New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-07-12
CANADIAN AFFAIRS.
The defeat Of the Auxiliary BTl-The Rep
ressniation Bill Observation-Disclosures
Crops.


ressntatiOn Bill observation-disclosures
Crops.
Montreal Correspondence OF The Tribuse
MoNrR GAL, Monday, July o.
The defeat Of the bin to alter the law regarding
usury has called forth a strong feeling among the
Upper Cansdisns, adverse to the union of the Prov
irces. IL Western Canada the fertile soil and
soft climate have attracted vast numbers Of settlers,
who thanks to their ~ and enterprise, readily
derive from their lsbors a superabundsnce Of the
necesaries Of life; but when they proceed astep
further 10 the path Of civilization, and aspire To
construct mills and conduct commercial pursuits,
they experience those disabilities 10 obtaining the
use Of money at interest which are caused by the
legal nterdct against higher rate Of interest than
six per cent and the comparative number Of Dor
rowers in the market, compared with the capital
lists having money to loan. That the Usury Law
is laughed at and evaded, is DO secret. Men don't
esteem it moral wrong to ask and receive more
than ak per cent the only limit to the rate is the
squeezeability of the borrower 1t was during tho
debate in the Assembly, very clearly explained,
the process by which the capitalist can with imPu-
nifty pocket fifty per cent and cases were cited
where a heavier per centage was obtained. The
plan is very simple, though how far it be saiisac'
tory to the borrower is questionable; When man
wants loan Of money, he usually buys piece Of
land from the leader, and thus the Transaction Is
coaked from the Usary law--the extra price
charged being the interest. When the bill was
brought to a vote IN the Assembly, the two races
voted against each other-almOst all the French
Canadians to maintain the Six per Cent. lay, and
the British Canadians to llberate the dealing in
money from restrictive enactments. The course
pursued by the French Canadians in this matter
has annoyed and exasperated the British, who
charge the former with being the age-being anti.
commercial, and being.a bar 70 the advancement Of
the Colony. OF the 90 members who voted for the
principle of the bill, one only represents Lower
Canada constituency; while Of the SO who voted
to reject the BILL seven only represent Upper Can
ada constituencies.
MISREPRESENTATION bill has virtually fallen through
and is lot likely In the shape submitted, to be
again brought forward. 1t may seem strange at
the frat blush that the Liberal party-the elective
principle men and the Arnexationists-sh have
withheld their advocacy Of the measure. The rea-
soning which influenced them may be briefly stated.
Lafontane, by bis bill, sought b augment the num-
Der Of re representatives. from AZ for each section OF
the Province 10 rs thus raising the Assembly from
a. its present number, to $50. Such was the spirit
Of his bill II left untouched the Electoral aw with
its partial distinctions and it's only merit was 70
erals, who voted it down, argued that such bill, II
carried out would not invest the masses with
larger exercise of control over their Representa-.
tives than they now enjoyed; that adding to the
Representative list was but adding TO the expenses
of the country; that they preferred enarglag the
circle Of voters as a more certain remedy against
official corruption; that small House would De as
efficient as large one, if it were responsible 10
the people that limiting the number OF hepresen-
tatives to territory and leaving population oat OF
view, was an absurdity, and at variance with all
recos nized principles ofrepresentatlve institutions
that II would be unjust at the present dayo Lower
Canada and In few years hence, 70 Upper Cana
da; that the representation should be based upon
population and as new counties Were carved out OF
the forest and settled, that the residents, when sui
Gciently numerous should be entitled to elect thelr
Representatives Such were the arguments OF the
Liberal dissentonists. TIE High Churcn ana cta'e
party who opposed the bull, did SO because 'hSy
dread apy addition to the power OF the French Ca
nadians Thew remark, through their journals,
that in the Assembly the French members present
an unbroken phalanx that they invariably vote
together; that they seldom Illustrate their views
by the light Of constitutional argument that they
watch the eye Of their national leader, Laiontaine
and vote rather in conformity TO his dlctaton than
from desire 10 promote the national interest OF
their Colony that the 80 French members now In
the Assembly are a drag upon the upper Canadi-
ans and that to swell their numbers to 60 would
De lDe buFtbL uOuc W PSiPS'N2eS w. 10y
deplore Such are the views which the Hi5h
Church and State Coonists express upon the qu5s-
ton OF increasing the representation, and It must
be confessed that the autiquated notions OF the
French members especially upon commercial sub
jects, have laid then open to reprJaches. Tue de-
feet in our sy stem is not the paucity OF Representa-
tives for smaller House than 50 could better aad
more cheapy perform the requisite work all office
holders were excluded and the Executive nssinl'
lated to yours. These incessant debates dpon or.
gsnic changes cannot fail 70 prepare the maids OF
the people for, and render them ripe 10, receive the
holder and more comprehensive doctrines Of tho
school of politicians who begin to doubt tho yiesues
OF Colonial existence
The Summer, thus far, has been si1gularly COOL
the temperature in the morning frequently indicat
ing Temperature of only 60 Farenhelt" Unu
sua numbers Of Am visitors throng our hotels
and traverse the Colony. The health Of tue city
never vas more satisfactory and the emlgrants
who land are free from disease, and compared with
the importktions of former years wealth. class
All the crops are unusually luxuriant. Old Hay is
only worth S. per 1890 lbs, so abundant 10 the
prospect OF the hay harvest now beginning. A.