The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-05-28
D0miniOn Policy

The inducements that the present Domin-
ion government has held out to Manitoba.
Prince Edward Island and other OUTLYING
British provinces, indicate that it is exceed
ingly ambitious if not anxious to enlarge its
borders. This fact is clearly illustrated in
the recent covenant made with Prince Ed
ward Island by which it was induced to en-
ter the confederation. By its provisions that
province is authorized to contract a debt OF
S4,10l ,OoO, or $50 head for its population'
on which the Dominion is to pay the interest.
1.-THE province does not contract such deot'
1t is to have the interest on that sum ae I'VE
per cent for whatever purpose it pleases. In
addition to this the Dominion practically
purchases the lands of large proprletors on
the Island and give them to the local or pro-
yincial government; and further for the trans
fer to the Dominion of the right Of taxation,
$50 900 annually is to be paid the Island for
the support of the local government in addi-
ton to an annual grant of eighty cents a
head of its population until the same shall
reach 100000. The Dominion also assumes
the salaries of the governor, the supreme and
county courts, and provides for the mainte-
nance of its postal department, fisheries, mi
lita, light houses, penitentiary and an efii-
Gent steam service between the island and
the main land. The railways under construc-
ton are to become the property of the Do
minion.
Such are the inducements that Sir John A.
MacIonald's government had to offer to WOO
the little province of Prince Edward, an is
land of l ,250, 900 acres of which 100000 acres
belong to persons living in England and
which it has agreed to purchase as above
stated. The government ought to expect
that the six votes it has given to the Island
in the Dominion parliament, would be on its
side of the chamber from mere gratitude.
To pacify New Brunswick and secure her
ment or government has just voted her an
annuity of $150.e00. which, with the Prince
Edward Island transaction will have the
effect, says Mr.. Cartwright, member
of the House, to run the public debt
of the Dominion up to $3.50, 900.
The revenue of the country is estimated at
$1S,OOO,O 900, the postal deficiency and cost of
collection deducted therefrom, leaves $16,-
100000 as the net income. Taking there
from $S,000,000 for interest CT the public
debt, 100000 for subsidies for the provn-
ces, but s., 100000 remains to meet the ordi
nary expenses of the government. The old
provinces, which are not increasing in popu-
lation will have to bear the burden of this
debt in addition to present heavy municipal
debts.
Notwithstanding the great prosperity Of
the Dominion the past three years, the cen
sus discloses the fact that no less than 4S9, 900
Canadians have emigrated to the United
States. A few years of poor harvests or any
general depression of her industries, in view
of the fast increasing taxation, it is predicted
by prominent gentlemen of the opposition,
will surely involve the country in great diff
Guilty if not in financial ruin.
Whether the fears of the opponents of Sir
John A. Mlcdonald's government are real or
imaginary, the simple fact that the country
is being loaded down with public debt as
large per capita as that of Great Britain, in
time of peace, is not an encouraging one
and the plea that the expenditure has been
made largely to build railroads, canals and
similar improvements, in view of the results
in other countries and states will hardly JUS
tifv IT,