The Portland daily press., 1889-04-09
NO MONEY IN THE TREASURY.
The latest Phase OF the Jesuit
Question In Quebec.


NEW YORK, April s.-The Tribune prints
the following special despatch:
OTTAWA, April THE government has
learned through Mr.. Mercier, Premier Of
Quebec, that the Provincial treasury 4
absolutely empty. The Federal parliament
having refused to indorse the Protestant
proposal to disallow the Jesuits' estates act
IL VIII be necessary In a short time 10 pro-
cure somewhere or other the 100000 to be
handed over under that world-famed measure
to the Jesuits and other Roman Catholic
bodies in the Province. and placed at the dis
posal Of the Pope. In the depleted state Of
the treasury the Premier proposed 10 raise
the money by public loan. Under the laws
OF the country this would require an act OF
the legislature, and the act must be signed
by the Lieutenant-G0yernor OF the Province,
VINO has the veto power. Now II can be
stated on excellent authority that the
Lleutenant-Governor has not only made up
MS mind 10 veto this bill when presented 10
MIN, but has so advised the Premier.
When this becomes known II will create a
sensation. The Protestants have been or
ganizing and frettlng and resolving on the
assumption that the government has sold me
country 70 the Pope and the French Cana
ulans, and now II will happen that loyal
son 81 the church. who Is a French Canadian
700 mas done what all the Protestants Of the
country could not do. namely, blocked Ihe
whole thing by simply refusing 10 sign the
Dill, and that on constitutional grounds. He
VIII not sign the bill because be cannot do
50 without violation Of duty.
The powers Of the legislature 10 vote
money are rigidly restricted. Ths Conner
satlon Of the Jesuits Is not among the pur-
poses for which the public credit can be
pledged, or the public treasury drawn on.
Al. Inc Jesuits. ior whose exclusive benefit
the act was passed, and who were the chief
movers In the matter. find themselves quiet
ly put aside when 1t comes to the appoTtiOn-
ment OF the grant The act left the dispOsi-
tion OF the fund in the hands Of the Pope,
and the Holy Father has decided that only
Sl60.0OO out OF the S4OO,0O0 is 10 20 20 the
Jesuits, the remainder being divided among
the ecclesiastical and scholastic institutions
and bishops. The award, however wise and
Just IL may be, has aroused strong feeling
and subjected every act Of the government
10 the seyerest scrutiny. Even II the lieu
tenant governor was willing to run the risk
ana incur the 0dium OF signing the bill 10
raise the S4OO,0 which he Is not, he would
not be permitted TO do so as long as there re-
mained the slightest shred Of illegality to be
The Premier OF Quebec, whose chief glory
IN the eyes OF the masses Of the proviRce Is
the passage Of the Jesuits estates act Ia the
teeth OF Protestant opposition, Is the leader
9i the Liberal party Of the province. The
position In the Dominion Parliament. The
situation Is equivalent 10 Democratic ma
Jority ruling In New York or Massachusetts,,
with Republican President and Republi-
can can majority In both houses at Washington.
The Lieutenant Governor OF Quebec, how
ever, Is Conservative, and strong one. He
is, therefore, opposed to the Premier and the
party In power at Quebec, and In sympathy
with the Premier and the party in power at
Ottawa.
The situation Is, undenlably, one OF the
most complicated on record. and its develop
ment will be watched with deep interest by
students Of social, political and rellgo ns
struggles.
An Arab Invention.
BRUSSELS, April s.-A despatch from
Zanzibar to theIndependenee Beige says the
rumor that Stanley and Emin Pasha were
marching in the direction of Zanzibar was
an Arab invention.
Cholera Among homeless Thous-
ands.
LONDON, April s.-News from India says
1900 persons have been rendered homeless
by great Ere at Surat. To add to the pre-:
yailing distress, cholera has broken out In
the town.
The Straits OF Canso Open.
HALIFAX, April S.-The first vessel
through the Strait Of Canso this season was
the Gloucester schooner Rush, which went
north yesterday.
Foreign Notes.
1t Is reported In Paris that the Belgian au-
thorities have notified Gen. Boulanger to
leave Belgium, and that he will go TO Bright
on, England, tomorrow.
The army bill has passed its third reading
| in the upper house Of the Austrian diet.
The Amer Of Bokhara Is about to send
| his son to Russia to be educated.
| Rev. Benjamin Hall Kennedy, professor
| OF Greek at Cambridge and a member Of the
university council Is dead.
DIR. Won Maybach has withdrawn his re-
| signation from the Office Of Prussian minis
| ter Of public works.
The message Ofthe Duke Of Nassau ac-
| cepting the regency Of the Duehy Of Luxem-
| burg, was read In the Chamber Of Deputies
/ yesterday. The Chamber unanimously re-
| solved to assent to the regency.
In the House Of Commons yesterday, the
| Canadian debt consolidation bill was read q
third time and passed without opposition