The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-07-09

with an assistant ON his right, both wearing govnA
Below, outside the bar, are the Sergeant-at-Arms,
gentleman Usher Of the Black Rod, with dress
sword, and chapeas-bras. On the table, at the
ss in the other House, which is also carried before
the Speaker; and when the Council is in CON-
mttee as il the case in the other branch, it is laid
carefully in mahogany box, on wheels, and run
The members Of the Legislative Council are not
provided with desks, as below, but occupy chairs,
OF which there are between forty aud fifty. Be-
hind them again are seats rising behind each
other, for the accommodation of the auditory,
which, however, is not very large, except on great
occasions.
When member enters or leaves the House of
Assembly, or crosses the fioor, he bows To the
Speaker, who returns the salutation. But 10 the
Upper House il is different, the members, SINH
lar occasions, making their obesance to the crown
with the officers Of the House, when they return
from the other branch, who, on reaching the brass
railing at the lower end OF the chamber, smulta
neously bow, the Speaker on neither occasion
which is aimed above him. In like manner, when
he leaves the House, attended by the M ice
Bearer and Sergeant Arms they all three make
their obesance to the crown, and also on en-
tering.
When a message is brought up from the Lower
House, or q resolution, it is by committee, who
advance to the brass railing, and the Speaker
comes down and receives it. They all politely
their seats on bench reserved for the COM
monalty, and there wait to see what action is
had by the Council, when they depart. There is
full length portrait Of the Queen in the Council
Chamber, not plainly dressed the English lady
in the Assembly, but more gorgeously attired, to
suit the arstocTatic character of the second branch
whose members initiate those Of the House OF
Lords, in the gravity Of their department and
solemnity OF manner, In way which is highly
amusing
During the past week, three measures of some
importance have been decided in the Assembly
the address TO the Queen, praying that her majesty
will reconyey the management Of the clergy re-
serves to the local legislature having been carried
by majority of 46 to %.
The second measure is Mr.. Lafontane's resolu-
tons that the seignorial tenure of land ia Lower
Canada is public concern, and that it is desirable
to convert il into free tenure, speedily posi-
BILE, with due regard to vested rights; that such
Communication should be adjusted. and referring the
subject to a select committee, which was carried
with but one dissentient voice. However desirable
1t may be that both the clergy reserves and the
seienoies should be dealt with in the man
ner proposed, yet, the movement, in both cases,
has not emanated from the purest motives, and the
rights of parties will be protected, do not appre-
bend that IT will give satisfaction, or quiet the agi
taton which, for political and interested purposes,
troublesome individuals are determined to keep
alive.
The other measure was the rejection OF bill to
increase the representation of the province, the act
OF union providing that there shall be majority of
which consists Of "a MEMBERS TO carry any measure
affecting the constitution. When the division
took place, the motion for the second reading of
the bill was carried by majority of 81 to 81 con-
sequently, there was deficiency Of five, and the
bill was fortunately, think, for the province;
the object Of the measure being preserve to the
French, Of Lower Canada, the ascendancy in a
country which is every day becoming more Angli
ned, and TO perpetuate those national distinctions
that never should prevail among the subjects of the
same empire, and which have their origin in igno-
rance and bigotry.
The clerk of the legislative council, who has
not made his appearance during the present session.
turns out TO be defaulter to the tune of upwards
of four thousand dollars. Ii is difficult to con-
ceve in what manner he became entrusted with
such an amount of the public funds-a proof, if
any were required, of the recklessness and extra
vagsnce with which affairs are conducted here, Of
which some idea may be formed when it is known
that the dismissal Of this gentleman, and the
sequent reduction Of one clerk in the legislative
council, will effect an annual saving of between
five and six hundred pounds; and that the attaches
and attendants about the Legislative halls number
about one hundred, list of whom, with their
salaries, shall some Of these days send you
AMERIcUs.