IO53
Ontario Liberal Association
Ontario
UNIVERSITY
CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
OTSTTJLRIO .
TIHIE
OF THE
MOWAT GOVERNMENT
22 YEARS
OF
PROGRESSIVE LEGISLATION
HONEST ADMINISTRATION
187^-189-4.
Copies of this Pamphlet can be had by Liberal Candidates from
Alexander Smith, Secretary Ontario Liberal Association,
Toronto.
PRINTED BY HUNTER, ROSE & CO.
1894.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
LEGISLATION . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 34
Private Bills 3
Public Bills 3
PARLIAMENTARY INSTITUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9 24
LAWS RELATING TO LABOR . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-35
Attorney-General's Department . . . . . . . . . . . . 36-44
Department of Public Works . . . . . . . . . . . . 45-50
Department of Crown Lands . . . . . . . . . . . . 51-79
Provincial Treasurer's Department . . . . . . . . . . 80-94
Provincial Secretary's Department . . . . . . . . . . 95-108
Department of Agriculture . . . . . . . . . . 109-128
Department of Education.. .. .. .. .. .. 329-173
MISCELLANEOUS :
"Facts for Irish Electors," in 1883 174-170
Appointments .. .. .. .. .. .. 177-182
Financial Schedule, Showing Distribution of Public Funds
(Addenda) . . 184
INDEX.
or
THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT
TWENTY-TWO YEARS OF PROGRESSIVE LIBERAL LEGIS-
LATION AND ADMINISTRATION.
At the close of twenty- two years of its administration of the
Government of Ontario, the Liberal party again appeals to the
people for a further renewal of confidence. During these twenty-
two years their policy has been subjected to the scrutiny of an ac-
tive and aggresive Opposition and to the criticism of a vigorous
press ; the electors of the Province at five general elections have
shown their approval of that policy in unmistakable terms, and,
as required by the constitution, they are now to be asked their
opinion for the sixth time. To maintain the confidence of the
country for so long a period of time might be taken as a conclu-
sive proof that the policy of the Liberal party was honest, pro-
gressive and economical, and that its administration of public af-
fairs was efficient and capable. Evidence to satisfy the most crit-
ical with regard to these matters will be found in the following
pages.
1212864
2 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
While it is important that a political party should have a well-
defined policy and should carry that policy out in the public
interest, it is scarcely less important that the leader of a party
should be a man of the highest integrity and moral worth. In
this respect, the Liberal party has been peculiarly favored. Its
leader, Sir Oliver Mowat, has shown unexampled capacity for pub-
lic business, unsurpassed knowledge of constitutional law, and a
rare appreciation of the extent to which the public interests could
be promoted by timely and judicious legislation. In his public
career he has combined with the highest statesmanship, the purest
citizenship — the characteristics of a legislator. He has guarded
provincial rights against encroachment by the Federal power. He
has expended public moneys solely for the public good ; and, with
a steadfastness which even his opponents appreciate, he has pro-
moted legislation for the diffusion of Education, the suppression
of immorality, and the enlargement of the privileges of citizenship.
No leader ever appealed to the people with a stronger claim for
the renewal of its confidence.
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 3
LEGISLATION.
Private Bills.
All acts of Parliament are divided into two classes, " Public "
and " Private," and it will be convenient to consider the latter
first. It is difficult to draw any sharp line of distinction between
these classes, because all statutes have more or less to do with
the definition of public rights. The Legislative Assembly of On-
tario treats all Bills as " Private," which grant to any party or
parties the right to erect bridges; to make tnrnpike roads or rail-
roads ; to construct harbors, canals, locks, dams, slides, and simi-
lar works ; to run ferries ; to form joint stock companies ; or
generally, to exercise any exclusive or peculiar privileges what-
ever, or to do anything that would affect the rights or property
of other parties. With respect to this kind of legislation, Mr.
Bourinot, in his " Parliamentary Procedure and Practice," makes
the following remarks :
•' In a country like Canada, with its immense extent of territory, and var-
ied material resources, private bill legislation^ must necessarily form a very
important part of the work of the Parliament and the Legislatures of the
Dominion. One of the advantages of the federal union has been the distri-
bution amongst several legislative bodies of an immense amount of work
that otherwise would have embarrassed a single legislature. * * * Since
1867 the Dominion Parliament has passed more than 1,400 Acts, of which
650 have been for private objects in the parliamentary sense of the term,
that is to say, for the incorporation of railway, land, insurance, and other
companies and bodies, many of which illustrate the development of the
country from a material, intellectual, and social point of view. During the
same period the Legislatures of the Provinces of Canada have passed between
6,000 and 7,000, of which upwards of two-thirds relate to local or private
objects. These figures show not only the legislative activity of Canada, but
the value of local or provincial freedom of action in all matters that necessar-
ily and properly fall within the constitutional functions of the several Legis-
latures."
The above figures included the legislation of 1884. In the
ten years since that period the number of private bills passed
by all the Legislatures has very greatly increased — the total
number passed by the Ontario Parliament up to the present time
being nearly 1,700.
Public Bills.
Public bills are intended to have " a public and general oper-
ation ; " they " concern the whole community though only in a
particular matter." Some of them are introduced into the Legisla-
4 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
tive Assembly by Ministers of the Crown, and for these the Min-
istry are, of course, directly and collectively responsible ; they are
indirectly but no less fully responsible for such public bills, intro-
duced by private members, as they allow to pass into law. As
there is only one Chamber in the Ontario Legislature it is an ab-
solute necessity, in order to ensure sound legislation, that the
Ministry at whose instance, or under whose auspices, all Public
Statutes are passed, should be collectively possessed of great legal,
business, and parliamentary experience. The character of the
public general Acts passed siuce 1872 is the best evidence that
these qualities have throughout its long regime characterized the
Mowat administration, and that all public measures have been
subjected during their passage through Parliament to the most
careful and skilful scrutiny.
PARLIAMENTARY INSTITUTIONS.
Under the authority of the British North American Act the
Ontario Legislature may make any change it pleases in the Con-
stitution of the Province, " except as regards the office of .the
Lieu tenant- Governor." This power it- has from time to time
freely exercised, and the changes made have been steadily in the
direction of popular government, but have been at the same time
so well considered that the current of progress has always been
smooth. A political revolution has taken place, but so quietly
thai only close observers are in a position to estimate accurately
the extent of the changes that have been effected. These changes
relate (1) to the constitution, powers arid privileges of the Legis-
lative Assembly, and (2) to the representation of the people in
Parliament.
Qualification of Electors.
Prior to the General Election of 1871, which brought the Lib-
eral party into power, the right to vote at Parliamentary Elec-
tions was confined to owners, tenants or occupants of real proper-
ty to the value of $400 in cities, $300 in towns, and $200 in
townships and incorporated villages. The franchise was a purely
property franchise.
In the year 1874, an Act was passed extending the right of
voting to persons earning an income of not less than $400.
In 1887 the franchise was extended to farmers' sons, not them-
selves owners of property and not in receipt of income, but, resi-
(!i nt 011 a father's farm.
It will be ol 'served from the foregoing that this Liberal Gov-
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 5
eminent were as rapidly as possible approaching the principle of
" Manhood suffrage,1' which would confer the suffrage on all
male subjects of Her Majesty the Queen, who had arrived at the
age of manhood, unless legally disqualified or prohibited, irre-
spective of property or income qualification. They followed
their liberal legislation in this direction, in 1888, by the intro-
duction of an Act for that purpose, which was passed, and is now
the law of the land. This grand measure is entitled, "A n Act
to establish Manhood Suffrage for the Legislative Assembly;"
and its simple enactments remove all bar to the exercise of the
franchise, on the easy terms set forth in its provisions.
It was thus reserved for this Government to show its good
faith in its own acts of legislation and administration, and its
confidence in the judgment of the greatly enlarged constituency
which it invited to pronounce upon them. It followed this meas-
ure in the succeeding year by a new Voters' List Act, which
will be referred to under the next heading, and by the Franchise
Assessment Act of 1889, both of which were supplementary
to the •' Manhood Suffrage Act," and intended to supply the
means, as to registration, etc., for the carrying out of its provis-
ions. No British subject, 21 years old, thus, needs hereafter be
deprived of a vote in elections for this Assembly.
Registration of Electors.
Prior to the General Election of 1871, under the former Gov-
ernment, the system of registering voters was very defective.
The clerk of each municipality was bound by an Act passed
in 1868, to prepare each year a list of persons entitled to vote,
as shown by the assessment roll, but the checks upon the perpe-
tration of frauds by either the assessors or the clerks were very
inadequate.
In 1874 an Act was passed which required the clerk to
print 200 copies of his list and give them due publicity.
In 1876 an Act was passed amending and consolidating the
law respecting voters' lists, and repealing all previous enactments
prescribing the method of registering voters.
In 1878 an Act was passed making the voters' list, as
revised by the County Judge, " final and conclusive evidence " of
the right to vote except in certain specified cases, the object
being to lessen the cost of conducting a scrutiny of the votes
polled in a contested election.
In 1879 an Act was passed giving the County Judge addi-
tional powers in the revision of the lists, and especially author- «
6 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
izing him to correct mistakes without application having been
previously made for that purpose, and to do this occording to the
evidence submitted to him.
The great extension of the electoral franchise which took place
in 1885 made necessary certain changes in the method of regis-
tering voters, and these were embodied in the "Voters' Lists
Amendment Act " of that year, special care being taken to guard
the rights of " wage-earners " and " landholders' sons." The Act
requires the assessor to enter the names of persons coming under
these descriptions " without any request in that behalf," and
authorizes " any person " who is himself a voter to apply for the
insertion of any wage-earner's or landholder's son's name in the
voters' list.
In 1889 there was passed " The Ontario Voters' List Act, 1889,"
which provided the method of preparing and revising the lists,
and registering the names of voters, in conformity with the Man-
hood Suffrage Act, passed the year before.
In cities, however, it was found that the large number of voters
added by the Manhood Suffrage Act, made it impracticable to
have the lists of persons entitled to vote at elections to the
Legislative Assembly and who are not also municipal electors, pre-
pared by the municipal authorities. The great expense incurred
in the publication of these lists, and the impossibility of check-
ing the names inserted by the assessors, and the facility which
this gave for the perpetration of frauds, showed conclusively that
if an honest vote was to be secured, some other system must be
adopted. The young men, and it is of them that this class largely
consists, advocated registration as a remedy for these evils. The
Government feeling that the obtaining of a pure vote was essen-
tial to the interests of good government, submitted to the House
at the late Session a bill for registration of this class of electors
upon their personal application at sittings held for this purpose,
accompanied with stringent provisions for the prevention of per-
sonation. It could hardly have been anticipated that a bill such
as this would have been opposed by any one wishing to secure the
true verdict of the electorate, and yet the opposition contested
almost every provision with a persistent virulence that they
have never before displayed.
Manner of Conducting Elections.
Previous to the General Election of 1871, the law required the
deputy-returning officer to record the votes given for each candi-
date at his polling-place, the voter stating publicly for whom he
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 7
voted. This system gave rise to great abuses, more especially
bribery and intimidation, and it was also a frequent cause of dis-
orderly conduct at polling-places.
By an Act passed in 1874, the system of voting by ballot was
introduced and passed by this Government, not only securing to
each voter the privilege of secrecy, but effectively suppressing all
the excitement and disorder caused by the publication from time
to time on polling day, of the state of the poll.
Attacks were made on the Ballot Act, by the Opposition, in
1890, on the ground that it did not secure the secrecy desired or
intended. An amending measure, proposing to provide for this
alleged lack in the old one, was moved by a prominent member
of the Opposition. It was shown, however, in reply, that this
system, which is the same as that in use in England, is as secret
as any in the world ; and that under the proposed amendment
ballot-stuffing and personation could be resorted to without de-
tection, whereas under the present system such crimes would be
certain to be discovered and rectified by the proceedings in a
scrutiny of votes. The charge that there had been cases of dis-
covery of how votes had been cast, excepting in cases of scrutiny,
was absolutely unfounded. Every official is sworn to secrecy ; and
the ballots, as soon as counted, are sealed up, and returned to the
proper officer of the Crown, who is also sworn, unless they be re-
quired by an Election Court, to preserve them inviolate. The
only possible way in which a vote could be discovered is by a
deputy -returning officer remembering the registration counterfoil
number of a voter, and watching, at the count, for the correspond-
ing ballot. No man can possibly recollect the numbers in this
way during the performance of his duties at the polls, and keep
track of the corresponding numbers, and note the way in which
the ballots were marked while counting the votes. In any
case, even if he could remember one or two in this way, he is
sworn to secrecy, and any act of perjury in revealing what he
might discover would be severely punished under the law. The
Act has been in operation for fifteen years, and no case of a dis-
closure of a vote has ever been complained of.
The restrictions just referred to were made still more effective
in the session of 1890, by the Act to amend the Election Act as
to Secrecy of Voting. In addition to the stringent forms of oaths
to be taken by every official connected with the polling or hand-
ling the ballots, pro vision is made for the posting, at every polling
place, of printed notifications warning the public of the strin-
gency of these regulations.
8 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
In reply to the contention'of the Opposition that the House of
Commons Ballot Act furnishes a form of absolute secrecy in vot-
ing, the opinion expressed by the Hon. Mr. Chapleau, Secretary of
State in the Dominion Parliament, is worthy of consideration :
" Mr. Chapleau said, . . . The hon. member for West Durham (Mr.
Blake) has stated that there were doubts as to the absolute secrecy of the
votes given under the prest nt system. I have no doubt that if the people
wish to know how others have voted, they can finfl out, in a great many cases,
especially with regard to those who have not sufficient education to take
their papers and give their votes themselves. If there be connivance be-
tween the voter and the election agent, the voter may, by making his cross
in a certain way, show the agent that he has voted according to his promises.
I found in nay experience that an agent could tell by looking at their ballots
whether certain voters had carried out their promises I had
the misfortune at one time of being obliged to ask for the conviction of two
or three of my fellow countrymen in a case in the cr'minal court in which I
was acting as counsel, for having stuffed a ballot box, and by this means
changed the result of the election I must say that the present
•ystem does not give absolute secrecy and security to the voter." — Hansard,
page 2621, 1890.
The following may be quoted on this subject from the Toronto
Telegram of March 7th, — a paper certainly not actuated in its
opinion by friendliness to the Ontario Government: —
" As it stands, the Ontario ballot act is an improvement upon the systems
that govern Dominion and Municipal elections. The provision for number-
ing ballots is is argued enables partisan officials to trace the choice of the
voter. The Attorney- General guards against this offence by placing deputy-
returning officers under obligation to respect the secrecy of the ballot. Oaths
do not always bind excited partisans. The men who are bad enough to seek
to identify the voter by the number on his ballot paper are qualified to profit
by the opportunities which the Dominion and Municipal systems offer for
spoiling ballots and stuffing ballot-boxes.
" It is out of the fulness of bitter experience that our faith in the super-
iority of the Ontario system is speaking. The numbered ballot provides a
way by which bad votes can be judicially subtracted from the total of a
candidate who wins by fraud. When the ballots are not numbered the votes
of dead men, of absentees, of repeaters, pass at their face value and cheat the
choice of an honest majority out of his rights.
Disputed Elections.
The election law provides that an election return may be dis-
puted on technical grounds, if the conditions prescribed have not
been properly observed. The tendency of the legislation respect-
ing elections during the past eighteen years, has been to lessen
the chance of an election being declared void in this way, provided
there is good reason to believe that the member-elect is the choice
of the people.
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 9
The system of trying election petitions by the Superior Court
judges, came into force before 1871, but it has since that time been
greatly improved. An Act passed in 1876 provides that when
the petition alleges corrupt practices it shall be tried by two judges,
who must agree in their finding before any person can be declared
guilty of a corrupt practice. It provides also that a candidate,
when the judges have reason to believe that an act, corrupt in
law, has been committed in excusable ignorance, shall not be sub-
ject to the penalty of disqualification. And it further provides,
that an election shall not be declared void on account of corrupt
practices, unless there is good reason to believe that they were
carried on to an extent sufficient to affect the result of the elec-
tion. These provisions are calculated to make the system of
trying petitions more equitable to candidates who endeavor to
conduct election contests according to law, and to prevent electors
from being put unnecessarily to the cost and trouble of a new
choice.
The Election Law Amendment Act of 1884 makes further
provision in the same direction. It provides that election trials
shall be continued from day to day until completed ; that when
polling at any place has been interfered with by a " riot or other
emergency " on the day appointed, it shall be resumed on the day
following, and continued from day to day, if necessary, until the
poll has been kept open the ordinary length of time ; and that
" it is the policy of the election law " that no election shall be
declared void for any irregularity on the part of the returning
officer, unless it appears that the irregularity affects the result of
the election.
Concurrently with the legislation intended to improve the
election law in the ways above indicated, there has been legisla-
tion of an increasingly stringent character against " corrupt prac-
tices "at elections.
In 1873 it was enacted, by way of supplement to previous
definitions, that " corrupt practices shall mean bribery, treating
and undue influence, or any of such offences, as defined by this, or
any Act of this Legislature, or recognized by the common law of
the Parliament of England."
Still more stringent prohibitions were enacted in 1876 and in
1884, in the latter case making betting on the result of an election
a corrupt practice, and also the furnishing of money for betting
purposes. The immediate occasion of this latter enactment was
the prevalence of betting in the West Middlesex election shortly
before, and the failure of the Election Court to disqualify the
10 THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT.
Conservative member-elect, though the betting was done with
his money.
Redistribution of Seats.
As the centre of population changes within the Province, it
becomes necessary from time to time to readjust the representa-
tion, and occasionally to increase it. The membership of the
Legislative Assembly was fixed by the British North America
Act at 82, each member representing a separate electoral district.
The first change in the distribution of seats for the House of
Commons was made by the Dominion Parliament in 1872, and
for the Legislative Assembly by the Provincial Legislature in
187±, the membership of the latter being increased to 88, each
member still representing a separate electoral district. The
general aim of the Representation Act of 1874 was to take in to
account the rapid increase in the population of the western part
of the Province. The county of Huron was divided into three
districts, instead of two ; the district of Both well was abolished
and two members each were given to Lambton, Essex and Kent ;
a new district (since made a county) of Dufferin was created out
of parts of Simcoe, Grey, Wellington, and the district of Card-
well ; to Grey and Simcoe were assigned three members each,
instead of two ; a new district was created under the title of
" Muskoka and Parry Sound." The district of Niagara was
abolished, the territory included in it being re-incorporated with
the Count}' of Lincoln. In this way eight new constituencies
were created, and two old ones abolished, making a net increase
of six in the membership of the Assembly. The Act made a
number of minor changes in other districts with a view to making
them more nearly equal in population, subject always to the
general principle that county municipal boundaries should be
preserved. The most captious critic cannot possibly find fault
with the principle under which these changes were made. The
increase in the representation could not be effected without such
changes in old boundaries ; but all the efforts of professional op-
position Jailed to show any injustice, or any distortion of ridings
as to geographical convenience or population. The extreme fair-
ness, indeed, with which this redistribution was carried out might
easily be shown by reference to the census and election returns,
but it is sufficient to state that at the following general election
(that of 1875), the new constituencies added to the relative
strength of the Conservative Opposition, instead of taking away
from it.
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 11
The Act of 1885.
In 1885, eleven years after this increase of the representation
to 88, and after the increase of Ontario. Representation in the
Dominion Parliament which followed the census of 1881, the
membership of the Assembly was still farther increased to 90.
In making this addition a further slight re-arrangement was ef-
fected, all the changes being in the direction of the equalizing of
the population, and the more equal distribution of the representa-
tion. The following is a synopsis of the changes made at that
time : —
Algoma, divided into two ridings.
Bruce, divided into three ridings, instead of two.
Leeds and Grenville, allowed one member each, instead of three
members for the two together.
Parry Sound district, separated from Muskoka, and created an
electoral district.
Cornwall town and township, re-incorporated with the County of
Stormont for electoral purposes.
Toronto, allowed three members instead of two, the contiguous
town of Parkdale, now part of the city, being added for
electoral purposes.
The three ridings of Simcoe, re-arranged, and named East, Centre,
and West.
The two ridings of Victoria, re-arranged, and named East and
West.
Minor changes in the three ridings of Wellington, and the name
of the Centre riding changed to the East riding.
Similar changes in the three ridings of Grey, the former East
riding becoming the Centre riding.
Minor changes without any changes of name, in the two ridings
of Brant, the district of Brockville, the district of Cardwell,
the county of Dufferin, the county of Peel, the district of
Kingston, the county of Frontenac, the county of Addington
the two ridings of Elgin, the East and West ridings of York,
the two ridings of Essex, the two ridings of Ontario, the
East and West ridings of Huron, the district of London, and
the two ridings of Perth.
The ridings of Cornwall and Leeds and Grenville, thus modified,
were the two smallest in population of those in the older
parts of Ontario, the former having a population of but 9,904,
and the latter of but 12,929.
12 THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT,
Effect of the Changes.
The aim of these various changes, as of those made by the Act
of 1874, was to adjust the representation more accurately and equit-
ably to the population, in so far as could be done without disturb-
ing county municipal boundaries. Some of the changes made had
for their object a fuller recognition of those boundaries in locali-
ties where municipal re-adj ustments had already taken place, as,
for instance, the transfer of the township of East Luther from
Centre Wellington to Dufferin. Collectively they improved the
electoral map of the Province, and removed a number of anomal-
ies caused by movements that had, during the past thirty years,
taken place in its population.
In the re-adjustment of 1874, the single-member-district sys-
tem was adhered to throughout. In the re-adjustment of 1885, a
principle new to this country was introduced. Toronto and Park-
dale were together allowed three members, but each elector was
by the Act limited to two votes. In the words of the Act (section
10, sub-section 4) : " At a contested election for the electoral dis-
trict of said city, no person shall vote for more than two candi-
dates." This method of choosing Parliamentary representatives by
means of what are called " three-cornered constituencies," which
admits the principle of minority representation, was in use in
England from 1867 to 1885. It was introduced by the Conser-
vative Disraeli Government,- the author of the clause embodying
it being the late Lord Chancellor Cairns. It was abolished by
the Franchise and Redistribution Act of 1885, but by no means
unanimously, a large number of the more independent members
of the House of Commons, without reference to party lines, being
strongly in favour of retaining this feature of the electoral system,
and even extending its application. So strong was this feeling
that Mr. Leonard Courtney resigned his seat in the Ministry
rather than give up what he regarded as an important and useful
electoral principle. By way of experiment the single-member-
district plan has been made practically universal in Great Britain
and Ireland, the large districts, with more than one member each,
being for the most part abolished, as well as those known as
" three cornered," on account of the limtation placed on the elector
with respect to the number of votes he can cast. At a time when
the advocates of "minority representations," were earnestly press-
ing their views in every country provided with representative in-
stitutions, there was much to be said in favour of trying the ex-
periment on a limited scale in Ontario, and the opportunity for
THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT.
13
doing this was afforded by the new " three-cornered constituency"
of Toronto.
Increases In Population.
The population of the Province had, between the census of 1871
and that of 1881, increased from 1,620,834 to 1,923,228, a net
increase of 302,394.
The increase in the population of the counties immediately
affected by the Redistribution Bill between 1871 and 1881, was
175,799, or more than half of the entire increase throughout the
Province. Some of the increases were as follows :
Bruce 16,804
Simcoe 18,437
Huron more than 16,000
Perth do 16,000
Essex do 14,000
York and Toronto more than 37,000
Algoma more than 15,000
Grey more than 13,000
It may certainly be fairly argued that if such large and impor-
tant counties as Bruce, Simcoe, and others, were entitled to two
representatives after the census of 1871, they were entitled to an
extra member each after that of 1881, when their population had
increased by nearly 20,000 each. And the same remark applies
to the city of Toronto and the county of York, which latter re-
tains its three members after the withdrawal of Parkdale.
Table of Results.
The following table shows the increases of population in the
affected constituencies in the ten years ending 1881, with the
additions to their representation under the present Act : —
Old Electoral iJivisions and Population. ' Neic Electoral Divisions iL- Population.
ALGOMA.*
1871
... 5 007
ALGOMA.
1881 20,320
Divided into 2 Divisions, Algoma \V. & AlRonia E.
BRUCE.
South Brace
. . 39 803
BRUCE.
South Bruce 23,394
North Bruce
... 25 536
North do 20,196
Centre do 21,628
CORNWALL.
Cornwall
9,904
CORNWALL.
Stormont (including Cornwall) 23,198
Stormont
. ..13.294
* A census was taken of Port Arthur on its becoming a town in 1884, under the
authority of the Council. The population was returned at about G COO, an increase of
4,725 over 1881.
14
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
Old Electoral Divisions and Population
New Electoral Division*
& Population
LEEDS, GRENVILLE AND BROCKVILLE.
South Leeds 18 325
LEEDS, GRENVILLE, AND
Leeds
BROCKVILLE.
°0 759
Leeda and Grenville
...12,929
Grenville
22 741
Greuville
...13,526
Brockville
17 724
Brockville
...16,395
SiMCOE, CARD WELL AND
PEKL.
....26,120
SIMCOE, CAR DWELL AND PEEL.
West Simcoe 90134.
East Simcoe
. ..24,118
East Simcoe...
20 382
South Simcoe
...17,355
Centre Simcoe
17 407
Card well
...17,993
Card well
22 357
Peel
...16,387
Peel
21.097
BRANT.
South Brant
...21,975
BRANT.
South Brant
...19 084
North Brant
...11,894
North Brant
14,785
DUFFERIN.
Dnfferin
..20,536
DUFFERIN.
Dufferin
..22,086
ADDINGTON, FKONTENAC AND KINGSTON.
Addington 23.470
ADDINGTON, FRONTENAC AND KINGSTON.
Addiugton IK 605
Frontenac . .
....14,993
Fi ontenac
16 385
Kingston
...14,091
Kingston
19,564
WELLINGTON.
West Wellington.
....24,978
WELLINGTON
West Wellington
18892
. . 19,640
...20,279
Centre do
16 385
South do
South do
22,237
GREY.
East Grey
23 781
GREY.
East Grey
24 522
North Grey
25 631
North Grey
... 21 488
South Grey
...21,127
South Grey
24.529
ELGIN.
East. Elgin
27 473
ELGIN.
East Elgin
19,848
West do
....14,888
West do
22,580
YORK.
East York
...23 312
YORK.
East York
...15 996
West do
...18,884
West do
15.742
ESSEX.
North Essex
. . 25,659
ESSEX.
North Essex
23,657
South do
..21,303
South do
23 307
ONTARIO.
North Ontario
28 434
ONTARIO.
North Ontario
20 917
South do
..20,378
South do
27,895
VICTORIA.
South Victoria
.. .20,81:;
VICTORIA.
South Victoria
18 289
North do
...13,790
North do
16323
LONDON AND MIDDLESEX.
London City ... 19 74ii
LONDON AND MIDDLESEX.
London City . .23 <536
Middlesex East . .
..30.600
Middlesex East. .
..26,710
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
15
Old Electoral Dirlxio-HS and Population
New Electoral Divisions & Population
PERTH.
North Perth 32,915
PERTH.
North Perth
29 560
South do 20,778
South do
...24,133
DISTRICT OF
Muskoka and Parry Sound. . . .
DISTRICTS OF
Muskoka
Parry Sound
The Dominion and Ontario Redistribution Bills Compared.
It is a favorite retort with supporters of the Opposition to
declare what they are pleased to term the " Gerrymander" in On-
tario, above referred to, as objectionable as that of which their
own friends in the Dominion were guilty in 1882. A few con-
siderations will show whether this tu quoque argument can hold.
The Dominion Government, in framing the Redistribution Bill
of 1882, practically abolished, wherever it was thought in their
interest to do so, county municipalities. They obliterated county
boundaries; threw sections of two, three or four counties, having
no interests in common, together for electoral purposes ; and so
cut and carved up the political map of Canada as to make it un-
recognizable. Three ends only being kept particularly in view :
The one that of legislating their principal opponents out of Par-
liament : the second that of concentrating the Liberal majorities
of different adjoining counties into one riding with an over-
whelming Liberal majority, thus wasting hundreds of Liberal
votes ; and the third that of making all other ridings, that is, the
large majority — by the elimination of Liberal townships, Tory,
with well-assured majorities.
The Ontario Government, in framing their measure of 1884,
on the other hand, kept five points in view : — First, to increase
the aggregate membership as little as possible ; second, in no case
to break down county boundaries ; third, not to divide townships
or other municipalities ; fourth, always to move in the direction
of equalizing the population where changes were made ; fifth, not
to aim at destroying the seats held by members of the Opposition.
Upon this latter point but two members were placed in a minor-
ity— Mr. Ermatinger, the member for East Elgin, by the change
of St. Thomas from the East to the West Riding, and Col. Grey,
of West York, who was placed in a minority of but three votes,
while in every case the change proceeded in the direction of
equalization or approximating toward the unit of representation,
or average population of the constituencies, namely, 21,366.
16 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
The Dominion Gerrymander Act of 1882.
Examine the contrast to this policy exhibited by the Tory
Government of the Dominion. Equalization of the population of
the constituencies was the alleged reason for the breaking down
the well-defined county boundaries, and for carving up the con-
stituencies in such a remarkable manner. The object desired was,
as claimed, of equalizing the Constituencies.
Take a few examples of how the constituencies were equal-
ized :
The unit of representation in the whole province for Dominion
purposes was 20,905. Out of 92 constituencies there are 31 under
the average of 20,905.
26 under 19,000
22 under 18,000
14 under 17,000
9 under 10,000
5 under 15,000
3 under x. 14,000
1 of ] 2,423
There are also :
11 over 21,000
9 over ". 22,000
G over 23,000
4 over 24,000
7 over 25,000
5 over 26,000
2 over 27,000
1 over 28,000
Look at a few examples of the constituency in carrying out
the alleged object :
South Oxford.
South Oxford, before the Gerrymander, had a population of
24,732 ; after, 24,778 ; or an increase of but 46. This represents,
upon the estimate of one vote for seven persons, an increase of
but seven votes in the South Riding. It was, besides, left with
a population 3,873 greater than the average or unit of representa-
tion. In order to accomplish this, the boundaries of three count-
ies were broken down ; the town of Tilsonburg and the township of
Dereham, situate in Oxford, were detached from South Oxford
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 17
and tacked on to North Norfolk, and the townships of Burford
and Oakland were taken from South Brant and added to South
Oxford. Why all of this overthrowing for an increase of only 7
votes !
North Oxford.
The boundaries of three counties were broken in order to fix
up this constituency, making a change in population as between
the old and new of only 977, or 139 votes. It was left with a
population of 3,479 above the average.
South Wellington.
The boundaries of no fewer than three counties were broken
in re-arranging this constituency, by which a population of only
901 was added, equal to a voting power of 128.
Haldimand.
The population of Haldimand was, under the old arrangement,
below the average. Instead of it being levelled up, it was de-
creased 959, and left 2,243 below the average. This was the way
equalization went oh.
Many more instances might be given.
Here are a few further illustrations of another character,
showing how the alleged Tory " equalization " was accomplished.
The figures show the populations after the gerrymander : (the
average for each constituency being 20,905.)
1. North Leeds & Grenville . . 12,423, or 8,482 below the average.
2. South Grenville , 13,526, or 7,397 "
3. Brockville 15,107, or 5,798 "
4 Frontenac 14,993, or 5,912 ft
5. Kingston 14,091, or 6,814 "
6. West Peterboro' 13,310, or 7,595 "
7. & 8. Ottawa, 27,412 ) or 7,199 "
Two members, 13,706 each, } each
9. South Went worth. ....... 15,539, or 5,366 "
10. Monck , 15,940, or 4,965 "
There are many others far below the average.
As further showing the fraudulent pretence under which the
Bill was supported, many constituencies were left with a popula-
tion far in excess of the average. Below are a few examples :
B
18 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
Kent 29,194, or 8,289 in excess of the average.
EastSimcoe 27,183, or 6,278
Centre Wellington.26,816, or 5,911
Welland 26,152, or 5,247
North Perth 26,538, or 5,633
North Simcoe 20,1 20, or '5,21 5
North Huron 26, 098, or 5,193
North Wellington...26,024, or 5,119
A chapter pointing out the ridiculous shapes into which many
of the constituencies were thrown by this well devised process of
cutting and carving might be of interest in closing this descrip-
tion ; but it will be considered sufficiently proved by the fore-
going facts that the aim of the Gerrymander was not so much to
" equalize the population " as to " hive the Grits," in order, in all
future elections, to secure their defeat.
THE REDISTRIBUTION ACT OF 1892.
In 1892 the Dominion Government submitted to the House of
Commons a measure dealing with representatives in its House.
The principal features of the Bill related to the district of Mont-
real, when the knife of the political carver was used in creating
constitutiencies, the grotesque geographical outlines of which
were beyond description. While claiming that the object of the
proposed legislation was to equalize the voting strength of the
population, the most cursory observation revealed the fact that
a political advantage was being sought in the most unfair man-
ner. The County of Ottawa, with a population of 64,056, was
divided into two ridings — the north, with a population of 17,329,
and the south, with a population of 46,727! Other particulars
might be given as to the effect of the Bill in the several Prov-
inces interested, but it is probably sufficient to say that Mr. Mc-
Carthy, the Conservative M.P. for North Simcoe, not only entered
a solemn protest against the proposals of the Bill, but proposed
an amendment, condemning the gross abuse of political power
proposed by the obliteration of county boundaries for the purpose
of securing a party advantage, regardless of the honorable con-
siderations which ought to determine the settlement of the repre-
sentatives of the people in the House of Commons.
THE MOWAT TiOVERXMEN'T. 1 •/
MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS.
Municipal institutions form one of the most interesting and im-
portant features of our system of self-government. They were
for a long time after their first introduction into Upper Canada
somewhat crude in form, and many Statutes amending the muni-
cipal law were passed by successive Parliaments before Confeder-
ation. Between 1862 and 1871, not a session of the Ontario-
Legislature passed without additional important changes being
made. The necessity of bringing the law within the comprehen-
sion of the mass of the people made it imperative that the Muni-
cipal Act and the various amending Statutes should, sooner or
later, be consolidated, and the Mowat Administration lost no time-
in beginning the work. The task was a most laborious and
intricate one, but it was successfully performed under the personal
direction of the late Hon. Adam Crooks. Order was brought out
of confusion ; more than 1,000 sections were reduced to about half
the number ; dead law was eliminated, and what was left was
classified and reduced to the form of a simple and intelligible
code.
In 1872 an Act was passed of a very stringent kind to prevent
corrupt practices at municipal elections. In 1874 an Act was
passed introducing the method of voting by ballot at municipal
elections, and in the following session the same method was made
applicable to voting on such municipal by-laws as are required to
be submitted to the people. In 1877 an Act was passed apply-
ing to the preparation and revision of the voters' list for munici-
pal elections, and the method of preparing and revising the voters'
lists for parliamentary elections, which had been embodied in the
Voters' List Act of 1874 and 1876. These three measures have
done much towards preventing the irregularities formerly so com-
mon, and securing a full and fair expression of public opinion in
relation to municipal affairs.
A complete list of important amendments made to the munici-
pal law since 1872, in addition to those above referred to, would
be a very long one, including, among others :
The extension of the municipal system, with suitable modifi-
cations, to the districts of Muskoka, Parry Sound, Nipis-
sing, Rainy River and Algoma.
Handing over the management of the police department of
cities to commissioners.
20 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
Numerous changes in the law respecting water- courses, line
fences, bridges and public highways.
More effective regulation of market fees, and of the sale t)f pro-
duce generally.
Provision for the erection of court-houses, and of houses of
refuge.
Provision for the better protection of both municipalities and
their creditors in the issue and purchase of debentures.
Improved method of equalizing assessments.
Provision of better facilities for carrying on drainage opwa
tions.
The introduction of the system of paying for street improve-
ments on the local improvement plan.
Provision for the better regulation of nuisances, and also for
dealing more effectively with other matters affecting the
health or comfort of the community at large.
Extending the municipal franchise to unmarried women and
widows.
Election of Mayors of cities and towns by popular vote.
The consolidation of the assessment law.
Limitation of exemptions from municipal taxation.
Extension of municipal franchise to income voters.
Fixing the qualification of Mayors, Reeves and Councillors.
Provisions for abstract, and statements of municipal receipts
and expenditures.
Ordering returns to Bureau of Industries.
Authority for acquiring land for parks.
Provisions for erection of weighing machines ; for regulating
sale of tobacco ; for construction of sewers and water-
works ; for removal of obstructions in rivers, etc.
During the year 1888, the amendments to the Municipal
Law included provisions respecting separations of counties;
qualifications of members of council in villages and townships ;
publishing assets and liabilities ; bonusing manufactories ; estab-
lishing industrial farms and inebriate asylums ; licensing transient
traders ; regulating portable steam engines ; removing obstruc-
tions in rivers and streams; aiding railways; acquiring water
rights, etc. (51 Viet., Chap. 28.)
And in the following yea,r, 1889, they made provision for ap-
pointment of arbitrators in certain cases ; restriction of livery
stables ; maintenance of inmates of houses of refuge ; aid to rifle
associations ; aiding bands of music ; contracting for gas or electric
lights ; fees and costs of valuations and awards ; appointments of
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 21
night watchmen ; straightening of streams ; assessments for parks
and squares ; aiding bridge companies ; jurisdiction of county
judges respecting municipal elections, etc. (52 Viet., Chap. 28.)
Recent Legislation of a Municipal Character.
During the past few years, many important measures have been
passed, which advantageously affect the general interests. A few
of these may be referred to : —
(1) In 1888, an important measure was passed for the preven-
tion of accidents and loss of life, by fire in hotels and other public
buildings. This provides for the erection and firm attachment of
an iron ladder or stairway, outside of each hotel or building, and
connecting with every floor above the first. It also provides for
a rope fire-escape in every chamber, and for the posting of notices
concerning such ladder and fire-escapes, with instructions as to use.
(2) In 1889 an act was passed to facilitate the purchase and
abolition of toll roads by municipalities. This measure provides
for the appointment of commissioners, their selection of roads,
examination of books and records, preparation and registration of
maps, valuation and report. It also sets forth the mode of pro-
cedure, as to passing of by-law, award as to price, raising of money,
the taking over of the roads and the abolition of tolls; also for the
maintenance of such roads as free roads hereafter.
Houses of Refuge.
(3) In the session of 1800, an Act was passed respecting
the establishment of Houses of Refuge, and providing for muni-
cipal aid, inspection and report. It also provides for municipal
aid to such houses which may be already in existence.
This is a further illustration of this Government's policy of re-
turning the public money to the people who own it. The provis-
ion is for provincial assistance to counties in their local charitable
institutions. . The measure provides for the payment of a sum not
exceeding $4,000 to any county, or union of counties, which may
acquire not less than fifty acres of land for an industrial farm,
and erect thereon buildings suitable for a house of industry or
house of refuge for the aged, infirm, and poor of the locality. The
Act permits the joining of such municipalities, when contiguous,
for the establishment of a larger institution, in which case the same
amount is to be paid to each ; and includes in its provisions those
municipalities in which such institutions already exist. All such
establishments are to be subject to Provincial inspection.
22 THE MOWAT (JOVKRN.MENT.
Exemptions.
(4) In the same session, an Act was passed amending the
Assessment Law as to exemptions, by providing that lands con-
nected with churches shall be liable to assessment for local im-
provements hereafte'r made ; that the incomes and dwellings of
clergymen shall be assessed for all municipal purposes ; fchat col-
leges and seminaries shall be assessed for local improvements
hereafter made ; and that a business tax may be substituted by
municipal councils for the taxes on a mercantile business ; this
substitution to apply to so much of the personal property as be-
longs to the business, provided it do not exceed 7 J per cent, of
the annual value of the premises in which the business is con-
ducted.
•Since the year 1890, the municipal and assessment law amend-
ments, provide, among many other things, —
For lowering the municipal franchise in townships, villages and
small towns.
For securing a more efficient audit of municipal accounts.
For facilitating the work of arbitrators and lessening the ex-
pense thereof.
For the further extension of the local improvement clauses to
townships in certain cases.
For abolishing the rights of municipalities to grant bonuses to
manufacturers.
For enabling municipalities to grant aid to mining schools and
establishing schools for artisans.
For the preservation intact of the moneys collected for a sinking
fund, and imposing liability on councillors for diverting
such fund.
That a local improvement tax not due, shall not be a breach of
covenant against non-incumbrances.
For facilitating the proof of documents in possession of muni-
cipal clerks upon trials at law.
For making it plain that a ratepayer may vote on money by-
laws in each ward where he has the necessary property
qualification.
For enabling any person interested in a by-law, to apply to
quash it.
For enabling the chief constables of cities or towns or the in-
spectors in charge of police stations, to discharge persons
arrested for being drunk and not disorderly, for a first or
THK MOW AT (iOVKUNMKiNT. 23
second offence, without the exposure and expense of a
trial before a magistrate.
For requiring municipalities jointly liable for the repairs of a
road to contribute where damages are sustained, according
to their responsibility.
In Matter* of Assessment.
For the appointment of special courts of revision in large cities.
For the exemption of farm lands in towns and villages from
assessment for certain local purposes.
For the exemption of tenant farmers' sons from statute labor.
For the reduction of the statute labor or poll tax in cities,
towns, and villages from $2 to $1.
For reducing the statute labor of persons not assessed in town-
ships from two days to one.
For the exemption from assessment of personal earnings to the
extent of $700, and further.
That a clergyman's salary shall be assessed where he lives.
That courts of revision may in determining the value of assessed
land have reference to the value at which similar land
in the vicinity is assessed.
That the notice of assessment sent by the assessors shall, in
localities where there are Separate Schools, contain the
following: — "You are assessed as a Separate School sup-
porter," or " you are assessed as a Public School supporter,"
according as the fact is.
That when a person who has been assessed the preceding year
as a Public School supporter is being assessed as a Sepa-
rate School supporter or vice versa, a special notice, written
or printed, shall be given by the assessor that such change
is being made.
That the assessor shall make an annual census of all the child-
ren in the municipality between the ages of 5 and 25 years.
Both the Municipal and Assessment Acts were consolidated
and amended in 1892 under the supervision and direction of
Hon. A. S. Hardy, who carried the measures through the House.
24 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
LAWS RELATING TO LABOR.
Mechanics' Lien.
The Mechanics' Lien Act of 1873 was passed soon after this
Government assumed office, and was intended to protect mechan-
ics, machinists, builders, miners and contractors from loss on ac-
count of labor or material furnished in the erection of buildings
or the construction of machinery. The Act not merely recognizes
the new form of liability, but provides the means for establishing
and enforcing claims arising under it. The original Statute has
been several times amended, with a view to make it more simple
and perfect in its working, two of the most important amend-
ments being contained in the following section of the Act of 1882:
"The lien given by the preceding Section (i.e., one for thirty days' wages,
without prejudice to any other lien the labourer may have under the lien
Act), shall operate, notwithstanding any agreement between the owner and
contractor for excluding a lien, and notwithstanding that the labor is in re-
spect of a building, erection, or mine which belongs to the wife of the person
at whose instance the work is done."
The next section of the Act provides that the lien for wages
shall, to a certain amount, have priority over all other liens, and
over any claim by the owner against the contractor on account of
failure to complete his contract. In 1886, the Legislature
amended the Land Titles Act of 1885, for the purpose of protect-
ing persons entitled to liens against land brought under the Tor-
rens system of registration.
In 1890, an Act was passed to simplify procedure for enforcing
Mechanics' Liens. One clause provides that " without issuing a
writ of summons or taking any other preliminary proceedings, the
plaintiff may file a statement of claim in the office of a master or
official referee having jurisdiction in the county wherein the
lands are situate." It is also provided, that "any number of lien-
holders may join in one action." The ruling, or certificate of the
master or official referee, when filed in the proper office, shall be-
come a judgment of the High Court when the sum is $400 or
over; of the County Court, when less than 8400 but over $100.
and of the Division Court when the sum is less than $100. The
fees payable for entering such certificates as a judgment, are as
follows: In the High Court, $1.60 in the County Court, 80 cents;
in the Division Court, 50 cents.
An Act to further facilitate the enforcement of the just rights
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 25
of wage-earners and sub-contractors, enacted in 1893, provides
that " every device by any owner or contractor, which shall be
adopted in order to defeat the priority of wage-earners for their
wages under the several Acts relating to Mechanics' liens, shall,
as respects such wage-earners, be null and void." Another section
provides, that " in the case of wages due to any mechanic, laborer
or other person, in respect of work referred to in the 4th section
of The Mechanics' Lien Act, the jurisdiction of a police magistrate
in a city under the Act respecting Master and Servant, shall ex-
tend to wages for thirty days, or for a balance equal to the wages
for thirty days, though the same or the balance thereof exceed
the sum of $40 in the said section mentioned." It is also provid-
ed that "where no specific rate of wages has been expressly agreed
to between the parties, the city police magistrate aforesaid, may
order payment of the wages, reckoning the amount thereof
according to the current rate of wages in the city, in like cases, or
according to what may appear to be a just and reasonable allow-
ance," and "any order of a city police magistrate for the payment
of such wages as aforesaid, shall be payable forthwith." '
Employers' Liability.
For years past in England 'an Act of Parliament has been in
force which makes employers liable, under certain circumstances,
for injuries to their employees. That Act was, at the instance of
the House of Lords, limited in its operation to five years, but it
has given such general satisfaction that it will, undoubtedly, be
made permanent, as indicated in legislation now being considered
by the British House of Commons, and will probably at the same
time be given a wider application. In the session of 1886, an
Act was passed by the Ontario Legislature to secure compensa-
tion to workmen in certain cases for personal injuries caused (1)
by defective machinery or works ; (2) by negligence of fellow em-
ployees entrusted with the duty of superintendence ; (3) by con-
forming to the orders of fellow employees placed in authority : (4 )
by the operation of the employer's regulations, or (5) by the ne-
gligence of railway signal-rnen. The different kinds of defects
that make a railway company liable are specified, and the
maximum amount of compensation is fixed at three years' earn-
ings. Contracting out of the liability is not allowed, except when
there is some other consideration than being taken into employ-
ment, which consideration must be, in the opinion of the Court
trying an action, " ample and adequate," and on the side of the
workman not "improvident." but "just and reasonable." This
26 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
Act provides a simple method of enforcing claims arising under it.
An amendment in 1887 applied the provisions of the Act to
railway companies and employers who had established provident
and insurance societies for their men, even though the workmen
injured had not connected themselves with such societies.
A further amendment in 1889 makes the employer for whom
the work is done, as well as the contractor, liable for injuries
received by the workmen, — it being provided, however, that
double compensation shall not be recoverable for the same injury.
This amendment also provides that even if the workman was
aware of the defect or negligence which caused his injury, he
should not therefore be deemed to have voluntarily incurred the
risk of being injured.
At the session of 1892 all the Acts just referred to were con-
solidated into one.
In the session of 1893, this Act was still further amended by
repealing sub-section 3 of section of the Act of the year be-
fore, and substituting therefor : (3) " Workman does not include
a domestic or menial servant, or servant in husbandry, gardening,
or fruit-growing, where the personal injury caused to any such
servant has been occasioned by or has arisen from or in the usual
course of his work or employment, as a domestic or menial
servant, or as a servant in husbandry, gardening or fruit-growing,
but, save as aforesaid, means any railway servant, and any person
who, being a laborer, servant, journeyman, artificer, handicrafts-
man, hired, or otherwise engaged in manual labor, whether under
the age of twenty-one years or above that age, has entered into
or works under a contract with an employer, whether the contract
be made before or after the passing of this Act, be expressed or
implied, oral or in writing, and be a contract of service or a con-
tract personally to execute any work or labor."
The Factories Act.
" An Act for the Protection of Persons employed in Factories '
was passed in 1884. It contained a proviso that it should not
come into force until proclamation should be made by the
Lieutenant- Governor, the object being to secure, either by con-
current Dominion legislation, or by a decision of the Supreme
Court, that the validity of the law would not be disputed. All
etforts to induce the Dominion Government to aid in removing
the uncertainty having failed, the necessary proclamation was
issued in October, 1886, and the " Ontario Factories Act, 1884,"
became law. It provides, among other things, (1) that the em-
THE MOWAT ( ',( )VEIiXM KNT. 'It
ployment in a factory of a child, a young girl, or a woman, in
such a way that the health is likely to be permanently injured,
shall be an offence punishable by imprisonment or fine ; (2) that
no boy under twelve, and no girl under fourteen, shall be em-
ployed in any factory, and that children under fourteen and
women shall not be emplo37ed more than ten hours a day, or
sixty hours a week ; (3) that women and children shall not be
allowed to clean machinery, while it is in motion ; (4) that work-
ing extra hours in a time of emergency shall be done only with
the consent of the Inspector under the Act ; (5) that factories
shall be kept in proper sanitary condition ; (6) that machinery,
and other sources of danger to employees shall be properly
guarded ; (7) that each factory shall be supplied with the means
of extinguishing fires, and also with fire-escapes if the building
is a high one ; and (8) that the inspector shall be notified promptly
when loss of life results to employees through fire or accident.
The Act clothes the Inspector with the powers necessary to
enable him to discharge his duties efficiently, and provides a
simple means of enforcing its provisions. Appended to it is a
schedule containing a list of the different kinds of factories that
come under its operation, and it is provided that the Lieutenant-
Governor in Council may add to, or take away from, that list by
proclamation in the Ontario Gazette. The putting of this admir-
able measure into operation places the factory laborers of
Ontario in as good a position in the matter of protection as is
enjoyed by such laborers in any country in the world.
In 1887, an Amendment was passed, providing that boys under
12 and girls under 14 might be employed in the summer months
in gathering and preparation of fruit or vegetables for canning
purposes, — such preparation not to involve cooking, and to be done
in a different room.
An Act analagous in its provisions to the Factory Act was
passed in 1888, which gave power to Municipal councils, on appli-
cation of three-fourths of the employers in any class of shops, to
pass by-laws for the closing of all such shops at the hours men-
tioned in the application. This has the effect of shortening the
hours during which children and young persons may be confined
in such shops. It also ordered that seats be provided for female
employees ; also, that no young person should be employed in or
about any shop longer than 7 hours, including meal hours, in any
one week, cor longer than 1 hour including meal hours, on any
Saturday, — notice to this effect to be posted up in the shop. This
provision not to apply in cases in which the employees are mem-
28 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
bers of the families of the employers. This Act was amended in
certain of its provisions in 1889.
In 1889 an amendment to the Factories Act made several new
and most important changes, governing and for the protection of
young persons engaged in factories, gave a detailed list of lines of
business to which the Act applied, and, most important of all,
sub-section 2 of section 3 of this Act of 1889 declares that "Sec-
tion 2 of the principal Act is hereby amended by omitting there-
from the words ' provided that where not more than twenty per-
sons are employed in any place coining within the foregoing defi-
nition of a factory,' and inserting instead thereof the words
' provided that where not more than five persons are employed in
any place coming within the foregoing definition of a factory.'"
The Railway Accidents Act.
In 1881 the Legislative Assembly appointed a special committee
to enquire into the causes of the loss of life from accidents on
railways. Much valuable information was taken, and many of the
most useful suggestions offered \\rere the following year em-
bodied in an Act " To make Provision for the Safety of Railway
Employees and the Public." The preamble to that Act is as
follows : —
"Whereas frequent accidents to railway servants and others are occasioned
by the neglect of Railway Companies to provide a fair and reasonable measure
of protection against their occurrence ; and whereas a proper construction of
railway bridges, and certain precautions in the construction and maintenance
of railway frogs, wing-rails, guard-rails, and freight cars would greatly lessen,
if not entirely prevent, the happening of such accidents."
The Act goes on to specify the improvementa which railway
companies are required to make in their bridges, tracks and freight
cars ; and in the event of accidents to their employees caused by
failure to do so, the latter are placed in as good a position, with
respect to the right of compensation, as if they had not been in
the company's employ. In other words, the great principle em-
bodied in the Act securing compensation for injuries is anticipated
by this provision of the Railway Accidents Act, just as the princi-
ple that railway companies and factory proprietors should be
compelled to make proper provision for the safety of the public
was anticipated by the Act of 1874, which requires the owners
of machines properly to guard those parts likely to cause injury
to persons coming in contact with them.
NOTE. — In connection with the Railways Accidents Act, credit-
able to the Ontario Government both in intent and enactment, it
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 29
may not be unimportant to observe that the House of Commons
of Canada, in 1888, enacted that " The Intercolonial Railway, the
Grand Trunk Railway, the North Shore Railway, the Northern
Railway, the Hamilton and Northwestern Railway, the Canada
Southern Railway, the Great Western Railway, the Credit Valley
Railway, the Ontario and Quebec Railway, and the Canadian
Pacific Railway, are hereby declared to be works for the general
advantage of Canada, and each and every branch line or railway
now or hereafter connecting with or crossing the said lines of
railway or any of them, is a work for the general advantage of
Canada."
Work and Wages.
In 1873 two Acts were passed, one intended to facilitate
agreements between masters and workmen for participation in
profits ; the other intended to facilitate the adjustment of disputes
between masters and workmen. With reference to these two
measures, and the Mechanics' Lien Act passed in the same session,
the Hon. Attorney-General Mowat made the following remarks in
a speech delivered in Toronto on the 8th of January, 1879 :
"We have passed laws securing to mechanics, laborers, and others, a lien
for their pay on the property on which their labor is expended or their
materials used, so far as this seemed practicable without prejudice to persons
not concerned in the transaction. We have passed laws in the interest of
masters and workmen, for facilitating agreements between them for sharing
the profits of the business in which they may be engaged. The object of
that law is of great importance to the working classes. It is by such means
that their status is to be raised. Those who have given attention to this sub-
ject seem to be unaware of any method by which so large an amount of good
can be looked for to the great mass of our working population as some meth-
od which may enable them somehow to share the profits of the business in
which they are employed. In framing these laws we had the advantage of
what had been done elsewhere, and we have placed on the Statute book the
best laws that the example or experience of other places enabled us to devise.
" We have also passed a law to facilitate, by means of a machinery found
useful elsewhere, the amicable settlement of disputes between employers and
employed. "
Industrial Disputes.
Sir Oliver Mowat, still continuing on the line indicated in his
Toronto speech of January, 1879, during the session of the
Ontario Legislature just closed, introduced and had passed into
law, "An Act respecting Councils of Conciliation and Arbitration,
for settling industrial disputes." This is admittedly the most im-
portant Statute to-day, among the laws of either Ontario or the
Dominion, containing among its provisions the best of those to be
30 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
'found in measures of like character in the United Kingdom, New
South Wales, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and in France. The
preamble to this law declares that "there is reason to believe that
the establishment of Councils of Conciliation and Arbitration for
the friendly settlement of disputes between employers and em-
ployees would conduce to the cultivation and maintenance of
better relations and more active sympathies between employers
and their employees, and would be of benefit in the public interest
by providing simple methods for the prevention of strikes and
lock-outs, from which industrial operations and the welfare of
the country generally may suffer injury."
In this Act, the word "employer" means any person or body of
persons, incorporated or unincorporated, employing not less than
ten workmen in the same business in which the trade dispute has
arisen ; the word " employee " means any person in the employ-
ment of an employer, as defined by this Act.
A claim or dispute under this Act shall include any of the
matters following as to which there is a disagreement between
any employer and his employees :
(1) The price to be paid for work done, or in course of being
done, whether such disagreement shall have arisen with respect
to wages, or to the hours or times of working ;
(2) Damage alleged to have been done to work, delay in finish-
ing the same, not finishing the same in a good and workmanlike
manner, or according to agreement*; or a dispute respecting
materials supplied to employees and alleged to be bad, or unfit,
or unsuitable ; Id. (2).
(3) The price to be paid for mining any mineral or substance
mined, or obtained by mining, hewing, quarrying or other process;
or the allowances, if any, to be made for bands, refuse, faults, or
other causes whereby the mining of the mineral substance is
impeded; Id. (3).
(4) The performance or non-performance of any stipulation or
matter alleged to have been in an agreement, whether in writing
or not ; Id. (4).
(5) Insufficient or unwholesome food supplied to employees
where there is an agreement to victual them, or to supply them
with provisions or stores of any kind ; Id. (5).
(6) Ill-ventilated or dangerous workings or places in mines, or
unwholesome or insanitary rooms or other places of accommoda-
tion, in which work is being performed, or want of necessary
conveniences in connection with such rooms or places ; Id. (6).
(7) The dismissal or employment under agreement of any em-
ployee or number of employees ; (Id. (8).
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 31
(8) The dismissal of an employee or employees for their con-
nection with any trade or labor organization; Id. (9).
(9) No claim or dispute shall be the subject of conciliation or
arbitration under this Act in any case in which the employees
affected by such claim or dispute shall be fewer in number than
ten. N. S. W., s. 24 ; B. C. s. 28.*
A Council of Conciliation for the purposes of any dispute or
claim, shall consist of four conciliators, two to be nomniated by
each of the parties to the dispute.
No claim or dispute shall be the subject of conciliation or arbi-
tration under this Act in any case in which the employees
affected by such claim or dispute shall be fewer in number than
ten.
A dispute or claim within the meaning of this Act may be
referred for settlement to a Council of Conciliation in the cases
following : —
The parties to the dispute or claim may jointly agree in the
prescribed manner, to refer such dispute or claim for settlement
to a Council of Conciliation.
Either party to the dispute or claim, may, in the prescribed
manner, lodge an application with the registrar requesting that
the dispute or claim be referred for settlement to a Council of
Conciliation.
There shall be a Council of Arbitration for the settlement of
disputes and claims by Award. Such Council shall consist of three
members, one to be appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor on the
recommendation of the employees, and one to be appointed by him
on the recommendation of the employers.
The following may be the method of ascertaining the recom-
mendation of employers and employees as to the persons to be
appointed on their recommendation respectively as members of
the Council of Arbitration :
(1) For the person to be recommended by the employers, every
employer in the Province having at least ten persons in his em-
ployment shall be entitled to one vote ; every organization in the
Province whether incorporated or unincorporated, representing the
interests of employers, each member of which has at least ten
persons in his employment, shall be entitled to one vote ; and
every board of trade in the Province, legally constituted, shall be
entitled to one vote.
(2) For the person to be recommended by employees as a mem-
ber of the Council of Arbitration, every trade and labor council,
every district assembly of the Knights of labor, every federated
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
council of building trades, every lawfully incorporated trade union,
every organization of wage-earners of an industrial calling primar-
ily constituted for, and actually and bona fide operated for, the
regulation of the wages and hours of labor as between employers
and employed, shall be entitled to one vote; but this shall not be
deemed to include co-operative associations or societies.
CO-OPERATION.
In 1880 an Act was passed for the relief of Co-operative Asso-
ciations, experience having shown that a relaxation of the former
law was necessary in two respects. This Statute increases the
maximum value of the shares any one member may hold from
$100 to $1,000, and authorizes associations to incur a debt, secured
by mortgage, for the purchase of business premises.
COLLECTING OF WAGES.
In 1885 an Act was passed which is of great importance as
affording valuable protection to workmen in respect of wages. It
provides that when a debtor makes an assignment of real or per-
sonal property for the general benefit of his creditors, an excep-
tion shall be made in favor of persons in his employment at, or im-
mediately before, the time of the assignment, who shall be paid in
full up to three months' wages or salary, and be entitled to take
rank as general creditors for the remainder of the amount due
them. A similar provision is made to apply to the distribution
of the assets of a company in process of liquidation under " The
Joint Stock Companies' Winding-up Act," and to the settlement
of claims under " The Creditors' Relief Act, 1880." The measure
applies to all wage-earners, whether by the day, the week, the
piece, or otherwise.
No less valuable was an Act of 1889, providing that where pro-
ceedings under The Act respecting Master and Servant are taken
before a Police Magistrate, and payment of wages is ordered by
him to be made by the master or employer to the servant or labor-
er, and the same are not paid within the time limited by the
order, the same proceedings may be taken by the person claiming
the benefit of the order as may be taken by a party having an
unsatisfied judgment or order in a Division Court for the payment
of any debt, damages or costs as respects the examination of the
judgment debtor touching his estate and effects, the means he has
of discharging his liability, and the disposal he has made of any
property, and the Police Magistrate shall have the like power
and authority to enforce payment of the debt as are possessed by
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 33
the Division Court Judge in like cases. The Police Magistrate
may also, if he thinks fit, name in the order for payment of wages
such time, not exceeding 21 days, as to him may seem just and
reasonable for the payment of the same and costs, and in case of
non-payment within such time the complainant shall be entitled
to take forthwith the proceedings for enforcement provided by
the Act respecting master and servant, and this Act.
IMPORTED CONTRACT LABOR.
With a view to the protection of the Ontario laborer from the
oppressive competition of certain classes of foreigners, whom it is
the custom to bring into the coimtry under agreements which
virtually prevent them from being free agents in the disposal of
their services, the Legislature, in the session of 1886, enacted as
follows : —
"Any agreement or bargain, verbal or written, expressed or implied, which
may hereafter be made between any person, and any other person not a resi-
dent of Canada, for the performance of labor or service, or having reference
to the performance of labor or service by such other person in the Province
of Ontario, and made as aforesaid, previous to the migration or coming into
Canada of such other person whose labor or service is contracted for, shall be
void and of no effect as against the person only so migrating or coming."
This enactment leaves the imported foreign laborer, who comes
into Ontario on the strength of a previous agreement, free to
break his agreement after his arrival here if he sees fit to do so,
while if he chooses to observe the agreement on his part, he can
hold his employer to it also. The object of this legislation is to
discourage the practice of advancing money to foreign laborers
to pay their passage into this Province, by making it impossible
for the employer to recover the sum advanced if the employee
sees fit to break his engagement. No more effective means could
be devised.
SALARIES AND WAGES.
Another Statute that calls for notice in this connection is one
passed in 1874, which enacts that the wages or salary due to a
laborer, mechanic, or servant, shall not be liable to seizure, or
attachment, or garnishment for debt, unless the sum due to him
exceeds $25, and then only for the amount of such excess. The ob-
ject in view is to prevent the wage-earner from being left entirely
penniless, a reasonable relief in view of all that the law has done
for other classes of debtors.
In 1891, the Woodman's Lien for Wages Act became law, and
un ler its provisions any person performing any labor, service or
c ,
34 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
services in connection with any logs or timber in the districts of
Algoma, Thunder Bay and Rainy River shall have a lien thereon
for the amount due for such labor, service or services, and the
same shall be deemed a first lien or charge on such logs or timber,
and shall have precedence of all other claims or liens thereon, ex-
cept any lien or charge which the Crown may have upon such logs
or timber.
Workmen Allowed Time, to Cast Their Votes.
" The Franchise and Representation Act of 1885 " confers the
right of voting on practically all wage-earners who are residents
fora sufficient time in one district, for the amount of wages which
entitles a man to be placed on the voters' list is only $250, and a
part of that may be in the form of board and lodging. To many
persons of this class, however, in cities and towns, where during
the whole of the hours of polling they are employed at a distance
from their voting places, polling their votes is a matter of loss and
difficulty. With a view to removing this obstacle, the Legisla-
ture in the session of 1886, enacted that " any voter entitled to
vote within a city or town, shall, on the day of polling, for the
purpose of voting, be entitled to absent himself from any service,
or employment," for the two hours between twelve and two in
the middle of the day, without making himself "liable to any pen-
alty, or to suffer or incur any reduction " of wages, provided that,
if his employer requires him to do so, he shall afterwards make
up for his absence by an hour of extra work.
REGISTRATION AND INCORPORATION.
In 1892 was passed " An Act respecting Insurance Corpora-
tions," and in which it is provided that " any lawfully incorpor-
ated Trades Union in Ontario, which, under the authority of the
Incorporating Act, has an insurance or benefit fund for the bene-
fit of its own members exclusively, shall upon due application for
registry hereunder, be entitled to be registered on the Friendly
Society Register."
At the last session (1894) of the Legislature, the Government
introduced, and had enacted into law, " An Act respecting Benefit
Societies " — to be read and construed as one with The Insurance
Act, 1892 — providing that upon like proceedings taken as enacted
in section 2 of the Act just mentioned, INCORPORATION, subject to
the same limitations, may be granted in either of the two follow-
ing cases :
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 35
(a) Where any trade or labor union or organization pro-
poses to undertake contracts with its own members
exclusively for any of the insurance benefits enumer-
ated in sub-section 2C of section 4 of The Insurance
Corporations Act, 189,3, or contracts to furnish tools,
or to pay unemployed or superannuation benefits to
the said members ;
(6) Where any organization of wage-earners, consisting of
not less than twenty-five members, and managed
and operated as a friendly society under rules con-
forming to The Insurance Corporations Act, 1892,
proposes to contract with its own members ex-
clusively for sick benefits not exceeding five dollars
per week and a funeral benefit of not more than one
hundred dollars, or either of such benefits.
(2) The body so incorporated may, upon due application, be
admitted to registry as a friendly society ; but, unless and
until so registered, the corporation shall not undertake, nor
agree or offer to undertake, any contract insuring the said or
other insurance benefits.
And, it may be added that the cost of incorporation is but $1,
and that of registration S3 — for both $4.
36 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT.
This has been presided over by Sir Oliver Mowat for twenty-
one years without interruption. Upon him personally has devolved
the duty of prosecuting the claim of the Province to the disputed
territory west and north, about half the Province, and to the land,
timber and minerals which it comprises. The struggle over the
Boundary Question, which is fully described on succeeding pages,
was made by Sir John Macdonald an expensive one for the Pro-
vince, and an onerous one for Sir Oliver Mowat. Apart from the
special duties devolving upon him as Premier, the Attorney Gen-
eral's labors were during that long period, arduous and continuous.
The following account of his Department will make this clear :
Law Reform.
This department of Legislation is under the persona] direction
and supervision of the Attorney- General of the Province, and as
that responsible office has been continuously filled by Sir Oliver
Mowat during the past twenty-one years, he is in a peculiar sense
entitled to whatever credit is due for improvements made in the
system' of administering justice. For originating and carrying
out reforms of this kind, the Attorney-General is pre-eminently
fitted, not merely by great natufal ability and an unusually long
and varied professional and parliamentary experience, but still
more bv a judicial cast of mind and a rare combination of pi'O-
gressiveness and caution. He was a prominent and active mem-
ber of the old Legislative Assembly long before Confederation,
and was at the same time in the enjoyment of a large practice at
the Bar. For seven years before assuming the Attorney-General's
portfolio, he occupied the position of Vice-Chancellor in the Court
of Chancery, and ever since he entered on his present office he
has been, by the discharge of his duties, made increasingly fami-
liar with the whole machinery of the administration of justice,
criminal as well as civil.
The extent, importance and beneficial character of the reforms
that have been effected in the law during his regime can be fully
appreciated only by a careful student of the whole Statute Law
ol the Province since 1872. He had laborious and extra duties
caused by the necessity of defending Ontario against attacks
made upon her territorial and legislative rights by the Govern-
ment of Sir John Macdonald. The chief burden of that defence
fell upon the Attoruey-General, and it was well for the Province
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 37
that it had so capable a defender. For a period of ten or twelve
years he was engaged in resisting unjust and unwarranted en-
croachments on Provincial rights in the liquor license case, the
rivers and streams case, the escheats case, the disputed territory
timber case, and, above all, the boundary case.
The obvious remark is that it would be a good policy to en-
trust this great department again to a jurist who has shown so
much capacity for conducting and improving it. The attacks
made on Provincial Rights he has succeeded in repelling. Not a
single case remains unfinished ; not a single case did he lose. Many
changes in the public law have been already noticed — those, for
instance, effected by the Mechanics' Lien Act, the Act conferring
the municipal franchise on women, the Acts modifying the par-
liamentary and municipal law, the Acts affecting the status of the
laboring classes, the A cts regulating the traffic in alcoholic liquors,
etc.
Administration of Justice.
The constitution and conduct of the Courts is not made a
ground of complaint. This fact, with an opposition anxious to
discover any points of defect in legislation or administration, cer-
tainly suggests the perfection of the service. The grand improve-
ments which have led to this satisfactory state of things have
nearly all been made since the present Government assumed office.
The tendency has been in the direction of greater simplicity and
less expense. The Division Courts Act and its amendments have
had a most beneficial effect in enlarging the powers of that Court,
in correcting its imperfections, and in wisely regulating its pro-
ceedings. The County and Superior Courts have also been vastly
improved by the legislation introduced by Attorney-General Mo wat.
The "Administration of Justice Acts" of 1873 and 187 4- introduced
the reforms which were destined to find their completion in the
Judicature Act of 1881. The last mentioned Act, founded on an Im-
perial Act much considered and now in force, was a marvel of legal
grasp and administrative wisdom. Its two great principles were
consolidation and simplification, and with the other legislation
referred to it completed the judical fabric of this Province — the
enlarged powers of the Division Courts relieving the County
Courts, and the enlarged powers of the County Courts relieving
the Superior Courts ; while the former various modes of procedure
of the Superior Courts were unified and consolidated, the Courts
of Common Law and Equity were made auxiliary to each other —
the old distinctions being abolished, and the jurisdictions of the
three " Divisions " of what was now constituted the Supreme
38 THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT.
Court of Judicature were made concurrent. The assiduity with
which the operations of the improved system is watched is
visible in the amendments which are promptly introduced as often
as called for ; and to-day, thanks to the wisdom and energy of the
Attorney-General of this Province, we have laws regulating pro-
cedure, real property, domestic relations, evidence before the
courts, creditors and insolvent debtors, trial by jury, insurance,
and a vast number of other subjects, which are second to those of
no other country in the world.
Revision of the Statutes. •
In the work of Revision, also, the greatest possible industry has
been displayed. This has had the effect of eliminating the repeal-
ed legislation, and of consolidating and arranging, under a most
excellent system of classification, that which remains in force.
The first Revision was completed in 1877, the code being published
in two volumes under the title of Revised Statutes of Ontario. A
subsequent revision brought the work down to 1887 — and the pro-
fession and the public have now the advantage of the consolida-
tion of all the laws of the Province to six years ago. This difficult
and successful business of consolidation and classification was con-
ducted, in both cases, under the direct supervision of Attorney-
General Mowat.
A dministrative Dut ies.
^ To this Department belongs the supervision of the administra-
tion of justice throughout the Province, including the investigation
of complaints made in respect to the conduct of magistrates, the
prosecution of criminals both for offences committed against the
laws of the Dominion and for those against the statutes of the
Province. These prosecutions at the Assizes are conducted by
counsel appointed by the Attorney-General, and at the General
Sessions and County Judges' Criminal Courts by the County
Attorneys ; but cases are constantly arising upon which the ad-
vice and direction of the Department is required, while in many
offences of a serious character the evidence has to be obtained
through officers directly instructed by this Department. In con-
nection with criminal prosecutions arise applications for bail,
which in all cases may be made to the judges at Toronto, and in
many serious cases must be so made ; also applications to be re-
lieved from forfeiture of bail. This Department has a great deal
to do with both, especially the latter. These can be favorably
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 39
entertained only where the circumstances are of a very excep-
tional nature, and careful enquiry into the facts upon which it is
claimed relief should be granted is always made. It advises as to
proceedings before Justices of the Peace and other inferior magis-
trates, for, notwithstanding the forms provided for ordinary- cases,
the applications made to discharge prisoners on Habeas Corpus,
or to quash convictions on account of irregularities, or insufficiency
in the proceedings before these officers, are very numerous. In
many of these, this Department finds it necessary to make enquiry
and to intervene. Cases of difficulty are also from time to time
reserved by Judges at the Assize and other criminal Courts for
the opinion of the Judges of the High Court, sitting together at
Toronto ; and these are, wherever practicable, argued by the
officers of this Department. To the Attorney-General also belongs
the consideration of applications for leave to appeal under the
Criminal Code, for leave to file informations in his name in con-
nection with supposed invasions of public right, for entries of
nolle prosequi, and for the admission of criminals as Queen's evi-
dence, etc., etc. It is his duty also to make appointments to all
offices connected with the administration of justice, such as Jus-
tices of the Peace, Police and stipendiary Magistrates, Coroners,
County Attorneys, and the officers of the various courts in the
different counties. The following matters are also dealt with by
this Department : Administration of Estates of Intestates who
have no heirs, or next of kin ; Consideration of cases of Escheat
and Forfeiture ; Remission of Fines and Penalties.
Advisory Duties.
It is the duty of this Department to advise the officers of the
other Departments of the Government upon the numerous legal
questions which constantly arise in connection with the varied
matters coming before them ; and advice is constantly required by
County Attorneys, Crown Counsel, Coroners, and all others em-
ployed in the administration of justice.
It is also the office of the Attorney-General's Department to see
that all Statutes and Orders-in-Council are drawn up in proper
form, and that the public interests, as well as the rights of indi-
viduals, are carefully guarded. This is all the more necessary in
the case of Statutes, since there is only one legislative chamber.
The manner in which the work of supervision has been carried
out during the Mowat regime is the best possible proof that, with
an experienced and watchful Premier and a competent and care-
ful Attorney-General, there is not the slightest need for a second
one.
40 THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT.
In connection with this description of the administration of
the Attorney-General's Department, is the extra work entailed
by the Appeal Cases, in which he stood up for the rights of
this Province, against the attempted encroachments upon those
rights by the Dominion Government's political friends of his
present Opposition. The Boundary Question was the most pro-
tracted and important of these, but on account of the length of
its description it may be convenient to consider others first.
1. The Insurance Case.
An Act was passed in 1876 " to secure uniform conditions in
policies of fire insurance." It enacts a number of conditions,
which were prepared under the supervision of the Superior
Court Judges of the Province, and which are to be read into and
form part of every fire insurance policy issued by every company
doing business in Ontario. Variations from these conditions are
allowed, but they must be conspicuously printed in the policy,
and they must be such as a Court or Judge, trying a disputed
case, will hold to be " just and reasonable." The right of the
Ontario Legislature to impose such conditions on insurance com-
panies operating under charters not granted under Provincial
authority was contested in the well-known cases of Parsons v.
The Citizens Insurance Company, and Parsons v. the Queen
Insurance Company, and the question of jurisdiction was finally
decided by the Privy Council in favor of the Statute. The
judgment in these cases, in 1881, is one of the most important
ever delivered in support of Provincial Legislative rights.
The following is the memorandum on the subject : —
" An Act of the Province of Ontario to secure uniform con-
ditions of policies of fire insurance was held to be within the
power of a Provincial Legislature over Property and Civil Rights.
Such an Act, so far as relates to insurance on property within
the Province, may bind all fire insurance companies, whether in-
corporated by Imperial, Dominion, Provincial, Colonial, or foreign
authority."
2. The Escheats Case.
The estate of the late Andrew Mercer having escheated to the
Crown for want of heirs, the property, which had been largely
expended by the Ontario Government "for the erection of " The
Andrew Mercer Reformatory for Women," was claimed for the
Dominion Government. Attorney- General Mowat stoutly con-
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 41
tested this claim on the part of the Province. The case was
carried to the Privy Council, and that tribunal decided that
escheated lands belonged to the Province, under section 109 of
the British North America Act. The question as to escheated
personal property has not yet been finally decided.
3. 'The Rivers and Streams Case.
The principle involved in the suit between McLaren and Cald-
well was the right of a riparian owner to obstruct the passage of
timber down a " floatable" stream. McLaren asserted this right
over parts of the Mississippi River, and Caldwell denied it. The
Ontario Legislature, with a view of settling the dispute in the
public interest and without prejudice to either party, passed the
Rivers and Streams Act of 1881. This was three times dis-
allowed by the Dominion Government, and as often re-enacted
by the Ontario Legislature. After the last enactment, in 1884,
it was allowed to become law. the Privy Council having mean-
time decided that McLaren's claim could not be sustained.
The disallowance of this statute, which was not claimed to be
beyond the competence of the Ontario Legislature, was an un-
warrantable exercise of a dangerous power for the benefit of a
political favorite of the Dominion Government, and a complete
violation of the conditions laid down by Sir John A. Macdonald
himself for the exercise of the power of disallowance.
4. The Liquor License Case.
The right to control the traffic in alcoholic liquors by means of
license laws was exercised by the various Provincial Legislatures
without interference, from 1867 to 1883. In the latter year the
Dominion Parliament, on the strength of an inference from the
judgment of the Privy Council affirming the validity of the
" Scott Act," passed the license law known as the " McCarthy
Act." This had the effect of throwing the liquor traffic in the
Provinces into utter confusion and greatly increasing the number
of drinking places licensed to sell. The evil caused by this in-
vasion of Provincial jurisdiction was remedied by two judicial
decisions, (1) the judgment of the Privy Council in Hodge vs.
The Queen, affirming the validity of the Crooks Act, and (2) the
subsequent judgment of the Supreme Court, and then of the
Privy Council, declaring the McCarthy Act unconstitutional
and void.
42 THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT.
5. The Case Respecting Assignments and Preferences
by Insolvents.
In default of any Insolvent Act, the Ontario Legislature made
provision as to assignments and preferences by insolvents. The
right of the Legislature over this subject having been contested,
a case was referred to the Court of Appeal, which decided against
the Province, but on appeal to the Privy Council this decision
was reversed and the Provincial legislation declared valid.
6. Boundary Case.
For a term of no less than six years, prior to the setting aside
of their pretensions by the judgment of the Privy Council, the
Dominion Government were engaged in a persistent attempt to
deprive Ontario of her awarded title to a large expanse of territory
in the northern and western parts of the province, and also of her
title to the land, the timber, and the minerals comprised within
the disputed area. The controversy as to the location of the
northerly aud westerly boundaries of this Province began in 1871,
and was settled by arbitration in 1878, and had the decision of
the arbitrators been acted upon by the Dominion Government,
all the subsequent trouble, irritation and expense would have
been saved.
It is a matter of some little interest, to consider what would have become
of our territory if the friends of our Ontario Opposition had obtained posses-
sion. The question needs not go long unanswered. It is evident that the
Dominion Government have, from 1878 down, regarded the Disputed Terri-
tory as a preserve to be made a means of rewarding its jobbers and partisans.
The following is a list of the principal Tory M.P.'s, M.P.P.'s, wire-pullers,
manipulators, and managers, among whom the timber limits of this territory
were largely parcelled out by the Dominion Government after the award of
the Privy Council declaring the territory to belong to Ontario, with the
dates of the Orders-in-Council granting the limits, the number on the plan,
and the quantities granted. It will be seen that they considered it a true
Tory policy, in such a case, to make the most of their time : —
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
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44 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
and eighty others, including such prominent Tories as : Smith and Muir,
Hamilton, St. Catharines Lumber Co., James Isbister, H. J. Scott, T. W.
Currier, W. B. Scarth, Hiram Robinson, A. J. Jackson, James Murray, St.
Catharines, A. J. Parsons, Rat Portage, McCaul and McDougall, McArthur
and Boyle, Winnipeg, Bankers, etc. There are not half-a-dozen Reformers
among the whole lot. All of these gentlemen, unless where otherwise indicat-
ed, received fifty square miles, or 32,000 acres each, without competition, or
bonus. Well is it for Ontario that there is a Mowat and a Privy Council. If
it were not so, these Tories, with the help of their great manipulator at Ot-
tawa, and with the approving smiles of their friends of the Ontario Opposition,
would soon get away with our north-western territory, and expect us to
reward them with office for so relieving us.
The expense necessarily incurred by the Province in thus defending its
rights has been very great. But it has resulted in the establishment of the
principle of Provincial autonomy and right, and, so far as this Government
is concerned, is money well expended. The responsibility for much of the
outlay rests with the Opposition, who might have checked their Ottawa
friends if they had been true to their province. When they were willing to
see our funds go to the amount of $100,000 in the Boundary Contest, and
the subsequent suit of the St. Catharines Milling Company, what would they
have done with the territory if their friends had got it, and how would they
spend our money and rule the country if they got into power?
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 45
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
This Department has been, during the past five Parliamentary
terms, under the management of the Hon. C. F. Fraser, and has
been conducted in such a way that though large amounts of
money have been spent from time to time under contracts, the most
vigilant and unscrupulous opponents of the Government have
had to acknowledge the honesty and efficiency displayed in the
management of the Department.
Parliament Buildings.
By 43 Viet., cap. 2, as last amended by 56 Viet., cap. 7, a total
sum of $1,265,000 was set apart and appropriated for the con-
struction of the Parliament buildings, in addition to, and exclusive
of, the special amounts otherwise appropriated and expended for
their equipment, fitting up and furnishing, the laying out and
ornamentation of the grounds, and for the making of roadways,
pavements, etc.
The total of the contracts, according to the original contract
prices, amounted to $1,245,910, as shewn by the following
schedule thereof:
Nature of Contract, etc. ^SSS^SZ'
(1) Excavation, mason and bricklayers' works, etc.,
under Lionel Yorke and Carrol, G.aylord &
Vick contracts, (the original contract price of
which includes the 13,500,000 bricks agreed
to be furnished to contractors from Central
Prison $ 752,250
(2) Iron work, etc., for ground floor and basement of
west wing under Lionel Yorke contract of
March, 1888 4,643
(3) Carpentry work, etc , of carcase of buildings under
Lionel Yorke contract of April, 188;s 90,700
(4) Wrought and cast iron work, etc., under St. Law-
rence Foundry Co. contract of May, 1888. . . . 54,000
(5) Plumbing, gas fitting, steam-heating, etc., under
Purdy, Mansell & Mashinter contract of April,
1891 76,800
(6) Lathing, plastering, etc., under A. H. Rundle
contract of April, 1891 , 37,770
46 THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT.
(7) Slating, Copper work, etc., under Douglas Bros.
contract of May, 1891 44,497
(8) Interior wood- work, hard ware, etc., under Wagner,
Zeidler & Co. contract for August, 1891 119,900
(9) Interior painting, glazing, etc., under R. J.
Hovenden contract of August, 1891 23,325
(10) Grand stair-case, ornamental grille work, etc.,
under H. C. Harrower contract of August, 1891 21,991
(11) Interior fire hydrants, pipes, etc., under W. J.
McGuire contract of October, 1891 1,102
(12) Drainage, eic., under Garson & Purcer contract of
November, Ib91 5,490
(13) Tile work, under Toronto Granite Co. contract of
September, 1892 1.450
(14) Decorative painting of Legislative Chamber, un-
der Elliott & Son contract of November, 1892. 4,500
(15) Mantels, grates, etc., under Rice Lewis & Son
contract of November, 1892 3:322
(16) Seating of Legislative Chamber galleries, under
Rogers & Sons Co. contract of December, 1892. 3,250
(17) Speaker's dais, under Wagner, Zeidler & Co. con-
tract of December, 1892 920
$1,245,910
All of the contracts have been completed ; the contractors have
been paid in full, and in acknowledgment of such payment have
executed releases and acquittances, under seal, in favor of Her
Majesty and the Province.
The entire cost of the work done under these contracts (includ-
ing for this purpose the price of the brick furnished from the
Central 1 rison to the contractors for the mason and bricklayers'
work) amounts to a grand total of $l,256,98o.lO.
On these seventeen contracts, involving in round numbers a
million and a quarter dollars, the total cost to the Province exceeds
the aggregate amount called for in the original contracts by a
sum less than thirteen thousand dollars.
If all of the payments (of less than $13,000) in excess of the
original contract prices were solely for what is commonly known
as contractors' extras, their entire amount in a total expenditure
of a million and a quarter of dollars would be so trifling as to be
remarkable, and would amply justify a claim that these buildings
have practically been completed without extras. But the addi-
tional sum of less than $12,000 paid to the contractors for the
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 47
excavation, masonry and brick work, was not paid for what is
usually or ordinarily known as extras. This additional sum is
made up of payments for three items of work coming under the
following heads, namely :
(1) Additional excavating and concreting.
(2) The substituting of English Portland cement for the native
Canadian cement called for by the specifications.
(3) The inability of the Credit Valley quarries to furnish the
large dimension stone required for certain portions of the southern
front of the centre building, and the consequent necessity of sub-
stituting, with respect to these portions, dimension stone from the
Middletown quarries at an increased cost.
The additional excavating and concreting above mentioned be-
came mainly necessary by reason of there being found underlying
the excavated site of the buildings, and along its entire length, a
common brick sewer, connected with a building which used to be
known as the old hospital. The whole of the soft earth above
and about this sewer had to be excavated, the brick sewer taken
up, and the trench thus made filled in with a body of solid con-
crete. The sum paid to Lionel Yorke for (1) additional excavat-
ing and concreting, and (2) for the difference in cost between
English Portland cement and the best native Canadian cement
was $5,381.39, and the whole of this sum was paid in the year
1887.
The substitution of the large dimension stone from the Middle-
town quarries instead of Credit Valley stone was ordered when
suitable stone of the requisite dimensions not being obtainable
from the Credit Valley quarries, the stone work of the southerly
main front of the buildings was practical^ at a standstill. The
Department was face to face with either a complete stoppage of
the works, without a probability of the Credit Valley quarries
being at any time, or at any price, able to furnish this large di-
mension stone, or the alternative of ordering the substitution of
some other stone.
After full consideration it was decided that, in public interest,
the order for substituting Middletown quarry stone should be
given, and Messrs. Carroll, Gaylord and Vick were instructed ac-
cordingly, and were paid in respect thereof only the actual addi-
tional expense incurred by them in procuring and using the sub-
stituted stone.
Deducting the amount paid to Lionel Yorke and Carroll, Gay-
lord & Vick, in respect to the foregoing items, there remains Jess
than twelve hundred dollars paid for contractors' extras on seven-
48 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
teen different contracts, and which seventeen contracts represent
a total expenditure, in round numbers, of a million and a quarter
of dollars.
There have been no extras or additional payments of any kind
in connection with the contracts entered into by the Department
for the equipment and furnishings of the buildings. These con-
tracts cover, amongst other matters, (1) electric elevators, (2) metal
fittings for vaults, (3) combination gas and electric fittings, fix-
tures, etc., (4) book stacks, tables, reading desks, etc., for library,
reading room, etc., (5) Members' coat and hat racks, etc.
Buildings Erected Elsewhere.
A comparison of the cost of public buildings in Canada and the
United States with the Ontario Parliament buildings shows that
the expenditure is not excessive :
State Buildings.
Illinois, at Springfield 3,500,000
New York, at Albany, (population, 5,082,000.. . . 20,000^000
City Buildings.
Baltimore City Buildings, (population, 332,000) 3,000,000
Philadelphia (population, 850,000 7,000,000
Chicago City Hall and Court, (population, 503,000) - 4,000,0t)0
Toronto City Hall and Court House, (estimated), 1,405,000
OntarioParliarnent Buildings, (inclading amount
to be paid Central Prison Industries for
brick) (population, 2,000,000) 1,300,017 1 7
The above estimate of the City Hall and Couit House build-
ings does not include the cost of the site, and the present estimate
of total expenditure, including the cost of site, is $1,600,000, all
of which has been voted for and ratified by the people of Toronto.
The amount estimated for the Toronto civic buildings, including
site, in September of 1884, by the committee having the matter
in charge, was 8600,000. In 1887, the mayor, in hts inaugural
address, announced that the cost would not be less than 8750^000.
In February of the same year, the building committee reported
that the cost would not be less than 81,020,000. And finally, in
1889, the people of Toronto were asked to ratify and did ratify,
a total expenditure in respect of those proposed city buildings of
$1,600,000.
Electors of Ontario may well ask themselves why, if the Citv
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 49
of Toronto is right in spending $1,600,000, for its new city hall
and court house, " Canada's foremost province," is not equally
justified in an expenditure of hundreds of thousands of dollars less,
in the erection of its Provincial Buildings.
The following table gives the amount spent between 1867 and
1893, on the buildings and works erected or maintained at the
expense of the Province, under the control of this Department,
and shows the object in view in the expenditure : —
Public Buildings and Works, (capital account.)
1867-1893.
Name of Work. Total.
Government House $181,266 90
Old Parliament and Departmental Buildings. . . . 85,285 98
Asylum for the Insane, Toronto 326,742 62
Mimico 535,66031
Brockville 112,823 61
London 854,930 86
Hamilton 797,467 05
Kingston 390,94329
Asylum for Idiots, Orillia 486,390 16
Deaf and Dumb Institution, Belleville 292,627 75
Blind Institution, Brantford 256,097 51
. Reformatory for Boys, Penatanguishene 164,916 10
Agricultural College, Guelph 412,693 27
Central Prison, Toronto 778,248 64
School of Practical Science, Toronto (old building). 59,100 26
" (new building
and addition) 195,586 63
Andrew Mercer Reformatory for Females, Toronto 204,540 83
Osgoode Hall, Toronto 134,750 81
Agricultural Hall, Toronto 324 00
Educational Department, and Normal and Model
Schools, Toronto , 138,248 56
Normal and Model Schools, Ottawa 199,071 61
Government Farm, Mimico 51,646 34
Brock's Monument, Queenston Heights 3,926 01
Total 86,663,289 10
New Parliament Buildings (including amount to
be paid Central Prison Industries for brick) .$1,300.017 17
Other Buildings and Works 1,400,961 03
Grand Total $9,364,261 30
Between 1867 and 1871 the amount spent on these services was
$1,213,773.59, leaving as the expenditure on public works and
buildings, during Mr. Mowat's regime, $8,150,487.71.
D
50 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
During the past twenty-three years the Public Works Depart-
ment has been charged with the duty of seeing that the conditions
on which aid had been granted to railways, out of the Provincial
treasury, were complied with before the subsidy was paid over,
and also with a similar duty in respect of drainage works, for the
execution of which funds had been advanced by the Province.
Both of these duties have been discharged in a perfectly satisfac-
tory manner, not a single charge of perfunctoriness, incompetency,
corruption, or political favoritism having ever been set afloat by
anybody in connection with this branch of the administrative
work of the Department.
Worth Recognized.
The Toronto Telegram (independent Conservative), in an article
headed " Long Life to Him," has the following on Hon. C. F.
Fraser : — " The opening of the building with which Mr. Fraser
has been so honorably and usefully identified, constitutes a fitting
celebration of his birthday as a Cabinet minister. The member
for Brock ville, has been misjudged and misunder-
stood, but his fiercest opponents never questioned his title to rank
as one of the most faithful administrators of public money,
who ever held office in any Government, or in any country."
THK MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 51
DEPARTMENT OF CROWN LANDS.
The management of the Crown Lands, timber, minerals, and
colonization roads was in the hands of the late Hon. T. B. Pardee
continuously till his retirement on account of declining health in
1888. At the close of his long and highly successful management
he was succeeded by the Hon. A. S. Hardy, Provincial Secretary.
This Department has been, probably more than any other, the
subject of criticism and of Parliamentary investigation. Session
after session, the time of the Public Accounts Committee has been
taken up with the examination of officers of the inside and out-
side service, and of merchants who furnish colonization road
supplies, in the hope that some corrupt practice might be un-
earthed, or some improper expenditure of public money estab-
lished. All such efforts have, however, been in vain, and there
is not, to-day, as there has not been at any time during the Mowat
regime, the slightest ground for any suspicion of corruption, or
even of political favoritism. The functions of the Commissioner
are very important, and his discretionary powers, especially in
deciding disputes between applicants for portions of the Crown
domain, are very great. Nothing but a rare combination of ex-
ecutive ability, official integrity, and judicial fairness, could have
enabled the successive heads of the Department to avoid giving
their opponents some advantage over them, especially in view of
the fact that enormous sums of money are collected and disbursed
yearly under their personal authority.
f
The Revenue-Producing Department.
The Crown Lands Department is the great revenue-producing
branch of the Government, and, with the exception of the amount
received as subsidy from the Dominion, provides the largest part
of the annual income of the Province. The duties of the Depart-
ment, instead of decreasing, are year by year growing greater
and more complex. They comprise the sale and management of
the Crown, Clergy and School lands still undisposed of ; the
locating of settlers in the Free grant and Sales districts ; the sur-
veying of new townships, from time to time, as they are required
for settlement or the purposes of the timber trade ; the construc-
tion of colonization roads and bridges in the new and sparsely
settled portions of the Province where the settlers are as yet unable
to assume the burden of such works ; the supervision of the vast
area over which licenses to cut timber have been granted (such
supervision becoming much more difficult year by year as settle-
52 THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT.
ment increases) ; the collection of Government charges and dues
leviable upon such timber ; and the settlement of the multifarious
and often complicated questions which of necessity ariae in the
course of transactions covering so large a territory.
Legislation re The Crown Domain.
The Free Grant system was established as far back as 1868, but
various amendments have been made by later legislation. The
more important Acts passed in recent years dealing with Crown
property are the following :
In 1884 the Act for protecting the public interests in rivers,
streams and creeks was passed.
In 1887 an Act was passed which further provided for the
driving of saw-logs and other timber on lakes, rivers and streams,
under all circumstances which may arise. This measure forbids
the obstruction of navigation or floating, and sets forth the pro-
ceedings when logs of several owners are intermixed. It also
protects the rights of the Crown, and provides for arbitration in
cases of dispute.
Enormous quantities of very valuable timber have been
destroyed from year to year by bush fires, the result of criminal
carelessness. In 1878 the Legislature attempted to check this
waste by passing an " Act to Preserve Forests from Destruction
by Fire."
In the session of 1889 the Commissioner of Crown Lands intro-
duced and carried through the House an Act respecting damages
to lands by flooding in the new districts, providing a speedy and
cheap mode of recovering damages by persons whose lands have
been flooded by Timber Slide Companies and others. This Act
has had the effect of expediting proceedings for the recovery of
damages, and of greatly lessening their cost. Claims may be pre-
sented in the Division Court, and the Judge is required to deter-
mine them without pleading and at comparatively little expense.
In 1891 an Act which gave to the workmen in lumber shanties
of Algoma, extended in 1894, to Muskoka, Nipissing and Parry
Sound, a lien on the logs cut by them for their wages, was sub-
mitted by the Commissioner and became law. It not only gives
the lien but provides a simple and inexpensive means of realizing
their claim through the division courts.
He further introduced and passed an Act making better provis-
ion for the measurement and culling of timber cut by limit hold-,
ers on licensed lands under which more stringent regulations are
enforced for the protection of the interests of the Province in such
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 53
timber. It provides, too, in addition to the above, for the effec-
tive examination of those engaged in measuring and culling saw-
logs, and for the issuing of licenses to such persons, which may be
revoked upon proof of fraud or misconduct.
The fishery laws of the Province are administered by the Com-
missioner of Crown Lands, who, in 1892, carried through the
Act entitled " An Act for the Protection of the Provincial Fish-
eries in Provincial Waters."
Mining Legislation.
In the session of 1890 two important measures were introduced
by the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and passed, one for
regulation of mining operations and the other amending the
General Mining Act. The Mining Operations Act forbids the
employment underground of boys under thirteen, or of females,
or of boys under sixteen for more than fifty -four hours in any
week, with provision for register, penalties, returns by owners
or agents, notice of accidents to inspector, power of inspectors,
with general rules as to ventilation, blasting, use of steam, and
many other provisions for security of workmen. In 1891, the
Mining Act was further amended, and in the following year, the
whole law respecting mines and mining was amended and con-
solidated under the title " The Mines Act of 1892."
The amendments and improvements made in the mining laws
are of the first importance and most of them are in the interests
of the explorer and the operator, and directly facilitate the devel-
opment of the mining interests. The following are some of the
amendments.
(a) A Bureau of Mines was established to be presided over by
a director of mines. Valuable reports are yearly issued from this
Bureau. It also has charge of the disposal of mining lands and all
mining interests.
(6) The minimum quantity of mining land which may be pur-
chased from the Crown was reduced from 80 to 40 acres.
(c) The option of obtaining from the Crown mining lands upon
lease (instead of by purchase as heretofore) for ten years, with
the right of renewal for ten years further, has been given.
Upon the performance of covenants and conditions, the lessee has
the further right of renewal for twenty years. This provision
has b-jen found in practice to be very popular, and most of the
applications to the Department for mining land are now made
thereunder. The rent in the western section of the province is
$1 per acre for the first year, and, thereafter, 25 cents per annum,
54 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
and in the eastern section, 60 cents per acre for the first year, and
15 cents per annum thereafter.
(d) The purchaser or lessee is required to expend from $4 to $5
per acre upon the property in development, during the first seven
years following the issue of the patent, or the land reverts to the
Crown.
(e) The right to stake out and hold mining claims of 10 or 20
acres is provided for.
(/) It provides for supplying the Crown Lands agents in min-
ing localities, with maps and lists of land sold, that information
may readily be obtained without the necessity of always applying
at the Crown Lands Department, and with a view to the preven-
tion of delay and long correspondence.
(g) The rights of the people were looked after by a provision
imposing a small royalty of three per cent, on the value of silver,
nickel, or nickel and copper ores, and of two per cent, on iron ore
at the pit's mouth, after deducting from their value the cost of
the labor and explosives employed in mining them. No royalty
shall, however, be imposed until after seven years from the date
of the patent or lease. The Act -as it now stands has been de-
clared by practical men to be as liberal as any mining act in ex-
istence.
Mining Legislation of 1894.
During the session of 1894, some changes were made; first, by
reducing the price of mining land fitty cents per acre, and also
reducing the fees for a miner's license on a staked off claim, from
$15 to $10.
Second, by reducing the three per cent, royalty to two per cent.,
on mining lands sold for the next five years.
Third, by providing that not only the cost of raising the ore to
the surface shall be taken into account in its valuation, but the
subsequent treatment for market as well.
No change was made as to the seven or fifteen years from the
date of the patent or lease in which royalties were to go into
operation.
Provision was also made for incorporating mining companies
with special powers and rights, and for the payment of $1.00 per
ton pig iron, to miners taking out ore.
Further, a sum of money was voted, sufficient to purchase and
operate two diamond drills for experimental exploration— one for
the east and one for the west part of the Province.
Over $5,000 was voted for the equipment of a mining school at
Kingston, and $1,000 to each of two summer schools, one to be
held at Rat Portage and one at Sudbury.
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 55
Algonquin National Park.
In 1892, a commission was appointed by the Government to
inquire into the advisability of setting aside an area in the dis-
trict of Ni pissing for the purpose of a Forest Reservation and
National Park. Following the report of this commission, in the
session of 1893 the Commissioner of Crown Lands introduced a
bill by which 18 townships in the Nipissiiig district lying between
Parry Sound district and the Ottawa river, containing in all
938,186 acres, were reserved from sale or settlement for all time
to come, and dedicated to the public under the name of The Al-
gonquin N ational Park of Ontario. The park comprises within
its boundaries the sources of the following large and important
rivers, viz., the South River, flowing northerly into Lake Nipis-
sing ; the Muskoka (north branch) emptying into Georgian Bay ;
the Madawaska and Petawawa, flowing into the Ottawa ; the
Little Nipissing, a branch of the Petawawa, and the Amable du
'Fond, a tributary of the Ottawa, as well as a vast number of
lakes of varying size. Some of the views along the lakes and
rivers are exceedingly picturesque. The territory contains a
very small proportion of agricultural land^and is all more or less
densely wooded, and is the natural home of such game as the
moose, deer, beaver, otter, fisher, bear, etc. B}r the Park Act, the
only timber which may be cut and removed throughout the whole
of this immense area is the pine, and as it is now a well-settled fact
that the destruction of forests at the sources of rivers leads to
sudden and disastrous floods, and also to a diminution of their
waters, one principal object of the park will be achieved by pre-
serving the rivers rising in it in their present full and equable
flow, a matter of prime importance to the great lumbering inter-
ests in the eastern part of the Province. The pine timber only
being subject to removal, there will be preserved great blocks of
original forest, comprising maple, birch, beech, hemlock, tamarac,
cedar, balsam, etc., to present to the visitor a picture of the pri-
meval vegetation which once covered the greater part of cleared
and settled Ontario. The Act also prohibits the killing of moose
and deer in the park (formerly slaughtered in great numbers) ;
the beaver (only a very few of which now remain), otter, martin,
and other fur- bearing animals. By affording these creatures a
retreat where they may take refuge from the hunter and the
trapper, they will soon greatly increase in numbers, and over-run
into the surrounding country, where they ma)' be taken in their
proper season. The waters of the park are well stocked with
fish, and the woods with partridges and duck, all of which are
56
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT.
also protected by the Act. The park will likewise serve as a field
for experiments in and practice of systematic forestry, a place of
health resort, and to secure the benefits to the climate of rainfall,
etc., to surrounding districts, which the presence of a large block
of forest will confer.
Departmental Work.
The sales of Crown Lands between 1868 and 1871 averaged
59,400 acres a year ; between 1872 and 1893 they averaged 73-
000 acres — an increase of 23 per cent. The increase in the num-
ber of timber licenses issued, and of saw-logs and timber returns
received and checked yearly, was also, in both cases, nearly 300
per cent.
The acquisition of the new territory which has been added to
the western part of the Province has greatly increased the work
of this department. In 1889 the Government brought into opera-
tion the " Rainy River Free Grants and Homesteads Act," by
which twenty townships, containing over 230,000 acres of land,
have been opened for settlement. A commission, appointed to
examine the claims of settlers who had gone into the district
while the title thereto was in dispute, having made their report,
patents have been issued to a considerable number of claimants,
who were found entitled to same.
Free Grant Townships.
The following statement, condensed from the Reports of the
Commissioner of Crown Lands, shows the progress of the settle-
ment of the Free Grant Districts since 1868 :
PERIOD.
TOWNSHIPS
SET APART.
PERSONS
LOCATED.
ACRKS
LOCATED.
ACRES
SOLD.
1868—1872.
58
4,265
525,944
13,381
1872—1877.
34
6,440
860,139
18,873
1877 -1882.
30
6,922
938,782
29,601
1882—1887.
10
5,429
758,415
31,902
1887—1893.
24
3,350
446,006
13,593
Total.
156
2<>,406
3,529,287
107,350
THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT. 57
Sale Townships.
In addition to the above, 33 townships have, since 1871,
been opened for purposes of sale, and authority given to the
Commissioner of Crown Lands to open twenty more for like pur-
poses, besides which, a number of townships have been opened
for sale for mining purposes.
The Opposition Charges Disproved as to Surveys.
The Opposition charge that the townships surveyed between
3 873-93 were 275 and that only 76 of these had been set apart as
free grants. They omitted to mention that 33 more have been
set apart as sale townships and 20 more authorized to be so set
apart, or 53 of that character ; that there are 62 more in which
sales have been actually made, a good many of them having also
settlers in them. 16 more are in Algonquin Park, making 205
townships set apart either as Free Grant or Sales townships, or in
which sales have been made, or which are embraced in Algonquin
Park, out of this 275. There are, therefore, but 70 townships in
which no sales have been made. This makes up the total of 275.
The Sandfield Macdonald Government, during their 4 years of
office expended on surveys $139,135. An average of $34,784 per
year.
The Blake-Scott Government, in 1872, expended upon surveys
1,911.
The Mowat Government, in 21 years (1873-93 inclusive), ex-
pended $786,147, or an average of $37,436 per year.
Of this sum $641,268 was for township surveys, and the re-
mainder, $144,879, for surveying base, meridian, boundary and
exploration lines, mineral surveys, and outlines of townships and
timber limits.
Population of Free Grant Districts.
The population of the following new and Free Grant districts
has increased with remarkable rapidity under this system of
settlement, as is shown by the following "table taken from the
Dominion census : —
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT.
DlSTKICT.
POPULATION.
INCREASE.
1871.
1891.
Muskoka and Parry Sound
6,919
1,791
7,018
36,818
13,020
41,856
29,899
11,229
34,838
Nipissing
Algoma
Total
15,728
91,694
75,966
an increase of no less than 483 per cent. A somewhat similar
increase has taken place in those portions of Haliburton, Peter-
borough, Hastings, Addington, Frontenac and Renfrew which
have been brought under the operation of the Free Grants and
Homesteads Act.
Woods and Forests.
The revenue from timber is derived from (1) bonuses, (2) an-
nual ground rents, and (3) timber dues. The timber limits are
always disposed of at public auction, the person obtaining a limit
being the one who bids the highest, the ground rent being the
same in all cases — $3.00 per square mile — and the timber dues
being payable as the timber is cut. The dues on timber sold pre-
vious to 1892 were $1.00 per thousand feet; at the sale of that
year they were increased to $1.25 per thousand feet. The bonus
secures tor the purchaser nothing more than the first right to ob-
tain an annual license to cut limber on a particular limit, sub-
ject to the payment of ground rent and of certain dues on every
log cut. The chief part of the yearly revenue from this branch
arises from the collection of ground rents and timber dues, but
from time to time, as. settlement encroaches on timber lands, the
latter have to be put under license, i.e., sold at auction in the
sense above explained.
The total collection for the year covered by the report of 1893
was $1,823,550, (exclusive of* refunds) which includes $986,372
paid in on account of bonus ; the latter amount being deducted
leaves $837, 178 as the revenue from timber dues, ground rent,
etc , during the year 1893.
THK MOWAT (iOVKRNM KNT. 59
Sales of Timber Limits.
Since Mr. Mowat became Premier in 1873 every sale of timber
limits has been carried out under the direction of the Commission-
er of Crown Lands. The area sold within the 21 years to 1893,
was 4,234 square miles, for which the Ontario Government
received in round numbers, by way of bonus, the large amount of
$5,101,627, an average rate of nearly $1,205 a square mile. For
the same area of timber lands, the Dominion Government would
have received by way of bonus, only $21,170, or a uniform rate
of only five dollars a square mile. The difference between these
two sums represents what would have gone into the pockets of
speculators and of supporters of the Government at Ottawa
had the latter sold the timber. The sale of timber limits in
1892 disposed of 633 square miles, and realized $2,315,000, or
the magnificent average of $3,657 a mile. (See table of sales,
page 62.}
A sale of pine timber lands took place in 1872, while the Hon.
Edward Blake was Prime Minister, and the Hon. R. W. ^cott
was Commissioner of Crown Lands. The area then disposed of
was about 5,000 square miles.' The transaction was, during
the next session of the Legislature, exhaustively discussed in all
its aspects. The Assembly, by a large majority, endorsed what
had been done. Only four members voted against the resolution
introduced by Hon. E. B. Wood (set out below) which sanctions
the method since pursued by the Mowat Government in all its
sales, and which was carried almost unanimously. Messrs. Ca-
meron and Meredith, the late and the present leader of the oppo-
sition, were amongst those who voted for it.
This sale has been endorsed by the people, after full dis-
cussion, at five general elections (1875, 1879, 1883, 1886, and
1890), so that there is no longer any need to discuss it as an open
question.
[ The resolution adopted by the Legislature was as follows:
Page 153, vol. 6, journals 1873.]
" RESOLVED, That this House approves of the policy of the
Crown Lands Department, as set forth in the regulations of the
Department, made in 1869, that 'The Commissioner of Crown
Lands, before granting any licences for new timber berths in the
unsurveyed territory, shall, as far as practicable, cause the section
of the country where it is intended to allot such berths to be run out
60 THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT.
into townships, and such townships, when so surveyed, shall con-
stitute a timber berth ; but the Commissioner of Crown Lands
may cause such Townships to be subdivided into as many timber
berths as he may think proper ; and the berths or limits when so
surveyed and set off, and all new berths or limits in surveyed
territory, shall be explored and valued, and there offered for sale
by public auction at the upset price fixed by such valuation, at
such time and place, and on such conditions and by such officer
as the Commissioner of Crown Lands shall direct, by public notice
for that purpose, and shall be sold to the highest bidder for cash
at the time of sale.' "
Quebec limber Sales.
It is instructive to compare the sales above referred to with the
sale of timber lands made by the Conservative Government of
the Province of Quebec. Between October, 1873, and January,
1890, the Quebec Government sold 6,235 square miles, realizing
by way of bonus the sum of $398,722, an average of about $62
per square mile, as compared with the average of $1,205 per mile
realized by the Ontario Government. Sales in Quebec since 1890
have realized less rather than more.
Tt is to be observed, as has been previously stated, that what
was sold in Ontario was only the right to cut the pine timber
upon the territory, and that the timber when cut is subject
to the ordinary timber duties mentioned above. In this way a
large sum will be paid into the revenue annually as a result of
the sales. No right or title whatever in the land was con-
veyed to the purchasers at the sales, and the licenses issued to
them are strictly under the control of the Legislature and the
Department.
Comparison : Ontario vs. the Dominion System of Sales.
The difference between the two systems of disposing of timber
lands by the Dominion and the Province respectively, strikingly
contrasts the business methods of the Province with the jobbery
methods of the Ottawa Government. Sales by the Province are
made only by public auction in the open market, to the person
who bids the highest bonus (subject to the annual ground rent of
$3 per square mile, and to the timber dues above mentioned, of
$1 or $1.25 per M.) after being advertised widely for several
months.
Sales by the Dominion are made privately, and they may be
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
61
made secretly, without being advertised, to political friends or
favorites, who pick out the timber they desire. This timber is
then sold to the applicant — if he be a friend — with no other
bonus than $5 per square mile per annum, arid subject to dues
equal to about 76 cents per M.
The following schedule will show the comparison between the
general sales by the Dominion Government of Dominion timber
limits and the last sale of timber limits in this province in 1892 :
Amount of
bonus j.er
square mile.
Annual
ground
rent.
Dues per m . feet
Board measure.
Ontario
$3,657
$3
Cji OP;
v-*» £tj
Dominion
Nil •
$5.00
75 cents.
On a limit of 50 square miles (which is the average size granted
by the Dominion Government) the gain to the people of On-
tario, in bonuses over the Dominion system would be $182,850 00
On an average limit of 50 square miles, the gain to the Province
on dues alone would be 25,000 00
$207,850 00
Less $100 difference in ground rent 100 00
Leaving the net gain in favor of Ontario on 50 square miles . .$207,750 00
TIMBER SALES BEFORE CONFEDERATION, 1841 — 1867.
9,904 miles were sold at only 50c. a mile, and
2,561 " " " at $45.50 a mile of bonus, or $116,771.
12,465
TABLE OF SALES OF LIMITS BY THE PROVINCE SINCE CONFED-
ERATION.
STATEMENT showing Timber Limit Sales since Confederation,
with dates of sales, number of miles sold, total prices realized,
rates of dues and ground rent in force at elate of each sale,
highest price per mile, and average price per mile of each
sale :
2 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
SALES HELD UNDER SANDFIELD MACDONALD GOVERNMENT.
^
S
8
g
a
• iH
•o
w .
9
*-• £)
o<^
Date.
1
c8
•3*1
ID
V
3
"3
C
(C S
* L,
** r
(p
-*-* fi3
a
J^ m
— <H
£4
o ®
o
ClO Oj
^J 3D
P-H *
(-C
.^- M^
t* ^l
*"
t1
O
B
|J
1 c.
$ c
$
$
V ^-
December 23, 1868.
38
14,446 50
50
2
519
380 17
July 6, 1869
98
25,564 50
75
2
418
260 86
February 15, 1870..
12
7,680 00
75
2
640
640 00
November 23, 1871.
487
117,672 00
75
2
500
241 62
635
SALK HELD UNDER BLAKE GOVERNMENT.
October 15, 1872....
5,031
592,601 50
75
2
1,000
117 79
SALES HELD UNDER MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
June 6, 1877
375
75,739 00
75
2
500
201 97
December 6, 1881 . .
1,379
733,675 00
75
2
2,30;)
532 00
October 22, 1885*..
1,012
318,645 00
75
2
1,250
314 87
December 15, 1887.
459
1,312,312 50
1 00
3
6,300
2,859 00
October 1, 1890t...
376
346,256 25
I 00
3
2,625
919 06
October 13, l§92
633
2,315,000 OO
126
3
17,500
3,657 1§
4,234
*Scattered, broken and forfeited berths. fBerths in Rainy River District.
Timber Sales before and since Confederation.
Before Confederation there was sold no fewer than 9,904 miles
of timber at only fifty cents a mile, while there was also sold be-
fore Confederation 2,561 miles upon which was paid a bonus of
$116,771, averaging only $45.50 per mile. Thus, the total disposed
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
63
of before Confederation was 12,465 miles, as against 635 miles
under the Sandfield Macdonald Government in four years ; 5,031
miles under the Blake Government in one year, and 4,234 miles
under the Mowat Government in 22 years. As between the pres-
ent Government and preceding Governments the figures show that
there were sold during a period of 31 years prior to the time of
this Government — 1873 — 18,227 square miles, and during the 22
years of this Government 4,234 miles, or an average during the
former period of 588 miles per year, and during the latter period
of but 196 miles per year. The period of 31 years, before the
present Government took office, is chosen for the purpose of
comparison because that was the time, about 1841, when the
Government of Canada first began to make sales of timber.
For the 18,227 square miles sold before the time of the Mowat
Government (1873), the total bonuses obtained amounted to
$979,686, or an average per square mile of $54.
For the 4,234 square miles sold during the time of the Mowat
Government (since 1873), the bonuses obtained amounted to
$5,101,627, or au average of $1,205.15 per mile.
During the five years of the present Commissioner abput 1,000
squares miles (part of the 4,234) have been sold, from which has
been realized $2,661,256 as bonus (part of the $5,101,627); an
average of 200 square miles per year, with an average bonus of
$2,634 per mile, the highest price per mile obtainedifor any portion
of it being $17,500.
Grown Lands Revenue.
The importance of this Department as a source of Provincial
revenue, is seen from the following table of receipts during the
years 1873-93 :
CROWN LANDS AND TIMBER REVENUE.
1873 $1,121,264
1874 717,248
1875 643,046
1876 640,015
1877 628,713
1878 445,278
1879 457,340
1880 616,311
1881 992,504
1882 1,095,152
1883 635,447
1884 $ 570,305
1885 736,865
1886 814,813
1887 1,113,142
1888 1,436,336
1889 1,196,455
1890 1,103,443
1891 1,159,681
1892 2,252,972
1893 1,823,550
Total, $20,197,189
64 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
The average of the receipts for the past twenty-one years, there-
fore, has been about $961,770 a year, and the table shows that
though the revenue fluctuates it does not steadily decrease. The
importance of the Department from this point of view demands
that it should continue to be adminstered with the same business
capacity, and the same freedom from favoritism and corruption
in the future as in the past : as, under the present Commissioner
it undoubtedly will.
Expenditure Crown Lands Department, 1873-93.
The total expenditure of the Crown Lands Department was, —
In 1873 846,223
In 1892 47,474
or an increase in 20 years of only $ 1.251
And this notwithstanding the fact that that in 1873 there was no
Bureau of Mines, which cost in 1893, $6,885, and that,
In 1873 the Crown Lands Department collected but. .$1, 121,264
While in- 1892 it collected 2,252,972
And in 1893 1,823,550
Charges on Ciown Lands.
Which include expenditure on surveys, agents' salaries, wood
ranging and inspection, fire ranging, and the cost of timber
agencies.
Expended in 1873 $110,491
Expended in 1893 but 97,193
or a decrease of $ 13,298
Notwithstanding that in 1893 there was paid for fire ranging and
timber agencies at Quebec and Ottawa, new items not in exist-
ence in 1873, $7,136.
Timber Revenue versus Direct Taxation.
The Opposition have said that it is better to raise by direct
taxation the moneys required by Government, than to increase
our revenue from timber dues and bonuses from timber sales.
The amount received by the Ontario Government in 21 years,
from timber dues and bonuses, averages at the rate of 35 cents
per annum per head of the population.
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 65
The Dominion Government levies by taxation, direct and in-
direct, $6.23 per head, or, where we receive from lumbermen by
way of timber dues and bonuses, an average of $915,831 per year,
the Dominion Government extracts from the people of Canada in
taxes, $30,319,151. Ontario's share of this is at least one-half, or
$15,159,575.
Prevention of Bush Fires.
In order more effectually to prevent the destruction of valuable
forests by fires, and more stringently to enforce the provisions of
the Act for their preservation, a number of men are placed in the
summer months on the various timber limits which, from the ad-
vance of settlement, or other causes, are exposed to danger from
fire. The effect of their presence is always most beneficial. Fires
are suppressed which might otherwise become vast conflagrations,
causing incalculable loss. Persons wantonly violating the pro-
visions of the ' Fire Act ' are promptly brought to justice and
fined, and a general and strong interest in the direction of pre-
venting the starting and, spread of bush fires is created and kept
alive. The cost to the Province is trifling, considering the
amount of property saved from destruction.
The total cost of the service for 1893 was $19,831. Of this
amount, $3,610 was on account of ranging of previous years,
leaving the net cost of the service for 1893 to be $16,221, one-
half of which was refunded by the licensees, leaving the net cost
to the Province of this service, $8,110.
The fire ranging service is annually becoming more useful, and
last year (1893) there were practically no bush fires. The immense
saving to lumbermen and the Province which this implies, is best
understood by those who know the tremendous waste of property
which has in the past been caused by forest fires, both in Canada
and elsewhere.
Colonization Roads.
In the absence of railways, these great highways are the only
means by which intending settlers can have access to lands set
apart for settlement. Without them the great Free Grant dis-
tricts could never have been settled at all, and a large proportion
of the revenue derived from .the sale of Crown Lands would not
have been realised. Even in localities traversed by railways,
they retain their usefulness, for without them the railways them-
selves would be comparatively inaccessible to the settlers. Some
idea of the importance of this branch of the public service, and
E
66 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
also of the rate at which it is expanding, may be obtained from
the following table, the comparison being between the Sandfield
Macdonald Administration (1867-71) and the Mowat Administra-
tion (1872-93) :—
1867-71. Yearly Average. 1872-93. Yearly Average.
New roads built.. 213 miles 53 miles 3862 miles 176 miles
Roads repaired. ..441 miles 110 miles 8417 miles 383 miles
Bridges built. . .2,672 feet 668 feet 69945 feet 3180 feet
Expenditure $178,000 $44,500 $2,437,880.98 $110,814
. The expenditure of nearly -two and a half millions of dollars
is, of course, a return of surplus revenue to the people. A large
part of the Provincial revenue is derived from the sale of Crown
Lands, the sale of timber limits, and the receipt of timber dues ;
and it is not merely a wise policy to use a portion of that revenue
to develop the country, but a just policy to use it in alleviating
the inevitable hardships of backwoods settlement and frontier life.
Ontario Cullers' Act.
*
Since this Act was passed in 1890, 25 examinations of candi-
dates for cullers' licenses have been held under its provisions at
various points in the lumbering districts, conducted by boards of
examiners appointed by the Department. Of 634 candidates who
presented themselves, 546 were found duly qualified, and were
granted licenses accordingly.
THE M(>\V AT GOVERNMENT.
67
ADMINISTRATION OF THE LICENSE LAW.
Liquor Traffic.
The regulation of the liquor traffic w#s in 1872, when the
Mowat Government took office, a very subordinate appendage of
the municipal system ; as the result of a long series of changes, it
has become a very important branch of the Provincial Adminis-
tration. Each step in bringing about this change has been taken
in response to the clearly expressed public opinion of the commun-
ity, whether the demand was for more stringent legislation or for
more effective enforcement of the prohibitory clauses of the license
law. The great turning point in the history of this question was
the passage of the " Crooks Act " in 1876, and the most striking
result of this law was an immediate reduction in the number of
licenses issued throughout the Province.
The state of affairs existing prior to the adoption of the
" Crooks Act " cannot be forgotten. The licenses were issued by
Municipal Councils, and therefore to a large extent, owing to the
influence exerted by the liquor interest at the elections, the
licensees frequently controlled the majority of the councils, and
practically issued their own licenses. The result was that an ex-
cessive number were issued throughout the Province. In 1874
the law which prevailed prior to Confederation allowed original
packages from the manufacturer, containing not less than five
gallons, or one dozen bottles of liquor, to be sold without a license,
was amended, placing that character of trade upon the same basis
as saloons and shops, necessitating a license, and also demanding
conformity to the rules and regulations applicable to other
branches of the liquor business.
The following table gives the number of each kind of license
issued for several years between 1874 and 1893 inclusive : —
Year.
Tavern.
Shop.
1874-5.
4,
793
1,307
18756.
4,
459
1,257
1879-80
3,199
757
1884-5.
3,
253
675
1885-6
( 2'
574
65
1886-7
Scott Act 1 1,
567
367
1887-8
period, j 1,
496
325
1888-9
( 2,066
336
1889-90
3,073
445
1890-1 .
3,071
428
I8H1-2.
2,990
403
18923.
2,966
378
Whole-
sale.
Vessel .
Total.
52
33
6,185
78
24
5,818
72
22
4,020
28
14
3,970
24
9
3,132
28
12
1,974
28
13
1,882
26
17
2,485
27
15
3,560
24
3,523
21
3,414
'-'5
3,360
68 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
It will be seen from the foregoing table that in the year 1876,
in which the " Crooks Act " was passed, the total number of
licenses fell off 1,880 — of tavern licenses, 1,482 ; and of shop
licenses, 470. In other words, the reduction in number was in
two classes of licenses against which the efforts of temperance re-
formers have always been most energetically directed. The aver-
age number of licenses for the two years before the " Crooks Act "
came in force was 6,000 a year. In 1884-5, before the Scott Act
was brought into operation, there were only 3,970 issued, thus
showing a large reduction since the present Act came into force.
Incident to the repeal of the Scott Act, Counties in the Pro-
vince practically came under the operation of the " Crooks Act "
again in 1889-90 when 3,560 licenses were issued. It will be
noticed that there has been a practical falling off in the number
since then, so that now there are in force the smallest number in
the history of the Province at any time when local prohibition
has been in force in as few municipalities. It can, therefore, be
fairly claimed that the Crooks' Act, and the amendment thereto,
has had the effect of reducing the number of licenses in the Pro-
vince almost one-half. The reduction in the number of licenses
may be carried definitely, under the Crooks Act, by municipal ac-
tion, or by bringing public opinion to bear directly on the Boards
of License Commissioners.
The following is a comparative statement showing the number
of licenses in the Province of Ontario in 1875, the year prior to
the introduction of the "Crooks Act," and in 1892-3, and also a
comparison in proportion to the population.
Whole-
Year. Tavern. Shop. sale. Vessel. Total.
o ( 1875 4,459 1,257 78 24 5,418
'§11893 2,066 378 25 0 3,369
"5 ; Proportion to the population 1875 Une to each 278
Of " " "" 180o " " 633
J
In order to furnish a comparison between Ontario and different
States of the American Union as to the number of liquor dealers
in the latter, it is necessary to take the figures furnished by the
United States Commissioner of Inland Revenue of the number of
persons to whom were issued Federal Government permits in any
stated year. A late return gives the number issued in proportion
to the population in several states as follows : —
Illinois. . . .One to each 183 Massachusets one of each 386
Indiana. . . " 247
Iowa . " " 2>9
Quebec. ... " 635
Ontario.. " " <>32
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 69
Michigan. . .One to each 239 ' Ohio One to each 203
Minnesota.. " " 301 Toronto " " 1,208
New York.. " " 134 | Montreal... " " 349
The position of the People of Ontario on the Temperance ques-
tien under the License Act will be better appreciated by the care-
ful perusal of these figures.
Number of Municipalities in the Province 808.
*Number of Municipalities where no tavern licenses are
issued 1 85.
Or twenty-three per cent, of the Municipalities of the
Province.
Number of Municipalities in which only one, and not more than
two tavern licenses are issued 228.
Or twenty-eight per cent, of the Municipalities of the
Province.
Number of Municipalities in which either no tavern licenses are
issued, and not more than two are issued 413.
Or fifty-one per cent, of the Municipalities of the Province.
Numl or of Municipalities without a shop license 528.
Or sixty-five per cent, of the Municipalities of the Province.
However, comparing the present state of affairs, when we have
a better class of houses, better accommodation and less number of
licenses, fewer saloons, a total separation of the grocery from the
liquor shops, no vessel licenses, less drinking at the bar, prohibi-
tion of sales to minors, a general weeding out of undesirable per-
sons and premises, a prohibition of sales by druggists on Saturday
nights and Sundays without a Doctor's or a Justice of the Peace's
order, with that existing prior to the assumption of the authority
to deal with the license system by the Mowat Administration, it
can be claimed that great good of a permanent character has been
accomplished under the present administration of this service.
Revenue from, License.
Equally noticeable with the falling off in the number of licenses
issued under the Crooks Act, is the increase of revenue derived
therefrom. One of the provisions of that Act was, that part of
this revenue should go to the Province, and the remainder to the
municipalities, the former assuming, and the latter being relieved
from, the sole responsibility of enforcing the law against illicit sell-
*The Dunkin Act or Local Option by-law is in force in fifteen of the Muncipalities.
70 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
ing. The following table shows the amount of revenue accruing
to the Province and to the municipalities respectively, from 188fi
to 1893, inclusive:
Municipal Revenue. Provincial Revenue.
1886-7 153,716 59 216,455 78
1887-8 3 56,979 89 201,542 45
1888-9 190,297 79 232.51 1 »."•
1889 90 297,353 45 307,271 02
1890-1 294,968 26 308,200 17
1891-2 289,487 41 300,604 38
1892-3 289,976 74 297.644 47
The revenue obtained by the municipalities from the liquor
traffic, under the Crooks Act, is not only much greater than was
obtained before the enactment of that law, but much greater than
they would have been receiving now, had it not been enacted.
The License Laws.
The evils caused to society, by the sale of intoxicating drinks,
has made it necessary, by common consent, to impose peculiar
restrictions on this traffic. Such restrictions were enacted by
the Canadian parliament before 1867, and as they formed, for
all practical purposes, part of the municipal law, they remained
in force in Ontario after Confederation. The law regulating the
sale of spirituous and fermented liquors was amended and con-
solidated in 1869, by the " Act respecting Tavern and Shop
Licenses," the granting of licenses to sell being still entrusted to
the Municipal Councils. This same feature of the system was
retained in the consolidation of 1874, which was, however, a great
improvement on any license law that had preceded it.
The growing temperance sentiment of the country, the conse-
quent demand for more stringent legislation, and the evils caused
by giving the liquor interest, a strong motive for interfering
directly in the election of members of Municipal Councils, led to
the passage, in 1876, of the License Act of that year, commonly
known as the " Crooks Act." This measure, of this Government,
was by far the most efficient piece of legislation regulating the
liquor traffic, which had ever been enacted in this country. The
chief features were the following:
1. It put an absolute limit to the number of licenses that might be granted
in any municipality.
2. It took the power of granting licenses away from the Municipal Councils
and conferred it on Boards of Commissioners, appointed for cities and
counties by the Lieut. -Governor in Council.
THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT. 71
0. It authorized each Municipal Council by By-law, to still further limit
the number of licenses to be granted by the Commissioners.
4. It authorized the Board of Commissioners by resolution to do the same
thing.
5. It authorized each Municipal Council to prescribe by By-law, conditions
of obtaining a tavern license in addition to those specified in the
license law itself. -«v
6. It authorized each Council to limit the number of shop licenses, to re-
quire the holder of a shop license, "to confine the business of his shop
solely and exclusively, to the keeping and selling of liquor," and to
"impose any restrictions upon the mode of carrying on such traffic as
the Council may think fit," its enactments in this regard being bind-
ing on the License Commissioners.
7. It imposed a minimum fee for each of the three kinds of licenses —
wholesale, tavern, and shop — but authorized each Council in the case
of tavern and shop licenses to raise the amount absolutely to $200 and
to raise it conditionally as much higher as it pleased by By-law sub-
mitted to a vote of the electors of the municipality.
8. It vested the appointment of the License Inspector for each district in
the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, and required both Inspectors
and Commissioners to enforce the Dunkin Act wherever it had been
adopted by any municipality.
9. It required all taverns to be well appointed eating houses, and the law
now applies with equal force to saloons.
By the Act of 1881 the machinery of the " Crooks Act" was
made available for the enforcement of the " Scott Act," as it had
formerly been for the enforcement of the " Dunkin Act."
By the Act of 1884 the following changes were made : —
1. A considerable limitation of the number of saloon licenses allowed
under the license law.
2. Greater precautions against the establishment of a licensed house with-
out notice to the people of the locality.
3. The introduction of the principle of " local option" by empowering tha
majority of the electors of a polling sub-division to forbid by means
of a petition to the License Commissioners, the granting of a new
license in, or the transfer of an old license to, that sub-division.
4. Throwing open to the public the sittings of the Commissioners at which
applications for licenses are discussed.
5. Compulsory separation of the liquor traffic from other traffic in licensed
" shops" after 1888.
0. Prohibition of the colorable sale of liquors by " clubs" incorporated
under the Act respecting benevolent and other societies, and also of
colorable prescriptions or certificates by medical practitioners.
7. Authority given to Justices and Police Magistrates to forbid holders of
liquor licenses to sell to a habitual drunkard for a year.
8. Authority given to relatives of a habitual drunkard to publish a similar
prohibition.
72 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
9. Forbidding licenses on ferry boats.
10. A considerable increase in the amounts charged for the various kinds
of licenses.
By the Act of 1885, amongst other provisions, is an officer who
breaks the law himself " for the purpose of detecting a known or
inspected offender against the Liquor Law free from conviction."
By the Act of 1886, a provincial inspector is provided, whose
duty is personally to inspect each license district and the books
of each district inspector, and to conduct on oath inquiries into
the conduct of the inspectors. Frequenting of bar-rooms during
prohibited hours is strictly forbidden, and it is made an offence
for " keepers" of bar-rooms to permit it.
License Fees.
Prior to 1876 the Statute fixed a sum to be paid to the Gov-
ernment for tavern, shop and vessel licenses, and the municipali-
ties were empowered to receive the fee from a certain minimum
amount, such increase to be paid wholly to the municipalities.
In that year the " Crooks Act " was passed, throwing part of the
work of administration on the Provincial Government.
The following table shows the amount of fees as fixed by the
License Act of 1876, and the amount as fixed by the License Acts
of 1884 and 1886, respectively :—
Taverns and Shops, 1876 1884 1886
Cities over 20,000 $100 CO $160 00 S250 00
Cities under 20,000 100 00 160 00 200 00
Towns 80 00 100 00 150 00
Villages 60 00 80 00 ] 20 00
Townships 6000 7200 <)0 99
Saloons,
Cities 100 00 160 00 300 00
Towns 80 00 110 00 250 00
Wholesale,
Cities over 20,000 150 00 225 00 '. 250 00
Towns and cities under 20,000 150 00 225 00 250 00
Vessels,
Great Lakes 100 00 125 00 , ±*g .
" " wine and beer 5000 6250 (Hell
Inland Waters f!0 00 85 00 t '•£•?£
" " 3000 4250 )l~~c
In 1889, a further amendment was made to the Liquor License
Act, giving power to pass By-laws respecting licenses pending the
result of any application for repeal of The Canada Temperance
Act, which By-laws should come into force immediately on such
THE MOWAT (iOVKUNMEXT. 73
repeal, if carried. This was at a time when numerous petitions
for appeal were being presented, and this measure provided
against an interval in which no license law should be in force.
This Act also made the purchaser of .liquor from a person not
licensed to sell it, or any one who drinks it upon the premises
when so purchased, guilty of offence under the law.
Amendments during Session of 1890.
In 1890, equally important advances were made in the direction
of imposing desirable restrictions and safeguards. By the Act
entitled "An Act to Improve the Liq'uor License Laws," it is pro-
vided that :
" In the case of an application for a tavern or shop license by a person
who is not, at the time of making such application, a licensee under this Act,
or as to premises which are not then licensed, the petition must be accom-
panied by a certificate signed by a majority of the electors entitled to vote at
elections for the Legislative Assembly in the polling sub-division in which
the premises sought to be licensed are situated, and the said majority must
include at least one-third of the said electors who are at the time of such ap-
plication residents within the said polling sub-division."
And, further : —
" In unorganized districts the said certificate shall be signed by at least
eleven out of the twenty householders residing nearest to the premises in
which the applicant proposes to carry on the business for which the license
is required."
This enactmeut positively confers upon, the people the powers
of a " Local Option " Law in all cases of new applications, and will
be accepted as a proof of the determination of this Government
to keep abreast of public opinion by providing advanced legisla-
tion as promptly as the people may desire to use it.
In addition to more stringent regulations as to penalties, etc.,
the Act also, —
PROHIBITS THE SALE of intoxicating liquor on vessels navigat-
ing the lakes and rivers of the Province ;
Increases the age of " minors " from " sixteen " to " eighteen,"
thus subjecting to a PENALTY those who sell liquor to persons
UNDER EIGHTEEN years of age.
Provides a penalty when liquor is supplied to any person under
twenty-one years, in respect to whom notice in writing has been
given, prohibiting such licensed victualler to sell or supply liquor
to the party in question ;
And gives greater authority to search unlicensed premises
74 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
and "dives," to seize liquor and arrest persons found on said
premises.
Local Option.
Certain powers possessed by the municipal councils prior to
the vote of Confederation, were re-enacted in the following : —
" The council of every township, city, town and incorporated village, may
pass by-laws for prohibiting the sale by retail of spirituous, fermented or
other manufactured liquors, in any tavern, inn, or other house or place of
public entertainment, and for prohibiting altogether the sale thereof in shops
and places other than houses of public entertainment ; Provided that the
by-Jaw, before the final passing thereof, has been duly approved of by the
electors of the municipality in the manner provided by the sections in that
behalf, of The Municipal Act : Provided further that nothing in this section
contained shall be construed into an exercise of jurisdiction by the Legisla-
ture of the Province of Ontario beyond the revival of provisions of law
which were in force at the date of the passing of The British North America
Act, and which the subsequent legislation of this Province purported to
repeal."
Unjust Criticisms Answered.
A great deal of professional criticism is expended by the Oppo-
sition on the Temperance legislation of this Government. It is
fitting that such criticisms should be offered by those who, in
their other capacity of supporters of the present Dominion author-
ities were eager to take the control of this interest out of the
hands of the Province, to which the Confederation Act entrusts
it, to give it to their political friends at Ottawa, and to foist upon
the people of this Province an additional, elaborate, and expen-
sive law, the principal merits of which were that it attempted to
cover the ground already satisfactorily occupied by the provin-
cial law, and to provide a great number of Commissionerships, In-
spectorships and other positions for their own political friends.
In the face of the principle laid down by that proposed law,
which attempted to give the full control of the regulation of this
traffic into the hands of the Dominion Government, the Opposi-
tion are now contending that this control should go back to the
municipalities. But such a provision is not desired, and has
never been asked for by the municipalities. A change of that
character would re-introduce into municipal elections, and into
the administration of municipal concerns, all the disadvantages
incident to the operation of the liquor influence upon every elec-
tion and upon every question arising in municipal affairs. It, is
better to have such power in the hands of one central provincial
authority, having a general oversight and uniform administration,
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 75
and directly responsible to the representatives of the people in
the Legislature.
The Crooks' Act Endorsed.
The friends of the temperance cause hailed with delight the
withdrawal of the power from municipal corporations to issue
liquor licenses, and the assumption of that authority by the Gov-
ernment, that being the effect of the passage of the " Crooks'
Act." The following resolution adopted by the Methodist Gene-
ral Conference in 1882, when the agitation to return to the old
system was being advanced by the Opposition, voiced then, as it
does now, the sentiment of the general public upon this question :
" Although we cannot accept as righteous absolutely any license law, yet,
if we must tolerate some one as the tentative regulator of an evil till we can
have it removed, we must regard the Crooks' Act as the best instrument for
this suppression the Province of Ontario ever had. We would emphatically
deprecate any legislation that would impair its efficacy, and we would respect-
fully recommend our people, where this law obtains, to use their voice and
franchise to prevent the control of this license system reverting to the muni-
cipalities, where the industrious ward politician and the interested liquor
dealer so largely manipulate the election."— Resolution of the Methodist Gen-
eral Conference, Sept., 1882.
Policy of the Opposition.
The policy of the Opposition has been particularly variable
on the temperance question. A glance at the following resolu-
tions offered by them at different periods will reveal their vacil-
lation on this subject, and will tend to support the opinion that
the steady, liberal, and progressive policy of the Government, un-
der the present law and its amendments, is the only one which
can safely be followed in this important matter in the interests of
the people.
Policy in 1876.
During the discussion of the licensing law of 1876, on the
7th February, contesting the proposal of the Government to
reduce the number of licenses issued at once, Mr. Meredith moved,
seconded by Mr. Scott :
That the Bll be not now read a third time, but that it be forthwith
referred to a Committee of the whole House, with instructions to amend
the same, so far as to provide that the provisions therein contained, for
limiting the maximum number of tavern licences to be granted, shall not
come into force until the first day of Mitch, A.D. 1877.
70 THE MOWAT COVEKXMKNT.
The date so named, was a year later than that on which the
Government proposed to bring the limiting provision into force ;
and Mr. Meredith's motion was lost on a division.
Mr. Lauder then moved in amendment, seconded by the Hon.
Mr. McDougall : —
That the Bill be not now read a third time, but that it be referred to a
Commmittee of the whole House, with instructions to amend the same so as to
provide that in cities and towns separated from counties, for Municipal pur-
poses, the Mayor, and in other places, the Warden of the County, shall be
one of the three License Commissioners referred to in section one of the
Bill. '
This would have had the effect of leaving the licensing business
as a vicious influence in municipal affairs to a partial extent, at
least. The resolution was lost. — Yeas, 31 ; Nays, 49.
Policy in 1877.
In the discussion of the Act amending the Licensing Act, on
February 16th, 1877, Mr. Harkin moved, seconded by Mr. Preston,
in amendment, —
That the Bill be not now read a third time, but be recommited to a Com-
mittee of the whole House, with instructions so to amend the Bill as to
enable the Council of every municipality to appoint its own Inspector or
Inspectors ; to determine his or their remuneration ; to decide to whom
licenses shall be granted in their respective municipalities, having regard to
the limitations imposed by the Act 39 Viet., chap. 26 ; and to dispense with
the services of the Commissioners and Inspectors now appointed under said
Act by His Honor in Council.
Mr. Merrick's resolution being thus defeated, Mr. Creighton
then moved, seconded by Mr. Barr, —
That all the words after " Municipality " be struck out, and the following
inserted in lieu thereof : — "To decide to whom licenses shall be granted in
their respective municipalities, having regard to the limitations imposed by
the Act 29 Viet., Chap. 26."
The resolution or amendment then proposed read as follows : —
That the Bill be not now read a third time, but be re-committed to a com-
mittee of the whole House with instructions so to amend the Bill as to
enable tlie Council of every municipality to decide to whom
license!} shall he granted in their respective municipalities, having re-
gard to the limitations imposed by Act 39 Vic., Chap. 26. It was declared
lost on a vote of yeas 9, nays 60.
THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT. 77
Policy in 1882
That they are and have been in favor of the vicious expedient
of returning to the municipalities this source of danger and trou-
ble, however, was again made manifest from the position taken at
their Convention in Toronto, on September 14th, 1882. At this
Convention referred to, it was unanimously resolved to be
' ' The opinion of (this Convention that without interfering with the laws
regulating the liquor traffic, and limiting the number .licenses of that may be
issued, the power of issuing licenses, and the fees derived therefrom, should
be restored to the municipalities. "
In speaking to this resolution Mr. Meredith said that
"He was prepared to say that the present Opposition, if it took office
would be prepared to wipe away the partizan commissioners. (Cheers.) He
was prepared to restore to the people of the Province the rights they former-
ly exercised. (Cheers). He was prepared to give back to the municipal
bodies the rights they formerly enjoyed." (Cheers). — [From report
in Mail].
Policy in 1883.
This policy was further pursued in a resolution in amendment
to order for Committee of Supply, 24th January, 1883, when it
was moved by Mr. Meredith, seconded by Hon. Mr. Morris,—
That all the words in the motion after " That " be struck out, and the fol-
lowing substituted therefor : — ' This House, while recognizing the necessity
of maintaining the other provisions of the' existing liquor license law, and
strictly enforcing them, is of opinion that it is not in the public interest or
calculated to promote the cause of temperance to continue the mode of ap-
pointing Boards of License Commissioners, and License Inspectors now in
force, and is further of opinion that these Boards should, in order to remove
them as far as possible from the influences of political partizanship, be ap-
pointed in counties by the county councils, and in cities and towns separate
from counties by the councils thereof, and that the power of appointing
one or more License Inspectors in each license district should be vested in
the Board, and this House regrets that legislation providing for this change
in the law, and for handing over to the Municipalities the whole of the license
fees, except a sum sufficient to pay the expenses of the License Branch of
the Department of the Provincial Secretary, has not been proposed for its
consideration by the advisers of His Honor the Lieutenant- Governor." —
Lost. —Yeas, 26 ; Nays, 49.
Policy in 1890.
The policy of the Opposition was again re-constructed by the
submission of the following resolution during the late sessions of
the Legislature as an ' amendment to the Hon. Mr. Gibson's
measure : —
78 THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT.
"That the Bill be not now read a third time, but be referred back to a
Committee of the Whole House, and so amended a* to provide that the
license commissioners hereafter be appointed in c<.m.nti>"< by County Councils,
and in cities and towns elected by the municipal electors of such cities and
towns."
Canada Temperance Act.
But efficient as the legislation in this department was thus up
to 1886, this Government by no means relaxed its efforts. In
1887; complaints were made of the want of machinery for the
enforcement of The Canada Temperance Act, commonly known
as the " Scott Act," in the counties in which it had been adopted.
Though this was a Dominion law, and should have been enforced
by the Federal authorities, as the Act provides for the Inland
Revenue Officers securing its observance, yet for the sake of the
interests involved, the Government of this Province passed an Act
for the appointment of special Police Magistrates in all such coun-
ties, and defining their jurisdiction, tenure of office, place of hold-
ing courts, indemnity, etc. This measure was to continue in force
in any county so long as The Canada Temperance Act should be
in operation there.
The facts, in this connection, are that the Government were
asked if they would appoint Police Magistrates for the purposes
of the Scott Act, in cases in which the County Councils requested
it. To this they agreed. It was discovered after the subsequent
election, however, that only two County Councils had taken
advantage of this arrangement, and asked for the appointment
of Magistrates. The Government, complying with the request of
the friends of the Scott Act, obtained from the Legislature,
authority for the purpose of securing a better observance of the
law.
Legislation was also passed, providing for the payment of a
share of the expenses of license district in such counties by the
County Council, and applying to the cases of such counties, as to
such license districts, the provisions of The Liquor License Act
and its amendments.
This was followed, in 1888, by a measure amending The
Liquor License Act, by providing for the appointment of License
Commissioners in counties where the Scott Act was in force, and
for the payment of expenses for enforcing The Liquor License
Act in such districts or parts of districts ; also for the disposal of
the license fund which might accrue in any such district.
It should be noted, that in no Province of the Dominion was
the responsibility of enforcing the Scott Act assumed by a Pro-
THE MOWAT (JOVKUXMKXT. 79
vincial Government, except in this Province, and that responsi-
bility was assumed by the Mowed Administration, notwithstand-
ing the refusal of the Dominion Parliament to provide the
necessary legislation to secure its observance.
During the 1890 session, Mr. Meredith attempted to make a
point against the Government, because in two polling divisions,
out of all the counties in which the Canada Temperance Act had
been repealed, complaint had been made that some licenses had
been granted by Commissioners, contrary to the wishes of the
people. On enquiry into the cases in question, it was found that
there were no legal petitions against the granting of the licenses
signed by the majority of the electors. Even if there had been,
the Commissioners were not bound to have regard to them, inas-
much as section 11 of the License Act, applies only to licenses
which are to take effect on 1st May, whereas the Scott Act re-
peals being after that date, applications for licenses might be made
and licenses issued at any time during the remainder of the
year, and, as a matter of fact, the applications in question were
considered some time in the month of June. All attempts to
make capital against the Government, in connection with the
administration of the License Law, proved abortive. Members of
the Opposition who had any criticisms to make, in almost every
case complained of alleged irregularities in parts of the Province,
remote from their own constituencies and generally on hearsay
or newspaper information. Such complaints were in every case
effectually disposed of by the Government.
Commissioners and Inspectors, who have been appointed under
the License Act, who were not prominent temperance men, were
replaced by those in entire sympathy with the Scott Act, in order
to provide that the provisions of the prohibition law should be
enforced, and these officers were specially charged with the en-
forcement of the Act. A prominent and trusted temperance
advocate, the late Rev. Mr. Manning, who had some local experi-
ence in connection with the enforcement of the License Act, was
also appointed and placed in the Head Office, specially charged
with the duty of supervising the work of the Inspectors, and see-
ing that the provisions of the Scott Act were inforced. The
death of Mr. Manning having rendered vacant the position he
had occoupied with such satisfaction to the Temperance com-
munity, the Government, in the desire that his successor should
be acceptable to those whose interests the late incumbent speci-
ally represented, appointed to the vacancy Mr. J. R. Stewart, of
Ottawa, whose reputation as a leading Temperance advocate was
provincial in its character.
80 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
PROVINCIAL TREASURER'S DEPARTMENT.
The Treasury Department proper, including the Audit Office,
has entrusted to it the keeping of the accounts of the Province.
No charge of either corruption or inefficiency has ever been made
against these branches of the public service, under either the pre-
sent Treasurer, Hon. R. Harcourt, or his predecessors.
*
Railway Aid.
In the session of 1871 an Act was passed at the instance of the
Sandfield Macdonald Government, setting apart a million and a
half of dollars ($1,500,000), as a fund for the purpose of aiding
railways on certain conditions. It was contended by the then
Opposition that the grant to each railway should be submitted to
the Assembly for its approval before being paid over to the com-
pany constructing it, and when the Liberal party came into power
in 1872, an Act was passed requiring this to be done.
By another Act, also passed in 1872, the " Railway Fund " was
increased from $1,500,000 to $1,900,000, and a " Railway Subsidy
Fund" was created by setting apart the sum of $100,000 a year
for twenty years, special appropriations to particular roads were
made by Acts passed in 1876, 1877, 1&78, and 1881.
During the present parliament, in 1892 and 1893, aid was
granted to certain colonization railways, these being in the new
Thunder Bay, Algoma, Parry Sound, and Ni pissing Districts, and
in the Eastern part of the Province hitherto inadequately pro-
vided with Railway facilities. The total mileage of the railways
so aided was 151 miles, and the grant being $3,000 per mile, the
total sum granted/ to wards the opening up of these outlying dis-
tricts in this way was $403,500. These subsidies, added to pre-
vious ones to other lines, bring the amount granted to railways
out of the surplus revenues, and thus given back to the people,
to a total of eight millions of dollars.
By a series of enactments extending over many years, muni-
cipalities were authorized to vote sums in aid of railways, and
advantage was extensively taken of the powers thus conferred.
The policy of liberally aiding railways out of Provincial funds has
had the effect of stimulating the liberality and enterprise of the
municipalities, which have granted, by way of subsidies to rail-
ways, about twice as great a total amount as that granted by the
Government. Under the Municipal Loan Fund settlement scheme,
about to be considered, the Province has repaid to the municipal!-
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 81
ties, as appears from the various statements of the Treasurer,
almost a million and a half of dollars, which is to be added to the
sums paid directly to the several railways, thus increasing the
bulk sum paid to the people to assist in their railway enterprises,
to nearly nine millions. This liberality has secured the building,
or projected building, of 3,000 miles of railway, thus making
Ontario, in the matter of such accommodation, one of the most ade-
quately equipped countries in the world. The total Provincial
and Municipal aid thus granted has exceeded $22,000,000.
Surplus Distribution and Municipal Loan Fund.
The payments in aid of railways, liberal as they were, did not
exhaust the accumulations of surplus revenue.
In the session of 1873 Attorney- General Mowat submitted a
measure for the distribution of a portion of the surplus in connec-
tion with the settlement of the Municipal Loan Fund question.
The total indebtedness to the fund amounted, in 1872, to twelve
million dollars (812,000,000), and on this immense sum the Pro-
vince at large had to pay interest.
The Municipal Loan Fund Act of 1873 authorized the appropria-
tion of a certain sum out of the Provincial surplus to each muni-
cipality according to population. To a municipality not in debt
to the Loan Fund the amount was to be paid in full. To one. in
debt to the Fund the subsidy was to be set off against the debt,
the balance, if there was one, being payable to the municipality.
In cases where the amount of debt exceeded the amount of sub-
sidy the municipality remained liable for the difference.
By the operation of this policy, inestimable benefits were con-
ferred on the municipalities. Some were relieved from a crushing
incubus of debt, and all were made participators in the general
prosperity of the Province. The total amount distributed under
this scheme was about $3,44-7,525.
The following table shows to what purposes the greater part of
this subsidy has been applied by municipalities :
In roads and bridges 81,181,682 06
In paying debts caused by granting aid to railways 987,889 18
In paying other debts incurred for permanent works not speci-
fied 28,579 56
In educational purposes, including school-houses built, school
debts paid, and investments for school purposes 705,468 36
In building and improving town halls 147,346 40
(72 town halls have been built or paid for, and a large nrmber
of markets and lock-upa).
F
82 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
In town and village improvements, byAconstruction of water-
works, making sidewalks, planting shade trees, and buy-
ing steam fire engines 76,432 65
In making and improving harbours 43,749 46
In drainage 27,642 27
In paying share of cost of county buildings, and aiding in the
erection of mills and manufactories 13,382 50
In buying and laying out public parks and agricultural society
grounds 4,954 26
In the purchase and improvements of cemeteries 1,917 02
In aid given to unorganized districts, in making roads and
bridges, and building schools » 6,334 82
Total $3,225,378 54
Drainage Investments.
As far back as 1869 an Act was passed, authorizing the Govern-
ment to advance money for the drainage of large areas, the
works to be carried out under the Public Works Act of 1868, and
the improved land to be used as security for the repayment of the
advance by means of a rental charge.
This Statute was repealed by an Act passed in 1873. It
made still more liberal arrangements for the construction of
drainage works, which under it may be undertaken at the in-
stance of the owners of the land, and without the intervention of
any municipal Council, the security and mode of collection re-
maining the same,
By an Act passed in 1S73, it was provided that the Govern-
ment might advance money at the rate of five per cent, to muni-
cipalities for drainage purposes, leaving the work to be done by
the local authorities. The method of investment under this
system is the purchase of municipal debentures to the required
amount, the municipality being responsible for the payment of
the debentures, and being left to collect for itself the amounts
charged against the lands benefited.
The maximum amount invested under either system cannot at
any time exceed $250,000, but the money, as it is repaid by one
municipality, may be lent to another. In this way the total
amount invested under both plans'up to the end of 1889, was
about $1,084,700, and for the four succeeding years, including
1893, $25 4,63 1.1 0. The area drained, is made up of tracts scattered
over the counties of Kent, Lambton, Middlesex, Elgin, Lanark,
Lennox, Grey, Addington, Peterboro', Essex, Leeds, Welland,
Huron, Bruce, Durham, Perth, Hastings, and Haldimand.
Another application of the same form of investment was made
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 83
in 1878, by an Act authorizing the Government to advance
money at five percent., through the medium of municipal de-
bentures, for tile-draining purposes. The total amount so in-
vested must never exceed $200,000, and the amount invested at
close of 1893, is 104..531.86. In 18S7 the Government reduced
the rate of interest on all drainage loans to four per cent.
Audit of Public Accounts,
In the session of 1886 an Act was passed " to provide for the
better auditing of the public accounts of the Province." It
creates a Treasury Board of three members, who are Ministers of
the Crown, and also creates the office of Provincial Auditor tha
incumbent of which is removable from office only on address of
the Legislative Assembly to the Lieutentant-Governor. The
Provincial Auditor's duty is to " examine, check, and audit all
accounts of receipts and expenditures of public moneys ; " to " see
that no cheque issues for the payment of any public money, for
which there is no direct legislative appropriation ; " to present to
the Legislative Assembly a statement of all expenditures made,
on the order of the Treasury Board, without his sanction ; and
to prepare the Public Accounts for submission to the Legislature.
The system of auditing the Public Accounts, already efficient, has
been made by this Statute still more so, while the people of the
Province have as satisfactory a check upon irregular expenditure
of public funds as it is possible to devise.
Financial Administration.
The financial policy of the Mowat Government has been
characterised by the most careful economy in all Provincial ex-
penditures that are under administrative control, and by a liberal
expenditure of surplus revenue for local services of various kinds,
which, but for the relief thus afforded, would have greatly in-
creased the burden of municipal taxation. The absolutely neces-
sary expense of carrying on the Government of the Province
absorbs a comparatively small part of the Provincial revenue; It
has been the policy of the Mowat Government to return the rest
of it annually to the people, instead of hoarding it up as an ad-
dition to the large surplus already in the Provincial Treasury.
That this policy of surplus distribution had once the approval of
Mr. Meredith is shown by the following extract from one of the
first speeches made by him after he assumed the leadership of the
Opposition : —
84 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
" One question upon which it was incumbent that they should submit a
policy was that of the disposition of the large surplus which the honorable
member for Elgin said was at the disposal of the Province. In not indicating
their intentions with reference to the surplus of four and one-half milliors
which they claimed to have in hand, they were certainly untrue to their duty
and unworthy of confidence."
If his subsequent utterances and actions have not always been
in harmony with this expression of his views, it is his place, not
that of his opponents, to reconcile them.
Independent Criticism.
The Mail, in a criticism of the Provincial Treasurer's financial
statement, said :
" The Provincial estimates for 1890, which were submitted in the Assem-
bly yesterday provide for a gross expenditure of $3,420,000. The ordinary
expenditure will be $2,829,000, the capital expenditure $566,000, and thht
on account of refunds $25,000. The gross expenditure of Quebec for the fis-
cal year 1890-1 will exceed five millions. The general conduct of the Ontario
Government is not beyond criticism, quite the contrary ; but it must be allow-
ed that its management of the finances has been thrifty, judicious and clean." —
(Feb. 13th, 1890.)
And on April llth, 1890, the Mail said editorially : —
" The Government can also make out a good case for itself in regard to its
administration of the finances. After dealing liberally by the municipalities
and exhibiting a creditable enterprise in building railways and erecting pub-
lic institutions, Mr. Mowat is able to show a comfortable surplus. Instead
of having a surplus of five or six millions in the treasury, Quebec has a debt
of thirty millions, and, in spite of the direct taxes imposed on commercial
corporations and of other revenue-raising devices, a fresh loan is inevitable.
It must alao be admitted that Mr. Mowat has passed many progressive meas-
ures affectirg the general interests of the community, AND THAT, ON THE
WHOLE, HIS MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN CLEAN AND FREE FEOM SCANDAL. These
are POWERFUL reasons for GIVING- HIM A NEW TERM." — (April llth, 1890.)
Ontario Finances.
Ontario is to be heartily congratulated upon her financial position. She
has a surplus this year of ordinary revenue over ordinary .'expenditure of
$312,768, and a total surplus of interest yielding assets over liabilities of
$6,136,489. She seems to have a million and a half of dollars in the banks
at interest, including a balance on current account of $75,016. This splendid
position is the result of a business-like management of the province's timber
limits and other sources of revenue, and a strictly economical and honest
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 85
spending of the people's money by the Mowat Government during twenty-
five years of uninterrupted administration.
Under the management of Mr. Fraser, the retiring Minister of Public
Works, upwards of three millions of dollars have been spent during the last
five years upon public buildings, including nearly two and a half millions
upou new parliamentary buildings, and yet not a dollar was challenged as
mis- spent.
Not a single extra of any kind was allowed in the construction of the new
parliament buildings. There has been no conspiracy between the contrac-
tors and the Government by which contractors getting extras contributed
to election funds. The only wonder is that during the carnival of corrup-
tion and extravagance which has reigned at Ottawa and Quebec such a gov-
ernment as that of Ontario has been able to guard a full treasury from
friends and foes alike and yet remain in power. There is encouragement
and hope for every province of Canada and for the Dominion in Ontario's
splendid example of what Canadian statesmen are capable. — The Witness,
(Independent), Montreal, March 14th, 1894.
Ontario's Surplus.
The financial record of the Mowat Government is undoubtedly the strong-
est cable that has bound to it, thus far, the approval of the people. It is a
great comfort to Ontario folk to hear their Finance Minister announce that
the assets of the Province exceed the liabilities by over six millions —
especially when they remember that all the other provinces talk — not of
surpluses but of debts. But the fact remains that Mowat's Finance Min-
ister can announce a surplus while the rest of us are compelled to be content
with putting the brakes on our debts. There thus grows up a tendency to
judge Mowat by our sins rather than by his virtues that cannot but be a
great boon to him. — Montreal Star (Conservative), March 17th, 1894.
Under the heading "No Room for Boodle There," The Evening News
(Conservative) says, " The Lionel Yorke contract for the carpenter work on
the new Parliament Buildings was $90,700 an(j the extras amounted to $300.
On the $76,800 contract for plumbing, heating and gas-fitting there was an
additional claim for $900. Arid $12,000 was allowed over the price first
agreed upon for the $752,000 job on excavation, masonry and brickwork.
In all, on close upon $1,000,000 worth of work, the extras, over the sum
fixed, amounted to only l£ per cent. Whatever else may be sai i about the
Mowat Government or the new Provincial Parliament Buildings, these facts,
at ail events, are very much to the credit of the Ministry. They' show the
extreme care exercised in framing the contracts in the first place, and the
firmness with which contractors were held to the terms afterwards. Tt is
doubtful if an equally good showing can be made in connection with the
erection of any other great public building on this continent."
A Policy of Kelief.
When the Liberal party came in office in 1871 there were two
courses open to them in dealing with that portion of the annual
revenue which is in excess of the sum absolutely required for the
public service of the Province — that is to say, for Civil Govern-
86 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
ment, Legislation, and Administration of Justice. They might
have adopted a policy of hoarding up the annual surpluses and
allowing them to accumulate in the Treasury, throwing upon the
people the whole cost of Education, of the local administration of
justice, of the maintenance of convicts and lunatics, of the relief
of the poor and the diseased, and of the construction and main-
tenance of colonization roads. Had they done this they might
now have been able to show a total surplus of nearly sixty mil-
lions of dollars, for the accumulated sum would have been itself a
source of steadily increasing revenue. They preferred to take
the alternative course of relieving the burden of municipal taxa-
tion, by expending not merely the surplus revenue of each year
as it accrued, but also a large part of the accumulated surplus with
which they were called upon to deal when they took upon them-
selves the task of administering the affairs of the Province.
The Surplus.
When the Liberal party came into office in 1871 they found in
the Treasury an accumulated surplus of ca^h and trust funds,
amounting to nearly seven millions of dollars (87,000,000).
By an Act passed the previous session a million and a-half of
dollars ($1,500,000) had been appropriated in aid of railway con-
struction. This sum was subsequently increased by several other
Acts until it amounted to a total of $8,500,000, by far the greater
portion of which has already been paid.
In 1873 an Act was passed appropriating out of the accumu-
lated surplus nearly three and a-half millions of dollars, to be di-
vided amongst the various municipalities, and used as a means of
wiping out the indebtedness of some of them to the Municipal
Loan Fund.
Each year a large and ever increasing amount has been spent
out of current revenue on services the cost of which would other-
wise have greatly increased the burden of municipal taxation.
Even these payments did not usually exhaust the annual revenue
of the Province, and there has generally been a surplus to add to
that already accumulated. Occasionally the expenditure under
the Supply Bill has exceeded the revenue, making it necessary to
draw to that extent on the surpluses of previous years.
The following table gives the ordinary revenue and expenditure
and the Supply Bill for the years 1873-93 inclusive, and shows
the annual surpluses and deficits : —
THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT.
87
Revenue.
1873 $2,931,439
1874 2,611,550
1875 2,493,650
1876 2,423,372
1877 2,462,940
1878 2,244,133
1879 2,448,617
1880 2,400,200
1881 2,746,772
1882 2,838,543
1883 2,394,193
1884 2,523,874
1885 2,697,420
1886 2,843,632
1887 3,123,211
1888 3,552,264
1889 3,499,385
1890 3,381,995
1891 3,327,070
1892 4,457,478
1893 4,039,656
Expenditure
$2,460,212
2,342,339
2,063,550
2,155,185
2,363,806
2,408,534
2,285,282
2,243,663
2,281,053
2,429,554
2,548,171
2,870,035
2,693,525
2,769,978
2,864,713
3,007,037
3,181,614
3,367,685
3,428,731
3,411,012
3,371,748
Surplus
§471,227
269,211
430,106
268,187
99,134
'163,335
156,537
465,719
408,989
Deficit
3,895
73,654
358,498
545,227
317,771
14,310
1,046,466
667,908
164,401
153,978
346,161
101,661
Totals $5,760, 174 $766, 201
Net addition to the surplus from 1873 to 1883 out of reve-
nue $4,993,973.
Another Asset.
Owing to the recognition by the Dominion Government in 1884
of a debt of $5,397,503, due from the Dominion to the late Pro-
vince of Canada, an addition was made in 1885 to the surplus of
the Province, to the extent of $2,848,289, which is Ontario's share
of the above sum under the Quebec Award.
The following is a statement of the Provincial assents, lia-
bilities and surplus at the close of 1893 : —
Investments, Interest-bearing and Oath Assets of the Province*
1. — DIRECT INVESTMENTS : —
Drainage. 5 per cent, debentures
invested 31st December, 1893. . .
Tile do. do. do. do.
Drainage Works — Municipal amt's
Other debentures,. etc
$234,664 64
104,531 86
156,554 79
4,821 00
500,572 29
88 THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT.
2. — CAPITAL HELP AND DEBTS DUE BY
THE DOMINION TO ONTARIO, BEAK-
ING INTEREST : —
U.C. Grammar School Fund(2 Vic.
cap. 10). . . $312,769 04
U.C. Building Fund (18 Sect., Act
1854) 1,472,391 41
Land Improvement Fund (aee
Award) 124,685 18
The capital under Act
1884 (see Award,
Nov., '93) 2,848,289 52
Less estimat, balance
due the Dominion. 1,544,000 00
1,304,289 52
3,214,135 15
COMMON SCHOOL FUND :
Collections by Dominion 1,520,950 24
Collections by Ontario, paid
over to the Dominion in 1889
and 1890, after deducting land
improvement Fund at 6 per
cent, for collections 936,729 10
$2,457,679 34
Ontario's share according to
population, 1891 1,441,882 90
4,656,018 05
3. — BANK BALANCES ; —
Special Accounts , 925,000 00
Current Accounts 75,016 68
1,000,016 68
3,156,607 02
Liabilities of the Province at present Payable.
1. — BALANCE DUE TO MUNICIPALI-
TiEsre SURPLUS DISTRIBUTION .... $1,291 30
2. — LAND IMPROVEMENT FUND : —
Balance Due to Municipalities
under 45 Vib. Cap. 3 and 49 Vic.
Cap. 6 $3,256 57
Balance Due to Municipalities
under 54 Vic. Cap. 9 3,333 81
:_ 6,590 38
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
89
3. — QUEBEC'S SHAKE OF COLLECTIONS
BY ONTARIO ON ACCOUNT OF COM-
MON SCHOOL LANDS IN ]890, 1891,
1892, 1893 :—
Collections on lands sold between
llth June, 1853, and 6th
March, 1861 33,311 36
Less 6 per cent cost of nmn'gmt 1,998 68
31,312 68
Less one quarter for Land Im-
provement Fund 7,828 17
23,484 51
Collections on lands sold since
6th March, 1861 9,107 34
Less 6 per cent, cost of man'gmt 546 44
8,560 90
32,045 41
Quebec's proportion according
to population, 1891 13,244 85
Total 21,126 53
Surplus of Assets after deduct-
ing Liabilities presently pay-
able $6,135,480 49
Surplus from 1873 to 1893.
Owing to a variety of causes the surplus in the Treasury fluctu-
ates from year to yeai^ but a glance at the following table will
show that there is no likelihood of its being speedily wiped out : —
Year. Surplus.
1873 $4,332,294
1874 5,756,352
1875.. 5,096,376
1876 4,873,203
1877 4,752,798
1878 4,430,993
1879 4,309,027
1880 4,220,088
1881 4,509,591
1882 4,825.586
1883 4,384,241
Year. Surplus,
1884- 86,859.666
1885 6,766,090
1886 6,680,339
1887 6,665352
1888 6,734,649
1889 6,427,252
1890 5,809,995
1891.. 5,285,516
1892 5,838,758
1893 6,135,480
While the presence of this large surplus in the Treasury is no
reason for reckless or useless expenditure, it is a reason for not
adopting the policy of increasing the burden of direct taxation by
throwing on the municipalities the cost of any of the services of
90 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
which the Province at present relieves them by means of grants
for education, for administration of justice, for agricultural societies
and mechanics' institutes, for the maintenance of convicts and
lunatics, in aid of charitable institutions, etc., etc.
The Annual Expenditure.
The expenditure of the Province, under the Supply Bill, is in-
curred under the heads given in the subjoined table, which shows
the total amounts spent on the various services in 1893 : —
Civil Government 0241,621 63
Legislation. 138,924 82
Administration of Justice 380,652 34
Education 662,520 69
Public Institutions, Maintenance 778,839 08
Immigration ' 7,231 06
Agriculture 169,573 33
Hospitals and Charities 164,896 24
Repairs and Maintenance 80,809 29
Public Buildings 320,943 00
Public Works 18.045 87
Colonization Roads U2,'l66 30
Charges Crown Lands 97,193 80
Refunds 18,682 94
Miscellaneous 179,648 59
Ordinary Expenditure under Supply Bill $3,371,748 98
Drainage Debentures $ 48,295 07
" (Tile) 14,20000
Railway Aid Certificates ' 145,416 44
Annuity 74,200 00
New Parliament Buildings 159,690 30
Brockville Lunatic Asylum 92,385 03
Land Improvement Fund (Special) 1,209 50
$3,907,145 32
Increased Expe n diture.
It is made a charge against the Mowat Government that some
of these items of expenditure are larger now than they were under
the Sandfield Macdonald Government in 1871. Bearing in mind
that " increased expenditure" in some cases means really " increas-
ed payments out of surplus revenue to keep down local taxation,"
it is instructive to compare certain items of expenditure in 1871
with the same items in 1893. In the following table the payments
under the head of " Administration of Justice " include only the
amounts handed over directly to County Treasurers to pay part
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 91
of the expenses of holding courts in the different localities; the
payments under the heads of "Education," "Agriculture and Arts,"
and " Hospitals and Charities," are also direct grants :
Service. 1871. 1893. Increase.
Education ' $351,306 $662,520 $311,214
Agriculture and Arts 76 381 169,573 93,192
Hospitals and Charities 40,260 164,896 124,636
Public Asylums, &c 171 .423 778,839 607,416
Administration of Justice 104,049 138,569 34,520
Colonization Roads 55,409 112,166 56,757
Total $798,828 $2,026,663 $1,227,735
Money Returned to the People.
The following table shows the total amount of the increased
grants for the same services under the Mowat Administration, as
compared with what they would have been if no increase had
taken place :
Total for 23 Total of actual Total in-
1871. years at the grants for 23 crease in
rate of 1871. years. 23 years.
Education /. .$351,306 $8,080,038 $12,386,617 $4,306,579
Agriculture and Arts 76,381 1,756,763 2,807,588 1,050,825
Hospitals and Charities 40,260 925,980 2,049,034 1,123,054
Asylums, &c 171,423 3,942,729 12,442,593 8,499,864
Administration of Justice 104,049 2,393,127 3,108,034 714,907
Colonization Roads 55,409 1 ,274,407 2,493,821 1,219,414
Total $798,828 $18,373,044 $35,287,687 $16,914,643
This Government has therefore returned to the people for the
various services mentioned, no less a sum than $16,914,643 more
than they would have done if they had continued the scale of
distribution adopted by their predecessors.
By reference to the appended table of annual expenditures, it
will be seen that the chief part of the increase in the expenditure
is due to increased payments that are really part of a regular
distribution of surplus revenue, and to the creation of new ser-
vices which come under the same description. Amongst the
latter may be specified the School of Practical Science, Inspection
of Division Courts, the Agricultural College, the Central Prison
the Niagara Falls Police, Short-hand reporting in the Courts'
Revision of Voters' Lists by County Judges, County Model
Schools, the License Branch, the Mercer Reformatory, the Board
of Health, the Bureau of Industries, Bureau of Mines, Inspection
of Judicial Offices, Farmers' Institutes and many others, all of
92 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
which have been established since 1871. It is impossible to carry
on these various services, to maintain new and enlarged lunatic
asylums, and to provide for the administration of justice over the
increasing area of the newly-settled districts, without greatly in-
creasing the annual expenditure.
The Proposed Reductions by the Opposition.
The best evidence that the annual expenditure under the Mowat
Administration is unimpeachable is the character of the proposals
made by the Opposition from year to year, in the form of amend-
ments to the Supply Bill. Taking the years 1883-1889, which
included the whole of the two Parliamentary terms, the proposed
reductions were year by year as follows :
In 1884 : To strike out the sum of $2,750 appropriated to meet
one half of the cost of a dam on Burnt River.
In 1885 : (1) To reduce the sum appropriated for sessional
clerks by $5,000 ; (2) to reduce the vote for immigration purposes
by $9,900 ; (3) to strike out the sum of $10,000 appropriated to
pay the cost of Mr. Caldwell in maintaining the public interests
against Mr. McLaren in the Mississippi River, known as the
Streams Bill case.
1886 : To strike out the sum of $1,400 appropriated to pay the
costs of the Returning Officer in East Simcoe.
In 1887: (1) To strike out $1,200 appropriation for Private
Secretary of Lieut.-Governor; (2) and voted against the Immigra-
tion appropriation, $16,900.
In 1888, 1889, 1890, 1891, no reduction was proposed by the
Opposition.
In 1892, the only item objected to was the sum of $350, being
an addition to the salary of the Provincial License Inspector.
In 1893, $42,275 in all was objected to. This was made up of
the following items : — -$2,400 for salary of an additional Inspec-
tor of Public Institutions ; $1,850 for salary of Director of Teach-
ers' Institutes ; $2,000 for salaries of Teachers in Ontario School
of Pedagogy ; $525 on account of Immigration agency at Liver-
pool, England ; $500 for salary of an assistant in Department of
Natural History at the Agricultural College, and $35,000 the
-total sum voted for surveys of Townships in new Districts.
Every dollar of the expenditure objected to was amply justified,
and in the public interest.
The following table, thus shows the amount granted for the
public service each year under the Supply Bill and also the
amount by which the Opposition asked to have it reduced :
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
\ 93
Amount of Supply. Amount objected to.
1884 $2,891,552 $ 2,750
1885 2,937,882 24,000
1886 3,136,651 1 ,400
1887 3,165,771 15,100
1888 3,205,804
1889 3,440,040
1890 3,625,293
1891 3,622,427
1892 3,599,907 350
1893 3,571,789 42,275
Total $33,197,114 $89^775
In other words, out of a total proposed appropriation in ten
years of
$33,197,114
the Opposition objected to only
$S9,775,
a trifle over two mills on the dollar.
Comparisons with- Quebec and the Dominion.
The following table shows the rate at which the cost of civil
government and legislation increased in Ontario, Quebec, and the
Dominion, respectively, from 1873 to 1893, inclusive:
Civil Government. 1873. 1893. Increase. Percentage.
Ontario $175,914 $ 241,621 $65,707 37
Quebec 135,1< 6 251,908 116,802 86
Dominion 750,874 1,325,087 574,213 76
Legislation.
Ontario 119,650 138,924 19,274 16
Quebec 163,569 199,769 36,200 22
Dominion 529,343 1,302,875 773,532 146
The following comparison of certain items of annual expendi-
ture in Ontario with the same items in Quebec, in 1893, is very
instructive. The first table includes the sums spent in carrying
on the public service of the Province, and in these it will be seen
the expenditure of Quebec is higher than that of Ontario, though
the population is less. The second table includes appropriations
that are intended to lessen the burden of local taxation, and in
these Ontario is the more liberal :
94 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
Table I.
Service. Quebec. Ontario Excess in Quebec.
Civil Government $251,908 $241,621 $10,287
Legislation 199,769 138,924 60,845
Administration of Justice 466,633 380,652 85,981
Table II.
Quebec. Ontario. Excess in Ontario.
Prisons and Asylums $300,000 $778,839 $478,839
Education 371,960 662,520 290,560
Further Proof of Economy.
To make still clearer, if possible, the economy with which the
finances of Ontario have been managed during the Mowat Ad-
ministration, look at the sums voted under the Supply Bills of
Ontario, Quebec, and the Dominion in the years 1873 and 1893
respectively :
1873. 1893. Increase. Percentage.
Ontario $2,460,212 $3,571,789 $3,111,577 45
Quebec 1,713,750 4,361,397 2,647,647 154
Dominion 19,174,648 44,938,287 25,763,639 134
During 1893 Ontario realized the handsome sum of $379,-
836.79, as interest on her investments, while her less fortunate
sister, the Province of Quebec, paid in interest and charges on her
public debt no less a sum than $1,445,031.34.
Lastly, Quebec started with a clean sheet in 1867, and she has
since piled up a debt of $25,000,000. Ontario, liberal as her ex-
penditures have been, out of surplus revenues, has accumulated in
the same time a surplus of $6,135,480. a difference of THIRTY-ONE
MILLIONS OFD OLLARS !
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 95
PROVINCIAL SECRETARY'S DEPARTMENT.
This Department, which was ably conducted by the Hon. A. S.
Hardy for twelve years, to the time of his succession to the De-
partment of Crown Lands on the death of the late Hon. T. B.
Pardee, has, since January, 1889, been presided over with equal
efficiency by the Hon. J. M. Gibson. In addition to the general
duties of his department, he has the oversight of the Inspectorate
of Division Courts, Insurance and Registry Offices, Chartering of
Joint Stock Companies, administration of the Act for the Pre-
vention of Cruelty to and Better Protection of Children, and of
the Game Laws ; but, probably, the management of the Public
Institutions of the Province forms the most important of the
various responsibilities with which the Provincial Secretary has
been charged.
Through this Department the official correspondence of the
Province is conducted, all public notices are gazetted, all charters
of incorporation are granted or amended, all proclamations are
issued, and all appointments to office are announced. During
1893 the number of new subjects dealt with was 5,330, exclusive
of a large number held over from, the previous year, in connection
with which altogether 13,928 letters were received and 14,761
sent out. In dealing with the new subjects, 2,636 references
were made to other departments of the G-overnment, from which
2,621 reports were received and acted upon. The number of forms
issued under the Marriage License Act was 28,965, one-half of
which were marriage licenses. Many other documents of different
kinds were sent out, including 108 Notarial Certificates, 252 Com-
missions, 396 Lunatics Warrants, 5,000 Circulars, etc., Six pro-
clamations and 482 appointments to office were gazetted, letters-
patent and supplementary letters-patent were granted to 159
companies, 13 returns were presented to the Legislative Assembly ^
fees to the amount of $13,204.62 were received and accounted for
during the year, and a large amount of other business was
transacted. The following statistics show how rapidly the busi-
ness of this office is increasing :
1871. 1893.
Number of fyles 1,264 5,330
Letters received 1,699 13,928
Letters sent 1,280 14,761
References to other Departments 912 2,636
Reports from do 470 2,621 .
Statutory returns received 58 2,500
96 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
Public Institictions.
The "Public Institutions," maintained entirely at the cost of
the Province, include (1) the Central Prison for men, the Mercer
Reformatory for women, and the Reformatory for boys at Pene-
tanguishene ; (2) five Lunatic Asylums — at Toronto, London,
Hamilton, Kingston and JVIimico, and an idiot asylum at Orillia,
besides the new asylum at Brockville, which will be opened during
the present year ; (3) the Educational Institute for the Blind at
Brantford, and that for the Deaf and Dumb at Belleville.
County jails to the number of 42, and district lock ups to the
number of 13, maintained partly at the expense of the Province,
are all under official supervision in connection with this branch
of the service.
The " Charitable Institutions," which are under the same super-
vision, include 32 hospitals, 32 houses of refuge, 26 orphan asy-
lums, and 2 Magdalen asylums, all of these being in receipt of
Government aid under the Charities Act. As the amount of aid
given is in direct proportion to the work done, the supervision of
the institutions must be of the most thorough kind.
The total amount paid in 1893 to hospitals and charitable in-
stitutions, out of the Provincial Treasury, was 8164,896.24. The
amount voted for 18.91 is 81 To,!- 5 9. 07. It is needless to repeat
that all of this expenditure, as well as all of the expenditure for
the erection and maintenance of the various public institutions,
is perfectly gratuitous on the part of the Province, that it relieves
the municipalities of a burden which would otherwise have to be
met by direct taxation, and that it is actually a repayment to the
people of surplus revenue.
The theory, alike of the Central Prison, the Mercer Reforma-
tory, and the Reformatory for Boys, is that mere punishment is
not adequate as a treatment for criminals, and that something
should be done to reform their characters and teach them useful
occupations. This principle is carried so far in the case of the
Reformatory for Boys thafc it is now virtually an industrial school,
and the change of system has been attended by the most satis-
factory results. It would be too much to expect a similar state
of progress in the reformatories for adults. The convicts sent to
them are in many cases hardened criminals, and their terms of
confinement are too short to afford much opportunity for effect-
ing a change of disposition.
Central Prison.
The number of convicts sentenced to the Central Prison since
it was opened for their reception, in 1874, is 13,037. The num-
THK MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
97
ber committed to it during the year 1893 was 630. The number re-
maining in it at the close of the year was 303. The average length
of convicts' terms during the whole period since 1874 is about
7'3 months. The total expenditure for maintenance during 1893
was, $59,839.07. The average daily cost per prisoner was 51.31
cents, as compared with 51.79 cents in 1892.
The labor of the prisoners is utilized so as to interfere as little
as possible in the way of competition with free labor outside,
and the results of the industrial operations carried on go far to-
wards making the prison self-sustaining. It would soon become
entirely so if those sent to it were long-term prisoners, instead
of being, as they are in many cases, ordinary vagrants, who have
been. driven by want to seek refuge in county jails, from which
they have been transferred to the Central Prison. If the profits
from the labor of prisoners, amounting to $19,896.14, be deducted
from the total maintenance, the net co^t would be $39,942.93, or
an average daily cost per prisoner of 34'35 cents.
Undoubtedly the best way to judge whether or not the indus-
tries in connection with the Central Prison are being efficiently
conducted is to compare results with those obtained at similar
institutions elsewhere. The following statement, which has been
carefully prepared from the reports of the different prisons men-
tioned, speaks more eloquently than words as to the care and
ability which have been displayed in the management of the Cen-
tral Prison, atod requires no explanation : —
Comparative Statement, 1893.
CENTRAL PRISON AND PENITENTIARIES OF THE DOMINION.
INSTITUTION.
TOTAL NO.
OF OFFICERS
AND G'RDS.
AVO. NO.
OF
PRISONERS.
AVO. NO. OF
PRISONERS
PER OFFICER
CASH REVENUE
PER PRISONER.
COST PER PRISONER
FOR MAINTENANCE
DEDUCTING RE-
VENUE.
Kingston Pent'y.
89
513|
5|
$ 6.50
$242.09|
St. Vincent de Paul.
61
380
5|
3.07i
225.29|
Dorchester Pent'y.
41
175
*i
22.30
232.32
Manitoba Pent'y.
27
73
2|
13.14
422.80
B. Columbia Pent'y.
29
84
3
10.46
492.29
Central Prf§on.
45
3 2O
71
* 9
««.!§
124. §2
G
98 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
The particular industries carried on have not by any means
been selected with the exclusive design of reaping profit therefrom,
but rather with the object of furnishing diversity of occupation
in the training of prisoners for lives of usefulness, while avoiding
industries the competition of which with outside free labor
would be felt. The industries now in operation, are broom-mak-
ing, woodenware, iron beds, woollen factory, shoemaking and
tailoring for public institutions, gardening, and, instead of brick-
making, which for the want of c\a,y had to be abandoned, the
manufacture of binder twine has been established as a new
industry.
Binder Twine.
The manufacture of this important commodity was decided on
by the Government on the recommendation of the Provincial
Secretary and Mr. Massie, the Warden of the Prison, in the fall
of the year 1891, and steps were immediately taken to secure the
necessary machinery for the purpose. Almost innumerable diffi-
culties were met with in this undertaking, because the manufac-
turers, both in the United States and England, were fettered by
arrangements with the National Cordage Trust of the United
States, so that the machinery could be supplied only through the
Trust; and the National Cordage Trust was determined that the
Government should not obtain it. The regular builders, both in
the United States and England, refused to supply it, until finally
an American manufacturer was found who undertook to make the
patterns and contract to make it. The machinery was contracted
for in February, 1892, and during the Session of the Legislature,
at the beginning of 1892, an appropriation was made for its pur-
chase. It has been said that this new enterprise entered into by
the Government was an interference with the Farmers' Binder
Twine and Agricultural Implement Company at Brantford. The
facts prove the contrary. The records show that the stock sub-
scription list of the Farmers' Company was first opened on 1 2th
August, 1892, and their notice of application for a charter was
published for the first time on 20th August, 1892, and their char-
ter of incorporation was issued on 25th October, 1892, whereas
the Government had decided on establishing the Binder Twine
industry in the fall of 1891, and contracted for the machinery in
February, 1892, and the machinery was being made long before
anything was heard of the farmers' movement in the same
direction.
The industry is well adapted for prison labor; brick-making,
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 99
which had engaged the labor of from 70 to 100 men, had to be
discontinued for want of clay ; and in view of the binder twine
monopoly, of which the farmers throughout the Province had
been complaining, the introduction of this new industry has
met with general approval and especial commendation by the
farmers of Ontario. Notwithstanding the difficulties attend-
ant upon the introduction of a new enterprise, an excellent
quality of twine has been turned out and supplied to farmers
at reasonable rates and considerably below the prices paid by
them in previous years.
Asylums.
The care of lunatics and idiots, when they belong to families
able to maintain them, cannot fairly be saddled on the general
public ; but many of these unfortunates are heavy burdens on
people who cannot support them in decency, not to speak of com-
fort, or of the necessary medical treatment. Even well-to-do
relatives of the insane cannot by any reasonable expenditure
of money in their own localities secure for them that expert care
which is absolutely necessary to the recovery of those who are
not incurably diseased. For this reason, Asylums for the Insane
and for Idiots must be maintained either by the Province or by
the municipalities, and it is much better that their maintenance
should be undertaken by the former1 than by the latter. This
secures greater efficiency at less cost, and distributes the burden
more evenly over the whole population. Moreover, so long as
the patients are maintained, as they have hitherto been main-
tained, entirely out of the surplus revenues of the Province, the
maintenance of asylums, like that of prisons and reformatories,
is a means of relieving the municipality from the burden of
direct taxation. In other countries this burden for the most part
falls entirely, or mainly, on the municipalities. Unfortunately,
the number of insane persons and idiots, for whom application
for admission is each year made, has steadily increased for
many years past, and has not yet begun to diminish. This ren-
ders necessary occasional increases of capital expenditure for ac-
commodation, and similar increases in the annual outlay for main-
tenance. The following table shows the rate of increase in the
number of patients in the Idiot Asylum at Orilia, and in the In-
sane Asylums^at London, Toronto, Mimico, Hamilton, and Kings-
ton, all taken together :
100
THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT.
Average of Number re- Percentage Percentage
resident maining at of of
Patients. end of year. Recoveries. Deaths.
1877 1,819 1,859 3478 6-32
1882 2,457 2,508 32'25 6'75
1887 2,915 2,927 41-6* 4 '79
1892 3,985 4,073 26 '76 5'44
1893 4,174 4,240 26'44 5'71
Increased Attendance.
As the percentage of recoveries is usually increasing — owing to
the application of improved methods of treatment — while the
death rate remains tolerably uniform, the obvious inference is
that there must be a considerable increase in the number admit-
ted. So long as this increase is kept up, just so long will the cost
of public institutions be a heavy burden on the Provincial Treas-
ury. The Inspector's Report for 1893 shows that, in consequence
of increased attendance, the aggregate expense was increased by
$23,914, as compared with that of 1892, yet the weekly cost per
patient was lowered from $2.64 to $2.61.
During the year 1893 the cost of maintaining asylums, includ-
ing salaries and wages, was $568,495. The cost of each year
since the advent of the Liberal party to power is shown in the
following table :
Patients Un-
Total Cost. der Treatm't.
1872 $187,719 1,717
1873 201,479 1,780
1874 214,308 1,865
1875 218,541 1,925
1876 241,381 2,371
1877 281,844 2,390
1878 270,163 2,546
1879 286,894 2,664
1880 297,895 2,899
1881 322,972 3,065
1882 368,683 3,288
Total Cost. Patients Un-
der Treatm't.
1883 f377,095 3,340
1884 388,021 3,356
1885 364,446 3,384
1886 384,352 3,628
1887 415,330 3,553
1888 459,374 3,939
1889 490,605 3,955
1890 464,264 4,187
1891 544,633 4,972
1892 544,580 4,785
1893 568,495 4.893
Comparative Cost between Ontario and Other Countries..
An examination of the returns from the various Public Insti-
tutions in the United States and other countries furnishes a com-
parison of a most favorable character in the cost of management
of the institutions in Ontario, as the following figures will
prove :
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 101
Asylums.
COST PER PATIENT.
Yearly. Weekly.
Montreal Protestant Asylum, average for 1892 and '93 $181.12 $3.42
Manitoba Asylums at Selkirk and Brandon, average for
1891 and '92 236.28 4.53
Massachusetts six State Asylums, average for 1892 and '93 176.19 3.38
Pennsylvania Asylums for 1892 242.01 4.65
Utica State Bospital, Hudson River State Hospital, Middle-
ton State Hospital, and Buffalo State Hospital, aver-
age for 1889, '90 and '91 264.98 5.09
78 U. S. Asylums, average cost of maintenance 227.88 4.38
English Asylums, average of 21 years 151 .84 2.92
New South Wales Asylums, average for 21 years, as per
Inspector General's report 193.96 3.73
ONTARIO ASYLUMS, average for 1*91, '92
and '93 , 13§.43 2.66
The Blind Institute.
The attendance during 1893 at the Institute for the Blind
averaged 134. The pupils are trained in arithmetic, grammar,
geography, reading, literature, writing, natural history and phy-
siology, English and Canadian history, chemistry and music.
They are also taught to earn their own living by means of piano-
tuning, basket-making, sewing and knitting, and are thus pre-
vented from adding to the already too large roll of paupers who
look to their respective municipalities for support. The cost per
pupil of maintaining the Institute for 1892 and 1893 was $272.22
and $260.85 respectively, showing a reduction per head of $11,37.
The aggregate cost for each year since 1872 is shown in the fol-
lowing table : —
No. of Pupils No. of Pupils
Total Cost. on Roll Total Cost. on Roll.
1872 S 7,523 34
1873 21,260 59
1874 22,532 113
1875 23,061 139
1876. 24,034 148
1877 26,913 147
1878 26,289 174
1879 29,515 200
1880 30,343 203
1881 30,034 200
1882.. . 34846.... 167
1883 33,737.00 160
1884 33,297.00 140
1885 33,386.00 160
1886 32,575.00 164
1887 32,888.00 155
1888 36,710.00 156
1889 34,677.00 167
1890 34,714.35 164
1891 36,150.58 158
1892 36,750.45 155
1893 34,954.55 154
102
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT.
(Annual Cost per Patient.)
New York State $ 294 00
New York City 31500
Maryland 28000
Illinois 232 00
Michigan 284 00
Texas.. 287 00
Yorkshire (England) $ 282 00
Pennsylvania 270 00
Kentucky 270 00
Massachusetts 316 00
Brantford, Ontario.. 260 OO
Deaf and Dumb Institute.
The average attendance during 1893 at the Institute for the
Deaf and Dumb was 25$. The great aim of the school is to teach
the pupils to read with or without articulation, and to give them
at the same time as good a general education as the time allowed
— seven years — will admit of. They receive also a fair industrial
training, being taught shoe-making, carpenter work, printing,
farming, tailoring, dressmaking, machine-sewing, hand-sewing,
and fancy work. Many of the pupils-, when they leave, are quite
able to earn their own living, and all of them are greatly improv-
ed. The following table gives the aggregate cost of the Deaf and
Dumb Institute for each year since 1872 : —
Total Cost-
No. of Pupils
on Roll.
Total Cost.
No, of Pupils
on Roll.
1872 $24,896 122
1873 27,043 166
1874 32,276 202
1875 32,048 207
1876 33,517.. : 220
1877 38,332 227
1878 36,426 251
1879 29,515 229
1880 36 596 239
1881 37,201 246
1882.. . 39.928.. ..265
1883
1884
1885
1886
1887
1883
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
$39,016 ........ 262
40986 ........ 247
38,749 ....235
41,030 ........ 273
39,695 ....... 264
41,968 ........ 265
41,086 ........ 274
40,753 ........ 291
43,9*7 ......... 296
41,672 ........ 285
45,440 ........ 298
(Annual co.si per Pupil.)
Average of 41 institutions in
the United States for 1892.
(In no case does tho cost
come anywhere nearly so
low as in Ontario) f 272.80
Halifax Institution, N.S $ 188.88
Mackay Institution, P.Q 239.76
Fredericton Instit'n, N.B.. 214.44
Manitoba Institution, N.B. . 250.37
Ontario 176. §1
Charitable Institutions.
Prior to 1874, the money paid out of the Provincial Treasury
in aid of charitable institutions was given in a hap-hazard way.
The evils attending such a system, or rather want of system, sug-
TflE MO WAT GOVERNMENT. 103
gested the passage of an Act, the avowed object of which was to
secure " that all appropriations from the public funds in aid of
charitable institutions should be made upon some properly ar-
ranged and equitable system, and that municipal and other
corporations, as well as private individuals, should be stimulated
and encouraged to give a liberal support to such institutions."
Insurance Legislation.
I. FIRE INSURANCE.
Statutory Conditions. — General complaint had been made that
it was the practice of certain tire insurance companies to hide away
in their policies unjust and oppressive conditions, which, from the
technical nature of the contract, were not understood until the
policy-holder tried to collect his insurance money, and then found
himself non-suited. To put an end to this wrong-doing, the
Mowat Government, carried, in 1876, the Policy Conditions Act,
which enacted plain and reasonable conditions for all fire insur-
ance policies, and allowed no variation therefrom, unless it was
printed conspicuously on the policy, and unless, furthermore, the
court that tried the case held the variation to be, under the cir-
cumstances, just and reasonable. Determined resistance was at
first made to this law, but the Provincial jurisdiction was sustain-
ed in all the Courts of Ontario, and was affirmed by the Imperial
Privy Council in 1881, in the cases Parsons v. Citizens Insurance
Company, and Parsons v. Queen Insurance Company. This law
is now on all hands admitted to be in the highest degree beneficial;
the Act itself has been adopted by the Legislatures of Manitoba
and British Columbia, and it has become the basis of legislation
in various states of the American Union. By rnoie recent legis-
lation, and especially by the Insurance Corporations Act, 1892,
additional safeguards have been provided so as to do away, as far
as possible, with technical and unmeritorious defences to payment
of honest claims.
Fanners Mutuals. — In order to give the farming community
fire insurance at the lowest possible rate consistent with safety, a
sound system of Farmers' Mutuals has by various recent enact-
ments, been greatly promoted and encouraged, so that the annual
saving in agricultural insurance is now very great.
Provincial Fire Coroners. Complaint having been made of
increasing incendiarism, greatly improved machinery has been de-
vised for the fearless, thorough and impartial investigation of
suspicious fires.
104 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
It is sometimes a delicate and disagreeable duty for a local
coroner or magistrate to hold such an investigation ; but this
difficulty was, in 1891, cured by providing fire coroners having
Provincial jurisdiction. The beneficial effect of this preventive
legislation is already evident.
II. — Life, Accident and Benefit Insurance.
By the legislation of 1892 and 1893 reforms corresponding to
those effected in Fire Insurance Policies have been made in policies
and certificates of Life, Accident and Benefit Insurance, so as to
protect the assured and those dependent upon him from fraud or
sharp practice. Unintentional mistakes as to age, and immaterial
errors in the application for insurance, no longer vitiate the policy
or certificate, as was formerly the case. The law now requires a
plain, straight -for ward contract which clearly sets out all the
terms and conditions. To prevent unfair lapsing of policies, or
certificates, the law now gives the assured thirty days' grace to
pay the premium after the due date thereof. No matter what
the contract says, the beneficiary is given twelve months to com-
mence an action for the insurance-money ; and a further period
of six months is, on cause shown, allowed by leave of a Judge of
the High Court. Insurance money payable to the widow or
children of the assured is now stringently secured against the
claims of his creditors. Foreign Companies and Societies cannot
now, as formerly, import foreign Jaw into a policy or certificate
delivered over in Ontario.
In the neighboring States there had recently started up, in the
form of Assessment-Endowment, and Investment Bond Societies,
spurious imitations of the old and well-tried Benefit Societies of
Great Britain and Canada. By these new societies certificates of
a highly speculative and even gambling character were issued,
which proved so dangerous a temptation that, in Massachusetts
and /other States many millions of dollars were drawn from
wagfe-earners into those bubble societies which have recently
collapsed and occasioned great distress. To stop home-made imita-
tions of those foreign societies an Act was carried by the Mowat
Government in 1890 ; and to prevent the intrusion of the foreign
societies themselves, or of fraudulent insurance companies, a most
comprehensive system of registration was devised and enacted
in 1892. This system not only excludes unauthorized and illegiti-
mate schemes of insurance, but enables the Insurance Department
of Ontario to enforce upon foreign corporations such laws and regu-
lations as the public interest is found to require. The Act was
THE MOWAT (iOYKKNMKXT. 105
designed to encourage and strengthen legitimate friendly socie-
ties. Their increased growth and prosperity under the new law
furnish gratifying evidence that the Act has been effectual.
The administration of the Insurance Department is carried on
without the slightest expense to the Province, the whole cost
being borne by the Insurance Corporations registered.
Laics to prevent false and dishonest statements by Companies,
Associations or Societies.
The Director's Liability Act, which was carried by the Mowat
Government, in 1891, applies to every Corporation whatever op-
erating in Ontario which issues, or which is authorized to issue,
shares, bonds, debentures, debenture stock, investment-bonds, or
any kind of insurance or guarantee policy or certificate. If the
prospectus or announcement which has induced any one to give
his money for any of those securities, conceals, or intentionally
omits to disclose, a material fact which might reasonably influ-
ence a person in his decision, then every promoter or director is
personally liable to make good any loss or damage which the
investor has sustained by reason of the untrue statement, unless
the defendant can prove either (1) that he had a reasonable
ground to believe, and, up to the issue of the security, did believe,
the statment to be true ; or (2) that he dissented from the publi-
cation of the statement, and gave public notice of his dissent.
And by further legislation, in 1893, ( " An Act for the better
prevention of fraudulent statements by companies and others,"
56 Vic. C. 33), the mere publication of such a false and dishonest
statement is made a criminal offence, punishable .by fine or im-
prisonment ; and this criminal liability is, in addition to the civil
liability, imposed by the former Act. The information ma}^ be
laid by any one ; and the complainant need not wait until some
one has been actually defrauded or entrapped by the fraudulent
statement ; the setting of the trap constitutes the offence.
Inspection of Division Courts.
The complaints of suitors about irregularities in the manage-
ment of Division Court business by clerks and bailiffs led to the
appointment, in 1872, of an Inspector, whose duty it is to see that
the tariff of costs is properly observed, that all moneys collected
are handed over to the proper parties, that executions are prompt-
ly enforced, that complaints are promptly investigated, and that
the whole machinery of the courts is kept in as efficient a con-
106 THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT.
dition as possible, in the interests of suitors. Between amend-
ments in the Division Court Law, and improvements in the man-
agement of Division Court business, matters have been put in a
much more satisfactory condition, especially as clerks and bailiffs
are now directly responsible to the Provincial Government, which
is in turn responsible to the public for the manner in which
these officers discharge their duties. The annual reports of the
Inspector of Division Courts show that many abuses of long
standing have, during the past twenty years, been removed, and
that the irregularities are not merely less in number, but more
trivial in character than they formerly were. The following stat-
istics, from the last printed annual report, give some idea of the
immense amount of business done in these courts, and of their
growing importance : —
Number of Divisions .... , 321
Suits entered (exclusive of transcripts of judgments
and judgment summonses) 53,029
Amount of claims entered 12,121,631.75
Amount of suitors' money paid into Court $696,467.70
Amount paid out $690,516.27
Fees payable to the Province $6,865.06
Increased Efficiency of the Registry Act.
Important measures have been passed during the past four
years in the way of increased efficiency of the Registry Act. Ac-
cura'cy of the books ; the safe keeping of plans ; and a mode of
settling disputes as to fees by reference to the Inspector, have
been secured all without extra expense to any one. By Order in
Council, Registrars are required to give security that when their
gross fees exceed $2,500 the rebate to the county shall be
promptly paid by them. Important changes in the public interest
have been made during the past two years. No lawyer or doctor
hereafter appointed is to practise, and any medical man already
appointed, is disqualified from practising when the net income
from his office exceeds $1,000. Discharges of old mortgages must
now be registered within six months from the date of a new
mortgage, when held by a person or company making the new
advance. The grievance of liens, or hire receipts, being turned
into mortgages on a man's land without his knowledge is pre-
vented, by it being made compulsory on the party taking the
same to attach an affidavit that the receipt was read over and
the person signing the same understood the effect of it. In order
to simplify titles when confused, the Registrar is to straighten
'TBE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 107
them out and make the record plain and simple, and power is
given to the County Judge to order such titles to be laid out in a
proper plan for general reference, at the expense of such person
or corporation as he thinks just. Care has also been taken that when
a Registrar's net income exceeds $1,500 a portion of the surplus
shall go to the public. From $1,500 to $2,000 ten per cent., from
$2,000 to $2,500 twenty per cent., from $2,500 to $3,000 thirty
per cent., and all over $3,000 fifty per cent, of the surplus goes to
the county. The Inspector's duties have been increased materi-
ally. Among other things he is required to examine the expenses
and disbursements of the office, and determine questions of dis-
pute between the Registrar and the public. In the latter branch
alone he gave over one hundred decisions last year. On the whole,
the interest and rights c .the public have been studiously watched,
and a greater protectioL in every way given to those doing busi-
ness with the offices.
Game Laws.
The laws relating to the preservation of fish and game have,
during recent years, undergone a thorough revision and improve-
ment. The report of a Commission on the Game and Fish of the
Province has awakened a general interest in this subject, and
forms a volume of useful information which has been very gener-
ally sought for and perused. The Game Laws of Ontario are now
admittedly the most advanced and complete of all the codes in
force in the various States and Provinces of America. Stringent
provisions have been adopted for enforcing these laws, and more
effectively than ever heretofore securing for the benefit of the
Province the preservation of fish and game as important sources
of food supply for our own people. The administration of the
Game Laws is under the Provincial Secretary, while the laws
relating to the fisheries of the Province are under the supervision
of the Commissioner of Crown Lands. To a very considerable ex-
tent the cost of enforcing these laws is provided for by substan-
tial license fees paid by non-residents for the privilege of hunting
: fishing in this Province.
Care and Protection of Children.
Sound legislation has certainly been a strong feature of the
Mowat Government, and in the Act for the prevention of cruelty
to, and better protection of, children, which was carried through
the House by the Provincial Secretary in the session of 1893, we
108 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
have a measure the important consequences of which it is impos-
sible to estimate. Acting upon the recommendation of the Prison
Reform Commission and of representations made by those engag-
ed in the work of child saving, this legislation was provided,
commendable features of the acts of various States of the Union,
the Australian Colonies, Great Britain, and even of Continental
Europe, being adopted. Under this measure, neglected or abused
children are treated as wards of the State and placed in foster
homes where they may be influenced by and acquire such a know-
ledge of home life as will fit them for future lives of usefulness
in a degree which could scarcely be expected from institution
training, however efficiently conducted. There is more than a
humane motive at the foundation of this work, for no doubt our
criminal and pauper classes in after life are largely drawn from
the ranks of " neglected " children, and naturally we may look
in the end for a saving of thousands of dollars to the municipal-
ities, besides an improved state of society, as a result of the oper-
ations of the Act.
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 100
THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
There are about 175,000 farms in Ontario, which, according to
the assessment of 1892, amounted to 22,646,634 acres. This large
acreage was made up as follows : —
Staple field crops - 8,080,206 acres.
Pasture - - 2,562,040 "
Orchard and Garden - 194,098 "
Small crops, fallow land, building
sites, etc - - 1,152,082 "
Total acres cleared - 11,988,426 "
Swamp, marsh and waste land - 2,628,868 acres.
Woodland - - - 8,029,340 "
Total farm land assessed - 22,646,634 "
The value of farm property was estimated in 1892, by the
Ontario Bureau of Industries, as follows : —
Farm lands - - $ 615,828,471
Buildings 195,644,258
Implements 51,003,020
Live-stock - 117,501,495
Total, - $ 979,977,244
We may therefore state that there are about 175,000 farms in
Ontario, averaging 130 acres in size, and $5,600 in value, or that
the capital directly invested in Agriculture in this province, is
nearly one thousand million dollars. .
The capital invested in Manufactures, according to the census
of 1891, was :—
In Ontario - $ 176,603,339
In Canada - 353,836,817
The population of Ontario in 1891 was 2,114,321, representing
423,000 families. The occupiers of land are given thus : —
Owners - - 224,034
Tenants - 60,483
Employes - 1,091
Total occupiers - 285,608
110 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
Classified by acres of land held, the numbers of occupiers were —
10 acres and under 108,714
11 "to 50 - - 38,283
51 " to 100 - 75,307
101 " to 200 - 49,358
201 « and over - - - 13,936
285,608
This gives 175,000 farmers with an average holding of 130 acres
and about 110,000 occupiers of 10 acres and less.
Thus we see that a very large percentage of the people are
directly concerned in the cultivation of the soil.
The census of 1891 plaped in the urban population all towns
having over 1,500 inhabitants. On this basis, the population of
Ontario was divided as follows: —
Rural population - 1,409,256, or 67 per cent.
Urban population - - 705,065, or 33 per cent.
Thus we see that two-thirds of the entire population of Ontario
were classed as rural.
If we take the census of workers, we have the following,
according to occupations: Out of a total of 1,659,355 workers
in Canada, 735,207, or 44 per cent., were of the agricultural
class. In Ontario there were, in 189], 292,270 farmers and
farmers' sons.
An industry in which is engaged such a large percentage of the
people, in which is invested such a large amount of capital, and
which contributes annually so much to the wealth of the Province,
is worthy of a fair and favorable consideration by the Legislature
of this Province.
The Department of Agriculture.
It is now proposed to show that" during the past twenty -two
years, the Legislature has given its constant attention to, and has
in many ways contributed a great deal towards, the development
of the agriculture of Ontario, the Province which not only leads
the Dominion, but which, all things considered, is unequalled in
this regard by any State of the Union.
When the present Government came into office, the agricultural
interests of Ontario were united with the Public Works Depart-
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. Ill
ment, and the head of the Department was known as the Com-
missioner of Agriculture and Arts. The report of 1870, the last
signed by Mr. John Carling, contains 16 pages of report proper,
213 pages of financial statements of Agricultural Societies, 19
pages of financial statements of Mechanics' Institutes, 61 pages of
Fruit Growers' Association report, 65 pages on insects, and 37
pages of miscellaneous matter, or 411 pages in all. The report of
the Department printed in 1893 did not contain any financial
statements of Agricultural Societies (these not being ordered to
be printed by the House), and the Mechanics' Institutes are no
longer under the supervision of the Agricultural Department.
Leaving out these two parts, the report of 1870 covered 179 pages,
the reports of 1893 contained in all 1,918 pages. This will repre-
sent fairly well the growth of work in connection with the
Department of Agriculture, from 1871 to 1893.
The Agricultural College and Experimental Farm was estab-
lished in 1874. The number of Agricultural Societies had been
gradually increasing. The Farmers' Institutes, begun in 1885,
had been developing even beyond expectation. Various Associa-
tions had applied for recognition. The Dairy, Live-stock and
Fruit interests of the Province were demanding greater attention.
In 1882 the new statistical branch, the Bureau ot Industries, was
established, and was convincing the people of the great extent
and importance of the various agricultural interests.
As a consequence of all this, the Government felt that a forward
step should be taken, and in 1888 there was established the office
of Minister of Agriculture, and the new Department was created
,by the appointment of a Minister of Agriculture, together with a
Secretary and the addition of the staff of the Bureau of Industries,
created six years before. There were therefore only two addi-
tions to the pay-roll of the Province. Recognition was thus given
to this important industry. The Department was created in spite
of the criticisms and opposition of the opponents of the Govern-
ment, some of whom even at the present day appear unwilling to
recognize the importance of the Agriculture of this Province, as
may be seen from the following extract from the inaugural
address of the President of the Young Conservatives of Toronto,
as reported in full in the Empire of November 14, 1893, — 50,000
copies of which speech were ordered to be printed for distribution :
" We have a Minister of Agriculture who has practically noth-
ing to do, and accordingly does little, — a Department which could
easily have been managed by one of the other Ministers, and
should never have been created. It is positively deplorable to
112 THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT.
think of the army of men in this province who fancy that they
have a perfect right to be supported at the public expense."
The farmers of Ontario will hardly agree with the leader of the
Young Conservatives that agriculture is of so little consequence
as to be considered merely as a subordinate branch of another
Department.
It might be interesting in this connection to refer to the fact
that in January, 1893, Governor Flower, in his annual, address 'to
the Legislature of New York State, urged the necessity of creat-
ing a Department of Agriculture. This was done, and a Com-
missioner placed at its head. There is no doubt at all that the
New York legislators had watched the effect of the creation of
the Department of Agriculture in this Province. The Governor's
address in January, 1894, clearly shows that they have watched
the development of some of our agricultural interests. The
creation of a Department of Agriculture in Ontario has indeed
been amply justified by the results. And to show that it is so, let
us briefly review the work of the Department.
The Agricultural Societies.
It was in 1830 that financial aid was first given to agricultural
societies by provincial statute. At present there are in Ontario,
receiving aid and assistance from the Legislature, ninety Elec-
toral District Societies and 357 Township and Horticultural So-
cieties. In 1872 the amount spent for this purpose was $53,905;
in 1893 it was $74,475. The grant for each electoral district was
increased by $100 in 1892, at the request of the various societies.
The total amount paid out on behalf of these societies during the
twenty-two years, 1872-93, is $1,336,793. This has been largely
supplemented by fees for membership, etc. Financial and other
statements and reports, audited and certified, are all required to
be furnished every year, and the general work is supervised by
the Department. These societies, during the past twenty-two
years, have done a great deal in improving the Agriculture of
Ontario, by the introduction of pure-bred stock and improved
varieties of seeds, and by stimulating the farmers to the develop-
ment of superior products of all kinds.
The Associations.
In addition to the Agricultural Societies, which are intended to
cover the entire field, there are various associations devoted to
particular lines of agriculture. The names of these associations,
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 113
the dates when first given grants, and the amounts paid in 1893,
are as follows :
Year Recog- Grant in
nized. 1893.
The Agricultural and Arts Association . . 1868 $5,800
The Eastern Dairymen's Association 1877 2,750
The Western " 1877 2,750
The Ontario Creameries " 1886 2,000
The Ontario Fruit Growers' " 1868 1,800
The Ontario Entomological Society 1871 1,000
The Dominion Sheep Breeders' Ass'n. ... 1890 700
The Dominion Swine " " 1890 700
The Ontario Poultry Association 1879
The Eastern " " 1,300
The Ontario Bee Keepers' " 1886 1,100
The Ontario Experimental Union 1885 650
Total for the twelve Associations $20,550
Turning back to the report of 1871, we find that the following
grants were made in that year :
Fruit Growers' Association $ 500
Entomological Society 500
Agriculture and Arts Association 10,000
$11,000
Thus we see that, since 1871, nine additional associations have
been formed under the supervision of the Department, and the
total annual grants increased by $9,550. The increase is really
greater since, owing to the discontinuance of the Provincial Fair,
the grant to the Agriculture and Arts Association has been cut
down by over $4,000. These Associations are all regulated by
statute, and are under the supervision of the Department; Their
financial statements are carefully examined, and their reports
supervised, printed, and distributed by the Department, a state-
ment of which is given further on. Let us refer to the different
lines of work pursued by these associations.
Agriculture and Arts Association.
The Agriculture and Arts Association is composed of thirteen
members, elected by the Agricultural Societies of the Province,
one for each of the Agricultural Districts. For many years the
Provincial Fair was the chief work of this Association. Since its
114 THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT.
withdrawal (owing to the development of the large exhibitions at
Toronto, London, and elsewhere) this Association has devoted its
time and the grants of the Government to the following objects :
The Annual Fat Stock Show.
The Annual Spring Horse Show.
The Judging of Prize Farms.
The Encouragement of Plowing Matches.
The Registration of Live Stock.
The Dairy Industry.
The development of the cheese industry of Ontario has attract-
ed much attention. In 1864 the first factory was erected. Prior
to that, about 2,500,000 Ibs. were made annually in the farm
dairies. In 1871 about 12,500,000 Ibs. were made in factories.
The export from Canada in 1871 was 8,271,439 Ibs. The growth
since then may be seen from the following statement :
Exports of Canadian Cheese.
Year ending
June 30. Amount. Value.
1871 8,271,439 Ibs $ 1,109,906
1876 37,885,256
1881 49,255,523
1886 78,112,927
1891 106,202,140
1892 118,270,052
1893 133,946,365
4,050,008
5,510,443
6,754,626
9,508,800
11,652,412
13,407,470
The census of 1891 gave the following statistics as to cheese
factories in Canada : —
Value of mach- Horse power
No. ines & tools. No of employe's, steam engine.
Ontario 892. .$485,523 1,922 4,603
Quebec 618.. 252,926.... 973 4,481
Manitoba 23.. 11,025.... 45 99
Nova Scotia... 14.. 7,545 25 92
New Brunswick 10.. 4,010 22 23
Pr. Edward I's'd 4.. 1,675 13... 19
Total 1,561 $762,704 3,000 9,317
It may be fairly assumed that at the time of taking the census,
two-thirds of all the cheese made in Canada was made in Ontario.
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
In 1880, out of a total of $5,464,454 worth made in Canada, $4,-
668,078 worth was made in Ontario. The exports of cheese,
therefore, up to the last five years, practically represent the ex-
ports of Ontario cheese. Since then the other Provinces have
contributed more than formerly. The following table from the
Bureau of Industries' Report for 1892 shows the steady growth in
Ontario since 188C.
Year. •
No.
Quantity of—
Gross value
of cheese.
K°" '
£ c
8,1
>tt
<J°
o
fc rf
•sit •
3) $> •— i
||1
Milk used-
Cheese
made.
1S92
856
838
817
784
737
737
770
752
751
635
768
Ib.
984,356,444
865,453,574
836,387,516
760,146.327
686,369,013
691,934,579
654,703,243
733,437,254
685,964,727
539,696,197
743,844,887
Ib.
93,848,948
81,929,042
79,364,713
72,592,847
65,299,751
65,638.656
63,721,621
71,209,719
66,939,573
53,513,032
71,405,790
$
8,959,939
7,656,484
7,189,957
6.787,619
6,031,470
6,918 913
5,893,818
5,781,569
6,998,889
5,589,339
6,780,800
47.636
45,066
44,838
43,215
42,065
42,512
37,665
44,208
38,646
32,636
41,849
346,117
296,194
304,584
273,231
256,780
254,510
237,106
260,244
254,852
193,840
267,746
$ c.
9 55
9 35
9 06
9 35
9 24
10 54
9 25
8 12
10 46
10 45
9 50
1891
1890
1889
1888
1887
1886
1885 .
1884
1883
1883-92 . .
Here we have an industry that has made most remarkable pro-
gress during the past twenty years, whose product in 1892 amount-
ed to $9,000,000. How has it been developed ? Let us go back
a few years. In 1867 the Canadian Dairymen's Association was
organized at Ingersoll. In 1874 the Government gave the first
grant of $700. Since then the three associations have become in-
corporated, and the Government has dealt liberally with them,
increasing the grants from time to time until, in 1893, the three
received in all $7,500. This increase in grants has been for the
purpose of appointing instructors and inspectors in dairying. In
1886 the Dairy Department at the Ontario Agricultural College
was established and a model creamery fitted up. Bulletins and
reports have been sent out in large numbers. To these two causes
may be attributed the steady development of our Ontario cheese
industry — development in quality and quantity — namely, to the
work of the Government Dairy Department at Guelph, and to the
system of instruction carried on by the Dairy Associations. This
work of course could not have been carried out except by liberal
grants on the part of the Government and the liberal distribution
of printed dairy matter.
116 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
The Special Dairy School in connection with the Ontario Agri-
cultural College had an attendance of 60 in 1893, and 193 at
the Session of 1894, lately finished. The travelling dairies were
equipped and sent out by the Minister of Agriculture in order to
carry instruction in butter-making and milk-production right to
the homes of the farmers. The experiment has met with unex-
pected success, and requests are urgent for the continuance of the
work. Fitted up with simple dairy utensils, and in charge of a
couple of experts, usually graduates of the Agricultural College,
these dairies have travelled over the entire province in the past
three years. Their record is as follows : —
No. of
Year. Dairies. No. of Meetings. Cost.
1SQ1 , ( 10 Fall Fairs and
" ' ' | 39 Meetings in 5 counties $1,312
1892 3 348 " in 28 counties 7,586
1893 2 272 in 16 counties and
districts 4,608
Total 669 $13,506
To encourage butter-making, a special pamphlet, " Dairying for
Profit," has been distributed among farmers and farmers' wives to
the number of 20,000 copies. In each year also, from 12,000 to
20,000 copies of the combined reports of the three Dairy Associa-
tions have been distributed among dairymen and general farmers.
The great development of the cheese industry, and the improvement
now becoming apparent in the butter industry, justify the action
of the Government in dealing liberally and generously with the
dairy industry of this Province.
Fruit-Growing.
The Fruit industry of Ontario has assumed large proportions.
We have the entire Province adapted to growing apples of the
finest quality ; we have large sections that favor the plum, the
pear and the cherry, and along our great lakes the vine and
the peach grow to great perfection. Returns to the Ontario De-
partment of Agriculture give the following as the number of
bearing trees and vines in Ontario : —
Apple trees 7,000,000
Plum trees 700,000
Cherry trees 500,000
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 117
Pear trees . . 500,000
Peach trees 500.000
Grape vines 2,000,000
To encourage this industry the Government annually grants
$1,800 to the Fruit- Growers' Association, and prints and distri-
butes its valuable report. The Association has a membership of
about 2,500, and publishes a handsome, instructive and well
written monthly magazine. The Legislature has from time to
time passed acts for the protection of the fruit-growers' interests,
thus : —
1873 — " An Act to prevent the destruction of insectivorous and
other birds beneficial to Agriculture."
1881. — "An Act to prevent the spread of Yellows in peaches
and nectarines."
1892. — " An Act to prevent the spraying of fruit trees while in
full bloom."
1893. — " An Act for the destruction of Yellows in peaches, and
Black Knot in plums and cherries."
In 1893 a Horticulturist was added to the staff of the Ontario
Agricultural College, and plans are ready to extend the work
of experimental horticulture among fruit-growers in different
parts of the Province. The Government devoted special attention
to the display of our fruit and vegetables at the World's Fair, and
our extraordinary success not only attracted the attention of the
world, but surprised our own people.
Closely allied with the Fruit- Growers' work is that of the
Entomologist, who studies the life habits of the many insects
that destroy so much of our crops, grain and fruit, and the best
means of stopping their ravages. The Government grants $1,000
annually to the Entomological Society, and publishes their very
important reports.
Live Stock.
In addition to the work done through the Agriculture and
Arts Association there is a very important work being carried on
hy the Sheep Breeders' Association and the Swine Breeders' Asso-
ciation, each of which receives a grant of $700. The two Com-
missions, the Agricultural Commission of 1881, and the Dishorn-
ing Commission of 1892, prepared valuable reports, which have
since become text books of reference in connection with our live
stock. In 1884 was passed an Act to prevent the spread of con-
118 THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT.
tagjous diseased among horses and other domestic animals. From
time to time sheep protection acts have been passed, the latest
being that of 1893. By legislation and by grants to various
associations the live stock interests have been carefully guarded.
The great extent of the industry is thus shown by the Report of
the Bureau of Industries : —
Live Stock. July 1, 1891. July 1, 1892.
No. No. Value. Per Head.
Horses 678,457 688,814 $55,812,920 81.03
Cattle 1,978,815 2,029,140 45,548,475 22.45
Sheep 1,693,751 1,850,473 8,569,557 4.63
Pigs*. 1,156,316 996,974 5,479,093 5.50
Poultry.... 7,006,090 7,078,973 2,091,450 .30
The numbers and values of live stock sold or killed during the
year ending June 30, 1892, were as follows :
No. Value. Per Head.
Horses 46,955 $ 4,280,132 91.15
Cattle 436,352 15,979,135 36.62
Sheep 575,934 2,640,190 4.58
Pigs 978,791 8,775,852 8.97
Poultry 1,966,409 778,308 40
Total $32,453,617
Our Live Stock at the World's Fair.
Our success at the World's Fair clearly proves that the Gov-
ernment has acted wisely in encouraging this great industry, the
foundation of successful agriculture.
Total
U.S.
306
257
193
67
071
Total.. . 932 33 965 1494
NO. OF PRIZE
WINNERS.
All other Total
Ontario.
Provinces. Canada.
Cattle . .
77
27 104
Horses
40
6 46
Sheep
250
0 250
Swine
64
0 64
Poultry
501
0 501
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 11!)
Poultry.
To the two Poultry Associations, the Department gives a grant
of $1,300. In regard to this branch of Agriculture, the Minister
of Agriculture spoke as follows to the Central Farmers' Institute,
in February, 1893: "Take for instance, the business of poultry
raising. It seems a trifling affair, but when one comes to consider
the sum total that might be gathered from the farms of Ontario
by a proper attention to this branch, there is no one but will ad-
mit the importance of development along this line. My Depart-
ment estimates the total value of poultry products for 1892 to be
over $3,000,000. The total value of the United States product is
given at $300,000,000. There is no single branch of agriculture,
concerning which more dense ignorance prevails as to the best
methods, the best breeds, and how to manage them, than in poul-
try raising. Most farmers have a few fowls about their farm
houses, but in the vast majority of cases they receive no attention
whatever, and the profits derived from them are of small account
compared with what they might be. Now, it is clear that through
the Poultry Association, which is composed of bright, intelligent,
energetic men, we might be able to give much information to the
people, as well as enable them to take a much higher position
with regard to this single industry than ever before."
The following statement of the exports of eggs from Canada for
the past ten years will show how important is the industry, the
development of which the Government is anxious to encourage •
Exports of Canadian Eggs.
To Great Britain. To United States. Total Exports.
1884.. 11,384,856 doz. 11,496,855 doz.
1885.. 11,512,279 ' 11,542,703 "
1886.. 12,708,883 ' 12,758,532 "
1887.. 12,907,956 ' 12,945,326 "
1888.. 2,379 doz. 14,147,739 ' 14,170,859 "
1889.. 65 " 14,011,017 ' 14,028,893 "
1890.. 3,600 " 12,825,735 ' 12,839,660 "
1891.. 649,476 c< 7,354,235 ' 8,022,935 "
1892.. 3,987,655 " 3,918,015 ' 7,931,204 "
1893.. 4,104,632 " 2,664,942 ' 6,805,438 "
Honey.
The Bee-Keepers' Association was recognized in 1886, and since
then has received Government aid. The census of 1891 reported
146,341 hives in Ontario. The industry, we therefore see, has
120 THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT.
already reached fair proportions in this Province, where the an-
nual honey product is over 3,000,000 Ibs. Ontario produces over
two-thirds of all the Canadian product. The bee-keepers, in
1890, asked for protection and help in the matter of foul brood.
There was passed " An Act to prevent the spread of Foul Brood
among Bees," and an inspector was appointed. The Government,
for the past three years, has paid for the inspection of apiaries,
and the work done has been productive of much good. At the
World's Fair, Ontario, alone of all the Provinces, made a honey ex-
hibit, but she carried off seventeen awards. Government help
and legislation have greatly assisted this industry. The Act of
1892, " To prevent Spraying Fruit Trees during Bloom," was in-
troduced to benefit both bee-keepers and fruit-growers.
The Experimental Union.
The Ontario Experimental Union was organized in 1885 among
the graduates and ex-students of the Agricultural College. Its
purpose is to encourage and direct the carrying on of experiments
by the students after they leave the College and return to their
farms. Seeds, fertilizers, etc., are sent out, and tests and reports
made, which are tabulated and published. The great benefits re-
sulting are the dissemination of valuable seeds of all kinds, the
determining of the value of new varieties in different localities,
and the education resulting to each person from the carrying on
of such work. In 1891, the Union sent out 2,642 packages of
seeds and fertilizers for testing ; in IS 92, 5,688 ; and in 1893,
7,181. In 1892, 754 ex-students and progressive farmers were
engaged in this work ; in 1893 the number was increased.
Farmers' Institutes.
Teachers meet together to discuss their work, doctors have their
associations, lawyers also meet in organization, — it is in fact an
age of conventions, discussions, organization. Why then should
not farmers meet to discuss their work ? The G-overnment
thought it a'dvisable and have encouraged the work. The
Farmers' Institutes are more directly the creation of the Govern-
ment than any of the other Associations already referred to. In
1885 for the first time a few members of the staff of the Agri-
cultural College were sent out to address farmers' meetings. The
work has increased year by year, new Institutes have been formed,
more help obtained, more meetings held, until now we have had
during the winter of 1894 a body of thirty-one speakers — Pro-
fessors of the College and first-class specialists in Agriculture —
spending three weeks in addressing meetings in 154 different
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 121
places in Ontario. The Professors of the College receive no pay
for this work ; the other speakers are paid moderately. The
Government pays every one of the eighty-five local Institutes $25
on condition that the county council gi-ant a similar amount, that
not less than fifty members are enrolled, and that at least two
meetings are held. Many Institutes hold from four to ten meet-
ings a year, and the membership runs as high as 300. The cost
of Institutes was $499 in 1885, and in 1893 it was $6,681. The
following is a statement of the number of persons sent out as
speakers by the Department, and the number of meetings held in
January of each year, A number of extra meetings are also pro-
vided for each year :
No. of No. of Regular Total Cost of
Speakers. Meetings. Institutes.
1885 6 12 $ 499
1886 6 26 1,019
1887 9 40 2,018
1888 14 60 2,758
1889 14 60 5,248
1890 29 77 5.387
1891 27 99 4,734
1892 30 112 8,191
1893 30 133 6,681
1894 32 158
Expenditure for 1893 :—
85 Institutes at $25 $2,125
Central Institute 1,^00
Lecturers' Salaries 1,336
Travelling Expenses 2,020
$6,681
The Government now issues a Farmers' Institute report con-
taining the proceedings of the Central Farmers' Institute, and a
large collection of papers read and addresses made at the various
meetings during January. The work has been productive of
great good ; the teachings and experiments of the Agricultural
College have been carried to the farmers, the Professors have
acquired valuable material from the varied practice of the farmers
of different localities, and the best farmers in various lines have
been called upon to instruct and assist those who may not have
been so fortunate. A great awakening of the agricultural classes
has followed, and an intense desire for reports, bulletins, etc., has
been created in the minds of thousands.
122 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
Forestry.
Soon after the publication of the Agricultural Commission
Report of 1881, which gave considerable attention to this subject,
tho Government appointed a Clerk of Forestry who has prepared
for the Departaxent several valuable reports upon Forestry, and
who has kept alive the interest in the subject of forest preserva-
tion and tree-planting by a systematic agitation of the subject
through newspaper articles and letters. Since 1883 the Govern-
ment has been giving a small bonus for the planting of trees along
the highways, in accordance with the Act passed in that year.
A gricultural Statistics.
The Bureau of Industries, sometimes called the Bureau of
Statistics, was organized in 1882, and incorporated in the Depart-
ment of Agriculture, when the latter was formed in 1888. Every
year the Bureau publishes a report giving the agricultural pro-
ductions, the values of farms, etc., the full list of cheese factories
and creameries, the market values of products, etc., together with
a report of the business of the Loan Companies of Ontario, and of
Chattel Mortgages. Several reports upon labor have been issued,
together with the municipal financial statistics of the Province,
and the population of municipalities as taken each year by the
assessors. The material for the various reports of the Bureau is
gathered so systematically and compiled so carefully that all
criticism has been silenced. The accuracy of the reports is now
universally admitted, and their reliable nature has created a large
demand for them both in Ontario and in other countries. The
superiority of Ontario as a grain-growing country to the best
agricultural States of the United States has been conclusively
established by comparative records extending over a period of
twelve consecutive years — a fact, the importance of which will
readily be understood by citizens of every class, as well as by
farmers, and the value of which can hardly be.over-estimated. It
is worth much to have it convincingly demonstrated that the best
farming land in America is ours, and this is one of the things
which the Bureau of Industries has done.
Reports and Bulletins.
The preparation of reports for the printer, the reading of proofs,
and the distribution of them through the mail, involves a very
large portion of the time of the staff of the Department. A large
number of bulletins are issued every year : some are prepared by
the Professors of the Agricultural College, some are crop bulletins
prepared by the Department, and some are special bulletins. The
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
following is a statement of the number sent out in the past three
years : —
1891 217,250
1892 511,500
1893 471,500
Total in 3 years 1,200,250
The issuing of crop bulletins began in 1892, since which time
48 have been issued. The issuing of Agricultural College bulle-
tins began in 1886, and 87 in all have been issued upon a great
variety of subjects. In addition, five special bulletins have been
issued, making a total of 140 bulletins in all. All these have
been distributed by the Department from Toronto.
The following is a statement of the size and number of the re-
ports issued by the Department of Agriculture during the years
1892 and 1893. These are all examined, prepared for the printer,
proof read, wrapped, addressed and distributed by the Department.
In addition to the following number, from 1,500 to 2,500 are issued
and distributed through the medium of the Legislature.
1892.
1893.
KEPORT.
No.
pages
No. issued
by Dept.
Bureau of Industries, parts I,
II, III 118
Parts IV, V 32
Part VI
Agricultural College and Farm . 288
Agric'l and Arts Association. . . 143
Eastern Dairymen's Ass'n 58
Western Dairymen's Ass'n .... 72
Ontario Creameries Association. 72
Fruit Growers' Association. ... 160
Entomological Society 101
Ontario Beekeepers' Associat'n . 40
Poultry Associations 20
Domin'n Sheepbreeders' Ass'n . 39
Domin'n Swinebreeders' Ass'n. 41
Farmers' Institutes 68
Forestry Ill
Commission reports 125
12,000
2,000
12,500
2,000
13,080
13,080
13,080
4,000
4,500
1,500
1,500
13,000
1 3,000
13,000
3,500
2,500
No.
pages.
No. issued
by Dept.
128
20,000
32
2,000
280
5,500
360
17,500
208
2,000
52
18,080
10
18,080
70
18,080
148,
4,600
92
4,500
24
1,500
16
1,500
56
15,000
63
15,000
144
20,000
156 1,500
Total dis. by Depart, of Agric'l . 1,488 124,240 1,918 164,940
Ditto by Legislature 28,620 28,620
124
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
The Ontario Agricultural College.
Although plans had been discussed and preliminary action
taken in regard to the establishing of a College and Farm, yet it
was not until 1874, two years after the present Government came
into power, that work began at Guelph. Some harsh criticism
has from time to time been made by its opponents : usually this
criticism arises only on the eve of and during an election, — at
other times, opinions appear to be most favorable. This College
has, in the 20 years of its work, trained a large number of our
Ontario farmers' sons in improved agriculture ; it has carried the
burden of the work of Farmers' Institutes, it has sent out bulletins
of great value, it has introduced improved stock and improved
grains, it has stimulated thousands of farmers to test and experi-
ment for themselves. The success of the College has been fre-
quently challenged on the score of attendance. The following
table shows that 1893 was the most prosperous year in the history
of the College, and that for the past seven years, while the attend-
ance of foreign students has fallen off owing to increasing the fees,
the attendance of Ontario students has steadily increased. The
institution, which has continued to thrive where many American
institutions have failed, has been praised by visitors from all parts
of the world, and has been taken as a model for the formation of
similar colleges elsewhere. Under its direction, and charged
against it have been the Special Dairy School, the Travelling
Dairies and the Special Summer School for Teachers,
STUDENTS IN ATTENDANCE AT THE ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL
COLLEGE. (OPENED IN 1874.)
From
Ontario.
From
other
Provinces.
From
British
Isles .
From
U.S.A.
From
other
place*.
Total
No of
su deits
Mo. of
Special
Students
included.
1878 ..
122
141
141
164
144
134
120
103
94
78
91
94
107
103
131
207
18
18
25
33
27
34
32
28
20
12
9
10
16
9
10
15
6
3
8
18
30
30
32
41
33
20
26
22
17
16
13
18
0 ,
0
1
I
1
2
2
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
o
3
2
0
5
7
5
3
4
5
146
162
176
217
206
202
188
175
149
110
131
134
146
132
159
246
10
18
25
15
26
5
60
1879
1880
1881
1882 ..
1883
1884
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891 ...
1892
1893
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
125
In addition to the above, there were 34 students in attendance
at the Special Summer School for Teachers. The total attend-
ance for 1893 therefore was : —
Students in genera) course J 86
" dairy " 60
" teachers' " 34
Total in all courses 280
The cost of the Agricultural College and Experimental Farm
for the past ten years has been as follows : —
Salaries and Repairs and Capital Account :
Expenses. Maintenance. New Buildings.
1884 $64,949 $8,927 $16,416
1885 30,808 5,830 2,852
1836 29,158 6,000 22,463
1887 30,008 5,390 13,000
1888 30,823 5,323 7,3 4
1889 40,187 5,789 28,981
1890 31,219 6,097 5,811
1891 50,390 6,122 17,077
1892 53,217 7,247 27,157
1893 49,908- 7,364 17,773
The increase in salaries and expenses during the past seven
years is accounted for as follows : —
1st. — The equipment of Dairy Department (begun 1885).
2nd.— The Travelling Dairies of 1891, 1892 and 1893 which
are charged against this account.
3rd. — The establishment of the Dairy School.
4th. — The establishment of the special course for teachers.
5th. — The addition to the staff of the following permanent
officers : —
Professor of Dairying, 1885 $1,400
Tutor and Secretary, 1889 600
Assistant Chemist, 1891 900
Lecturer in Horticulture, 1893 800
6th. — The experimental work has been largely increased during
the past four years. In addition to large experimental
fields, 50 acres were devoted to smaller experiments in
1893. These demand much labor and attention, and
there is no immediate income from the same.
126
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT
College and Farm Expenditures. i
Within the past eight years the dairy buildings have been
erected and the large barns built and rebuilt (after the fire).
There have also been erected the chemical laboratory, botanical
laboratory, green-houses, convocation hall, two residences and
three piggeries.
The following statement gives the estimates voted by the Legis-
lature in 1893, and the actual expenditure in the various depart-
ments of the College and Farm : —
Voted
1893.
The College $24,882
Farm proper 6,582
Experiments 6,582
Experimental Dairy 3,000
Dairy School ... 4,000
Travelling Dairies 5,600
Poultry Department 900
Mechanical Department 1,375
Garden and Lawn 5,216
$58,137
Repairs and Maintenance . . 6,750
Public Works 21,100
Expended
1893.
$22,308.76
5,824.49
5,610.97
178.72
4,785.95
4,607.72
1,373.99
4,379.18
$49,069.78
7,364.00
17,773.00
The following is the statement of the expenditure of the Dom-
inion Government on Experimental Farms and Dairy Depart-
ment for 1891 and 1892. There are no Agricultural Colleges in
connection with these farms : —
1891.
Salaries and Maintenance . . . $87,500
Repairs 398
Public Works 3'.),156
Dairy Department 15,000
Haras National Co., use of 6
Stallions
1892.
$75,000
29,296
21,081
1893.
$72,000
6,465
31,037
6,000 6,000
Total . $133,054 $131,377 $118,502
Farm Revenue 5,712 4,985 5,547
According to the report of the United States Secretary of Agri-
culture for 1892, the following was the appropriation and revenue
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT.
127
for Agricultural Colleges and Experimental Stations for a few
neighboring States for 1892 :—
Agricultural Experimental
Colleges. Stations. Totals.
Minnesota $235,499 # 22,746 s258,245
Wisconsin 18,883 15,000 33,883
Illinois 107,649 15,000 122,6*9
Michigan 104,908 16,054 120,962
Ohio 129,635 107,116 236,751
New York 35,000 68,500 103,500
Massachusetts 81,424 28,704 110,128
Maine 87,770 15,353 103,073
Government Expenditure for Agricultural Purposes, 189u-'.)-'>.
The following table gives the expenditure in connection with
Agriculture for the past four years :
Departmental Staff. . .
Office expenses
Agricultural Societies..
Farmers' Institutes . .
Association grants ....
Printing Reports, etc..
Bureau of Industries.
Forestry
Agricultural Hall ....
Dishorning Commis'n..
Agricultural College and Experimental Farm :
Salaries and expenses 31,219 50,390 53,217
Maintenance, fuel, light,
etc 6,097 6,122 7,247
Public Works 5,811 17,077 27,157
1890.
1891.
1892.
189*.
$13,300
$14,115
$14,250
$14,550
1,428
1,408
1,726
2,149
63,100
62,655
72,200
74,475
5,387
4,734
8,191
6,681
16,150
17,718
18,716
20,460
4,120
7,946
8,459
13,318
5,409
3,792
3,844
2,554
2,521
2,300
2,655
2,013
954
440
650
30
. . .
. . .
2,771
385
49,908
7,364
17,773
Total $155,496 $188,697 $221,083 $212,660
The following are the total expenditures of the Department of
Agriculture for the past twenty -two years :
1872 $ 70,577
1873 147,711
1874 , 107,556
1875 106,968
1876 111,746
1877 8117,598
1878 111,631
1879 106,082
1880 130,943
1881 142,346
128
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
1882 , $163,941
1883 166,540
1884 190,466
1885 135,832
1886 154,060
1887 149,679
1888 $152,805
1889 188,667
1890 155,496
1891 188,697
1892 221,083
1893 212,660
Total grants, 1872-1893 $3,233,084.
That this money has been wisely spent, and that the farmers
have largely profited by the purposes to which it has been applied,
no one will question who considers the great advance which has
been made in those years in every branch of agricultural industry.
And the best proof of the position which has been attained is
found in the successes won last year at the World's Columbian
Exposition, where Ontario led the continent in the competitive
display of agricultural products. )
Ontario at the World's Fair.
STATEMENT OF AWARDS IN AGRICULTURE.
Ontario.
Cattle ...'. , 77
Horses ; . . . . 40
Sheep 250
Swine 64
Poultry 501
Total live stock 932
Grain 159
Flour and meal 16
Honey 17
Fruit 39
Cheese 260
Butter.. 11
Other
Total,
Provinces.
Canada.
27
104
6
46
250
64
B f
501
33
965
38
197
8
24
. ,
17
11
50
132
392
29
40
Total,
U.S.
306
257
193
67
671
1,494
Total awards in Agricul, 1,434 254 1,685
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 129
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
In 1876, tbe Department of Education was placed under the
control of a Minister of the Crown, thus making its management
a matter for which the Ministry of the day are directly responsible
to the people. This was in direct conformity to the advice of the
late distinguished Chief Superintendent of Education, the Rev.
Dr. Ryerson.
_ It may be of interest to quote the opinion of the late Rev. Dr.
R'yerson on this important subject. As early as 1868, he strenu-
ously urged the change, and that, too, in full view of his twenty-
four years' experience as Chief Superintendent of the Department
under the old system. The following extracts are taken from his
letter to the late Hon. M. C. Cameron, then Provincial Secretary,
of Dec. 7th, 1868 :—
" The Department of Public Instruction should be under the management
of a member of the Executive Council, to be designated ' Minister of Public
Instruction,' who shall be an ex officio member of the Toronto University and
of the Council of Public Instruction, and who, in addition to the powers and
functions vested in the Chief Superintendent of Education, shall have the
oversight of all educational institutions which are or may be aided by public
endowment or legislative grant, to inspect and examine, from time to time,
personally, or any person appointed by him, into the character and working
of such institution ; and by him shall all public moneys be paid in support
or aid of such institutions, and to him they will report at such times and in
such manner as he shall direct "
" Our system of public instruction has acquired such gigantic dimensions,
and the network of its operations so pervades every municipality of the land,
and is so interwoven with our municipal and judicial systems of government
that I think its administration should now be vested in a responsible Minister
of the Crown, with a seat in Parliament ; and that I should not stand in the
way of the application to our varied educational interests of that ministerial
responsibility, which is sound in principle and wise in policy. During the
past year I have presented a report on school systems in other countries, with
a view of improving my own ; and the Legislative Assembly has appointed a
Select Committee for the same purpose. I have, therefore, thought this was
the proper time to suggest the modification and extension of the Department
of Public Instruction."
This letter was acknowledged on Jan. 30th, 1869. In the
course of his reply, the Provincial Secretary wrote as follows : —
"lam directed by His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor to thank you
for the valuable suggestions contained in your letter, and to request that you
will continue to discharge these important duties, which you have performed
for a quarter of a century with so much credit to yourself and benefit to the
people of this Province, until His Honor's advisers shall have more fully
I
130 THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT.
considered your suggestions, and matured a measure for placing your de-
partment under the direct supervision of a member of the Executive
Council."
Dr. Ryerson consented to continue the former state of things
for the time being. On the 10th of February, 1872, however, he
renewed the subject in a letter to the Hon. Edward Blake, then
Premier of Ontario. In this letter, he said : —
" After much deliberation, I have thought it advisable to address you in
respect to my long-desired retirement from the Education Department, of
which I have had charge longer than any Judge has ever occupied the Bench
in Canada, and to a greater age. . . .
"The infirmities of age must compel me to retire before long ; and I have
thought my immediate or early retirement would enable the Government to
exercise its discretion more freely in regard to the Department, and system
of Public Instruction. . .
"In case you concur in what I have above intimated, I would suggest the
creation of the office of Minister of Public Instruction, And the appointment
of yourself to it, as is the Premier in Lower Canada, bringing the University r
U. C . College, Institutions of Deaf and Blind, as well as the Normal, High
and Public Schools, under direct governmental supervision."
Appointment of Minister of Education.
The appointment of a Minister of Education, according to the
advice of the late Dr. Ryerson, has brought the Education Depart-
ment into closer harmony with the public sentiment of the
Province, and has beyond question stimulated into greater activity
every educational interest. Since 1876, as may be seen from
statements elsewhere contained, the Public and High School
Systems of the Province have been greatly developed, the course
of study simplified, and more adequate provision made for the
training of teachers. The fears expressed by the Opposition that
the Education Department would be unduly influenced by politi-
cal considerations have not been realized, and the confidence in
its usefulness and efficiency has not been in the slightest degree
impaired.
One of the advantages to the country from the presence of the
head of the Department in the Legislative Assembly is the
influence which, as a member of the Government, he possesses in
directing legislation requisite for the increased efficiency of our
school system. In no Way is this more apparent than in the
amendments to the Public and High Schools Act of the last
eighteen years. Not only does the Assembly get the benefit of his
experience in advising good legislation, but, as a member of the
Government, he is able to prevent those frequent changes in the
THE MOWAT < JOVEKX.MKXT. 131
school laws which are disturbing to trustees, and which may not
lead to any good results. From his relations to the University
he is also in a position to preserve the unity of the system as an
organic whole so that from the Kindergarten to the University
there can be a complete harmony and co-relation of the various
courses of study.
Improvements in School Legislation.
Amongst the many improvements which have been made since
1872 in our school system are the following: —
(1) The establishment of County Model Schools for the professional train-
ing of intending Public School teachers.
(2) The adaptation of Collegiate Institutes to the professional training of
intended High School teachers.
(3) A more uniform system of examining and classifying Public School
teachers.
(4) Greater encouragement given to the organization of County Teachers'
Institutes, and the formation of local professional libraries.
(5) The abolition of the book, map, and apparatus depository in connection
with the Edueation Department, leaving to ordinary commercial enterprise
the task of furnishing educational supplies.
(6) More effective utilization of the High Schools for the non-professional
training, and of the Provincial Normal Schools for the professional training
of teachers.
(7) The granting of power to trustees of High Schools and Collegiate In-
stitutes to expropriate land for High School purposes.
(8) The selection by the Department of suitable text-books in the several
subjects of Public and High School study, to the exclusion of such books as
may be nnauthorized and unsuitable.
(9) Before 1879, school trustees determined, without reference to the peo-
ple, how much money should be expended for the erection of a new school-
house or the enlargement of a school site ; now there can be no more expen-
diture for either of such purposes without first obtaining the consent of the
ratepayers concerned at a public meeting called for considering the ques-
tion.
(10) Formerly trustees levied and collected all taxes for school purposes
at a great expense to the ratepayers ; now they are able to employ tlie ordin-
ary municipal machinery for this purpose.
(11) Giving the right to trustees in cities, towns and incorporated vil-
lages to apply the ballot to school elections, and to employ for this purpose,
the officers of the municipality engaged in conducting the municipal elections.
(12) Providing that school debentures shall be issued by the municip-
ality, and not by the school section, as formerly, so that school trustees are
able to borrow money at a lower rate of interest, and very often on much
better terms as to premium, etc.
(1 3) Simplifying the machinery for forming, altering or dissolving union
school sections.
132 THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT.
(14) Arranging for the gradual extinction of the superannuated teachers'
fund.
(16) Fixing more definitely than before the holidays for Public and
High Schools.
(16) Township councils are to provide the sum of $100 for each school sec-
tion by uniform rate of assessment over the whole township, thus materially
lightening the burdens of weaker sections.
(17) The establishment of Kindergarten Schools for children from four to
six years of age.
(18) The representation of Public and Separate Schools on High School
Boards.
(19) The improvement of the law respecting Mechanics' Institutes.
(20) The establishment of Art Schools for workingmen and artisans
generally.
(21) The selection of a new site and the erection of new buildings .for
Upper Canada College.
(22) The federation of the University of Toronto with VictoriaUniversity,
and provision for the extension of such federation.
(23) The establishment of a Medical Faculty in the University of Toronto-
(24) The admission of women to the privileges of the University.
(25) The consolidation of the Departmental Examinations with University
Examinations.
(26) The reduction of the course of studies in Public Schools from 15 sub-
jects to 9 obligatory and 3 optional.
(27) The reduction of the number of text-books in Public Schools from 53
to 9.
(28) The reduction of text-books in High Schools from 131 to 25.
(29) The introduction into Public Schools of Drawing, Physiology and
Temperance, as compulsory subjects, and of Agriculture as an optional
subject.
(30) The introduction of Bilingual Readers in French and German Schools.
(31) The compulsory study of English in every Public School in the Pro-
vince.
(32) Making the use of the Bible, or selections therefrom, with devotional
exercises, compulsory at the opening or closing of every Public School.
(33) The establishment of Arbor Day.
(34) The establishment of Provincial Kindergarten Training Schools.
(35) The improvement of the course of study in the Normal Schools.
(36) The appointment of experienced teachers only, as examiners in con-
nection with Departmental Examinations.
(37) The admission of holders of Departmental Certificates to matriculation
pro tanto.
(38) The distribution of the High School grant on the basis of teachers'
salaries, the equipment of the school and the condition and suitability of the
school premises.
(39) The establishment of a standard of specialists in High School work.
(40) The establishment of the School of Pedagogy.
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 133
(41J The adaptation of Departmental Examinations to University Exami-
nations.
(42) The preparation of text -books for the Public Schools, High Schools
and Training Schools.
(43) The improvement of Teachers' Institutes and County Model Schools.
(44) The enlargement and improvement of the Provincial Normal and
Model School accommodation.
(45) The improvement of the School of Science and the extension of its
teaching faculty to the Departments of Electrical Engineering and Mineral-
ogy.
(46) The establishment of a Chair of Political Science in the University.
(47) The establishment of examinations for Art School Certificates.
(48) The appointment of a director to assist in conducting Teachers' In-
stitutes.
(49) The establishment of a Commercial Course in High Schools.
(50) The establishment of a Leaving Examination for Public Schools.
(51) The study of Canadian History made compulsory.
SEPARATE SCHOOLS.
The principle of Separate Schools for Roman Catholics was
first embodied in the School Act of 1841, and was re-asserted in
amendments to the Separate School Act in 1846, 1851, 1853, 1855,
1857 and 1863, the amendments of 1863 being the most impor-
tant of all. All amendments to the Separate Schools Act, before
the year 1867, so far as the rights of Roman Catholics "in the
Province of Ontario would be affected, were usually accompanied
with similar amendments to the School Act of the Province of
Quebec for the protection of the privileges of the Protestant
minority of that Province. In other words, every concession
made to Roman Catholics in Ontario in connection with Separate
Schools was followed by a corresponding concession to the Pro-
testants of Quebec in the case of Protestant Schools. By the Act
of Confederation the privileges of the minorities in both Pro-
vinces were placed beyond the control of the local legislatures.
By Section 93 of the B.N.A. Act, 1867, it was enacted as follows :
93. — In and for each Province the Legislature may exclusively make laws
in relation to education, subject and according to the following provisions : —
(1) Nothing in any such law shall prejudicially affect any right or privil-
ege with respect to denominational schools which any class of persons have
by law in the Province at the union.
(2) All the powers, privileges and duties at the union by law conferred
and imposed in Upper Canada on the Separate School and school trustees of
the Queen's Roman Catholic subjects shall- be and the same are hereby ex-
tended to the dissentient schools of the Queen's Protestant and Roman
Catholic subjects in Quebec.
134 THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT.
(3) Where in any Province a system of separate or dissentient schools
exists by law at the union or is thereafter established by the Legislature of
the Province, an appeal shall lie to the Governor-General in Council from
any Act or decision of any Provincial authority affecting any right or privil-
ege of the Protestant or Roman Catholic minority of the Queen's subjects in
relation to education.
(4) In case any such Provincial law as from time to time seems to the
Governor-General in Council requisite for the due execution of the pro-
visions of this section is not made, or in case any decision of the Governor-
General ia Council on an appeal under this section is not duly executed by
the proper Provincial authorities in that behalf, then and in every such case,
and as far only as the circumstances of each case require, the Parliament of
Canada may make remedial laws for the due execution of the provisions of
this section and of any decision of the Governor-General in Council under
this section.
Amendments Since Confederation.
While the Act of Confederation would not allow any amend-
ment that would prejudicially affect any right or privilege with
respect to denominational schools, it places no restriction upon
legislation in the direction of improving the law so as to increase
the efficiency of denominational schools as they existed at the
time of Confederation. In the Province of Quebec many amend-
ments have been made to the Act respecting Protestant Schools —
amendments far more sweeping in their character than the amend-
ments made to the Separate Schools Act of Ontario. As a matter
of fact, the Public Schools of Quebec are entirely controlled^and
regulated by Protestants themselves. The Council of Public
Instruction which has to deal with all classes of schools is com-
posed of two sections — a Protestant section and a Catholic sec-
tion. The Protestant section has the right to authorize Text
Books for Protestant Separate Schools, to tix the qualification of
teachers and their courses of studj'-, to determine the kind of relig-
ious instruction to be given in these schools and any other matter,
as freely as if no Roman Catholic Schools existed in the Province.
The Roman Catholic section of the Council exercise similar privi-
leges with regard to Roman Catholic Schools. There is therefore
in Quebec a dual sj'stem of education, each section practically in-
dependent of the other, with a complete system 'of Elementary
Schools, High Schools and Normal Schools under its control.
Although several amendments have been made to the Separate
Schools Act in the Province of Ontario since Confederation, it
was never attempted or even proposed to establish two distinct
systems of education in Ontario. Not one of these amendments
indicates any desire on the part of the Legislature to place the
Roman Catholic Separate Schools under the control of the hier-
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 135
archy, or to remove them from the direct control of the Edu-
cation Department. The object of every amendment was to
simplify the classification of Public and Separate School support-
ers, and to facilitate the collection of school rates.
The Act of 1863.
The controversy of the last few years has arisen out of the
following sections of the Act of 1863 : Sec. 14, now 40 R. S.
1887; Section 18 now section 47; section 13 now section 61;
and section 26 now section 64 :
14. — Every person paying rates, whether as proprietor or tenant, who, by
himself, or his agent, on or before the first day of March in any year, gives
to the clerk of the municipality notice in writing that he is a Roman Catho-
lic, and supporter of Separate School situated in the municipality or in a
municipality contiguous thereto, shall be exempted from the payment of all
rates imposed for the support of Public Schools, and of Public School libra-
ries, or for the purchase of land or erection of buildings for Public School
purposes, within the city, town, incorporated village or section in which he
resides, for the then current year, and every subsequent year thereafter,
while he continues to support a Separate School ; and the notice shall not be
required to be renewed annually ; and it shall be the duty of the trustees of
every Separate School to transmit to the clerk of the municipality or clerk of
municipalities (as the case may be) on or before the first day of June in each
year, a correct list of the names and residences of all persons supporting the
Separate Schools under their management ; and every ratepayer whose name shall
not appear on such list shall be rated for support of Common Schools.
47. — (1) Any Roman Catholic who may desire to withdraw his support
from a Separate School, shall give notice in writing to the clerk of the muni-
cipality, before the second Wednesday in January in any year, otherwise he
shall be deemed a supporter of the school.
(2) But any person who has withdrawn his support from a Roman Catholic
Separate School shall not be exempted from paying any rate for the support
of Separate Schools or Separate School libraries, or for the erection of a Separ-
ate School house, imposed before the time of his withdrawing such support
from the Separate School.
61. — The teachers of & Separate School under this Act shall be subject to
the same examinations, and receive their certificates of qualification, in the
same manner as Public School teachers generally ; but the persons qualified
by law as teachers, either in the Province of Ontario, or, at the time of the
passing of The British North America Act, in the Province of Quebec, shall be
considered qualified teachers for the purpose of this Act.
64. — The Roman Catholic Separate Schools (with their registers) shall be
subject to such inspection as may be directed from time to time by the Min-
ister of Education, and shall be subject also to such regulations as may be
imposed from time to time by the Education Department.
Effect of Section 40.
By section 14 (now 40) the trustees of Separate Schools were
required to furnish the Municipal Clerk, on or before 1st June,
136 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
with a list of Separate School supporters. Any Roman Catholic
not entered on such list would be liable for Public School rates.
The trouble and annoyance of preparing such a list annually was
greatly complained of by Separate School trustees, inasmuch as
this section rendered it necessary for them to make up a list of
all the Separate School supporters, and this in the cities some-
times amounted to several hundreds if not thousands of names.
Amendment of 1877.
In 1877 the Separate School Act was amended so as to relieve
Trustees of Separate Schools of the duty of supplying annually
a list of their supporters, and transferring this duty to the assessor.
This amendment was as follows : —
It shall be the duty of Municipal Councils —
"To cause the Assessor of the Township, in preparing the annual assess-
ment roll of the Township, and setting down therein the school section of the
person taxable, to distinguish between Public or Separate, and in setting
down therein his religion, to distinguish between Protestant and Roman
Catholic, and whether supporters of Public or Separate Schools ; and the
Assessor shall, accordingly, insert such particulars in the respective columns
of the assessment roll prescribed by law for the school section and religion
respectively of the person taxable."
"The Court of Revision shall try and determine all complaints in regard
to persons in these particulars alleged to be wrongfully placed upon or omitted
from the roll (as the case may be;, and any person so complaining, or any
elector of the municipality, may give notice in writing to the clerk of the
municipality of such complaint, and the provisions of the Assesssment Act of
1869 in reference to giving notice of complaints against the assessment roll,
and proceedings for the trial thereof, shall likewise apply to all complaints
under the section of this Act."
Amendment of 1879.
It was found after the amendment of 1877 went into operation
that frequent mistakes were made by the assessor with respect to
the rating of Public and Separate School supporters respectively.
To obviate this, the Separate School Act was further amended in
1879 as follows :
(Sec 26, sub-sec. 3, 1879): "In any case where the trustees of any
Roman Catholic Separate School avail themselves of the provisions contained
in the 78th sec. of the Public School Act, for the purpose (amongst others)
of ascertaining through the assessor of the municipality of the persons who
are the supporters of Separate Schools in such Municipality, the assessor
shall accept the statement of any ratepayer that he is a Roman Catholic, as
sufficient prima facie evidence for placing such person in the proper column
of the assessment roll for Separate Schoof supporters, or if the assessor knows
THE MOWAT <;<>VKi;\MK\T. 1 ,'i7
•personally any person to be a Roman Catholic, this shall also be sufficient for
placing him in such last mentioned column."
In 1886 these clauses were consolidated and read as follow-, :
4§, — (1) The assessor or asaessors of every municipality shall in the as-
sessment roll set down the religion of the person taxable, distinguishing be-
tween Protestant and Roman Catholic, and whether supporters of Public or
Separate Schools, but nothing herein contained shall be deemed to interfere
with the rights of Public School trustees under the Public School Act.
(2) The assessor shall accept the statement of, or made on behalf of, any
ratepayer that he is a Roman Catholic, as sufficient prima facie evidence for
placing such person in the proper column of the assessment roll for Separate
School supporters, or if the assessor knows personally any ratepayer to be a
Roman Catholic this shall also be sufficient for placing him in such last men-
tioned column.
(3] The Court of Revision shall try and determine all complaints in regard
to persons in these particulars alleged to be wrongfully placed upon or omit-
ted from the roll (as the case may be), and any person so complaining, or any
ratepayer of the municipality, may give notice in writing to the clerk of the
municipality of such complaint, and the provisions of the Assessment Act,
in reference to giving notice of complaints agaiust the assessment roll, and
proceedings fer the trial thereof, shall likewise apply to all complaints under
this section of this Act, (49 V. c. 46, s. 49.)
Effect of Amendments of 1877-79.
It was contended by the opponents of the Government (1) that
these amendments completely changed the status of Roman Cath-
olics with respect to the Public School system, and instead of their
being prima facie Public School supporters, as they were in the
Act of 1863, they were now prima facie Separate School sup-
porters. (2) It was alleged that without even the knowledge or
consent of a Roman Catholic, any person on his behalf could
notify the assessor that he was a Separate School supporter, and
thus change his status with respect to the Public Schools. (3) It
was alleged that the notice required in section 40 was dispensed
with. In answer to these allegations the Hon. Mr. Crooks, then
Minister of Education, replied as follows :
' ' There has been no change in the principle on which Separate Schools are
based, namely, the permission or option which each Roman Catholic has to
become a supporter of a Separate School or not. His being a Catholic is
merely prima facie evidence on which the assessor could place his name
among the supporters of the Separate School ; but he cannot do so if the
Roman Catholic ratepayer instructs him to the contrary ; and in that case,
not being a supporter of a Separate School, he would be liable to Public
School rates and entitled to send his children to the Public School. The law
permits each Roman Catholic ratepayer his individual option in supporting
the Separate School, and provides the proper machinery for having this so
settled that he must pay a school rate for one or the other."
138 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
The following statement by Mr. Mowat in 1886, was also given
as an answer :
"But the ludicrous absurdity of the objection is that the preliminary
' notice has not been dispensed with. On the contrary, it is expressly con-
' tinued by the 41st sec. of the Act of last session, the section which gives
' Roman Catholics exemption from school rates, and any Protestant or other
' ratepayer of the municipality may object to the exemption before the
* Court of Revision, on the ground that the necessary preliminary notice
' was not given ; and he may do so without the consent, and even contrary
' to the wish of the ratepayers whose case is in question. "
Reference of Disputed Questions to the Judges.
Under the Public Schools Act, R.S.O., 1887, chapter 225, Sec-
tion 237, the Minister of Education has the right to ask the
Judges of the High Court for an interpretation of doubtful
matters in the School Law. As the opponents of the Govern-
ment had so frequently alleged that under the amendments of
1877-79 a Roman Catholic could become a Separate School
Supporter without giving the notice required by the Separate
School Act of ]863, and consequently become a Separate School
Supporter by virtue of his being a Roman Catholic, the Minister
of Education asked the interpretation of the High Court with re-
spect to the effect of these amendments. Hon. Justice Boyd of the
Court of Chancery, and the Hon. Justice Robertson, in response
to the request of the Minister, gave their decision which was
duly laid upon the table of the House, the effect of which was
to affirm the- position taken by the Government, viz., that in case
a Roman Catholic gave no notice of his intention to become a
Separate School Supporter, he still remained a Public School
Supporter. The Judges also held that the Court of Revision had
the full right to receive complaints from any ratepayer in the
Municipality as to whether a Roman Catholic was rightly or
wrongly assessed, or that if the assessor, without due authority
entered a Roman Catholic as a Supporter of a Separate School,
the Court of Revision could restore him to the list of Public
School Supporters or vice versa. It was. also established that a
Roman Catholic who desired to withdraw his support from the
Separate Schools was at perfect liberty to do so by giving the
notice required by the School Act of 1863.
Act of 1890.
In order, however, to remove all cause of complaint and render
it almost impossible for mistakes to occur, the Minister of Edu-
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. l:!f>
cation introduced into the House a Bill to amend the Public and
Separate Schools Act, which received the assent of the Lieuten-
ant-Governor on 7th April, 1890, of which the following is a
copy : —
HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative
Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows : —
1. The clerk of every municipality shall forthwith after the passing of this
Act, enter in a convenient index book, and in alphabetical order, the name
of any person who has given to him or a y former clerk of the municipality
notice in writing that such person is a Roman Catholic and a supporter of a
separate school in or contiguous to the municipaiity, as provided by the
40th 'Section of The Separate Schools Act, or by previous Acts respecting
separate schools ; the clerk shall also enter opposite the name, and in a
column for this purpose, the date on which the notice was received, and in a
third column opposite the name any notice by such person of withdrawal
from supporting a separate school, as provided by the 47th section of the
said Act, or by any such Act as aforesaid, with the date of such withdrawal ;
or any disallowance of the notice by the courh of revision or county judge,
with the date of such disallowance. The Index book may be in the form
set out in the schedule to this Act, and shall be open to inspection by
ratepayers.
(2) The clerk shall enter in the same book, and in the proper alphabotical
place therein, all such notices hereafter from time to time received by the
clerk.
(3) It shall be the duty^of the clerk to file and carefully preserve all such
notices which have been heretofore received, or shall hereafter be received.
2. In the case of a municipality in which there are supporters of a Roman
Catholic separate school therein, or contiguous thereto, there shall be printed
in conspicuous characters, or written across or on the assessor's notice to
every ratepayer, provided for by the 47th section of The Assessment Act. and
set forth in schedule B. to the said Act, in addition to the proper entry here-
tofore required, to be made in the column respecting the school tax, the
following words : "You are assessed as a separate school supporter," or
"You are assessed as a public school Supporter," as the case may be ; or
these words may be added to the notice to the ratepayer set forth in the said
schedule.
3. Where the list required by the first section of this Act is prepared, the
assessor is to be guided thereby in ascertaining who have given the nori-es
which are by law necessary, in order to entitle supporters of Roman Catholic
separate schools to exemption from the public school tax.
4. The statement made under the second sub-section of the 48th section of
The Separate Schools Act, the 120th section of the The Public Schools Act, or
the fourteenth sub-section of The Assessment Act, means, and has always
meant, a statement made to the assessor on behalf of the ratepayer by his
authority, and not otherwise.
'*. In case of its appearing to the municipal council of any municipality
after the final revision of the assessment roll, that through some mistake or
inadvertence any ratepayers have been placed in the wr >ng school tax-column,
either as supporters of separate schools or supporters of public schools, it
140 THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT.
shall be competent for the municipal council after due enquiry and notice to
correct such errors if such council sees fit, by directing the amount of the
tax of such ratepayers to be' paid to the proper school board. But it shall
not be competent for the council to reverse the decision of the court of re-
vision, or the county court judge, as to any ratepayer.
(2) In case of such action by a municipal council the ratepayer shall be
liable for the same amount of school tax as if he had in the first instance been
entered on the roll properly.
This Act requires the clerk to keep an index book for those
who give notice under section 40 ; requires the assessor to be
guided by the notice entered in that book, in making up his roll,
and empowers the Council to rectify mistakes where they occur,
even at tne last moment.
Amendment 0/1893.
The Assessment Act of 1892 was amended in 1893 by adding
thereto the following section.
" 2. Where a ratepayer who has in the next preceding year been assessed
as a Public School supporter is being assessed as a Separate School support-
er, or where a ratepayer who has in the next preceding year been assessed as a
Separate School supporter is being assessed as a Public School supporter, it
shall be the duty of the assessor to give, in addition to the notice whch he is now
required to give, a written or printed notice to each ra epayer that such
change is made."
This amendment by providing for a special notice from the
assessor affords all the guarantees that could be reasonably
asked against mistakes in school assessments.
Trustee Elections by Ballot.
In 1878 the Hon. A. M. Ross introduced a bill for the holding
of elections for Public School Trustees by Ballot at the same time
as Municipal elections are held. Mr. Meredith was reported in
the Globe of February, 1878, as objecting to this Bill for the
following reason : —
" Mr. Meredith was opposed to the bill, believing that it would have the
effect of introducing political feeling into educational matters, which all
parties in the House agreed should be as far as possible removed from politi-
cal considerations. School Boards, as at present elected, were comprised, as
a rule, of men of a higher standard than members or Councils. If people did not
feel sufficient interest in the School Boards they themselves suffered the con-
sequences, and he thought the feeling ought to be left to be improved with
the general education of the people in the use of the franchise."
In 1882, on a Bill proposed by Mr. Wm. Bell, of Toronto, that
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 141
the ballot should be used for Public and Separate School Trustee
elections, the Mail reported Mr. Meredith as follows : —
" Mr. Meredith said at the time the Roman Catholics were asking for
Separate Schools it was the Conservative party who supported them in their
claim, and obtained from them, at the risk of loss of seats and influence,
their now recognized rights. It ill became the Commissioner to accuse the
hon. member of West Toronto of being hostile to the Separate School sys-
tem, and to attempt to make out that this alleged feeling was shared by the
Conservative party. It was the leader of the Government who had been hos-
tile to it, and had voted against the concession of the right to have Separate
Schools. While he recognized the right of the Catholics to have Separate
Schools, he did not see why no attempt should be made to improve the sys-
tem. The Commissioner said that the Bill must be rejected because of the
speech of the mover. According to him, a Bill was to be rejected, not on its
merits, but according to the Speech delivered by the mover. He knew
nothing of the state of Separate Schools in Toronto, but so far as London was
concerned, he believed they were well conducted. He did n.ot favor forcing
the ballot system upon the Separate School supporters if they did not want
it, but he supported the proposition to eatend the ballot to the Public
Schoo elections."
In 1885, he acquiesced in the ballot for Public Schools, but
made no request that the same principle should be applied to
Separate Schools. In 1890, he introduced a Bill to make the
ballot compulsory for both Public and Separate Schools. In
1894, he repeated the same tiding in the form of a resolution.
Inspection of Separate Schools.
Under Dr. Ryerson the Separate Schools in rural districts were
inspected by the Public School Inspectors, and in cities, towns,
and incorporated villages, by the High School Inspectors, and for
this purpose an additional High School Inspector was appointed
at an annual expense, including salary and travelling expenses, of
about $2,500 a year. In 1882 this system was abandoned and
an Inspector appointed specially for Separate Schools. As the
work was too laborious for one Inspector, another was appointed
in 1884 — the cost, for salaries and travelling expenses, in 1893,
being $4,268. That an additional Inspector was necessary, if
the work of inspection was to be of any value, was quite ap-
parent. The average number of Public Schools to which a
Public School Inspector is limited by statute is 120. In 1884
there were 190 Separate Schools, with 390 teachers ; and in 1892
the Separate Schools had increased to 312, with 662 teachers. No
matter how these schools are inspected, they would have to be
paid for by the people of Ontario. If paid for partly by the
142 THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT.
country and partly by the Government, as in the case of Public
School Inspectors, the expense would be, at the statutory rate of
$10 per school, $6,820. The cost with the present system is only
S4,250. It is also to be remembered that the revenues of the
Province belong to both Protestants and Catholics alike, and if it
is fair to tax the whole people for the inspection of Public Schools
to the extent of $47,310, there can be no injustice in taxing the
same constituency $4,250 for the inspection of Separate Schools.
When the work was done by the High School Inspectors, their
salaries were a charge upon the Province. It is still a charge, but
the officer to whom it is paid is called a Separate School Inspector,
not a High School Inspector.
FRENCH AND GERMAN SCHOOLS.
The principal settlements of French Canadians in the Province
of Ontario are to be found in the counties of Prescott, Russell
and Essex. The settlements in Essex began in the year 1700, and
in the counties of Prescott and Russell about the year 1840. The
principal German settlements are in the counties of Waterloo,
Perth and Bruce. In man}'- instances these settlements are
ajmost exclusively French or German, and as might be expected,
the French or German language was the language of the home, of
business, of religious service, and of the Pu'blic Schools.
As far back as 1851 the attention of the late Dr. Ryerson,
Chief Superintendent, was directed by the Board of Public In-
struction for the county of Essex to the fact that certain candi-
dates were presenting themselves for teachers' certificates who
possessed no knowledge of the English language, and on the 25th of
April of that year, the Council of Public Instruction agreed to
accept a knowledge of French or German Grammarfor a knowledge
of English grammar, and teachers without any knowledge of Eng-
lish were authorized to teach in French and German schools. This
regulation was re-enacted without any substantial change at dif-
ferent periods down to the year 1883.
Knowledge of English Grammar first Required in 18s 5.
In August, 1885, the Education Department adopted the follow-
ing Regulation : —
" 155. In addition to the examination conducted in the French or the
German language, every candidate for a teacher's certificate shall be required
to pass such examinations in English grammar and in translation from
French or German into English, as may be prescribed by the Board of Ex-
THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT. 143
During Dr. Ryerson's career from 1846 to 1876, and during the
administration of the late Adam Crooks, teachers were allowed
to write their answers to the examination papers in the French
or German language. It was not until 18S5 that a knowledge of
English Grammar and of translation from French or German into
English was required. In the same year a Regulation was also
adopted requiring teachers to introduce the authorized Readers
into French and German schools, the Regulation on this point
was as follows : —
" 24. The programme of studies prescribed shall be followed by the teacher
as far as the circumstances of his school will permit. Any modification
deemed necessary should be made only with the concurrence of the Inspec-
tor and the Trustees. In French and German schools the authorized Readers
shsll be used in addition to any text-books in either of the languages afore-
said."
The Regulation above quoted is the first expression of opinion
by the Educatiou Department that the study of English was com-
pulsory in the Public Schools of the Province.
Training of Teachers.
In order to make the study of English effective in French
schools particularly, it was necessary to make some provision for
the training of French teachers. In the Province of New Bruns-
wick a special course is provided at the Provincial Normal School
for this purpose. To provide a similar course in the Normal
Schools in Ontario it was feared would be too expensive to the
teachers for whose benefit it was specially intended. It was
considered that a Training school on the general lines of a County
Model School would serve the purpose better. Accordingly the
Board of Examiners for the counties of Prescott and Russell met
at Plantaganet on the fourth of October, 1889, and recommended
the establishment of a Training School for French teachers to
be aided by the Government and to be subject to the inspection
of the Model School Inspector. On the 12th of January, 1890,
the Training School was opened with 23 teachers in training, and
up to the 31st of December, 1893, certificates were issued to
French-English teachers who had taken the prescribed course
of study within its walls. The Training School receives a grant
of $800 from the Government and a similar amount from the
County Council. This was the first Training School established
in the Province of Ontario for qualifying teachers who spoke
the French language to teach the English language.
144 THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT.
French and German Text Books.
The Council of Public Instruction in 1846 authorized a series
of English Text-books for the Common schools of Upper Canada,
but made no provision for Text-books in the French language.
Dr. Ryerson's attention was called'to this in 1856, as the follow-
ing letter shows : —
CLEARVILLE, 25th Sept., 1856.
REV. Sm,- — In the Townships of Dover East and West are two
French schools, which use a series of French books, recommended
by the Archbishop of Paris and other French dignitaries of the
Church of Rome, and which are exclusively devoted to the teach-
ing of the peculiar dogmas of that church. I write you to know
whether any common school can be made sectarian when all the
inhabitants of the section are agreed to its being such ? Also,
when it is necessary to use books in the French language, what
series of books would you recommend ?
Rev. E. Ryerson, D.D., I have, etc.,
Chief Superintendent, Toronto. D. MILLS,
Local Supt., Co. of Kent.
To this letter the following reply was sent : —
8th October, 1856.
SIR, — I have the honor to state in reply to your letter of the
25th ult., that as there is no list of books prescribed or recom-
mended for French schools, and as it may be presumed that the
pupils attending them are for the most part, or altogether, Roman
Catholics, I do not see that we can do anything in regard to the
kind of books which are used in the few schools of French people
in Upper Canada.
David Mills, Esq., I have, etc.,
Supt, Co. of Kent., Clearville. E. RYERSON.
The Council of Public Instruction sought to remedy this, how-
ever, in 1868, by authorizing Text-books in Grammar, Geography
Arithmetic and Reading in the French Language for French
Schools, and in 1879, the Education Department adopted for the
use of French Schools the Text-books used in mixed schools in
the Province of Quebec. It was found by experience, however,
that such books were not satisfactory. Some of them were not
purely undenominational and were better suited for Separate
Schools than for Public Schools.
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 145
bi-Lingual Readers.
In 1888, the Minister of Education became aware that Bi-Lin-
gual Readers, that is, French-English Readers, were used in the
French Schools of the Province of New Brunswick. These books
were prepared under the direction of the Education Department
and were purely undenominational. He also learned that they
were used in about 400 schools in the Maritime Provinces with
great success. Believing that they would be useful in Ontario,
they were on the 17th of October, 1889, formally authorized for
the French Schools of the Province. A series of Bi-Lingual
Readers for German Schools was also authorized the same year.
All other Text-books in the French language were removed from
the authorized list. This was the first practical step ever taken
to overcome the difficulty with respect to Text-books in French
Schools.
Complaints Respecting the Neglect of English in French Schools.
Just before the election of 1890 a systematic attempt was made
by the Conservative press to show that the English language was
entirely ignored in French schools, and that the Education Depart-
ment was greatly to blame for allowing the children of French
parents to grow up in ignorance of the English language. The
evidence on which this complaint was founded, was mainly the
reports of newspaper correspondents who claimed to have made a
general tour of the French schools.
In order to ascertain the facts in the case, the Minister of
Education appointed a Commission on the 13th of May, 1889,
consisting of J. J, Tilley, Inspector of Model Schools ; the Rev.
D. D. McLeod. and the Rev. A. H. Raynar, M.A., Professor in
Victoria University. The Commissioners made a thorough in-
spection of all the French and German schools in the Province of
Ontario, particularly those of the Counties of Prescott, Russell,
Essex and Kent, where the majority of the population had settled.
The charges made by the opponents of the Government were
found to be untrue by the Commissioners. On the 22nd of
August they reported as follows : —
(1) That some English is taught in every school.
(2) That the Public School Readers have been introduced into
every school.
(3) That the pupils are usually well^ supplied with English
Reading books.
146 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
(4) That in at least 12 schools the work done in English is
much beyond the amount prescribed by the Education Depart-
ment.
Recommendations of Commission.
The Commissioners in concluding their report made the follow-
ing recommendations : —
(1) That a special school be established for the training of
French teachers in the English language, and that such school be
placed under teachers who can speak both English and French,
and who are thoroughly competent to give instruction in those
languages. Candidates on completing their course in this school
should take the regular examination for Teachers' certificate in
English, and only those who pass such examinations should
receive a license to teach.
(2) That special teachers' institutes be held for the benefit of
French teachers.
(3) That greater use be made of the oral or conversational
method in teaching English.
(4) That a Bi-lingual set of Readers — French and English — be
provided for the French schools.
(5) That the use of unauthorized Text-books in these schools be
discontinued.
All the recommendations made by the Commissioners were
adopted by the Education Department. The Bi-lingual Readers
were authorized in October, 1889 ; arrangements for the estab-
lishment of the Training School were also made in 1889, and the
school formally opened on the 12th January, 1890. Institutes
for French teachers have been conducted at different periods since
the report of the Commissioners ; and all unauthorized Text-books
have been removed from the schools.
Second Commission in May, 1893.
In order to ascertain the effect which the efforts made by the
Department had upon the study of English, especially in the
schools of Prescott and Russell, the Minister of Education reap-
pointed the Commissioners of 1889 to make a second visit to the
counties of Prescott and Russell, and to report such evidence of
progress, if any, as they might find. After a period of four yearg
it was thought the methods adopted for the better study of Eng-
lish would have borne some fruit. On the 9th of August, 1893,
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 147
the Commissioners presented their report. A few extracts are
submitted :
When we compare the improved standing in English of the teachera now
employed in the schools, with the standing of those employed four years ago,
and when we remember that this improvement has been made chiefly during
three yeare, which is the time since the first teachers went out from the Model
School, and when we also take into account the eagerness with which trained
teachers who can speak both languages are sought for by the people, and the
general desire of French parents to have their children learn English, there
can be no rdom to doubt that the very marked improvement of the past few
years will be not only maintained but increased, and that within a few years
the French children will know not only the French language but will also be
able to read, speak and write the English language with considerable freedom
aud accuracy.
Examination of Schools.
The Plantagent Model School for the training of French teachers was care-
fully inspected by us, and the students passed a most creditable examination.
In English Grammar, Geography, History and Arithmetic the standing was
quite equal to that in a good English school, and even in explaining words
and phrases in English the students did exceedingly well.
Separate ScJiools Formed.
The schools visited this year were the same as those visited in 1889. Since
that time, however, 27 of these schools have become Separate Schools. One
probable reason for these numerous changes was the uneasiness excited
amongst the French people by the agitation over their schools four years ago,
and the fear lest their privileges might be interfered with.
It is but right to observe in this connection that we found the Separate
Schools, to say the least, fully equal to the Public Schools in regard to the
standing of their teachers and to the diligence and efficiency with which the
English language is taught.
Standing of Schools.
It is gratifying to notice the decided advance made by the schools as a
whole during the past four years.
This advance is clearly shown in the following comparison of the classifi-
cation of the schools made in 1889 with that made in 1893 :
In 1889, 17 were classified as very satisfactory, 21 as schools in which fair
progress was being made, and in 18 the pupils knew very little English.
In 1893, 30 are classified as very satisfactory, 15 as schools in which fair
progress is being made, and 11 are classified as inferior in knowledge of
English.
In a number of these schools the proficiency of the senior pupils in Eng-
lish was highly creditable, and in those in which the teacher was making use
of proper methods of instruction, even the youngest children were being
brought forward with marked success.
It only requires that the better methods now being used at the instance of
the Department be persevered in. In all educational measures time is an
essential element. And from what has been accomplished in the past four
years the whole benefit of which has not yet been reaped, we may conclude
that the continuance of these measures, and the use of such others as may jet
148 THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT.
be necessary, will give to the people of these counties, schools which, as to
efficiency in English, will be quite satisfactory.
Teachers Improved.
A second evidence of the advance made in connection with these schools
is to be found in the decided improvement which has taken place in respect
to the knowledge of English which the teachers possess and their competency
to use it in the work of instruction.
In our report for 1889 it was stated that " of 69 teachers employed in the
schools visited, only three had attended a High School and only two had
received any training in either Model or Normal Schools in Ontario. One had
a Second Class certificate, one a Third Class certificate, two had County
Board certificates, 47 had District certificates, and 18 (of whom five were
assistants) had permits granted by the Inspectors."
In 1893, 47 had attended the Model School at Plantagenet, one had atten-
ded the County Model School, four had received Normal School training, one
had passed through the School of Pedagogy and only three were teaching on
permits.
In 1889 the classification of the teachers, taking proficiency in the English
language as the basis of classification, was: 26 good, 20 fair, and 19 not com-
petent to teach English with any degree of efficiency.
In 1893, on the same basis of classification, 51 are classified as good (of
these, 19 excellent), 11 as fair, 9 as iuferior, and one as incompetent to teach
English.
Supply of Text-Books.
Further evidence of the advance made in the schools maybe gathered from
the analysis of the summary of statistics given on page 29 of this report. All
the schools are well supplied with English reading books, and the number of
classes in these has increased from 177 in 1889 to 268 in 1893.
French Pupils Learning English.
Of the 3,640 French speaking children on the roll, 3,5S1 are learning Eng-
lish, while of the 3,210 French children on the roll of 1889 only 2,484 were
learning English. This shows* in the number of children not learning Eng-
lish a reduction from 726 in 1889 to 59 in 1893, and of these 59 nearly all
had attended school but a few weeks.
THE TEXT-BOOK QUESTION.
The Government is charged with wantonly and unnecessarily-
changing the Text-books in use in the Public and High Schools.
A few facts will show the foundationless character of this charge.
(1) The first series of Readers used in the Public Schools of
Upper Canada, known as the Irish National Readers, were auth-
orized on the 27th October, 1846, and continued in use for twenty-
two years until the Canadian Readers were anthorized on the
4th January, 1868. This change was made by Dr. Ryerson eight
years before he retired from office. The next change was made
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 149
in 1884 by the present Minister of Education. It will therefore
be seen that from 1846 down to 1884, a period of thirty -eight
years, there were but two changes in the Readers used in our
Public Schools — one made by Dr. Ryerson and the other as above
stated. It is true that two series of Readers were authorized in
1883, but as these were introduced into only a few schools, they
practically effected no change in the use of those previously
authorized and imposed no burdens upon the school population
of the country.
Changes in other Text-Books.
•
Under the Council of P,ublic Instruction during the last six
years of Dr. Ryerson's time, or from 1868 to 1875 inclusive, forty-
one new Text-books were added to the authorized list and nine-
teen struck off. These changes were mostly in Arithmetic, Gram-
mer, Geography, History and Science. That changes are necess-
ary in these subjects no reasonable person will deny. A policy
somewhat similar was pursued by the late Mr. Crooks; who added
during the seven years of his administration thirty -four Text-
books to the list and struck off thirty-six.
On the 31st of December, 1875, the last year of Dr. Ryerson's
administration, there were fifty-five authorized Text-books in the
fifteen subjects constituting a complete Public School course, and
on the 31st of December, 1883, the last year of Mr. Crooks' ad-
ministration there was fifty -three authorized Text-books covering
the fifteen subjects of study in the Public School course. In some
subjects the number authorized was so great as to be confusing to
pupils and parents. For instance, in Grammar there were eleven
different Text-books ; in Arithmetic, four different Text-books ;
in Geography, nine Text-books ; in History, five Text-books. In
1875 it required twenty-four Text-books at a cost of $10.83 to
complete the Public School course, in 1894 the Public School
course can be completed with nine Text-books at a cost of $4.06.
Evils of too many Text-Books.
Owing to the constant changes of teachers and their preference
for particular Text-books on the course it not infrequently hap-
pened that a teacher taking charge of a school, ordered new books
in many of the subjects in which more than one was authorized
although to all intents and purposes the Text-book discarded'
was just as good as the one which the pupils were ordered to pur-
chase. This was no doubt a source of irritation and expense, and
150 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
in order to mitigate the evils which it produced an amendment
was made to the School Act in 1881 which provided that,
" Any authorized Text-book in actual use in any Public or
Model School may be changed by the teacher of such school for
any other authorized Text-book in such subject, on the written
instruction of the Inspector provided always such change is made
at the beginning of the school year, and at least six months after
such approval has been given. — 44 Y. c. 30. s. 12."
The effect of this amendment was to place upon the trustees
and the Inspector the responsibility of all changes in the use of
Text- books made in any school. As this, however, did not pre-
vent the evils complained of, the present Minister of Education
resolved npon the reduction of the Text-book list to one book in
each subject, and thus render all change impossible, unless a new
Text-book was authorized by the Department. The effect of
this change will be apparent from the following table : —
Number of Text-books authorized on Sltit Dec., 1875 .... 55
Ditto...' ................... ............... 1883 ____ 53
Ditto ...... . ............................. 1893 ____ 9
As the subjects of Agriculture, Botany and Physics are optional
and cannot be introduced except by resolution of the trustees, and
by the approval of the Inspector, they are not included in the
above list.
Cost of Text-Books.
The following comparison of the size and cost of the Readers
submitted to the Department in 1883, and the Ontario Readers
now used, may be instructive : — ,
Cento per
Pages. Cost. 100 pagee.
Gage's ............ 752 ............ $1 31 ............ 17*
Royal ............ 972 ............ 1 50 ............. 15|
Royal Canadian. . ..955 ............ 1 80 ........ ---- 18|
Ontario Readers. . .976 ............ 1 35 ............ 13|
The average price of the three series discarded is $1.53 ; the
price of the new series is $1.35, shewing a difference of eighteen
cents in favor of the new series.
Arbitration as to Cost.
Under the agreement with the publishers, the Education De-
partment has the right to submit to arbitration every book on
the authorized list in order to ascertain if any reduction can be
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 151
made in the price of publication, while leaving the publisher a
reasonable profit. So much had been said with regard to the cost
of Text-books that the Minister of Education felt it to be his duty
to act upon that clause of the agreement authorising the arbitra-
tion.
On the 27th May, 1889, the Minister of Education appointed
James Bain, jr., Librarian of the Public Library of the City of
Toronto, as arbitrator on behalf of the Department ; the publish-
ers appointed Richard Brown, wholesale book manufacturer, and
the Chancellor of Ontario, appointed His Honor, Edward Morgan,
Junior Judge of the County of York, as third arbitrator.
After a session of fourteen days, and the examination of 21
witnesses, the arbitrators reported against the reduction in the
price, of any of the Text-books used in the Public and High
Schools with the exception of one, viz., the High School Drawing
Course. The reduction in this case recommended, was from 20
cents per copy to 15 cents. This report it must be remembered
included all the Text-books in use in Public and High Schools
with the exception of the Readers, which were referred to the
arbitrators subsequently.
Extract from Arbitrators' Report.
The following extract from the arbitrators' report is worthy of
notice : —
An examination into the prices charged in the United States for school
books of a kind almost identical with those forming the subject of this refer-
ence has satisfied us that the prices of Canadian school books are far below
the prices obtained in the United Stakes, and that the Education Department
of Ontario has exercised extreme sare in dealing with each book as to the re-
tail price thereof, so that the public have obtained the books at lower prices
than could have been obtained under any other system than the system of
authorization now adopted by the Department, and this system while it fully
protects the public and secures low priced school books, appears to be reason-
ably fair to the publisher.
Of the school books issued by American and Canadian publishers, with
respect to which the difference in price in favor of the Canadian book is most
strongly marked, may be mentioned :
WILLIAMS' COMPOSITION. — Canadian price 50 cents; American price 75 cents.
HIGH SCHOOL GERMAN GRAMMAR. — Canadian price 75 cents; American
price $1.50.
HIGH SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY. — Canadian wholesale price 75 cents ; United
States wholesale price §1.10.
PUBLIC SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY. — Canadian 190 pages, wholesale price 56 cents »
United States 121 pages, wholesale price 76 cents ; and many others.
152 THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT.
In view of these circumstances and inasmuch as many of the books referred
to us are sold at profits below what is usually obtained by the trade, the
undersigned would respectfully submit that if it is deemed inexpedient by
the Education Department to increase the price of said books, the privilege
of publication now enjoyed by the respective publishers should not be dis-
turbed for at least one year from the date of this reference.
We feel it to be our duty to the various publishers, to mentien that not-
withstanding the fact that many of the books, in the schedule have not been
yielding even fair profits, all of said books, especially the High School and
Public School geographies are up to a very high standard of excellence as to
binding, typography,, illustrations and other matters that go to the make-up
of a well published book and are fully equal in these respects to the school
publications in the United States and in the Mother Country.
Other Comparisons with the United States.
Previous to 1883, several of the Text-books used in the High
Schools were imported from the United States without any special
arrangement with the publishers. Nearly all of these books are
now produced in Canada. The following statement shows the
prices in Canada and the United States : —
United States Authorized
price. price.
Ayres' Orthoepist $100 $ 35
Ayres' Verbalist 1 00 35
Structure of English Prose 1 75 .1 00
Harkness" Latin Grammar 1 50 1 00
McKay's Elements of Euclid 1 25 75
Allen & Greenough's Latin Gramma? ..150 1 00
Leigh ton's First Steps in Latin 1 50 1 00
Goodwin's Greek Grammar 2 25 1 25
White's First Lessons in Greek 1 50 1 00
High School Physics 1 50 1 00
High School German Grammar 1 50 1 00
Baldwin's School Management 1 50 75
Arbitrations Respecting Readers.
By the contract made with the publishers of the Readers, the
Education Department had the power, at the expiration of five
years from the date of that contract, to consider by arbitration
whether the price of the Readers could be reduced. It was ex-
pected at the time • the contract was made, in 1884, that there
might possibly be such a reduction in the cost of paper and print-
ing materials as might justify the Department in this course,
ccordingly, the Department arranged for the appointment of the
same arbitrators in the case of the Readers as adjudicated with
regard to the price of the other text books.
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 153
After due investigation as to cost of paper and binding and
printing, the arbitrators reported, on the 13th day of June. 1891,
that they could not authorize any reduction in the price of the
First, Second, or Third Readers ; in the case of the Fourth Reader,
they held that the price fixed by the Department, in 1884, might
properly, having regard to the cost of production, be reduced
from fifty to forty-five cents. At this latter price the Fourth
Reader has been sold since the date of the award.
Result of Two Arbitrations.
All the Text-books authorized by the Education Department
have now been submitted to arbitration, the price of everything
that enters into the cost of producing them considered, and the
testimony of experts taken. The arbitrators were men of ability
and standing, the Chairman of the Board being Judge Morgan,
one of the junior judges of the County of York. In the first arbi-
tration it was seen that the only reduction effected was a matter
of five cents per copy in the case of the High School Drawing
Books; and in the second arbitration a reduction of five cents in
the case of the Fourth Reader. The comparisons given above
show how much more cheaply the same book is sold under the
regulations of the Education Department than in the open mar-
ket in the United States, uncontrolled by any departmental
regulations.
Text Book Policy of the Education Department
The policy of the Education Department, with regard to text
books, may be briefly summarized as follows :
(1) One Text-book in each subject of the Public School course.
This has now been accomplished, as already stated.
(2) To control and regulate the price of Text-booJts.
In the United States, where no power exists to regulate the price
of Text-books, the large publishers have formed a gigantic com-
bine, with a capital of $6 000,000, and practically fix prices to
suit themselves. Such a combine is not possible in Ontario.
(3) To encourage our own teachers to undertake the authorship
of all Text-books.
It is universally admitted by the best educationists that no per-
son is so competent to prepare a Text-book in any subject as the
154 THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT.
person who has had experience in teaching that subject. This is
particularly true of the Text-books required for Public and High
School work. Admitting then the qualifications of the teacher,
who so competent to meet the wants of Canadian pupils as the
teacher trained under our own system, and therefore, other things
being equal, our own teachers should have the preference. In
1883, out of fifty-three Text-books used in our Public Schools,
only nineteen were the exclusive production of the teachers of
the Province. Now, every Text-book in use in the Public Schools
has been produced by our own teachers, or has been prepared un-
der their immediate supervision.
The authorized list of High School Text-books has also been
considered from a similar standpoint. Out of 131 books on the
authorized list, on 3lst December, 1883, 101 were the product of
foreign authors ; on the list of 1893, only 5 are the product of
foreign authors.
(4) To manufacture all Text-books in the Province.
This has been practically accomplished. Every Text-book used
in the Public Schools of Ontario, with the exception of a few used
in mixed French and German Schools, is now manufactured in
Ontario. Out of 53 Text-books on the Public School list of 1883,
six were imported ; now none on the general Public School list
is imported. Out of 131 Text-books on the High School list of
the same year, 81 were imported already manufactured, and two
were imported in sheets ; now, of the '25 on the High School list,
one is imported bound, one imported in sheets and bound here,
one book half imported and the other half printed here, and 22
are wholly produced in the Province.
It is gratifying to notice the favor with which the Ontario
text books are received by the educational authorities in some
of the other provinces. For instance, our Public School His-
tory of England and Canada is authorized in Manitoba; our
High School History of England and Canada is authorized in
Quebec, Manitoba, and the North-West Territories; our first Latin
book is authorized in Manitoba ; our High School German Gram-
mar is authorized in Quebec and Nova Scotia, and extensively
used in the United States; our High School Book-keeping is
authorized in Quebec, Manitoba, and the North-West Territories ;
McLellan's Applied Psychology, authorized for the School of Ped-
agogy, is also authorized in Quebec, and extensively used in the
United States ; our High School Botany is authorized in New
Brunswick ; our Public School Drawing Course, and Public School
Geography, are authorized in NeV Brunswick.
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 155
(5) Cost of Text-books.
Under the system which the Department has adopted for in-
specting the Text-books as they leave the hands of the printer
and binder, the public is reasonably well protected against in-
ferior workmanship, which, in the case of a school book, might
result in great loss to the people. In the hands of even the most
careful child, and under the eye of the most watchful teacher, the
best bound Text-books do not last any too long. I believe that
in the quality of binding alone, a large saving has been effected.
By means of this inspection the Department also ascertains the
number of books produced annually, and an average extending
over four or five years of the annual production might fairly be
taken as evidence of the cost of Text-books to the people of the
Province. Calculated in this way, on the basis of four years, it
cost the people of Ontario an average of 32£ cents per child per
annum for Text-books in the Public Schools during the last four
years.
That this estimate must be reasonably accurate is shown by
the cost of providing Text-books for the Provincial Model Schools.
The average cost for the Toronto Model School during the last
four years was 52 cents per pupil. In the estimate for ntario
and for the Provincial Model Schools are not included ordinary
supplies, such as note-books, pencils, etc.
(6) To cover the work of each form with one Text-book.
Under the system in operation before 1898, two or three books
were sometimes necessary to cover the work required by the
course of study in one form or in one subject. Although the
Reading Course consisted nominally of five readers, as a matter
of practice, however, a sequel to the Second Reader was in use in
many schools, and a Sixth Reader was sometimes considered neces-
sary to complete the work of the Fifth Form. In addition to this,
the examination in Reading required a knowledge of the princi-
ples of elocution, for which another book was necessary. Then,
difficult points in the Reading lessons had to be explained, and
historical references cleared up ; for this purpose literature notes
were required.
In order, therefore, to meet the requirements of the Depart-
ment in Reading, the pupil would require to purchase under the
old Regulations the following Text-books:
\
156 THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT.
(a) Fifth Reader $0 (JO
(b) Lewis' How to Read 0 75
(c) Notes on Literature 0 50
Total . . $L 85
Under the new Regulations the same ground is covered by the
High School Reader at 60 cents ; thus effecting a saving of Si. 25
to each pupil, and this for 13,370 pupils in the Fifth Form means
$16,712 to parents and guardians.
Text Books in History.
\
Similarly in History, under the old Regulations, the pupil would
be required to purchase :
(a) Creighton's History of England $0 30
(b) Jeffers' History of Canada 0 30
or two books at 95 cents to fit him for passing tne Entrance Ex-
amination in History. Under the new regulations the whole
course in History is covered by the Public School History at 30
cents, or a saving of 30 cents to each pupil, and this for 88,934
pupils in the Fourth Form means $26,GHO.
Drawing and Writing.
There has also been a great reduction in the number of Draw-
ing books required for the course as well as in the cost per book.
Before 1883 the authorized Drawing book cost 15 cents per copy
and the series consisted of eleven numbers ; the present Drawing
course consists of six numbers and is sold at five cents per cop}7.
There are 297,723 pupils in the Public Schools who are required
by Regulations to take up this subject, and at ten cents for each
pupil the saving would be $29,712.
A corresponding reduction has been made in the Writing books.
The old copy book in use ten years ago cost ten cents ; the copy
book now in use costs six cents, and after July, 1894, will t.e
reduced to five cents per number. As Writing is required for
297,723 pupils, the saving at four cents per pupil would be
SI 1,908.
Taking these four subjects, viz. : Reading, Hiskny, Drawing,
and Writing, the saving to the Province of Ontario would amount
to $8o,O73. In the case of Drawing and Writing the reduc-
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT.
157
tion is a clear annual saving to the country. In the case of the
other books, the annual saving depends partly upon the dura-
bility of the books and the number of pupils promoted from the
Third to the Fourth and Fifth Forms.
High School Text- Books.
In the case of High Schools there has been a similar adaptation
of the Text-books to the course of study as well as a substantial
reduction of prices in many instances.
The following table shows the amount saved to the pupils in
each subject in all the forms of the High Schools on the basis of
attendance in 1892, as the result of consolidating Text-books and
reducing prices, that is, providing every pupil purchases one book
in each subject.
Amount
Saved.
$23,970 00
18,020 00
6,698 40
5,529 30
19,682 10
3,334 35
288 50
15,865 00
8,490 00
2.040 50
3,800 50
1,547 25
1,712 00
13,509 00
1,351 74
1,398 00
Subject0.
No. of Pupils
in Subject.
Saving per
Pupil.
Reading
19176
$1 25
Composition and Orthoepy .
225 S 5
80
History
22328
30
Geography '
22118
25
Arithmetic
21869
90
Algebra
22229
15
Trigonometry.
1154
25
Commercial Course
16700
95
Drawing
16980
50
Chemistry
3710
55
Physics
6601
50
Botany
6189
25
Greek
1070
1 60
Latin
9006
1 50
French
10398
13
German
2796
50
Total 3126,736 84
HIGHER EDUCATION.
Next in importance to the Elementary School System of the
Province come the High Schools and Collegiate Institutes. At
different times the Mowat Government has amended the High
Schools Act and revised the Course of Study for High Schools,
the effect of which has been greatly to increase their usefulness
and efficiency.
158 THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT.
In 1871 the number of pupils in attendance at the High Schools
was 7,490, and in 1892 the number had increased to 22,837. It
has been said that the aid granted to the High Schools is excess-
ive compared with the aid given te Public Schools. Notwith-
standing this, the policy of the Government shows that in propor-
tion to the number of pupils enrolled, the Public School grant has
been steadily increasing and the High School grant decreasing.
For instance, in 1872 the grant per pupil enrolled in the Public
School was 45 cents, and in 1892, 56 cents or an increase of 25
per cent. In the case of High Schools the grant per pupil enrolled
in 1872 was $9.14, and in 1892, $4.38, or a reduction of about one-
half. During the same time the pupils' attendance at Public
Schools increased only 7 per cent, and in High Schools the in-
crease was 186 per cent. Moreover, it should be observed that
under the policy of the present administration High School
pupils bear a much larger proportion of the cost of their education
than they did twenty years ago. In 1871, the receipts from fees
from High School pupils amounted to $18,985, and in 1892 they
amounted to $97,273.
Unless High Schools are maintained at their present efficienc}',
inasmuch as nearly every teacher employed in the Public Schools
receives his training in the High School, the Government would
be under the necessity of establishing additional Normal Schools
maintained entirely at the expense of the Public Treasury. The
whole grant paid to High Schools would not maintain more than
four Normal Schools, and no one would pretend to argue that so
far as the Province of Ontario is concerned its School System
would be improved by such a change.
Toronto University.
The improvement of the Public and High Schools has had a
great effect upon the Provincial University, and indeed upon all
the Universities of the Province. In 1882 the students in the
.Arts course at the Provincial University numbered 342 ; in 1893,
they numbered 852, besides 280 Medical students, or a total of
1,132. It is doubtful if any University on the Continent, or the
School System of any State or Province, can furnish a better re-
cord of development than these figures indicate.
School of Practical Science.
The only School of Science for instruction in Mining, Engineer-
ing, the Mechanical and Manufacturing Arts is the one created by
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 159
Statute at the instance of the present Government in 1873. The
object of this school is to enable the young men of Ontario to fit
themselves to be architects, engineers or land surveyors. The im-
portance of a knowledge of architecture in a country where so
many large public buildings are being erected, cannot be over-
estimated The same observation applies to Engineering wheth-
er for mechanical, electrical or hydraulic purpose. It is also im-
portant that the education of the young men of Ontario should
be diversified. The School of Science, like the School of Agricul-
ture, gives facilities for such diversity. Within the last ten years
the school has been greatly enlarged, and over $100,000 has been
expended on the erection of new buildings and their equipment.
The teaching staff has been increased from two Professors to
eleven Professors and Lecturers, and the number of students has
increased from eighteen in 1882 to one hundred and forty-three
in 1893. In connection with the school there has been established
a course of Mining, Metallurgy and Assaying. The object of this
course is to assist in the development of the Great Mining indus-
tries of the Province. Two thirds of the students in attend-
ance are from the rural districts and represent 26 different
counties.
Government Grants to Education
The gross ' amount expended by the Education Department for
all educational purposes since 1867 was $12,372,922. Of this sum
$6,229,410 were divided among the Public, Separate and other
schools, to meet the annual expenditure for teachers' salaries and
other purposes ; $2,157,261 were spent for the training and ex-
amination of teachers of Public Schools, at Normal Schools,
County Model Schools and Teachers' Institutes; and for the in-
spection of schools, $2,092,570 were paid directly for the support
of High Schools, and $116,576 indirectly for the benefit of High
Schools in the way of inspection and the training of High School
teachers ; $992,509 were paid to superannuated teachers, and
$734,596 were paid in aid of technical education.
The following Table shows the grants made by the Education
Department since 1867, at intervals of five years: —
160
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT,
1867.
1872.
1877.
1882.
1887.
1892.
Grants to pub. schools
Poor Schools, and
Separate Schools."
Grant per pupil en-
rolled . \
$ c.
172,000 00
43
3 67
17,000 00
53,691 00
9 43
218C
$ c.
204,758 00
45
4 85
25,851 00
76,861 00
9 14
26 36
$ c.
252,044 00
51
6 26
45,060 00
77,199 00
8 36
37 24
$ c.
255,988 00
54
6 42
55,238 00
84,404 00
6 83
27 56
$ c.
261,956 00
53
7 59
53,850 00
90,396 00
*> 18
28 38
1,893 00
37,943 00
21,187 00
58,295 00
$ c.
273,293 00
56
8 40
58,765 00
100,000 00
4 38
30 48
6,125 00
64,374 00
19,176 00
63 751 00
Cost of education per
pupil
Training of teachers
for Public Schools..
Grants to high schools
and Collegiate In-
stitutes
Grant per pupil en-
rolled
Cost of education per
pupil . .
Training of teachers
for High Schools.
Grant to Technical
education and Me-
chanics' Institutes.
Cost of administra-
tion of the Educa-
tion department in-
cluding depository.
Superan. of teachers.
1,610 00
18,307 OC
4,200 00
13,707 00
22,705 00
11,945 00
22,771 00
29,452 00
35,489 00
36,196 00
23,709 00
51,000 00
A Few Comparisons.
The average amount paid per annum by the Government of
Mr. Sandfield Macdonald for all educational purposes was $295,-
962 ; the average amount paid during the last 22 years was
$510,403, or an increase of 73 per cent. During the administra-
tion of Mr. Sandfield Macdonald, the average cost of Civil
Grovernment for adminiytering the Education Department was
$14,44-2 per annum, or 5 per cent, of the average expenditure for
all educational purposes. During the last 22 years, the cost of
Civil Government for administering the Education Department
was $19,840, or 3 per cent, of the whole amount of money ex-
pended. The grants to Public and Separate Schools rose Irom a
yearly average of $167,540, during the Sandfield Macdonald period,
to a yearly average of $258,394 during the Mowat 7 egime ; the
grant to poor schools rose from $5,590 in 1871, to $31,406 in 1892.
In 1871, we had but one Normal School, now we have two; in
1872 we had no County Model Schools, now we have 59; in 1871
we had no School of Pedagogy, now we have one ; in 1871 we had
no Art Schools for Mechanics, now we have eight, besides the
School of Science; in 1871 we had no properly organized Teachers'
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
161
Institutes, now we have 09, attended annually by 8,142 teachers;
in 1871 we had only 51 Mechanics' Institutes, now wo have 244
with 145 Reading rooms.
The following grants to Public, Separate and High Schools from
1871-1893, shows the liberality of the Mowat Government to-
wards education during this last twenty-two years :
AMOUNT GRANTED TO COUNTIES,
('ncluding Incorporated Villages and Towns, but not Cities.)
Brant $ 96,669
Bruce 211,516
Carleton 106,755
Dufferin 56,583
Dundas 90,725
Durham 162,730
Elgin 141,679
Essex 152,l(jo
Frontenac 101,343
Glengarry 84,471
Grey 235,960
Haldimand 109,831
Haliburton 45,41 5
Halton 85,997
Hastings $182,271
Huron 265,279
Kent 176,422
Lambton 168,303
Lanark 183,920
Leeds and Grenville 256,005
Lennox and Addington 124,501
Lincoln 133,042
Middlesex 256,750
Norfolk 136,041
Northumberland 190,850
Ontario 237,371
Oxford 193,183
Peel 106,573
Perth $215,648
Peterborough 157,130
Fresco tt and Russell 130,101
Prince Edward 78,693
Renfrew 183,926
Simcoe 329,580
Stormont 81,462
Victoria 197,797
Waterloo 200,119
Welland 126,315
Wellington 231,337
Wentworth 121,758
York 240,017
Districts 230,180
Total (Counties). . . .$6,819,650
CITIES.
Belleville $ 34,475
Brantford 60,608
Guelph 39,136
Hamilton 169,078
Kingston 80,889
London 104,096
Ottawa 125,254
St. Catharines 59,781
St Thomas 41,050
Stratford 27,690
Toronto 347,716
Windsor 3,427
Grand Total iu 22
Years $7,9O9,§5O
Salaries of 1 eachers.
""The average of the salaries paid to teachers in Ontario, as com-
pared with the average of those paid in the United States, will
show that our school system has not led to any great extrava-
gance in this branch of expenditure : —
162 THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT.
Male Teachers, Female Teachers,
per month per month.
Illinois $53.30 043 48
Maine 34.99 17-56
Massachusetts 118.07 48.17
Michigan 47.22 33.26
Ohio 33.00 29.00
Pennsylvania 40.00 31.09
Ontario 35.35 24.34
A comparison of the cost to the country of the education of
each pupil is equally satisfactory, as the following table will
show : —
Cost per Pupil.
Ohio $15.98
Massachusetts 22.60
Michigan 14.70
New York 1680
United States 17.22
Ontario '. 8.4O
SCRIPTURE READINGS,
Having regard to the importance of religious instruction, the
old Council of Public Instruction in 1840, sanctioned, for the
schools of Upper Canada, the Scripture extracts authorized by the
Irish .National Board — a volume similar in many respects to the
Scripture readings authorized by the Education Department.
As these Readings had to be purchased by the trustees, their use
was very limited. In the schools of Great Britain at the present
day select readings from the Scriptures are very generally used
instead of the whole Bible. Sometimes these selections are read
by the pupils themselves and sometimes the teacher reads from
them the lessons of the day. The Council of Public Instruction
was evidently impressed with the importance of religious educa-
tion, for, in addition to sanctioning the Scripture Readings al-
ready referred to, they promulgated the following resolutions : —
" With a view te secure the Divine blessing, and to impress upon the pupils
the importance of religious duties, and their entire dependence on their
Maker, the Council of Public Instruction recommended that the daily exer-
cises of each Public school be opened and closed by reading a portion of
Scripture and by prayer. The Lord's prayer alone, or the forms of prayer
hereto annexed, may be used, or any other prayer preferred by the trustees
or master of each school. But the Lord's Prayer shall form part of the
opening exercise, and the Ten Commandments be taught to all the pupils,
and be repeated at least once a week. Any portion of Scripture shall be read
without comment or explanation, but no pupil shall be compelled to be pres-
THE MOU'AT CoVl.liNMKNT. I C,:J,
ent at these exercises against the wish of hia parent or guardian, expressed
n writing to the master of the school."
Provision vaa also made whereby the clergy of any persuasion could give
religions instruction to the children of their own denomination after or before
school hours.
The Bible Optional.
The course agreed upon then was one which rendered optional the reading
of the Bible in school. The trustees could forbid its use altogether if they
saw fit. This state of affairs was not considered satisfactory to the religious
ladies of the country, and in their church courts resolutions were moved from
time to time calling the attention of the Government to what, to them, ap-
peared to be a radical defect in our system of education, their contention
being that the subject of religious instruction was of paramount importance,
and that the use of the Bible in school should not depend upon the will of
any board of trustees. Resolutions to this effect were passed by several of
the leading Protestant denominations, and in order to bring the matter to an
issue, a joint deputation from the Episcopalian, Presbyterian, and Methodist
Churches waited on the Attorney- General, on the 23rd of October. 1882. The
deputation consisted of the following : — Bishop Hellmuth, Provost Body,
Rev. G. B. Kirkpatrick, Rev. J. Middleton, Rev, J. P. Lewis, Rev. W. S.
Rainsford, Rev. Canon Bell, Rev. John Langtry, Rev. Canon Dixon, Mr. W.
Y. Pettit, Hon. G. W. Allan, Rev. Dr. Nelles, Rev. Dr. Sanderson, Rev. W.
Williams (president of the London Conference), Dr. Withrow (in place of
Dr. Sutherland, President of the Toronto Conference, who was unavoidably
absent), Rev. Dr. Cochrane (Moderator of the Presbyerisn Assembly), Rev.
Walter Inglis (Moderator <>f the Synod of Hamilton and Londo ;), Rev. John
Laing (Dundas). Dr. Maodonald (Hamilton), Rev. John Smith, Rev. J. M.
Cameron, Rev. W. T. McMullin, Rev. John Thompson, Rev. P. F. McLeod,
Rev. G. M. Milligan, Rev. Robert Wallace and Mr. James Brown.
Bible Readings to be Selected.
At a preliminary meeting of the conference, held prior to the interview
with the Attorney-General, the following resolution was adopted, which was
submitted to the Attorney-General, as the views of the deputation :
" That this conference pledges itself to press upon the Attorney-General
the making of the reading of the Holy Scriptures by the children and teacher,
together with the prescribed prayers issued by the Department, an obligatory
exercise at the opening of the Public schools of Ontario, the passages of Holy
Scripture to be read each day, being prescribed by the Department in confor-
mity with the recommendation of the committee of this conference, or some
other representatives of the various churches of Ontario, regard being had in
all cases to the provisions of the Consolidated Public Schools Act, Victoria
37, cap. 28, sec. 142, providing that any parent who has conscientious objec-
tion shall be entitled to withdraw the child from such instruction ; and that
this conference press upon the Government the necessity for a return to the
Scriptural and moral instruction contained in the first series of national
readers, issued by the Educational Department for use in the Public schools
of Ontario, or of some similar Scriptural instruction."
In addressing the Attorney-General in regard to this resolution, Dr. Nelles
stated : " It has been prepared with great care, and we have spent quite a
164 THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT.
number of hours upon it in order that the phraseology might be pat in the
best form and most likely to secure the object we have in view, and at the
same time protect the conscience of those who may differ from us. * * *
I think it will be found to express the wishes and feelings of not only the
ministers, but also the laymen of the Methodist Church of Canada." Dr.
Cochrane (Presbyterian) said : " The whole church in Canada is all but un-
animous for the introduction of 'he Bible in the Public schools. Provost
Body (Church of England) said : " The Synod of the diocese of Toronto were
quite unanimous, and the resolutions had been passed without a dissenting
voice. They simply ask that the prayers rhould be said, and that reading
of a portion of Scriptere shall be made obligatory and not left simply to the
trustees."
This resolution called for five things : (1) That the reading of the Scrip-
tures and prayers be made obligatory ; (2) that the passages to be read be
prescribed by the Education Department ; (3) that these selections be made
in conformity with the recommendation of this conference or some other re-
presentatives of the various churches of Ontario ; (4) that the conscien-
tious scruples of parents and children be respected ; (5) that selections from
the Scriptures be introduced into school readers.
Furthermore, it is obvious from the remarks made by the members of the
deputation that they did not regard the preparation of a book of selected
passages as a mutilation of the Bible.
Views of the Teachers Association.
The same question was taken up at a meeting of the Teachers' Provincial
Association in Toronto, in 1883, and the two following resolutions adopted :
1. That the reading of selected portions of Scripture as a part of the regu-
lar daily exercises of the school, would be material aid to teachers in the
discharge of their duties in respect to such moral training.
2. That the Education Department do make a suitable selection of Scrip-
ture reading for the schools under its charge.
The president of the association, A. McMurchy, head master of the Colle-
giate Institute, in his address to the teachers present, recommended "that
the Education Department make selections from the Bible for the use of
schools."
Acting on these suggestions, the Minister of Education prepared such
selections from the Scriptures as were thought most suitable for school
purposes, and submitted them for revision to a joint meeting of the commit-
tee appointed by the different denominations that had taken up the question
of religious instruction at the annual meetings of their ecclesiastical courts.
By this meeting they were referred to a sub-committee, consisting of Ven.
Archdeacon Boddy, Rev. Provost Body, Rev. John Burton, D.D., Rev. Dr.
Dewart, Rev. Dr. Laing, Rev. H. D. Powis, and Rev. Dr. Sutherland. They
were finally authorized and supplied gratuitously to the Public and High
schools, and have since been authorized by the Board of Education of Mani-
toba, for use in the Protestant schools of that Province.
INTERFERENCE OF ARCHBISHOP LYKCH.
It is said that the Scripture readings were suggested by Archbishop Lynch,
with a view to secure the complete expulsion of the Bible from the Public
achoola. This charge is denied by the Archbishop himself in a letter to the
Mail of the 16th of June, in these words : " With respect to the book of
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 165
Bible extracts issued by the Minister of Education, we did not think of it,
much less suggest it." The proofs of the selections were sent to each member
of the committee appointed to consider this question, and to Archbishop
Lynch. They were then revised by the committee of the Protestant churches
already referred to, and were subsequently published without any alteration
at the hands of the Archbishop, or at his suggestion, or at the suggestion of
any member of his church. In regard to the Lord's Prayer, His Grace has
publicly stated that he suggested the change of the word "which" to "who."
That was the only change made, and that change is supported by the authority
of the American section of the Committee on the Revision of the New Testa-
ment. But why refer them to him at all? The answer to this is easy. The
Public schools of Ontario are mixed schools, attended by 50,000 Roman
Catholic children. To make the reading of the Scriptures obligatory, was a
great change in the regulations. Was there anything unreasonable, then,
that their representative should be consulted when the representatives of
other denominations were consulted ? If the Public schools of Ontario were
Protestant schools, or if His Grace was consulted as to the method of relig-
ious instruction to be imparted in the schools that have taken advantage of
the law, and have established Protestant Separate schools, the case would be
very different. The question the Department had to settle was not how
much religious instruction should be prescribed for the Protestant schools
under its care, but how much could be prescribed without destroying the un-
denominational character of our Public school system, and as a maximum,
what was recommended by the deputation referred to, has been taken.
Opinion of the Toronto Mail.
The Toronto Mail, which is not slow to criticise the Ontario Govern-
ment, in noticing the publication of the Scripture readings soon after they
were authorized, said :
" The Minister of Education is to be congratulated upon having adopted
for use in the common schools a series of readings from the Old and New
Testaments, together with a brief form of prayer. The objections to the in-
troduction of the Bible in the schools raised by many lavtnen and by not a
few ministers, were undoubtedly of great weight. * * * The extracts
adopted in this compilation are such as Christians of every denomination have
ever agreed to accept as the plain word of God. * * * The work has
been prepared with the greatest care and cannot fail to commend itself to
parents."
The sub-committee appointed to revise the work, stated : " That in their
opinion, a substantial advance has been made by the requirement of Biblical
reading in the schools, and we are gratified to witness the general accept-
ance of the principle of the necessity of the moral and religious element in
education."
Revised Edition.
As objections had been taken to the Scripture Readings mainly
on the ground that they did not indicate the part of the Bible
from which the selections were taken, and that in many instances
intervening verses were omitted, the Minister of Education sub-
mitted them to the revision of the Committee in charge of the
first edition.
166 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
On the 21st of December, 1887, the Committee submitted the
following repor^—
" The undersigned have the honor to submit for the approval
of the Education Department the accompanying selections from
the sacred scriptures for use in the Public and High Schools of
the Province in the earnest hope that they may be found helpful
in imbuing the minds of our youth in the great truths of the
Christian faith."
(Signed)— W. Caven, D.D., Chairman ; S. J. Boddy, M.A. ; C.
W. E. Body, M.A., D.C.L. ; John Burton, B.D. ; John H. Castle,
D.D. ; E. H. Dewart, D.D. ; A. Sutherland, D.D ; Hamilton Cas-
sels, B.A.
This report was adopted by the Education Department, and in
addition to the sanction of the Scripture Readings, it was re-
commended : — " That verses from the daily Scripture lessons be
written on the blackboard and committed to memory by the
pupils, and that on every suitable occasion the authority of the
Bible be invoked for the regulation of their conduct, and its pre-
cepts be cited as the safest guide for life and duty."
BRITISH AND CANADIAN HISTORY.
Ever since the establishment of our School System the subject
of British History has formed part of the course of study. The
place that the Text-book should hold in connection with this
course was left almost entirely to the teacher, but as a matter of
practice, was usually limited to the Fourth and Fifth Forms,
chiefly the latter. When an Entrance Examination was pre-
scribed for High Schools, the course in British History was de-
fined and an examination for entrance made compulsory. This
course in the Fourth Form was as follows : —
" History — Leading events in British and Canadian History."
Under the heading of " Special Directions," the following in-
structions were given to teachers with regard to this subject : —
" History — Outlines of British History — Outlines of Canadian
History generally, with particular attention to the events subse-
quent to 1841. The Municipal institutions of Ontario and the
Federal form of the Dominion Government."
By the establishment of a Leaving Examination in Public
Schools, some slight changes were made in the course of study
for the Fourth Form. The only one to which public attention
has been called, however, was the change made in British
History.
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 167
Canadian History First made Compulsory.
Up to 1886 the study of Canadian History was optional in the
Public Schools of Ontario. By the regulations of that year it
was made compulsory and all pupils taking the Entrance examin-
ation were required to pass in that subject.
In order to divide the work of a complete course between the
Fourth and Fifth forms it was proposed to drop the examination
in British History in the Fourth form, leaving the subject to be
taught orally by the teachers as heretofore. The regulation as
amended read as follows : —
" History — Leading eventsin Canadian History — Oral teaching
of British History."
The directions to the teacher were also amended to read as
follows : — ,
" History — the outlines of Canadian History generally, with
particular attention to the events subsequent to 1841. The Mun-
icipal Institutions of Ontario and the Federal Form of the Domin
ion Government. The outlines of British History shall also be
taught without a Text-book, but there will be no questions in
British History at the High School Entrance examination."
In order to prevent all possible danger from the omission of the
Instruction to Inspectors.
examination, the Minister of Education, in a circular to the In-
spectors, dated Toronto, 3rd August, 1893, in which the changes
proposed in the regulations were set forth, instructed them as
follows :• — -
" (1) — High School Entrance Examination. The examination on History
will be in Canadian History alone. No questions will be set in British
History. The Inspector shall see, however, that the subject is taught orally
and shall report any case of negligence to the Board of Trustees. "
By this regulation it was the policy of the Government to limit
the attention of the pupils in the Fourth form mainly to the
History of Canada, and in the meantime to give such instruction
orally, to the pupils, in British History, as would prepare them for
the more intelligent use of the Text-book, or perhaps incite them
to private reading later on
British History not Omitted.
The subject was not omitted from the course, as is alleged, and
the Inspector was specially required where there was evidence of
168 THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT.
its neglect to report the matter to the Board of School Trustees.
When the pupils passed into the Fifth form then British History
was to receive their undivided attention. By this division it was
thought the work in both forms could be better done, and that
greater attention could be paid to the other subjects on the Course
of Study.
The opponents of the Government used this change to raise the
cry of disloyalty against the Government and also to create the
impression that by abandoning the examination the subject of
British History would be neglected in Public Schools.
The charge of disloyalty could have no effect, inasmuch as the
study of British History was ^continued, the examination alone
being postponed, and the time in the interval being given more
fully to Canadian History. The man who is loyal to Canada
cannot be disloyal to Great Britain. In order, however, to guard
against any possible neglect in the study of the subject, the De-
partment restored the examination for the Entrance, and so in-
formed the Inspectors in the following circular : —
(Circular 37.)
TO INSPECTORS AND TEACHERS.
The requirements regarding history for the Fourth Form of the Public
Schools, as adopted August 3rd, 1893, were as follows :
" The outlines of Canadian History generally, with particular attention
to the events subsequent to 1841. The municipal institutions of Ontario and
the Federal form of the Dominion Government. The outlines of British
History shall also be taught without a Text-book ; but there will be no ques-
tions in British History at the High School Entrance examination."
This has been amended by the substitution of the following regulation :
The outlines of Canadian history generally, with particular attention to
the events subsequent to 1841. The municipal institutions of Ontario, and
the Federal form of the Dominion Government. The outlines of British
history shall also be taught ; there ivttl be suitable questions in British and
Canadian history at the High School Entrance examination.
It will be noticed that the amendment makes no change in tho course re-
quired to be taken up in the Fourth form, and where the regulations have
been followed by teachers, no addition is made to the work of the pupils.
It was feared, however, that without questions in British history at the En-
trance Examination, the subject might be slighted. Tho questions at the
examination will correspond with the course made obligatorylast August.
JOHN MILLAR,
Deputy Minister*
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT,
Toronto, January 12th, 1894.
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 169
Growth of the School System.
A few evidences of the progress made during the last ten years
are tabulated for convenient reference :
1882. 1892.
Elementary Schools.
No. of Public (including Separate) Schools 5,203 5.889
Pupils enrolled 471,512 485,670
Average attendance 214,176 253,830
Government grants $255,938 $273,293
Amount paid for teachers' salaries $2,144,448 $2,752,629
Maps and apparatus $15,583 $40,003
Sites and buildings $341,918 $427,321
No. of maps used 39,372 52,116
No. of pupils studying Arithmetic 419,557 470,813
Geography 280,517 334,947
Grammar and Composition.. 209,184 297,331
Physiology and Temperance 33,926 171,594
Drawing 176,432 435,239
British and Canadian History 150,989 253,956
Number of teachers 6,857 8,480
1st class certificates 246 261
2nd class certificates 2,169 3,047
3rd class certificates 3,471 4,299
other certificates 971 873
Number trained in Normal Schools 1,873 3,038
Average salary, male §415 $421
" female $269 $297
No. pupils who passed Entrance examination 4,371 8,427
Leaving examination 300
No. of trees planted on Arbor Day Not establ'd 14,489
Teachers' Institutes.
No. of Institutes 62 69
No. of teachers in attendance 4.395 8,142
Amount paid for libraries $453 $1,472
County Model Schools.
No. of County Model Schools 46 59
No. of teachers in training 882 1,283
Text Books.
No. text books used in Public School course of study 53 10
" " High " " 131 25
No. not produced in Canada 83 2£
Hiyh Schools.
No. High Schools 88 93
No. Collegiate Institutes 16 35
No. of High School buildings erected since 1882. . . *45
'Additions were also made to 25 High School Buildings.
170
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
No. of teachers 332 522
Receipts from fees • $29,270 $97,273
Receipts from all sources $373,150 $793,812
Expended in sites and buildings $19,361 $91,108
No. of pupils 12,348 22,837
No. matriculated 272 471
No. who left school for agriculture 646 1,006
" mercantile life 881 1,111
Industrial Schools.
No. of schools None. 2
No. of pupils None. 226
Mechanics' Institutes.
No. of Institutes 93 244
Volumes in libraries 154,093 367,498
No. of reading rooms . . 59 145
Government grant to Institutes $30,594 $37,178
Free Libraries.
No of Free Libraries 1 11
No. of volumes 3,782 142,828
No. of newspapers and periodicals 28 1,371
No. of readers 716 56,649
Books given out 10,845 842,352
Amount expended $1,160 $69,342
Art iSchouly.
No. of Art Schools 1 85
No. of certificates obtained 156 5,541
School Practical Science.
No. of students 18 143
No. on teaching staff 2 11
No. of graduates 3 27
University of Toronto.
No. of students in attendance 342 852
Expenditure on teaching staff $37,000 $77,600
No. of medical students N one. 280
Upper Canada College.
No. of pupils 218 315
Twenty Years' Increases.
The expenditure by the Legislature for educational purposes during the
last 20 years, that is since 1872, shows the following increases :
Grants to Elementary Schools, viz. : Public, Poor
and Separate Schools — increase $68,535 or 34 per cent.
Increase in number of pupils enrolled 31,008 or 7 per cent.
Grants for training of teachers — increase $32,914 or 130 per cent.
Increase in number of teachers 3,004 or 55 per cent.
THE MOW AT < JOVKRXMEXT. 171
Grants to Secondary Schools, viz. : High Schools
and Collegiate Institutes $23,139 or 30 per cent.
Increase in High School pupils - 14,869 or 186 per cent.
Grants for the training of High School teachers. .*$6,125
Increase in number of teachers 282 or 118 per cent.
Ten Years' Increases.
Taking the same order of calculation for last 10 years, the grants would be
as follows :
Total grants for all educational purposes, 10 years $5,795,739.
Amount granted for Elementary Schools in
1882 $255,988
Amount granted for Elementary Schools in
1892 $273,293
Increase in 10 years $17,305 or 7 per cent.
Increase in the number of pupils enrolled. . 14,158 or 3 per cent.
Total grants for training of Public School teachers, 10
years $543,932
Amount granted in 1882 $55,238
" 1892 $58,765
Increase in 10 years $3,527 or 7 per cent.
Increase in the number of teachers 1,623 or 24 per cent.
Total grants for High School purposes, 10 years $1,002,342
Amount granted in 1882 to High Schools $ 84,404
" 1892 $100,000
Increase in 10 years $ 15,596 or 19 per cent.
Increase in the number of pupils enrolled 10489 or 85 per cent.
Total grants for technical education 10 years $444 818
Amount granted in 1882 $36,196
" 1892 $64,374
Increase in 10 years $28,178 or 78 per cent.
Increase in the number of Institutes and
Free Libraries 175 or 55 per cent.
Cost of civil government (education) 1882. . . . $20,309
" " 1892.... $19,176
Decrease $ 1,133 or 6 per cent.
THE WORLD'S FAIR.
In order to represent fully the educational standing of the
Province at the World's Fair, held in Chicago, a collection was
made of the work of pupils in Public and High Schools. This
work was afterwards classified and arranged by Dr. May, who was
appointed Director of the Educational Exhibit. The work of the
Art Schools, Mechanics' Institutes, Separate Schools, and other
schools affiliated with the Education Department, was also ex-
hibited. I also directed Mr. Millar, Deputy Minister of Education.
to prepare an- outline of the School System of the Province in
* 1886 wafc the first year of this payment ; $1,600 was paid in that year.
172 THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT.
pamphlet form for distribution. Through the assistance of the
Provincial Commissioner, Mr. Awrey, M.P.P., and under the per-
sonal direction of Mr. May, the exhibit was installed and ready for
inspection at the opening of the Fair. A detailed report of the
exhibits, and some of the opinions expressed with regard to them
as made by the Director, will be found elsewhere.
Among the awards given, the following are worthy of special
notice :
(1) An award was obtained for the excellence of the exhibit as
a whole. This is very gratifying when the difficulties of prepar-
ing such an exhibit are considered.
(2) An award was given for our School System as a National
System of education, completely organized from the Kindergarten
to the University. Not having received the full report of the
Jurors, I am unable to say whether any other awards of this kind
were given, but even if there were, it is gratifying to know that
our System of Education so commended itself to the Jurors as to
entitle it to this distinction. Should it turn out that no other
awards of a similar character were given, the honor will be doubly
gratifying.
(3) An award was also given for the System adopted by the
Department for the Professional training of teachers. So far as
I know, and so far as I could gather from a personal examination
of the various Systems exhibited at the World's Fair, ours is the
only one that provides fully for the professional training of all
classes of teachers, including Kindergarten, Public Schools and
High Schools.
(4) Our System of Elementary and Secondary Education, ob-
tained each an award for the completeness of their organization
and the suitability of their courses of study.
(o) An award was given for the excellence of our Text-books,
and for the System under which they were authorized. The im-
portance of this award is worthy of special notice, as we cannot
maintain the efficiency of our schools or adequately protect the
public without a proper system of preparing and authorizing
Text- books.
(6) Among the other awards may be mentioned, awards to Art
Schools, Mechanics' Institutes, Public Schools in Cities and Towns,
Public Schools in Rural Districts, Roman Catholic Separate
Schools, Ladies' Colleges affiliated with the Department, the In-
stitutes for the Blind, the Deaf and Dumb and defective classes.
THE MOWAT. GOVERNMENT. 173
The high standing obtained by the Department at Philadelphia
in 1886, was fully sustained at Chicago. Indeed, many of the
awards made, particularly those I have mentioned, are the most
significant evidence that could be given of the excellence of our
School System and of the completeness with which it provides
for the education of the whole people. To obtain such distinc-
tions in competition with the experience of educational develop-
ment in Europe, and of the wonderful activities of our republican
neighbors, is no small honor to those concerned in the organization
of the School System of tlje Province of Ontario.
174 THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT
THE TORY MANIFESTO.
FACTS FOR IRISH ELECTORS" IN 1883.
PROOF OF ITS AUTHENTICITY.
Affidavit of the Author.
The following is a copy of the affidavit of M. W. Kirwan, set-
ting forth that the pamphlet called " Facts for Irish Electors "
was prepared and revised by W. R. Meredith, Sir John Macdonald
and C. W. Bunting, prior to the General Election of 1883, where-
in an earnest appeal was made to the Irish Catholic Electors to
support Conservative candidates on account of the liberality of
the leader of the Opposition, and alleging that they should oppose
the Mowat Government on account of their ultra-Protestant
leaning.
Affidavit of M. W. Kinuati.
" I, the undersigned M. W. Kirwan, of the City of Quebec, and
presently in the City of Montreal, solemnly affirm as follows :
" I am a journalist.
" When in the City of Toronto in the year 1882, I was shown
a letter from Sir John Macdonald, Prime Minister of Canada,
addressed to a prominent Conservative friend of mine, urging the
desirablity of securing my services as a writer of campaign litera-
ture for the Conservative party during the approaching Ontario
Provincial Elections.
" The letter was an autograph one.
" I was accordingly engaged by H. H. Smith, of Peterborough,
the organizer of the Conservative party for Ontario.
" My salary was to be $100 a month. The understanding was
that I should assist the Conservative party by special ap-
peals to the Irish Catholic Electors.
" Sir John Macdanald and Air. Meredith, the leader of the
Opposition in the Ontario Legislature, were aware of the agree-
ment.
" I accordingly began to write an appeal to the Irish Catholics
of Ontario.
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 17-5
"I wrote the sheet "Fccts for the Irish Catholic Electors,"
extracts from which have recently appeared in the Globe, of
Toronto.
" While I was preparing it, I had, occasionally, to make inquir-
ies as to the nature and scope of my work from Mr. Mere-
dith, to whom I had always easy access.
" This was during the session of the Ontario Legislature, and
as my researches were made in the Parliamentary Library, it was
there that my consultations with Mr. Meredith generally took
place.
" When the sheet, ' Facts for the Irish Catholic Electors,' was
completed, I submitted a proof to Mr. Meredith in his private
room in the Queen's Hotel, and I showed a proof to Mr. Buntin
in his private office in The Mail Buildings.
" He received the proof as if expecting it, and expressed no
surprise.
" 1 also sent a proof to Sir John Macdonald,undercover,marked
' private and confidential.' It was returned to me with several
marginal corrections in Sir John's handwriting. 1 have a distinct
recollection of some of the corrections made by Sir John Mac-
donald. He mentioned the names of some Irish Catholics who
had been appointed by him to positions of emolument and trust.
These Corrections by Sir John were embodied in the sheet and
published with it.
" I have also a distinct recollection of Mr. Bunting saying that
the sheet would do good among the Irish Catholics, or words to
that effect.
" I remember, too, that Mr. Meredith raised no objections
to any statement made in the said sheet after reading the proof.
He smiled approvingly, and said : ' it would do,' or something
similar to that.
" I am, too, the author of the circular containing the following
letter and questions : —
(Private and confidential.)
Toronto, Jan. 7, 1883.
Dear Sir, — A letter will be forwarded to you in a day or so making in-
quiries with reference to the Catholic vote in your riding.
Be good enough to answer the questions and forward your reply without
delay to H. H. Smith} Esq., Peterboro'.
Y/ours faithfully,
QUESTIONS.
1. About how many Catholic electors are there in your riding ?
2. About how many of them voted for the Conservative candidate the last
election ?
176 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
3. About how many voted for the Reformer ?
4. About how many were there who did not vote at all ?
5. Who are the Catholic clergymen in the riding ?
6. How did they vote ?
7. Did they take an active part in the conteat, and if so, how ?
8. What reasons, if any, do the Catholic electors give for supporting Mr.
Mowat ?
9. Have you any suggestions to make as to the best means of putting the
Conservative cause fairly before the Catholic electors ?
10. Give the names of a few of the most influential Catholics in your
riding !
11. Send a complete list of the Catholic electors in your riding, with names
and addresses.
12. Oblige by returning this list at once, and the reply to question eleven,
as soon as possible.
J3. Name of riding.
"These questions were also submitted to Mr. Meredith
and approved by him. It was, to the best of my recollection, on
his svggestion that the answers were directed to be sent to H. H.
Smith, of Peterborough, although said circulars were mailed by
me from Toronto. My salary was regularly paid by Mr. Smith
during this time, and for several months while I was canvassing
and addressing meetings of the Irish Catholic electors of Ontario.
" And 1 make this solemn declaration, conscientiously believing
the same to be true, and by virtue of the Act passed in the thirty-
seventh year of Her Majesty's reign, entitled 'An Act for the sup-
pression of voluntary and extra judicial oaths.'
" Solemnly affirmed before me at Montreal,"")
on this fourth day of December, A.D. 1886.
W. A. WEIR, IM W KIRWAN"
A Commissioner in Quebec for receiving affi-
davits for Ontario.
181 St. James St., Montreal, j
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 177
APPOINTMENTS.
In order to correct misstatements freely made in the public
prints and elsewhere as to the number of Catholics appointed by
the Ontario Government to office, the following statement has
been prepared for each department, giving the number, respective-
ly, of Protestants and Catholics employed, with the salaries paid,
where payment is by salary. The statements are duly certified
by each department : —
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND ATTORNEY-GENERAL'S
DEPARTMENT.
Officers and clerks in the Executive Council and Attorney-Gen-
eral's Department : —
1 1 Protestants, with salaries aggregating $ 12,856
2 Catholics, with salaries aggregating. . 2,250
J. R. CARTWRIGHT,
Deputy Attorney -General.
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
Officers and clerks at Osgoode Hall : —
53 Protestants, with salaries aggregating $ 68,683
7 Catholics, with salaries aggregating 6,500
J. R CARTWRIGHT,
Deputy Attorney -General.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
Officers, clerks and employees in the Department of Education,
and Normal and Model Schools, examinations, School of Practical
Science, library, etc., connected with the Department of Educa-
tion : —
84 Protestants, with salaries aggregating $ 87,530
16 Catholics, with salaries aggregating 13,870
JOHN MILLAR,
Deputy Minister.
CROWN LANDS DEPARTMENT.
Officers and clerks in the Crown Lands Department : —
L
178 THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
INSIDE SERVICE.
28 Protestants, with salaries aggregating $ 37,300
5 Catholics, with salaries aggregating 5,450
OUTSIDE SERVICE.
29 Protestants, with salaries aggregating. $ 18,250
5 Catholics, with salaries aggregating 2,850
(17 Protestants and 4 Catholics, in addition, are paid for the
number of days they, work, but^who are not constantly employed).
AUBREY WHITE,
Assistant Commissioner.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
Officers and clerks in and connected with Public Works Depart-
ment : —
DEPARTMENTAL AND OUTSIDE SERVICES.
20 Protestants, with salaries aggregating .*...$ 16,157
8 Catholics, with salaries aggregating 6,700
WILLIAM EDWARDS,
Secretary.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Officers and clerks in the Treasury Department, including audit,
license and administration of justice accounts, and Registrar-Gen-
eral's branches, and Provincial Board of Health : —
28 Protestants, with salaries aggregating $ 31,554
6 Catholics, with salaries aggregating 3,810
D. E. CAMERON,
Assistant Treasurer.
SECRETARY AND REGISTRAR'S DEPARTMENT.
Officers and clerks in the Secretary and Registrar's Department,
including asylums and prisons, insurance, Division Courts, regis-
try office inspectors and game law enforcement branches : —
31 Protestants, with salaries aggregating $ 35,708
6 Catholics, with salaries aggregating 5,225
G. E. LUMSDEN,
Assistant Provincial Secretary.
THE MOW AT GOVKRN'MKNT. 179
DEPARTMENT OF' AGRICULTURE.
Officers and clerks of the Department of Agriculture, and of
the Ontario Agricultural College and Experimental Farm : —
32 Protestants, with salaries aggregating $ 34,550
8 Catholics, with salaries aggregating 5,900
(In addition to these there are 31 Protestant and 6 Catholic
employees and servants in connection with the Agricultural Col-
lege.)
C. C. JAMES,
Deputy Minister of Agriculture.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
Officers and clerks of the public institutions, not including
attendants and servants, they being appointed by the Superin-
tendents without reference to the Government : —
TORONTO ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE:
17 Protestants, with salaries aggregating $ 10,750
4 Catholics, with salaries aggregating 3,625
HAMILTON ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE :
18 Protestants, with salaries aggregating. $ 12,140
3 Catholics, with salaries aggregating 2,100
LONDON ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE:
25 Protestants, with salaries aggregating $ 15,170
1 Catholic, with salary aggregating 740
KINGSTON ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE:
15 Protestants, with salaries aggregating f 10,680
2 Catholics, with salaries aggregating 1,150
ORILLIA ASYLUM FOR IDIOTS :
15 Protestants, with salaries aggregating $ 8,150
3 Catholics, with salaries aggregating 1,300
^CENTRAL PRISON — INCLUDING GUARDS:
41 Protestants, with salaries aggregating S 28,175
7 Catholics, with salaries aggregating 4,600
180 THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT.
ANDKEW MERCER ONTARIO REFORMATORY FOR FEMALES AND
REFUGE FOR GIRLS:
6 Protestants, with salaries aggregating $ 3,850
4 Catholics, with salaries aggregating 2,250
ONTARIO REFORMATORY FOR BOYS, PENETANGUISHENE :
12 Protestants, with salaries aggregating $ 7,700
5 Catholics, with salaries aggregating 3,950
ONTARIO INSTITUTION FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE DEAF
AND DUMB, BELLEVILLE :
23 Protestants, with salaries aggregating $ 14,775
4 Catholics, with salaries aggregating 2,250
ONTARIO INSTITUTION FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE BLIND,
BRANTFORD :
21 Protestants, with salaries aggregating $ 12,0.99
3 Catholics, with salaries aggregating 975
MIMICO INSANE ASYLUM:
13 Protestants, with salaries aggregating $ 5,282
3 Catholics, with salaries aggregating 2,850
J. T. MANN,
Secretary Public Institutions Branch.
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.
23 Protestants, with salaries aggregating , $ 18,410
8 Catholics, with salaries aggregating 4,450
CHARLES CLARKE,
Clerk of House.
Sheriffs — 41 Protestants ; 3 Catholics.
Clerks of Peace and County Attorneys — 43 Protestants; 4
Catholics.
Local Masters in Chancery — 38 Protestants ; 3 Catholics.
Clerks of Court — 41 Protestants ; 3 Catholics.
Registrar's Surrogate Court — 39 Protestants; 3 Catholics. (With
two or three exceptions, these are the same persons as the Clerks
of Court.)
Eegistrars of Deeds — 54 Protestants ; 9 Catholics.
Salaried Stipendiary and Police Magistrates — 32 Protestants ;
3 Catholics.
J. R CARTWRIGHT,
Deputy Attorney -General.
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT. 181
DIVISION COURT CLERKS AND BAILIFFS.
According to the returns obtained in June, 1889 (the last re-
turns obtained), the Division Court Clerks appointed by the
Government, were 166. Of these, 154 were Protestants and 12
were Catholics. Old Division Court Clerks, appointed by Judges
under the old law, were 151; of these 144 were Protestants and 7
Catholics. The proportion remains about the same.
Of Bailiffs, 191 were appointed by the Government, viz. : — 164
Protestant and 27 Catholic, and 140 were appointed by Judges
under the old law, viz. : — 126 Protestant and 14 Catholic. The
proportion also remains about the same.
J. B. MACDONALD,
For Inspector.
License Inspectors — 83 Protestants ; 16 Catholics.
HENRY TOTTEN,
Chief Clerk License Branch.
SESSIONAL WRITERS.
64 Protestants, with salaries aggregating $ 9,589
15 Catholics, with salaries aggregating 1,625
D. SPENCE.
SESSIONAL MESSENGERS.
27 Protestants, with salaries aggregating $ 1,935
15 Catholics, with salaries aggregating 1.156
P. O'BRIEN.
Total population of Ontario, 1891 2,114,321
Of this number there are 1,731,943 Protestants; 358,300
Catholics ; 24,078 not specified ; total 2,114,521
Catholics are about one-sixth of the population.
Total number of appointees in inside and outside service. 1,738
One-sixth of this number would be . . 1 290
Total number of Catholic appointees 219
Total number of appointees in the inside service 409
One-sixth of this number would be 68
Total number of Catholic appointments in inside service. 71
Total number of appointees in the outside service 1,329 •
One-sixth of this number would be 221
Total number of Catholic appointees in outside service. 148
182
THE MOWAT GOVERNMENT.
Total amount of salaries paid in inside service $4-18,003
One-sixth of this amount would be 69,667
Total amount of salaries paid to Catholic appointees in
inside service 57,005
(Nearly all the outside service, excepting that of the public in-
stitutions above given, is paid by fees, or for the number of days
employed only.)
RESUME.
Department.
Protestant Officers,
Clerks and Em-
ployees.
Catholic Officers,
Clerks and Em-
ployees.
INSIDE SERVICE.
Executive Council and Attorney -General's De-
partment
11 with salarie
aggregating
53 " "
81 "
28 "
29 "
20 "
28 "
31 "
32 "
22 "
64 "
27 "
i
£12,856
68,683
87,630
37,300
18,250
16, 1 57
31,55 i
:<5,70S
34,550
' 18,410
9,589
1,935
2
7
16
5
5
8
6
6
8
8
15
15
with salaries
aggregating * 2,25«
6,500
13,870
6.45U
•2,850
(i,700
3,81U
5,226
" 5,900
" " 4,450
1,6.25
1,156
Administration of Justice at Osgoode Hall
Department of Education, Normal and Model
Schools, etc
Grown Lands Department : —
Inside Service
Outside Service
Public Works Department
Treasury Department with branches
Secretary and Registrar's Department, with
branches
Department of Agriculture and Agricultural
College
Legislative Assembly
Sessional Writers
Sessional Messengers
OUTSIDE SERVICE.
Publiclnstitutions including asylumsand prisons
Division Court Clerks: —
Appointed by the Government
206 "
154
144
1<>4
126
41
43
38
41
39
61
83
17
31
1,181
1,610
$372,522
128,777
39
12
27
14
3
4
1
3
3
;t
1C.
4
6
249
."559,786
2f>,79»
Appointed by the judges
Division Court Bailiff* :—
Appointed by the Government
Appointed by the judges
Sheriffs
Clerks of the Peace and County Attorneys ....
Local Masters in Chancery. .... ... ".
Clerks of Court
Registrars of Surrogate Court
Registrars of deeds
License Inspectors
Seventeen Protestants and four Catholics con-
nected with Crown Lands Department paid for
the number of days they work and who are
not constantly employed
Thirty -one Protestant and six Catholic employees
and servants connected with the Agricultural
College
Total
A FINANCIAL SCHEDULE,
The General Statement appended to this Pamphlet shews
the amounts derived by each county during twenty- three
years -1871-1893— in the distribution of Provincial Funds,
The amounts given in the columns under the various
Public Institutions shew the cost connected with the
Inmates that have been sent from each of the several)
counties. The grants for Education, Administration a?
Justice, etc., are also set forth in the same manner under
proper headings : —
184 THE MO WAT GOVERNMENT.
GENERAL STATEMENT shewing the amount of benefit derived by each
COUNTY.
Lunatic
Asylums.
Central Prison.
Iteformatory
for Boys,
•
>— i .
t ~
~ >~
l~ *s
pq
Brant
$ c.
152,176 28
§ c
26,669 77
$ c.
30,596 01
3 c.
28,845 08
Bruce
176,769 76
7,350 47
11,411 06
21,651 98
Carleton
280,981 71
35,835 94
27 323 39
15,146 13
Dufferin
14,480 74
905 27
841 79
9,175 89
Elgin
179,603 04
24,065 63
23,714 90
15,608 87
Essex . .
144,348 06
39 152 92
15 885 74
23,119 50
Frontenac
282,517 73
29,712 54
36 807 29
22,677 05
Stormont
133, '267 37
12,089 42
6 848 12
4,937 88
Dundas
51,387 26
2,012 16
10,877 72
Glengarry
69,849 58
5,399 20
4,399 78
Leeds
( 146 915 91
24,820 44
10,848 27
11,844 90
Grenville .
( 44,400 50
352 50
6,898 38
2,500 77
Grey
206,068 24
11,829 57
13,355 29
17,947 86
Haldimand
117,493 46
4,707 8]
5,100 79
11,971 02
Haliburton
Hal ton
120,050 48
3,162 53
6,614 37
5,070 11
Hastings . .
163,264 11
18,192 56
17,645 03
15,437 22
xluron
232,979 32
6,148 94
7,868 21
20,501 83
Kent
166, *32 95
27,957 91
18,346 32
12,931 33
Lambton
241,423 37
18,147 07
37,381 27
22,736 38
Lanark
157,216 74
4,904 20
2,066 34
2,610 02
Lennox and Addington
121,146 91
3,243 64
2,764 71
7,251 07
Lincoln
160,968 50
23,383 29
29,598 97
9,570 19
Middlesex
513,502 00
67,846 09
53,157 65
20,183 02
Norfolk
119,346 33
7,973 64
17,414 39
] 4,716 98
Northumberland
180,881 37
24,240 25
10,709 68
9,232 31
Durham
122,642 69
4,174 32
9,006 55
6,208 84
Ontario
240,512 80
14,434 41
25,606 77
16,415 50
Oxford
205,871 10
28,647 95
20,358 38
6,OG6 67
Peel
135,276 78
4,807 39
1,817 89
3,846 00
Perth
185,350 26
6,001 20
13,268 79
12,418 00
Peterborough ....
98,572 74
6,000 65
7,525 19
11,270 51
Prescott
56,164 81
1,212 97
2,023 36
653 64
Russell
11,533 40
86 77
352 24
2,502 14
Prince Edward
58,841 63
1.932 10
1,953 62
11,810 00
Renfrew
85,305 32
5,764 36
9,462 66
22,324 44
Simcoe
303,:i01 09
21,505 26
18,133 90
18,093 15
Victoria
105,472 69
5,712 81
5,024 33
9,981 34
Waterloo
128,737 45
17,158 38
14,736 62
9.5S2 28
Welland
112 525 64
44,059 70
18,517 82
6,903 85
Wellington
216 649 26
19,006 48
10,803 61
22,988 29
Wentworth
367,848 07
128,114 94
78,765 04
41,002 62
York
1,174,469 64
311,461 70
119,479 76
99,447 78
Unorganized Districts
219, 16 1 84
15,981 12
2,502 09
7,729 29
Total
8,005,521 54
1,058,754 79
759,948 98
656,189 23
THE MOW AT GOVERNMENT. 185
County during 23 years, 1871-1893, on account olt the following heads :
.0
»
a .
"§
a
s a
is f
•2
Ql
oT5) *
•g qj
"^
B9
«ai
II
.£ a
|l
]sf
i'|
"""a""
II
"8 fl
•3 &
a«*-
°G o
o £
Is
gM
g
13 0
sea:
32 KH
Q
C
£
<j
s
H
$ c.
$ c.
? c.
$ 0.
$ c.
$ c.
23,639 14
96,669 00
89,297 90
33,880 00
19,989 43
501,762 70
24,662 23
211,516 00
67,774 56
37,000 00
19,815 13
577,951 19
33,050 42
106,755 00
102,109 42
20,850 00
4,225 10
626,277 11
1,356 93
56,583 00
14,754 82
13,500 OC
4,480 66
116,079 10
22,989 30
141,679 00
103,096 85
32,770 00
10,071 80
553,599 37
18,920 99
152,165 00
85,193 98
29,800 00
2,728 42
510,314 <il
15,880 27
101,343 00
59,733 38
20,850 00
11,871 70
581,492 96
12;303 72
81,462 00
\
24,298 00
994 50
( 276,201 01
8,333 34
90,725 00
V 51,830 50
16,300 00
2,103 50
< 181,738 98
6,545 06
84,471 00
J
16,231 50
1.786 45
(240,513 07
16,492 58
5,391 99
| 256,005 00
49,957 23
| 63,450 00
5,181 80
6,541 83
) j 585,516 14
j \ 66.085 97
39,437 85
235,960 00
67,385 51
46,000 00
15,300 15
643,284 47
7,198 40
109,831 00
58,181 43
20,733 33
4,953 84
340,171 08
1,913 28
45,415 00
15,565 44
6395 00
69,288 72
10,637 71
85,997 00
34,570 22
16,300 00
10,016 33
292,418 65
44,422 90
187,271 00
69,747 23
49,138 50
8,851 10
573,969 65
42,687 24
265,279 00
61,463 95
46,099 00
32,506 26
715,533 75
20,227 43
176,422 00
84,083 82
31,260 00
13,524 80
550,987 56
23,120 54
168,303 00
79,621 24
31,200 00
16,593 15
638,535 02
11,842 99
182,163 00
30,109 36
32,600 00
13,090 42
436,603 07
13,945 01
124,501 00
31,229 99
32,599 00
5,872 30
342,553 63
8,229 64
133,042 00
66,649 01
28,783 31
18,330 81
478,555 72
36,005 69
256,750 00
181,830 01
57,600 00
25,027 02
1,217,901 48
20,866 62
136,041 00
63,381 61
32,600 00
7,473 26
419,813 83
25,922 63
17,126 71
190,850 00
162,730 00
1 83,591 33
32,600 00
32,600 00
7,540 72
10,011 70
565,568 29
364,500 81
19,916 85!
237,371 00
70,463 16
32,600 00
16,521 30
673,841 79
20,152 42
193,183 00
64,227 28
32,600 00
19,410 71
590,517 51
7.073 85
106,573 00
37,074 83
22,950 00
17,850 09
337,269 83
39,831 96i
215,648 00
58,941 63
32,600 00
21,217 88
59.\277 72
10,065 74
157,130 00
46,375 77
32,921 00
10,138 10
369,999 70
6,358 77
10,894 37
| 130,101 00
j- 36,835 99
16,300 00
16,300 00
83 40
601 51)
f 82,7% 95
} 200,207 41
4,162 45
78,693 00
32,630 78
16,300 00
796 85
207,120 43
14,046 71
183,920 00
52,884 32
33,040 00
4,927 40
411,675 21
33,359 34
329,580 00
109,082 42
52,950 00
29,043 86
915,049 62
9,096 69
197,797 00
46,157 11
32,600 00.
8,418 49
420,260 46
22,158 91
200,119 00
67,607 50
32,600 0(
38,060 07
530,760 21
8,894 65
126,315 00
64,176 13
20,733 3(
16,889 81
419.015 9H
26,930 43
231,337 00
75,284 03
48,900 01
35.815 44
687,714 57
30,302 14
121,758 00
135,635 78
41,345 0(
13,123 34
957,894 93
61,403 03
240,047 00
425,827 23
61,362 OC
29, IK! 93
2,522,585 07
15,908 54
230,180 00
790,319 92
59,112 00
10,284 90
1,351,182 70
843,707 46
6,819,650 00
3,653.682 76
$1,390,751 00
551,182 25
23,739,388 01
INDEX.
PACJE.
Appointments (Catholic and Protestants) .. ,. .. .. .. 177
Accidents, Railway (Labor Laws) . . . . .. 25-28
Administration of Justice . . . . . . . . . . . . 37-44
" etc., Grants for (Schedule) 43
Agriculture, Department of .. .. .. .. .. .. 109-128
' ' Laws Passed to Advance Interest . . . . . . . 84
Agricultural College 124-128
" Analysis of Attendance ... .. .. .. .. 124
Agricultural Societies, Aid to, etc., .. .. . .. 112, 113
Appeals to Imperial Privy Council . . . . . . . . . . . . 40-42
Arbitration on Text Books, and Report, 1889 150
Algonquin Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Assessments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Assets and Liabilities of Province, 1889 . . .... . . . . 87-89
Asylums, Maintenance and Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . 99-101
Attorney General's Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36-44
Binder Twine 98
Blind, Institute for the (Maintenance and Attendance) . . . . . . 101
Boundary Case, (Appeal to Privy Council) . . , . . . . . 42
Bush Fires, Means of Preventing (Crown Lands) . . . . . . 65
Central Prison . 96, 97
Charitable Institutions, Comparisons of Cost, Ontario and U. S. . . 97
System of Maintenance . . . . . . . 102
Children, Protection of .. .. .. ... .. .. .. ... 107
Colonization Roads (Crown Lands Dep't) . . . . . . . 65
Contract Labor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Collecting of Wages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Crown Domain . . ... . . . . . . ... . . . . . 52
Crown Lands, Department of. ... . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Crown Lands, Locations since 1838 . . . . . . . . . . 52
Crown Lands, Revenue since 1873 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59-63
Dairy Industry and School .. .. .. .. .. .. 114-116
Deaf and Dumb, Institute for (Maintenance and Attendance) . . . . 102
Drainage Investments (Loans to Municipalities) . . . . . . . . . . 82
Distribution of Provincial Funds (Schedule) .. . . .. . 185
Division Courts, Inspection of .. .. .. .. .. .. . 105
Disputed Elections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Education, Department of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
History of its Establishment 192, 130
Expenditures for . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Grants of public money to sustain (Schedule) . . . . 159-161
Minister of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Legislation on .. .. ... .. .. .. .. 131, 132
Electors, Qualifications of .. .. .. ......
" Registration of .. .. ... .. .. .. .. . 5
188 INDEX.
PAGE.
Elections, Manner of Conducting . . . . . . . , . . . . . . 6
Elections, Disputed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Employers' Liability (Labor Laws) . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Escheats Case, (Appeal to Privy Council) . . . . . . . . . . 40
Exemptions, Act of 1890 22
Expenditures of Province for 1893 .. .. .. .. .. .. 90
Comparison between 1871 and 1893, showing increased grants
to people .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Expenditures, Paltry objections to supply Bills by Opposition since 1884... 92
" Comparisons with Quebec and Dominion .. .. .. 93
Experimental Farm (Agricultural College) .. . .. . .. 126
Factories Act (Labor Laws) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
"Facts for Irish Electors," Tory manifesto in 1883 .. .. .. .. 174
Farmers' Institutes Reports, &c . . . . . . . . . . . . 120-123
Financial Administration . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . 83
Criticisms of Toronto Mail, &c., &c.
Free Grant Townships, &c . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56-58
French and German Schools, Regulation and History of . . . . . . 142
French and German, Training Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . 142-144
Text Books Authorized 144
Bi-lingual Readers .. .. .. ... .. 145
Report of Commissioners, 1889 . . . . . . . . 146
Fruit Growing .. ,. .. ., .. . .. .. . 116
Grame Laws . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Higher Education, Provisions for .. .. .. .. ..157-160
House of Refuge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
History, British and Canadian . . . . . . , . . . . .. 166-168
Immigration ... ... ... .. .. ... .. ... .. 90
Industrial Disputes ... ... ... . . . ... . . . . 29
Industrial Statistics 109-123
Insurance Legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103-105
Insurance Case, (Appeal to Privy Council)
Insolvents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Institutions, Charitable, etc., aided by Public Funds (Schedule) . . . 1-S6
Introduction ... ... ... ... . .. ... .. .. 1
" Irish Electors," Tory Campaign Manifesto of 1883 . . . . . . 187
Labor Laws .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..2435
Law Reform . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . 36
Legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 4
Liability of Employers (Labor Laws) . . . . . . . . - . 25
Liabilities and Assets of Province, 1893 . . . . . . . - . . 88, 89
Liquor License Case (Appeal to Privy Council). . .. .. . . 4
Liquor Traffic, Regulation of .. .. .. .. 67
Revenue from . . . . . . . . . . . • . . 69
License Laws, since 1874 . . . . . . . . . . • . . 70
Synopsis of Crooks' Act
License Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . • . 72
Amendments in Session of 1890 . . . . . . , .
Local Option- . . . . . .... . . 74
Defence and Endorsement of Policy .. .. ... ..74,75
INDEX. 189
PACK.
Liquor Traffic, The Varying Policy of the Opposition, from 1876 to 1890 ... 75-79
" " Canada Temperance Act, Measures for Enforcement ... 73
Livestock 117, 118
Mechanics' Lien (Labor Laws) .. .. .. .. .. .. "24
Mining, Legislation ... ... ... .. .. .. .. .. ... f>4
" Operations, Regulating ..
Money returned the People ... .. . .. .. .. .. 91
Municipal Institutions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 19
Municipal Law, Amendments to, since 1872 .. .. .. .. .. 19
" " Recent Legislation .. .. .. .. .. . -Jl
" Loan Fund Act (Surplus Distribution under Act of 1873) .. si
Parliament Buildings .- . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
" " Comparison of Cost with U. S. . . .. .. 48
Parliamentary Institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
Practical Science, School of . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Private Bills . . .
Poultry and eggs . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . 119
Provincial Secretary's Department . . . . . . . . . . . . 95-108
" " Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Provincial Funds, Distribution to Counties (Schedule) . . . . . . 185
Public Accounts, Audit of . , . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Public Buildings and Works, Provincial . . 45
Public Institutions, Grants in Aid of . . . . . . 96
Public Works, Department of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Public Bills .. 3
Qualification of Electors . . . . . . . . . . .". . . . . 4
Railway Accidents Act (Labor Laws) .. .. 28
" Aid, by Surplus Distribution ... .. ... ... ... . 80
Redistribution of Seats, Ontario . . . . ... . . ... . . 10
" Ontario and Dominion Compared ..
" " Dominion .. .. ... ... ... .. 16
Registry Act 106
Registration of Electors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Registration and Incorporation of Benefit Societies (Labor) . . 34
Revision of Statutes ... .. .. .. . ... .. ,.
Rivers and Streams (Appeal to Privy Council) . . . . . . 41
Salaries of Teachers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Salaries and Wages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
School of Practical Science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Scott Act, Provisions for Enforcement of . . . . . . . . . . 78
Scripture Readings (The Bible Optional) 162-166
School System (Growth of) 169-171
Separate Schools, Provisions for in B.N. A. Act . . . . . . . 133-134
Separate Schools, Act of 1863 and Amendments . . . . . . . . 134-142
Reference to Chancery Division, High Court . . . . 138
The Acts of 1890 and 1893 138-140
Discussion Proposal for Ballot . . . . . . . . 140
Provisions for Inspection . . . . . . . . . . 141
Mr. Meredith's Platform . . 141
Distribution of the Grants . 161
190 * INDEX.
PAGE.
Separate School Supporters, Act of 1890 . . . . . . . . . 138
Surveys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Surplus Distribution (Act of 1873) 81
Snrplus, Distributed for Railway Aid . . ... . . . . . . . . 86
' ' to decrease municipal burdens . . . . . . . . 86
" Table showing accumulation since 1873 . . . . . . . . 87
" Addition under the Quebec award .(another asset) . . . . . 87
1 Statement of ; from 1873 to 1893 .. 89
" Portion comprised in Dominion Subsidy . . . . . . . . 88
Teachers' Salaries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 161
Text Books, Discussion of the Question . . . . . . . . . 148-157
Text Books, Regulations for Authorization . . . . . . . . . . 148
Comparison of Cost of Readers . . ... . . . . .. 155-157
Arbitration and Report, 1889 150-152
High School, Authorizations of . . . . . . . . 157
Policy of the Department . . . . . . . . . . 153
Saving in expense to Pupils . . . . . . . . . . 156
Comparison with U.S. prices . . . . . . . . . . 152
Encouragement of Canadian Teachers and Manufacturers . . 154
Timber Limits, Sales of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
" " Comparison of Provincial and Dominion Policy . . . . 60
Treasurer's Department .. .. .. .. . , ., .. .. 80-94
Voting, Time allowed workmen for, (Labor Laws) . . . . . . . . 34
"Woods and Forests, (Crown Lands Department)
Work and Wages (Labor Laws) . . . . . . . . . . . . . • 29
Workmen, allowed time to vote, (Labor Laws) . . . . . . . . 34
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