The Portland daily press., 1868-08-25

THE INTERCO-LoNIAL RAILWAY.
The New Brunswick papers contained,
few days since, what purported to be an Eau
thoritative" announcement that what is
known as the Major Robinson route for the
Inter Colonial Railway bad been definitely
chosen by the government, had received the
formal approval of the Imperial government,
and that the contracts would be let immedi-
ately. The extra containing This announce
ment says:
We are now in a position to inform our
readers that the arrangements which we pre-
viously announced as having been made by
Hon. Mr.. Rose, the Finance Minister, for get
ting the money, were based upon the North
ern Route. We can further state that no
time will be lost by the Cabinet at Ottawa in
appointing the Commissioners and Chief En-
gineer, and we NAV look forward with conf
dence that ere many weeks elapse the Com
missioners will place before the public the
invitations to tender for the constructions of
such portions OF the line as are susceptible of
immediate location. The surveys along the
greater portion OF the line are we'll advanced,
and we may confidently look for the con-
tracts for construction over at least one
third or one half of the whole line being TAX
en- this Autumn.
This Robinson route is the longest, the
most expensive and the most northerly of all
those surveyed; but its selection-if the state
ment proves correct-will surprise no one as
it has been well understood that the govern
ment favored it from its afiording the largest
number OF rich contracts. 1t is also, because
the furthest from our own frontier esteemed
the safest route in case of war with this coun-
7 try; though it does not seem to have occur
red to our neighbors that in such case it
would be of no earthly use in transporting
troops. 1t is stated that work is to COM
mence Immediately at the Nova Scotia bound
airy, at Metapedia, and at Rivlere du Loup
TITLES.
The question of titles and precedence is
one Of immense consequence to our Canadian
neighbors. They are fond of copying in lit
tie all the ceremonial and court flummery OF
the Imperial government; and the home au-
thories encourage them in so doing. Ac-
cordingly the Colonial Secretary writes to
Lord Monck that "Her Majesty has been
pleased to approve of the adoption of the
following regulations:
1st. The Governor General of Canada, to
be styled "His Excellency."
I'd. The Lieutenant Governors of Prov
inces to be styled "His Honour"
Sd. The Privy Councillors of Canada to
be styled "Honourable," and for life.
4th. Senators of Canada to be "Honoura-
ble." but only during office.
9TH. Executive Councillors of the Prov
inoes to be styled "Honourable," but only
while in Office.
9th. Legislative Councillors in the Prov
inces not in future to have that title, but
gentlemen who were Legislative Councillors
at the time of the Union to retain the title
of honour for life.
7th. The President of the Legislative
Council in the Province to be styled Hon
Durable" during office.
Sth. The Speaker of the House of Assem-
bly, in the Provinces to be styled "Honoura-
BILE" during Office.
1t must be great satisfaction to the good
people of Canada TO have this important
matter authoritatively settled. Americans
are accused of being fond of titles but we
suspect there are few among us to whom this
sort of thing will not seem matter for laugh
ter.
NOVA SCOTIA.
Affairs in Nova Scotia remain very nearly
in statu quo. In the House of Assembly,
the other day, the Attorney General made
speech explaining the policy OF the govern
ment. Referring to ithe proposed ''concilia-.
ton" policy OF the Canadians, he said the
first step in that direction would be for them
to offer to reconstruct the Senate on the just
basis ofthe United States Senate, lin which
every State has an equal representation, and
then it must be understood that the men Sc
lected to represent Nova Scotia in the Cana
dian Parliament must be appointed by the
people and not by the Canadian Government
At the close of his speech he submitted to
the House Minute of the Executive Coun-
Gil forwarded through the Lieutenant Gov
ernor TO the Imperial Government, replying
to the statements and arguments of the
Duke of Buckingham aud other defenders of
Confederation. The concluding portion of