The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-19

away from the dust and din Of the city. We
only wish that some arrangement could be
made by which all stores would be closed at
the same time; but this we know to be impos-
sible, as more business is transacted through
out the city on Saturday evening than on any
other during the week. Let it be done, howev-
or, where it can. so that the clerks may have
few hours in the evening to themselves From
eight o'clock in the morning till eight in the
eyening-twelve hours altogether-is surely
long enough to be keptin close confinement. Let
US close our stores early then, that our clerks
may have some breathing time.
CANADIAN ArFAIRs-PoIlTICs AND RAIL-
RoADs-As the close Of the session of the Ca
madam Parliament draws near, the printed
votes and proceedings begin to exhibit COM
mcndable evidence ocactivity among the COM
mittees. Mr.. Drummond's Seigniorial Tenure
passed the Assembly, and now only waits the
concurrence of the Legislative Council and
the sanction of the Governor to take its place
in the statute book of the province. 1t is, as
our readers are aware the first legislative step
towards the abolition of the feudal tenure in
Canada. AS such it will find favor with all
who have the interest Of the province at heart.
That it may infict gratuitous injury on a
few of the seigniors it's adherents will hardly
deny; but the blessings of free tenure are
cheaply purchased at such a cost. Like many
other institutions which have elected the APP
plause OF superficial observers, the feudal
tenure was so radically vicious in. its funda-
mental principles, that every country which
adopted it has already, or will hereafter dear
ly expiate its error. Military power and CON-
mercial influence may arrest it's downfall for
while in Central Europe; but it must long since
have Jared violently against the national
spirit Of Canadians. 1t is indeed wonderful
that our neighbors should have submitted so
long to Code by which it was forbidden to
erect grist mill, and sales of real estate were
discouraged by the imposition of heavy fines.
Mr. Drummond and his colleagues are entitled
the gratitude Of their countrymen for having
dealt the first practical blow at so suicidal
system.
Together with the Seigniorial BILL the bill to
Increase the Representation will be laid before
the Legislative Council. We cannot see that
this scheme will produce any practical results
of Importance. The English party assert that
it will give the French Canadians the prepon-
derance in Lower Canada. To us it seems
strange enough to hear of small colony like
Canada being inhabited by two antagonistc
races. with opposite interests. We can hardly
discover how measures which conduce to the
good of the one should not be equally advanta-
geous to the other; nor can we realize the i'm
portance which our neighbors seem to attach to
the origin and descent of their representatives
If men with French names make bad laws while
others rejoicing in such patronymics as Shocks
or Virgins, or Boggs can make good ones. it
seems obvious to our mind that the latter will
be selected for the purpose, as well by their
French as their English countrymen. Every
body knows, moreover. that the French Cana
dams had hard time of it under the heel of the
British colonists from the conquest to 1871;
little retaliation would be almost cxcusable
Mr.. MORN has reasserted his intention of
moving the abolition Of the Legislative Council.
Objections Of grave import have been advanced
against the details of his scheme and from all
we learn it will meet with formidable opposition
Without entering into particulars. we will
simply express our wish that if Mr.. Morins plan
is not carried out. some other equally effective
one should be devised and adopted AS at
present constituted, the Council is an absurd
anomaly.
Of more real Importance perhaps than these
legislative measures, are the practical steps
which are being taken in Canada for the con-
struction of railroads. We learned a few days
ago that London capitalists had taken up all
the stock in the great trunk line Some
ninety millions of dollars will thus be expended
in Canada during the next few years This will
make vast change in the country. Property
will rise in value. and both the demand for and
the supply Of labor will become more abundant.
Lower Canada will derive especial benefit from
the work. The contract is in the hands OF men
who possess the requisite experience and
capital to execute it promptly and efficiently;
ard from the judicious selection Of the local
directorate old tory obstructives Of Quebec
being carefully exeluded-we see every reason
to anticipate an early completion Of the work.
Talk on Change.
Cotton sold to the extent of 400 bales at steady
prices Pork active and frmer. Other branches
Of trade wore quiet asract.
BE- a card published in another part of this paper, it
will be that the OF the clipper ship Sovereign
of the Seas has under certain conditions therein stated
accepted the challenge Of Mr. Webb the return Of the
Sovereign to this port He offers to her to San
Francisco against any vessel Mr. Vim. II. Webb may put
up against her.
Importing houses complained Of the custom which had
beer introduced within few years past of compelling
have their bonded goods stored in the stores
TIE Atlantic Docks in Brooklyn The practice Of
great nience and expense to them and
calculated TO subserve private interest than the public
good Why should the order cargoes sugar
and other foreign goods 10 be warehoused in Br, okl,n
which was not port of entry-while plenty Of room