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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1886-6-4, Page 4gbie Nragweis Vast. FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1886. Temperance Convention, A eouventlon of temperance work- ers was held in the Town Hall, Olin• ton, on Friday, May 28tH, The chair wee taken at 10 a.m. by D. D. Wil- son, of Seafortb, the President of the Couuty of Baron Scott Act Ae- soeiation. About one hundred dele- gates were present, nearly all parts of the county being represented. The meeting was opened with pray er by Rev. Hugh MoQuarrie, of Wing - ham, The minutes of the last con, ventiou ware read and sustained. Tho President, in announoing the purpose of the convention, explained that eine the last convention was held many changes had taken piece. The Ontario Government had appointed an impactor in each of the throe rid - THE BRUSSELS POST JUNE 4, 1886. ed, and in his opinion greater con- fusion and trouble would have result- ed from his continuauoe in the 'posi- tion than from Lis immediate resign. alien of it, Pareonally, he would bo involved in many complications whlolt would arise and would oocasiou much inoonvenisnoe and trouble wnioh could not be dieposed of for probably many months. Stephen Yates, of Godorieb, could not blame Mr. Scott for giving up his i•oeition--be felt that he was per. fectly justified in doing so, but thought he ought to have waited for a few weeks and allowed cases to be brought before him wbioh he knew were awaiting his pleasure, and in the meantime given the Executive Committee and the License Inepoo• tors notice of his intention. He be• Roved that if Mr. Scott had contin- ued xn office for another . month the Iiquor traffic, in this riding at any rate, would have been crushed out. A Police Magistrate, he believed to be an aboolnto neoeseity. It was often Tugs, and instructed them to enforce difficult to get justices of peace will. the Scott Act. Tho efforts of the As- ing to act in Scott Act eases, and etill more difficult to get two who held like yaws and would agree upon 0common ruling upon points that came up. Then when convictions worn made by ordinary magistrates they were always appealed from, and when the time came for hearing the appeal it teas sometimes found that important witnesses had removed or boon spirited away, and the decision of the magistrates reversed through the lack of their evidence. Many magistrates object to bearing a sec- ond case when the first has been ap• pealed until the appeal has bout heard and the higher court has pro flounced upon the case. Mr. Yates complained that the iuspeotors were not properly assisted by the temper- ance community. He asked for the inspectors atuore hearty support from the temperance people, and expressed Lie dsterminatien to bring the law- breakers to justice in spike of all dif• fioultiee. Rev. Hugh MoQuarrie, of Wing - ham, had little hope that we should succeed in thoroughly enforcing the Scott Aot till the electors brought. the proper influence to work when muni• cipal elections were being held, When both parties insist upon their Candi• date being sound upon the temper- ance question before they would oast a vote for them, we may expect the necessary moral and financial sup- port from our councils to put the law in force as it should. be. Rev. Mr, Danby, of Verne, thought we should look to the power that gave us the Scott Act for the machinery and power necessary for its enforcement, and thought temper- ance people should link party differ- ences and Bee that the only thorough- ly sound temperance mem are select- ed to be thus representatives in the Dominion parliament. The greatest results would follow and the most ef- fective work be accomplished, if tem- perance men would make their infiu. enoe felt in that direction. At the conolusion of Mr. Danby's address the chair nominated Rev. N. S. Burwash, and M. Denby and T. McGillicuddy, S. Yates, J. D. Smith, M. Y. McLean and Wynn, a commit. tee to prepare a program of business to be brought before the convention in the afternoon. Prayer was offered and the Bone. diction pronounced by Rev. N. Bur - wash, and the convention adjourned till 1:15 p. m. The afternoon session commenoe3 at 1:30, the President in the chair, and was opened with prayer by Rev. Wm. Birks, of Holmesville. Thos. McGillicuddy presented the sociation t.i secure the appointment of a Police Magisirato had been euc- cesefnl, but he had been appointed without eatery, nut it was found that the duties and expenses pertaining to that office were so great that it was necessary for him to give up the pee. ition. This resignation placed the inspectors at a great disadvantage, and one of the principal questions to come before the convention would be that of the Police Magistracy. Though there were many discourage- ments in endeavoring to enforce the Scott Aid, the plain duty of every temperance man was to make the best possible use of the law we have, and continue to fight on that line 1i11 complete prohibition resulted. tie had no sympathy with those who try to discourage everybody, by clamor- ing for a return to the Crooks Act. He looked upon it as a great wrong to sanction by onr votes any law which licensed the sale of that which had brought desolation and ruin to so many homes. If we voted license to do wrong out of existence, and did our best to etamp out the accursed liquor traffic, the responeibiiity for its baneful continuando must rest wholly upon others. He believed the mach- inery for the enforcement of the Act in Huron to be complete, with the one exception that aPolice Magistrate is required. The Treasurer, J. C. Stevenson, read a statement of the finances of the Association, showing a deficiency of about $800. The President invited Mr, Scott to make an explanation of his reasons for resigning the Police Magistracy. Mr. Scott thanked the President for the opportunity given him of ex- plaining his position. In the first place the office had not been sought by him. On the contrary, bo was pledged to the support of another's claims to the position, and it was not till he learned, upon the highest au- thority, that that gentleman would not receive the appointment; that he entertained the offer made him by the Government. Nor did he then con- sent to except the position, except upon certain conditions. One of these conditions was that he should not be compelled to hold courts any. where but at Clinton. Since then witnesses had refused to Dome to Clinton to testify in cues of alleged violation of the Act that occurred in other parts of the county, and the Provincial Secretary upheld them in their refusal and 'informed hiui that ho would be required in the dieoharge of his duties to go to any part of the county where violations of the Act were alleged to have taken place. A report of the bneinees committee, further reason for his action was the which was received asd taken up clause fact that there had been an act pass. by clause. ed during the last session of the Leg - The first amuse, containing the fol- islature which prevented anyone holding the position of Police Magis• trate or any partner of such an offi- cer from conducting any criminal legal business. The case then vitt• ually resolved itself into the question whether he should give up the Polios Magistracy or his profession. Being a poor man he could not afford to abandon bis profession and cut off his means of support and that of those depending upon him. The fees allowed a Police Magistrate were not adequate to hie support—would be consumed in supplying the many leg- al forme required, so there was liter- •nlly no remuneration whatever while it was apparent'. that any ono man's ibne kottld be wholly taken up with the duties of the office, and meet ex. ileuses incurred in travelling to re- mote parts of the county. Nu one could feel deeper regret than he at the course he had felt it his duty to take, but it was an absolute necessity. It had been said that he should have retained the position a few weeks longer, but if be had done so many cases would have come before him which would necessarily he unfinish• lowing resolution, was adopted with- out discussion, by an unanimous vote :—"That the convention deeply regrets the unforeeene circuons tepees that have marred to cause the resig• nation of the Police Magistrate, ap• pointed for the County, by the Ontar- io Government." The second clause of the report has a revolution to the effect, "That the convention should appoint is dodge. tion to interview the County Council, at ate approaching session, and re- epeetfuily request that body to mem- orialize the Lieutenant -Governor in Council, to appoint, without delay, a Police Magistrate for the oounty with appropriate salary." Mr. Yates strongly supported the recommenda- tion to send a delegation to wtib up. on the County Oounotl. T. MoGilli- muddy also supported the resolution, and suggested farther that the Ooun• by Council be also requested to have a plebisoit at the next January Elec- tions, in order that the exact feeling of the people might be assertained. If the people then pronounced fur ii salaried Polies Magistrate, there could be uo further objection, and the „hole responsibility would rest upon the people themselves, M. Y. Malone, of Seafortb, seta' that no ono with his oyes sported could fail bo sop that the Scott Aot was not enforced, nor that there wet oven au attempt to enfnte° it, Per- haps at was not easy to find out the real oauso of this. 'No Scott Act was the outcome of agitation for a prohibition meastir° by the people themselves, and to itis opinion the power to enforce it rested with the people, and to them we should go now. The Act was carried by up- wards of 1600 of a majority in this. county, and if those people who voted for it are sincere, they shaulil be able to compel their representative in tbo County Oounetl•to provide a salary for a Police Magistrate, IID ,,as not blind to the fact that the Aot itself is not perfect, and that there are great difficulties in the way of its enforce• meat, but if the people required its enforcement as they do that of auy other law it would bo enforced, If the people do not compel their ofliaare to see that the law is carried out but fail in their duty iu this respect it could not be enforced, though fifty Police Magistrates were appointed. Rev. N. S. Bnrwaslt suggested that the (Aunty Council should bo asked to provide fa salary for the Police Mag nitrate, but if they refused to do so we should tisk them to request the ap- pointment of.a Pollee Magistrate with- out salary in each of the three ridings of the ounnty. Rev. Mr. Danby opposed plaoiug any alternative before the County Council. It was the duty of that body to make the provieion asked for, and they should be held to that duty and given no alternative to shirk it. Mr. Yates suggested that in ease of a refusal from the County tlonnoil, the Ontario government be memorial- ized to confer the power of a Police Magietrate upon one ordivary magis- trate in each municipality of county. Rev. N. S. Burwasli would favor the paying of a salary to a Police Magistrate by the Scott Act Associa- tion, if the Council refuse to provide it. Septimus Hogarth, of Stephen, felt somewhat sceptical as the result of en appeal to the County Council, but strongly favored placing the request before them, even if we get a refusal, for it would have the effect of reveal• ing the attitude of said council to- wards the question, and at the Janu- ary election we would be able to deal with them accordingly. James Wanless, of Varna, deplored the inceneieteucy of temperance men when election came around, and urg- ed the necessity of voting consistently with temperance profession. ietien into throe aseoointions, one for each riding, each to be rospouetble for the work of Scott Aot enforcement in its own riding, but all to o'ork in conjunction with the money aesuole tion, 3, P. Clarke, who had suggested Mile elude to the committee, explain- ed that he thought if the association wad so divided more frognont meet, dugs could be hold, the workers of omen riding would bo more closely united end could better asslet tbeir respoolivo inspectors in their ditty. Mr. McLean suggested that if the change wore made the ridings should have the emelt bouuditries as those for Ontario election purpoeee Mr. Yates and Rev. Mr. Briny/tell opposed making the dotage on the ground that it might came confusion and weakness might result from such a division of the forces, Ono of the members of the Exton. Live fevered doing away will the county association and simply livid• ing into three parts a000rdiug to the riding boundaries, claiming that there would be no real necessary work for the county association to do if it con• tinned in existence. Dr. Williams eupported that view, but woald like to see the debt of the county association wiped out first. J. P. Clarice protester) against nev- ening connection with ttie "hub." R. Holmes also thought there ought to be some central committee to di- rect the work of the whole county. Septimus Hogarth opposed- the motion to divide the association as he thought it would melte the orgauiz • ation too complicated fur effectual working. Rev. Mr. Danby thought if divided into ridings there would be a tendon• cy for each association be become is. olated from the otnors, and wo need- ed towork in harmony. Rev. Hugh McQuarrie• could no; see any advantage in division, We did not feel ourselves any too powerful when united, and thought the situa- tion would not be improved by divid• ing into riding associations. The dismission on this motion end• ed in the withdrawal of rho reoom- msndation by the Buainoes Commit• tee. The following resolution constitut- ed the fourth clause of the Business Committee's report :--"That each member of this convention pledges himself in hie own looalityto endeav- or ndeavor to raise at once • the amount due from his municipal organization ac cording to the appropriation agreed upon, in order to clear off the indebt- edness of the Aeeooiation and place the soeiety in a position to efficiently parry on ate work." This clause was unanimously adopted. The fifth clause of the report de- clared the neoessity for the re -organ• On motion of M. X. IvIaLean, sw tzation and continuance in active op• ended by Sept. Hogarth, the resolu• I eration of the municipal branches of the Scott Aot Association, and the anneal election of ,their officers, and recommended that public meetings be called in central placate iu all the municipalities, and that the Execu- tive Committee send deputations to address meetings and create a deeper public interest in the work of the as- sociation than at present exists. Jas. Wanless asked if all the old as- sooiations were still in existence. The President replied in the affirmative, and explained that the object of the movement was to arouse greater en- thusiasm among the temperance pee. pie and get deputations of outsiders to sestet each branch. tion to send a delegation to the Conn- ty Council, was adopted, and the fol- lowing gentlemen elected members of the delegation :—Rev. - A. Stewart, Clinton ; Rev. Jno. Charlton, Gerrie; Rev. W. Johnson, Goderioh ; Dr. Williams, Clinton, and Andrew Gov enlock, Winthrop ; Robt. Holmes, Clinton ; Thos. McGillicuddy, Gods - rich ; J. P. Clarke, Exeter ; Andrew Sloan, Blyth; James Wanlese, Varna; Henry Steep and Horace Foster, Clinton. Dr. Williams moved, seconded by Andrew Govsnlock that in case of the refusal of the Oounty Council to pro- vide salary for a Police Magistrate, the Executive Committee be instruct- ed to apply for the appointment of a Police Magistrate in each riding with- out a salary. The President thought it would be unwise to adopt this re. solution. Mr. Yates held the same opinion. M. Y. McLean was em- phatically opposed to suggeetiug any alternative whatever. He believed the reason we did not get a salaried magistrate at the first was because we placed an alternative course before the oouncil, which they gladly adopt- ed to get out of providing s salary. In regard the asking for the three magistrates he thought nobody was particularly anxious to work for noth- ing. Proper men could not be found to take the position without remuner- ation and no one ought to be expect, ed to do so. The commit ought to provide a salary and they should be asked for that and nothing less. Mr. Wynn said if the convention sent men to the County Council, they worn to go there to fight for what they went and not bo compromise them. selves :by suggesting any alternative. It was finally agreed that the dele- gation should simply ask the Council to request the Ontario Government to appoint a salarisd Polioe Mogis- trate, and that if the Council decline to tape this action, the Executive should immediately call another con- vention to consider the situation. The third clause of the Business in his stead. Commlttee'e report euggested the di Ed. Bowers was appointed Presf- vidiug of the County Scott Act Aesoc- J. S. Glutton thought the munici- pal branches had never been properly organized, and that there had not been public meetings enough held. John Renton was pleaesd to advise the convention thab at all oventa the Exeter association was not dead and did not intend to die as long as any- body else continued to live. lie ap- proved of this move, the object of which he understood to be to educate the public in temperance principles and seouro the co•operation of the temperance people in the work of en - .forcing the Scott Act. The people, he believed, did not know the difficul- ties in the way of its enforcement, and if they understood the situation as it exists they would hold very dif- ferent views than they now do, and would sympathies with and assist the association in its work. On motion of John Rantou, sec- ended by Frank Metcalf, of Blyth, the clause was unanimously adopted. A communication from F. S. Spence, secretary of the Ontario branch of the Dominion Alliance, %ak• ing for financial assietauee was read and laid on the table for future con. sideration. Benj. Smillie tendered his resig- nation of the Presidency of the Tuck• exemtth branch of the Association, The resignation was accepted, and Geo. Walker, .of Brucefield, eleoted dent of the Wingbam Asaooialioir and Itobt, Riley, Preeideut of the East Wawauosh braitoli. The President asked the oonvou. tido if they wished to submit rhe flame of any gentlemen to the gov- ernment oyernment 00 nominee for the position of Pollee Magistrate, M, Y, McLean, suggested that per. 'tape the late Poltco Magisbrato would accept the position again if a salary was attached. He believed 00 bettor man for the position could bo found and thought ha would be entirely no. coptnble to both the government and the people, Mr. Scott declined to allow his name to be again submitted in appli- eatiou fur the position, Stephen Yates wa•t then [diced if he would accept the petition if it ware offered him and replied emphatically, amid loud cheers, that he would, and it wes unanimously agreed that he should be the nominee of the ooiivon• tion. ' Thos, McGillicuddy administered rather large dose of taffy to the lex. sautive Committee for its faithful work in the past. After prayer by Rev. M. Denby the Benediction was pronounced and the convention ad- journed. t[IE WILSON FOUNDRY. AT GREATLY( Reduced Prices ! Wo have on hand the following, viz. :—Land Rollers, Plows, Har- rows, Scufflers, Horse Powers, Straw Cutters, Turnip Cutters, Grinding or Chopping Mills, best made, and 1 •good second hand Lumber Wagon. Take Notice. Wo have started a Planer and Matcher to work. Parties wishiuo to have Lumber dressed and match- ed, or flooring sized, tongued and grooved may rely on getting first- class jobs on the most reasonable terms. Repairs of all kinds promptly attended to at the Brussels Foun- dry. Wm. R. Wilson. BRUSSELS Woolen Mill. Any Quantity of WOOL WANTED Highest IIcirket Price PAID IN Cash or Trade I have,in stook a good assortment of Blankets, Shirtings, Flannels, flue and coarse, Full Cloth, Fine Tweeds, Coarse Tweeds, Yarns, &o. Also an assortment of 'Cotton goods. I am now prepared. to take in Carding, Spinning, Weaving, &c. 'Satisfaction Guai ant9e L KNITTED GOODS MADE TO ORDER. Give .(lie a Cala' before taking your wo;i1 elsewhere. Yours Tux xjr, Goo. llowo.