Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-12-07
Frcm the Philadelphia Agel
The Proposed British American Con-
federation.

leueratl0n.
Canada is the most valuable province of
British America. In 1868, after the con-
quest of Canada from the French by the
English arms had been ratified by cession,
n limited portion of the territory thus ac-
quired was organized 10y royal proclama-
lIon under English laws. In l7Sl the new
Province OF Canada was extended by legal
enac ments, and under tie assumed au-
thoriiy of French laws, down the Ohio
River to its confluence with the Mississip.
nl, hnd up this stream to its head. In
i'oo canada was restricted to its present
limits, and the territory now embraced
in the States Of Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois fell
into the possession Of the American Re-
public. In lI9l Canada was divided into
two sections or divisions, Eastorn and
Western, with separate and distinct legis-
latures; but in 1910 they were reunited
for legislative purposes, after dstur-
; bance which eliminated in an armed re-
sistauce to The authorities.
The supreme authority in Canada, un-
der the Crown of Great Britain, is vested
III Governor General. The provincial
parliament consists of two houses, the
Council consists OF tilly-four members,
and the Assembly OF one hundred and
thirty. The elective franchise is nearly
universal. Every man is entitled TO vote
who pays house rent to the amount of
thirty dollars in a city or town, or twenty
dollars in rural district. There is no
disqualification on account of creed or
color; and foreigner acquires the right
o! suffrage after 4 residence OF three years
| IN the Provinces.
Within few years tho proposition OF
uniting the two Provinces into one great
confederation has engrossed large share
| OF public attention in Canada, and the pro-
gress and success of the experiment has
/ been most marked and emphatic A ba-
SIS for the proposed union, or confedera-
! uon, has been agreed upon in detail, tae
compact or constitution put into form, and
the Hon. George Brown, OF Toronto, has
been che sen on the part of the Canadas
TO proceed to London and present the
plan to the Home Government for ther
action. The Boston Courier has made a
careful synopsis Of the new constitution,
and the details are interesting in map-
! ping out the steps taken by our neigh
bors on the other side of the St. Lawrence
towards new era in their history, both
in political and pecuniary point of view.
BY the Constitution Of the proposed
! British American Confederation, the SUI
Ipreme executive authority is, of course.
vested in the Sovereign of Great Britain
and Ireland to be administered "accor-
/ ding to the well understood principles of
| The British Constitution" by the Sover-
eign personally, or by the Representative
Iot The sovereign duly authorized. The
sovereign of Governor General is COM
mander-in-chief of the land and naval for
ces the Legislature or Parliament is to be
Icompcsed Of a Legislative Council and
House Of Commons. Tho Council con-
IsiSts Of - members appointed for life, who
must be British subjects, thirty years Of
age and possessing continuous real pro-
Iperty qualification Of four thousand dol
lars over all incumbrances' In Prince Ed
ward Island only. this property may be
real or personal. Tho members of the
Council are divided thus: Upper Cana
da i, Lower Canada 24 Nova Ccotia 10,
New Brunswick 10, 7. +. Island 4. Pro-
yi-iuns are mado for the admission of New
. iouud.and, the y. W. Territory. Coium-
! ba, aud Vancouver. The members of
the Council receive appointment from
the Crown, under the great seal of the
General Government, the first selection to
DO made from the legislative councils of
! the various provinces, except as regards
Prince Edward Island, so faras a sufficient
number be found qualified and willing to
serve such members shall be appointed
! by the Crown, Mt The recommendation of
the General Executive Government, upon
the nomination of the local governments.
and in such nomination due regard to be
had TO the claims of the members of the
/ legislative council Of the opposition in
each Province, so that all political parties
may as nearly as possible be fairly repre-
sented. The Speaker of the Council is
appointed by the Crown and has only a
casting vote. r.
/ The basis of representation in the House
OF Commons is 10 be populatiSe, as deter
mined 10y the official census every ten
years. The number of members at first
shall tie one hundred aud ninety -four. The
number OF members may ut any time be
increased by the General Parlameut-re-
gard being had to the proportionate
rights then existing. Districiiug for
members is to be done by the provincial
legislatures, under the control of which
are also the qualifications of members and
OF voters. Every House of Commons is
chosen for FIVE years, but may be sooner
prorogued or dissolved by the Executive.
Annual sessions are required. The power
OF Parlimeht are-saying the sovereignty
OF the mother counlry-supreme, and re-
late TO the same OBJECTS as our own, with
some additions, the chief of which are the
control OF railways, teegraphs and lines
oil steamships between the Federal Pro-
Vihces and other countries, banking and
The issue ofpaper money, interest, weights
and measures, marriage and divorce, and
the criminal law, excepting the constitu-
tion OF courts OF criminal jurisdiction. but
including the procedure in crimina al mat
ters.
A supreme court Of appeals has been
established for the Federated Provinces
but the General Parliment may also, from
tina 10 lima aotahl;gb oII;,;on,l oa,,,1s