The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 47
Provincial Self-Government
Provincial Self-Government.
The old system of government has been quite done away with. There is now one Legislative Chamber only—elected for four years by the voters—three, or not more than five of its members form the "responsible advisers" or "ministry" of the Lieutenant-Governor—hold office while they have the confidence of a majority of the chamber—municipal councils are steppingstones to Legislative Assembly—no social obstacles whatsoever in any man's way—nobody asks where a settler comes from, nor whose son he is. Among measures passed last year were the Qualification of Voters Bill, which invites every bonâ fide resident British subject to take an active part in the great work of self-government; the School Bill, which places a free education within reach of every child in the land; the Municipal Bill, which enables every settlement to manage its own local affairs, and thus educate the people in the art of self-government; the Inheritance Bill, which divides equally amongst the children or nearest of kin the property of persons dying intestate; the Road Tolls Repeal Bill, which throws open, free as the high seas to all comers, the main trunk road of the Province.
The political constitution of the province, as part of the great Dominion of Canada, is impressed with the stability of the British system of government, combined with the freedom, elasticity, and progressive energy of Republican institutions.
The people of the Province may amend or alter their political constitution in any way not inconsistent with the general constitution of the Dominion of Canada.