SECOND SESSION OF THE THIRD PARLIAMENT OF THE DOMINION OF CANADA, WHICH WAS CALLED TO MEET FOR THE DESPATCH OF BUSINESS ON THURSDAY, THE 4TH FEBRUARY, A.D. 1875, IN THE 38TH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA. THE SENATE, The proceedings of the day were opened by the Hon. Speaker of the Senate taking his seat, at the head of the Clerk's Table, whereupon the usual prayers being read, the Hon. George Brown was introduced to the House by the Hon. Messieurs Letellier de St. Just, and McMaster, and his Commission having been read, he took the usual Oaths of Office, and appended his name to the Roll of the Senators of the Dominion of Canada. At three o'clock, P.M., His Excellency the Governor General proceeded in state to the Chamber of the Senate, in the Parliament Buildings, and took his seat upon the Throne. The Members of the Senate being assembled, His Excellency was pleased to command the attendance of the House of Commons, and that House being present, His Excellency was pleased to open the Second Session of the Third Parliament of the Dominion of Canada, with the following Speech from the Throne: SPEECH. Honorable Gentlemen of the Senate: Gentlemen of the House of Commons: I have much satisfaction in meeting you at this early and convenient season. I have to congratulate you upon the organization of the North-West Police Force, and the success of its operations. It has materially aided in the creation of confidence and good will among the Indian tribes; in the suppression of the liquor traffic; the establishment of legitimate trade; the collection of Customs duties; and, above all, in maintaining security for life and property within the Territory. Another effect of the presence of the police in the NorthWest has been to enable the Government to largely reduce the strength of the military establishment in that country. The negotiation of a friendly Treaty with the Crees and Sauteux of the North-West for the cession of territory may be regarded as a further guarantee for the continuation of ami cable relations with the Indian tribes of that vast region. During the past summer I had the pleasure and advantage of visiting a very large portion of the Province of Ontario, including the whole coast of Georgian Bay and Lake Superior. This official tour enabled me to form a better idea of the great extent of the comparatively well-settled country, and of that which is still almost Honorable Gentlemen of the Senate: I am happy to believe that notwithstanding the general and wide-spread commercial depression which has prevailed over the continent, the trade of Canada is sound, and that the contraction we have experienced in some branches of industry for the past year has not been greater than might natu wholly undeveloped. I was every-rally have been anticipated. where received with the kindest wel- Your attention will be called to a measure for the creation of a Supreme Court. The necessity for such a measure has yearly become more and more apparent, since the organization of the Dominion; it is essential to our system of jurisprudence and to the settlement of constitutional questions. You will also be asked to consider a Bill relating to the important subject of Insolvency. Measures will be provided for the reorganization of the Government of the North-West and the consolidation of the laws relating to that country; for a general Insurance Law; and on the subject of Copyright. Gratifying progress has been made in the Survey of the Canada Pacific Railway Route. Measures have been taken to secure the early construction of the Georgian Bay Branch, and to provide a connection with the Eastern Railway System. The Report of the Surveys of the Road from Lake Superior to Fort Garry, which will be ready in a few days, will afford information upon which tenders may be invited for the construction of the eastern and western portions of that section, so as to reach the navigable waters of the interior. Gentlemen of the House of Commons : The Accounts of the past year will be laid before you. The Estimates for the present financial year will also be submitted; they will, I believe, be found to have been framed with every regard to economy, consistent with efficiency in the Public Service. Papers will be submitted to you on the North-West troubles, and in reference to the negotiations between the Dominion Government and the Govern ment of British Columbia on the subject of the Pacific Railway. Steps have been taken during the recess for a combination of effort on the part of the several Provinces and the Dominion, to promote immigration from Europe under the general direc tion of the Dominion officials. It is hoped that the effect will be increased efficiency and economy in this branch of the Public Service. I rely with confidence on your prudence and ability, and on your patriotic devotion to the great public interests entrusted to you; and I pray that the Divine Blessing may rest upon your labours. At the conclusion of His Excellency's Speech, the Hon. Speaker having taken the Chair, a few formal motions were made, and the House adjourned until to-morrow (Friday), 5th inst., at halfpast three o'clock, P.M. Friday, February 5, 1875. REPLY TO ADDRESS. HON. MR. WARK, in rising to move the Address in Reply, after a few preliminary remarks, referred to the nego tiations affecting the Indians, whose rights had been interfered with, and whose hunting grounds had been trespassed upon by settlers. The Indians had a right to our protection, and we were bound to do all in our power for the protection of their rights and privileges in the future. The next paragraph of the Speech referred to His Excellency's visits, which extended through Ontario and a portion of the territory north of Lake Superior. Whilst it was a well known fact that loyalty was a prominent characteristic of the people referred to, it was no less indisputable that His Excellency, since the commencement of his administration of the Government of the Dominion, had evinced a deep and sincere interest in the prosperity and happiness of the people. After referring to the necessity of the enactment of a measure for the creation of a Supreme Court, as also to that of a Bill relating to the Law of Insolvency and other measures referred to in His Excellency's Speech, the hon. gentleman concluded by observing that the labor market of the Dominion afforded a splendid field for the remunerative employment of its people, presenting quite a favourable contrast to the gloomy state of affairs in the United States,as represented by those returning from that country. All required was that the Local and General Governments should continue to work harmoniously, actuated solely by a desire to promote the best interests of the country. Before sitting down he would again refer to the subject of the negotiations with the Indians of the NorthWest. This was a subject which had long engaged the most serious attention of the leading statesmen of both parties, and he most earnestly hoped that the treaty referred to might be productive of the most satisfactory results in the improvement and civilisation of the Indians. treaty between the Crees and the Sauteaux, and the cession of territory which it involved, would assure to us peace and tranquillity with the various tribes. He was happy in being able to bear testimony to the graceful and patriotic reception which had been accorded to His Excellency throughout the Province of Ontario, during his official visit of the past summer, as also to the very high estimate formed by His Excellency of the spirit of enterprise, and of the contentment and loyalty of its inhabitants. His Excellency had referred in his Speech to the creation of a Supreme Court. This was a measure which appeared to him (Hon. Mr. Baillargeon) to be of the utmost importance, and the necessity for such a Court had long been felt in this country. The Bill relating to Insolvency is one, indeed, of the greatest importance, and he had no doubt that with regard to its requirements, there would be but one opinion. The reorganization of the Government of the NorthWest, with a view to the efficient protection of its population, should engage the most serious consideration of that House. He was pleased to observe, and witnessed with satisfaction, the progress of the Pacific Railroad. There was not the slightest doubt that this great enterprise, once completed, could not fail · to contribute vastly to the development of the resources of that vast couniry. We ought to be much pleased and rejoiced to see the commerce and power of the State so prosperous, notwithstanding the great depression felt on other parts of the continent. The hon. gentleman concluded as follows:Finally we ought to congratulate ourselves upon the efforts and means employed to draw into our country immigration, numbers, and strength. HON. MR. BAILLARGEON had much pleasure and satisfaction in seconding the Address in reply to the Speech from the Throne. The Speech was most remarkable, both for the deep interest evinced, as also for the manner in which we are made to recognize at one and the same time, the prosperity and power of the State, as also in the importance of the measures which it HON. MR. CAMPBELL-In the face suggests. I see with satisfaction that of all the favourable advantages posthe Police Force of the North-West has sessed by the Government within the rendered important services, and that past year, something of importance it has obtained a complete success in was to be expected in the opening the re-establishment of order and confi- paragraph of the Speech from the dence in that remote region of our fine Throne; but when that something is country. The satisfactory results ob- looked for, nothing is found but a contained will have the effect of consider-gratulatory reference to the organizaably diminishing the expense of maintaining an armed force in that hostile and uncivilized country. He was much pleased to find that the negotiation of a tion of the North-West Police Force, which he (Hon. Mr. Campbell) believed to consist of some 500 men and a Quartermaster. If that were all that |