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Date: 1870-03-23
By: Assiniboia (Legislative Assembly)
Citation: Manitoba, Reconstituted Debates of the Legislative Assembly of Assiniboia, 1870, 2010 at 21-22.
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Legislative Assembly of Assiniboia

Legislative Assembly Chamber, Upper Fort Garry

Wednesday, March 23, 1870

The President took the chair at four o’clock P.M., and, having officially announced the appointment of Mr. W. Coldwell as Clerk of the Assembly, proceeded to address the House, offering certain suggestions to hon. members, in order to facilitate the business of the Session.

In the course of his remarks, he said — We have endeavored to do much that the people wish, and to show them that we are acting for them. Now I would suggest, as a means of further completing the work so happily begun, that a committee be appointed in order to frame a Constitution such as is necessary under the present condition of affairs, and that they have all the time necessary for bringing their deliberations to a successful issue. It might be, perhaps, as well to re-appoint the old committee which sat on this question (hear, hear).

Obviously, by our present course of drafting a Constitution in Committee in the forenoon and discussing it in the House in the afternoon, we are committing a mistake (hear, hear). It is a matter of too serious an import to be disposed of in this manner (cheers).

Hence I make the suggestion to refer this whole subject to a committee to sit during the recess. At present our duty would seem to be, to pass such laws, or orders, as may tend to secure that which is principally endangered among the people, viz., order (cheers).

To secure this some provision for the due administration of Justice, is required at our hands (cheers).

This being done, and committees having been struck to consider the important questions which we cannot finally dispose of this session, our labors might for the present end, and the House might be prorogued to meet again every month (cheers).

When the House was not sitting, hon. gentlemen might take the trouble to find out the wants and wishes of the people in their respective districts; and these would, I have no doubt, receive the best consideration of all the representatives (cheers).

Hon. Mr. Bird, seconded by Hon. Mr. O’Donoghue, moved, that in order to have more time for deliberation to draw up a Constitution creditable to this Hon. House,— and suitable in every way to the wants and requirements of the people of Assiniboia — that the present committee on the Constitution be empowered to continue, and not report until the next sitting of this House, and that they then report upon their deliberations.

On the suggestion of Hon. Mr. Bunn, the word “session” was substituted for

“sitting,” in the resolution, which was then put and carried unanimously.

Hon. Mr. Bird moved that the sixth resolution prepared by the Committee on the Constitution be now read by the Clerk of the House.

The President ruled the motion out of order, on the ground that the Committee had not reported the resolution in question, and that the resolution just passed by the House empowered that Committee not to report till the next Session of the Legislature.

Hon. Mr. Bannatyne then brought forward the following resolution:— I would desire to call attention to the death of Mr. Thos. Sinclair of St. Andrew’s, who filled the offices of Post Master, Justice of the Peace and President of the Petty Court in that district. The deceased was a gentleman highly respected; and I would now respectfully suggest to the Executive that his son, Mr. Thos. Sinclair, junior,— a member of this Legislature — be appointed Post Master in his father’s place.

Hon. Mr. Tait seconded the resolution.

Hon. Mr. Bunn made this further suggestion, by way of amendment,— That Mr. Thos. Sinclair junior, be appointed to all the public offices held by his deceased father.

The amendment was not seconded.

After debate, Hon. Mr. Bannatyne withdrew his motion, on the ground that the making of such appointments pertained wholly to the Executive.

On motion of Hon. Mr. Bird, seconded by Hon. Mr. Gunn, the House adjourned at a quarter to seven P.M. to meet again at ten o’clock next morning.