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Date: 1866-07-17
By: Province of Canada (Parliament)
Citation: Province of Canada, Parliament, Scrapbook Debates, 8th Parl, 5th Sess, 1866 at 49.
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LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, July 17^th, 1866.

On the order for the consideration of the report of the Special Committee upon the poundage charged by the Sheriffs being called,

Hon. Mr. Campbell said he hoped his hon. friend (Boulton) would not press for the adoption of said report. Thef acts alleged would receive the attention of the Government, as fully as if the report were concurred in, and the proper means would be taken to repress the wrongs complained of. But it would be evident to his hon. friend that the adoption of the report by the House, would in effect, be the passing a grave censure upon public officers occupying important trusts, without having heard them in their defence, and certainly if it were proper to censure, it was equally proper to allow the parties a hearing before it was done. He concurred to a great extent in the views expressed by the report, but at the same time he could not give his consent to have it formally adopted, without first giving the parties an opportunity of explaining their conduct.

Hon. Mr. Boulton said he had no other objects in view than procuring the redress of a great wrong, which was extensively complained of, and which he had been urgently requested to bring to the attention of Parliament. He was glad that the Hon. Commissioner of Crown Lands so far concurred with him in opinion; it was very clear that something was needed to be done in the matter. The late Sir H. LaFontaine had found it necessary to alter the law of Lower Canada in this respect, and he could wish that that of Upper Canada, were assimilated to it. (Hear, hear.)

However, after the assurance of the Hon. Commissioner of Crown Lands, that a remedy would be applied, he would move that the consideration of the report be deferred until the 7^th of August.

Hon. Mr. Vidal thought that there was a point which should not be overlooked, and it was the neglect or refusal of some of the Sheriffs to obey the injunction of the House. This was, he considered, a piece of very great disrespect, and those who had committed it should be informed that a reptition of such an offence should call for their immediate dismissal.

Hon. Mr. Fergusson Blair inquired as to the manner in which the Sheriffs had been required to furnish returns.

Hon. Mr. Boulton said an address had been voted by the House to His Excellency asking for them, and the Provincial Secretary had written to the parties in the usual way.

The motion for postponement was then put and carried.

Quite a large amount of business was done at this sitting, which we have not room for today, but which we shall endeavor to give to-morrow.

The House adjourned at 6 o’clock.