The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-08-06


Brown went to work to organize an opposi-
ton. Mr.. Sandfeld Macdonald stood aloof
but so soon as the Federal Ministry was form
ed, the Lleutenant-Governor of Ontario sent
for him, and he was intrusted with the forma-
tion of u local Governments He has succeed
ed in the task, and his Ministry is as follows:
i Hon. John Sandfield Macdonald (Reformer)
Attorney General; Hon. John CarlinP (Con-
servative,) Commissioner of Agriculture and
Public Works; Hon. Stephen Richards, (Re-
iormer,) Commissioner of Crown Lands; Hon
N. M. T. Cameron, (Conservative,) Secretary and
1nseRistrar; Hon. E. b. Wood, (Reformer,)
irseasurer or Receiver-General
.,t ~ mas mas oeen charged against Mr.. Macdonald
by s Sir ne Twas WAS influenced in forming coalition
TX S. or ohn John a. Macdonald; but at London he
affirmed, and called unon Sir John 10 snbstan.
tiate the statement, that he had taken his own
course, unInfiueneed by Sir John or aDy one
else. The Reformers--that is, the Brown sec
tiOn-eontend that as the Province az Ontario
is nearly altogether Reform, a coalition cabi-
net should not have been formed; but Mr.
Wood has met this by saying thai, although
the Reformers are in the majority, they had no
right to exclude from the Government the
representatives OF the party who had yielded
their principles to carry out the scheme of con-
federation. III. Ill
The Reformers are undoubtedly very largely
ia the majority, but very many Reformers
heartily approve of the coalition, and there is
little doubt that the coalition will triumph at
the polls A set Of politicians known as
weakened" Reformers are in great strength
throughout the Province. and Mr.. Sandteld
Macdonald appears to understand what he Is
DOING. Several influential Reform Journals
have gone over to Mr. Sanfield Macdonald, and
such men as Mr.. Sco5le, M. p p. for West FL
gin in the last Parliament, DR.. Agnew and Mr..
Z. Durand, of this city, have seen fit to an
nounee their opposition to Mr.. Brown. There
lS strong reaction everywhere through the
Province, and it is seen to have been a bold
stroke of policy on the part of Sir John A. Mac
donald to have the Premiership conferred up
Oh his ancient opponent.
PETROLEUM..
Our Canadian exchanges report great dis
couragement as again falling upon the oil
trade. Sales of refined oil have been made at
the springs at II to IS cents per gallon,
and of crude oil at % to 80 cents per barrel
These low rates are clearly the result of over
production. Seeing that the consumption
throughout the world is enormous, aud con-
stantly increasing il would surely be better
for those who have wells TO husband the sup
ply, rather than TO sell it for nothing and to
cause an unduly rapid consumption, and
perhaps an early exhaustion OF the supplies.
A Montreal paper thinks the Cause OF the
over-production may be found in the real or
supposed connection of two or more wells
with one and the same subteranean deposits
of oil. OF course il one did not work, the
other might pump the whole away. So every
well-owner drew as much as he could store
away in tanks or barrels to await n Market
The oil is, therefore, to great extent, above
ground, and most OF the wells are either dry
altogether or have ceased working. Ofcourse
it requires capital TO hold oil, and it is not
a very convenient kind OF merchandise TO
pledge to bank for advances. Hence, prob
ably, the low prices at which it is sold.
ITEMS. -
The Quebec papers are calling for a reform
in the management of their city affairs. The
Chronicle says: There is but one mode
of curing the general insecurity of the person
which reduces the city of Quebec to level
beneath that of Tombuctoo; and that remedy
is Government or Provincial Police.
Lunatics, in the Province of Quebec, are
inearcerated in the common jails.
A convention of cigar manufacturers OF
Canada, held at Toronto last week was large
ly attended, the gentlemen present represent
ing the trade from various parts of the Do
minion. A list of grievances was set forth
showing that by the action OF the excise law
they are placed in disadvantageous position
to the importers of German cigars. The Gov.
ernment is asked TO place such duty on inn
ported cigars as will give the required relief
The Amherst Gazette says that Mr.. Sand
ford Fleming, c. E., is in that district by Iii.
Iection of the General Governments, for the
purpose OF locating the Intercolonial Line Of
halfway 6om the New Brunswick border 70
Truro. . .-.-,. .,..-
The Journal dc Quebec says:-The tenn
pest which broke over our city on Tuesday
last, overturned tree in the Court of the Ur-
suline Convent, to which many very interest
ingremembrances were attached. Itwas under
the shade of this tree that the venerable Mere
de la Incarnation and her companions assem-
bled the young Indians to instruct them in
the first truths Of religion. This tradition
has been religiously preserved in the Monas7.
terry, and the tree has never ceased TO bring to
remembrance a thousand touching legends of
the early times of the colony.