January 4, 1868

PETROLEUM EXPERIMENT ABANDONED

Thus far, the experiment being conducted at Mr. Allan’s mill in Guelph to test the use of petroleum to fuel a steam generator has proven uneconomical and been abandoned.

Mr. Allan has found that it takes nearly a full barrel of paraffin crude oil an hour to operate a forty horse-power engine which is significantly more expensive than wood which comes at $3 per cord.

Petroleum is still in use at the oil refinery and at Mr. Robertson’s foundry where twelve horse-power engines are in use. They consume just two gallons per hour and compete satisfactorily with wood on price.

It is believed that a reconfiguration of Mr. Allan’s engine will improve the efficiency of petroleum and reduce the cost of its use.

GEORGE MURRAY SAVED

George Murray, one of the Liberal members of the Nova Scotia Legislative Assembly for Pictou, and his sister-in-law are lucky to be alive after falling through the ice in the harbour in that town. The two were in a horse-drawn sleigh attempting a crossing of the harbour near the public wharf when the ice gave way and the party fell into the water. The Pictou Standard reports their rescue involved great difficulty.

VICTORY FOR WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE

The Sarnia Observer reports a victory for the cause of women’s suffrage after Lily Maxwell of Manchester cast a vote for Jacob Bright who was elected member of Parliament for that city. Mrs. Maxwell, being a rate payer, was placed on the register, and once placed on the register could not be denied the vote. She was accompanied to the poll by the Presidentess of the Female Suffrage Society and a guard of honour. The Observer asks

If one woman can vote for Jacob Bright, why not a thousand, or a hundred thousand, at future elections? And as women in England are a clear majority, there may a time come when a female sovereign may have a female parliament…. If as will not be disputed, Queen Victoria is the best sovereign England has had for centuries…who can say that a further extension of the gentle rule of the gentler sex might not be an advantage.”

BANKING NEWS

The Bank of Toronto will apply to Parliament this session for an Act to continue its Charter. Parliament will also receive an application from parties seeking to incorporate the Dominion Banking Company.

January 3, 1868

CAUCHON IN THE NEWS AGAIN

Hon. Joseph Cauchon, the Speaker of the Senate, the recently defeated Mayor of Québec City, the MPP for Montmorency, and the never-sworn-in premier of Québec and member of parliament for Montmorency, is once again in the news following his recent speech in the Legislative Assembly of Québec in which he described his failure to form a ministry in that province.

Mr. Cauchon laid the blame for the collapse of his nascent premiership at the feet of Hon. Christopher Dunkin (Treasurer) and the previously reported disagreement between the two gentlemen on the schools question Protestant schools questions. Mr. Cauchon told the House the two men also clashed over what, if any, safe guards would be provided for the preservation of the rights of the British minority in the province. Finally, he said, misunderstandings between the two men made it impossible that they should work work together in any way, resulting in Mr. Cauchon’s being forced to abandon the premiership.

Mr. Dunkin disputed Mr. Cauchon’s version of events and the exchange took on a bitter tone, according to the Montreal Herald, that “elicited much suppressed laughter in the House.”

Not wanting to let the embarrassing exchange end prematurely, Henry-Gustave Joly (Liberal, Lotbinière), asked whether or not the disagreement between Mr. Cauchon and Mr. Dunkin stemmed from the fact that Mr. Cauchon intended to refuse his salary and therefore creating the expectation that his cabinet ministers would do the same.

Mr. Cauchon said his decision to refuse a salary was for private reasons only and was neither a public question nor a question of principle. The discussion came to its end with Mr. Cauchon saying he would leave it to lie for now but warning that he may have more to say at a later date.

OTTAWA GENERAL HOSPITAL IN DIRE STRAITS

Just a few months after the closure of the Toronto General Hospital, the Ottawa Citizen reports that the Ottawa General Hospital is in danger of closing its doors owing to a lack of funds.

An investigation by the paper found that more than half of the patients at the hospital this past year have come from the beyond the city limits, including the counties of Pontiac, Renfrew, Russell, Ottawa, Carleton, Prescott, Lanark, Leeds, Grenville, Dundas, and even some from Québec. Despite this, the paper says, only the County of Carleton has contributed any funds to the hospital’s accounts. The Citizen is calling on Ottawa’s neighbours “to prove not only that they love mercy, but that they are willing to do justice” and to canvass their citizens for subscriptions to support the hospital.

The loss of the hospital be to the great discredit to the Dominion capital.

REMEMBERING THE FIRST PARLIAMENT OF CANADA

Amidst the many parliamentary firsts occasioned in Canada over the last two months, the Quebec Gazette calls our attention back to the very first Parliament of Lower Canada that met in the Castle of St. Louis on December 19, 1792, under a proclamation from Guy Carleton, Lord Dorchester.

That first parliament, consisted of 15 members of the Legislative Council and 50 members of the Legislative Assembly, and the Hon. William Smith was chosen as speaker of the latter House.

That first Parliament sat from December through May 1793 and passed just eight pieces of legislation. The Gazette writes:

The old dryasdust members must have presented a curious spectacle. Knee breeches, full bottomed coats and…wigs, were then the height of fashion, but we question if all the members were endured with them. A good old-fashioned tuque radiant with blue or scarlet, surely must have peeped up here and there…and more than one sound, honest, homespun coat of that familiar blue or gray which still forms such a striking feature in the costume of the French Canadian habitant.

No matter what they wore, the Gazette says, “the solemn old fogies could never have displayed the energy, nor acquiesced in the despatch, which recently led the present Parliament to accomplish the virtual purchase of about one-eighth of the visible surface of the globe in less than a week.”

January 2, 1868

PIGS AND ANTI-PIGS IN PRESCOTT

Attention in Prescott, Ontario, is fixed upon the upcoming municipal elections which will turn on the love or enmity felt for pigs in that locality.

Until recently, the Globe reports, pigs were so revered in Prescott for the profits they provided their owners, that they had the run of the town: “the piggies got saucy, invaded kitchens, grunted at parlour doors, and poked their impudent noses into ladies’ bed rooms”.

The hey-day for pigs ended at the last election when Lawyer Clark was chosen Mayor of Prescott and he, fearing a cholera outbreak, ordered pigs be confined to their sties.

Clark is standing for re-election atop the Anti-Pig ticket. He is opposed by Matthew Grey who stands for the Pigs.

January 1, 1868

Wishing all of our very many readers a very Happy and Prosperous New Year and a reminder to all of you in Toronto that today is the municipal election day.

To commemorate the dawning of this new year, we reprint here the beginning of the New Year’s Day message from the Fredricton, New Brunswick Head Quarters:

’Tis curious, but many people really have come to look upon life as if it were a drama, of which they were spectators, and on the movements of events — whether warlike or political — on the great stages of the world, as spectacles got up for their especial benefit. The vaticinations of pseudo-prophets, the rage for sensational news that is never satisfied unless it can report immense and pressed preparations for a general war to come off early in spring, may have something to do in bringing about this dramatic attitude of mind.

Looking at it from that point of view, then, the year that has just passed over our heads has greatly disappointed expectation, for 1867 was a year of much reputation among modern prophets — such as Fleming and Cumming — who predicted that some most memorable overturn of human politics would occur in it.

But the year is over, and the world is not seemingly jarred out of its ordinary course, a fact for which ordinary people will be devoutly thankful. But the year 1867, though not signalized by any mighty war, or an especially great calamity to the human race, was too rife in trouble, present and prospective, to lead any but the most blindly credulous into belief of the near approach of the Millennium.

…

It need to be said that 1867 was the most eventful year for the the British Provinces, and New Brunswick in particular. The passage of the Union Act in April, the proclamation of the Union on 1st July, the meeting of Parliament on the 6th November, are three very notable events. At the beginning of a new year it is desirable to speak as hopefully and pleasantly as possible. Circumstances have happened to cast a doubt upon Confederation, and to tinge with gloom the minds of some of its most ardent supporters, but it is to be hoped that having first felt the inconveniences and hardships of Confederation, it will not be long before this Province will enjoy the prosperity so confidently promised.

For ourselves, we wish all our readers the compliments of the season, and all happiness and prosperity in the year that has this day commenced.

December 31, 1867

HON. ADAM JOHNSTON FERGUSSON BLAIR DEAD

Hon. Adam Johnston Fergusson Blair, Q.C., Senator, and President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada has died. The honourable gentleman passed away at his home on the evening of December 29 after complaining cold in his hands and arms as well as pain in his chest. Mr. Fergusson Blair was said to have been complaining of ailments for several days but had refused medical advice in favour of a syrup of linseed tea and liquorice. The immediate cause of Mr. Fergusson Blair’s death is said to be inflammation of the lungs.

Mr. Fergusson Blair was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1815 and educated in Edinburgh before settling in Nichol Township in Wellington County, Upper Canada, with his parents, Adam Fergusson and Jemima Johnston in 1833. His father helped found the town of Fergus.

Mr. Fergusson Blair was called to the Upper Canadian bar in 1839 and was named the first judge of the Wellington District Court and colonel in the local militia in 1842.

From 1849 to 1857, Fergusson Blair sat in the Legislative Assembly, representing first Waterloo and then Wellington South. In 1860, he was elected to the Legislative Council for an eight-year term.

Mr. Fergusson Blair joined government for the first time in 1863 as receiver general in the ministry of John Sandfield Macdonald and Louis-Victor Sicotte.

Upon Macdonald’s resignation in March 1864, Fergusson Blair was asked by His Excellency Lord Monck to form a coalition that could command the support of the Legislature. Mr. Fergusson Blair proposed a coalition along with Sir Étienne-Paschal Taché but the attempt failed when Taché refused to serve alongside A. A. Dorion. The failure of Fergusson Blair’s coalition led to the Great Coalition of John A. Macdonald and George Brown in June 1864.

The Ottawa Times credits Mr. Fergusson Blair with saving the Confederation project through his decision to continue to support the Coalition in January 1866, by joining the Cabinet.

Mr. Fergusson Blair was appointed to the Senate by Royal Proclamation in May and made President of the Privy Council on July 1.

Mr. Fergusson Blair never married.

ONTARIO LEGISLATURE ADJOURNED

The Legislative Assembly of Ontario has adjourned until January 8, 1868, following the approval of the Speech from the Throne. Though the debate was lengthy. having begun at ten o’clock on the morning of December 30 and not concluding until twenty minutes after two o'clock in the morning on December 31, the debate was largely a formality.

Of interest, however, was that Archibald McKeller (Liberal, Bothwell), renounced the position of Leader of the Opposition in favour of Edward Blake (Liberal, South Bruce). McKeller said he was sitting in the seat traditionally occupied by the Leader of the Opposition (it being the seat closest to the Speaker on the first bench to the Speaker’s left) only because he found all the other seats had been claimed upon his arrival in the House. He begged that Mr. Blake be acknowledged as the Opposition leader.

December 30, 1867

ONTARIO AND QUÉBEC THRONE SPEECHES

The Speeches from the Throne were delivered two days ago in the provincial legislatures of Ontario and Québec marking the formal beginning of local control over local affairs within the new Canadian Dominion.

The speeches, delivered by the Lieutenants-Governor Major-General Sir Henry Stisted (Ontario) and Sir N. F. Belleau (Québec), were long on ambition though modest in their immediate measures owning to the fact that the finances of both provinces are uncertain until the accounts of the late Province of Canada are settled by Arbitrators soon to be appointed.

In light of this uncertainty, the speeches were short on specifics, urging the legislators in both provinces to encourage immigration and the settlement of public lands. In Ontario, MPPs will be asked to consider a liberal Homestead Law that will grant free land to bona fide settlers in the province.

In Québec, Sir Belleau asked the legislators to focus on four broad policy areas:

• the improvement of agriculture
• a more systematic and prudent management of forests and mines
• the advancement of public education and encouragement of sciences, letters, and arts which “are not only…a means of developing the prosperity of a people, but even next to the religious element constitute the highest test of the truly civilized community”
• the reform of education system on basis of study undertaken of education systems in Europe.

In Ontario, General Stisted urged members to work to husband provincial resources and expand the public wealth and, while encouraging individual enterprise, protecting “the interests of the public at large from the consequences of rash or ill-advised speculations.”

In closing their speeches each Governor offered their legislatures the greatest hopes for the future. To the Ontario legislators, Major-General Stisted said:

I would beseech you always to remember that while your immediate functions are limited to matters of local concern, you form the most prominent and populous position of a new-born Dominion, which I venture to hope, will, ere long, extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and be the home of a fast multitude of thriving and contented subjects of the British Crown. Your own position in this new Confederacy, weighty and influential as it now is, will hereafter become relatively of increasing magnitude, according to the degree of prudence, sagacity and forethought you may evince in the management of the important interests entrusted to your care.

To the Québec legislators, Sir Belleau said:

Occupying an important geographical position in the Confederation, comprising within her limits the two oldest and most prosperous cities of British America, peopled by the descendants of the two foremost nations of Europe, having in noble sacrifice long since made upon her soil for the establishment of Christianity and civilization, and even in the very struggle of our French and English ancestors, a past of which she may well be proud, this Province cannot fail to enjoy a future of well being, if her people continue to develop in pace and harmony the germs of prosperity which are at their disposal. I do not doubt but that your wisdom and your love for our common country will suggest to you the means of so doing.”

SHIPBUILDER’S STRIKE

An attempt at a compromise between the Québec ship-builders has failed. The ship-builders are refusing to hire union members and the carpenters are standing by the union. It is believed that the ship-yards will now close entirely.

CONGRESS MOVES TO PURCHASE HUDSON’S BAY TERRITORY

A series of resolutions moved in the House of Representatives of the United States seeks to purchase the territory controlled by the Hudson’s Bay Company for $6 million in satisfaction of all claims. The approval of the British government is required for the sale to go through making the offer null and void, save, the Quebec Gazette allows, as strengthening the position of the Company in the upcoming negotiations with Canada.

December 28, 1867

Hon. Dr. Joseph Goderic Blanchet, M.P. (Levis) and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Québec, 1873. Topley Studio / Library and Archives Canada / PA-033291

Hon. John Stevenson (Lennox), Speaker, Legislative Assembly of Ontario. E.A. Crossman. Archives of Ontario.

STEVENSON; BLANCHET ELECTED SPEAKERS

What ought to have been a formality, the election of the Speaker of the Ontario Legislative Assembly, very nearly became a test of Sandfield Macdonald’s government even before the Speech from the Throne, after the Leader of the Opposition, Archibald McKeller (Liberal, Bothwell), attempted to claim John Stevenson (Conservative, Lennox) as one of his own.

Following Stevenson’s nomination by Macdonald, McKeller rose to voice his support for the government choice. “They have,” McKeller said of the government, “taken a gentleman from this side of the house, representing our views and opinions — and for that reason, I think that no gentleman on this side will object to the nominee of the Government. From all I have heard of Mr. Stevenson, I believe him to be a good Reformer….”

This statement raised the hackles of Sir Henry Smith (Conservative, Frontenac), who himself had been rumoured for the Speakership, who said that if McKeller was correct and the Government had nominated for the position a man who opposed him and the Government, then he (Smith) would withdraw his support for the Government. The attempt by McKeller to mark Stevenson with the stamp of the Opposition was unfair and, he was certain, Stevenson was a supporter of the Government.

After some further debate, Mr. Stevenson’s election was made unanimous.

The affair in Québec City was far more routine with Col. Joseph-Godric Blanchet (Conservative, Lévis) being nominated and seconded by Premier Hon. Pierre Chauveau and Treasurer Hon. Christopher Dunkin. The nomination was supported without issue by Henry-Gustave Joly (Liberal, Lotbinière) who appears to have assumed the role of Opposition Leader.

December 27, 1867

STEVENSON TO BE SPEAKER

When the Legislative Assembly of Ontario meets later today to choose a Speaker, all reliable reports point to John Stevenson (Conservative, Lennox) as being the man who will fill the role.

The Globe, which had suggested that a Reformer would be put into the Chair, has claimed Stevenson as such, though he has, at every turn since the campaign, placed himself beneath the banner of the Conservatives, including supporting the Conservative candidate for the Lennox House of Commons seat, Richard Cartwright.

Nonetheless, the Globe showing an uncharacteristic charity towards a coalitionist, writes that “no Reformer can object” to the choice of Stevenson, who is a man of “good sense and judgment and…sufficient dignity for the post”. It helps perhaps, that the Globe believes Conservatives to be disappointed at the choice owing to Stevenson’s lack of legislative experience.

MEETING OF THE QUEBEC LEGISLATURE

The Québec Legislature will also hold its first meeting today. His Honour, Sir Narcisse-Fortunat Belleau, will be escorted from his residence to the Parliament Buildings by a troop of the Canadian Hussars. The Québec Volunteer Force will line the streets. The 30th Regiment will form a guard of honour and the Royal Artillery will fire the salute. Sir Belleau will then attend the Legislative Council Chamber where he will request the attendance of the members of the Legislative Assembly and direct them to elect a Speaker. The Québec Gazette reports that Col. Joseph-Godric Blanchet (Conservative, Lévis) will be chosen for the position.

His Honour will return to the Council Chamber tomorrow to deliver the Speech from the Throne after which it is believed the Québec Legislature will adjourn until January 10.

December 26, 1867

AHEAD OF THE OPENING OF ONTARIO’S LEGISLATURE

His Honour, Major-General Sir Henry William Stisted, will open the first session of the First Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario tomorrow afternoon. It is the first time in twenty-seven years that the people of Upper Canada will have legislative control over their own affairs.

The very first order of business for the Legislature, however, will be the choosing of a Speaker. When Major-General Stisted visits the Legislature tomorrow he will order the members to elect one of their number to that role before he will see fit to declare the causes for summoning the members. The Hamilton Evening Times reports that John Stevenson (Conservative, Lennox) will be the Government’s nominee for the speakership.

Toronto will mark the occasion by having a half-holiday.

The Speech from the Throne will then be delivered on Saturday, December 28, at two o’clock in the afternoon and the occasion will be marked with a parade. The entire Toronto Garrison, both regulars and volunteers, will turn out.

Admission to the legislative chamber to hear the Speech will be done by ticket and there will considerable accommodation for ladies on the floor of the chamber.

The most pressing issues to be dealt with by the Government, according to the Globe are the questions of public lands and grants to religious institutions.

On the matter of public lands, the Globe urges the Legislature to adopt a liberal policy with a view to “securing the settlement of our wild lands as rapidly as possible” and not letting any consideration of revenue stand in the way of that settlement.

On the question of funding for religious institutions, the paper warns that such grants are incompatible with the principle, long ago adopted in the province, of voluntary participation in the funding of such organizations. Even if no such principle existed, the paper writes, the impossibility of fairly apportioning any grants deals a fatal blow to any proposed scheme.

December 25, 1867

MERRY CHRISTMAS

On this, the first Christmas in the Dominion of Canada, we republish the Christmas greetings from The Globe and The Ottawa Times published today. And to all of our numerous readers and their families, we wish you a happy and merry Christmas.

The Globe

Christmas has come once more, with all its pleasant meetings and memories. To very many in Christendom it is a time of thankful religious observance; to very many more a season of family reunions and general festival.

Whether or not it be the very day when Christ was born is still a matter of dispute; but even if it could be definitely settled, as a mere matter of argument, in the negative, as circumstances now are, and have long been throughout the larger portion of Christendom, we should have a great sympathy with those who would still cling to the observance of the time-hallowed day. Such anniversaries may have been greatly perverted; yet it is will to be reminded by their recurrence of the great events of the past; and by this one especially, of the advent of Him who came to preach “peace on earth and good will to men”.

Amid the eager pursuit of mere business, pushed especially as it now is, such pausing times are good for the body as well as for the soul, and instead of being diminished by laboured argument, in thew ay of showing that there has been some mistake about their original appointment, it were better that for some reason or another they were even slightly increased.

In city, town, hamlet and country generally, the wheels of business will stand still, and from the lowest to the highest it were to be desired that all could forget their toll and their care. To many in Canada, the year that is nearly passed has been one of great prosperity. They can afford to enjoy themselves, and they should do more. They ought to be thankful for their prosperity, and so thankful as to be determined not to enjoy it alone.

In every country, however, generally prosperous, there will be those who, at the yearly return of national holiday-making, have very little of the wherewithal to make merry with their friends. So it will be in Canada to-day. While very many happy families will meet in comfort to eat together their Christmas dinner…there will be a good many others whose tables will be but scantily supplied, whose homes will not be over comfortable, and whose hearts may neither be merry nor hopeful.

Plenty of youngsters have this morning been shouting with gladness over the gifts of that dear old queer-looking genius, Santa Claus; but many more poor things have no such reason for remembering Christmas morning. Would it not be well that those who have enough and to spare should add to the enjoyment of their own Christmas feast the pleasure arising from the thought that they have helped some of their less fortunate neighbours or fellow-citizens to have theirs also better and more abundant that it would have otherwise been….

…

It is quite true that many are destitute who have themselves to blame; that many poor, pinched, hunger-bitten boys and girls might be well-fed, and well clothed, and well housed, and have their own Christmas dinners and their own stockings filled with the gifts of a domestic Santa Claus, but for the improvident and vicious habits of fathers and mothers. There is no denying this; but what then?

Surely, not that any should comfort themselves in selfish enjoyment, with the thought that very many in want are undeserving, and therefore will not do anything to see whether there are any of the destitute who are fit objects of charity, or give anything to brighten even for a single day, the dark lot of those who may be innocently suffering through another’s sin, or may be even deservedly suffering through their own.

Very cordially, we wish our numerous readers — always, we are happy to say, increasing — a merry, happy Christmas, and many returns.

The Ottawa Times

The great social and religious festival of Christmas has again arrived and we naturally desire to extend to our numerous readers the expression of our hearty wish that the season may be to them a merry one. The celebration of Christmas time has changed in its forms with the changing manners of society; but it still holds its place as a season for the substantial enjoyment of the good things of this life. If we can no longer say

“Come birth with a noise
my Merry, Merry boys
The Christmas log to the firing
While may good dame she
Bids you all to be free,
And drink to you hears desiring.”

There is still “wine and wasail” enough and to spare. And though perhaps it is no longer precisely

“…the time when the gay old man leaps back to the days of youth,”

yet if we make allowance for that exaggeration of which the poets have no longer a monopoly, we may believe that to a great many, young and old, the Merry Christmas season does bring a flow of joyous feeling which the festivities attending no other annually re-curring event evoke…in the little less religious exercise of charity towards friends and neighbours, and alms-giving to the poor, pays tribute to the great event commemorated by this festival; and however much the hard and ceaseless toil of this work-a-day world may eat into, and destroy, the finer sensibilities of human nature, we hope that no spirit of sever utilitarianism will ever drive out of fashion the distinguishing social and charitable observances which for so many centuries have clung round the season of Christmas.

…

And who would deny the pleasures to the little folks of the mysterious gifts which the mysterious Santa Claus, in the dead hour of night, when little eyes are closed in sleep, pours into that suspended stocking? Who refuse the faithful employee the enjoyment of a little holiday recreation? the clergyman his Christmas offering? or the poor such bountiful largess as money and means enable the more fortunate of the human family to bestow?

December 24, 1867

TORONTO MAYOR CAMPAIGNS ON TRAINS

Though sunny, the day was also cold, and that thinned the crowds for the nomination meetings held yesterday on various street corners throughout Toronto.

It was on the corner of Terauley and Edward Streets in St. John’s Ward that the greatest drama played out as Mayor James Smith faced a challenge from his predecessor, Ol’Squaretoes Francis Medcalf.

Readers will recall that Medcalf, having been removed from the Mayor’s Office by his fellow councillors at the beginning of the year, resigned as the councillor for St. David’s Ward in September. His resignation came as he said he had been sidelined on the Council, given no extra duties and not being told of meetings.

So Medcalf has come to St. John’s Ward to bring his grievance directly to the incumbent Mayor in the hopes of rallying the voters to his cause.

Medcalf made his appeal to the ratepayers of St. John’s on the basis of his many years as a public man whom they had long supported, and he them, where the interests of the ward had not suffered at his hands. Lo, Medcalf worried, a clique sought to blacken his reputation through the spreading of false rumours.

Medcalf stopped short of calling Mayor Smith a liar but did allow that the Mayor acted “without honour and without truth” who had orchestrated the ostracizing of Medcalf by the Council.

Medcalf then questioned Smith’s fitness to represent the ward, owing to the fact that owned no property there and paid no rates there. “When a man merely comes up to a ward for the purpose of drinks whisky in it, his interest there could not be said to be very great — and such a man is Mr. James E. Smith,” Medcalf concluded.

At this point, the crowd began shouting questions to Medcalf. George Boxall asked Medcalf if he owned property in the ward to which Medcalf said he did not. The following exchange ensued (as reported by the Globe):

BOXALL: Then when you said Smith was no property holder, you are no better.
MEDCALF: I come here legally, having a right to run in this ward.
BOXALL: You are simply being a made a tool of; I am sorry for it.
MEDCALF: You do not know me; where is the man could fetch Medcalf out as a tool? Who would dare to use him as a tool?
BOXALL: Were you not made a tool of last election?
MEDCALF: No; if ever a man made a sacrifice for his party I did at that time.

At this point several other voices joined the fray demanding to no if Medcalf would serve his full term or rather jump at a government appointment the first chance he got. Medcalf denied he would for any small sum of money but for the price of $1600 or $1700 a year he would have to consider it.

In the middle of this fracas it was almost missed that the Returning Officer, Andrew Fleming, declared that the hour for accepting nominations had elapsed and that as far as he was concerned, the meeting was over.

The Mayor and the former Mayor, however, continued to argue with one another and the audience for some time “until the crowd got tired, and the assembled ‘free and independent’ limped off, half-frozen.”

In the only discussion of policy during the meeting, Mayor Smith was asked by Mr. Jaffary whether or not he would support the Narrow Gauge railway plan to which the Mayor said he would support any railway scheme that benefited the city.

Dr. W. T. Aikins, defeated by Tory James Beaty for the House of Commons seat in Toronto East, was also nominated but did not attend the meeting owing to professional obligations.

The election will be held January 1.

December 23, 1867

CLOSING OF PARLIAMENT

The closing of Parliament on the 21st went off with little ceremony. His Excellency Lord Monck, the Governor-General, driven to the Public Buildings in a four-in-hand sleigh was accompanied by but a few members of his staff. His attendance in the Senate chamber at 11 o’clock was observed by just ten Senators and only twenty-five MPs stood at the Bar. The ministers who attended eschewed court dress.

PROVINCIAL PAY

Pay rates appear to have been set for the provincial legislatures in Ontario and Québec.

Québec

• Premier: $4,000/year
• Cabinet ministers: $3,000/year
• Members: $300/session

Ontario

• Cabinet ministers: $2,000/year
• Members: $4/day

QUEBEC CITY POLICE TO GET GUNS

Just days following the election of a new mayor, Jean Langlois, in Québec City comes news that the police in that city are to be armed with revolvers and the police chief, Mr. Bureau, is to be dismissed for inefficiency.

December 21, 1867

PARLIAMENT ADJOURNS TO MARCH 12

His Excellency Lord Monck, the Governor General, will appear in the Senate today to give Royal Assent to the several Bills which have been passed by Parliament. Following this the Parliament will stand adjourned to March 12.

The Bills to be assented to are:

• An Act relating to the indemnity to Members, and the salaries of the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament
• An Act respecting the Office of Speaker of the House of Commons of the Dominion of Canada
• An Act respecting the Statutes of Canada
• An Act to authorize the apprehension and detention of such persons as shall be suspected of committing acts of hostility or conspiring against Her Majesty’s Person and Government
• An Act to amend the Act of incorporation of the Commercial Bank of Canada, to authorize its amalgamaztion with any other Bank or Banks, or for its winding up
• An Act to amend the Grand Trunk Arrangements Act, 1862, and for other purposes
• An Act to amend and consolidate the several Acts incorporating and relating to the Canadian Inland Steam Navigation Company, and to change its Corporate name to that of the Canadian Navigation Company, and for other purposes
• An Act to incorporate the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Railway Company
• An Act for the settlement of the affairs of the Bank of Upper Canada
• An Act respecting the Customs
• An Act respecting the Inland Revenue
• An Act respecting the Public Works of Canada
• An Act respecting the collection and management of the Revenue, the auditing of Public Accounts, and the liability of Public Accountants
• An Act to protect the Inhabitants of Canada against lawless aggressions, from Subjects of Foreign Countries at Peace with Her Majesty
• An Act to prevent the unlawful training of persons to the use of Arms and the practice of Military Evolutions, and to authorize Justices of the Peace to seize and detain Arms collected or kept for purposes dangerous to the public peace
• An Act to impose duties on Promissory Notes and Bills of Exchanges
• An Act for granting to Her Majesty a certain sum of money required for defraying the expenses of the Public Service not otherwise provided for, for the period therein mentioned, for certain purposes respecting the Public Debt; and for raising money on the credit of the Consolidated Revenue Fund
• An Act respecting Banks
• An Act respecting the construction of “The Intercolonial Railway”
• An Act imposing Duties of Customs with the Tariff of Duties payable under it
• An Act for the regulation of the Postal Service

HOWLAND ILL

The Hamilton Evening Times reports that Hon. William P. Howland (Inland Revenue) is ill, suffering from congestion of the liver and an abscess under his arm.

December 20, 1867

MPS SEEK MORE PAY

When the House met yesterday at 3 o’clock it spent its first hour with the doors closed as MPs pressed the Government to prorogue the House rather than merely adjourn.

A prorogation would secure for members a full sessional pay of $600. The Government rejected the pleas of the members and the House will only stand adjourned.

The decision to adjourn costs MPs approximately $400 as they will receive indemnities of $6 per day instead which works out to about $200.

NEWSPAPER TAX STANDS

An attempt by Ebenezer Bodwell (Liberal, South Oxford) to remove the newspaper tax from the Postal Bill was defeated. 36 members voted to keep the tax. Just 23 voted against it. Had the vote been held while the MPs of the Lower provinces were still at the capital, the tax might have been defeated.

December 19, 1867

PROHIBITION ON UNLAWFUL DRILLING

Hon. George-Étienne Cartier (Militia) moved second reading of the Bill to prevent the unlawful training of persons in the use of arms and the practice of military exercises. The Bill is an extension of law that was in force in the late Province of Canada. In moving second reading, Cartier said that reports of Fenians storing arms in New York State and trying to smuggle them into Canada make it necessary to extend the legislation across the whole Dominion.

Alexander Mackenzie (Liberal, Lambton) opposed the legislation on the grounds that it gave too much power to magistrates to jail anyone found in possession of a gun, a power he feared could be used to jail their opponents. Mackenzie further opposed the Bill because it suggested the existence in the Dominion of disloyal people and he would not consent to make that charge.

Hon. Timothy Anglin (Conservative, Gloucester) echoed Mr. Mackenzie’s opposition to the Bill, worrying that it conveyed the message internationally that Canada was a Dominion of traitors.

The prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald rejected Anglin’s concern. Canada was a nation of people loyal to their Sovereign, he said, but amongst them lay some who were disloyal.

The Bill passed its second reading without a division.

ONTARIO SPEAKERSHIP

The Globe’s Ottawa correspondent suggests Ontario premier Hon. John Sandfield Macdonald will be happy to see either Sir Henry Smith (Conservative, Frontenac) and Richard Scott (Ottawa, Liberal) assume the speakership in the legislature there.

The Ontario Conservatives will caucus in Toronto on December 26 ahead of the December 27 meeting of the legislature. The legislature is hung with the Conservatives and Liberals each having 41 seats.

December 18, 1867

JEAN LANGLOIS ELECTED IN MONTMORENCY

Jean Langlois (Conservative) has been elected in the Montmorency by election.

RED RIVER RESOLUTIONS

The Senate has approved of the resolutions relating to the acquisition of Rupert’s Land and the North-West Territories. The address will now be delivered to His Excellency, the Governor General, setting the stage for the incorporation of Red River settlement and the Pacific colonies into the Dominion.

NOVA SCOTIA MPS RETURN HOME

The bulk of the Nova Scotia MPs have departed Ottawa for home. Only six remain in the Dominion capital.

CAUCHON DEFEATED

The results of the Québec City mayoral election are in. The incumbent, Hon. Joseph Cauchon (Senate Speaker), was defeated by John Lemesurier by 295 votes.

PROVINCIAL MACES

The maces for the provincial legislatures in Québec and Ontario have been manufactured in Montreal and sent to Ottawa to be finished by the designer Zollikofer. Once completed they will be sent to Québec City and Toronto, respectively.

December 17, 1867

UNIFORM TARIFF PASSES

The Commons passed resolutions calling for the adoption of a uniform tariff across the Dominion despite the opposition of nearly all the Nova Scotia members and some of those from New Brunswick.

CAUCHON BEHIND IN MAYORAL ELECTION

Hon. Joseph Cauchon (Senate Speaker), the incumbent mayor of Québec City is trailing by 173 votes after the first day of voting in the municipal elections in that city. His opponent is Mr. Lemesurier. There are just 1,240 names on the voters list and it is believed that as many as half have been disenfranchised for failure to pay their taxes.

CHARVARI VERDICT

The verdict of the jurors at the inquest into the death of 15-year old Thomas Chamberlain, shot during a charivari in Guelph has found that the shot that killed him was fired “under circumstances of great provocation” and was intended “more to intimidate than to do any serious bodily injury to any of the parties who so illegally and persistently engaged in the outrage.”

The jury condemned the “riotous and unlawful” charivaris and urged the local authorities to do all they can to put an end to the charivari practice and punish those who participated in the one that resulted in Chamberlain’s death.

BASEBALL TO BE FOR WHITES ONLY

The Montreal Daily Witness reports that the National Base-Ball Players’ Convention, ongoing at Philadelphia, have voted in a favour of a rule reading that “no club composed of persons of color, or having in its membership persons of color, shall be admitted into the National Association.”

December 16, 1867

ABSENCE OF THOMAS WORKMAN

Thomas Workman (Conservative, Montreal Centre) has been away from the Commons for ten days now owing to a serious illness. A cold had settled in Workman’s ear leading to an abscess, rendering him housebound. He is said to be on the mend.

Workman is the second of the three Montreal MPs to be laid up with an illness. Thomas D’Arcy McGee (Liberal-Conservative, Montreal West) has been absent the House for several weeks now owing to an ulceration of the ankle.

December 14, 1867

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

Following the execution of Ethan Allan, Alexander Morris (Conservative, South Lanark) has introduced legislation that would prohibit the carrying out of executions in public. Morris said the Bill would require executions carried out in prisons to have all the safeguards necessary to assure the public that the executions have in fact taken place. He pointed to Germany and Austria where executions were no longer occurring publicly and that a committee of the Lords in England in 1856 had endorsed this course.

SENATE VACANCIES

The prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald has made no announcement regarding the Senate vacancies and it is believed those seats will remain vacant until Parliament returns in the New Year.

NORTH POLAR CONTINENT

The Hamilton Evening Times writes of the adventures of Captain Long, commander of the whale ship Nile who declares he has discovered land in the North Polar Sea. It is described as “running for several days sail along the souther horizon, in latitude 73 30 south, longitude 78 30”. Captain Long describes mountains of volcanic origin, covered in snow andas tall as 5,000 feet. The coastline, meanwhile, is green with what appears to be vegetation. Long’s report bolsters the belief that a great continent lies around the North Pole.

December 13, 1867

GALT REVEALS ALL; BETRAYED BY CABINET; MACDONALD AND GALT HAD FINANCIAL INTERESTS IN COMMERCIAL BANK

In a surprise speech that halted the business of the House of Commons yesterday afternoon, Hon. Alexander Galt, the former finance minister, told the Commons that the reason for his resignation was not entirely of a personal nature as he had earlier told the Chamber, but rather because the Cabinet refused to back his attempts to save the Commercial Bank.

During a lengthy speech that held the rapt attention of members, Galt described in detail how he had travelled back and forth between Montreal, Ottawa, and Kingston attempting to secure the support of both the Government and other banks to keep the Commercial in business.

In explaining why he had not told his story sooner, Galt said that he had not spoken sooner because he did not wish to cause difficulty for the Government in the early days of the Dominion’s first parliamentary session. Galt said he felt compelled to tell his version of events now that the Senate had appointed a committee to investigate the causes of the bank collapse lest his silence result in his shouldering the entire blame for the event.

New facts coming to light from Galt’s statement include:

• The prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, is a member of the Board of Directors of the Commercial Bank
• Upon receiving a request from the Bank for assistance in September, Galt told them he didn’t think it was likely that the Government would supply the aid required. When he met with Hon. George-Étienne Cartier (Militia) to take the temperature of the Cabinet, Cartier felt that even in his pessimism, Galt was too optimistic of the chances of success.
• Galt went with the Director of the Bank to Kingston to meet with the prime minister who said the Government would not help the Bank but suggested the Bank of Montreal be approached and that it be communicated to them that the Government desired the Bank be helped. This was how the first $300,000 in assistance to the Commercial Bank was secured.

From this point, the facts relayed by Galt are largely similar to those previously reported, however Galt describes in detail the operations within the Government that have heretofore been secret.

He said that when the Commercial Bank fell into difficulty a second time in October, he had first attempted to secure a second loan from the Bank of Montreal but Edward King, the bank’s general manager suggested that such aid might be better coming from the Government.

On October 17, Galt returned to Ottawa to meet with the prime minister who, Galt said, wanted to help the Bank and was worried that its failure would imperil other banks in the Dominion.

Macdonald suggested Galt see Cartier again who remained opposed to the Government assisting the Bank and offered the proposal that later occupied the final attempts to save the Bank, which was to secure the required assistance from the other Ontario banks.

Galt said he wished to submit the proposal for Government assistance to Cabinet but Macdonald counselled him against it. Galt was unhappy with that but acquiesced to the prime minister’s suggestion and went forward with arranging the meeting of the banks that was held on October 21.

As we know a deal was reached at the meeting but was subsequently killed by the various bank presidents.

At this point, the Commercial Bank directors resolved to turn the affairs of their institution over to the Bank of Montreal.

Galt objected to this on the grounds that doing so might cripple the Bank of Montreal, the institution from which the Government had borrowed large sums of money (at the time the Government had no less than $1,250,000,000 it had borrowed from the bank), and that would interfere with the affairs of Government and that could not be allowed.

With the deal collapsed and no other course open to it, the suspension of the Commercial Bank was decided upon and communicated to both the Cabinet and the other banks.

Following a Cabinet meeting held after midnight on the morning of October 22, the prime minister telegraphed Galt to tell him that the Cabinet had made a final decision not to aid the Bank on the grounds that they did not have enough information to come to a decision in favour of the bank.

Later that day, Galt wrote to Macdonald submitting his resignation, writing:

The grounds state for the refusal of the Government to act, appear to me to imply both censure and want of confidence. As regards the alleged want of information, I must remind you that I went to Ottawa with Mr. Cartwright, the President of the Commercial Bank on Thursday last, for the purpose of submitting the whole case to the Council, and only at your express desire abstained from doing so. The whole slate of facts was then known to you.

If, Galt continued, the Cabinet had desired more information they could have had it at anytime. Galt continued:

Had the Government seen fit to rest their decision upon the want of proper authority, or the inconvenience of establishing precedent, I might have consented to share the responsibility of this action; but I must decline to do so upon the grounds stated in your telegram. I have, therefore, only to place my resignation in your hands, and to request that you will submit the same to His Excellency, the Governor-General.

After receiving the letter, Macdonald asked Galt to come to Ottawa. Galt had, Macdonald said, misunderstood the actions of the Government. Galt refused saying any explanation had to be in writing. At this point, Macdonald hired a private train and travelled to Montreal to meet with Galt, telling him that the Cabinet had not been trying to blame him for the Bank’s collapse.

Galt was intent on staying to his course of resignation but relented when it was learned that runs had now started on other banks in Ontario and that the resignation of the finance minister would spark a full-fledged financial crisis.

The indignities placed upon Galt did not subside, however, as a telegram went out signed by John A. Macdonald, advising that Government would receive the notes of all banks. The intention was to demonstrate the Government’s confidence in the Banks but had the effect of demonstrating, in Galt’s eyes, that the Government was pursuing a course different from that suggested by him, the Minister of Finance.

From here, Galt once again resolved to leave the cabinet once he had received the written support of Macdonald.

It was extraordinary, Galt said, that there should ever have been any suggestion made that he had sought to bring about the failure of Commercial Bank. But given that it had, and owing to his own financial interest in the bank, allowing such questions to be raised on the eve of the meeting of Parliament “would have shown himself a fitting candidate for a lunatic asylum.”

With this he left the Cabinet.