Saskatchewan Herald
4/12/1880
Administration of the North-West Territories
A meeting was called on the evening of the 23rd of February to petition the Government at Ottawa not to abolish our present system of government. Lawrence Clarke, Esq., was called to the chair, and explained the object of the meeting. I was glad to see the wise remarks you made in your editorial of the 29th of February, and the majority of the people at the meeting thought with you. An attempt was made by some parties to turn the meeting into a political one, but was promptly quashed by the chairman. It would have been disastrous to the object of the meeting and to the good feeling prevailing among the inhabitants had the attempt been a success.
An individual thinking to "take time by the forelock" came to the front with a speech evidently prepared for the occasion, but it did not seem to make too much impression upon those present, who proved themselves to be the "wise men" he was pleased to call them on that occasion by giving very little heed to his harangue. However, it is not always the fastest horse that wins the race; and so it proved on this occasion. The gentleman in question wished to memorialize Sir John A. Macdonald, but the meeting thought otherwise. As a bit of fine composition the memorial was all that any one could desire, but it was like the picture of a loaf to a famished man- it was of no service as regarded the object of the meeting, and just left the matter to the "consummate wisdom" of Sir John.
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A petition- the same as appeared in your columns on the 29th February- was then submitted by the chairman and was signed by nearly all present; and all were satisfied that it was the more likely to do something towards accomplishing the ends for which the meeting was called. I hope the people of Prince Albert are not going to allow themselves to be led by the ear to do whatever they may be asked to do by any man without giving the matter due consideration. It is very doubtful whether any good would be accomplished to the Territories as a whole by doing away with the local administrative machinery; but it is certain it would work to ruin many families here, while perhaps one or two advocates of the scheme might batten the glory over the miseries of others. I might be bold to say the originators of the scheme are in our midst, and I need not say that personal ends are what they are intent upon and not the good of the country.
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Prince Albert, March 8
Duck Lake
Reported to the Herald
It affords me pleasure to give you the particulars of a meeting held by the inhabitants of Duck Lake on the 23rd inst., to protest against the design attributed to the authorities at Ottawa, of abolishing the present system of local government in the Territories.
The earnestness of their feelings when made aware of this intended scheme, and the unanimous readiness with which they have signed the petition protesting against it, shows that they are fully aware of the importance of maintaining our present Territorial Government.
The meeting was called by the Rev Father Andre, and despite the rough roads and weather, which prevented some from being present, it was numerously attended. In his opening address the Rev. Father, after having explained to his people the reason for which they had been invited to assemble together, continued, and showed the severe blow which the prosperity of the country would receive should such a design be carried out. Every one was aware of the want of a local government in the country, and it was a matter of congratulation to all to see the good already accomplished by the present Council, though the means placed at its disposal were small. Their acts so far had been marked by the greatest impartiality towards all, irrespective of religion, or nationality. As settlements were rapidly rising throughout the Territories the necessity for such a local administration would be felt more and more. It would be unpatriotic to allow an attempt to be made to abolish the Territorial Government without an energetic protest. Before long this, together with several other settlements, would be entitled to representation to the Council at Battleford; then the Council would be in a better position to speak in the name of the people, to press their wants and remedy their grievances at Ottawa.
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Why this cry against the expenses in connection with the maintenance of our Council? If the Dominion can hopefully look in the future to becoming a great and prosperous nation, she will owe it to the acquisition of the North-West. The Territories are called to play a chief part in the building of our Dominion. Why, then, should the Federal Government desire to deprive us of the administration of our own local affairs? Should they not, on the contrary, widen the basis of the Council, according to the wants of the country? And instead of grudging us the few paltry thousands of dollars necessary to carry on the present machinery, the country is entitled to a more liberal allowance for the opening up of its roads and the establishment of its schools.
Mr. Thibaudeau next spoke. He said he would heartily sign the petition, because he would feel very sorry to see the present Council abolished. It would be felt as an insult throughout the country if the report should prove to be true that the local government was to be placed under the authority of the Indian Commissioner. They were white people and desired to be treated as such. The Lieutenant-Governor had the confidence of them all, and if he and his Council had not done more for the country, the cause lay in the limited means placed in their hands by the Dominion Government.
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Mr. Arcan said the other rumor purporting to place the administration of this country under the Lieutenant-Governor of Manitoba was most objectionable. The Territories were assuredly large enough, and with more than sufficient population to entitle them to a local Government. British Columbia, with a smaller population and but half the importance of the Territories, was drawing yearly large sums of money from the Dominion funds, and no one was thinking of depriving her of her local Government. He would support the petition and protest most strongly against the abolition of the North-West Council.
Mr. Abraham Montour, though in favour of maintaining a Council in the Territories, said he would not sign the petition. Several other petitions had already been forwarded to Ottawa setting forth the rights and certain wants of the Half-breed element throughout the Territories, and the action of the Government was still to be learned. He feared the present petition would receive similar treatment.
Mr. Pascal Montour said he was just from Battleford, and was happy to see that the country had a resident Lieutenant-Governor with a Council, and would energetically protest against their being withdrawn.
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The petition was then circulated and enthusiastically signed by upwards of a hundred persons who had come to the meeting.
At St. Laurent a meeting was also held on that same night, and the Rev. Father Fourmond conveys the information that the people there showed similar indignation at the rumored intended abolition of the Government in the Territories, and their protest was equally as strong against its being abolished.
In these two settlements, all of the people present at the meetings, with the exception of seven, signed the petition.
The petition is now on its way to Ottawa, and it is to be hoped that the Government will not so far disregard the feelings of the people of the country as to perpetrate an act which some of its ill-advised supporters would like them to do.
Duck Lake, February 23.