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 r^**- i^T, W^^lt^mf. -^^,--f^~ ^np iiV" !^^ C. W. Rutledge, Proprietor. MAEKDALE, JULY 24, 1890. PREMIER MEECIER'SDEMaNDS. Premier Mercier has lost no time in formulating the claims which his victorious forces may be expectred to press upon the attention of the Dominion Government. His speech at the Montreal banquet was refresh- ingly frank. In fact a blunt direct- ness of speech seems to be one of bis cbaractoristics as a political leader. There is no beating about the bush in the address referred to. His de- mand is. in effect, for a radical revision of the terms of Coufederatioa in sev- eral important particulars. The changes proposed are, it is true, sub- stantially those which were agreed on in the resolutions of the Quebec Con- ference of 1887. Their chief features are, enlargement of the powers of the Provinces their complete autonomy ill all matters of local concern the abolition of the veto power now held by the Dominion Government, and -nch a reconstruction of the financial basis of the union as will materially mci-ease the Provincial revenues. There is, certainly, something rMber cool in the way in which Mr. Mercier comes forward and says in effect "The Province of Quebec has found its allowance too small. It has there- fore gone into debt to the tune of twenty millions of dollars, and now expects the Dominion to assume that debt and enable it to commence anew with a clean sheet." This is, of course, just the result which has long been .foreseen by those who have iioted the cool confidence with which the Quebec Governments have gone en, year after year, incurring deficits iuid borrowing money, even the inter- est of which they could not reasonably hope to pay out of the resources of the Province. It was evident from the first â€" and lias been a thousand rimes pointed out â€" that the Dominion would be obliged, in the end, to trans- ior this burden to its own shoulders. The means of compulsion in the hands of the Provincial authorities are two- fold. Canada cannot afford to let one of her chief Provinces become bank- rupt and this Quebec well knows. She knows too that she holds the balance of power, and that the solid French vote is a force too strong to be resisted by any Government or party, even were it alone to be reckoned with. But Quebec and its Premier are not alone in this matter. The resolutions of the Quebec Conference show that at least tour of the other Provinces are with him in the main features of his programme, and the large majorities by which all the premiers who took part in that Con- ference, and put their names to its resolutions, haye sirce been continued in power, show that the people of those Provinces probably approve, certainly have not condemned, the proceedings at that Conference. True, all those premiers excused themselves from attendance at the recent banquet, and thttir absence probably had special eignificance. What that sig- nificance was it is not easj precisely to say, but as it is not in the least likely that their notes of invitation contained any hints as to the line of remark Mr. Mercier would follow, it is much more probable that his fellow- premiers were afraid of his national- ism, than that they are disposed to recant in the matter of the Quebec resolutions. "What then is to done It is use- less to scold Mr. Mercier on account of his Nationalistic proclivities, how- ever mischievous we may deem his appeals to race prejudices. It most be admitted that his speech is a Provincialipt rather than a Nationalist speech, and that he does not fail to bring forward some cogent arguments in support of his positions. It mast ha tolerably clear to all who know the state of feeling in the Proyinces, especially the smaller and more dis- tant Provinces, that Proviocial auton- omy iu all local matters is the only basis on which Confederation can en- dure. Few, probably, save believerB in an impossible Legiaifitive Union, y.'ill refuse to admit thai* the absolnte Federal yeto will have to be given up, if it IS not already practically obsolete, and that the question of the constitu- tionah^ of Provincial laws is one for the deeiaon of a competent judicial Httthority, rather than ft party Goyam- rooit. Eyen .Bir ^ohn Maedmudd himMlf jseems to be ytuffng towards Mr. Blake's resolation, which is a step in this direction, in the recent session of Parliament. It is bard to resist the force of Mr. Mercier's argament that the Federal Government, when assum- ing control of railroads built with the aid of Provincial subsidies, should refund to the Provinces the amount of these subsidies. Above all, it has long since been apparent that the financial basis of the Confederation will have tq be re constructed, and probably in some entirely different shape. It is pretty clear that the original plan of subsidies was a poUti- cal mistake. Certainly that scheme, as originally formulated, has been changed until it can scarcely be said to be now consistent with any fixed principle. It is easy to say that the first "better terms" arrangement, that in favor of Nova Scotia, which was the entering of a wedge that has since been driven home by other Provinces, should not have been made. Bui. as the Halifax Chronicle, we think it was, said the other day, that simply means that there should have been one Province less in the Confederation to-day. It was too, we believe, gen- erally conceded by those who had looked closely into the matter that Nova Scotia had made oat her case. Possibly other Provinces which have since succeeded in obtaining increases by less direct methods may have done so too. Embarrassing and dans^erous as it was to thus unsettle the stability of the financial basis, it would have been worse than useless to attempt to hold a rebelhous Province in the Con- federation, on terms which were prob- ably, not to say demonstrably, unjust. The fact that Mr. Mercier has taken the earliest opportunity, since his greatsuccess at the polls, to bring these questions to the front, may be taken as an indiction that they are to be pressed with all the energy at his command. The state of the Quebec finances scarcely leaves him an al- ternative. What course will the Do- minion Government pursue m that event So far as it appears it will have to choose between the alterna- tives of determined resistance to any further interference with the financial relations between tho Dominion and the Provinces, and to all Constitution- al changes, and a statesman like re- vision of the Constitution. Its ability to carry out the first will depend, of course, upon the attitude of the other Proyinces. If the Provinces which were represented in the Quebec Con- ference of 1887 adhere to the pro- gramme then prepared, resistance to their demands will be useless. The central authorities will be compelled to yield m the end that which they might have conceded with good grace in the beginning. Premier Mercier thinks it possible that there may be different views in regard to the details of the Quebec resolutions, but beheyes and hopes that those resolutions will be accepted by the party which is now triumphant in all the Provinces re- presented in the Conference. It seems scarcely propable that the people of Ontario will consent to an increase of subsidies, the larger portion of which must cooie out of their own pockets, even though the income of their own Provinr^e is increased with that of the others. The wealthiest Province would be pretty sure to be a loser on the whole transaction. Mr. Mercier claims that Quebec and Ontario pay the larger part of the Dominion rev- enue, and that it can be no robbery to ask back a part of their own. The smaller Provmces will, no doubt, maintain that they contribute as much proporuonally as the larger Provinces and have, at least, equally yalid claims to increased incomes. There is force in the contention of the impecunious Provinces that they should not be doomed to perpetual penury in order that the centlral authorities may have enough and to spare. And yet the strength and stabiUty of the Confeder- ation depend, to a very great extent, upon the amount of revenue available for national uses. When the day comes, as come it no doubt will, for a revision of the Constitution, the re- adjustment of the financial part of the scheme will give more trouble than any other question, All the Provinces except Ontario, will damour for larger revenues. Tet justice mnst be the basis of distribution, and justice demands that account be taken of the iaat that all the Provinces, except Ontario and Manitoba, support ex- pensive second chambers and that all. we believe without exception, appropriate large same of money for roads, bridges, and other local services which, nnder the exoeOent municipal system of Ontario, are provided lor by the monioipalities thnaselvos. It is in a large degree desueable tM 'tiie enbady s^etntt ehoold be abeliabed '•More's the pity," many stodients of political economy will exclaim. It would be easy to fiU columns with details of the difficulties of tha sit uation which wid present itself when- ever revision is attempted. It is not unlikely that another Quebec Conference may be found necessary, at a day not very distant. But in order to accomplish its work it must needs be the Confer- ence, not of certain Governments, nor of a party, but of representatives of all parties and all ^arts of the Dominion. â€"The Week. NOTE AND COMMENT. will ha9 â€" The Masonic Grand Lodge meet in Toronto next year. â€" The Russian government ordered the building of four new ironclads. â€" Harvest is about over in California and the yield of grain is reported much below the average in quantity, but good in quality. â€" Rev. Samuel Rose, D. D., the well-know Methodist divine, died at his residense, 27 Rose Avenue. To- ronto, on the 16th inst., aged 84 years. â€" Mr. J. Eoss Eobertson, of Toronto has been elected grand master of Freemasons for Canada, and Hon. J. M. Gileson, of Hamilton, deputy grand master. â€" A wealthy widow named Hatch- ard stole several silver spoons from the room in which the wedding gifts were displayed at Stanley's wedding. She was seen by a detective, arrested, found guilty and sentenced to two weeks imprisonment. â€" Probably the biggest purchase ot wool yet made in Canada was that of last week, when Aid. Hallam purchased from Sir John Lester-Kaye 100,000 pounds of wool, representing the pro- duct of about 17,000 sheep on his ranch in the Northwest. The price paid was about $15,000. â€" The census now being taken in the United Stakes shows that the Union contains three cities, each of which has over a million of inhabitants, viz: New York, 1.627,227; Chicago, 1,086, 000 Philadelphia, 1,040,499. Perhaps th3 only larger cities in the world are London, 4,351,738 Paris, 2,260,945 Berlin, 1,489,672 and Tokyo, 1,519,781. All the American cities have grown with wonderiul rapidity^ but the growth of Chicago is probably unique in the history of the world. In 1870 its population was under 800,000. â€" An American paper says "There seems no limit to the British capital seeking investment all over the world, the amount already placed approach- ing, if it does not exceed, that of the English national debt. In the Argen- tine Republic alone it is stated that British investments aggregate at least £150,000,000 whUe in the United States, Australia, Europe, and Asia there is nothing promising reasonable dividends that is not sought out and, if possible, purchased by agents of English companies. Mines, transpor- tation lines, factories, salt, gas and waterworks, big stores and estates â€" anything promismg to pay and hinting at monopoly is eagerly acquired, and, vdth limitless capital for developmeni;, given a fresh impetus." The public are interested to know where to supply their wants at prices tn suit the times. Well then at the Toron to House we sell Gents' nice summer suits $5 Gents' Dress suits, nobby anrt stylish, $8 to $12 Boys' suits $2 to$4 nice fashionable Dress stuff 8, 10, 12 to 25 cts.; Prints in great variety, fast and durable colors Tweeds 35c. to $l.5o to suit taste and pocket Boots, Shoes and Slippers, a large and well assorted stock at iDottom prices, to suit all sizes and conditions; Ducks, Dennims, Cotton- ades and Shirtings, specially good values; Hose and Gloves, all kinds and prices Teas 20, 25 Sc 30 cts., claim at- tention of close buyers who want a good article at reasonable price. Call, see and be convinced. We mean business. (1890.) WM. BROWN. FARMERS! THRESHERS! MILLMENll WILL SAVE MONEY BY USING CYLINDER, ENGINE AND Wool Oils. AND MCGOLL' S ILAED OIL LAKDINE OIL. BOILEE PUEGEEl BEE THAT BaEEELS ARE BBaNDED McCOLL BROS CO, TOEONT0| Sold by J. E. TRELFOED, Markdale. R. S. MARKDALE CLOTHING STORE, Kfieps a select stock of SCOTCH and CANADIAN TWEEDS, ENGLISEl and FEENOH WOESTEDS, ENGLISH MELTONS, TROWSERINGlil in all the leading grades, SHIETS, SOCKS and UNDERWEAR, TIESj COLLAES. CUFFS, SUSPENDEES, c., c. Special attention is invited to the iflanufacture of Buttons; parties wishivj buttons of same material as their (;arments, either ladies or gentlemen, can have made in a tew minutes while waiting. AGENT FOB PABKEE'S DYE WOEKS. Tailoring done as usual. Custom work will receive careful Good work and neat fits. WIND AND WATER. JEFFEEY ARTLEY, Mfgr. of Wind Mills and Pnmps, Markdalc. Ont. If you need a pump of any kind, and will favor me with your order, I will guarantee tu give satisfac- tion every time. I can suit yon in either Iron, Brass, Porcelain, or Galvanized Iron. Tebhs â€" Repairing cash new work short date approved notes if desired. Below I give a few testimonials Dear Sir, â€" The two pnmps you put in for me are givinK me splendid satisfaction (one of them 66 ft. deep, the other 23). I am well pleased with them. John PoBXEons, Flesherton. Mb. 3. Abtlet, Dear Sir. â€" ^In reply to your's of the 12th inst., I would say that the pump you put in for me has proved very satisfactory, it being durable and very easy to work. Enclosed please find f 5, balance for pump. James Johnstok. Flesherton. *^\ E XCURSIONS TO THE BOCK OIBT TAJMJ MACKINAWl THBODGH THE 30,000 ISLES OF OEORGIARBA^ Stopping at Wat Pobts. Hauaway. Standard Corretpondence. crops of hay of hay have good conditdoQ in been this Heayy housed in locality. ' Grain crops so far are excellent. R. S. McLaughbn has a patch of Carter's prize cluster oais which head- ed out equal with barley sown on same date some of which are over five feet high. Our_droTer, Mr. Neely, is doing an extensive business this season. We hear the grey has chanced his course. We appreciated the excellent tern* perance sermon delivered here last Sabbath. May it have the desired effeel. DX8TBB8a-FDL PBOfXiB aadthMjiteraes of nvenim of|tl«« ^a^tact of Wild Strawbeny. lutoSm^! Proviniib«de mdepend^t of ithe] ^^^^'^^^^^;^^^^V«m^^ Domimon Mi^MiiHas. Dueet tax """ ..-.# ^f "i^^- 'i • 'â- â€¢'â-  â-  -•' y.- ~^SK â- : â- , ;- â-  .Sijy'i^ ovfc tfiliQ^Mrtion^ SATisTAonoH AT liABT. â€" ^This is to certify that I have had great trouble and expense with my well (55 feet deep) in regajrd to pumps until I got Mr. J. Artley to overhaol it since then I have had entire satisMstion. My little boy, six years ola, can pump witii it nicely. ABxatJB JoHBSTON, YftDdeleiir. June 16th, 1890. Dear Sir, â€" ^Toor favor to hand enquiring how we got along with the Wind Mill. I might say we had no difficulty in putting it together. It is working splendid. The pump does its work all light. I like the workuig of the Victor Wind MjII very much. It governs itself nicely in a hie^ wind, and I tfai^ it tax more durable than a wooden mill. =%^^'L^*l1SfvSffo?KSi."'l $12,00 From Owen Sotod, (correspondi^ 'W «^ from all other stations), by theBt»Mo-| swift, upper-cabin, electnc-lignteo, wheeled pleasure steamers. CAMBRIA CARMON^ â€"OF THEâ€" Canada LS.Traosi (limitbd) LOCAL STEAMSHIP Owen Sound and Sault $te. ^«'*J Passenger Mid rart**^***!*' oaxxjias Ker Haiestf" »»* Jane 2S, 18g0, Ni DuzBUBT, Metford. S.S.CAAMONA, Capt. F. X. IiAFBANCB. â- llAi-^-J (-.5-4^ »ft.; To JavFBn Abtut, ' Markdde: 8ur,â€" The i^ump I mmluaed from yoa for 87 foot well gives complale satisftetioa. It workB vtith fba greatest eaae, lor Oie quantity of water deUv^pedL of any pomp I have era toted. IbeBeveitiieeiulnMtadofiasimide end dfaaUe priosttple iuid not UaUe to git oat of order. I eoold not wish for a beMir ^9i«iid«M.i«ith the otneiteogDfidniflis /^WnirjjwiTiwry MeeeMltwuia.90^^ s.s.t CAPT. KB""' TITILI. sail dnring ^^X^ " W Owen w;d *?,^OT the V TnosOay and Frid«7' %rtin ft"*! CanamS Pacific Bvemng^^g^ji and points Bast ^l^^^^Tm' Manltowaning. Sh^i^^S »«£i/ Kagawong, Gore Bay, S^^is, W Lianding, Garden Biv«V"^^ jb »» IftX; IJjliag at the »bov» !»"• trip. ___ ^, iJtM Street, -.mpa aide of twion^y*' J. 1S^\ s- iHh^iteM^ jiliiYJi-' -I ,\i^H '^Ido n «brooicg apernic^ pot with ^eto ti Itrs whic ^tiosm my wan Whyti Btxeet iD^ Where suckers ff If the Itom the .^amouDt c iron gate not. Wbytl angssoi Whytl built tbeii Which party will on their i If the« «t Bell's Whow matrimoQ Editor St Dear Si remarks i; en our coi very com to ^e ma sen must heayy to His attacl contractec unable to would try to, and j complain in the loca Mr, Editoi depend to spondents to be too news froD would tak( heart him many gh Thanking ^pace, I Standard Co Weddin nival week Dnnlop, of and Miss I Falls were matrimony the manse Perth anc young ladi of the w yoang me their patt aightened God's gold- beat wisbei Master hoUdays. Jack La: bear on th week, sent what Crab no doubt \n their holes Mr. an( daughter I from Cfcatf oeen yisitii weeks, ,Mr8. Pat of Montre ^tterson, Mcintosh, 'ea C Standard Rev. Jol «ereweek a large auc «»y very a Miss He wwmto. Miss Jen Toronto fa Rev. W, adivBieda *^ I. O. G was well re Miss Ma ^en Sour The Ho ^•*ot toBe tfciittoitiz •Boiday. .Dr.Halj [hei -4Pg ' .1.