Augustus F. Goodridge
Encyclopedia
Augustus Frederick Goodridge (1839 – February 16, 1920) was a Newfoundland merchant and politician. Born in Devon
, Goodridge arrived in Newfoundland when he was 13 and worked in his father's business and later became a fish merchant in St. John's
. A Conservative, he was first elected to the House of Assembly
in 1880 becoming leader of the Conservatives in 1884. From 1885-1889 he served in the conservative Protestant Reform Party government of Sir Robert Thorburn
. The Reform Party collapsed and Thorburn went into opposition as leader of the new Tory Party.
Goodridge's Tories lost the 1893 election to the Liberals led by Sir William Whiteway
. However, the Tories complained that Whiteway's Liberals had promised jobs to Newfoundlanders who voted for him and filed petitions in the Supreme Court
under the Corrupt Practices Act against fifteen Liberal members of the House alleging bribery and corruption. The members were tried and found guilty and their seats were declared vacant.
In April 1894, in the midsts of the trials, Whiteway attempted to dissolve the House of Assembly
and call new elections. Instead, Governor
Sir Arthur Murray
refused Whiteway's requested and instead appointed Goodridge as the new Premier despite the fact that Goodridge's Tories were outnumbered by Liberals in the House of Assembly
. In order to prevent the Tories from being defeated by a Motion of No Confidence
, Murray repeatedly prorogued the House before a vote could be held. Regardless of this assistance by the governor, Goodridge's Tory
Party government was short lived due to a mounting political and economic crisis and resigned on December 12, 1894 after the collapse of two banks.
Goodridge lost his seat in the 1904 election. A few years later he was appointed to the Legislative Council
(Newfoundland's upper house
) by Prime Minister Edward Patrick Morris.
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, Goodridge arrived in Newfoundland when he was 13 and worked in his father's business and later became a fish merchant in St. John's
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
. A Conservative, he was first elected to the House of Assembly
House of Assembly
House of Assembly is a name given to the legislature or lower house of a bicameral parliament. In some countries this may be at a subnational level....
in 1880 becoming leader of the Conservatives in 1884. From 1885-1889 he served in the conservative Protestant Reform Party government of Sir Robert Thorburn
Robert Thorburn
Sir Robert Thorburn was a Newfoundland merchant and politician who served as the colony's Premier from 1885 to 1889.Born in Scotland, Thorburn emigrated to Newfoundland in 1852 when he was sixteen...
. The Reform Party collapsed and Thorburn went into opposition as leader of the new Tory Party.
Goodridge's Tories lost the 1893 election to the Liberals led by Sir William Whiteway
William Whiteway
Sir William Vallance Whiteway, QC KCMG was a politician and three time Premier of Newfoundland. Born in England, Whiteway emigrated to the island in 1843 and entered the law in 1852. In 1859 he was elected to the House of Assembly as a member of the Conservative Party of Newfoundland and became a...
. However, the Tories complained that Whiteway's Liberals had promised jobs to Newfoundlanders who voted for him and filed petitions in the Supreme Court
Supreme Court of Canada
The Supreme Court of Canada is the highest court of Canada and is the final court of appeals in the Canadian justice system. The court grants permission to between 40 and 75 litigants each year to appeal decisions rendered by provincial, territorial and federal appellate courts, and its decisions...
under the Corrupt Practices Act against fifteen Liberal members of the House alleging bribery and corruption. The members were tried and found guilty and their seats were declared vacant.
In April 1894, in the midsts of the trials, Whiteway attempted to dissolve the House of Assembly
House of Assembly
House of Assembly is a name given to the legislature or lower house of a bicameral parliament. In some countries this may be at a subnational level....
and call new elections. Instead, Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
Sir Arthur Murray
Arthur Murray
Arthur Murray was a dance instructor and businessman, whose name is most often associated with the dance studio chain that bears his name....
refused Whiteway's requested and instead appointed Goodridge as the new Premier despite the fact that Goodridge's Tories were outnumbered by Liberals in the House of Assembly
House of Assembly
House of Assembly is a name given to the legislature or lower house of a bicameral parliament. In some countries this may be at a subnational level....
. In order to prevent the Tories from being defeated by a Motion of No Confidence
Motion of no confidence
A motion of no confidence is a parliamentary motion whose passing would demonstrate to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence in the appointed government.-Overview:Typically, when a parliament passes a vote of no...
, Murray repeatedly prorogued the House before a vote could be held. Regardless of this assistance by the governor, Goodridge's Tory
Tory
Toryism is a traditionalist and conservative political philosophy which grew out of the Cavalier faction in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. It is a prominent ideology in the politics of the United Kingdom, but also features in parts of The Commonwealth, particularly in Canada...
Party government was short lived due to a mounting political and economic crisis and resigned on December 12, 1894 after the collapse of two banks.
Goodridge lost his seat in the 1904 election. A few years later he was appointed to the Legislative Council
Legislative Council of Newfoundland
The Legislative Council of Newfoundland was established in 1854 when the British Government granted a new constitution to Newfoundland establishing an Executive Council of not more than seven members of the majority party and a Legislative Council of not more than 15 members upon nomination of the...
(Newfoundland's upper house
Upper house
An upper house, often called a senate, is one of two chambers of a bicameral legislature, the other chamber being the lower house; a legislature composed of only one house is described as unicameral.- Possible specific characteristics :...
) by Prime Minister Edward Patrick Morris.