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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron News-Record, 1887-10-05, Page 3ssviisestests,'th s Noy,. Beard •e SVtfnted`seet„tirobio. Cheep Glothlingr-Jliekseit Brats Aituttou Sales—P. t(µmilton.. Atilitucry Ql>elninf Eat$;o J. 11iidgens- Salcrava ' oluke .-Ch.... Cgapr., Be pl9tiatuq ..T,1lw<ket1u, Bros. Store to rent and lumber for aide -- Golden Perrin. r'heilu on News RfQt coid lYtCd>ttosnl,ty. October O$,7 EDITORIAL NOTES. The spontaneity of feeling which Goldwin Smith and a few others allege to be bursting out in enthu- siastic combustion all over Canada, was conspicuously missing from the Clinton commercial annexation meeting. A • tallow dip would be as nu electric light compared to the burning spoutaneity of the farmers of Huron on this farcical fad. Said a staunch Reforrnor when being told that the commercial union gag was only a bait with which the Grits were playing with his party in the !lope of also securing some Conservatives so that if possible they might got into power : "if my party (Ptieforin) don't get into power until commercial union puts thein there, I'm afraid the inillertiunl will be upon us. Why," he continued, "we farmers have everything to „ loose stud nothing to gain by the proposedtrll-ion-:•- -Even now in.spito of the dutythe country is overrun with American caulmeriean oats, American wheat," etc., etc. THE COMMI,RtJ AL ANNEX - TION MEETING, A Perfect Fizzle The commercial annexation fore. gathering which was advertised and boomed for several weeks by the Grit papers of the county was held, in the town hall, Clinton, ou.Tuesday •of last week. It was a very quiet affair, a regular Sleepy Hollow pow-. wow; Grand Sachem ,everything by-:. turns and -nothing -long, Dr. Goldwin Smith, was a successful failure both as regards subject matter and man- ner of delivery. Outside annexation papers are ringing the changes on " the IIuron farmers endorse Com- mercial Union." The time and place when and where the alleged act was performed was Tuesday last .in Clin: , ton.Why,oven our local contefnporary has the fairness to adroit that there was "but a poor attendance." The E1: posilor modestly mentions that "the attendance was not so large as we ex- petted." The attendance in all truth was not so large as the promoters guyed themselves into the belief it would be.• The worthy chairman, Air. Ilansford, was astonished at the paucity of the numbers in atten- dance and the absolute lack of inter- est, to say nothing about enthusiasm. ' The weather was fine. It was the first day of the Ilullett Tall Show.' There were an extra number of peo- ple in town ,in consequence. But between 00 and• 300 people was all that were to be seen in the hall. Probably half of these were farmers and the greater portion of the whole. ntunber attended out of curiosity. As the Goderich Star, whose editor was present, states, the whole thing was a "distinguished fizzle." Be- sides the erratic Dr. Goldwin Smith, Dr. McDonald, Grit M. P. for East Huron, and Mr. John McMillan, M. P. for South Huron, were speakers. on the occasion. They advanced no arguments in any shape or form that would lead a good citizen of Canada to fall in love with their coil• mercial annexation views. They said nothing but what had already been met and refuted in these columns and in the loyal press, Re- form rind Conservative, throughout the country. As a matter of course a resolution endorsing Commercial Union was passed. But almost any resolution would have passed. The few present were quite apathetic. A resolution in favor of Clinton being made the county town would have passed. No, the farmers of Huron have not endorsed Commercial Union --not quite yet. There ere about 11,1)00 limners in Iltiron. Pro- bably 15') or 2.)0 at the outside were present at tho "distinguished firle," y'clept the Commercial Union meet itig at Clinton. And two thirds of these had not given the matter any thou;ht, and could not say whether they were for. or against the mysti- fied scheme, but if called upon to 're- cord a vote on the question they would mark a lig X against it. And two-thirds of the other third were . emphatic in their condemnation of the project as one fraught with dan• ger to Canada both politically and financially. This estimate "of the views of the dew farmers' present we have made from conversing with a large number who gave us their own opinion and that of other farmers present whom we did not have a talk with. —Last week 11Tr. Peter Robert- son of the 9th c"ucession, of (grey, met with a heavy loss in the death of a valuable heavy draughtihorre valued et $200. This animal, along with another, was attached to a set of harrows, and getting frightened st something they rain awsy, coin - Ina in Contact with a rail fence in their Course The result wee that one• I,:ts!s fell dead in its tracks,- sOi7 � Ia 1'r4,AT TUN ld : - . BS.. i. G. NAT19254.1, AIN! ror•Itl04J4 netioeTs or ,:pci eeoup., uN;it .., 4uxsnox -rN h �' QQ��1f;��T � � 8" Ba 1 eti CONNEOTIOts'on A NATIONAL SUTURE. (Carr 01$41 l oto dt►44 �o 0. Turning now to he national and ttolitic0 fide ol: ,tbo ,quistiori,.; ref have ��qq'co �der b; ti hb t b1 ndPelyi tp ronn s white oqi i;ejKhpors have atteched to Cgmn'terpiai Union. These coy (trtions are that. we unite in an American Zellverebi, or, in other words, that we adApt a Continental tarif 'against the" world, and conse- quently discriminating against Bri• tteh trade. Nothing has surprised Inc more than that the advocates of -thy measnre can ptrofell:to shoe wattling implracticgb7le .in tb a cgun'• try continuing British conneLstionl while fro`, join anotltpri natioq .(n a league' against British commerce: But before discussing that point, let us glance at another lion in the path, whit, unlike old John Buuyan's lions, will have to be grappled -with and overcome before we cnn pro, ceed. ONE OF TILE FIRST masses. of Commercial Union would be the loss of nearly $7,000,000 of revenue annually collected by us from Arner- icau imports. The total Customs revenue of the Dominion for 1886 was $19,373,551, and uotwithstaneliug our high, taxation, there was a de• icit of $5,834,001 How could we 1 ay our public creditors and pre- ent financial embarrassment if we gave up our control ever the tariff, nd at the same time threw away 6,769,000 or over one third of our otal Customs receipts, which was he awount_collectod from United Eales goods last year? It will not do to "pooh pooh" this uestion instead of answering it. It a a matter of the most vital conse- uence. The solvency or bank- uptoy of the Dominion may depend poo it. The seven millions of re- enue would have to be raised, and ow could we do it ? We could not aise it by higher duties on imports, or we would be under the Contiaen• al tariff which we wouldn't control; nd if we even trebled our Inland evenue„taxes; it is extremely doubt ul if the amount would be forth• owing, for the rates would be, in any cases, prohibitory, inducing muggling and other evasions of the evenue. But even if we could asily raise the ,17,000,000, what class f Canadian tax payers, least of all ur farmers, who have the brunt of le burden to bean ,now, would ever ream of taxing themselves for Com erciah Union to such an extent ? v a t t S q r u h r f a R f c m s e 0 0 tl dt m a tl ex h' re Ca of u w po ti lit aft th re no PERCEIVING THIS DILEMMA, nd that it alone would be fatal to 1e whole scheme, the Commercial nionists have wade the somewhat traordinary proposal that the nited States .and Canada should ave a joint purse, for Customs venue, and they have published a lculation to show that a division the revenue per capita would give inada as muchas at present. As - ming that this were correct, there ould still remain the strongest ssible objections to the joint na• onal -purse when we would have tie or no control over the purse; •inga, Blit, as a matter of fact, e figures acivanced as to Canadian venue uudcr this proposal'are. by means correct. th th re Bu a be th $1 al l du th th 4ted $3. 91, $1 po inl Do ad .wo inl leo ite afo of Lha the rea ing jou 11.a wet 0 NI Con tutl are the six rev 8 wri to' 61.1, in cati ten is tl pro tax 'l'he suns of $210,000,000 is taken a e hasis of .-this calculation,. -bei e average of American Custom ceipts for the past four years t as their war expenditure dis pears theirs Customs duties are ing gradually reduced; last year eyonly realised, in round numbers, 92,000,11)0, and there are loud calls overthe Republic for further re• ctions. Assuming, however, that eir revenue did not fall lower than e la't mentioned sum, it would uce Canada's share from $3.50 to 20 per head, or by the sum of 500,000. Then our inland revenue set down in the calculation at 1,500,000. But unless they pro- se to extend the United States and revenue system over the minion or we bind ourselves to opt sitniliarlaws to their's, which uld be much the same thing, our and revenue would only amout to 000,000 which was more than ate edi- tions of last year. :.1 these two ms, therefore, the calculation resaid comes sfigrt to the extent $7,000,000. 'tui: IIROAI FACT. t Canada expects, according to Finance Minister's statement, to Ilse $22,500,000 from Customs dur• 1887:8, whilst under the proposed it purse arrangement at 3.2) per d for five millions of people, we lid not receive more than 316,: ,t 0), is sufficient to prove that !mercial Union is impossible rias the people of this Dominion prepared to put their bands in i1 pockets and raise annually some or seven millions of additional enue. incethe foregoing argument was tten my attention has been called \Ir. Butterworth's letter, of the August, to members of Congress, which °he speaks of "some modifi: ons of the Internal Revenue sys: 1 on each side 01 the line.” This 1e first time I have observed any poshl of this kind, and if higher es were leviers it might somewhat uce the discrepancy in the re: ue calculation referred to, but it id in no way weaken the truth or e of my argument as to addi: al taxation. Under any circum: ices Canada would have to tax self for the deficient millions. MOST STRIKING AND OBJECTIONA81,8 s s red von wou foie tion stn her THE feature of Commercial Union is the fact that our neighbors require that Canada, allhough n British colony, shall adopt a joint tariff with the' United States, discriminating against an folia,OStlatllii° ttilsraoter 'Off thti)'aoqu . ditlolh!) IP* ifs! lie ,»pearlier liras no convtittltlo)tal l,,otti+r. to iealle•on treaty, l Upb feta ottp hoatt$ to the mothetAntttttt';$. Tb'at" Pi tatp .bol' self oou .t1 lrao 1:o +ir d,1Rertgioatig is CommerclalTreaty, by no' meant certain, sa under the oMogt favored nation 014,44e" of hot treaties with such countries as France, Germany and Italy, the might be sharply taken to task for discriminating in favor of the Unite4States. But waiving this point, what Canadian etatespaanj un- less he had'lost all regard for British connection, would seriously propose to Great Britain to negoctate a treaty, or even consent to legislation, discriminating against her own com- meree and building up that of a rival? • "But," says Mr. Goldwin Smith, "Canada already 1atd.es. duties avow edly protective on British goods - and the adoption of the American scale would make no great'differ- erence, as; It appears to me, either practically or in point of principle.'' With all respect to Mr. Smith, a greater fallacy than this was seldom ever penned. There is A FUND-t3IENTAL DIFFERENCE between the two cases. Under our - present tariff; however objectionable in some respect:;, British and Ameri- can manufactures stand upon equal terms. Bnt under (ominercial Union,Canada would open her doors free to all American goods, but bar them against those of Britain by duties ranging from 50 per cent. anywhere up to 100 per cent. This is a wide difference from ourpre- sent tariff, '•both practically and in point of principle," and its far- reachingffects would speedily ap- pear, It *oulcl, indeed, be a ruin- ous blow to British trade with Can- ada, and to represent John Bull, as some are coolly doing, as being rather willing than otherwise to form a sort of Commercial hari kari of the nature proposed, proves that the age of credluity has not yet passed away. Another overwhelming objection to every Canadian who has any prop- er spirit or regard for his country must be, it appears to me, that the control of this continental and dis- criminating tariff would practically be in the hands 0i' our neighbors. I know it is urged that a joint com- mission, in which Canada would be fairly represented, would regulate changes in the tariff from time to time. sir. -W knell is reported to have said in Doti•oit'that the basis of this commission would be popula- tion and that the proportion would be ten members for the States for everyone for this country I How- ever this might turn out the old saw would doubtless prove true, that Biel tail could not expect to wag the dog, and so, practically, the corner. OF 'Alla TAXATION WOULD Pass our 01, ore tuxes. If Congress ever couseuted to give the control of the rat iff into tic• liands of .any columissi»:r, which I can hard- ly believe, they would at least insist that they should appoint the com- missioners who were to represent the Republic. Controlling the coniuiis- sio*icvs they Nvotilt1 control what they did and, eult:st:sumntly, this condition of-Con::mercial 1'uion would practic- ally place the taxation of the people of Canada in the hands of the United States Congress. A century ago our nuighhors began the Revolutionary War rather Mien subinit,to "taxation without repres)rut:ttLou ," and I cannot understand• how any Canadian who. desires the continuance of tho pre• sent iudepeutleut position of Canada. coeld•ever consent to hand over the trewenclous power of-taxatiou, not only without representation, but into the hands the hands of a nation with which we are not even politically connected . Now, suppose Commercial Union to be actually in, force, what would the position of Canada be ? We would be under the. Continental Tariff, nominally controlled by a joint cuinmissiou,. but practically by the States. Our Inland Revenues would be similarly controlliAl. There would be a joint purse for the moneys col- lected, but as uta• neighbors would put in, say two hundred to our twen- ty millions, naturally tho'purso afore• said would be kept at Washington, awl' if we did nut draw the whole of our per capita allowance. of revenue from the' Anii'rii:a11 capital, whatever deficiency there.')as at oar own ports wohld certainly be drawn from there. Can any one imagine a more depend - mit and pitiful position for the Do- minion and its Goverutueut to occupy ' WO heel( occupy a posi- tion wondrously. like being supported by an alsa»al, ulsidy from the United Stats, and oar (iovcrtlwent would be like Samson shorn of his locks. As they no longer controlled the tariff or its revenue::.;. they would be impotent to discharge many of the functions of (;overumeut. They %s''tnlil be UNA:;ti: To I7SI1,:n'1 (80 NEW PUBLIC and improvements so necessary to .the growth and pre,perity of a coun- try like•Citi ad:,. 1I en Indian rebel• lion broke out the a)uld be at their wits' cud for money to put it down, and Cauada won1.1 i,ecupy a position at once valid») :end comical in case of trouble ;ui.sieg between (lrcat Britain and 111,• State,. 1Vlicnoyer the: tariff was changed at Washington. air Parliament would have to cry "ditto"; when now rules andorders wet, is,ne.1 as to Cnstoms, our Government eoul(1 have to cry "ditto" aga.in:.iud when they altered their Inland .IReview, taxes, "ditto" would again b , der cry• Our mar• chants and all others affected would have to conform to these changes, and wo rnav rest' as,nred that in a commission coteipos e't of ten Ameri- cans to one (' utadian, their policy would at least nut h-' to build up the trade of 'Montreal ua'i 'Toronto at tho expense of Boston and New York. If tha tariff was red;, d we would havo to pay higher tax. s. If it was low• erect our subsidy might decline so •that bankruptcy might stare 11s in - rT '!EIEC-Siu57�R. '.n-.�}}t�1'.��. .::�•L �� .�. Ike ff,�alstl'tbett, indeet7r, tee ralgl�t �"' be forced to "'look tO Wyts?Iin$t411u wltrtth0l we jilted it or 440. It i.e. 'uee4l'efrs',IC foul asaurptl, tg press'ibisiloz (nulls,,. Eveci if tho'I3nitcd StetestipverpUient acted in, this. matter' with perfect good faith, thaiproposed arrangement. as to the tarigaril jo}nt pores weehl (AYR RDA: TO CONSTANT PIFFE>tktNCEs bciwecurplte 6w4 countries, and in all snob oases, as the weakerparty„ we would have to knuckle under. !Tees ourselves once in finch a position and our er ex ' ' p truce in regard to the fisheries and other questions abund• anti proves, that however just and generous Americans generally are, the average Congressional politician and all whole he cogld influence, would use their vantage ground for all it was worth to realize the na- tional dreams of tho Monroe doc- trine :- -'No pent up Utica contracts our powers. The whole boundless continent is ours," Many in Canada who havo expres- sed themselves favorable to Coeimer- csal Union are under the belief that it is compatible with the continuance of British couneetion, but 1 think it must be apparont from the foregoing reasons, not to uientiou others, that the combination of the two things is quite impracticable. And this leads me to notice the statements fre- quently made by Mr. Goldwin Smith and others, that "All Canada was enthusiastic overCemwercial Union," that "everyone admits its benefits," etc. If it had been said that all Canada was enthusiastic for Recipro- city and freer commercial relations,it would bo correct enough, but there aro no solid grounds for saying that of Commercial Union. A few lnoet• ings, most of'thcw sparsely attended, furnishes little evidence of Canadian opinion, more especially when most of those present were under the be- lief that they wore only voting for Reciprocity of a rather more exten- ded character than before. Besides, iu almost every case, the resolutions passel contained a saving clause iu favor of British connection, which feet indicates what the opinions of the masses of Canadians will be when the true bearings of the question are fully discussed and understood. Our people aro WARMLY IN FAVOR OF RLCIPROCI'TY or any fair and square measure to se - euro freer trade betweeu the two - countries, but instead of, jseing "en- thusiastic for Commercial Union," it is my,•firm belief that Mi'. Smith will find, when 111e people of Canada thoroughly understand both its com- mercial and political consequences, that it will prove but a little more popular than his abortive wine and beer agitation. However' sincere some may be iu thinking otherwise, Commercial Union is inconsistent with the con• tinuance of British Connection or a national future --for Canada. John Bright, in his recent letter, says that Protection was a first step towards separation of Canada from England and that Commercial ..Union would be "another and more 'serious step" in tho same direction. There Call bo no doubt of the correctness of Mr. Bright's view, and those Canadians whc have hitherto thought different- ly—and Many have honestly done so' —have only to read the accounts of the Detroit mooting to learn "whither they are drifting." Mr. Goldwin Smith there came out flat-footed for" Annexation, and Mr. Butterworth, though still employing ambiguous phrases., clearly indicated Annexa-, • as the :final result •when he said :—"I1 is apparent to all that iu the consummation of what pis now proposed, Ti18 •3 N 10:1301.• UOCTRI8 Bi:COMES AN ACCO)1PLISIIED FACT throughout all this continent." There con be no uncertainty as to the meaning of the language used by the leading Commercial Unionists at Detroit, and yet we find it' frequent, ly asserted on this side of the lines that to support Commercial Union is the best way to prevent Annexation: It is remarkably curious; if this be correct, that every Annexationist in the laud is doing his level best, in talking or writing, in favor of the Butterworth scheme 1 And in using the word Annexationist I do not in, tend to convey any reproach. I have no fault to find with any ono tvlio holds that or any other view. I dis, claim any sympathy with a 'mere loyalty cry ; and, on the other hand, much less do I sympathise with sneers at loyalty, as if it were a crime for a Canadian to be loyal to his own eount►•y. But whilst treating Annexa, - nionists with all respect, it is the manifest duty of those who hold, like myself, that Canada has a nobler and better destiny before her,' to warn our fellow -countrymen that Annexe:. tion 1El the natural and logical result of such a grave stop as Commercial Union, and that to pretend that the latter would prevent the former is not less preposterous. than to say that the best way to prevent your boat going ovor Niagara Falls would be to shoot it oyer the Chippewa Rapids. In our circumstances as part of the British Empire, Commercial Union 19 AN IMPRACTICABLE NATIONAL POSITION. We would no sooner get there, to use a current phrase, than it would be apparent to every one that, united with Britain politically but with the States commercially, Canada had become a sort of national Acre maphrodite, half British and half Yankee ; that such a position was at once inconsistent and intolerable ; and that we must either go forward to Annexation or try to retrace our stops regretting the folly of which we had boon guilty, That Canada could adopt the latter course if thoroughly united might be possible, but wo would not bo united upon it, and we would find that, haying sliddeu half way down a precipice, it is very hard to scramble back to, the top but very easy to slide down to the bottom. For my own part, I do not believe we would over flied it practicable to draw back, for 1 Will be magnificently illuminated On TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY EVENINGS. , Our Stock in every department is now complete, and from it,yo.0 cnn Qct almost anything your heart may crave for. - i REMEMBER, ATIIR-1311Y, DOTOBER Ist, obertsoristranU Dpeni JTIILLI$ERY; JT1111TLE & COSTUME 6HlJW ROOMS. • —Mall 311d SCO 1110 BRILLIANT DISPLAY Ole' NOVIfLTIIIS at— BER,TSON'S GREAT CASH ZWtttIIIMUPWeeinnourocassorsonsciamon STORE, CLINTON. regard Political Union as the natur eor.1btrypf Uomuiercial Union. Bu that we cunld either go hackwar or forwards without elnbroiliu (iroat'Ilritaiu and the United State or creating serious civil disorder i Canada, and possibly bloodshe iS OPEN '1'O TIIE VERY GRAVEST DOUBT I hope wy fellow -Canadians will weigh well all the consequences, political as well as commercial, likely to follow such a far•reaching meas- ure as Commercial Union before de- ciding up•)n it. If I have written warmly; and perhaps at too great length, it is because I feel it to be a question of momentous importance to the future of Canada and because, as a life•long Liberal, I 'would regard it as a groat; perhaps fatal, mistake if the Liberal party became com- mitted to the Butterworth scheme. Our great leaders, George Brown, Alex. Mackenzie and Edward Blake —a noble trio - never .at any time expressed themselves favorable to a zollverein. Mr. Brown, we know, was strongly, opposed to it, as being antagonistic 'to the continuance of British Conriection • and as a politi- cal weapon, whilst its advantages are attractive on the surface, when the people come to understand its numerous commercial drawbacks and political consequences, in my (tumble judgment any party adopt- ing it would find it a veritable boomerang in their hands. For after all although our electorate have made great mistakes, the people generally warmly love.Canada, and if this question -ever goes so far as to be threshed out and sifted at the polls their good sense can be trust• ed to say to. our American neigh - boa's :—"We ardently desire freer commercial relations with you ; the are warmly in favor of a new lleci• procity Treaty or any other fair remea- sure dealing out evenhanded justice to both, and doing no injury to either ; but we are not prepared, ,un,.lee the guise of Commercial Union, to surrender our 'country for co►nmereial advantages which would be just as beneficial to you as they would be to us 1"._._.. As was stated in a former letter, Commercial Union is. UTTERLY ANTI -CANADIAN, and leads directly away from that national future which ought to be and is worthy to be the hope of" every true Canadian. There exists throughout Canada the kindliest feelings towards the United States. For my own part, I admire the great Republic with its noble work for humanity and freedom, and like the American people. But as a :ration they hays their dangers. They have still unsolved their negro problem, the Mormon scandal, the Socialistic conspiracy, which steadily becomes more dangerous, and lynch law, which continues to prevail over a large part of the Union. The Con- tinental Sunday, too, with its open theatres, concert halts and baseball matches, is becoming alarmingly cotnmon. Canada doubtless has its dangers and difficulties also, but I firmly believe that for the present we occupy a better position than any other as a self-governing Dominion under British protection, and, when the circling wheels of Time bring this connection to an end,"that'we have territories vast enough, resources inin ense enough and a people with character enough to establish and mnint•ain a Canadian nationality which will be honored and respected all over the world, Galt, Sept. 17. .TAMES YOUNG, FALL FAIRS (ioderich, Oct. 4-5.6 ]?xeter, Oct. 3-4 ' ]iclgrave, Oct. 4. Blyth, Oct 11-12. Walkerton, Oct. 3-4. Stratford, Oct. 6.7. Hayfield, Oct. 13.14, Powell's sarsaparilla and burdock the most powerful blood purifier in. the market. Price 50cts. a bottle Sold by all druggists. 443.3m. - \[r. Clushlrtau, formerly of the Grand Central Hotel, Wroxeter, has rented the ]Loyal Hotel, Gerrie At this season of the year every- one should use Powell's sarsaparilla and burdock, it cleanses and enriches the blood. Price 50 ets., sold by all druggists. 443.3m. OUR EXHIBITION Good Displays, :t Large Attend- ance and Flue Weather. (For prize list see page 2.) Tuesday and Wednesday of last week the flullett branch Agricul- tural Society show was -held in Clinton. Wednesday, the princi- pal day,' 1Vi18 one of th'oso rale autumnal ones the out -door enjoy- ment of which was the very chrys- talization of pleasure. The total entries were more numerous than last year. The exhibit of ladies' work was nut as good as last year, otherwise the inside department compared favorably with other years. The dairy and field •was well represented. In local mano- facturing the both town organ fac- tories were represented, furniture by • A, A. Bonnett, woolen goods by the Clinton Woolen mills and others, ntarble.-work by W. H. Cooper, fanning nills by Mclllur- c11ie & Co., pun is by John Ross, buggies by S. Cantelon, Tipling, and Brunsdon, farm implements by Smithson, Weir etc., harness by Goo. A, Sharman. In horses and cattle the exhibits wero numerous. We refer to another page for the successful competitors therein, as also for those in poultry, sheep and hogs. The sample 'of. mov- able rail fence by John O. El- liott , was commended by many. Tho young driving team exhibited .by 1. C. Doherty were pronounced a pair of matched beauties by every- one. The thoroughbred Durhauts of Messrs. W. J. Biggiu's and Snell c1t son found many admirers, while the. polled Angus herd of James Mohr( lto-- ens a novelty to many.- The Doherty band enliven• ed proceedings on the afternoon of Wednesday, L'ut the attraction of tit--day-was the • conipetititrn--by lady riders and drivers. Thi first prize in; the LADY RIDER'S contest was a $25 side saddle given by Geo.A.Sharman and the second a $12 tea -set by• Thos. • Cooper & Son. These valuable prizes stirred. up emulation and six entries wore made though only foes toed the mark. Frons the first there Was no doubt as to who would get the first prize—Miss. Swan, and she did get it, Miss Laithwaito getting second. In the prize list thorn was no limita- tion to .competitors in thistt°class, though Mr. Sharman says that in giving the side saddle prize hesdis- tinctly stated that Miss Swan 'or any other professional would not be allowed to compete for it. And that in selling side saddles 11e 'told purchasers that there Would be a fair show as no professional .could engage in the contest. Mr. Shar- man objected to giving the saddle to Miss Swan, but Was quite willing to give it to Miss Laithw•aite, or whoever the judges considered the best; of the amateur contestauts. At time of writing the !natter is unsettled, Tho amateur's did very well, though the horrible bustles ado not a .very desirable adjunct of a ladies' riding dress, as their pita- pat -motion, independent of the per- son, Will,very much mar the ap- pearance f ease and gracefulness of seat of even fairly accomplished oquestrionnes. They did lvoll, too, considering that their horses worn not broken into the. habit of canter- ing with either the 'right or left foot forward. For a lady to keep her seat gracefully and keep her horse light ;fn hand she requires a horse trained for the purpose. Let us hope that the healthy open -air- recreation of horseback ,riding among ladies has by this :contest received an impetus that in a few years, did the occasion of hostile invasion demand it, wo could raise a regiment of fair mounted Ama- zons to second the efforts of Canada's sons to preserve Canada for Cana- dians. LADY DRIVERS. In this contest there were seven competitors, and it required all the et• i•