General elections in Newfoundland (pre-Confederation)
Encyclopedia
Newfoundland
, as a British colony and dominion
, held 29 general elections for its 28 Newfoundland House of Assemblies. In 1934 the Dominion of Newfoundland
surrendered its constitution to the Crown and ceased to have a legislature in order to be ruled by London through the Commission of Government
.
The next House of Assembly was not elected until Newfoundland became the tenth province of Canada
in 1949, following the 1948 referendum
on joining Canadian confederation
.
As much information as is currently available about the dates of election, number of members returned, and the result by party, is set out below. Newfoundland's party system was subject to frequent changes so an attempt has been made to explain the relationships between the parties and some brief highlights of political events.
status in 1832 Newfoundland had no elected form of government. In the early days after discovery the island was divided into colonies and were administered by individuals authorized to govern proprietary colonies and are likewise called Proprietary governors
. The first of these were established in 1610 at Cuper’s Cove
and was governed by John Guy. Other colonies were soon established and were likewise governed by individuals with keen interest to reap the benefits to its mercantile owners in England. This type of rule had continued until 1728. From 1729 to 1817 Newfoundland was governed by non-resident naval governors. Sir Francis Pickmore
became the first resident governor. It was then established that all other governors were required to remain on the island over winter.
In 1824 when Newfoundland was granted Colonial status the then governor Sir Thomas Cochrane
appointed an advisory council without any real power. With the arrival of Dr. William Carson
to Newfoundland, who was very familiar with British constitutional law, a concerted effort was made to influenced the residents to form Representative Government. Others of prominence such as Patrick Morris
, William Thomas
, Thomas H. Brooking, Benjamin Bowring
, Charles Tricks Bowring and Henry Winton had also joined in to agitate for elected representation with power to govern. Brooking was chosen as chairman of the committee to make representation to the British Parliament in January 1832.
On 7 June 1832 a Bill to grant a Representative Assembly to Newfoundland was introduced in the British Parliament. Governor Cochrane returned to Newfoundland in August with the power to call an election and did so on 25 September 1832. However, full responsible government
would not be granted until 1855.
Party composition: Conservative 10, Liberal 5. Total Assembly membership 15.
After many years of agitation the British Parliament provided Newfoundland with a local legislature. Unfortunately the ethnic and religious disagreements in the colony, between the predominantly Irish Catholic and British Protestant inhabitants, caused the system to work even less well than in other parts of British North America
.
Party composition: Liberal 11, Conservative 4.
The elected leaders were dominated by reformers, who were mostly Catholic. The appointed Legislative Council was mostly composed of conservative Protestant merchants. However, the two Houses did not meet, when Chief Justice
Henry John Boulton
discovered some of the writs from the election were not sealed, and called another election.
Party composition: Liberal 11, Conservative 4. Total Assembly membership 15.
A new election was called by Chief Justice Henry John Boulton after he discovered some of the writs from the previous election were not sealed. This was disputed by many Reformers and many did not run for election. However, in this election the Reformers took most of the seats.
Party composition unknown. Total membership of the Consolidated Legislature 15 elected and 10 appointed members.
The experiment was tried of combining the Assembly and Council in a unicameral legislature. The British Parliament twice extended the term of this legislature. By 1847 the whole system broke down. A bicameral legislature was restored, which continued until 1932.
Party composition unknown but divided between a Liberal majority and a Conservative minority. Total Assembly membership 15.
Support grew for the introduction of a government responsible to the Assembly
, which was being introduced elsewhere in British North America about this time.
Party composition: Liberal 9, Conservative 6. Total Assembly membership 15.
The campaign for responsible government continued and was accepted by the Colonial Office
in London.
With this election, Newfoundland becomes the last British colony in North America to achieve responsible government
.
Party composition unknown but divided between a Liberal majority and a Conservative minority. Total Assembly membership 30.
The Liberal leader, Philip Francis Little
, became the first Premier of the Colony. The Liberals were a largely Catholic party, which depended on Methodist support to defeat the mostly Anglican Conservative opposition.
Little became a Judge in 1858 and the Premiership passed to an older Catholic Liberal, John Kent.
Party composition: Liberal 18, Conservative 12. Total Assembly membership 30.
Kent's government got in severe difficulties. The Methodists had begun to switch their support to the Conservatives endangering the Liberal majority.
Kent, a man with a fiery temper, was on bad terms with the Governor. In 1861 after the Premier accused the Judges of conspiring against his Government, the Governor was delighted to dismiss him.
The Conservative leader, Hugh Hoyles
, was installed as Premier. As he was in a minority in the Assembly the new Premier requested and got a dissolution.
Party composition: Conservative 15, Liberal 13, vacant 2. Total Assembly membership 30.
This was the most violent and sectarian election in Newfoundland's history. In one two member electoral district a party of voters going to the polling place were attacked. A relative of one of the candidates was shot dead. Subsequently there were riots. The returning office later gave sworn evidence that he had only returned two members due to his being threatened. A mob attacked and burnt the returning officers home, a few days later.
The Assembly decided not to seat any claimants from the disputed election, although the Conservatives won the subsequent by-election.
Shortly before the next election Hugh Hoyles
was replaced as Premier by a more conciliatory Conservative, Frederick Carter, who was anxious to reduce sectarian strife and bring some Catholics into the cabinet.
Party composition: Conservatives 22, Opposition 8. Total Assembly membership 30.
Carter did acquire some Catholic support as the old sectarian alignments broke down. The issue of whether Newfoundland should become a part of Canada caused a realignment. A new Anti-Confederation Party opposed the mostly pro-Confederation Conservatives. The next general election would decide the issue.
Party composition: Anti-Confederation 21, Conservative 9. Total Assembly membership 30.
The defeat for the Confederation cause was so complete that the Conservatives soon dropped the idea. For many years afterward being called a supporter of Confederation was a political smear.
The new Premier was Charles Fox Bennett
, a Protestant leader of a mostly Catholic party. All was well so long as the Confederation issue was still dominant, but there was always a risk of sectarian strife reappearing.
Party composition: Anti-Confederation 17, Conservative 13. Total Assembly membership 30.
The Anti-Confederates led by Charles Fox Bennett
won the election and formed the government; a "new" Conservative party led by Frederick Carter formed the opposition.
Party composition: Conservative 17, Anti-Confederation 13. Total Assembly membership 30.
The Conservatives decided that the way to win the next election was to take up sectarian issues. The tactic worked at some cost to the islands political stability. Frederick Carter defeats Fox and regains the Premiership. The party system continued to move in the direction of renewed sectarianism. The Anti-Confederation Party faded away and was replaced by a new Liberal Party, as before largely composed of Catholics.
In April 1878 Carter was replaced as Conservative Premier by William Whiteway
.
Party composition: Conservative 21, Liberal 10. Total Assembly membership 31.
Whiteway continued in office as Premier.
Party composition unknown but divided between a Conservative majority and a Liberal minority. Total Assembly membership 32.
Premier Whiteway’s support began to splinter. A New Party, based on merchant interests in the capital, broke away.
Party composition: Reform 18, Liberal 13, Independent 1. Total Assembly membership: 32
The election was contested by a Reform Party which replaced Whiteway’s Conservatives. Sir Robert Thorburn
of the Reform Party took over as Premier. The Reform Party campaigned on a policy of not compromising with Catholics. Thorburn broke his election promise by inviting Catholic Liberals to join his government. The Reform and Liberal parties merged, to form a larger Reform Party. Meanwhile William Whiteway
, the former Conservative leader, set up a new party. As the name Liberal was not being used, Whiteway adopted it for his new party. It must therefore be appreciated that the Liberal Party which contested the 15th general election was a different party from the Liberal Party from the 16th general election onwards.
Party composition: Liberals 28, Reform 3, Independent 1. Total Assembly membership: 32
William Whiteway
began a new Premiership, but he was not as vigorous as he had been in his previous term of office.
The Reform Party disappeared and a new Tory Party took over as the opposition to the Liberals.
Party composition: Liberal 23, Tory 12, Independent 1. Total Assembly membership 36.
Many of the victorious Liberals (and the Independent) had their elections set aside by the Courts. The Premier and his leading supporters were unseated and disqualified from seeking re-election.
The Governor appointed the Tory leader, Augustus F. Goodridge
, as Premier in 1894. However as the Liberals kept on winning by-elections Goodridge never had a majority.
In December 1894 the interim Liberal leader, Daniel J. Greene
, became Premier. In February 1895 he passed a law to lift the electoral disqualification of Whiteway and then resigned in his favour.
Party composition: Tory 23, Liberal 13. Total Assembly membership 36.
The new Premier was Sir James Spearman Winter
. By 1900 the Tory Party had faded out in the way Newfoundland parties quite often seemed to do.
Party composition: Liberal 32, Opposition 4. Total Assembly membership 36.
Sir Robert Bond
of the Liberal Party became Premier. Bond is accounted the best of Newfoundland’s Premiers and the early 20th century was one of the rare periods of prosperity in island history.
Party composition: Liberal 30, United Opposition 6. Total Assembly membership 36.
The so called United Opposition Party was reinforced when Edward Patrick Morris resigned from Bond’s government. Morris founded the Newfoundland People's Party
, which became the principal opponent of the Liberals.
Newfoundland was recognized as a Dominion
of the British Empire (the same status as that of Canada, Australia and New Zealand) in 1907.
Party composition: Liberal 18, People’s 18. Total Assembly membership 36.
The tied result caused problems. Sir Robert Bond
did not feel he could continue with this Assembly, as once his party provided a Speaker they would be in a voting minority. The Governor refused an immediate dissolution, so Bond resigned. Sir Edward Patrick Morris formed a government, but had the same problem as Bond. The Governor granted Morris a dissolution.
Party composition: People’s 26, Liberal 10. Total Assembly membership 36.
The title of Prime Minister replaced Premier in 1909.
Party composition: People’s 21, Union 8, Liberal 7. Total Assembly membership 36.
William Coaker
of the Fishermen's Protective Union
decided to set up a political party. The Union (or Unionist) Party entered into an electoral pact with the Liberals.
During the First World War, Newfoundland made considerable sacrifices. Newfoundland had no military forces before the War. The islanders built up the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. Appalling casualties on the Western Front made conscription a live issue. The People’s Party invited opposition leaders to join a National government.
When Sir Edward Patrick Morris resigned in 1918, the Liberal leader William Lloyd
was invited to lead the coalition government.
Before the 1919 election the Liberal and Union parties linked themselves in the Liberal Reform Party. In May 1919 the People’s Party leader, Sir Michael Cashin, moved a motion of no confidence in a ministry he seems to have quit minutes before. The motion passed so Cashin became Prime Minister.
Party composition: Liberal Reform 24, People’s 12. Total Assembly membership 36.
The new Liberal Reform Prime Minister was Sir Richard Squires. The People’s Party became the Liberal-Labour-Progressive Party following the election.
Party composition: Liberal Reform 23, Liberal-Labour-Progressive 13. Total Assembly membership 36.
In this Assembly term leading Minister’s were attacked for corruption by a resigning colleague. Squires’ reputation seemed to have been destroyed. William Warren
became a Liberal Reform Prime Minister in July 1923. Albert Hickman
took over immediately before the 1924 election.
Before the next election the Liberal-Reform Party collapsed. Some of its members joined with Albert Hickman
as the Liberal-Progressive Party. William Warren
was associated with Tories in forming a replacement for the Liberal-Labour-Progressive Party which was named the Liberal-Conservative-Progressive Party.
Party composition: Liberal-Conservative-Progressive 25, Liberal-Progressive 10, Other 1. Total Assembly membership 36.
The new Prime Minister was Walter Stanley Monroe
, a businessman who promoted legislation, which some Newfoundlanders considered unduly benefited the rich. In August 1928 the Prime Ministership was passed to Monroe’s cousin Frederick C. Alderdice
.
The plain businessman’s government had become so unpopular that the population was prepared to re-elect Sir Richard Squires, leading the Liberal Party with the support of its Union Party allies.
Party composition: Liberal 19, Liberal-Conservative-Progressive 12, Union 9. Total Assembly membership 40.
Sir Richard Squires became Prime Minister for the second time with the support of the Union Party. Frederick C. Alderdice
re-organized the opposition as the United Newfoundland Party
.
The Great Depression hit Newfoundland hard. The island had not had a budget surplus since 1919 and had been borrowing to cover budget deficits. Cuts in public expenditure and rising unemployment produced political unrest.
In 1932 a demonstration outside the Colonial Building (where the legislature sat) led to a riot. The demonstrators broke into the building. They were prevented from invading the floor of the Assembly, but Squires fled out of a side door and went into hiding for a few days. He lost the general election which followed.
Party composition: United Newfoundland 24, Liberal 2, Other 1. Total Assembly membership 27 (reduced from 40 as an economy measure).
New Prime Minister Frederick C. Alderdice
was not able to rescue the public finances. By this time Newfoundlanders despaired of the ability of their politicians to solve the problems. The British government commissioned William Warrender Mackenzie, 1st Baron Amulree to conduct a study of the situation in Newfoundland. His Amulree Report was scathing about the political culture of Newfoundland.
The price of British government financial aid was the abandonment of responsible and representative government. The legislature was dissolved. The Commission of Government
came into operation on 16 February 1934 ending more than a century of legislative democracy in Newfoundland.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
, as a British colony and dominion
Dominion
A dominion, often Dominion, refers to one of a group of autonomous polities that were nominally under British sovereignty, constituting the British Empire and British Commonwealth, beginning in the latter part of the 19th century. They have included Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Newfoundland,...
, held 29 general elections for its 28 Newfoundland House of Assemblies. In 1934 the Dominion of Newfoundland
Dominion of Newfoundland
The Dominion of Newfoundland was a British Dominion from 1907 to 1949 . The Dominion of Newfoundland was situated in northeastern North America along the Atlantic coast and comprised the island of Newfoundland and Labrador on the continental mainland...
surrendered its constitution to the Crown and ceased to have a legislature in order to be ruled by London through the Commission of Government
Commission of Government
The Commission of Government was a non-elected body that governed Newfoundland from 1934 to 1949...
.
The next House of Assembly was not elected until Newfoundland became the tenth province of Canada
Provinces and territories of Canada
The provinces and territories of Canada combine to make up the world's second-largest country by area. There are ten provinces and three territories...
in 1949, following the 1948 referendum
Newfoundland referendums, 1948
The Newfoundland Referendums of 1948 were a series of two referendums to decide the political future of the Dominion of Newfoundland. Before the referendums, Newfoundland was in debt and went through several delegations to determine whether the country would join Canada, remain under British rule...
on joining Canadian confederation
Canadian Confederation
Canadian Confederation was the process by which the federal Dominion of Canada was formed on July 1, 1867. On that day, three British colonies were formed into four Canadian provinces...
.
As much information as is currently available about the dates of election, number of members returned, and the result by party, is set out below. Newfoundland's party system was subject to frequent changes so an attempt has been made to explain the relationships between the parties and some brief highlights of political events.
History
Prior to the province been granted colonyColony
In politics and history, a colony is a territory under the immediate political control of a state. For colonies in antiquity, city-states would often found their own colonies. Some colonies were historically countries, while others were territories without definite statehood from their inception....
status in 1832 Newfoundland had no elected form of government. In the early days after discovery the island was divided into colonies and were administered by individuals authorized to govern proprietary colonies and are likewise called Proprietary governors
Proprietary Governor
Proprietary Governors were individuals authorized to govern proprietary colonies. Under the proprietary system, individuals or companies were granted commercial charters by the King of England to establish colonies. These proprietors then selected the governors and other officials in the colony....
. The first of these were established in 1610 at Cuper’s Cove
Cuper's Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador
Cuper's Cove, on the southwest shore of Conception Bay on Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula was an early English settlement in the New World, and the second one after the Jamestown Settlement to endure for longer than a year...
and was governed by John Guy. Other colonies were soon established and were likewise governed by individuals with keen interest to reap the benefits to its mercantile owners in England. This type of rule had continued until 1728. From 1729 to 1817 Newfoundland was governed by non-resident naval governors. Sir Francis Pickmore
Francis Pickmore
Francis Pickmore naval officer and colonial governor born in Chester, Cheshire, England and died St. John's, Newfoundland....
became the first resident governor. It was then established that all other governors were required to remain on the island over winter.
In 1824 when Newfoundland was granted Colonial status the then governor Sir Thomas Cochrane
Thomas John Cochrane
Admiral of the Fleet Sir Thomas John Cochrane GCB was an English naval officer and colonial governor.-Naval career:...
appointed an advisory council without any real power. With the arrival of Dr. William Carson
William Carson
Sir William Carson , often called "The Great Reformer", was an important doctor and businessman in Newfoundland. Carson's primary contribution to Newfoundland was the application of modern agricultural principles....
to Newfoundland, who was very familiar with British constitutional law, a concerted effort was made to influenced the residents to form Representative Government. Others of prominence such as Patrick Morris
Patrick Morris (merchant)
Patrick Morris was an Irish-born merchant, ship owner, farmer, author and politician in Newfoundland. He represented St. John's in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 1836 to 1840....
, William Thomas
William Thomas (politician)
William Thomas was a merchant and politician. Thomas was elected to the House of Assembly representing the district of St...
, Thomas H. Brooking, Benjamin Bowring
Benjamin Bowring
Benjamin Bowring was an English-Canadian watchmaker, jeweller, and businessman. He was the founder, in 1811, of the Bowring trading, shipping and insurance businesses, later known as Bowring Brothers in Canada and the United States, and C.T...
, Charles Tricks Bowring and Henry Winton had also joined in to agitate for elected representation with power to govern. Brooking was chosen as chairman of the committee to make representation to the British Parliament in January 1832.
On 7 June 1832 a Bill to grant a Representative Assembly to Newfoundland was introduced in the British Parliament. Governor Cochrane returned to Newfoundland in August with the power to call an election and did so on 25 September 1832. However, full responsible government
Responsible government
Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy...
would not be granted until 1855.
1st general election: 1832
Party composition: Conservative 10, Liberal 5. Total Assembly membership 15.
After many years of agitation the British Parliament provided Newfoundland with a local legislature. Unfortunately the ethnic and religious disagreements in the colony, between the predominantly Irish Catholic and British Protestant inhabitants, caused the system to work even less well than in other parts of British North America
British North America
British North America is a historical term. It consisted of the colonies and territories of the British Empire in continental North America after the end of the American Revolutionary War and the recognition of American independence in 1783.At the start of the Revolutionary War in 1775 the British...
.
2nd general election: November 1836
Party composition: Liberal 11, Conservative 4.
The elected leaders were dominated by reformers, who were mostly Catholic. The appointed Legislative Council was mostly composed of conservative Protestant merchants. However, the two Houses did not meet, when Chief Justice
Chief Justice
The Chief Justice in many countries is the name for the presiding member of a Supreme Court in Commonwealth or other countries with an Anglo-Saxon justice system based on English common law, such as the Supreme Court of Canada, the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the Court of Final Appeal of...
Henry John Boulton
Henry John Boulton
Henry John Boulton, QC was a lawyer, judge and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born at Little Holland House, Kensington, England, the son of D’Arcy Boulton, in 1790. Some time later, the family settled in New York state and then moved to Upper Canada around 1800. He studied law at York ...
discovered some of the writs from the election were not sealed, and called another election.
3rd general election: May 1837
Party composition: Liberal 11, Conservative 4. Total Assembly membership 15.
A new election was called by Chief Justice Henry John Boulton after he discovered some of the writs from the previous election were not sealed. This was disputed by many Reformers and many did not run for election. However, in this election the Reformers took most of the seats.
4th general election: December 1842
Party composition unknown. Total membership of the Consolidated Legislature 15 elected and 10 appointed members.
The experiment was tried of combining the Assembly and Council in a unicameral legislature. The British Parliament twice extended the term of this legislature. By 1847 the whole system broke down. A bicameral legislature was restored, which continued until 1932.
5th general election: November 1848
Party composition unknown but divided between a Liberal majority and a Conservative minority. Total Assembly membership 15.
Support grew for the introduction of a government responsible to the Assembly
Responsible government
Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy...
, which was being introduced elsewhere in British North America about this time.
6th general election: November 1852
Party composition: Liberal 9, Conservative 6. Total Assembly membership 15.
The campaign for responsible government continued and was accepted by the Colonial Office
Colonial Office
Colonial Office is the government agency which serves to oversee and supervise their colony* Colonial Office - The British Government department* Office of Insular Affairs - the American government agency* Reichskolonialamt - the German Colonial Office...
in London.
7th general election: 7 May 1855
With this election, Newfoundland becomes the last British colony in North America to achieve responsible government
Responsible government
Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy...
.
Party composition unknown but divided between a Liberal majority and a Conservative minority. Total Assembly membership 30.
The Liberal leader, Philip Francis Little
Philip Francis Little
Philip Francis Little was the first Premier of Newfoundland Colony between 1855 and 1858. He was born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Little studied law there with Charles Young and was admitted to the bar in 1844. He came to Newfoundland in 1846 and articled in law. He got involved in...
, became the first Premier of the Colony. The Liberals were a largely Catholic party, which depended on Methodist support to defeat the mostly Anglican Conservative opposition.
Little became a Judge in 1858 and the Premiership passed to an older Catholic Liberal, John Kent.
8th general election: 7 November 1859
Party composition: Liberal 18, Conservative 12. Total Assembly membership 30.
Kent's government got in severe difficulties. The Methodists had begun to switch their support to the Conservatives endangering the Liberal majority.
Kent, a man with a fiery temper, was on bad terms with the Governor. In 1861 after the Premier accused the Judges of conspiring against his Government, the Governor was delighted to dismiss him.
The Conservative leader, Hugh Hoyles
Hugh Hoyles
Sir Hugh Hoyles was a politician and lawyer who served as the third premier of the Newfoundland Colony. Hoyles was the first premier of Newfoundland to have been born in the colony, and served from 1861 to 1865. Born in St...
, was installed as Premier. As he was in a minority in the Assembly the new Premier requested and got a dissolution.
9th general election: 2 May 1861
Party composition: Conservative 15, Liberal 13, vacant 2. Total Assembly membership 30.
This was the most violent and sectarian election in Newfoundland's history. In one two member electoral district a party of voters going to the polling place were attacked. A relative of one of the candidates was shot dead. Subsequently there were riots. The returning office later gave sworn evidence that he had only returned two members due to his being threatened. A mob attacked and burnt the returning officers home, a few days later.
The Assembly decided not to seat any claimants from the disputed election, although the Conservatives won the subsequent by-election.
Shortly before the next election Hugh Hoyles
Hugh Hoyles
Sir Hugh Hoyles was a politician and lawyer who served as the third premier of the Newfoundland Colony. Hoyles was the first premier of Newfoundland to have been born in the colony, and served from 1861 to 1865. Born in St...
was replaced as Premier by a more conciliatory Conservative, Frederick Carter, who was anxious to reduce sectarian strife and bring some Catholics into the cabinet.
10th general election: 7 May 1865
Party composition: Conservatives 22, Opposition 8. Total Assembly membership 30.
Carter did acquire some Catholic support as the old sectarian alignments broke down. The issue of whether Newfoundland should become a part of Canada caused a realignment. A new Anti-Confederation Party opposed the mostly pro-Confederation Conservatives. The next general election would decide the issue.
11th general election: 13 November 1869
Party composition: Anti-Confederation 21, Conservative 9. Total Assembly membership 30.
The defeat for the Confederation cause was so complete that the Conservatives soon dropped the idea. For many years afterward being called a supporter of Confederation was a political smear.
The new Premier was Charles Fox Bennett
Charles Fox Bennett
Charles James Fox Bennett was a merchant and politician who successfully fought attempts to take Newfoundland into Canadian confederation. Bennett was a successful businessman and one of the island's richest residents with interests in the fisheries, distillery and brewery industry and shipbuilding...
, a Protestant leader of a mostly Catholic party. All was well so long as the Confederation issue was still dominant, but there was always a risk of sectarian strife reappearing.
12th general election: November 1873
Party composition: Anti-Confederation 17, Conservative 13. Total Assembly membership 30.
The Anti-Confederates led by Charles Fox Bennett
Charles Fox Bennett
Charles James Fox Bennett was a merchant and politician who successfully fought attempts to take Newfoundland into Canadian confederation. Bennett was a successful businessman and one of the island's richest residents with interests in the fisheries, distillery and brewery industry and shipbuilding...
won the election and formed the government; a "new" Conservative party led by Frederick Carter formed the opposition.
13th general election: 7 November 1874
Party composition: Conservative 17, Anti-Confederation 13. Total Assembly membership 30.
The Conservatives decided that the way to win the next election was to take up sectarian issues. The tactic worked at some cost to the islands political stability. Frederick Carter defeats Fox and regains the Premiership. The party system continued to move in the direction of renewed sectarianism. The Anti-Confederation Party faded away and was replaced by a new Liberal Party, as before largely composed of Catholics.
In April 1878 Carter was replaced as Conservative Premier by 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...
.
14th general election: 4 November 1878
Party composition: Conservative 21, Liberal 10. Total Assembly membership 31.
Whiteway continued in office as Premier.
15th general election: 6 November 1882
Party composition unknown but divided between a Conservative majority and a Liberal minority. Total Assembly membership 32.
Premier Whiteway’s support began to splinter. A New Party, based on merchant interests in the capital, broke away.
16th general election: 31 October 1885
Party composition: Reform 18, Liberal 13, Independent 1. Total Assembly membership: 32
The election was contested by a Reform Party which replaced Whiteway’s Conservatives. 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...
of the Reform Party took over as Premier. The Reform Party campaigned on a policy of not compromising with Catholics. Thorburn broke his election promise by inviting Catholic Liberals to join his government. The Reform and Liberal parties merged, to form a larger Reform Party. Meanwhile 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...
, the former Conservative leader, set up a new party. As the name Liberal was not being used, Whiteway adopted it for his new party. It must therefore be appreciated that the Liberal Party which contested the 15th general election was a different party from the Liberal Party from the 16th general election onwards.
17th general election: 6 November 1889
Party composition: Liberals 28, Reform 3, Independent 1. Total Assembly membership: 32
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...
began a new Premiership, but he was not as vigorous as he had been in his previous term of office.
The Reform Party disappeared and a new Tory Party took over as the opposition to the Liberals.
18th general election: 6 November 1893
Party composition: Liberal 23, Tory 12, Independent 1. Total Assembly membership 36.
Many of the victorious Liberals (and the Independent) had their elections set aside by the Courts. The Premier and his leading supporters were unseated and disqualified from seeking re-election.
The Governor appointed the Tory leader, Augustus F. Goodridge
Augustus F. Goodridge
Augustus Frederick Goodridge 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...
, as Premier in 1894. However as the Liberals kept on winning by-elections Goodridge never had a majority.
In December 1894 the interim Liberal leader, Daniel J. Greene
Daniel J. Greene
Daniel Joseph Greene was a Newfoundland politician who briefly served as the colony's Premier.A native of St. John's, he studied law at Laval University and became a lawyer. Daniel Greene was first elected to the House of Assembly in 1875 and became Leader of the Opposition in 1887...
, became Premier. In February 1895 he passed a law to lift the electoral disqualification of Whiteway and then resigned in his favour.
19th general election: 28 October 1897
Party composition: Tory 23, Liberal 13. Total Assembly membership 36.
The new Premier was Sir James Spearman Winter
James Spearman Winter
Sir James Spearman Winter, KCMG was a Newfoundland politician and Premier. Winter served in the Conservative government of Sir William Whiteway as Solicitor-General from 1882 to 1885 when he resigned along with a number of other Protestants as a result of sectarian riots at Harbour Grace...
. By 1900 the Tory Party had faded out in the way Newfoundland parties quite often seemed to do.
20th general election: 8 November 1900
Party composition: Liberal 32, Opposition 4. Total Assembly membership 36.
Sir Robert Bond
Robert Bond
Sir Robert Bond was the Prime Minister of Newfoundland from 1900 to 1909. He was born in St. John's, Newfoundland, as the son of merchant John Bond. Bond grew up in St. John's until 1872 when his father died and left the family a good deal of money...
of the Liberal Party became Premier. Bond is accounted the best of Newfoundland’s Premiers and the early 20th century was one of the rare periods of prosperity in island history.
21st general election: 31 October 1904
Party composition: Liberal 30, United Opposition 6. Total Assembly membership 36.
The so called United Opposition Party was reinforced when Edward Patrick Morris resigned from Bond’s government. Morris founded the Newfoundland People's Party
Newfoundland People's Party
The Newfoundland People's Party was a political party in the Dominion of Newfoundland before it joined Canada.The party was created by Attorney-General Edward Patrick Morris in 1907, when he split from the ruling Liberal Party to found his own political vehicle...
, which became the principal opponent of the Liberals.
Newfoundland was recognized as a Dominion
Dominion
A dominion, often Dominion, refers to one of a group of autonomous polities that were nominally under British sovereignty, constituting the British Empire and British Commonwealth, beginning in the latter part of the 19th century. They have included Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Newfoundland,...
of the British Empire (the same status as that of Canada, Australia and New Zealand) in 1907.
22nd general election: 2 November 1908
Party composition: Liberal 18, People’s 18. Total Assembly membership 36.
The tied result caused problems. Sir Robert Bond
Robert Bond
Sir Robert Bond was the Prime Minister of Newfoundland from 1900 to 1909. He was born in St. John's, Newfoundland, as the son of merchant John Bond. Bond grew up in St. John's until 1872 when his father died and left the family a good deal of money...
did not feel he could continue with this Assembly, as once his party provided a Speaker they would be in a voting minority. The Governor refused an immediate dissolution, so Bond resigned. Sir Edward Patrick Morris formed a government, but had the same problem as Bond. The Governor granted Morris a dissolution.
23rd general election: 8 May 1909
Party composition: People’s 26, Liberal 10. Total Assembly membership 36.
The title of Prime Minister replaced Premier in 1909.
24th general election: 30 October 1913
Party composition: People’s 21, Union 8, Liberal 7. Total Assembly membership 36.
William Coaker
William Coaker
Sir William Ford Coaker was a Newfoundland union leader and politician and founder of the Fisherman's Protective Union and the Fishermen's Union Trading Co....
of the Fishermen's Protective Union
Fishermen's Protective Union
The Fishermen's Protective Union was a workers' organization and political party in the Dominion of Newfoundland...
decided to set up a political party. The Union (or Unionist) Party entered into an electoral pact with the Liberals.
During the First World War, Newfoundland made considerable sacrifices. Newfoundland had no military forces before the War. The islanders built up the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. Appalling casualties on the Western Front made conscription a live issue. The People’s Party invited opposition leaders to join a National government.
When Sir Edward Patrick Morris resigned in 1918, the Liberal leader William Lloyd
William Lloyd
William Lloyd may refer to:*William Watkiss Lloyd , writer*William Lloyd , Conservative councillor*William Lloyd , Bishop of St Asaph, of Lichfield and Coventry and of Worcester...
was invited to lead the coalition government.
Before the 1919 election the Liberal and Union parties linked themselves in the Liberal Reform Party. In May 1919 the People’s Party leader, Sir Michael Cashin, moved a motion of no confidence in a ministry he seems to have quit minutes before. The motion passed so Cashin became Prime Minister.
25th general election: 2 November 1919
Party composition: Liberal Reform 24, People’s 12. Total Assembly membership 36.
The new Liberal Reform Prime Minister was Sir Richard Squires. The People’s Party became the Liberal-Labour-Progressive Party following the election.
26th general election: 2 May 1923
Party composition: Liberal Reform 23, Liberal-Labour-Progressive 13. Total Assembly membership 36.
In this Assembly term leading Minister’s were attacked for corruption by a resigning colleague. Squires’ reputation seemed to have been destroyed. William Warren
William Warren
William Robertson Warren was a Newfoundland lawyer, politician and judge who served as the dominion's Prime Minister from July 1923 to April 1924.-Early life:...
became a Liberal Reform Prime Minister in July 1923. Albert Hickman
Albert Hickman
Albert Edgar Hickman , born in Grand Bank, Newfoundland, was Newfoundland's seventeenth Prime Minister and has the distinction of having served the shortest term of any Prime Minister....
took over immediately before the 1924 election.
Before the next election the Liberal-Reform Party collapsed. Some of its members joined with Albert Hickman
Albert Hickman
Albert Edgar Hickman , born in Grand Bank, Newfoundland, was Newfoundland's seventeenth Prime Minister and has the distinction of having served the shortest term of any Prime Minister....
as the Liberal-Progressive Party. William Warren
William Warren
William Robertson Warren was a Newfoundland lawyer, politician and judge who served as the dominion's Prime Minister from July 1923 to April 1924.-Early life:...
was associated with Tories in forming a replacement for the Liberal-Labour-Progressive Party which was named the Liberal-Conservative-Progressive Party.
27th general election: 2 June 1924
Party composition: Liberal-Conservative-Progressive 25, Liberal-Progressive 10, Other 1. Total Assembly membership 36.
The new Prime Minister was Walter Stanley Monroe
Walter Stanley Monroe
Walter Stanley Monroe was a businessman and conservative politician who served as Prime Minister of Newfoundland from 1924 to 1928 as leader of the Liberal-Conservative Progressive Party....
, a businessman who promoted legislation, which some Newfoundlanders considered unduly benefited the rich. In August 1928 the Prime Ministership was passed to Monroe’s cousin Frederick C. Alderdice
Frederick C. Alderdice
Frederick Charles Alderdice was a businessman, politician and the last Prime Minister of Newfoundland. A prominent St...
.
The plain businessman’s government had become so unpopular that the population was prepared to re-elect Sir Richard Squires, leading the Liberal Party with the support of its Union Party allies.
28th general election: 29 October 1928
Party composition: Liberal 19, Liberal-Conservative-Progressive 12, Union 9. Total Assembly membership 40.
Sir Richard Squires became Prime Minister for the second time with the support of the Union Party. Frederick C. Alderdice
Frederick C. Alderdice
Frederick Charles Alderdice was a businessman, politician and the last Prime Minister of Newfoundland. A prominent St...
re-organized the opposition as the United Newfoundland Party
United Newfoundland Party
The United Newfoundland Party was the name of a conservative party in the Dominion of Newfoundland led by Frederick C. Alderdice from 1928 to 1934. It was organized by Alderdice when disaffected Liberals joined his Liberal-Conservative Progressive Party sitting in Opposition and won the 1932...
.
The Great Depression hit Newfoundland hard. The island had not had a budget surplus since 1919 and had been borrowing to cover budget deficits. Cuts in public expenditure and rising unemployment produced political unrest.
In 1932 a demonstration outside the Colonial Building (where the legislature sat) led to a riot. The demonstrators broke into the building. They were prevented from invading the floor of the Assembly, but Squires fled out of a side door and went into hiding for a few days. He lost the general election which followed.
29th general election: 11 June 1932
Party composition: United Newfoundland 24, Liberal 2, Other 1. Total Assembly membership 27 (reduced from 40 as an economy measure).
New Prime Minister Frederick C. Alderdice
Frederick C. Alderdice
Frederick Charles Alderdice was a businessman, politician and the last Prime Minister of Newfoundland. A prominent St...
was not able to rescue the public finances. By this time Newfoundlanders despaired of the ability of their politicians to solve the problems. The British government commissioned William Warrender Mackenzie, 1st Baron Amulree to conduct a study of the situation in Newfoundland. His Amulree Report was scathing about the political culture of Newfoundland.
The price of British government financial aid was the abandonment of responsible and representative government. The legislature was dissolved. The Commission of Government
Commission of Government
The Commission of Government was a non-elected body that governed Newfoundland from 1934 to 1949...
came into operation on 16 February 1934 ending more than a century of legislative democracy in Newfoundland.
See also
- Conservative parties in Newfoundland (pre-Confederation)Conservative parties in Newfoundland (pre-Confederation)For the modern Conservative Party see Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and LabradorThe Conservative Party of Newfoundland was a political party in the Dominion of Newfoundland prior to confederation with Canada in 1949....
- Liberal parties in Newfoundland (pre-Confederation)Liberal parties in Newfoundland (pre-Confederation)For the modern Liberal Party see Liberal Party of Newfoundland and LabradorSeveral earlier groupings functioned in the Dominion of Newfoundland under the name Liberal Party of Newfoundland from the granting of responsible government to the island in the 1850s until its suspension in 1934 when the...
- Fishermen's Protective UnionFishermen's Protective UnionThe Fishermen's Protective Union was a workers' organization and political party in the Dominion of Newfoundland...
- Newfoundland People's PartyNewfoundland People's PartyThe Newfoundland People's Party was a political party in the Dominion of Newfoundland before it joined Canada.The party was created by Attorney-General Edward Patrick Morris in 1907, when he split from the ruling Liberal Party to found his own political vehicle...
- United Newfoundland PartyUnited Newfoundland PartyThe United Newfoundland Party was the name of a conservative party in the Dominion of Newfoundland led by Frederick C. Alderdice from 1928 to 1934. It was organized by Alderdice when disaffected Liberals joined his Liberal-Conservative Progressive Party sitting in Opposition and won the 1932...
- :Category:Elections in Canada
- :Category:Politics of Newfoundland and Labrador
- :Category:Political parties in the Dominion of Newfoundland