HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Clinton New Era, 1890-03-21, Page 4i
1V 4vtd'I#gitm nts.
' 1r'4I Veper—Oooper & Cu
I+oo1f anti Learn—W. L. Ouimette
lk[�tlli.tobe Excursion—W. Jackson
WbO's your batter—Jackson Bros
New Geod3---John Robertson
Trtlokrs--Jas Twitchell
Ad uitiintrutors Notice—R.Fitzsimoos
l •ise to Let—Mies Mountcasile
The Farmer's Positiolf
The following address was delivered
before the West Huron Farmers' Insti-
tute, by the President,Mr J.Kernighan,
and is published at the urgtnt request
o£ the Institute:-
1Tt+r-e Girl ranted—New Era Whatever cause for complaint we, as
farmers, may possess, it does not arise
,t pprentices wanted-EetateJ.Hdgena from want of attention in regard to our
Utes Curren—J. Robertson position, on the part of other classes of
Miss Lowe --J Robertson the community.
The condition of the farmer has of
late formed a fruitful theme for discus-
sion, and has been used "to Faint a
moral and adorn a tale," by pulpit,
press and platform, and quite pro -
Mortgage Safe—Manning & Scott
Store to$Let--Harland Bros.
, Ladles,—John Worsen
inspectors Notice— W. J. Paisley
+ N perly so, for in thie country at least it
Z��aa���v Cox is true, that on the proeperity of the
farmer depends, to a great extent, the
prosperity of all the other classes of the
FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 16➢0. community.
�— __.. _- - _ _ An added zest has been given to this
Dressing Hiul )VUWrI, subject of late, from the fact that our
_ two great political parties seem iuclined
As manager of the Empire and also to divide on the question, "Is the Ca -
member of the Local House, Mr Crei h- radian farmer as prosperous as he
g ought to be . Whenever it is the fate
ton has had a very uncomfortable time of any question to become, as it were,
• of it thio session. Hon. Mr Gibson the battle field of opposing parties, then
fast of all dressed him down for the farewell to any hopes of arriving at any
sound conclusion on the merits of that
Empire's false statements concerning particular question, because each of the
the administration of the License Sys- combatants, instead of trying honestly
tom, .Then Hon. Mr Frazer took him to arrive at the truth concerning the
matter, is only careful to present such
in hand and gave him a tremendous views of the subject as may be advan-
flogging for the Empire's unfounded tageous to his particular party, and to
charges concerning the new parliament carefully suppress those which would
have a contrary tendency. Conse-
buildings, a dressing down in which ev- quentdy, the only way in which these
en Mr Meredith found occasion to give discussions could be useful to the
Mr Creighton aback -handed ala and searcher after truth, would be to read
P• or listen to the arguments on both sides,
finally Hon. A. M. Roes gave him a to balance the one against the other,
castigation, last week, for the Empire's and use his own judgment in arriving
false statements concerning the Pro- at a conclusion. And, in fact, I might
. vincial accounts. It is questionable say that that is the only way in which
whether these punishments willf have the merits of any political question can
any effect upon the member for North be established, hence arises the utter
Grey,who seems to be lost to all sense of folly and danger of forming our con-
houor in political warfare, and hap no elusions from what we may hear from
other aim than to mislead. In the the advocates of any side alone. There -
course of his defence the Hon. Mr Ross fore, I would strongly urge on all who
used those words:— hear me, the duty and necessity of tak-
"Has there been during my incum- ing, reading and paying for a newspaper
bency any such Numerous errors, in- supporting oath of our great political
accuracies cr mistakes in the public ao- parties.
counts, for which I am either directl , This being eminently a farmers' ques-
or indirectly responsible,•as to warrant tion, I do not need to apologize for
the charge that it has become notorious bringing it before this meeting, for
that the statements year by year pre- there iS no class so well fitted to speak
rented by the Treasurer are "utterly with authority on this enbject as the
untrustworthy"'? I have been in office farmers themselves, therefore, I have
six year.. Can they mention six errors thought that this question of the farm-
"` or inaccuracies in the public accounts ers' position would be a most suitable
oocuring during those years that I am one to bring before this Institute, and
'responsible for? Can they mention six havo a full and free discussion and in -
that any one in the Treasury Depart- terehange of opinion upon it. If the
mart ie responsible? Ca❑ they men- subject be one of such great importance,
tion six error's in those six years occur- as to deserve so great a measure of st-
ing at all? Can they mention four? Can tention as has been given to it through -
they mention two? If they know of any out the country—and I believe it is—
I wish them to state them now so that then it is of still greater importance to
I can meet them. us, inasmuch as it concerns us more
My qualifications as an accountant neatly, and if any class in the com-
and financial officer are my business munity can give an authoritative ans-
capital, upon which I am dependent wer to the question, "Is the Ontario
for my livelihood. Should' the fond farmer prosperous?" it should be a
though delusive hopes of hon. gentle- meeting such as thin, formed, as it is,
men be realised at the coming election, of the most intelligent farmers of the
Itshould be obliged to put these qualifi- Riding.
cations to use for a meansof living and Much stress has been laid, by what I
being tr du ed by such rbarefaced mist he fact, ori supposed ifact,iof thetgr at
representations. As to administrative mortgage indebtedness of the farmers,
acts of myself or the Government, t+- 1, and they aslt triumphmntly, "How can
are properly open to the freest crit._- the farmers be prosperous under such a
ism and attack; that every man in pub- great load of debt tie these mortgages
to lar9tbattho a atBtacks a e made beer- admit hat a o� gage on a farmais not
sonal; that the readers of this paper a 11 de desirable thing, but a great deal
are told that I am incompetent; that pend upon the use which is made
the pablic accounts, the Treasurer's ac- of the money thus raised, whether the
connte, are represented as being full of borrowing of the motley has beon d -
`•blunders" and "utterly untrustworthy' visalrle or not. If it has been unc)er
and I am held up as the one who is re- proper conditions, for the purchase of
sponsible for these alleged blunders— more land, or the permanent improve -
which do not exist but in the writer's ment of what we already possess, then
' own diseased imagination. Now, Mr it may be a very proper and wise pro -
Speaker, again I ask, what is he cause ceeding, and besides the amount and
of all this animosity recently exhibit- number of mortgages may be very easy
ed? I have already shown that the lY esaggeratetl. Some time ago I set
only serious errors that have been shown myself the task of arriving at the facts
to have been in the public acconnts oc. of the case, but hitherto, I am sorry to
Burred long before I had ahy connection say, without ranch success. Several
with the Government, and commenced reasons may be given for my failure.
The su
un b act o
der th f mor
e admini t a e inde
titration 1 btedn
i of an gas
S dfiel g g
d .
Macdonald, By the investigation of is a peenliarly delicate one to those who
the experts employed by me, and by hav .hes canno eappr achhi6i dire tis'
the investigaticn of the Public Accounts y
Committee, two officers were shown to with them, and the source of informa-
be principally responsible for them. I tion is closed. When I nought infor-
dismissed those cfficers, and, being c 1 I eourr em what might be called offs-
political friends of hon. gentlemen op- c s, I did not meet with
posite, I apparently have incurred their much success. I might place some of
severe displeasure, and this is the real- the answers I received before you.
on of their bitterness. I affirm with• A lading gentleman in our own rid
out fear of successaul contradfcti�n that ing, the manager of a loan and invest -
the public accounts ore as correct as meat company, says, "It is impossible
any public accounts of any other Gov- to give the exact figures regarding
ernment on this continent. I challenge mortgaged farms, but there are far too
blonde etthat they speak oft Iclaall n8e beY ndatheirtvalubeandi co a quently
them to point out the proofs of the will have to be sold at a sacrifice. One
hart e, and T do thisiinadefence notro all thea mortgages our t company chars
g taken have been second ones, that is,
myself or my departmental officers,
but in defence of the Provincial Auditor taken to redeem existing mortgages."
who is responsible for them; and I say He also declared it as his conviction
what I have said before in this House, that a great fall in the price of farming
that considering the short and hurried land was imminent, tie if the various
time flora the closing of the year until loan companies should have to foreclose
the accounts are presented, the prepar- fire overdue mortgagee, and thus bring
ation of the accounts and their sub- a great number of farms into the mar-
stantial accuracy reflect the highest ket at once, the result would be, as al -
credit on the Auditor and his able as- ready stated, to seriously depress the
sistants. already low price of land. In response
That our readers may sae Mr Roes' to the question, what is the cause? he
said the causes are various, a principal
complete defence we will next week one being the laudable desire of many
publish his speech in full. fathers to settle their sons in Manitoba
and the North-west. To do so they
had raised money on their own farms,
and as farming lately has not been very
profitable, either here or there, the con-
sequence was that the encumbrance re-
mained, and in many cases h -u1 to be
renewed.
Being asked if he thought extrava-
gant modes of living had anything to
do with it, he said, "Most undoubtedly,
the younger generation, both male and
female, have not adopted those bri,bits
of industry, economy and frugality
which characterised their fathers, and
a great deal of money is wasted on ex-
pensive food, dress, furniture, vehicles
and horseflesh." For this state of
things it is hard to find a remedy, or
say who is to blame. It is scarcely fair
to lay all the blame upon the children,
as, if the parents had done *heir duty,
their children might not have incurred
these extravagant ideas and habits, and
a tone of society once established it
becomes very difficult to establish a
contrary precedent.
I also applied to our representative in
the Ontario Legislature, the Hon. A. M.
Ross, for any informael' n in the pos-
session of the Government, on this sub-
ject, with substantially the same re.
stilt. I might give you some extracts
from bis letter, From the returns re-
ferred to in Mr Ross' letter, 1 find that
in that yea:•, H87, the .55 loan com-
panies making returns to the Govern-
ment had invested and secured by
mortgage the sum of 57e,t:13,8s2. The
number of mortga res on which proceed.
ings were taken during the year was
688, and the amonnt of such mortgages,
111,41!1,012; the value of mortgaged pro.
party held for sale was 52,540,7s'A, n.nd
the amount chargeable ngainyt such
property was $'2,1(10,465."
From the foregoing opinions and in-
formtion I am afraid we must admit
an undue amount of indebtedness as
proved, and now the further gnestiou
presents itself„"What are the causes,
The Iiylcert affair.
The case against Mr Rykert,of hat
ing prostituted his position as a mem•
ber of parliament, has been referred
to the committee on Privileges and
Elections, which will report thereon.
Here is part of' what was said in the
debate that preceded the action of the
House :—
Col. O'Brien, a well known Conser-
vative, said :—"There is nothing in
this case to go to any committee.
There is no question of fact or law to
be argued. Webave abundant evi-
dence before us, and our duty simply
consists in pronouncing upon that
evidence. The House is the guardian
of its own honour and is quite cora•
petent to act. If reams of correspon-
dence and a dozen sworn statements
were laid before this House they could
not alter the fact that the member has
been guilty of conduct in violation of
the spirit of the Independence of
Parliament Act."
Sir John Thompson, said. "I do
not agree, that the authenticity of
these letters has not been established.
I believe they are authentic; and be-
lieving them so, I regard the corres-
pondence without a parallel in the
history of parliamentary government.
I must also admit that the member for
Lincoln has so far failed to exonerate
himself and to relieve himself of the
censure which the resolution of the
member for South Oxford proposed
to pass upon him."
If the committee should advise the
government to act in line with these
statement*, Mr' Rykert will not be
M i'. for Lincoln long.
and are they such as lie within our own
control, or are they a necessary result
of our situation as Ontario farmers.
I think the causes goneraliy given
may all be classed under four heads,
(1.) Mistakes, or a want of knowledge
of their professioe ou the part of fermi-
ers, (2.) Extravagant living on the part
of farmers and their families, (8.) The
depressed condition of agriculture in
this country, (4.) The fiscal policy of
the Federal Government. The refer-
ence to the first course to mention and
oorrect all the mistakes made by farm-
ers, would be to give an essay on im-
proved modes of farming, and would
take up too much of our time even were
I competent to give you such an essay,
but there is one thing I wish to refer
to which I consider in a great many
oases to be a mistake. I mean the de-
sire to beoome possessed of more land
than we can farm properly. There is
and always has been a strong desire iu
the human breast to become the owner
of real estate, The possession of broad
acres has a fascination for nearly every
one, and within certain lit its and
under certain conditions, the desir•elis
perfectly legitimate. One of these con-
ditions is the possession of at the very
least one half of the purchase money,
and another being the possession of
sufficient helpp at home to cultivate it
thoroughly. The absence of these two
conditions has in too many cases result-
ed in disaster to the nominal owner of
the property and injury to the country,
It has kept the unfortunate mortgagor
yearly paying large sums for interest
and in making gallant though ineffec-
tive struggles to pay off the principal,
and it has injured the country by per-
petuating a slipshod system of farming
which ought to be avoided at all haz-
ards.
And now,secondly,extravagont living,
and first, what is extravagant living? 1
will tell you what I think to be extrav-
agant living. It is that kind of living'
which requires us to go into debt for
any of the things I have already men-
tioned, viz: expensive food, dress, fur-
niture, houses, vehicles or fast hsrses,
or even the withdrawing of money from
productive purposes for any of the fore-
going things, even though it should not
result in aotual debt.
A farmer,in replying to a profession-
al man at a meeting held in the East-
ern townships, took exception:to a re-
mark made by him that farmers should
not possess a piano or a top buggy, and
asked, "Who has so good a right to a
piano, or a top buggy, or a fast horse,
as the farmer? Is it not frons the
farmers that the professional classes
derive most of their wealth, and would
not a professional man consider him-
self poor indeed, without the possession
of these very things which he would
forbid to the farmer?" I answer, I
would not deny the right of every farm-
er in Ontario to possess any or all of
these things, if they are necessary to
the comfort and happiness of himself
and his family, only on one condition—
that he can pay the cash for them. If
he cannot, the mere possession of them
can bring him no happiness, if at the
same time he is saddled with a debt in
the shape of their price. The trouble
is not with the wealthy man, who can
afford them, but with the poor man,
who wishes them as an evidence of the
wealth he does not possess. Now, I
must say right here that it is my firm
conviction that a return to a simpler
mode of living would add very materi-
ally to the happiness of the whole com-
munity. The great difficulty lies in
knowing how to commence and carry
out such a reform. If such a reform
came at all, it must be inaugurated by
those whose position is assured by the
possession of undoubted wealth, or else
by those who have sufficient good sense
and independence of mind to set Mrs
Grundy at defiance.
In reference to the third, and, as I
maintain, the true cause, the low price
of farm produce, resulting in the de-
pression under which we now suffer, I
would observe, first, that it is not pe-
culiar to Ontario or Canada, if it were,
the remedy would be easy of application,
viz.: to ship •our farm produce to where
we could obtain remunerative prices
for it; but, as there appears to be an
over production of these articles all
over
thew ri
o d I cannot e
s e any reme-
dy for the trouble, only to exercise pa-
tience, diligence and economy, to at-
tend our farmers' institutes, and avail
ourselves of every opportunity for be -I
coming better farmers, and wait cheer-
fully until it shall please Providence to
restore the equilibrium between supply
and demand, a state of affairs which I
firmly believe will yet be brought about.
There is one thing evident, and that is,
that it is beyond our control, and I will
go farther, and say it is beyond the
control of any government. I am sorry
to see the Reform party (of which I am
a member) under its present leaders,
now pursuing the same course which it
very properly condemned in its oppo-
nents in 1877 and 1878, seeking to usurp
the place of^ Providence, by pretending
to restore by legislative acts that pros-
perity which God alone can bestow,
and decrying their country for the sake
of aiming a blow at the Government.
Of course the same tactics were success-
fully used to drive them from power,
but that does not, to my mind, consti-
tute a sufficient excuse for their pursu-
ing so unpatriotic a course.
And now I come to the cause most
frequently given, and so often denied --
the fiscal policy of the Dominion Gov-
ernment, or, to be strictly correct, I
ought to say of the United States Goy•
ernment. But some ono will say,
"Surely you will not discuss politics at
a meeting of this kind !" I answer,
yes, and no. There is i wide difference
betwixt polities and political questions,
and I maintain that a mixed meeting,
such as this is, is just the place to dis-
cuss political questions, if they closely
affect our own interests, because the
consciousness that our views and opin-
ions do not commend themselves to all,
will have a salutary effect upon the
several speakers, in leading them to
bring forward their best arguments,
and in moderating a somewhat offen-
sive tone., which we are all too apt to
assume in speaking of our political op-
ponents. Other classes of the com-
munity can discuss such questions in
mixed assemblies, without losing their
temper or flying at each other's throats,
and are farmers the only class who are
not t3 be trusted to discuss an import.
ant public question closely affecting
their welfare, lest by so doing the in-
terests of some political party might be
injured. 1 repel the insinuation. Let
us show to the world that farmers ran
discuss such questions as gentlemen—
careful to avoid giving offence; as neigh
bm•s and friends—resolved not to take
offence. I ani strongly of opinion that
a great deal of the misgovernment
which exists in this country is duo not
so much to the innate depravity of
politicians, as i 3 too commonly assumed,
as to the fact that the people do ii t
discuss political gnestinns in an intelli-
gent manner-- indeed, they are not dis-
cussed at all. The simple statement,
"I am a Conservative," or "1 am a Ile
former," is always held to be a sufficient
reason for upholding or condemning
any particular measure- Once identi-
fied with either of nnr great political
parties, we feet in honor bound to up-
hold and defend all the opinions and
actions of that particular party, and,
as a matter of course, to condemn the
otihe•. Now, 1 think this is a great
mistake. Doti w'e givrf praise where
praise is dtte, even in the party oppos
to ue, and condemn, even in our o
art the w
@ y, t hick _ ws• believe to
wrong, eve would exert a ntuoh great
infineuce for good than we now do, f
a party- would not then rely epos i
supporters to defend what is indefen
ible, and public opinion would then
much more quick to make itself fel
than now. Let me give you an illu
tration of what I mean : I believe th
the Dominion Government acted wisel
in refusing to disallow the Jesuits' E
totes Aot. Now, should I conceal th
belief, or even say the contrary, beoau
I do not generally support that Gover
went? I trow not. In like mantle
although I give the Ontario Gover
ment a general support, and am co
vinced that the members thereof ar
capable and worthy gentlemen, ough
I, on that account, to shut my eyes t
anything in their legislative or admin
istrative ants, of which I disapprove
I think not.
Applying this principle to the subjeo
before us, and keeping it in our mind
while doing so, I cannot see why w
should not discuss this subject as full
as any other, in which men hold differ
ent opinions.
I hope it will not ba deemed out o
place, if I give you my views upon thi
subject, for I believe them to be th
same as those held by the great majori-
ty, not only of this meeting, but of the
country. In reference, then, to our
trade relations with the United States,
I shnuld be very much pleased if our
Gover.rir-ent could enter into an ar-
rangement v:ith theirs, by which we
could havo the advantage of free access
to their markets, without the loss of
any national self respect on our part,
or a loosening of the ties which bind us
to the mother country, but, if it cannot
be obtained without the aacrifiee of
either of these, then I say we will have
none of it.
If we are going to change our allegi.
ance, let us do it openly. and for suffi-
cient cause, and not under cover of
something else and for no better cause
than dollars and cents. In regard to
the merits of Commercial Union 1 must
confess I have fro very decided opinion.
If it possesses one half of the advantag-
es claimed for it by its advocates, then
indeed its adoption by this country
would be agreat-boon and a proof of the
greatest wisdom on the part of our rul-
ers, but in listening to or reading the
argnmentsin its favor I am always for-
cibly reminded of the statements and
arguments used by the advocates of the
N. P. before its adoption.
They were almost similar, They too
pointed to the depressed condition of
business, to the exodus to the U. S.,
and the want of progress of the country
and made such a plausible plea for it
that the country was convinced and
voted for that policy by a large major-
ity. Without expressing any opinion
on the merits of that famous measure
1 think I can safely say that it has
scarcely fulfilled the expectations of
many of,those who voted for it, and so
it might be with Commercial Union.
It is easy to find fault with the exist-
ing atate of things, and advance plaus-
ible arguments why we should seek a
change, but the thing which appeared
so desirable in theory, may grievously
disappoint ns in possession. There is
to my mind a very large if in the ar-
gument for Commercial Union. If the
amount of the duty now paid on farm
produce entering the United States
from Canada would be added to the
price we now receive, it would no doubt
be a great boon to us as farmers, but
there is great doubt in my miird if that
is the case, and while that doubt re-
mains I cannot become an ardent ad-
vocate of Commercial Union.
I have now presented the ease to you
in its darker aspects, and given you the
four reasons most commonly advanced
for our supposed, want of prosperity,
but a more pleasing part of my- task
yet remains and to that I now address
myself. I ask myself and I ask you, is
it a fact that the farmers of Ontario,
or even the farmers of West Huron, are,
as a class, or even generally, in the mis-
erable condition described? It is per-
fectly well known that farmers, as a
class, are prone to look on the dark side
of things and to take a too despondent
view
of their co
ndition
and therefore
adopt the opinions of others when they
coincide with their own discontented
feelings. Let me recall some of the
facts and figures on which this opinion
is based and compare them with some
others regarding another portion of the
community, and I think I shall be able
to show you at any rate that if we, as
farmers, are not all successful we are
not sinoular in that respect, but that
other professions and callings have
their difficulties also.
As I have already said, it appears,
by a reference to the returns made to
the Government by the different Loan
companies that there was invested 10
Mortgages on farm property in Ontario
the sum of 75i millions of dollars. Now
that seems to represent an immense
amount of property, but it will not
seem so great when I tell you that in
the city of Toronto alone an almost
equal amount of property is exempt
from taxation, being over 70 million.
The number of mortgages on which pro-
ceedings were taken during the year of
1887 was 688 and the amount of such
morgages 1e million. That seems a
great deal of money until compared
with a larger sum. During the month
of August last a convention of mer-
chants from different points in On-
tario was held in the city of Hamilton
to discuss matters affecting their wel-
fare, especially the subject of bankrupt
stocks, Let me read you some extracts
front the chairman's address, but be-
fore doing so I would say that no other
class seems to be so much the envy of
the farmers as the merchants. To keep
store appears to too many of them the
very height of human felicity and pros-
perity, and many a fine farm has been
sold and invested in dry goods or groc-
eries, only "to make to itself wings and
flee away." Let us now hear what an
old experienced merchant has to say to
a company of representative merchants,
and first as to their facilities of acquir-
ing and keeping wealth.
From these extracts, two things I
think are plain, first, that the average
merchant in Ontario, after. twenty,
thirty or forty years of constant labor
has only been able to accumulate for-
tunes, amounting to the store and
dwelling they occupy, and margins of
$1,000, $2,000 or $3,000 in their stock
and book debts. And the second is,
that while the failures among farmers
in 1887 amounted to 688, with liabilities
of $1,419,012, the failures among mer-
chants, during the same year were 693,
with liabilities of $5,357,375. Now,
when we take into account the immense
disparity in point of numbers, of these
two classes, I think the farmer has no
great cause to envy the condition of the
merchan t.
I fear I play have wearied ynu by the
length o his address, and I shall
therefore Basten to a close. I have
been told by careful observers that
there is a fooling of despondency, almost
despair, amongst farmers. if there are
any oppressed by these feelings, 1 wo ld
say to such, ennrage brother: Lift np
the hands that hang demi n, and (lin
feeble knees. The battle is already hall
edPf selves, instinctively turns the best side NEWS NOTES.
w g m the wv11d while
n of the ar ent to
be seamy side ie plainest to our own vi
er I am confident that there is nothing
or our condition to cause des air or
E P
to preeeion, but much to inspire hope e
s- to cause thankfulness. There are n
be of us so rich as we could desire, bu
t am equally sure that there are none
s- us sO poor as we deserve to be. We
at members of an ancient, an honors
y an independent, and I may safely a
s- a fairly lucrative calling. I might
at what is riches, or being rioh. There
se really no such thing. What may
n- pear to us as wealth in others, may
r, them appear but a moderate cow
n- , tenoe, if not actual poverty. Nay,
n- our own experience, how often has t
e which was looked forward to in anti
t pation as the very summit of our hop
o been looked back upon, when atta'
• and passed, as something we wan
? scarcely feel thankful for. There is
saying inHoly Writ more true than th
t "A man's life oonsisteth not in t
s abundance of things he possesseth."
e Let those of us then, who are out
y debt, and have sufficient to eat, dr
- and wear, feel that we are rich indee
and let those of us who have not yet
f tained to that happy position, to
a courage. Those who are now in a po
e tion of independence and comfort, on
probably struggled against and over
came the same difficulties which you
now encounter. So may you, and even
should you never be so rich as you de-
sire, you may still be happy. There is
no real connection between riches and
happiness, and although riches may be
beyond our reach, yet happiness is
within the reach of us all. I have nev-
er forgotten that the first sentenc3 I
learned to parse at school was this, "A
good conscience and a contented mind
will make a man happy," and surely
these blessings are within the reaoh of
all who hear me to -night.
In conclusion, I have only to wish for
each one of you that measure, both of
wealth and happiness, which the All
wise disposer of events may see to be
good for each of yon to possess.
Mr Chairman, allow me to conclude
with immortal words of the ploughman
poet: •
Is there for honest poverty,
That hangs his head and a' that,
The coward slave we pass him by;
We daur be puir for a' that.
For a' that and a' that,
Our toils obscure and a' that;
The rank is but the guinea's stamp;
The man's the gawd for a' that.
What though on homely fare we dine,
Wear hoddin grey, and a' that;
Gie fools their silks, and knaves their
A man's a man for a' that. [wine,
For a' that, and a' that,
Their tinsel, shcw, and a' that,
An honest man, though e'er sae poor,
Is king o' men for a' that.
the
Btu The station agent at Hartebarg. Ohio,
de- refused to open the safe for a burglar
nd on Monday night and was shot dead.
t I `v ala 50 years old, died nn Monday at
of the Monterey County poor house, Cali -
are forma.
ble, Mr Beattie, of London, was dragged
AA, out of a buggy by highwaymen,but die -
ask covering he was not the man they want -
is •ed they let him go.
tip- Miss Regina Rothschilds left Po t
to Townsend, Washington, on Mondor
pe- night to race around the world against
in George Francis Train.
hat Three prisoners in Kingston Peniten.
oi- tiary beat the turnkey into insensibil-
ea, ity and took his keys, but could not
mad °Pen the doors and were caught.
id Charles W. Ladne, of Germantown,
no has suioided by hanging himself. He
at had been out of work during the winter
he and was greatly depressed.
— Benjamin Stewart, of St Thomas,
of charged with having cr;minally assult.
ink ed his two daughters, aged 12 and 13
d, years, was arrested in London and
at- sent to St. Thomas.
ke The body of Mr G. Hodgkins, a well
e1- known farmer of Canaan, township of
c0 Cumberland, Ont., was found by his
wife a few hundred yards from his house
in the bush, shot through the head. He
had been acting strangely lately.
Some children were playing with 10.
months -old Annie Leioht, New York, a
few days ago, when one of them acci-
dentally scratched her arm with a brass
pin by brushing against her. E rysipe-
las set in and the little girl died Sun-
day.
There is a dual language diffieu lty
up in Berlin, Ont. Some of the alder-
men address the chair in German and
the Mayor talks back in the same lang-
uage. The members who do not under-
stand the tongue don't know whether
the floor is being wiped with them or
not.
News Notes Around The County.
The Choicest Steaiiugs from
our County Exchanges.
Anthony Allen, of Goderich, has sold
the imported stallion Black Walton to
Hugh Montgomery, of Drayton, for the
sum of 111200. This is one of Mr Allan's
last importations.
Saturday night about 10 o'clock the
residence of John Broadfoot, Brussels,
was burned, the fire being caused by
the explosion of a lamp. Loss on house,
$1,200; furniture partially saved; no in-
surance.
At a meeting of the Directors of the
South Huron Agricultural Society, held
e.t Hensel' on Monday last, it was de-
cided to hold the next Fall Show at
Seaforth, in conjunction with the
Tuckersmith Branch. It was also de-
cided to hold the Spring Show at Bruce -
field on Wednesday, April 16th. .
The death of Mr Jas. Inglis, of How -
ick, son of Mr Geo. S. Inglis, of Carrick,
is announced. Deceased met with a
bad accident while cutting saw -logs.
In some way one of the logs rolled on
him, pinning him between two logs,
bruising him severely, from the effects
of which he died•, after severe suffering.
It ' '
is ust h
t res week i
e s Oce his mother
1
died from the effects of la grippe.
Meesr's John McKay ik Sons, the
well -know breeders of Tuckersmith,
have this season sold four young thor-
ough -bred bulla and two heifers. They
sold a bull and heifer to Mr T. Luker,
of Hay; a bull to Mr John Webb, of
Hibbert; a bull and heifer to Mr Wm.
McArthur, of Morris, and a bull to Mr
Alexander Buchanan, of- Tuckersmith.
The bulls ranged in age from 6 to 15 -
menthe, while one heifer was a year old
and the other six months. The prices
paid ranged from $75 to $100.
The annual meeting of the Conserva-
tive Association of East Huron was
held in the town hall, Brussels, on Fri-
day, when the following officers were
appointed for the year: President—B.
Gerry, Vice-president — W. Chisholm,
Secretary—R. L. Taylor, Treasurer—
J. J. Denman. A resolution of sym-
pathy for A. H. Musgrove was passed
and several resolutions condemning the
policy of the Mowat administration
and expressing confidence in Wm. R.
Meredith and Sir John A. Macdonald.
There is a very nnpleasant task before
the Morris township Council this week
viz the enquiring into certain irregul-
arities of the Township Treasurer in
his management of the funds of the
municipality. it is hinted that there
is a shortage of about $2,200. His
bondsmen are Thos, Wilkinson, J.
Coulter and Wm. Newcombe. Special
meetings of the Council were held on
Tuesday and Thursday of last week.
An expert accountant will likely go over
the books and sift the matter thorough-
ly. We abstain from giving publication
to other particulars until the case takes
some other definite shape.
Mr John Stafford, of the�13th con-
cession of McKillop, is a farmer who
devotes a good deal of attention to gar-
dening, and the manner in, which ho
makes it pay may bo judged from the
following; Last year he sold 200 bushels
of onions, at 75 cents per bushel;. 3,000
heads of cabbage at $6 per hundred,
and 1,700 heads of cauliflower for $30.
All this stuff was grown off ono and
three -eights of an acre of land, and as
will be seen realised $360, and Mr Staf-
ford did all the work himself besides
attending to other farm work. This
pays better than growing fall wheat.
Mr Stat£iord also grew 170 bags of po-
tatoes from an acre and a quarter of
land.
At the annual banquet of the Irish
Protestant Benevolent Society Toronto,
Prof. Goldwin Smith said ho thought
it a great mistake—a blot on Queen Vic-
toria's reign—that her Majesty should
have shunned Ireland, which possessed
as many beautiful spots for temporary
residence as Scotland or the isle of
Wight. He believed that her Majesty
could easily have awakened the enthu-
siasm and won the loyalty of Irishmen
by a more generous and trustful de-
meanor towards them.
I3
at
won to the brave in heart. ca
Orr own trials and difficulties ani th
disappointments bnik very largely in 0u
our own oyes, while we ,only see our Tl
neighbor's saoeesnos. fle, lilto our• a
Monday W. Johnson Brown, of
r•omfield, while at work in Slasher's
cam saw mill, near Warren, was
ughtby the carriage and drawn upon
e saw which beginning at his head,
t hint completely through lengthwise.
1e deceased was about 35 years of ago,
id leaves a widow ad five children,
;'aiE'
On Tuesday last at Kilpatrick's fur-
niture factory Blenherim, John -B.
Muckle was taking a belt off a pulley
with a stick when it got caught and
was thro,vn back, striking him in the
abdomen. Medical aid was called, but
proved of no avail, for after great suf-
fering he died.
Two girls not far from Kingston
wanted some fun, but the funniest thing
they could think of was to run away
in a buggy hitched in front of a store.
The horse ran away ae soon as they
started, and one girl had both legs and
the other both arms broken, and each
had a bill of $75 to pay.
At the meeting of the Agriculture
and Arts Association the prize farm
judges of last year, consisting of Messrs
Green, Freeman, Hobson and Donald-
son,were reappointed. The sum of $600
divided into four awards of $150
each, was set apart for the encourage-
ment of ploughing matches.
Farmer Charles Buck, who lives near
the scene of the Benwell murder, has
positively identified Birchall as the man
he sag within 300 yards of where the
body was found on the fatal day. Four
other persons were taken to Woodstock
jail on Saturday, and positively identifi-
ed Birchall as the person seen at'East-
wood station the same day.
At a special vestry meeting of the
Church of Ascension at Hamilton last
Tuesday ,night it was voted by 71 to 26
to reduce the salary of the rector, Rev.
E. P. Crawford, from $2,500 to $1 per
annum, provided he does not tender his
resignation at Easter, in which case he
will get a gratuity of $1,000. It is a
fight betweeh High and jeow church
tendencies.
Mr Joseph Schwemler, of Raleigh,
while tying up his cattle the'other even-
ing was struck in the ear by one of the
borne of a cow, which ruptured ri vessel
at the base of the brain. 'His wife and
daughter subsequently found him ,dead
in the stable. Deceased was about
fifty years of age. Well known and
highly respected. He had never known
a day's sickness in Iris life.
A. L. Graham, who made quite a
dash in Toronto, a few months ago and
then disap eared with such
P sudden
rapidity, has been identified as A. L.
Gardiner, an official of Warren county,
Ohio, who skipped out from there with
$63,000. After spending the greater
portion of it he returned to Ol1io and
gave himself up. A few days ago he
was sentenced to eighteen years im-
prisonment and at the same time fined
$126,000.
Mrs Birchall was brought before Po-
lice Magistrate Hill at Niagara Falls on
Wednesday. Detective Murray and
Crown Attorney Raymond, of Welland,
were present. Neither of them had any
evidence against Mrs Birchall, and the
Magistrate discharged her. She will
go to • Woodstock in the morning with
her solicitor, Mrs Hellmuth, and there
appear before a magistrate and no doubt
will be bound over in her own recogniz-
ance to appear when wanted and will
then return here.
Three sudden deaths in Chathamand
vicinity occurred last week, The first
was on Tuesday, when a young colored
man named Branton, employed by Dr.
Flening, took ill at his work and died in
a few minutes, Then Mr Jos. Schwem-
ler, a farmer, living south of the town,
while fastening up a cow was struck on
the ear by a stick attached to her horns
and almost instantly expired. The
third case was that of Mr Benjamin
Evans, who took a sudden relapse of la
grippe and in a few moments was a
corpse.
At the convention of Center Groy
Liberals in Markdate, last week, a re-
solution was passed warmly indorsing
the general policy of the Ontario Gov-
ernment, and declaring "drat while the
honorable leader of the Reform party
in Ontario has proved himself for seven-
teen years a faithful custodian of our
rights, iris Government has always
dole out equal justice to every individ-
ual, irrespective of creed or race, and
we regard the Government of the Hon.
Oliver Mowat as the true exponent of
equal rights.'^ j . - o
The Farmers' Alliance, which has
the most powerful farmers' organization
that Kansas has ever known, has ad-
dressed an open letter •to the Kansas
delegation in Congress calling their
attention to the alarming condition of
the agricultural interests of this State
and demanding legislation for their re-
lief. A single law firm in one -city in
South Kansas now has the contract for
the foreclosure of 1,800 mortgages. The
foreclosure of these mortgages is in ac-
cordance with a preconceived purpose
to gain possession of these farms and
people them with moreservile tenantry
imported frons foreign lands.
The reply of the Prince of Wales'
private secretary to the rumors that
the Prince and Princess contemplated
visiting America this year for the ben-
efit of their health was as follows;
"There is not a word of truth in the
statement, though I feel sure that the
Prince and Princess of Wales world
much enjoy a visit to Canada and New.
foundland. With reference to the al-
lusion to their royal highnesses' health,
I may mention that they were never
butter in their lives." That seems to
settle the rumors which Canadians
would be glad to know were tree, as far
as a visit to this Dominion is concerned.
(
NEWS NOTES,
A prominent Toronto alergymar�,
makes out Canada's drinit bill to bo-. .
about $25,000,000, Brother Jonathan's
$900,000,000, Britain's $050,000,000..
Jailer Cameron. of Woodatook, states
that there are about twenty people a.t
present in jail there over sixty years of
age, and that ten or twelve of these are
tottering on the brink of the grave,
their expotanoy of life being one year
or less.
Miss Nellie Conbraugh, a servant girl
in Hamilton, acting through her law-
yer, has had a writ issued against Gor-
don B. Rittenberg, of Abingdon, who is
a student in a college here, claiming
$1,000 damages for breach of promise
of marriage. Rittegberg was married
to Miss Jennie O'Leary, of Toronto,
last week. .
Things are certainly unequally dis-
tributed in this world. A dispatoh from
St. John asserts that in the northern
part of New Brunswick the lumbermen
are Doming out of the woods because
the snow is seven feet deep and work is
unprofitable. In the south and in Nova
Scotia they are forced out of the woods
because there is no snow. It seems as
though the Northern New Bruuswick-
ere had their share of snow and ours
too.
Rev. Dr. Kilroy, ofStratford,preach-
ed at St. Michael's Cathedral, Toronto,
on Sunday. In course of his remarks
he gave an illustration of the progress
of Catholicism in Ontario, the fact that
forty-two years ago there was but one
church between Quebec and Sarnia,
while to -day there are two arch -bishops,
forty-two suffragan bishops, with four
hundred and twenty-one priests attend-
ing to the spiritual wants of Catholics.
In opening the criminal assizes at
Toronto Judge MacMahon dealt at
some length with the law of libel, with
special reference to the charge of crim-
inal libel brought by the Mail against
David Creighton, manager of the
Empire, regarding the annexation art-
icles. The judge held that in relatian
to r charge of this nature a newspaper
had a perfect right to advocate annex-
ation or independence. But if it did
so it might do so boldly and fearlessly.
When it did so, it was open to criticism
but the criticism •must be founded on
fact. If in this case the charges of the
defendant were not founded on fact
then the plaintiffs had been wronged.
As to the libel, that was for the jury to
decide.
tell) Aduertionneuts.
URSE GI1LL.—WANTED, A YOUNG
1 girl to act as nurse and assist in house-
work. Apply to NEW EltA OFFICE:
HOUSE TO LET.—SIX ROOMS, NEXT
door to Miss Mounteastle's studio. Pos-
session ou 4th April, Apply to MISS E.
MOUNTCASTLE. 2i
r�0 LET.—AT A LOW RENTAL, THAT
lair beneath a d comt ortab a dwellingrabove,
recently occupied by A. Angus, Grocer, situ-
ate on the east side of Albert street, next
door to Robertson's Dry Gods store. For
terms or to view the premises, apply to
HARLAND 13008., Hardware Merchants.
Clinton, March 21. 2m.
Ladies.
Before doing your spring sewing get a
White Sewing Machine, the only maenine
that was awarded the Gold Medal at Paris
for the best family sewing machine there,
All kinds of heavy, plain or fancy arrasene
or silkwork can be done on the White. Rec-
ommended by the Columbia Casitt Co , who
use500 machines. J. H. WORSELL, Agent.
To Tavern & Shop Keepers.
NOTICE is boroby given that Applications
for Licenses for the sale of ()Liquor. in
the License District of West Huron for the
License year 1890-91 will be received by-kke,
undersigned upto Tuesday,Apri1 1, inclusive.
Applicants must furnish the names of two
good and sufifcient sureties as bondsmen at
the time of making the application. Any
applicant for a nem license must furnish a
certificate signed by a majority of the elec-
tors entitled to vote at elections for the
Legislative Assembly in the Polling Sub-
division in which the premises sought to be
lm st nclude tuleast onethirdaofmthesaid
electors, who are at the time of such appli-
cation, residents within the said Polling
Sub -di i
v sion.
W. J. Paisley, Inepecter, Clinton.
Administrator's Notice.
Pursuant to sec. 96, R. S. 0., Chapter 110,
notice is hereby ggiven that all creditors and
others havingclaimsagainstHenry Tewsley .
late of the Town of Clinton, in the county of
Huron, butcher, who departed this life on or
about the 5th day of March, 1890, are request-
ed to send by post,prepaid addressed to the
undersigned, at Clinton, Ontario,on or be-
fore the 19th day of April, 1890, a statement
of their names and addresses, with full par•
titulars of their claims, and the securities,
if any, held by them; and that, after the
day last aforesaid, the administrator of the
estate of the said Henry Tewsley will pro-
ceed to distribute the assets of the said de-
ceased among the parties entitled thereto,
regard being had only to the claims of which
notice shall have been given as above re -
be liable for the as ets ori antyr part tthlr of,
to any person or persons of whose claim o _
claims notice shall not have been received
by him at the time of such distribution.
Dated at Clinton, this 18th day of March,
1890. ROBT. FITZSIMONS, Administrator:
MORTGAGE SALE OF
FARM PROPERTY.
IN THE
TOWNSHIP OF HULLETT,
Under and by virtue of a power of Sale con-
tain( d in a certain mortgage (which mort-
gage will be produced on day of sale) there
will be sold by Public Auction, by David
Dickinson, Auctioneer, at the
Itattenbur House, Clinton,
dt the hour of Two o'clock, p. m., on
SATURDAY, APRIL 19th, 1smt+),
Tho following lands and premises, viz:—Lot
number Eighteen, in the Fourth Concession
of the Township of Hutiett, in the County
of Hurori, containing ono hundred acres,
morn or less. This property is situateabobt
:11 miles from Clinton, There is erected on
it a good hank barn. There are 22 acres
sown with fall wheat. The other land suit-
able for cropping has 1)0011 fall plowed. Im-
mediate possession can bo given.
TERMS.—Ton per cont of the purchase
nmoney on the day of sate, and the balance
in 90 days thereafter, without interest. The
purchaser will bo required, on day of sale, to
sign an agreement for completion of pur-
chase. Further terms and conditions made
known on day of sale, or upon application to
the undersi red.
D, DICKINSON, MANNING its SCOTT,
Auctioneer Vendor's Solicitors
Manitoba Excursions
i,
W:
The special Manitoba Excursion will'
leave Clinton on Tuesday, March
25th, at 11.46 a.nr. For tickets
and Berths in Sleeper, Baggage Check-
ed through, apply to
W. JACKSON,
^� G. T. R. AGENT.
GO W HST i
C.P.H.
To MANITOBA, NORTH-.
W1' 4T or BRITISH
('OL.UMBIA.
Buy your' Ueltels and get full information
from the authorized agoht,
COOPER & CO'S BOOK Ste E
----NOW AGENT FOR—.
C$LINTiON,