The more things change

An 1894 wire story:

CONGRATULATING THEMSELVES

The Newfoundland Government Formally Take Credit for the Way They Have Fixed Up the Business.

ST. JOHN'S, Nfld, Aug. 9.—The legislature closed to-day after the briefest session on record, having been open only a week. All the financial measures, revenue, supply, road loan, and bills which met with the refusal of the Whiteway government were passed. The closing ceremony was unusually impressive. In the speech from the throne, it was declared that nothing in the whole history of the colony's existence was more creditable than the promptness with which the current legislative business had been transacted. The prosperous crops and fisheries were spoken of, and the likely rapid progress in the construction of railways was commended. Regarding new legislation, the consolidation of all the systems of railways under one management was also commended; and the colonization of government lands adjacent to railways was suggested. The promotion of fish culture and the survey of the Labrador coast were advocated.