The Portland daily press., 1869-05-19

PORTLAND
Wednesday Morning, May 10, 1869.


There is little to write conuesn;no Domin-
ion matters. The past week has been a still
one, and with one or two exceptions it has
passed without the occurrence of anything
worthy OF note. The "war feeling" CT rath-
er the new interest which came of the Alaba-
ma question in consequence of Mr.. Summers
speech, does not seem to take a very deep
mold upon the people. They talk about re-
sistance to the American idea, but we fancy
that they have not a very deep fear of that
idea" or that they have made up their minds
that serious trolbles are to come to England,
or to us. All the newspapers show signs of
general thrift, and the st. John journals are
especially crowded with advertising. 1he
usual sparring is kept up between the Globe
and Its contemporaries, on the annexation
question, and while its warfare is UNEQUAL in
numbers the Globe maintains its accustomed
vigor and ability. The fact is, that while
there is deep seated feeling in favorof annex
alton some time, only few people are ready
to urge it now. They await new events
One is decrease in our national debt, and
the other is experience with the Dominion
Government to the extent of giving it air
trial This latter is sturdy and honorable
instinct in our neishbors and we heartily re-
spect them for it.
The finance exhibit of Mr.. Rose is rose
colored by some OF the newspapers. We CAN
not extract so happy conclusions as some Of
the Provincial people do, and we cannot help
predicting that they will soon see that they
have got an awlully expensive government.
Asto Legislative affairs we note but few
new things. The agitation of the Salary
question is about over, ana the prop osition
to fix the pay of the Governor General at
$4,000 instead of $50, 900 has been reported
against.
The Insolvent Bill, the plan of which is
something like our own general laws on the
.subjec- had passed to second reading in the
Commons. The passage OF this law would
make great changes in the business of the
Provinces and we believe would result in
much good.
Nova Scotia which has "stood out" so long
against confederation has announced policy
that looks more like peace and submission,
following the lead OF Mr. Howe, who no doubt
has brought some good practical results to
his people. The following is the text of the
"policy" as officially announced:
First, They accept the terms agreed upon
by Messrs. Howe and McLelan as an install
ment OF what is due to Nova Scotia, with the
right to- demand such further amount annu-
ally as can be shown the Province is Justly
entitled to.
Second, That Nova Scotia and New Bruins
wick be considered as an unit, and have the
same representation as Quebec, viz: Sixty
two members.
Third, That the Local instead Of the Do
minion government have the appointment
of Senators.
Fourth, That no change or modification Of
the Constitution be accepted until submitted
to, and approved by the people.
The government organs call this backing
out, and the ants call it letting the govern
ment down very easilyl Surely both OF these
opinions are very liberal constructions. To
us it seems an honorable compromise or av-
erage OF opinion and not inconsistent with
the transi:ory state of Dominion politics.
The Toronto Globe, revives the business oil
the last few months and concludes that every
thing betokens prosperity and happiness to
the Provinces and rather pities all the rest Of
mankind, which is highly patriotic and graft
tying even to us who are left out in the cold