Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-01-18

tcnance would have 10 be assumed. and
some Of them are so inferior n 10 require
replacement by larger and better works
The relation Of the Dominion government
to its railways is extraordinarily heteroge.
neous. Nearly all Of them have been ,lb.i-
died or assisted, and several are owned bv
the government Whether they are self
supporting or an annual tax they are sure
ly source of vocation to be- dreaded in
their administration and of probable fnan.
cial deficits.
CANADA's BIC DEBT.
The public debt Of the Canadian Oomin-
ion, however formidable, would have to be
paid or assumed by the United States in
case Of political union. Its present
amount in proportion to population is moro
tHan three times a. much as chat OF the
United States, and the latter is being rap
idly reduced. while that Of the Dominion for
the last 20 years has steadily increased in
every year except two Assuming the pom
ulation of Canada in round numbers to he
600 600 and ours 81 0OO, coo. our public
dcbt should be IS times as much as That Of
the Dominion but their debt is 1913. 1877
626, less i ,9T3, Up assets leaving a net
debt of 1927 ,3l3,91 and our debt less cash
on hand, is 81, 1871 300, 036. To eauaIize the
debts, that of the Dominion should not be
over 80. 00O. 600, or that Of the United
States not less than 3d. 632 600 600 I'm
doubtedly the heavy burden ol the Dominion
can be moro safely borne 10y the United
States. but the load is far from being at
tructive.
Some Of the loans Of the Canadian Domin-
ion have been guaranteed by the imperial
government. and the larger part OF their
public debJ is payable in London in 1905,
/ 1905 and 1913, involving a semi annual ex-
/ port Of gold. Before Great Britain would
| be willing 10 renounce her supremacy, it
would be very natural for her - wait until
relieved from all these Obligations
We do rot need the Canadian Dominion
as plat- OF refuge for redundant popula-
ton We do not need it for the purpose Of
enrolling their Young men in our army. We
do not need it tor the purpose Of increasing
our revenue, and ii We did the balance
would be found ON the other side OF the ac-
count.
The several Canadian provinces, by union
with the United States. would become the
youngest Of our si,torhood Of States. de
manding and commanding our affe,t!onate
attention, in such appropriations as older
states have reCeivad for internal improve
ments of their numherless rivers and mar
bplS, lDI puDilt bulHlnSS, anu Tor all the cN'
lenditnres where our national government
has been accustomed to bear the burden.
No just demands in these respects could he
refused, and in an era of good feeling the
increased national expenditures mi ght he
prodigal rather than economical The idea
that the Canadas would be an acquisition OF
national wealth must be summarily dis
missed
reciprocity treaty or commercial union
wsth the Canadian Dominion, were it posi-
ble to set aside all constitutional inhibitions
would be- as heretofore, unequal and disas-
trous to the materials interests and general
welfare OF the United States aud uusup-
ported even by the greed of gain OF any
nobler sentiment. Our capital and popua-
ton so much exceed those of the Dominion
that any fair and equal reciprocity OF part
nership is impossible Then, with 50 many
drawbacks and hndrances, why should We
have any desire to promote a greater
: measure, which includes all the lesser, OF q
political union