The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-03
CANADIAN PARLIAMENT.
Opening Of the Session That Must
Consider the Manitoba Question.

OTTAWA, Ontario, Jan. 2.-What prom
ises to be the most important session OF
the Canadian Parliament since 1861, when
the provinces were confederated, opened to-
day. On the question of schools in Mani
toba the government is so seriously divided
as to jeOpardize its stability. In 1890 the
Legislature OF Manitoba passed a bill abol-
ishing separate schools for Catholic chill
dren. The hierarchy Of the province ap-
pealed against the bill to the Imperial Privy
Council. the highest court in the British
empire. The Privy Council decided that the
Legislature of Manitoba was acting within
its rights in passing the bill for the abol-
IShment OF separate schools, but last winter
another appeal was taken on the 81 ound
that certain rights held by the province
at the time of it's entering the Dominion
confederation had been violated. This ap-
peal resulted in the Imperial Privy Council
leaving discretionary power with the Domn-
Ion government to aid the Manitoba Cath
oltcs. III is on this question that the fate of
the present Conservative government
hinges Ontario members who represent
Protestant constituencies, and of whom
there are nlnety-two, cannot vote for the
establishment of separate schools and be
reelected. In the last four by-elections
three opposition candidates have been re-
turned. and, as indications show, the gov
eminent will be defeated in the House the
coming session If they carry out their
sede the Manitoba Legislatures act. and
that Will re-establiSh Roman Catholic
SCHOOLS. Inc population or MANITOBA is
100000. Of whom only 10000 are Roman Cath
olics.
The opening OF Parliament this afternoon
was purely formal, the proceedings COM
prising the reading of the speech from the
throne of the Governor-genera and mo-
lions in the House of Commons and Sem
ate. adjourning until Tuesday next The
speech from the throne briefly mentioned
the question of passing a federal law re-
establishing separate schools in Manitoba,
His Excollency stating that Premier Green
way, of Manitoba, had declined to do any,
thing to provide for the re-establishment
of separate schools when called upon to
do so by the Dominion government and that
the Federal Parliament would be asked to
pass a bill to that end. The speech also
referred TO the proposed fast Atlantic
steamship line between the United Kingdom
and Canada. and expressed the hope that
the final arrangements would be soon CON-
pleted With reference to Pacific cable to
connect Canada with Australasia, the
speech expressed great satisfaction with
the steps being taken TO that end. Con-
tinuing the speech said: your attention
will be asked TO measures intended to pro-
vide for the better arning of militia
and the strengthening of the Canadian de-
fenSes. Il am happy to be able to inform
you that the commissioners appointed by
Great Britain and the United States for
the purpose OF determining the boundary
between Alaska and Canada have concluded
their labors and have signed a joint re-
port for presentation to the respective
governments. This report viii be laid be-
foro Parliament in due time"