November 14, 1867
SENATE BUSINESS
The Senate met briefly at three o’clock yesterday afternoon.
Upon introduction by Hon. Alexander Campbell (Post Master General), An Act for the Regulation of the Postal Service was read for the first time. This is the first piece of legislation introduced in the Parliament.
The Senate established the following committees before adjourning at half-past three o’clock:
- Contingent Accounts Committee
- Standing Orders and Private Bills
- Banking, Commerce and Railways
COMMONS BUSINESS
Debate continued today on the Address in Reply to the Speech from the Throne when the House met at three o’clock. The debate was largely confined once again to the benefits and demerits of Confederation and Nova Scotia’s participation in it.
As the hour approached midnight, the Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, expressed the Government’s desire that the debate be brought to an end and that the House would continue to sit for a few more hours if there were members who still wished to speak. When Francis Jones (Conservative, North Leeds and Grenville) began his speech, the Prime Minister moved the House adjourn in order that Mr. Jones receive a fair hearing.
Dr. Thomas Parker (Liberal, Centre Wellington) made his debut in the Parliament, though he had sat in the Legislative Assembly for Canada, representing North Wellington. Mr. Parker’s participation is recorded as such:
Mr. Parker thought it better if this house were to follow the example of the English House of Commons and pass the Address without such a lengthy debate as had occurred on this occasion, and proceeded to speak of the benefits of Confederation, but at the expiration of a few moments becoming confused he apologized to the House saying he found his thoughts not under his control, and would be permission to continue on some other occasion.
The Trade Protective Association of Toronto, a coalition of shopkeepers formed last month, has had a petition read seeking an Act to fix the rate of discount for American silver coins.