November 28, 1867

SENATE SPEAKER’S BALL

Hon. Joseph Cauchon, Speaker of the Senate, continues to court controversy with almost every step he takes. Yesterday, the Senate met yesterday at 3 o’clock in the afternoon met with closed doors for one and one-half hours.

When the doors re-opened at half-past four it was revealed that the issue that had kept the senators as occupied as anything else this month was the question of whether or not Mr. Speaker should be allowed to host his gala ball on the floor of the Senate chamber.

The Globe reports that the debate was a protracted one owing to the opposition of several senators. It was eventually decided on division of forty yeas and twenty-two nays that the Speaker could hold the ball in the Chamber.

The Speaker’s Ball was described by those in attendance as being “very fine indeed” with “handsomely dressed” ladies and excellent music provided by a military band.

The ball was attended by between 400 and 500 people thought some 1,400 invitations had been sent.

QUEBEC SHIPBUILDERS’ STRIKE

His Honour, Sir N.F. Belleau met with the shipbuilders yesterday in regard to the strike that has been ongoing for several weeks now. It is hoped that sending the matter to arbitration will alleviate winter suffering that might otherwise be experienced if the strike were to continue much longer.