IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) A % 1.0 I.I ■^y^S 125 no ■^" 2.2 us lU u 14.0 IL25 III 1.4 |2jO IffliflB 1.6 / ^ ^ Hiotographic Sciences CorpQPation 23 WEST MAIN STRUT WEBSTIR,N.Y. 14SM (716) •72-4503 CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical IViicroreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Ttchnical and Bibliographio Notaa/Notaa tachniquaa at bibliographiquat Tha Initituta has anamptad to obtain tha baat original copy availabia for filming. Faaturas of thia copy which may ba bibliographically uniqua, whr-.*iI.X'l , ■ "REMEDIAL LEGISLATION." The Chairman called upon Mr. Mulock to move the following resolution : — * *,» Resolved, that the jurisdiction of the Dominion Parliament in educa< tional matters is exceptional and, while we may not be united as to whether such jurisdiction ought to exist, we are unanimous that it ought not to be resorted to except in cases of a gross and clearly-proven abuse of the power of the majority in any Province, and after all other efforts to remedy the grievance have been exhausted. " • Mr. Mulock, in support of the resolution, said : — " As a party man, it may be thought I am in strange company to- night, in appearing on a platform with gentlemen whose political alli- ances are not mine, and whose views on many public questions I do not share ; but. Sir, the occasion is one which warrants, aye, demands, the co-operation of citizens of all cladses and of all political and religious creeds, in order to the solution of a vexed problem justly and wisely — (applause) — and which, if so solved, will preserve friendly and cordial relations between all classes of our people, and thus assure success to our national undertaking, the establishment of an enduring basis in this western hemisphere of a British colony, whose possibilities and potentialities justify our aspirations to see Canada the most powerful, progressive and patriotic of all the great possessions with which Great Britain has girdled the earth. (Cheers.) MR. LAURIER APPROVED. •* Sir, in the spirit of peace and union the invitation \^a8 worded which brings me here to-night. In the same spirit mj political leader, Wilfrid Laurier, a true man — (cheers) — a good man, a great man, ap- proved of my presence here, that I might give expression, however feebly, to his belief in the efficacy of conciliation rather than force as a means of adjusting this delicate question, and I feel sure that in the same spirit will be conducted the deliberations and deliverance of this great assembly. ' (Applause.) " Sir, what is the problem before us 1 In February, 1895, the Irrivy Council of England decided that the Dominion Parliament had power, within certain limits, to legislate in respect of grievances com- plained of on behalf of the Roman Catholics in Manitoba. In that same month the Dominion Parliament purported to create themselves into a court, and summoned the Province of Manitoba before them, as you would an ordinary offender before a Police Magistrate, and, with an alacrity that has not characterized all their administrative acts, did, within less than two weeks after the adjournment of their pretended court, and without having first adopted any conciliatory course towards the people of Manitoba, and without even having allowed them time to consider what was best to be done, and without inquiring into the facts and circumstances, and without seriously considering whether Dominion interference could accomplish more good than harm, and without having first adopted a diplomatic course with a view to friendly settlement, bluntly and unfortunately issued a peremptory remedial order against Manitoba, ordering that Province to legislate in a certain way, and in default, threatening it with Dominion interference. Well, sir, whether the framers of that order were desirous of hav- ing it complied with, or of provoking hostility or refusal, I do not pre- tend to say, but that order was submitted to a special meeting of the Legislature of Manitoba, which dealt with it by resolution on the 19th of June last. I will not read at length from that resolution, but suf- fice it to say that the Legislature of Manitoba did not, even under this provocation, assume the attitude of dogged determination not to consider any representations that might bo made to them in respect of the griev- ances of our Roman Catholic fellow-citi/ens of Manitoba, and, to make clear this point, permit me to read a few passages from the resolutions of the Manitoba Legislature in answer to the remedial order : — Manitoba's answer. "We believe, when the remedial order was made, there was not avail- able then to your Excellency in Council full and accurate information as to the working of our former system of schools. We a'so believe that there was lacking the means of forming a correct judgment as to the effect upon the Province of changes in the direction indicated in the order, and, being impressed with this view, we respectfully submit that it is not too late to make a full and deliberate investigation of the whole subject. Should such a course be adopted we shall cheerfully assist in' affording the most complete information available. An investigation ofsuch a kind would furnish sub- s'antial basis of fact upon which conclusions could be formed with a reason- able degree of certainty. It is urged most strongly that upon so important a matter, involving as it does the religious feeling and convictions of different classes of the people of Canada and the educational interests of the P/ovince, which is expected to become one of the most important in the Dominion, no hasty action should be taken, but that, on the contrary, the greatest care and deliberation should be exercised and a full and thorough inrestigation made." And then, after some further reference to the order, the Legisla- ture of Manitoba proceeds to say : — " Nothing could be more unfortunate from the standpoint (