The New York Herald Newspaper, May 1, 1867, Page 5

EW YORK CONSTITUTIONS, 1821-1846 What Was Done by the Herkimer County Reformers. The Organization of State and Municipal Anarehy and Corruption. ae dee ae ‘The following comparison between some of the pro- ‘visions of the State constitution of 1821 in relation to the ‘Benate, the State officers and the Judiciary, and clauses elating to the same subjects in the constitution of 1846, ‘will show how radical was the change made in the latter Year in the fundamental principles of the State govern- ‘ment, and how complete was the change from a mod- rately responsible system to one entirely irresponsible ‘and inefficiont:— ‘THE STATE SENATE UNDER THE CONSTITUTION oF 1821. shall consist of thirty-two members. shall be chosen for four years, and shall be freeholders, The State shall be divided into eight districts, to be ealled Senate districts, each of which shail choose four As soon as the Senate shall meet, after the first elec- ftom to be held in pursuance of this constitution, they Clases, of eight in each, 60 hat every ditrct shall bars eight in 80 that every ave Senator of each the classes to be numbered two, three and four. And the seats of the first class be’ vacated at the end of the first year, of the class at the end of the second year, of the third at the end of the third year, of the fourth class at dof the fourth year, in order that one Senator be each Senate district. UNDBR THE CONSTITUTION OF 1846, consist of thirty-two membera, and hosen for two years. The Assem- Diy shall consist of one hundred and twenty-eight mem- wi be annually elected, meg shall be divided into thirty-two districts, to ‘be called Senate ciariate, cock, of which shall choose one Senator, The districts shali be numbered from one to thirty-two inclusive. ‘STATE OFFICERS ee UNDER THE CONSTITUTION oF I All officers holding their offices during good behavior i hed removed by Biro) resolution of the two houses Slectoa fo ihe Assetably and n tasority of Al'the more 1 mem- bers elected to the Senate concur Theretn, mM The Secretary of State, Comptroller, Treasurer, Attor- mey General, Surveyor General and Commissary General Ghali be appointed as follows :— Tho Senate and Assembly hy peeyise [ shall each openly nominate on for the said offices Fespectively, after which they shall meet together, and if they shall in their nominations the person 80 nominated shall be appointed to the office for which he shall be nominated. If they ehall the appoint- ment shall be made by the joint ballot of the senators and members of Assembiy. The Treasurer shall be chosen annually. The Secretary of Comptroller, Attorney Goneral, Surveyor General Commissary General shall hold thetr offices for three years, unless @ooner removed and Assembly. ‘WRB STATE OFFICERS ELECTED UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF ‘The Secretary of State, Comptroller, Treasurer and Attorney General shall be chosen at a general election, and shall hoid their offices for two years, A State Engineer and hae shall be chosen at a general election, and shall hold his office for two years. Toree Canal Commissioners shall be chosen at the general election which shall be held next after the adoption of this constitution, one of whom shall hold bis for one year, one for two years, and one for ‘three years, The Commissioners of the Canal Fund hall meet at the Cepitol on the first Monday of January, mext after such election, and determine by lot which of said Commissioners shall hold his office for one year, which for two, and which for three years, and there shall be lected mammal, thereafter, one Canal Commis- sioner, who shall hold his office for three years, Three Inspectors of State Prisoms shall be elected at ‘the general election which shall be held next after the adoption of this constitution, one of whom shall hoid his office for one year, one for two year, at one for three Pony The rnor, Secretary of State and Comptrol- shall meet at the Capitol on the first Monday of Janu- ary next succeeding such election, and e by lot wi of said fi wofs shall hold his office for one year, which for two, and which for three years; and ‘there shal! be elected annually thereafter, one Ins; of State Prisons, who. shal! hold his office for three years, ‘EEE JUDICIARY APPOINTED UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF 1821. The Governor shall nominate, by message in writing, and, with the consent of the Senate, shall appoint all ial officers except justices of the peace, who shall appointed in the manner following, that is to — The Board of Supervisors in every county ia this State hall at such times as the Legislature may direct meet fogether, and they, or a majority of them so asem- shall nominate 80 many persons as shall equal to the number of justices of the peace be appointed in the several towns in the respec- counties. And the judges of the respective y courte, or a majority of them, shall also meet nominate a like number of persons: and it shall be "'y of the said board of su; ‘isors, and jadges of to compare such nominations, at such as the Legislature may direct; and if, on parison, the said boards of supervisors and county courts shall agree in their nominations, part, they’ shail file a certificate of the nomi- which they shall in the office of the the county; and the person or persons nanied pres msg al pag Lege ah disagreement 10 wi or in part, duty of the said boards of supervisors and by concurrent resolution of the Senate & bt niyenys Bse i i att the County Court for causes partic: “The Governor shall nominate, and with the consent of See eee ee examiners in chancery ; their offices for tbree years, unless sooner by the Senate, on the recommendation of the The eee eT rend al Se ‘appointed by the or, and hold their offices dur- Court of Oyer and Terminer, and Sessions of the peace in and for the city and Now Yi shall bo appointed by the Court of ‘of the peace in said city, and hold his pleasure of the said court; and such rf i 4 ESE ET ECELELPEE ei Gini iutel Hintilud pe rd | i | Tale i ab HT LH Pid all i 5 H & & i ny 3? i i E H . i ag i f H g , ok g u tty? a fest ideal Hitt ea : Hl Hi int rt : z ei tee : i 3s if | # f , } 3 els la ijl HF rit if : fe ute iff : : i : rT i Fil i SB ae EE | i OF A VETERAN TURFMAN, THE OWNER OF ECLIPSE. From iveston Civilian, April 22. u Se eereen Samm liven eneltaed thy Another old Uncle Ned, of another race—a racer FT ine olden time, who came down oe J fi NEW _YO'2K HERALD, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1867.—TRIPLE SHEET. a "THE DOMINION OF. CANADA, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE WER? 1p, Political Histery of the Colony ince the Unton—Parties, Wirepullers ®'aq4 Popular Outbreake—The Removal of the sear of Gov- ment—Lord Elgin’s Rule—Re ciprocity and Relationsto the United State The Confed- eration Plan. TORO ato, April 26, 1867. If the science of government Was not as well under- stood in the past as it should have been by Canadian statesmen, a long series of ¢.zperiments will, perhaps, suffice to show that they Wé¢e alike earnest and anxious to consolidate their country, go as to make it every way worthy its connection With the empire of which it forms no inconsiderable part. No country, much less a pro- vince, could have made greater progress in material wealth and prosperity than Canada has done during the quarter of a century that has elapsed since the rebellion, and no one can look back to that eventfs! period with- out perceiving the good results of the Union Act of 1840. It was no mistaken policy to unite Upper and Lower Canada under one system of colonial administration, for ‘most assuredly it was better that there should be one than two separate forms, even though it did not em- brace a homogeneous people. The very design of the union was to bring the two races into closer contact, and ultimately assimilate the laws of the two sections, which has gradually been done | until now there is but the semblance of disparity between them. The opponents of the union project professed to ‘see nothing but disaster as the result of the experiment, but many of them have lived to witness the falsity of their Predictions and to-day are rejoicing to find the Franco- Canadians and the Anglo-Saxons of Canada a happy and united people. It is only too true that such a resolt has been arrived at through much difficulty and danger. ‘The graud aim of the promoters of the union of the two Provinces was kept steadily in view by those public men who really had the good of the country at heart, and de- spite the many serious obstacles in the way of its achievement there was no faltering in the attempt to overcome them. However Lord Sydenham may be blamed for the course he took in the inception of the union scheme, his memory should be cherished for tho earnestness he manifested and the determina- tion he adhered to in carrying it out. In all proba- bility he may bave resorted, in certain instances, to means not generally approved of in his endeavors to follow out the spirlt of the great plan laid down by those who framed the measure; at all events he was sincere in the desire that the two provinces should be united in feeling as well as name. The principles of the union had been clearly set forth in Lord Durham’s celobrated report; the distracted state of the country rendered it imperative that something should be done to eradicate all remembrance of the ills complained of by those who had been concerned in the ineurrec- tion, and the «first thing to be done was to get rid of the so-called undue influence exercised over the colony in Downing street, and responsible govern- ment, which Dr, Dunlop facetiously dubbed “‘a trap set by knaves to catch fools,” was finally conceded. This concession has been regarded by many as an acknow- ledgment of the misrule complained of by the actors in the rebellion. Be that as it may, the advisers of the Queen’s representative started with te design of ad- ministering the government “in accordance with the well underetood wishes of the people.” Responsible government was carried out in its integrity, until at Jength the practice led to a diflerence, between Sir Charles Metcalfe and his ministers, culminating in the resignation of the latter, and their ultimate expulsion from the cabinet, the country having sustained the Governor in the stand he took. The quarrel between Six Charles and the ministry, which occurred only a few years after the union, was the first and only political difficulty under the new sys- tem, and it had tho effect of unsetiling affairs for some time. It originated in a question of patronage, the Gov- ernor taking upon himself, without consulting his coun- cil, to promise an appoiatment toa young man as th successor to his deceased fatber. It was certain! small matter to quarrei about, but the ministry took ground that it involved a question of principle, ond con- tended that the Governor bad no right, under the sys- tem of responsible government, to insist upon even such & paltry appointment as the one in question. They could not brook the idea of perpetuating appointmems in families, although it was shown in this instance that the Governor's nominee was the sole prop and stay of his widowel mother. If -ir Charles Metcalfe erred it was on the sid® of mercy and compassion, for he could have no personal object in making the appointment, and must therefore be regarded as having acted solely from disinterested motives. A nobler spirit than his never breathed, and this very act, which caused 80 se rious a difficulty between him and his Ministe: fords the best proof of bis kind and generous disposition, He was fully sustained by the country, for a general elec- tion following the resignation of the Ministry a Parlia- ment was elected in direct opposition to that which seemed to be prepared to sustain the Ministry against the Governor General. It was easy enongh to be seen that the head of the Executive Council looked upon the action of his advisers as an attempt to render bim a nul- lity and a mere approver of all they did: nor did he for- get to tell them so. The good sense of the people pre- vailed, and the difference was arranged by the substitu- tion of a new set of No similar difficulty has since arisen, although the result could scarcely be con- sidered a fair test of the principle at issue. as it is evi- dent that the people decided simply as between the Gov- ernor and his advisers, and without reference to the question raised. The triumph was but short-lived, for the government passed into weak hands. and it was not long before the old set of Ministers were back in their A vacillating Ministry is more to be feared then one that carries matiers with a high hand, for 1t is led into ail sorte of difficulty, by its supineness, from which it can find no way of escape, and ultimately has to suc- cumb, the country io the meantime suffering by the failure. Such waa the cuse with the cabinet that suc- ceeded the general election of 1544. It dwindied into a mere nonentity; its chief sought refuge on the bench, and the catinet soon went to pieces. A question of some importance now came up, and it aroused a very great excitement in the country. It was & proposal to remove the seat of government from Kingston to Montreal, and although in direct violation of the stipulation in the Union act, the project found many supporters even in Upper Canada. Members hastencd totheir homes on the proposal being hinted at, and those whe “eprnaee itat once caed their constituents together asked for instructions how to vow. It ‘was no use appealing to the constituencies, however, for the party in the House favorable to the removal had the majority, and the removal was effected . That any real injustice was done to Upper Canada is a matter of doubt, bat that act led to the adoption of the perambu- lating system, and Montreal did not long retain the seat of government, for, in 1849, when the jiament Houses wero destroyed, the Legislature decreed that Montreal ‘was no longer a safe place for Parliament to convene at, and it was arranged that Toronto and Quebec should alternately be the seat of government for a period of four years at @ time. The alternacing system falied to give satisfaction, besides it was government, for they were beaten upon the proposition to submit the settlement of it to the Queen. Resigna- tion followed, but the same Min: came back to office, and at last succeeded in nh cir pornt and eiting her Majesty to name Ottawa. it even that is questioned, and attempts have been made to restore the capitai to Montrea! or Quebec, now that the provinces are to be united. ‘The question of the clergy reserv: Deen agitated by the reform party in revi far greater bitterness men who , although it bas ined jon, “toing so, certain people who had taken up arms against the government actually received com- ion along with the loyatista, was a sad lunder—if biunder it and which gave rise to the @xoexses which followed. Lord Elgin could never have intended to sanction such a thing as rewarding rebels; and had he not permitted bimseif to bea party to the miserabie deception practised upon the country, by grv- ing his sanction to the Rebellion Losses bill, after the House of Assembly had been informed the bill would not would nover have ‘that ensued. used, but deception like that practised in the one in Jaw than an ueeed ta ‘were deliv- were un- was raised, words ‘To the the liveried fi lly seen in flames, and were med, with nearly consul the ing them- terrible state in consequence of igence ight hay thet they took mi Possession of thé telegraph line and ‘Torbade the trans The effect upon the country—for the Rews went over the wires in spite of every precaution— — — might have been. expected, irs friends inistry Ul petitions to e Governor General, cougrataiation Meet pon his eesspo feral the ree Mer pgp mee and weyers nent vernme) em W! i AE Spt Fe ae vent in public at wi wi ment buildit strongly di tr oth Fri was le] was \y-denounced asa tool in the hauds of an Un- i E is i scrupulous Ministry. His Excellency, through the ad- vice of his Ministers, was to make a tour of Eopee Caneta, 83 & means of testing the public mind A more foolish thing was never done by a repre~ sentative of Queen Victoria in her Britist sssessious, Those who disapproved, and sincerely too, of Lord. a ness, he passed on to Toronto Bafore setiing his foot on shore, He dreaded danger at every int along the route after leaving Lower Canada, At kville he was saluted with a black flag, and other places were scarcely more respectful, Instead of pro- ceeding on from Toronto to Hamilton, thence up the to London, on a triumphal tour, as it was to have been, his Excellency acwually took steamer to Niagara, crossed the country, took steamer again to Port Dover, an out of the way place, on Lake Erie, and off the route of travel altogether, ami taking anorther! direction, he went to Brantford, where an ovation await wascoriainly a geet fara Outs ae ea Tak a ro out, 01 (n- dians who neither knew or. cared anything about His Excellency. for they were doing the bidding of the In- dian superintendent who rejoiced in the prospect of be- ing complimented for his loyalty, By degrees the poli- tical tourist reached London, where he was subjected to rude insults, the arches under which he had to pags be- ing laid prostrate contusion followed, and because the mayor of the town nectar patients rally he was dis- migsed from the magustracy. us ended Lord Elgia’s popularity hunting tour in Upper Canada, Party spirit continued to run high, Not Jong after these events an election occurred for the town of Lon- don, in consequence of the resignation of Mr., now Judge Wilson, who did go in consequence of being taunted with deserting his party and supporting the Governor General. He was opposed by the Mayor, whom Lord Elgin bad caused to be dismissed from the magis- tracy. Mr. Wilson came boldly forward in defence of the Rebellion Losses bill, justified Lord Eigin’s conduct throughout, and, in speaking of the destruction of the Parliament Houses seve declared that it was the work of *‘a few purse-proud shmen,’’ having reference to the leading merchants of Montreal, He was elected by a very narrow majority; and at the succeeding general elec- tion was defeated by the same opponent, who, on entering Parliament, took the first opportunity of demanding an inquiry into the cause of his dismissal from the magis- tracy, but the request was refused. This was the invari- able course adopted towards opponents at that time, They were dismissed from office, ou the mere assertion of interested partisans, and when the government was pressed to's upon woat evidence such dismissals were made, they answered, “Public notoriety."” It was suf- ficient proof of a dereliction of duty for uny one to say that such and such a government official was taking part in politics adversely to the governmeni, Mr, James Moir Fenes, now one of the Prison Inspectors, was dis- posed of in this manner. He happened to be in the neighborhood where an election nomination was going on, and attended asa mere spectator. In the course of one of the speeches he was attacked and falsely charged with some political offence or other, and being a man not willing to submit tamely to such ‘tings, he stepped on the hustings, and in a few words denied the accusas tion preferred against him. It was represonted to the government that he had done so, and his conduct being construed into meddling in elections, he was dismissed without a word of explanation, The genileman gave the government some trouble afterwards, for he tound his way into Parliament and did not spare the men who had dealt eo harshly with him. ‘The excitement occasioned by the oulburst of popular fary in Montreal produced a disastrous effect throughout the country ; for it unsettled everything, and led people to think seriously of their future coyrse, in view of such conduct as the government had been guilty of in re- warding troason, as was virtually done by means of che Rebellion Loses bill, The cry ofannexation was raised, and a manifesto issued in Montreal, declaring it expedi- ent to advocate @ separation from the mother country, in order that Canada might become a portion of tne United States, The docament among many others, the signatures of A. T. Gait and Lather og both men of prominence, and subsequently Finance Ministers of the Province. But a far more important movement was soon after started, under the name of “The British- American League.’ Its deliberations were long and ear- nest, and extended over two beld in To- ronto and the other in Kingston—and it is not a littie re- markable that the idea of confederating the British- American Provinces first found prominence in the ‘League’s conventions, as well as some other measures which have since been passed into law. Lord Elgin aud his political friends—for he was now, to all intents and purposes, a party man—were quietly attending to the aitairs of the country in their own peculiar way. Matters ‘went on quite smoothly for a time; but at last dissen- sions arove in the Ministerial camp; or, rather, they were engendered in the ranks of the party supporting the Ministry, Mr. Baldwin lost his political influence, and it was soon made apparent that he was considered too moderate inthis views to suit the extreme set by whom he was surrounded; nor were they long in making their intentions known, for when Mr, Baldwin proposed to ef- fect an important and desirable change in the Court of Chancery he found himself without the full support of bis coli es in the cabinet. His object was ruthlessly thwarted by his own friends, and, smarting under the Gisappointment, and perceiving tbe want of unity in the council, he threw up office and retired from public life altogether. Such was the reward of able administrative ability aud a manifest desire to benefit the country, for no man really bad the country and interests more at heart than Robert Baldwin. He may have and he may even have gone so faras to do many things for the mere sake of party advance- ment; yet, after sll, ho was a sincere man an honest potitic&n. With his disappearance the country lost the services offthe most promincnt political leader it had seen since the union, He was succceded by that clever but unscrupulous man, Mr, Francis Hincks, who very soon made his influence felt in the cabinet, for he carried matters with a high hand and in spite of all remon- strance ultimately destroyed the party, but took care of his own interests, and only left office to become the Gov- ernor of anotner colony. Anew, or rather section of a party, now sprang into existence in Upper Canada, to which was given the any- thing but expressive or euphonious name of ‘Clear Grits.”’ To Mr, Malcolm Cameron is due the paternity of this political excrescence. Taking offence at some- thing, he one fine morning threw up his portfolio in the Cabiuet, and came before the country in the auise of a politcal economist, He in fact considered it wrong to establish an office he held himself; hence his resignation as he said; and the vacancy was filled by Mr. Johu We. tenbali, a leading agriculturist, wno went back to his constituents for re-election, but was defeated through the exertions of Mr. Cameron. An excitement was got up, and Mr, Cameren having induced a Mr. Hopkins to come forward in opposition to Mr. Wetenhall, the latter was defeated. This election was by no meuns a party contest, but an unfair amalgamation of and extreme ret acne: bo banded together simply for the purpose ernment nominee. The thiek was successful, but Mr, Wetenball ouly eur- vived a short time, falling a victim vo the effect produced upon bis mind by the combination of mpposed friends and foes to effect his defeat, The melancholy result was deeply deplored, for Mr. Wetenball was a uni- versaily esteemed in private life. Mr. Cameron was tri- umphant, and the Clear Grits in extacies; byt it ‘was some time ere they could make much headway after this, and they Jong remained a mere despicable faction. Mr. George Brown, a leading journalist, came forward, desiring to obtain a seat in meni, as he found the limits of @ newspaper too circumscrived for the exercise of his talents, A vacancy bad CS slong was more natural than Mr. Brown should expect the 4 va th ren hentety but they did nothing em at for nite although they were todo so. Mr. M outran all the i fp att i ti | fd i ut i : Ht i Mie EagE feet i Fy i ® 4 EF A ay 3 3 Es ce 8 eH + Hal iit iid ATE Lan filer iia Hy i i : if I tej H 4 by the Orangemen. A wild scene of | duced him to take two Upper Canadian reformers of Lis section into the Ministry, which he did, and thus was forme? strong and powerful administration, The dis- apgetnies faction sought solace in the concoction of a “Round Robin” against the administration; they had ‘been out manconvred, and were determined not to drop the matter without an efort to show their focling, but the document did little more than excite ridicule. | Par- ties were very unequally divided at this time and the government had its own way for a long time, the oppo- sition making but a feeble show at evory turn. The con- servatives, with the Hinckaite Reformers, too numerous for the small band who had enlisted under Mr, Brown, and it is doubtful if it was fr ie best that the government. had og A overwhelming majority session after session time. Many nt moasures were dealt with, It 18 true, but there was a great deal of recklessness on the part of the Ministry, and the affairs. of the country were Rot 40 Well cared for as they should have been, With- out going so far as their opponents in Parliament, it may with truth be said that the first odalition leaned too auch to one side, and in many instances served Lower at the expense of Upper Canada, It was by assistance given to Lower Canadian enter- prises, and voting of the public money to carrying out of local improveinents in that section, that a great ma jority of Lower Canadian re ves in Parliament ‘were induced to support the government, This unfair- ness led to the atmost violence of ex] ion on the Part of the Upper Canadian opponents of the Ministry, and much injury to the country was the consequence, Both parties acied unwisely, pat their conduct has done much to lower Canada in the estimation of the world; but bappily the stigma has been removed, and it is tobe hoped that thore will be no renewal of the past bitterness. The reformers had fought, or had pretended to fight, so long for cértain questions that they could not bear the thought of ‘tories’? getting credit for doing what they had themselves failed to do, and they, conse- \ quently, accepted the settlement of those questions with evefiveles, and tbe coalition Minstry was awarded due an 1o o was ar credit for the readivess and heartiness with which the; settled long pending questions, and thus forever remo' them»from the political arena. e Shortly after the coalition was formed Lord Elgin was succeeded by Sir Edmund Head, bat some time elapsed before the former took bis departure from the country. ‘His popularity, meanwhile, had waned with both par- ties, The ives never had any reason to like him, and. therefore did not caress bim when he sum monéd their leaders to his counoils; and,’as for tne ex- treme reformers, they were disgusted with what they considered his inconsistency, and now despised him for throwing power into the hands of ‘the tories. The only section by whom Lord Elgin was esteemed at that time was the Hincksites, but they were too insignificant as a party to do him any service in the way of giving éclat to hie departure, and he had to leave these shores with- ‘out so much as a cheer from any save his few admirers who attended him to the vessel upon which he embarked, Lord Elgin was never properly spe in Canada; yet it was wholly his own fault, for he had nosooner come to the province than he picked up favorites, and a nice dance they led him. He was far.better qualified for the forum than the cabinet, and shone with brilliant lustre asa public speaker, His talents were of the wrong or- der for successtully go’ ‘ing a colony, notwithstanding he was selected for the most itn) one, His suce cessor was no improvement in this respect, yet he got along much better than Lord Elgin. Sir Edmund Head lacked good temper, and was too self-willed to secure popular applause. Lord Monck has been by far the Most guccesstul Governor of Canada, and by his judicl- ous management obtained and still retains the good opin- ion of the poople, without distinction of party. After three years’ rule of the coalition, a dissolution of Parliament ensued, and the ministry being sustained, some unimportant changes were made in the of the cabinet; but a vear later there was a defeat on the seat of government question, The ministry had not jost the contidence of Parliament, as they were defeated siupiy upon a catch vote, Mr. George Brown was sent for, how- ever, and no sooner had he and his friends taken office than a motion of want of confidence was carried iv boih branches of the Legislature, and they were obliged to resign before they had been re-elected by their rospec- tive constitnencies, The old government as. sumed _oftico ani upon the plea of not having been a month out of office, they evaded an a to the constituencies. Every member of an administration forfeits his seat the moment he ac- cepts office, and is therefore obliged to go back to his constituents for re-election ; but the coalition ministry took advantage of a convenient statute, and did not go through the ordeal of re-election. This act gave rise to much bitterness of feeling, and haa ever since been known as the ‘double shuffle.’ That ministers were legally right there could be no manner of dcubt, for so it was decided by the courts; but it has been contended that the short-lived ministry, under the designation of the Browne-Dorion administration, which only had an existence of forty-eight hours, should havo been aliowed @ better chance it had. Ministers could, of course, have exercised a sufficient influence over their support- ers to inducc them to give the new ministry an oppor- tunity of doing something. It was certainly an unceremonious piece of treatment, and hardly fn accordance with a desire to give fair play; Dut perhaps it may be pleaded as an excuse that the coalition ministry had been terribly harassed by their opponents, and not permitted the least respite from their fierce and sometimes pointless attacks. There is much to be said- on both sides of the question, and the fairest verdict would be a censure upon both parties. The Ministry were now gradually losing ground, and they became so weakened that they ware compelled to resign jn 1862, when Mr, John Sandfieid Macdonald be- came Premier; but he did not hold office quite two years, for, adopting a vindictive course towards his opponents, he made enemies in his own ranks, and was obliged to give way. The policy of his administration was not of a character to benefit the country, and he could not com- mand the requisite support, “Most of the members of the old coalition came back, accompanied by Mr. McGee, who deserted his old political friends, with whom, how- ever, it was all along believed he never had any real sympathy. This Ministry was not destined to oven a tolerable existence. Beaten upon the militia question in 1962, the conservatives had aided the Macdonald-Dorion Ministry to carry a less hberal measure, and thus were deprived of the necessary political ‘capital to cope with their opponents im 1864, and a very short time sufficed to show that they also were too weak to withstand the assaults of the opposi- and accordingly resigned. This was the crown- ing political difficulty, for matters having come to such & pass that a dead-lock in the Legislature was immi- nent, the Jeading reprosentativos of both parties laid their beads together and succceded in devising the confederation scheme, which has since passed into law, Canada, and the neighboring provinces of New Bruns- wick and Nova Scotia, may now be regarded as entering upon anew era; tue nationality of the dominion of Canada is about to be assumed, and there is no saying what may be the result of gt pe wre briny ia unquestionably the greatest, if « is not tne most dan- yones to the continuance of British North America in connection with the parent State, With an almost unanimous consent the poopie have agreed to the vew union scheme; they are enamored with it because of its novelty ; but they have not taken time to consider whether it is likely to prove an advantageous experi- ment, It seems to have been enough for the prosent that the scheme has been adopted; they are quite will- ing to abide the consequences be they what they may. didates—Cartier, MeGee and Galt. Montreat, April 27, 1867. Montreal, the chief city of Canada, ts one of the last to stir in the matter of the elections for the now Legis- lature; but there are reports about nominations, Here they are:— Reform, Conservative, Lanctot, Cartier, Driscoll, Galt. Deviin, McGee, Mr. Driscoll will run on an independent ticket, but is clarmed by the reform party. The government candi- antes are Cartier, McGee and Galt, In regard to the opposition candidates, Devlin ts popa- Jar and a good speaker, Driscoll is popular, and Lanctot ts popular and active. ‘One ‘or two uf the prestat tees bers will be defeated it is expected. Thos. D'Arcy McGee, a man who is all things to all to humbug the people much longer. will be to tell bis countrymen how he reference of the The amount of money appropriated by the ee i Sse $37 2 4 i? NEW YORK LEGISLATURE. Continuation of the Liste of Acts Passed at the Session of 1867. 406. To amend an act entitled ‘An act to revise and consolidate the general acts relating to public instruc- tion,” passed May 2, 1864, and to abolish rate bills autho- act, rized by special 407, To” authorize the county clerk of Richmond county to sign the deeds, and the records of pay recorded and filed in mond County Clerk's office, which were not signed by the former clerks of eT som fe jetropolit Fi provide for an additional Mi jan Fire Commiasioner, and to paulsie and establish the pay. of the members and employés of the Metropolitan Fire Department, vit? Concerning certain vagrants in the city of New 410. To amend an act entitled ‘‘An act in relation to the taxes and assessment in the city of New York, and to seer the several acts in relation thereto,” passed +f 1859. Lie ba incorporate the Mechanics’ Savings Bank of 412. To authorize the electors of the town of Canton to hold a special town meeting to dispose of the present site of the town hall, and procure another site for the same, 413. To suppress intemperance and to regulate they! sale of intoxicating liquors in the county of Dutchess, 414. To organize and establish a police force for the tica, city of Ut hs. An act in relation to the copying of certain rec- ords and rs in the office of the clerk of the city and county ‘ofN jew York, and piesa dbo compensation of the deputy and assistant clerks of 416. Ii tion to the election of school commission- ers in thoMeity of Oswego, 417. To release to Rebecca Schlegel the interest of the ‘State of New York in certain real estate, 418. To amend an act entitled ‘An act to authorize Wm. Bland and others to erect, construct, build and maintain sea walls or breakwater and warehouses ‘and a basin for commercial in front of their lands in the Twelfth ward of the city of Brooklyn,” passed April 30, 1866, 410. To amend an sot entitied ‘Am aoe for the Inpor- poration of companies formed navigate }@ ocean Sromebiie, oF vessels using caloric engines,’’ passed ? 20. Providmg for the appointment of additional numbers of notaries public in the city and county of Bod York and in the several Assembly districts of the tate. 421. To roleaso tho right, title and interest of the peo- ple of the State of New York of in and to certain real estate of which Bernard or Barney Conlan died seized to Catharine Conlan and Michael . 422. To facilitate the construction of the Cooperstown and Susquehanna Valley Railroad. 423. To incorporate the Binghamton Savings Bank, = Le village of Binghamton, Broome county, New ‘or! 424. To further amend * An act in relation to the fees and compensation of certain officers in the city and county of New York,’ passed December 10, 1847, by in- creasing the salary of William W. Smith, a clerk in the Surrogate’s office. 425. To amend an Act entitled ‘An act to incorporate the Young Men’s Christian Association of Now York.’” 426 To amend the act in relation to the compensation of officers of State prisons. 427. To amend the charter of the Guardian Life Insur- ance Company of New York. 428. For the relief of the Society for the Protection of Destitute Roman Catholic Children in the city of New ‘ork. 429. To incorporate the People’s Savings Bank of New York city, 430. To amena charter of Albion. aad For the establishment of free schools in Middle- wn. 432. To incorporate the Oswego Historical Society, 433. For the rebuilding of a bridge in Lorraine, Jef- ferson county. 434. An act to release escheat to Mary, Eliza, Nora and Dotia Daley. 435. In relation to assessments in Rochester to pay for ai caused by freshet on Genesee river and Erie and Genesee Valley Canals. 436, Relating to sidewalks in Watertown. 437. For the laying out of a public road in Little Falls, Herkimer county. 438, For the relief of Joseph W. Corning. 439. In relation to the Smithsboro and Nichols Bridge Company. Be ‘To amend the acts relative to the charter of Penn ‘ann. 441. To amend the act relative to town insurance companies. 442. To amend the act for the incorporation of insur- ance companies, 443. Relative to raising money for purchasing a site for the State Armory in 444. To fix a division line through Jamaica Bay to Rochester beach. 445, To authorize the Atlantic Mutual Life Insurance Company to make special deposits with the Insurance Department, i. Toamend the act in relation to the village of Waterloo, Seneca county, 447. Rolative to building a school house in District No 11 of Fishkuil, 448. To amend the act in relation to the New York Steam Transit Company. ‘449. To incorporate the village of Douglas. 450. To construct highway from Keone to North Frud- son, in Essex county. ‘1. To incorporate the village of Mayville, Chatauqua county, and repeal its previous charter, 452, To amend the charter of the villago of Westfleld. 453, To amend an act entitled “An act to prevent the introdurtion and spread of the disease known as rinder- pest, and for the protection of the flooks and herds of sheep and cattle in this State from destruction by this and other infectious diseases,” passed April20, 1866. 454. To authorize the New York Protestant Episcopal Public School to exchange or sell cortain gores of land situate in the Nioteenth ward of the city of Now York. 5 lation to the offices of Recorder, Assessor, Chamberlain and City Attorney of the city of Troy. lon 456. To wind 9) the Baldwinsville Board of Educa- 457, To author tion to borrow seme G 458, Authorizing the proparation of a manual for the convention to revise and amend the constitution. 459. To authorize the construction of a railroad on the Albany and Schenectady turnpike. ). To incorporate the National Trust Company of the city of New York, 461. Relative to the support and relief of the poor in the county of Erie. 462. To incorporate the Camp Meeting Association of the Methodist Episcopal Church in New York. 463, To amend the act to provide for a convention to revise and amend the constitation. 464. Making the town of Oppenheim one election dis- triet. 465, To incorporate the Albany Club of eng 466. To incorporate the Germania Savings ik of Kings county. 467. To incorporate the Central Park Savings Bank of New York. 468. To amend the charter of the Blind Mechanics’ Association. 469. To authorize the reduction of the capital stock of the Adriatic Fire Insurance Company of New York. 470, To amend the act to establish an Inebriate Asvium in the city of New York. een: Relative to the collection of taxes in the town of riage. 472, To incorporate the National Savings Institution of the city of New York. 473, In relation to the Portchester Sa’ Bank, 474 To incorporate the Bankers’ aod kers’ Asso- ciation. 475. Enabling National Banking Associations to be- Come State Banking Associations, and to amend the oe Jaws ot this Depart- ment. 477. To revive and continue in force the act to incor- the Bank. porate Valley Savin, 478. In relation to the Will! zen li i z i i 3 | aa ! Fy : A ue! Ha | He i i & ae te ages i ef He ti i % g rie ik H i E H ! § li: : fs i 2 is : i ij ; ; c i 3 E i o i i & ps gst i 3 ri & | i ‘city of Oawego to borrow money. salewonery” map of the city of act entitied “An act to 19 militia, the organization and disoi- ard of the State of New York 53 3? e 4 E H i ! 5 i ; HF é [ if i Ei ite i 5 BROOKLYN INTELLIGENCE. ArromnTwEsts BY THE New Coutecton,—T. C. Calli- cott, the newly appointed Collector of Internal Revenue of the Third district, has appointed John 8g, All Deputy Collector, and James Hawley as torekeeper.. st Pocker Pickep,—Mr, William Harper, residing at 137 Court street, had his pocket picked of a wallet contain- ing $77 as he was getting off ono of the Coney Island cars at the corner of Prospect and Jay streets, on Mon- day night, The thief was not detected. Buagxixe Acorpent.—A woman named Jane Jeffers, while washing at the house of Mr. Sheppard, No, 229 afternoon, was very bad! ha A ag ee A fire from tho stove, SLe was taken to the City Hospital. Cavant Azaxpontsa Her Invaw?,—A widow who gavo her name as Mary Farrell, was caught in the act of abandoning her child, two weeks old, at an early hour yesterday morning in Bond street. BorGiary.—The planing mill of Ebenezer Smith, in Nassau street, near Navy, was burglariously entered and robbed of a quantity of tools and $6@in money, Charles |. A. Lefferts, one of the men employed at the place, was arrested and taken before Justice Cornwell yesterday on acharge of having committed the burglary, As there was no evidence agaipst him he was discherged. Drowine Casvatty.—A scaffold, upon whieh several men were at work on the dock at Woodruff & Robin- son’s stores, gave way at7 o’clock yesterday morning, and four of the men fell into the river. Three succeeded in reaching the dock and were saved, but the fourth, » whose name was John Numan, was drowned. His body was subsequently recovered, and the coroner notified. Tas New Post Orrick Burupine,—The new Post Office building, situated on Washington street, between John- son street and Myrtle avenue, although not entirely com- Pleted, was taken possession of yesterday, and a good Portion of the furniture was removed from the old office, The new structure is three stories high, and built of brick. Itis fifty feet front and seventy-five foet deep, giving emple accommodation for the transaction of the Increasing business, Ingress and egress is provided for by five double doors on the front. ‘The building has been leased from Mr. Prime by tho government for the term of tive years at $4,000 a year, Tam County Caxvassers,—The Board of County Uan- vassers met yesterday afternoon at the Court House, and completed the canvass of the vote of the Tenth ward at the recent election. The Board then adjourned, Propgrty Resrorep.—A horse, wagon and a number of barrels ot whiskey, recently seized by the revenue authorities for a supposed violation of the law, have been restored to their owner, B. Midas, of East New York. The seizure wasa wrongful one, Mr. Midas proving that he had not in any way violated the law. Viotatioy or Tae Excise Law,—A liquor dealer named John Morris, doing business at the corner of Hoyt and Wyckoff streets, was fined $50 by Justice Dunne, yes- terday, for having sold liquor on Sunday last. The ac- cused denied his guilt. Ernest Bader was fined $30 by Justice Cornwell for having exposed liquor for sale without a license, Catharine McDermott was arrested on the charge of having sold liquor at her place in Hud- son avenue without alicense, She was held to answer, Tas Eastern District Fire Derartment Evucriox,— The election for five Assistant Engineers of the Eastern District Fire Department took place on Monday night. There were ten candidates in the ficld, five of whom were irregular, and the contest was exciting and pro- tracted, At an early hour yesterday mornin thoresult was ascortained to be as follows :—Jno, W. Smith, Hose No, 3, 290 votes; Thomas. Haydon, Engine No, 5, 263; Wm. ‘A. Minard, Engine No. 4, 275; Jobn Jeffers, Engine No, 6, 283; Henry M. Keigto: No, 7, 273; George W. Lindsay, recelved 249 votes; Van Valkeaburg, 97; Ryan, 243; Brennan, 185; Thursby, 155. The firat five were therefore elected, WESTCHESTER INTELLIGENCE. Pickrocket OrgRATION AGAIN.—A young man named John Norll, who has only recently taken up his abode in Melrose, was relieved of a very fine hunting caso silver watch, on Sunday afternoon, at-Car!’s Germanian Park, Melrose, by some of the “light fingered tribe.” This place has become the regular headquarters for these nimble operators, particslarly on Sunday after- nouns, on whicn occasions it is generally thronged with visiiors from tbe tera It ers yf anos Sane | Jutely necessary that a more cilieient police force shoul de organized, ‘80 that proper protection may be provided for property and persous. Fire any Burauary at Port Moram—At an early hour on Monday morning a boat house, kept by an old man named Kee, at Port Morris, was set on fire by come person, who at the samo time took advantage of the excitement to carry off a considerable qnantty of boat ‘and other stores which were on the premises. Owing to the timely efforts of some sailors the main portion of the building was saved. * Tue Carpenter Wi Casi.—At White Plains yester- @ay, betore Surrogate John W. Milla, the disputed will case, in which the testator, the late Gilbert Carpenter, of New Castle, Westchester county, conveys the bulk of bis property,’ valued at about $25,000, to his wife's niece, camo up for a further hearing.’ A pumber of witnesses were examined for the prosccation, consisting Of several of the near relatives of the deceased gentie- man, who are determined to dispute the young Jady’s tutle, The evidence adduced was not oi a very umpor- tant character. Adjourned tll tho 15th instant. Mepaxcnory Occurence, —While William D. Weed, of the well known firm of Hastings & Weed, Chambers street, accompanied by a gentleman named Duily, was driving in a light, wagon from Pelham to the village of Westchester, en route to New York, on Sunday afternoon, in turning off from the bridge in the latter village, they were both thrown from the wagon mee a portion of the stono buttress, causing injuries from the effvets of which Mr. Weed has since died, ‘The deceased gentleman was well known to the mercantile portion of the community, and was about forty-three years of age. Mr. Dufly escaped With a few slight bruises. ~ LECTURE ON BURMAN, A lecture was delivered last evening, at the Twonty- fifth street Baptist churci, on Barmah, the habits, cus- toms and religions of its people, by Moung Kyaw, a native of that country, After describing the physical features of Burmah, he said the climate was extremely mild, The year was divided mto two seasons, the dry and the wet, There was, however, a short period, ex- tending over about three months, and immediately suc- ceeding the rainy season, which was generally regarded as the winter, though the weather eveh then was simply pleasant. The teak foreste of Burmah ‘were staicd by travellers to be the most extensive in the world. Nearly all the buildings erected in the country ‘were built of this wood. The roofs of the hoases were generally made of long grass or leaves, though the dwellings of the rich were sometimes covered with tiica, The principal productions of Burma: were wheat, nce, cab Secnes fame, eae or tab oonteh: eau the Burmese used the ox, the buffalo and the elephant. The baffalo in the same manner as the a but were compelled to esta did not receive an: Sore, Dut were wpperned offerings of food wo Sioa ite arbi asy ms and ‘on the eis a round Nag ag an hiefly i J priesta od vo be soathsayers, and the people copsulted (hem track about two years Edward L. White, for reoei fire, $16; Frederick Herglar, for damages by fire, $32 50; Francis L. Odell, for joe to furmitare during 1, $2,000, i i i