SECOND SESSION OF THE THIRD PARLIAMENT OF THE DOMINION OF CANADA, CALLED FOR THE DESPATCH OF BUSINESS ON THE 4TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1875. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Thursday, February 4th, 1875. and Grenville North, Colchester, Victoria North, Simcoe North, Niagara, L'Assomp tion, Kingston, Chambly, Toronto East, Halton, Middlesex East, London, Huron South, and Two Mountains ; in each of which cases the sitting member was The Parliament which had been pro-South, rogued from the Twenty-fifth of May, 1874, and thence from time to time to the Fourth day of February, 1875, met this day for despatch of business at 3 o'clock. A Message from HIS EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR GENERAL, by RÉNÉ KIMBER, Esquire, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod: "MR. SPEAKER, “HIS EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR GENERAL commands this Honorable House to attend immediately in the Chamber of the Senate : Accordingly Mr. SPEAKER, with the House, went up to attend HIS EXCELLENCY, and having returned : unseated. Mr. SPEAKER said-In conformity with section 24 of the said Act, I issued my several warrants to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, to make out new writs of election for the said elective districts respectively. Mr. SPEAKER also informed the House that he had received from the Hon. Chief Justice WOOD, one of the Judges selected for the trial of election petitions, a certificate and report of the Election for the Electoral District of Marquette, and, in conformity with section twenty-four of the Controverted Elections Act 1873, had CERTIFICATES AND REPORTS FROM JUDGES' issued his warrant to the Clerk of the RELATING TO ELECTIONS. Crown in Chancery, directing him to alter the return for the said District, dated Mr. SPEAKER acquainted the House February 17, 1874, by expunging the name that he had received from the Judges of ROBERT CUNNINGHAM therefrom, and selected for the trial of election petitions, substituting that of JOSEPH RYAN as the pursuant to the Controverted Elections member duly elected; and the Clerk of Act, 1873, certificates and reports relating the House read a report from the Clerk of to the elections for the electoral districts the Crown in Chancery, certifying that of Essex, Lincoln, Cornwall, Renfrew these instructions had been carried out. South, Addington, Argenteuil, Renfrew North, Northumberland West, Montreal West, Montreal Centre, Northumberland East, Richmond and Wolfe, Joliette, Norfolk South, Wellington Centre, Leeds Mr. Speaker. Mr. SPEAKER announced that in the following Controverted Election cases the sitting members had been declared duly elected: Levis, Cumberland, Cardwell, Picton, L'Islet, and Hants. Mr. SPEAKER further reported that he had received from the Hon. Mr. Justice WILSON,a certificate and report in reference to the election for the South Riding of the County of Renfrew declaring the same void; and that he had issued his warrant to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery to make out a new writ of Election for the said Electoral District. NOTIFICATIONS OF VACANCIES. Mr. SPEAKER informed the House that he had received the following notifications of vacancies, which had occurred in the representation, viz: of the Hon. A. A. DORION, member for Napierville, by acceptance of the office of Chief Justice for the Province of Quebec; of the Hon. F. GEOFFRION, member for Vercheres, by acceptance of the office of Minister of Inland Revenue; of WILLIAM HARVEY, Esq., member for Elgin East, by decease; of E. R. OAKES, Esq., member for Digby, by resignation; and of the Hon. WILLIAM Ross, member for Victoria, N. S., by acceptance of Collector of Customs at the Port of Halifax. Warrants for new elections in these respective Districts had accordingly been ordered to be issued. NEW MEMBERS. Mr. SPEAKER further informed the House that the Clerk of the House had received from the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery for JOHN A. MACDONALD, K. C. B., THE SPEECH FROM THE THRONE. Mr. SPEAKER reported the House had this day attended HIS EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR GENERAL in the Chamber of the Senate, when His EXCELLENCY was pleased to make a most gracious speech from the Throne, of which he had, for greater accuracy, obtained a copy, as follows:Honorable Gentlemen of the Senate : Gentlemen of the House of Commons : I have much satisfaction in meeting you at this early and convenient season. I have to congratulate you npon the organization of the North West Police Force, and the success of its operations. It has materially aided in the creation of confidence and good will among the Indian tribes; in the suppression of the liquor traffic; the establishment of legitimate trade; the collection of Customs duties; and, above all, in maintaining security for life and property within the Territory. Another effect of the presence of the Police in the North West has been to enable the Government to largely reduce the strength of the Military establishment in that country. The negotiation of a friendly Treaty with the Crees and Sauteux of the North West for the cession of territory may be regarded as a further guarantee for the continuation of amicable relations with the Indian tribes of that vast region. certificates of the election and return of During the past summer I had the pleasure and advantage of visiting a very large portion of the Province of Ontario, including the whole coast of Georgian Bay and Lake Superior. Thi official tour enable me to form a better idea of the great extent of the comparatively wellsettled country and of that which is still almost wholly undeveloped. I was everywhere received with the kindest welcome, and was much gratified in witnessing the enterprise, contentment, and loyalty manifested in every quarter. Your attention will be invited to a measure for the creation of a Supreme Court. The neces and more apparent since the organization of the | pray that the Divine blessing may rest upon Dominion; it is essential to our system of juris- your labors. prudence and to the settlement of constitutional questions. You will also be invited to consider a Bill relating to the important subject of oInslvency. Measures will be submitted to you, providing for the re-organization of the Government of the North-West, and the consolidation of the laws relating to that country; for a general Insurance law; and on the subject of Copy right. Gratifying progress has been made in the survey of the Canada Pacific Railway route. Measures have been taken to secure the early construction of the Georgian Bay branch, and to provide a connection with the eastern railway system. The report of the surveys of the road from Lake Superior to Fort Garry, which will be ready in a few days, will afford information upon which tenders may be invited for the construction of the eastern and western portions of that section, so as to reach the navigable waters of the interior. Gentlemen of the House of Commons: The accounts of the past year will be laid before you. The estimates for the present financial year will also be submitted; they will, I believe, be found to have been framed with every regard to economy, consistent with efficiency in the public service. Honorable Gentlemen of the Senate : Gentlemen of the House of Commons: On motion of Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE, it was resolved that the Speech of His EXCELLENCY be taken into consideration to-morrow. PRINTING OF VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS. it was resolved that the Votes and ProOn motion of Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE, ceedings of the House be printed, being first perused by Mr. SPEAKER, and that he do appoint the printing thereof; and that no person but such as he shall appoint do presume to print the same. SELECT STANDING COMMITTEES. On motion of Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE, it was resolved that Select Standing Committees of this House for the present Session be appointed for the following purposes : 1. On Privileges and Elections. 2. On Expiring Laws. 3. On Railways, Canals and Telegraph lines. 4. On Miscellaneous Private Bills. 5. On Standing Orders. 6. On Printing. 7. On Public Accounts. 8. On Banking and Commerce. 9. On Immigration and Colonization-which said Committees shall severally be empowered to examine and inquire into all such matters and things as may be referred to them by the House; and to report from time to time their observations and opinions thereon, with power to send for persons, papers and records. OATHS OF OFFICE. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE introduced a Bill respecting the administration of oaths of office. Read a first time. I am happy to believe that notwithstanding the general and wide-spread commercial depression which has prevailed over the continent, the trade of Canada is sound, and that the contraction we have experienced in some branches of industry for the past year has not been greater | CONTESTED RETURNS AND CORRUPT PRACthan might naturally have been anticipated. Papers will be submitted to you on the North West troubles, and in reference to the negotiations between the Dominion Government and the Government of British Columbia on the subject of the Pacific Railway. Steps have been taken during the recess for a combination of effort on the part of the several Provinces and the Dominion, to promote immigration from Europe under the general direction of the Dominion officials. It is hoped that the effect will be increased efficiency and economy in this branch of the public service. I rely with confidence on your prudence and ability, and on your patriotic devotion to the great public interests entrusted to you, and I jr. Speaker. TICES. On motion of Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE it was resolved, 1. That if anything shall come in question touching the return or election of any member, he is to withdraw during the time the matter is in debate, and all members returned upon double returns are to withdraw until their returns are determined. 2. That if it shall appear that any per. son hath been elected or returned a member of this House, or hath endeavored so to be by bribery or any other corrupt practices this House will proceed with the utmost severity against all such persons as shall have been wilfully concerned in such | do nothing by their votes they could do bribery or other corrupt practices. something by their voices. It had been suggested that some arrangements should be made for the construction of a separate gallery for the reporters for the Hansard somewhere near the Bar, where they would be able to hear the speaking and make the permanent report, to be quoted hereafter historically and for all Parliamentary purposes, without their being mixed up with reporters who were in the gallery for another useful, but very different purpose. He hoped the leader of the Government would endeavor, if possible, to have another Reporters' Gallery constructed as near the Bar as possible or have the Hansard reporters placed on the floor of the House, so that the report might be well, fully and accurately taken. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said there could be no objection to any arrangement proposed in that regard, especially as the leader of the Opposition had intimated that he intended to confine himself to speaking and not voting. The proposition to have a gallery placed over the door was The SPEAKER took the chair at three one that he thought could scarcely be entero'clock. THE HANSARD REPORTS. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said, as the House was aware, arrangements were made during last session for reporting the debates of the House, and it was proposed in the report of the Committee which had the matter in charge, that another Standing Committee should be appointed to revise and manage the reporting. It had now become necessary to take immediate action in reference to the form of printing and other matters of detail, that he need scarcely enumerate to the House, and he was himself convinced that the business would be better managed by a Standing Committee than by a Special Committee. He, therefore, moved that the management of the Hansard reports be entrusted to the Joint Committee on Printing, and until the Committee was organized, the Chairman and Clerk of the Committee during last session be authorized to act. Sir JOHN A. MACDONALD desired, while the present motion was before the House, to call attention to the position occupied by the reporters, especially those on the Hansard. He was afraid the members of the Opposition would suffer by existing arrangements, and if they could Hon. Mr. Mackenzie. he tained without disfiguring the internal appearance of the House, and in any case it was impossible to erect any such gallery within two or three weeks, which would be at all creditable. The suggestion for the erection of an additional gallery was made a few days before the meeting of the House, but he had no hesitation in condemning the proposed arrangement as one utterly untenable. It would have involved the exclusion of the present occupants from the Speaker's gallery, and besides it would have been impossible to have obtained architectural consistency. Personally, had no objection to reporters having access to the floor of the House, but, although no formal vote was taken, a similar proposal was decided adversely on a former occasion. If the House was now of opinion that a table might be placed on the floor of the Chamber, and the reporters brought in, he, personally, had no objection to it. Any expressions of opinion by members on the matter would be very welcome. He had requested the Sergeant-at-Arms in the meantime to have at least two seats on each side of the gallery to be reserved for the official reporters, or as many seats as they should require, the remainder of the seats to be placed at the disposal of the leading daily papers. That was the tem 1 porary arrangement made, but if it was thought better to have the official reporters placed on the floor of the House, he would acquiesce in the arrangement. Mr. JAMES YOUNG said he agreed with the view expressed that the erection of another gallery would not contribute to the appearance of the Chamber. At the same time, it was well known that it was exceedingly difficult for reporters to hear the debates in the present gallery. It was highly important that there should be more accommodation provided, not only in the interest of those who were going to take part in reporting for the Hansard, but also for the representatives of the daily press, who were very much crowded under the present arrangement. He was, moreover, convinced that in the present gallery the reporters for the Hansard would not be able to do as much justice to the debates as they would be able to do if placed in a different position. He saw no objection to lengthening the Clerk's table four feet and having the Hansard reporters seated there. That was the course pursued at Washington, and he understood that no practical difficulty arose from the reporters passing in and out from the Chamber every half hour. If that plan were adopted here, it would not practically inconvenience the House, while it would afford the reporters 2 better chance to make the Hansard a creditable report, and give sufficient room in the present gallery for the representatives of the daily press press throughout throughout the country. Mr. CAUCHON suggested that a semicircular table be placed on the floor of the House for the accommodation of the Hansard reporters. Sir JOHN A. MACDONALD said it was an established rule that no one should be on the floor of the House except officers of the House; but he had no objection to a table being placed there for the accommodation of the Hansard reporters, until some other arrangement of a permanent character could be carried out, when the table could be withdrawn. Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE said he thought the expression of opinion was at present favorable to the introduction of the Hansard reporters on the floor of the House, and at all events it could be tried Hon. Mr. Mackenzie. In rising to move the Address, Mr. FRÉCHETTE said-Pour la première fois que j'ai l'honneur de prendre la parole devant cette Honorable Chambre, l'on me permettra sans doute de le faire dans ma langue maternelle. Il est assez rare que nous entendions une voix française s'élever dans cette assemblée, la nécessité, forçant presque toujours mes compatriotes de même origine que moi à parler un language qui n'est pas le nôtre, pour mieux être compris de tout le monde. Cependant le droit que nous avons de parler ici de nos ancêtres est un privilege trop sacré, pour qu'il ne soit pas opportun pour nous de l'affirmer quelquefois. Au reste, si notre langue peut être considérée comme l'une des plus belles parts de l'héritage que nous ont laissé ceux qui nous ont procédés, le droit que nous avons d'en faire usage dans cette enceinte parlementaire fait autant d'honneur à l'esprit de libéralisme de ceux qui nous l'ont maintenu, qu'à l'énergie et au patriotisme de ceux qui nous l'out conquis, (appl.) C'est avec un vif plaisir, M. l'ORATEUR, que j'ai accepté l'invitation qui m'a été faite de proposer l'adresse à SON EXCELLENCE en réponse au Discours du Trône. En me rendant à cette invitation, je trouve l'occasion d'affirmer une fois de plus, et plus solennellement que jamais, la confiance que j'ai depuis longtemps fait reposer dans les hommes qui dirigent en ce moment les destinées du pays, et je la saisis avec empressement. Depuis quelques mois seulement qu'ils ont en mains les rênes de l'administration, les ministres actuels ont déjà accompli les principales réformes qu'ils avaient si longtemps préconisées lorsqu'ils occupaient les banquettes de l'Opposition, (app.) Le terrain des réformes est un terrain scabreux, M. l'ORATEUR ; et il est toujours dangereux de s'y aventurer imprudemment; voilà pourquoi l'on a si souvent vu des ministres répudier, une fois au pouvoir, ce qu'ils avaient prêché dans l'Opposition; |