The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-10-15
TRoUBLE ~ THE DOMINION
The People Of vsncouver's Island Determined
on Secossion-Their Grievances.

rom me ~, LONts IfbhONcdH Olh ~
Mr. NJ. X. Lazier Of the Lazier WOollen
Mills, Belleyilie, Canada, Is at tue Laclede, on
his return from California. He 10 most intelli-
gent Canadian politician, AMI having been on
visit Mt NanCouvers Island at the time Lord
Dunerin the Governor General, was there, he IL
able to give full particulars of the troubles which
beset that portion OF the Dominion and TnlG ,n
threaten secession and snnexatton 70 Uncle
Sans dominions. When Sir John a. Macdon-
aid was the Premier OF the Dominion ana tho
leader OF the Conservatives. In order TO secure
the consent OF British Columbia TO enter the
Dominion, with the Canadas. New brunswick,
&c. he gave \ guarantee that the Pacific Rall-
road should be run through from Manitoba To
Victoria. at the foot OF Nancouvers Island, ana
10 the capital Of British Columbia IN ten years.
This guarantee secured the assent Of the
British Columbians to a confeueracy with
the Dominion. In 1874 the Conseryatives went
leader Of the Reform party called IN deIsipn
by the Conservatives the Grlts, became
Premier, and tile railroad got its quietus. Inc
tea years In which IT was guaranteed that Tue
road would he butt have nearly transpired. aud
the rond l. only completed to Fort Garry on the
ASsinihO DIN river, "A point north OF Pemuina, ana
about on line north and south with the boun-
Diary line between Dakota and Minnesota. This
leaves about I.sOJ miles still to complete,
through an unsettled country, over the Rocky
mountains, ut cost Of seventy or eighty million
dollars. a sum that the present party in power IN
the Dominion Is unwilling to expend, and which
would trouble the mother country to assume.
The Vancouver people sent committee To pre-
sent their grievances to Disraeli, but h0 was un-
able to satisfy their demands. Tue road has
hoen surveyed through. lnc country Is well
portions-and much better calculated To sup
port IA dense population than the Union Pacific
route tao States. which consists Of arid plains,
uud is at much higher and consequently colder
elevation.
Mckenzie refuses to recognize the guarantee
given bt his predecessor. and says the Govern
iuent can't stand the cost.
Mr. Lazier saws that when the Govern or Gem
cral a. ct the people OF Victoria they were IN a
frenzied state vi feeling, and treated him with
dsrespect, " not positive Insult, bN their Cldnor.
they resolved that IN case the Dominion Cow
ernment persisted in ignoring the ernarvon
settlement of the railway Obligation OF the Do
minion to British Columbia, that their repre-
sentative la the provincial Parliament shall at
the next session record their votes for the sepa-
ration of british Columbia from tire Dominion.
Mean hile the GoVernor-GenerH and party took
All excursion M the coast, ana ON their return
met the NictOIiaus somewhat more favurahiy
disposed to listen to him. lie said he did not
TOghrJ the cry for separate seri Us. aud that
II the island wished to leave the Dominion II
would not lie prevented but he warned them
that the mainland would not follow. He then
placed before them the dire consequences OF
cauit railway. but the Custom House. Post
once, and Tree Institutions, and That II would
sank them to tine position II crown colony.
line Pcuplv wcte much utsapi oiuied II the re-
rult Of the conference with tue OoNefnor-O en-
erll. aud from an extensive interview that Mr..
Ltzies had With tue people along The coast, le
SAYS there l. - serious Uncut among many OF an-
uexatiou to the United S,ates.