New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-17

organized his Government by selecting his executive
and legislative council Strictly speaking. the pres
ent celebration belongs to Kingston. one hundred
years ago smcoe had never seen the Niagara
though he had designated Newark now the town OF
Nlagara) his future capital. lie set out Tor IL
from Kingston, with fleet OF small boats July III
and some days later made his headquarters above
at Navy Hall. Before he took possession. II had
been used for housing Government stores for use
I'm the lake navy Navy Hall Is mentioned In British
military reports rs early 1888. and 1t was prob
ably built In that year. The main building Is sald 10
have been burned in 1873 likely by the Ameri-
cans But here. In september, 1112, the hrst ITO
vncal Assembly Of Upper Canada was held, ana IL
continued to be- the legislative hall Of the Province
until 1892. when the seat OF government was moved 10
NoIl, now Toronto.
There is story that this first assembly was held In
the open air under the the Navy Hall. The
great willow shown at the left in the picture was
probably making shade 100 years ago, but 1t IS not
likely that II sheltered the hist assembly. because
Navy Hall originally under Fort George and near
the river blnk. years when work for pro
posed railroad (Which came t. naugh) changing the
cc Of things along the river bank this sole remaining
portion II Ontario, fir, Parliament House carefully
moved TO present site. II belongs 10 the Govern
mont At one time. and that since snrocs time. 1t
Wa, put to uumportant uses but II is empty now,
It's doors made FIST ard close approach made embarras-
| y "a
honor however and the people whom it has sheltered
among them United States Commissioners Randolph.
ricken and Lincoln, the great chief Brant and the
Duke de la Rochcoucauld Lancourtentltle IL 10 mod
crn respect and preservation. The Duke was Gov
crnor Smcoes guest n Navy Hall for weeks in
l79j and I'm his Travels has given long account Of
the ceremony observed the sitting of Parliament.
and also II grand fcte held at Navy Hall In honor Of
King Georges birthday.
The first Act passed by TIT, first Legislature in Sop
tcmber I792 made provision for the Introduction Of
English law I'm the Province. thus supcr>etlug the old
laws Of Cnnada founded on the French civil law. The
second Act established trial by jury. There but
eight acts passed at the session. all as may be i'm
| agincd, OF a highly practical character.
At Yesterdays celebration at Niagara Lieutenant
Governor Kirkpatrick read the proclamation and other
documents connected with the opening of the first
Parliament, and the anniversary will be still further
celebrated by the striking Of II bronze medal about
| | IS inches In diameter. bearing on Its diverse
the head Of ,mcoc and on the reverse this legend:
Representative System Proclaimed,
Kingston. July lG 1892.
First Parliament Assembled.
Niagara. september II. 1892.
The Ontario Government appropriated 1900 to-
ward the expense of the cceDrdtiOn which was Of
special importance to Canada for reasons pointed out
by the Memorial Committcc:
The act called the canadian Constitutional act,
passed by the Imperial Parliament in 1891, created
out Of the territory heretofore administered under the
Quebec act, the two Provinces Of Upper and
Lower Canada, aud endowed them with representa-
tive Institutions. obviously the occasion is not of
merely local If provincial interest but equally de-
serves the attention OF the whole Of confederated
Dominion. Moreover, the constitution marked
"A stage in the history Of the English colonial empire.
IL was not only an incident Of local history, but a
political event OF general Importance Although
before 1901 the people of Nova scotia had established
for themselves the right 10 hold representative as
sembly yet that right was still. like the privileges
OF the former New England colonies. incident grow
ing out Of "A Royal CHARTER. The Canadian Constitu-
sentative Colonial Constitution guaranteed by act OF
the Imperial Parliament BY 1t. for the first time,
lie Commons OF England conClusively recognized the
citizenship and the co-equa rights OF their fellow
subjects IN the colonies II secured the broad foun-
dalton upon which the great modern union OF British
nations now stunds-al loyal to the Crown, but
each i'm respect of its internal affairs being virtually
Independent OF any legislature except its Look
ing mt the consequences that have followed the long
continuance and great promise of the Empire that
has grown up the summouing century ago OF the
first Parliament elected under the Constitution OF 1901
has a significance, not only in the history OF the
dominion but In the progress and political prospects
of the modern world"