October 11, 1867
CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS IN NOVA SCOTIA
A constitutional crisis is brewing in Nova Scotia following the wholesale defeat of the Conservative administration in that province in favour of the Anti-Confederates.
A few days ago, Hon. Hiram Blanchard, Premier, and one of only two Tories elected to the provincial assembly, and his ministers tendered their resignations to the Lieutenant-Governor, His Honour, Sir William Fenwick Williams. His honour declined to accept them.
The Lieutenant-Governor reasons that because he is soon to be replaced by a successor it would be unconstitutional for him to accept resignations or to appoint a new ministry.
The Anti-Confederates are vexed and the Blanchard Tories stymied by Williams’ inaction. The Tories recognize they no longer have any legitimate claim to the levers of power following the election which “resulted adversely to the Administration” and the Anti-Confederates are eager to begin their work. They argue that if it is unconstitutional today to accept Blanchard’s resignation then it was unconstitutional to accept Charles Tupper’s resignation in July when Williams’ appointment was as provisional as it is today.
Despite his claim that he cannot exercise the powers of his office as it relates to the dismissing and appointing of ministers, Williams continues to act on the advice of the ministers he refuses to dismiss and make appointments of magistrates and county officials.
Williams is scheduled to leave Halifax on the 24th of this month so the appointment of his successor is anticipated in short order.
“JUST SO LONG AS WE CANNOT HELP”
This is the length of time Nova Scotia plans to remain in the Dominion now that she has elected the Anti-Confederates in landslide majorities to both the House of Commons and the provincial legislature. This, according to the Halifax Chronicle which writes:
Whatever ‘turns up,’ the Dominion cannot last. It is sick already — sick for the want of Newfoundland and Prince Edward’s Island; sick if Nova Scotia should go; sick even if she should remain. And if the new nation were now on the death death bed, there would be few mourners for it in Nova Scotia.
MONCK TO GET A RIVER VIEW
The cabinet continues to pour money into improvements at Rideau Hall, the Governor-General’s new official residence into which he moved just last week.
Yesterday we reported that the Government has spent $27,000 so far this year on the upkeep of the mansion and today we learn that the Minister of Public Works has sought another some of money to expand the grounds of the vice-regal estate.
Hon. William Howland has submitted to the cabinet for approval details of a plan (1867-0089)to purchase 11 acres of river frontage from the McKay Estate.
According to the terms of offer, the sale price will be determined by either negotiation or arbitration with a deadline of September 1, 1868. The McKay family has offered the government use of the land until the conclusion of negotiations at a lease rate for one year of $240.
Howland is seeking immediate approval from the Cabinet to lease the land for the state price “as he deems it desirable to prevent this property from falling into other hands and because its future acquisition by the Government would greatly add to the value of the Rideau Hall Estate.”
WEEKLY STEAMER SERVICE COLLINGWOOD TO FORT WILLIAM
Tenders have been issued and bids received for weekly steamer service proposed to run the length of Georgian Bay and across Lake Superior to Fort William. It is estimated that the cost of such a service would run $14,000 for the entire season. Once operational it will go a long way to opening up the North West, removing the need of settlers to travel south through the United States, shaving several days and hardships off their journeys.