The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-10

Of = useless and expensive legislative branch known
Is the hegssse Council Sa was plainly expressed
praying for It's abolition. were presented. The
presence Of . body which is to be considered as q
mild copy OF the British House OF Peers In repub-
lican province like Quebec-in poor province like
Quepec-is simply absurd. During the past session
Gil merely met to congratulate themselves on the
lovely state OF things and adjourn.
THE ELECTORAL LAWS
certainly DO need Improvement, both In the Do
mnion and the provinces. The crop OF contested
elections coming up after each general voting IS
Cost to the country. The reduction OF the indem-
nity to members was sought for last year In the
local HOUSE py blll brought In 0y the opposlton'
but thrown out by the vote of the governments ma
l0rity, who could not afford TO work for the coun-
trys good on cheap scale OF pay, even considering
The civil service in Ottawa might be probably
reio n, ID Quebec economy prevails, and no
ouL detriment TO the service.
The administration OF justice needs thorough
reform. Continually Is the Attorney General tn
kering at the statutes, and the pubic complaints
are loud and frequent Confident in his own
attempt made In the House to introduce an ame-
liatory measure, and SO things progress.
THE PROVINCIAL POLICE SYSTEM
Is mighty engine OF intimidation III the hands Of
the g0vernment; but It's municipal and local work
Is well done IN Quebec al least The force here Is
superior to that IN Montreal where the Corpora
ton OF the city control the police. The educational
laws could be Improved; but they are founded ON o
practical scientific teaching are not as generally
forwarded az We could wish but the government
promises ameli0ratl0n. The item No. Ii Is Tor the
the payment by the Dominion VI the surplus debt
OF tine old province OF Canada, charged TO the prov.
lnces OF Quebec ana Ontario is devised 10 get over
the arbitration difficulty, and meets with pretty
general appreciation. Anything which would pro-
vide an Improvement on the present unsatisfactory
state OF things would be welcome.
NATURAL DEATH OF THE MILITIA SYSTEM.
The reorganization or the militia ID demanded,
with more force. perhaps, than Is necessary. The
terms used by the new party would lead us TO sup
pose that the militia will be put ON the footing or
voluntary pOice to preserve internal order; but
such Q move could not meet win general approba-
ton. In fact the militia system OF Canada Is dying
o natural death, and all The dominion government
can do, IN the way OF military schools and perma-
nent forces, Will not make men willing 10 join the
force or reluctant to leave It, The administration
OF sir George Cartier has not been productive OF
successful results-at any rate, the militia system
proves failure, and the national party do not seem
TO propose suCn reform as may tend TO efficacy.
The amount OF public money annually spent on
military account Is something enormous; the
amount OF GOOD to the country obtained therefr0m
Is absolutely NIL.
THE BEST PLANK IN THE PLATFORM
means OF internal communication for the diversion
OF The Western trade by way Of the st. Lawrence.
This means the extension and Improvement Of the
canal system, at great deal OF expense; but the
people are willing to bear expense when they see
the possibility OF any practical good resulting there
frOm-more caEal and railway, less military pomp
on q small scale of show and a large scale OF ex-
pense, fewer welipaid sinecures and more hard
working men.