The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-03-17
SCHOOL. QUESTION
RAISES A STORM.
Feature Of Autonomy for North.
west Territories Opposed by
a Resolute Party.
Special to The Journal.

Special to The journal.
Winnipeg, Man, March 1.-THE in
PRODUCTION at Ottawa of the bills Great.
ing two new provinces out Of the pres
emit Northwest territories Of Assiniboia,
ceived turnout the country as by far the
most important piece of news for along
time.
The creation OF new provinces in the
Dominion leads to agitations not unlike
those that accompany the admission of
new states into the union, and there is
no prospect that the measures just laid
before the Canadian parliament are so
perfect as to stop that agitation, j
vote upon their constitution. That is
settled for them by the British North
America act, which defines the subjects
upon which the legislatures shall have
the power to legislate. There are some
points, however, upon which the Do
minion parliament, in creating a new.
province, has certain amount of dis
erection. In the present case the inter
esting points to be decided by the Otta-
troll of public lands, Of boundaries, the
location Of capitals and the vexed ques-
ton of separate schools. -a
dCUOAy 40 w Z 4lSG L w.
On the first two points the Laurier
government appears to have fairly met
all reasonable people, retaining the pub
lie lands, but giving ample compensation
in cash and also dealing generously
with the new provinces in the matter of
boundaries.
The action of the Canadian govern
ment in this respect is interesting to
those who are now looking to the Do
minion for cheap lands, as it insures the
continuation of the present liberal home
stead laws as well as the absence Of
taxes for the maintenance of provincial
government.
Capital Location Fights.
The choice of capitals has only been
decided in temporary manner by the
dominion government, the final choice
being left to the vote of the people of
the provinces. The skirmish for this
temporary choice, however, was very
hot in the case Of Alberta. There is an
interesting rivalry between Calgary and
Edmonton, the latter having gained
more rapidly in recent years than the
foot of the Rockies. Calgary has lost
the first round largely because it chose
to elect an opposition member at the
last election, while Edmonton, the
chosen temporary capital of Alberta,
elected an influential supporter Of the
government.
Regina is to be the temporary CAPT
tai of the province of Saskatchewan
and it could hardly be otherwise be-
the new province, but already possessed
of com plete equipment in the matter
of government buildings.
However, the rising town OF Saska
toon has announced its intention OF
putting in claim when it comes to a
vote Of the people. This town is al
ready on the new lines of the Canadian
Pacific and Canadian Northern. When
the directors Of the new Grand Trunk
S. Parent, representative Of the govern
ment on the board, q clearly indicated
l that he considered Saskatoon to be thu
coming town: !, 1t lis Situated in the cen
!. ter of a. great wheat country and viii
soon possess unsurpassed railway facili
ties. All things considered, it is prob
able that the capitals Of the new prov
inces will be located north of both Re
gina and Calgary, when the last wore
is said. 80 -
The Real Issue.
bills concerning education, Sir Wilfri,
Laurier said the problems which Nigh
arise would always "revolve within
the same well-beaten circle Of man
passions, prejudices and selfshness.
Yet the Manitoba school question KEEP
the Dominion in a turmoil for man,
years, and there are politicians VIII
are not yet disposed to let it drop
Premier Houltain Of the territories wa
would some day have a great schoo
question to settle. That day seems t.
, have come. ..p-. &s..- '-a,. 49,
The northwest territories were give
a system of separate schools by tn
Dominion government. The bills no1
before the Canadian parliament tax
away from the new provinces the RICH
to abolish those separate schools, a
tho education in general is matte
: within provincial jurisdiction.
, A prominent member Of the Calgar
: Board of Trade has declared that tn
territories would rather be deprived o
autonomy than to ;, be saddled foreve
with a system Of separate schools, an
:, there is no doubt that he is voicing tn
Question of Leadership.
The contest is likely to be the NOR
bitter because the creation of the ne'
provinces must lead to the creation Q
new political organizations.
Premier Houltain Of the territoris
legislature has governed the territorie
my on non party lines. He has been
resident of Regina for many years an
he will no doubt seek to retain tn
leadership of the, province Of Saskatcl
EVAN. But the liberals bear him
grudge since he took an active pal
against them in the federal elections
J and they will surely oppose him:
DfE "A 10 ,fo
out without political leader, unless
be that Oliver the nresent renresent.