September 28, 1867

PARLIAMENT TO MEET NOVEMBER 6, 1867

The Parliament of Canada will convene for the despatch of business for the first time on November 6, 1867.

A proclamation from His Excellency, the Governor-General, Lord Monck, was issued yesterday following the approval of Order-in-Council (1867-0061) recommending the same.

It is expected that the Parliaments first session will be taken up with consideration of the Indemnity bill, the Intercolonial Railway, Fisheries, the transfer of public works to the provinces, the establishment of a general tariff, and the admission of the remaining colonies, including the Red River Settlement, to the Union.

WETMORE NEW BRUNSWICK ATTORNEY-GENERAL

Word has been received that Hon. Andrew Rainsford Wetmore has been sworn in as Attorney-General of New Brunswick and that a writ of election for him will be issued immediately, with the writs for the other constituencies to follow.

On assuming this position within the provincial cabinet, Wetmore becomes the province’s premier.

SECRET BALLOT AN AMERICAN INNOVATION

Opposition to the secret ballot, rallied for as a means to end the practice of purchasing votes, centres on the fact that it is an “American innovation” and therefore unfit for Canada.

Should the ballot be introduced in the Dominion, its opponents ask, what other American-style political innovations might follow in its wake?

Further, the opponents say, the ballot smacks of cowardice. Men ought stand proudly at the poll to declare their political allegiance rather than hide behind a voting screen and a folded piece of paper.