. The existence of a floating debt cannot be leriou.ly denied. Its amouut alone is . in dispute. How can a debt l)e paid without money ? Otjr Treasurer, who is . a, business man — one of the most honor- able and prominent merchant* of Qnel)ec — says it is impossible, and he must be right, at least in tiie eyes of all intelli- (^•ent jiersons. Well, to got money wben there is no- thing to sell, ono must borrow, for a short periwi or for a longer. In making a short loan, we would change tho name of the lender, but not the nature of the floating . debt. We would continue to deceive tho country, wo would prolong indefinitely • our embiirrassmont and continue to pay from 5 to 5.] per cent, interest. By borrowing for a Icmger period we remove tho floating debt as well as the ever-recurring eini)urra.s8ments of tlie moment, and we save ono or ono and a half jxir cent, interest. Plence on a float- ing debt of three and a half million dol- lars we make a saving of $;55,OrK) to $50,000 per annum. All will admit that this is a rather respectable sum, which even million Jres would not disdain. A fair proof that a loan is necessary is the conduct of tho Hon. Mr. Robertson. ■On Jan. 2nd, 1887, he had effected tem- porary loans to tlio amount of $750,000. He therefore owed at least that amount, otherwise would be have hadrecoure /to ft temporary loan ? And on Jbebruary '2nd he still owed $500,000 on these loans. Another proof : Mr. Robertson had occa- . gion to pay $245,000 for land subsidies converted into money by Orders-in- Council passed before 1st February, 1887. He paid these $245,000, but how ? With the balance of the special deposit made . to secure the old railroad subsidies granted before 1HH2. But this sum was taken from a special deposit destined by law for a particular object. It was, there- fore, necessary to return it to its original destination. How return it except by a loan when the public (shest is empty ? This is not all! Tiiia fund owes over $600,000 and the use of these $246,000 has completely depleted it. How can the equilibrium bo re-established except by a loan ? THE teachers' PENSIOX FUND js also exhausted ; how can we make it up and put ourselves in position to meet the claims which come into force after let July next, except by a loan ? Tl^p law establishes as a sinking fund for the payment of our first loans the $7,600,000 coming to us as the price of our railway, and obliges us to place It as a special de- posit and forbids us to use otherwise than for the reimbursement of this debt, all sums of money received on account of -those $7,600,000. But our predecessors have collected $600,000 of this money, and had placed yithem aa a special deposit in a certain bank. But when we attained power wo found this deposit reduced to less than $300,000 ; of it $250,000 had been used to build the Court House at Quebec, and $:57,0()O were lost by the failure of the Exchange Bank. IIow could we replace these $300,000 otherwise than by a loan ? If I know anything about figures, I can safely say that those sums may be sum- marized as follows : — l8t. Haliinco of temporary loans $ ^c uiit ot tho price of our railway .'iou.'hm Wo have here over a million and a half of floating debt, which cannot be denied. To that let us add :— 1st. HubsldloH to railways In virtue of last year's law and for which not ono cunt has been provided thouKh they have boon converted Into money subsidies by orders in Council passed before tho Ist of P'ebruary, 1887 $1,084,327 2nd. Yet to bo so converted by order in Council for tho first il) cents . . 464,100 3rd. Claims admitted boforo tho Ist of February for work done on the Court House at Quebec, and Legis- lative buildings 160,000 4th. Estimate of cost to complete these buildings 237,017 5th. Enlargement of the Court House at Montreal 200,000 Total ?2;172,2!5 Add previous aiUQMUt^ ,,. 1,548,000 $3,724,375 We have then $3,724,375 of floating debt, and to meet it we have not a soli- tary cent. Where can we find the where- withal except by a loan? Add to this sum this year's deficit, about $400,000, and some other minor items, and we come to a figure of over four millions, without including contested claims, which I hope we will not have to pay, amounting to another sum of $400,f 000. Yet our opponents have the auda- city to object to our borrowing three mil- lions and a half of dollars to meet claims of eight millions ! Frankly, there are things which no man can understand, even admitting, on the part of our opponents, any amount of cheek — and their cheek in this matter cannot be explained unless we suspect them of knavery or insanity. Do you want another proof of the neces- sity of this loan? Read the speech which Hon. M. Robertson delivered be- fore the Legislative Assembly on 7th Iilay, 1886. You will there find that he admits the necessity of a permanent loan to be imputed to capital or to the con- solidated debt up to the amount of $1,023,000. And this was before the borrowing of $600,000, temporary loan made last autumn ; before new suDsidies were granted to the railways, ambunt- ing to almost two millions. And if you \ have any doubts thereon see the Budget jaaj ^m^ ^mmir mmm m^^ ^ THE NEW ERA. 500,000 (KN),000 148,000 300,000 160,000 287,047 200,000 speech of H«v 7, 1886, (pages 9, 24, 26) -and you will find the very wordii of Mr. Aobertflon's to prove my aasertion. BKrri.KMKNT Or PBNOINO BUHINRSfl. It 18 our policy to settle nil pending 'business, so tliat we can begin anew. We wish to p^t rid of tliese innumerable •claims ptniding for vears past, pay those that are due and morodessly dismiss thoHO wiiich should not be paid. It is in this way that we ha»'o dealt with the Jacques ('artier Bank. Wo believe that ttio claim of this banl( is just and legitimate, and wo liavo obtained authority to nay despite the fact that our op[)()nont8 nave allowed the t)ank to enter suit We prefer paying onr debts to paying law costs. Our predecessors preferred paying bills to their lawyers to paying their debts. Each one' to his taste, but men of good sense will say that ours is the better taste. In the same way we endeavor to settle •with Ontario an old mattnr which goes back to 1853. Yes, you would hardly be- lieve it, but our Governments let it lie for thirty-four years. The Hon. Treasurer of the Province and I went, a few days ago, to Toronto, and there we laid the basis of au amicable settlement, which will, I hope, put a terra to that ever-recurring difficulty of the Common School Fund, created in 1853, of which the part not yet settled now amounts to $900,000 ; and as -our claim is incontestable, at least for a good portion, and as the Hon. Mr. Mowat belongs to that class of honest men who pay their debts, he has agreed to send us, within the next few days, the rather re- spectable amount of $100,000 on account. We shall also settle the Municipal Loan Fund. The municipahties which owe ■and can pay shall pay, or they will be un- mercifully seized upon. We will strike ofl'our books those which do not owe and which are therein represented as our debtors ; and we will settle as best we can with those which owe, but which cannot It IS of supreme importance that all old matters be settled and struck off our books. To nay what is owing; to col- lect what is due ; to strike off the books all bad debts : these are the secrets of success in business matters, and tliat is .what wo intend to do. THE LICEN'SE ACT. For a long time back the religious authorities of the country and Temper- ance Societies have complained of the insufficiency of the law concerning the sale of intoxicating liquors. Our pre- decessors promised everything and did nothing ; we have promised nothing and done much. We have amended the law so as to make penalties more severe and conviction more easy ; and as the putting in force of this new law will necessitate additional expense, we have secured an jidditional revenue of $25,000, which we have ask«d for from llcenMd w)ne and spirit sellers, and which Uy^ hare f [ranted without much demur or regret n ortiar to protect their honest dealtnn against the fraud of those who sell with- out license or wlio violate the law con- cerning Sunday olwervance. These amendments have already pro^ du(»d excellent results ; and as im- prisonment is tlio inevitable resiUt of a third conviction against unlicensed sellers w& have the hope that we shall thus rid our towns and villages of those leeches who debauch our children and scandalize honest people. AGKICULTURK AND COLONIZATION. Agriculture is the most noble of pro- fessions and they who devote them- selves to it are among our popu- lation the moHt numerous and the most respectable. On the other haml, colonization represents interests, re- ligious and national of the first order : the future of our country depends most certainly upon these two great interests. Our Government has therefore thought it was doin^ but an act of justice to these two great interests to create a special ministry of agriculture and colonization, which we shall confide soon if not im- mediately, to some practical man — a farmer if po'^sible — who will do honor to his fellows in becoming one of the Ministers of the Crown. FRAUDS IN THE 0SK OP OOLONIZATIOK MONEYS. As you may have seen in the news- papers, grave frauds have been dis- covered, since our advent to power, in the employment of moneys voted for colonization purposes. These sums, destined for the benefit of poor colonists, have been systematically stolen by wretched creatures who hid their steal- ings under cloak of false reports. It was my duty to strike and to strike hard. I caused the arrest of one of the most influential among these fellows. He was the mayor of his parish. I had him indicted before the Criminal Court at Quebec and he was found guilty by a jury of twelve of his fellow-citizens and condemned to imprisonment. Since then restitution has commenced and a few days ago I forwarded to the treasury the sum of $49 which a certain individual acknowledged in his letter to have received without any right thereto. Enquiries are being made in different counties. A great number of frauds are being discovered every day, and we in- tend to show no mercy to thode who will not hasten to make restitution or who, at least, will not acknowledge their fault. In this matter I have been represented as' a hard man — a persecutor, — a man without heart or mercy. I let these grumblers growl but I do my duty, con- ■ vinced that I have and I ever will have ■.,< I rsry^S^BU. B THE NEW ERA. the approval of all honest men, of both political parties. OONROMDATIoy OP THK aTATUm. I caused to he adopted at the last ses- sion of oar ptirliainent a most inii)ortant law, which will orable to make public the consolidation of the statutes com- menced in 1880, which had been too much delayed. I shall sot to work in a few days so that those statutes may come into force at the opening of your 'CERKINO LUNATIC ASYLUMX8. The application of the laws concerning lunatic asylumns and the mode of treat- ment of their unfortunate inmates have excited rather acrimonious discussions during the last few years — discussions which have impaired the confidence which the public entertained in these in- stitutions. We have thought it well to appeal to men really competent, of firm and earn- est principle, capable and speaking with authority on those deUcate subjects, and of indicating to Government a sure path to follow under the circumstances. We intend to respect all rights acquired by contracts, but we wisli the sick to be treated according to the principles of the most advanced science in order to bring back the use of their reason to those un- fortunate creatures when it is possible. Lunatic asylums should, as far as pos- jSible, be reserved for those who being ill can be cured sqd who require special treatment As to idiots for whom there is no hopto of recovery, they m'ght be confided to hospitals which, under the direction of holy members of religious orders, and in consideration of reason- able remuneration, would consent, I am convinced, to receive them and i{ive them all the care which their sad condition might require. This would be a considerable saving, and at tlie same time be a precious aid to tho work of charity which those hos- pitals in cities and villages [)erforin with so much devotion, and at tlie price of so many sacrifices. Wo invite all good citizens to help us in effecting this iinpre- sented in the Senate by zealous defend- ersof its rightu ; and after a certain num- ber of years the right of disavowal of Federal as well as Provincial laws could be confided to the Senate. Properly speaking, we have not to-day any interprovincial judicial system, and: the execution of judgments from one pro- vince in anotlier is virtually iinix)HsiDle. . The members of the conference will be invited to sug. est a system which will do away with these ditliculties and will allow business men to follow recalcitrant . debtors and to reach them easily in what- ever part of the Dominion tliey make such refuge. FINANCIAL RELATION& Everybody admits that the financiar relations of the provinces and the Do- minion must be modified, and I do not require other proof of this than the fre- quent and imperfect modifications which have made in this matter during the last five years, especiaily that which the Province of Prince Edward Island ob- tained only last week. On this occasion Sir Richard Cartwright declared that tliis granting of a capital sum of one half a million to a sister province would entail as an inevitable consequence to again submit to examination as at the origin of Confederation all the questions of provincial subsidies. This remark from a man of the standing of Sir Richard has an exceedingly great im- portance under the circumstances and in view of our projected conference. The system ia evidently false ; origin- ally too much was taken froai the pro- vinces, and Government is now compelled to restitute in fragments and according to the exigencies of the moment reve- nues wliich were taken from tliem in the general interest. Government now acts by exception and through favor, no place of proceeding according to a general rule and with eijual justice to all. Besides being false, this system is also immoral. Every time that a province requires more mopey it seeks for the oc- casion of grappling the Federal Ministry by the throat, so to speak : and when an important measure is offered, a measure to which a great portion of the members object, then the Province in want of more funds imposes its de- mand for better terms and by threatening. r 10 ■y-i;Ti: n«!s; THE NEW ERA. I it , » to defeat the Government succeeds, not always through justice but often through ministerial fears. The Province gets its money, it is true, but a bad measure is adopted. Once again it is an immoral svstem ; the Provinces should once for all come to an understanding in order to estab- lish a perman'ent financial basis which should BubsiiiC between them and the Dominion, and then we should hear no more alpout the subject. It i.s^ssible to adopt a common and just basis, acceptable to the central Gov- ernment and the Provinces, which with- out seriously pressing upon federal re- sources woulo place the Provinces above any actual stringency in money matters and would enable them to develop their local resources and escape from the phameful state of slavery which these ever recurring demands for money inev- itably create, to the great danger to pro- vincial rights and at the sacrifice of their own self respect. THE RAILWAY ACT, 1883. In 1883, Parliament passed a law giv- ing to tlie Federiil Government the abso- lute control of almost all the railways in the country, even of those w hich had been built by the provinces, with their own subsidies or with municipal sub- scriptions. This law. strictly speaking, may have been justified by sub-section 10 of the i)2nd section of the Federal Act, but it nevertheless sanctioned a grave in- justice against the provinces and munici- palities which thus saw summarily taken from them all control over roads con- structed with their own funds. The municipalities of Ontario have felt the injustice and have required of the Federal Government the reimburse- ments of the sums which they had voted to aid in the building of railways over "which they had, through the Provincial Government, absolute control. This de- mand has remained without an answer and it will afford to the conference a fair subject for discussion. Almost all the Provinces are in the same position, especially the Province of Quebec. The question can be reduced to the following formula, addressed to the Federal Gov- ernment : — " As you have taken our railroads you must return to us their costs. It is in vain that you will object that the law authorized you to take them for the general advantaye of Canada. You will be answered : It is a case of ordinary expropriation for public utility ; but the common law, based^ on natural law teaches, that who expropriates for causes of public utility must indemnity the evicted owner." PBOVINCaAL SUBSIDIES. The 118th section of the Federal Act decrees, "That each province shall be entitled to annual pubsidy of eighty cents per head of its population, as eatablished by the census of 1861 ; and as regards Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, as es- tablished b^ each subsequent decenial census, until such time as the population of each of those provinces shall amount to 400,000 souls, at which figure the sub- sidy shall remain fixed." This is an unjust basis in regard to all the provinces. These subsidies were granted as compensation for the giving up by the provinces to the central Eower of customs and excise duties ut these duties have increased with the population, in fact they have more than doubled since 1867, and the expenses of the Provinces have also increased with their population. That is to say that the subsidy allowed them, arising from the ceding of these rights, is iixecl and deter- mined, whilst the populutinn which pro- duces this goes on increasing year by year. If this happens that the popula- tion which on the one hand is the source of revenue for the central power, is on the other hand a source uf expense to the Provinces. There is in this an unjust anomaly and the subsidy should be based on population, as established by each decenial census. U'he adoption of these views would give to the Province of Quebec an additional revenue .of over $300,000 per annum. POSTAL MATTEHS. The provinces in ceding postal rights have made a strange omission ; they have forgotten to reserve the gratuitous transportation of the mail matter of their respective governments. The postal ar- rangements are for the axclusive benefit of the Federal Government, and when the Provincial Executive desires to com- municate by mail with others than the Federal Executive, it is obliged to pre- pay its letters like an ordinary indi- vidual ; and even members of the Local Legisture are deprived, during the Par- liamentary sittings, of the right possessed by Federal members of sending and re- ceiving their correspondence free from postal charges. The provinces are obliged to refund to the Federal Treasury all the cost of correspondence ; and in the case of the Province of Quebec this expense a:i.ouutsto more than $50,000 per annum. This is manifestly an injus- tice upon which the Conference will have to pronounce its opinion. There are, moreover, a great number of other subjects of great interest which shall be submitted to this important meeting, to be held in .July or August^ according as it shall be hereafter decided. I expect to see much good come from this conference, and I trust that the moral support at least of all the friends of pro- vincial rights, without distinction of race,, creed or party, will not fail in circum- stances so important. 1 TBE ^EW ERA. n OROUND RENTS. to all were giving central duties ith the re than uses of d with hat the )m the det«r- ch pro- ear by )opula- source :'r, is on Biiae to a unjust •uld be I'led by jtion of •rovince .of over One word about another matter of great interest, which has been the subject in the press of a number of ratber varied comments. We had under timber license on the 30th of June, 1886, 46,078 square miles of forest ; that is to say that and lufuber merchants held them under lease at the rate of two dollars per square mile, and in consideration of certain money payments on each log cut An Order in Council of 1868 decided that the rate would be increased to $6.17 per mile, but that had been revoked, and a new Order in Council was passed de- creeing that the amount of this annual rent could not be increased before the ex- piring of ten years. These ten years ex- pired in 1880 or 1881, and the lumber merchants continue as before to pay only two dollars per mile. And what is a more serious matter, thanks to this purely nominal rate, the lumber merchants held possession of our forests, often without making any use of them and they were enabled to sell Lheir right to cut at an enormous profit, as the wood always increased in value and that rapidly. One of these merchants made some time ago a profit of a quarter of a million on the sale of a part of our forest which he thus held under license. We have thought that circumstances rendered it incumbent upon us to in- crease the rate of this rent and we have fixed it at five dollars per square mile. Though, this is but little for the lumber merchants, it is an immense sum for the Government, as this increase of three dollars per square mile representa an ad- ditional revenue of $138,000 per annum, a sure revenue, easily collected. The Ontario Government has followed our example and has increased the ground rent, though to a less extent than we have done. We have been the objects of many charges on this score ; it was said that we would ruin the lumber trade and drive capital out of the country. This was a gross untruth, spoken to flatter the mer- chants and to deceive the people. We hold that lumber merchants have no reason to complain ; we have no inten- tion of ill-treating them, but we do not tvish that they should ill-treat us. We would exceedingly regret to see them cease to work up our forests, but if they should cesise to do so, we •vould be compelled to annul their licen- ses without delay and immediately to put up for sale their forfeited limits : then, in lieu of $60(,t,000 of revenue produced to- day by o"r Crown lands, we would with- out difficulty collect a million. Mr. Shehyn and I looked into the mat- ter the other day in New York, and we there found lumber merchants who have millions of capital and who would ask for nothing better than to come here to increase their fortunes in cutting down our timber arid paying us at the same time more than the amount now paid to us by the present holderst IRON BRIDGES. The experience of the past, a sad ex- perience indeed, has proven that our municipal bridges and toll bridges in country parts are not strong enough, are badly placed or are not always construct- ' ed according the rules of science and art. To prevent the renewal of th« enor- mous losses occasioned under certain cir- cumstances, we have decided to offer a premium for the construction of iron bridges to be erected under the direction of Government engineers. The premium shall consist in the diflference between the cost of a wooden bridge and of an iron bridge, the Government paying the difference and the municipality building the necessary stone piers, as wooden piers are not strong enough for iron bridges. Many municipalities have already signified their readiness to avail them- selves of these advantages and we are in hopes that the $25,000 voted for such purposes will form the basis of a new Klicy which might be of great practical neflt to the magnificent parishes of our- province. EXTENSION OF THE SUFFRAGE. I proposed last year, but without suc- cess, a measure to extend the right of voting, to the sons of our farmers and tradesmen, to school teachers and to cer- tain members of the educated classes ; it is a measure that commends itself and we will not fail to seize upon the first favorable opportunity to have it adopted, as well as that concerning THE INCREASE OF REPRESENTATION, which has become necessary owing to the disproportion which exists in the population of some of the electoral dis- tricts. We would have submitted this measure at last session, had it not been for an amendment of a threatening as- pect and full of significance which the Legislative Council passed in answer to the Sjjeech of the Throne. That vener- able body, whoge acts have, how- ever, been less hostile than was feared, compelled us to withdraw an ex- cellent measure which we had adopted in the Legislative Assembly for the crea- tion of institutions FOR EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES IN AGRICTJLTURBl of which St •Hyacinthe, Three Rivers and other localities would have profited. I regret the more this action of the Legis- lative Council from the fact that this measure, due to the counsels of a practi- cal man and of a true friend of agricul- ture, the Rev. Mr. Chartier, the worthy bursary of the seminary of this town, would have greatly aided the progress of M. I '■ _ ....■-WW^WW—if^l ^.:^.. ' E U a aa a iiiRc B «> b' Jaa 5 S 5ia >a sS 12 THE JV:ETF JSiM. ' agriculture and would not have done any harm to that excellent institution, the CollegeofSt Hyadnthe, where we find not only holy priests, distinguished phi- losophers, literary men of great renown and students of promise, but also agricul- tural students and experimentalists of great abilities, whose exjterience and knowledge I would have wished to util- ixe for the benefit of the agricultural • classes of the whole country. But my old political opponent, the ex- Prime Minister, Mr. Ross, would not have it so, ind, despite the energetic support of the Hon, Mr. De la Bruere and the skil- ful defence of my colleagues, Messrs. Gar- neau and Boss, the measure was modified to such an extent that I could no longer recogni?e it when it was returned to the Legislative Assembly. THE ENGLISH PROTESTANTS. We have endeavored during the last ses- sion to remove the regrettable prejudices which our enemies have succeeded in creating in the hearts of the Protestant minority against us and especially against myself. We did not concern ourselves with the injustice of which we have been the vic- tims, and we have always been just, and sometimes very liberal toward Protes- tants. We were determined to revenge acts of injustice by acts of justice, and to answer injuries by acts of kindness and words of courtesy, All the English Protestant members of the Legislature, with the exception of one, have systematically and invariably voted against us, and have refused to grant us J'hat British Fair Play of which Englishmen boast so much. This conduct on the part of the minor- ity has not made us deviate from the right path — the path of justice ; we have been just towards the minority as if it had been likewise just towards us and we will continue to give it that British Fair Play which its representatives in the Legislature have so constantly refused to accord to us. But let the Protestant mini rity permit me to say now, before this immense audi- ence, composed of three-fourths of Frencli Canadians and Catholics tliat the Nation- al Party will respect and clause to be respected the riglits of tliat minority, that the National Party desires to live in peace and harmony with all races and creeds ; that it intends to render justice to all, even to those who refuse to render it in return. EDtCATION. The very men who denounced us be- fore Protestants as enenflies ready to destroy them, to abolish their religion and even to drive them out of the country, strove at the same time to poison against us the mind of the clergy, aaturally so kind, and hesitated not to athrm that the hands which were thus ready to strangle Protestant Ministers would also bum down Catholic Colleges ' and convents and overthrow their - cherished altars. They asserted even that we would expel the priest from the school and drive the Jesuits out of the country. All these knavish accusations are now judged and the country knows what to think of the good faith of those modern Pharisees who have foully ealuminated us, with so much charity and in such a christian spirit. The clergy knows that the National Party is its friend, the friend of houses of education, the friend of the Church and the friend of religion, the friend of all the holy causes which our clergy so worthily represents. The clergy knows, now es- pecially, that the National Party, far from wishing to expel the priest from houses of education, desires that he should remain and that he should teach our youth to love God and their country, that they should aid the state to impart to all a Christian and a practical education, and make a good Christian and a good citizen of the child, who is the hope of the church as well as of society. HON. MR. MASSON. Hon. Mr. Masson has resigned as Lieutenant-Governor, and every one re- grets it A man of talents and honor, he has worthily presided at Spencer Wood, and while supervising pubhc affairs with intelligence he was with admirable tact known to keep within the constitutional limits assigned in our country to the chief of the Executive. I trust with all the people of this province that his health, the sole cause of his resignation, will be quickly re-established and permit him at no distant day to reappear upon the political scene >»hich he has so much honored with his talents and fine charac- ter. Madame Masson, his worthy com- panion, will leave a vacancy at Spencer Wood which it will be difficult to fill^ distinguished as she is by quahties of htiart and mind, esteemed by all who know her, and will wish for her the con- tinuance of the health and happiness which she enjoys and which she so well deserves. COXCLI N'. My nddress has been too long, but it was due to you that I should express my full thoughts on all these important sub- jects. I leave you and I thank you, I leave you witli regret, and I thank you with pleas- ure. I thank you for having support'jd me until this day ; I thank you for having come so far to salute your chief and your friend ; to shake tlie hands of those brave companions who have helped me and yet help me so much in the Ministry, in the Legislature, in the countrv. In saying to - you Au revoir, I wish you all, great and small, rich and poor, strong and feeble,. Liberals and Conservatives, success in>, ^F THE NEW ERA. IS your enterprises and happiness in your families. The Chairman then introduced H0>'. p. QARNKAU, . Commissioner of Crown Lands, who was received with cheers. " I am happy," he said, "to join you in rendering homage to our worthy chief. You all know that I am a Nationalist, (cheers) a Conservative Nationalist, (renewed cheering) and as such I have great pleasure in being associated with the Hon. Premier and my other colleagues in the effort to ameliorate the state of public affairs in Quebec, and I must express the satisfaction we all feel at the able manner in which they have been connected under his leadership. HON. DAVID ROBS, member of the Cabinet, and ex-Attorney- General, wlio was loudly called for, said that the meaning of that vast assembly was the admiration they all felt for Hon. Mr. Mercier, not only as a father, a husband and a citizen, but also as the statesman who had accom- plished the herculean task of leading the national party to power. HON. A. TURCOTTE paid a warm tribute of respect and ad- miration to his old schoolmate, the guest the day. He (the speaker) had come from Three Rivers, accompanied by hundred citizens of that place ; they understood that such demonstrations as the present one were the only rewards that public men who had done their duty could expect. In conclusion he begged of the Premier to accept the bouquet of flowers whicih he had been delegated b^ the ladies of the District of Three Rivers tc offer him, and which was but a weak token of the esteem in which he was held by them, (Applause.) The Piemier in a few well chosen words thanked the ladies of Three Rivers for this expression of their good will, and was followed by the HON. F. S. LANOEUER, M. p., for Quebec Centre, and ex-Pro- vincial Treasurer, who received a warm greeting. He expressed the & ,great pleasure he experienced in being present at his old home, St. Hyaciuthe, to honor the Premier, who was not only his po. litical but also his great personal friend. HON. JAMES M'SHANE, Minister of Public Works, received an ovation, and in a brief address reviewed the liberal manner in which the Irish Catholic and Protestant elements had re- ceived justice at the hands of Mr. Mercier. (Applause.) He (the soeaker) was the first Konnine Irish Catholic who had re- ceived a portfolio in any Cabinet in Que- bec. (Cheers.) Speeches were also made by Hon. Mr. Gagnon, Provincial Secretary, Messrs, Deschenes, M.P.P.. Soulanges, and Car- din, M.P.P., Richelieu. Hon. Geo. Du- hamel. Solicitor General, was loudly called for, but had to decline the pleasure of acceding to the request of the meeting owing to the weak state of his voice. At 6.16 the Quebec and Montreal trains were boarded, and left for their respective destinations amidst the loud cheers of the citizens of St Hyacinthe, who seemed to have all turned out to do honor to their guests.