James Cox Aikins
Encyclopedia
James Cox Aikins, PC
(March 30, 1823 – August 8, 1904) was a prominent Canadian
politician in the 19th century. He twice served as a cabinet minister in the government of Sir John A. Macdonald
, and was the fourth Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
from 1882 to 1888.
(now Ontario
). His father had previously converted to Methodism
, and the young Aikins was educated at the Methodist-run Upper Canada Academy in Cobourg
from 1840 to 1845. Upon graduation, he acquired land near Toronto and worked as a farmer.
Aikins was offered the Reform
(i.e., Liberal) nomination for York West
in the 1851 Canadian parliamentary election, but declined. Three years later, he was elected to the Province of Canada
's legislature for the newly-formed riding of Peel as a Clear Grit (i.e., radical reformer). Cox defeated Conservative
G. Wright by 865 votes to 810.
The Clear Grit faction in parliament had previously been aligned with Francis Hincks
's governing Reformers, but this alliance ended after the 1854 election. Most of Hincks's supporters subsequently formed a new alliance with the Conservatives, while the Clear Grits formed a "left opposition" and attempted to reconstruct the Reform Party on their terms. Aikins was a minor figure in the Grit parliamentary ranks for the next three years but was nevertheless re-elected in 1857, with 2007 votes against 915 for his Conservative opponent. The Conservative-led alliance remained in power during these years, and Aikins remained in opposition.
Between 1856 and 1861, there were numerous debates in Peel County concerning a planned division of the riding, and the location of its new county seat. Local differences weakened the reformist cause, and Aikins was narrowly defeated by Conservative John Hillyard Cameron
in the election of 1861.
In 1862, Aikins was elected to an eight-year term in the Province of Canada's Legislative Council
, an upper house with both appointed and elected members. Running as a Liberal
in the Home division, he defeated his sole opponent by 2934 votes to 1559.
Aikins played only a minor role in the parliamentary debates on Canadian confederation
, which he supported in principle despite concerns about the legislative means which John A. Macdonald
was using to move the policy forward. After Confederation was approved, Aikins attempted to introduce legislation for an elected senate
, but was ruled out of order by the Council's speaker. Along with other members of the Legislative Council, he was appointed to the (unelected) Canadian Senate upon its creation in May 1867. Representing the (Ontario) Senate Division. In 1868, Aikins was offered a cabinet position in Prime Minister
John A. Macdonald
's Liberal-Conservative government, but turned it down for fear of dividing the Liberal Party.
and Aikins to join Hincks in the ministry, so as to further broaden its appeal with the electorate; McMaster declined, but suggested that Aikins accept the offer and represent Liberal interests inside the government. Aikins was agreeable to his suggestion, and became a Minister without Portfolio on November 16. On December 8, he was appointed Secretary of State for Canada
, and would continue to hold this position until the defeat of the Macdonald government on November 5, 1873. He also served as acting Secretary of State for the Provinces
and Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs for one month in 1873, following the resignation of Joseph Howe
.
When Macdonald's Conservatives were returned to government in 1878, Aikins was again appointed Secretary of State for Canada as the ministry's sole "coalition Reformer" (the group was by this time a minor political force in Canada). On November 8, 1880, Aikins was promoted to the Ministry of Inland Revenue
. In this capacity, he oversaw various applications for government postings; he had little direct control over patronage in central Canada, but was a more powerful figure as regards the western provinces.
Aikins's support for temperance
was an embarrassment for the Macdonald government, which received considerable financial support from liquor interests. On May 22, 1882, Aikins was persuaded to resign from cabinet and the Senate, and to accept an appointment as Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
(with the promise of being re-appointed to the Senate after his term ended). He formally resigned from the Senate on May 30, and was sworn in to his new position on December 2.
Aikins arrived in Manitoba during a period of discord between the provincial and federal governments; Macdonald had recently disallowed Premier
John Norquay
's railway legislation, and an opposition movement was forming around Thomas Greenway
. Aikins was under orders from Macdonald to ensure that provincial legislation reflected national policies, but his awkward relationship with Norquay made his task difficult.
Aikins presided over the transfer of power from Norquay to Greenway in 1887-88, but his own involvement in Manitoba politics was fairly limited. Initially a very powerful office, the position of Lt. Governor in Manitoba was largely ceremonial by this time.
Aikins's term in office ended on July 1, 1888, though he was not re-appointed to the Senate until January 7, 1896 again representing (Ontario). By now fully integrated into the Conservative ranks, he remained a Senator until his death in 1904. He is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto
.
, served as Lt. Governor of Manitoba in the early 20th century.
Queen's Privy Council for Canada
The Queen's Privy Council for Canada ), sometimes called Her Majesty's Privy Council for Canada or simply the Privy Council, is the full group of personal consultants to the monarch of Canada on state and constitutional affairs, though responsible government requires the sovereign or her viceroy,...
(March 30, 1823 – August 8, 1904) was a prominent Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician in the 19th century. He twice served as a cabinet minister in the government of Sir John A. Macdonald
John A. Macdonald
Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...
, and was the fourth Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
The Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba is the viceregal representative in Manitoba of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who operates distinctly within the province but is also shared equally with the ten other jurisdictions of Canada and resides predominantly in her oldest realm, the United...
from 1882 to 1888.
Early life and career
Aikins was born in Toronto Township, Upper CanadaUpper Canada
The Province of Upper Canada was a political division in British Canada established in 1791 by the British Empire to govern the central third of the lands in British North America and to accommodate Loyalist refugees from the United States of America after the American Revolution...
(now Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
). His father had previously converted to Methodism
Methodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
, and the young Aikins was educated at the Methodist-run Upper Canada Academy in Cobourg
Cobourg, Ontario
Cobourg is a town in the Canadian province of Ontario, located in Southern Ontario 95 km east of Toronto. It is the largest town in Northumberland County. Its nearest neighbour is Port Hope, to the west. It is located along Highway 401 and the former Highway 2...
from 1840 to 1845. Upon graduation, he acquired land near Toronto and worked as a farmer.
Aikins was offered the Reform
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
(i.e., Liberal) nomination for York West
York West
York West is a federal electoral district in Ontario, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1867 to 1904 and since 1917.Its population was 110,384 in 2001...
in the 1851 Canadian parliamentary election, but declined. Three years later, he was elected to the Province of Canada
Province of Canada
The Province of Canada, United Province of Canada, or the United Canadas was a British colony in North America from 1841 to 1867. Its formation reflected recommendations made by John Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham in the Report on the Affairs of British North America following the Rebellions of...
's legislature for the newly-formed riding of Peel as a Clear Grit (i.e., radical reformer). Cox defeated Conservative
Conservative Party of Canada (historical)
The Conservative Party of Canada has gone by a variety of names over the years since Canadian Confederation. Initially known as the "Liberal-Conservative Party", it dropped "Liberal" from its name in 1873, although many of its candidates continued to use this name.As a result of World War I and the...
G. Wright by 865 votes to 810.
The Clear Grit faction in parliament had previously been aligned with Francis Hincks
Francis Hincks
Sir Francis Hincks, KCMG, PC was a Canadian politician.Born in Cork, Ireland, he was the son of Thomas Dix Hincks an orientalist, naturalist and Presbyterian minister and the brother of Edward Hincks orientalist, naturalist and clergyman.He moved to York in 1832 and set up an importing business...
's governing Reformers, but this alliance ended after the 1854 election. Most of Hincks's supporters subsequently formed a new alliance with the Conservatives, while the Clear Grits formed a "left opposition" and attempted to reconstruct the Reform Party on their terms. Aikins was a minor figure in the Grit parliamentary ranks for the next three years but was nevertheless re-elected in 1857, with 2007 votes against 915 for his Conservative opponent. The Conservative-led alliance remained in power during these years, and Aikins remained in opposition.
Between 1856 and 1861, there were numerous debates in Peel County concerning a planned division of the riding, and the location of its new county seat. Local differences weakened the reformist cause, and Aikins was narrowly defeated by Conservative John Hillyard Cameron
John Hillyard Cameron
John Hillyard Cameron, QC was an Ontario lawyer, businessman and political figure. He was a Conservative member of the Canadian House of Commons representing Peel from 1867 to 1872 and Cardwell from 1872 until his death.He was born in Blendecques, France in 1817...
in the election of 1861.
In 1862, Aikins was elected to an eight-year term in the Province of Canada's Legislative Council
Legislative Council of the Province of Canada
The Legislative Council of the Province of Canada was the upper house for the Province of Canada, which consisted of the former provinces of Lower Canada, then known as Canada East and later the province of Quebec, and Upper Canada, then known as Canada West and later the province of Ontario...
, an upper house with both appointed and elected members. Running as a Liberal
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
in the Home division, he defeated his sole opponent by 2934 votes to 1559.
Aikins played only a minor role in the parliamentary debates on 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...
, which he supported in principle despite concerns about the legislative means which John A. Macdonald
John A. Macdonald
Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...
was using to move the policy forward. After Confederation was approved, Aikins attempted to introduce legislation for an elected senate
Canadian Senate
The Senate of Canada is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the House of Commons, and the monarch . The Senate consists of 105 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister...
, but was ruled out of order by the Council's speaker. Along with other members of the Legislative Council, he was appointed to the (unelected) Canadian Senate upon its creation in May 1867. Representing the (Ontario) Senate Division. In 1868, Aikins was offered a cabinet position in Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
John A. Macdonald
John A. Macdonald
Sir John Alexander Macdonald, GCB, KCMG, PC, PC , QC was the first Prime Minister of Canada. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, his political career spanned almost half a century...
's Liberal-Conservative government, but turned it down for fear of dividing the Liberal Party.
Cabinet Minister and Lieutenant Governor
In 1869, Francis Hincks returned to Canadian political life by joining Macdonald's restaurant as a "coalition Reformer". Macdonald wanted Liberal Senators William McMasterWilliam McMaster
William McMaster was a wholesaler, Senator and banker in the 19th century. A director of the Bank of Montreal from 1864–1867, he was a driving force behind the creation of the Canadian Bank of Commerce of which he served as the founding president from 1867 to his death in 1887.He served in the...
and Aikins to join Hincks in the ministry, so as to further broaden its appeal with the electorate; McMaster declined, but suggested that Aikins accept the offer and represent Liberal interests inside the government. Aikins was agreeable to his suggestion, and became a Minister without Portfolio on November 16. On December 8, he was appointed Secretary of State for Canada
Secretary of State for Canada
The position of Secretary of State for Canada was a Canadian Cabinet position with a corresponding department. It was established in 1867 as the official channel of communication between the Dominion of Canada and the Imperial government in London...
, and would continue to hold this position until the defeat of the Macdonald government on November 5, 1873. He also served as acting Secretary of State for the Provinces
Secretary of State for the Provinces
Secretary of State for the Provinces was an office in the Cabinet of Canada, active from 1867 to 1873. The office was superseded by the Minister of the Interior on May 3, 1873.-Ministers:...
and Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs for one month in 1873, following the resignation of Joseph Howe
Joseph Howe
Joseph Howe, PC was a Nova Scotian journalist, politician, and public servant. He is one of Nova Scotia's greatest and best-loved politicians...
.
When Macdonald's Conservatives were returned to government in 1878, Aikins was again appointed Secretary of State for Canada as the ministry's sole "coalition Reformer" (the group was by this time a minor political force in Canada). On November 8, 1880, Aikins was promoted to the Ministry of Inland Revenue
Minister of Inland Revenue
The Minister of Inland Revenue is the political office of Minister for the department of Inland Revenue which is responsible for the collection of taxes. Minister of Inland Revenue is a title held by leaders in different countries...
. In this capacity, he oversaw various applications for government postings; he had little direct control over patronage in central Canada, but was a more powerful figure as regards the western provinces.
Aikins's support for temperance
Temperance movement
A temperance movement is a social movement urging reduced use of alcoholic beverages. Temperance movements may criticize excessive alcohol use, promote complete abstinence , or pressure the government to enact anti-alcohol legislation or complete prohibition of alcohol.-Temperance movement by...
was an embarrassment for the Macdonald government, which received considerable financial support from liquor interests. On May 22, 1882, Aikins was persuaded to resign from cabinet and the Senate, and to accept an appointment as Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba
The Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba is the viceregal representative in Manitoba of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who operates distinctly within the province but is also shared equally with the ten other jurisdictions of Canada and resides predominantly in her oldest realm, the United...
(with the promise of being re-appointed to the Senate after his term ended). He formally resigned from the Senate on May 30, and was sworn in to his new position on December 2.
Aikins arrived in Manitoba during a period of discord between the provincial and federal governments; Macdonald had recently disallowed Premier
Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
John Norquay
John Norquay
John Norquay was the Premier of Manitoba from 1878 to 1887. He was born near St. Andrews in what was then the Red River Colony, making him the first Premier of Manitoba to have been born in the region....
's railway legislation, and an opposition movement was forming around Thomas Greenway
Thomas Greenway
For the American character actor , see Tom Greenway.Thomas Greenway was a politician, merchant and farmer. He served as the seventh Premier of Manitoba, Canada, from 1888 to 1900...
. Aikins was under orders from Macdonald to ensure that provincial legislation reflected national policies, but his awkward relationship with Norquay made his task difficult.
Aikins presided over the transfer of power from Norquay to Greenway in 1887-88, but his own involvement in Manitoba politics was fairly limited. Initially a very powerful office, the position of Lt. Governor in Manitoba was largely ceremonial by this time.
Aikins's term in office ended on July 1, 1888, though he was not re-appointed to the Senate until January 7, 1896 again representing (Ontario). By now fully integrated into the Conservative ranks, he remained a Senator until his death in 1904. He is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto
Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto
Mount Pleasant Cemetery is a cemetery located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.In the early 19th century, the only authorized cemeteries within the city of Toronto were limited to the members of either the Roman Catholic Church or the Church of England...
.
Family
James Cox Aikins married Mary Elizabeth Jane Somerset on June 5th, 1845. She was the only daughter of John Somerset, Esquire, of Toronto. She was a founder and the first president of the Women's Hospital Aid Society of Winnipeg, Manitoba. She was a founder of the Christian Woman's Union of Winnipeg. The couple had three sons and two daughters. Mary Elizabeth Jane died May 2nd, 1899. One of the couple's sons, also named JamesJames Albert Manning Aikins
Sir James Albert Manning Aikins was a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He was the leader of the Manitoba Conservative Party in the provincial election of 1915, and later served as the province's ninth Lieutenant Governor.Aikins was born in Grahamsville, Peel County, Canada West and educated at...
, served as Lt. Governor of Manitoba in the early 20th century.