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SIXTY YEARS IN
UPPER CANADA

W^ITH AUTOBIOGRAPHICAI,
RECOIiLECTIONS

BY
CHARIES CL-ARKE
Late Qerk of Legielature of Ontario

TORONTO. 1908
WILLIAM BRIGGS

Ca, "j'^i S"t

Entered according to Act of
the ^Parliament of Canada,
in the year one thousand
nine hundred and eight,
\ by Charles, Clares, at the
Department of Agriculture,

PREFACE.

The story to be related by me, at the request of
various friends, is one marked by few uncommon inci
dents and fewer extraordinary events. It tells some
what of the social advancement of Upper Canada, and
much more of its political progress, and I have en
deavored to portray, candidly and faithfully, some of the
leading occurrences of the past sixty years in that direc
tion. In that time I have witnessed the new growth of
an old Province, now rejuvenated and well on its way
to manhood and nationality.
To do this with a knowledge that men are still living,
or have but lately passed from the scene, under and
largely by whom these changes have been effected, is to
attempt a difficult task. It is to write, to some extent at
least, with fettered hands, and to be tempted to almost
beg a question when outspokenness is preferable.
Feeling, as I do, that every man's life has in it that
which, simply retold, has interest, in some respect or
other, for many men of similar taste, age or pursuit, I

PREFACE
venture to hope that I have not been intrusive when
placing on record something of what I have seen and
experienced since first setting foot in Canada.
My references are principally of a political character,
or allude to military development which has been made
within a brief period. Nearly every man named in these
pages has been personally known to me, and the brief
sketches, inserted here and there, are as faithful reflec
tions of the parties named as it is in my power to give.
I have glanced, briefly, at some English men and events
which I witnessed before leaving the Old Land, and feel
that I need not apologize for their introduction here.
I hope that my work has been done with a conscien
tious effort to be candid, and that, in endeavoring to
be faithful, I have not run into the error of misunder
standing, or the still greater one of the misrepresenta
tion of, the opinions of other men.
CHARLES CLARKE.
Elora, Ontario, 1908.

CONTENTS.

chapter page
I. Introductory  7
II. My School Days  ii
III. An Old-time English Election .... 23
IV. Upper Canada in the Forties . . . .30
V. From 1844 to 1849 ... . . 42
VI. The Rebellion  52
VII. William Macdougall and the "Clear Grit"
Platform  56
VIII. A Contrast and a Parallel .... 68
IX. Malcolm C. Cameron  75
X. D'Arcy McGee  80
XI. Municipal Institutions and Municipal In
debtedness  87
XII. The Ballot  103
XIII. The Militia of Canada in the Forties and
AFTER  IIO
XIV. The Fenian Invasion  122
XV. The First Legislative Assembly— A Single
Chamber Successful  134
XVI. A Defeat and Debacle  166
XVII. The New Government  179
XVIII. Getting to Work  212
XIX. An Exceptional Trio  236
XX. Streams Bills and Boundaries .... 242
XXI. The Bribery Case  277
XXII. Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Legislatures . 292
XXIII. Closing Words  315

V

ILLUSTRATIONS. page
Charles Clarke  Frontispiece
Right Honorable Sir John A. Macdonald, first Premier of the
Dominion of Canada  68
Hon. George Brown, Leader ofthe Reform Party before Con
federation  74
Hon. T. D'Arcy McGee, Leader of the Irish Liberals in the
Dominion Parliament ....... 80
First Legislative Assembly of Ontario, 1867 . . . -134
Hon. John Sandfield Macdonald, first Premier of the Province
of Ontario  138
Hon. Edward Blake, Leader of the Liberal Party in Canada for
many years  180
Hon. Matthew Crooks Cameron, first Leader of the Ontario
Conservative Opposition . . . . . . .186
Sir William Ralph Meredith, Chief Justice High Court of
Ontario, previously Leader of Conservative Opposition . 198
The Old Parliament Buildings, Toronto ..... 272
Sir Oliver Mowat, Premier of Ontario for about a quarter of a
century  314

CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY.
On the 28th November, 1826, I was born in the city
of Lincoln, England. At that time my parents had their
residence in one of the historic city buildings. The
Stone Bow, or " Stan Bow," as it is commonly named,
spans the High Street, some distance below the " Steep
Hill " which leads up to the Norman cathedral. It dates
back to the times of Richard the Second, and was origin
ally erected as the southern gate of the city. At one
side of it, and above it, were the City Hall and Jail, the
latter having been closed in consequence of its inade
quacy, and because a large building, more in accordance
with modern requirements, had been erected on other
city property.
My father was city corn inspector, with whom every
sale of grain in Lincoln had to be recorded, and returns
were weekly sent to the proper Government Department.
In those days, before Free Trade, every transaction on
the corn market was a matter of public concern, for the
sliding scale of Lord John Russell's regime was enforced.
The living rooms under and above the Bow looked out
upon the busy life of the High Street, and to me, as a
child, the varying scenes were a constant source of plea
sure and attraction, for the locality was in the very
centre of Lincoln, and nothing of interest passed which
did not come under the observation of those resident in
that neighborhood. 7

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
The city of Lincoln is one of the most ancient in Eng
land, and at that time still bore the impress of the various
changes which at once marked its rise, its age and its
decadence. In the days of its origin, when rough stones
and mud and wattled walls were the protections of its
British inhabitants from man and beast, the triumphant
legions of Rome had swept through the land, and created
the nationality which, in some form, gave a limited
cohesion to another of the peoples whose existence dated
from the victories of Csesar upon their territory. The
withdrawal of the Roman eagles was followed by Saxon
occupation and rule. Then came Danish forages, and
even settlement, upon the eastern coast of Lincolnshire,
to be rudely broken down by the mailed hand of Wil
liam, and the firm establishment of a rule which, how
ever rough and even brutal in its form, was thorough,
and ultimately and practically declared that never again
should the island shores be under foreign control.
Growth followed the maintenance of order and the im
position of protection, and Lincoln, under the shadow
of a vast cathedral, and the frowning walls of a
Norman castle, and in the midst of a country given up
largely to the growth of wool and wheat and flax,
became a trading centre of more than secondary import
ance. But it, in turn with many others, fell back from
prosperity to a stagnation which became somnolent, and
gradually stood in the position of an unimportant city
of the past. Its intellectual superiority may be gathered
from the fact that its churches, and chapels of religious
houses, numbered over fifty, and that to-day it possesses
a diocese much more than commensurate with its extent
and population in Norman times.
My life now covers the remembered doings of nearly
eighty years, a period the most astounding, probably,
8

INTRODUCTORY
in the history of the world in which we live. The
years of my infancy belonged truly to a past people,
almost a past age. Every century is marked by its own
progress in dress, food, education and government; but
between the eighteenth and nineteenth were vaster differ
ences than in any two preceding them.
Machinery, unknown before the opening of the nine
teenth century, gradually became the common property
of the husbandman, the producer of textile fabrics, the
builder, the traveller, the mechanic. Chemistry began
to play its important part in the unfolding of the trea
sures of the earth's surface. Steam, from being a
mechanical curiosity, exerted its potentiality as the means
of locomotion on river and sea and land. Electricity
was growing into a useful and controllable power, and
something more than the toy of schoolboys and teachers.
Gas became the terror of the housebreaker and the foot
pad, as well as the most useful of domestic agencies.
Old Bow Street runners gave place to that system of
police which became the foundation of law and order.
Postal conveniences increased the intercourse necessary
to an extended civilization. The Press gradually cast
off the fetters which had held it in the past. That great
est blot upon British institutions, the West India slave
trade, was driven by the persistent efforts of philanthro
pists into befitting annihilation. The extension of the
suffrage, which was forced from the aristocracy of Great
Britain before a third of the century had passed, opened
the way to a series of reforms, long demanded, yet firmly
resisted. A new era had truly set in. A reformed
tariff was one of its first results. Protection was grad
ually superseded by a system of trade which gave to
Great Britain control of the commerce of the world.
Her mercantile fleet dotted the seas, and a cloud of

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
purple smoke soon marked the pathway of British bot
toms from the Old Land to the new and wealthy con
tinent beyond the Atlantic. Unrest, which meant com
mercial life and force, pervaded all things, and it was
indeed a valued privilege to be born at such a time and
amidst such surroundings.
The dead level of the eighteenth century, which was
broken only by the wars, necessary to Progress, it may
have been, but which incarnadined the whole of the civil
ized world ere they passed away, had come to an end.
The struggles of a class, anxious to maintain its hold
upon territory and privileges, had done much to deaden
the slowly developing desire for the growth of general
liberty, but Progress in its protean forms nevertheless
came with the downfall of Napoleon, and the people,
having felt their strength, slowly but surely asserted it,
in the various measures which henceforth crowded the
statute books. But, despite the liberal character of this
legislation, it failed to satisfy many who had unreason
ably looked for a millennium upon an earth not yet free
from the trammels of Ignorance and Privilege. The
unexpected had happened, and the Reform Act, although
to a limited extent a Magna Charta, had not proved
itself to be a panacea for every ailment of the political
situation. Men looked beyond their island home.
Many had already left Britain for the United States and
its undoubted prosperity. To reach its shores was to
begin life anew, and multitudes, convinced of this, sought
the enlarged opportunity to the man of moderate means
which emigration offered.

CHAPTER II.
MY SCHOOL DAYS.
Thomas Cooper, Chartist, poet and teacher — Abandons the last
and opens academy — Teaching methods — Winter readings
—Educational originality — A decorated Milton — From school
to press — Writes poetry and starves — Lectures on Chartism
— Staffordshire — Excites a mob — Sent to jail — Writes a
poem — Becomes' a rationalist lecturer, and ultimately a
Baptist minister. George Boole, mathematician and
teacher — Lincoln and Waddington — A Lincolnshire school
without a Squeers — A good home — Professor of mathe
matics. Queen's College, Cork — Dies there.
While I was yet a lad I was fortunate enough to be
sent to school to Thomas Cooper, Chartist, poet and
author of several works of fiction, which, like the writ
ings of Thomas Miller, the literary basket-maker, and
Hugh Miller, stonemason, were the products of self-edu
cation, acquired under unusual difficulties. Born ih
Leicester, the death of his father caused the removal of
the boy, in the care of his mother, to Gainsboro', in Lin
colnshire, the town which " George Eliot " loved so
much, and described so well, as " St. Oggs," in her best
narrative work, " The Mill on the Floss." The young
student had been apprenticed to a shoemaker, but in his
twenty-third year he abandoned the last, and opened an
Academy, which proved to be unsuccessful as a commer
cial venture, and removed to the city of Lincoln, where
he assumed charge of a school conducted by a relative

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
who had recently died. He had at Gainsboro' picked up
a knowledge, more or less thorough, of Latin, Greek,
Hebrew and Frencli, and after he took control of the
Lincoln venture, studied Italian with an emigre, while
we scholars were at play at our noon recess. His heart
was in his educational work, and he made the school
room as attractive as a home. Its walls were largely
covered with prints and engravings, and there were
heads, painted in oils, of the Apostles and other biblical
characters, which gave promise of wonderfully strong
artistic ability on the part of one of Cooper's Gainsboro'
pupils. On the brackets between the windows were busts
of Milton, his favorite poet, Shakespeare, Byron, Crom
well, Csesar and Homer, and the purchase of these and
of the engravings must have absorbed the sparse savings
of the struggling preceptor.
Our hours of study in school were from nine a.m. to
noon, and from one p.m. to five. The days never seemed
long, although the holidays, which we had from three on
Wednesday afternoon, and the half-day on Saturday,
were always welcome. At four o'clock promptly, on
winter afternoons, school books were closed, and for an
hour our master read aloud some interesting narrative,
which, from his elocutionary powers and distinct pro-
iiunciation, and, more than all, intelligent choice of sub
ject, held us truly spellbound. Bonaparte's unfruitful
campaign in Egypt, and the horrors of the retreat from
Moscow, were thus made known to us; the graphic
description from the pen of a French savant telling of
the mysteries of the pyramids, took us back to ancient
Egypt; the changing fortunes of the day at Waterloo
were told in thrilling tones; and travels and adventures
and discoveries daily trod upon the heels of the wonders
of the preceding afternoon. The beauties of Milton,

MY SCHOOL DAYS
Shakespeare and Byron were in turn presented to us.
We crossed the Sahara, scaled the Alps, followed Colum
bus across the Atlantic, heard the jubilant death-cry of
Wolfe, and stood by the rude grave of valiant Sir John
Moore. The pages of ancient history were opened to us,
and we trod the soil of Italy, entered the Roman amphi
theatre, fought at Marathon, and with intense satisfac
tion, difficult to realize now, witnessed the discomfiture
of Xerxes.
It was not in such things only that Cooper excelled.
He was the embodiment of educational originality, and
loved to teach us the A B C of citizenship. A mayor
and municipal council were elected, for the boys, by the
boys; by-laws for our management were passed; and
even courts were established for the trial of minor
offences. A row in the playground was disposed of
before a tribunal in which the master became judge, and
some of the pupils acted as counsel, witnesses and jury
men — the sentence being properly in the hands of the
Bench. I was too young to be a very active participant
in these formalities, but have a distinct remembrance of
them. We were made as familiar as boys could well be
with the various forms of government, and while politics
were not openly taught, we were strongly tinctured with
the belief that a free republic is infinitely better than an
unlimited monarchy.
Although full of nervous energy, impulsive and posi
tive in his opinions. Cooper possessed wonderful control
over his temper, and seldom exhibited its weakest side.
Once only did I see him lose ordinary curb over it, and
then he severely chastised a lad who had, without provo
cation, applied an opprobrious epithet to another. Once
again I witnessed the coming storm, but then it was
softened by an expression of regret that averted punish-
13

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
ment. A lad, full of animal spirits, and the victim of an
irresistible impulse of drollery, took advantage of the
master's absence on one occasion, bored a hole into the
plaster bust of Milton, near the melancholy mouth of the
great poet, placed a short pipe in the aperture, and decor
ated the neck of the author of " Paradise Lost " with a
narrow blue ribbon, tastefully tied into a fashionable
bow. Need it be wondered that such a profanation
called forth the lightnings of our offended Jove? The
hurricane came, and the sinner quailed before it, but
Humor pled with Mercy. She prevailed over frowning
Justice, and with a smile, sad and forgiving, even if
somewhat grim, the judge kindly warned the culprit
never to repeat such a desecration of the memory of the
highest and noblest in England's Pantheon.
After a comparatively brief period. Cooper abandoned
the teaching profession for a pursuit still more attractive
to him. He was offered and accepted the position of
co-editor to the Stamford Mercury, probably then the
most important of the county press in England, and,
removing to Stamford, acted as its editor until the demon
of unrest once more overtook him. He sought refuge
in trade, bought and sold leather, and lost money. He
had visions of literary excellence, and could have realized
them had he listened to their promptings. He went to
London and Bulwer, to whom he was well known, and
was disappointed. The literary baronet had his own
ambition to satisfy, and took little interest in the author
of second-rate fiction. Cooper returned to Leicester and
opened a coffee house, and lost more of his small means.
Naturally a Reformer and man of the people, he here
became acquainted with a local leader of the Chartist
body — then rapidly developing, — and urged its claims in
many directions. He drifted into- political discussions,
14

MY SCHOOL DAYS
became prominent amongst his Chartist associates, lec
tured to and was worshipped by his hearers. A conven
tion of working men was to be held in Manchester, and
Cooper was selected as a delegate. The country was
seething with excitement, a wave of unreason swept over
the artisans of the land, and wherever a match was ap
plied a conflagration followed. On his way to Lanca
shire, Cooper addressed a crowd of citizens at Hanley,
in the Staffordshire Potteries, and his oration was fol
lowed by destruction of the residence of the parish par
son, and of those of two other local magnates. He was
not actually present at the riot, but was arrested and com
mitted on a charge of inciting to arson, and, although
he conducted his own defence, was acquitted. He was
shortly afterwards tried for sedition, and convicted.
His trial lasted several days, and his defence was bril
liant and vigorous, if not effective. He was sentenced
to two years' imprisonment in Stafford jail, and man
fully served his term for what he did not regard as a
crime. It was a time of trials and convictions and pun
ishments of men who asked for a measure of liberty
which has long been accorded to Canadians and has been
liberally extended to Englishmen.
During the term he was immured in Stafford jail he
was afforded facilities for literary work, and wrote a
poem in the Spencerian stanza which is of remarkable
power, and called forth many favorable criticisms from
even politically differing opponents. His jail poem,
"'The Purgatory of Suicides," evinced vast literary eru
dition and depth of thought, and was speedily followed
by other work in prose and verse. Amongst his corre
spondents and friends he numbered Jerrold, Carlyle,
Bulwer, Dickens, DTsraeli, and many others whose
names are household words. But in religious belief,
15

SIXTY YEaks in upper CANADA
although a Methodist in early life, he was a heretic, and
for years derived a precarious existence from lectures on
subjects which he saw from the extreme Radical stand
point. As life sped on, his ultra views were softened,
and although he remained a Liberal in politics, he spent
many of the later years of his life in the enunciation of
" The Evidences of Christianity," using the old argu
ments, made stronger by' his own experience. He died
but a comparatively short time ago, in Lincoln, at a ripe
old age, respected and beloved by all who knew him.
After leaving the Cooper school, I became a pupil of
George Boole, subsequently a well-known Mathematical
Professor of Queen's College, Cork, who opened a semin
ary in Lincoln, and afterwards became the proprietor of
a large boarding-school in the village of Waddington,
near Lincoln. Again was I fortunate in my surround
ings, for George Boole was even more devoted to his
work than was Cooper. The school had an average
attendance of about sixty pupils, and these were well
and thoroughly taught. At Waddington this was
assured by the constant supervision of the master during
school hours, and the actual presence of two ushers at
all times. The school proper was in a building of the
Elizabethan era, and its long windows, like large paral
lelograms with stone casings and leaded glass, and hav
ing iron rods as protection, took the imagination of the
pupils back to a period when Shakespeare made a name
and "good Queen Bess did rule this land." Our refec
tory occupied about a third of the length of one large
room, 'used as school and dining-room, the remaining
space being utilized for desks and " forms," at which we
sat to study. Either end of this hall held a huge 'fire
place, in which, during the winter months, fires con
stantly burned throughout the day, and until, at the hour
i6

MY SCHOOL DAYS
of nine p.m., the pupils retired to their dormitories. A
healthy mind and a healthy body were regarded as the
normal condition of a Waddington lad, and an epidemic
was a thing unknown during the reign of the presiding
master. George Boole was a born teacher, largely self-taught,
and standing in the ranks of the people. Of refined!
taste, liberal ideas of vast width and depth, he won
love, commanded respect, and was successful because
thorough, persevering, and well equipped for the work
which he set out to do. And to him the schoolroom was
his home, while his exacting duties were a labor
of love. As long as he conducted the day-school
in Lincoln I was a regular pupil. In summer months
he gave us no home work, but we went to school
each morning at seven, and studied until eight, when
we went home to breakfast, returning punctually
at nine. Boole's father was a clever optician, and
I have clear and pleasant recollections of several
Sunday afternoons spent in a darkened room, which
enabled us to greedily drink in the wonders produced by
the lenses of a solar microscope of great power. I
remember, still more vividly, the occurrence of a total
eclipse of the sun, and the exhibition of its moving
shadow, thrown upon a sheet by means of a telescope
placed in one of the shutter-darkened windows of the
room. At totality, the pupils present were taken into
an adjoining garden to see the closing of the flowers,
to hear crowing chanticleers, and to watch jackdaws
winging home to roost in the lofty cathedral towers at
Lincoln. These things are such pleasant recollections
that it would be difficult to refrain from telling them,
and they afford, if naught else, a view of the possibilities

17

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
of a well-taught school in the days when the story of
Dotheboys Hall was believed to be the story of nearly
every private school in England.
Knowing the difficulties of Lindley Murray, our pre
ceptor dictated to us, each morning, a portion of a brief'
manual of grammar which he had prepared, so as to sim
plify the studies of his pupils. The blackboard and nu
merous maps were freely used, correct orthography was
rigidly enforced, and our reading lessons were made in
structive by varied questions which brought before us the
meaning of the author. In the selection of reading mat
ter used in the classes he travelled far beyond the average
teacher as to the quality of the books put into the hands
of his pupils, and he aimed at elevation of taste and cul
tivation of the mind. Compositions were his tests of
progress, and they were so numerous that every scholar
could give a written expression of his ideas. His pupils
were from the families of the middle class of society in
Lincoln and its surrounding villages, and were of average
intelligence, while of varying age and capacity. Several
boys were destined for medicine, others had before them
a legal career, still others were preparing for the farm or
commerce, and one, a special wonder, was studying for
the naval service and was up in trigonometry.
Waddington was supposed to have derived its name
from " Woden," in the days of the Danish invasion and
settlement of Lincolnshire, and to have received its ter
minal " ton " at the instance of the Saxon invaders who
succeeded the Norsemen. It was a quiet village, perched
on the top of the cliff highland which runs throughout
the border of the fenny country and terminates in the
Wolds amidst which Tennyson was born, and the beau
ties of which he has sung in living verse. Below it is a

i8

MY SCHOOL DAYS
valley of vast extent, and the eye overlooking it takes in
a vision embracing much of Nottinghamshire and the
Sherwood Forest, in which Robin Hood was king, and
distant views of Rutland, Leicestershire, Derby and
Yorkshire. What a magnificent panorama under either
sun or storm! Field after field, grange after grange,
masses of woodlands here and there, church spires every
where, towns and villages in the profuse number which
distinguishes so much of thickly populated England, and
on every hand evidences of thrift, prosperity and beauty
make up a picture such as Turner loved to paint. Sunny
Italy itself, as I heard a travelled gentleman declare, can
not produce a scene more exquisitely finished than that
which meets_ the eye on a clear summer's day from the
brow of the hill-slope of Woden's town.
In our schoolroom the furniture was plain, and there
were few of the extra comforts of an ordinary home.
The food supplied to the pupils was plentiful and whole
some, and with meat, milk, bread and potatoes as their
bases, the meals were suited to the capacity and require
ments of growing lads and were served at regular hours.
Breakfast, consisting of bread and milk, was partaken of
at eight; dinner was called at half-past twelve, with a
well-known bill of fare distinguishing each day of the
week; and " tea," of bread and butter and coffee, at six
o'clock. At half-past eight we had a collation, termed
a " supper," when we were given bread and cheese or
bread and treacle, as we preferred, and every night we
were polled to ascertain how many rations of cheese were
required, or how many " treacles " were called for, and
it was seldom that the total poll fell short of the total
number of voters.
Above the schoolroom were the dormitories, in each

19

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
of which were six or eight beds, an objectionable feature
being the fact that there were two boys for every bed.
We rose at seven in winter and at half-past six in sum
mer, and retired at nine all the year round. Our lava
tory was on the lower floor, where basins, the usual sinks,
and an abundant supply of water sufficed for our toilets,
each boy furnishing his own soap, towels, brushes and
combs. Our ablutions were pretty thorough, for we
stripped to the " buff," and sponged and soused under
the superintending eye of a vigilant usher. We had
baths, used on Saturdays, and at other times when requi
site, and we kept about as clean as we felt necessity for.
Prayers and the reading of a portion of Scripture fol
lowed our morning scrub and preceded our retirement
at night. Our studies were as thorough as regular super
vision could enforce, and were commenced by half an
hour's work before breakfast, proceeded from nine to
twelve, were resumed at two and continued until five,
and were kept up at night from seven to half-past eight.
Holidays were not numerous. On Wednesday after
noon books were closed at three o'clock, and although
there was no dissipating all-day vacation on Saturday,
there was no work on the afternoon of that day. That
play hours were fully employed goes without saying.
Games were fast and furious, and as various as the tastes
of the pupils. There were " seasons " for them, and
passing waves of shinney, tops, marbles, fox and hounds,
prison bars, paper chase, football, bull in the ring, burn-
laall, foot races, jumping, leapfrog, and the various other
amusements which fill up the play hours of young John
Bull, followed each other with a regularity which was
pleasing in its kaleidoscopic characteristic. But cricket
was with us as a " stand-by," and ball games always had

20

MY SCHOOL DAYS
a preference. In those days baseball was unknown, ex
cept as rounders, and hockey on ice was a sealed book to
the English lad. The games, however, helped to develop
pluck, courage and strength just as surely then as do the
sports of to-day, and I like to think that it was the game
itself, even more than the hope of victory, that appealed
to us.
One of my early recollections of a semi-literary char
acter is the fact that when a child I saw my first theatri
cal play. It was " Hamlet," the principal character being
assumed by the famous tragedian, Young, who was
issisted by the stock company on the Lincoln Circuit,
managed by William Robinson, father of Mrs. Kendal
and of Thomas Robinson, the clever author of several
well-known and successful plays, as " School," " Caste,"
" Ours," and others. Mrs. Robinson, mother of
"Madge," played the Queen, but the character which
delighted me more than others, I distinctly remember,
was the first grave-digger, personated by Henry Comp
ton, the most distinguished delineator of Shakespeare's
clowns. The duel scene was long and distinctly remem
bered by me.
There is an incident of my later life which so strongly
recalls my schooldays that I cannot forbear 'telling it
here. At one of the dinners given by me as Speaker in
the old Parliament Buildings in Toronto, I had as a guest
Frederick Broughton, Esq., then manager of the Great
Western Railway. A slight dialect possessed by him
struck me as of Lincolnshire in its origin. Upon inquiry
he told me that he was an Englishman, born in the city
of Lincoln, and in the animated conversation which fol
lowed I found that he, as I, had been taught his alphabet
bv a Miss Morris when living in that city, and that he

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
had been taken by his parents, soon after these early
lessons in English, to Gainsboro', where he had been
taught Latin by my old teacher, Thomas Cooper,
and we felt very specially that there was some
thing more in this than the common bonds of ordinary
acquaintance. Soon after this, I regret to add, Mr.
Broughton, while walking in his garden at Woodstock,
Ont., suddenly fell and died, a victim of heart disease.

22

CHAPTER III.
AN OLD-TIME ENGLISH ELECTION.
The Sibthorpian interest — Mr. Lytton BuWer — A reform
candidate — His personal appearance — " Split votes " and a
reform winner — Street scenes — Election row — Pinks and
blues — Rival roosters — Blazing tar barrels — Babies and
beer — Torn flags — Broken windows — More of Bulwer —
Another sketch — His pluck — Wright and Cobden.
The city of Lincoln, one of the strongholds of Feudal
ism, had, for the larger part of the century previous to
the passage of the Reform Bill, been represented by some
member of the Sibthorpe family, resident at Canwick,
about a mile from Lincoln, and two Conservatives were
regularly returned as a matter of course. But the end
was near. The chain was snapped at last through the
efforts of a strong Reform candidate in the person of Mr.
Lytton Bulwer, afterwards to become a leading novelist
of the day and a statesman of no small renown.
Although the eccentric Colonel Sibthorpe, whose intro
duction of the moustache upon the face of the ordinary
citizen was his chief claim to notoriety, fought a strong
fight and headed the poll by a small majority, he was in
no respect a match for his opponent, and but for the free
men who " plumped " in self-defence, and many of whom
were brought long distances for the purpose, the whilom
champion of this special class would have been beaten,
as were so many of those who had sat with him in the
unreformed Parliament, and, as it was, his coadjutor,
23

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
the other Conservative candidate, was hopelessly dis
tanced. Mr. Bulwer, who, as Lord Lytton, has a world-wide
reputation, had some of the qualities of the popular can
didate. Of little more than medium height, and with
a frame of average proportions, ungainly in manner as
an orator, and in a somewhat labored fashion making
points which told with an audience of intensity on both
sides, he fought keenly and had an enthusiastic following.
Many votes were " split," and the indications of the
waning popularity of the semi-military Sibthorpe were ob
vious ; and although afterwards elected by a fair major
ity, where little more than five hundred votes on either
side were the tally of party strength, and in a contest
wherein Bulwer was freely supported by the more intel
ligent electors of the constituency, the bewhiskered old
man was no longer supreme. Bulwer afterwards, when
he became heir to Knebworth, a large landowner with a
prospective title, changed his political allegiance, and was
as strongly Conservative as hitherto he had been an advo
cate of Reform. At about the same period, Gladstone,
the after champion of Radical principles, was contesting
Newark, fourteen miles distant, in the Newcastle and
Tory interests, and D'Israeli commenced his career as an
extreme Reformer.
The street scenes accompanying the electoral fights of
those days, in Lincoln, as well as elsewhere, were full of
humor and pugilistic ferocity. The West Indian slavery
question was prominent then, and Sibthorpe's defence
of British iniquity called forth the ire of the supporters
of Reform. Six manacled wretches were driven through
the streets in the Liberal procession, with burnt-cork vis
ages and in dress apparently borrowed from the circus of
a Cook or Ducrow. The driver, wearing moustache and
24

AN OLD-TIME ENGLISH ELECTION
whiskers of huge proportions, was armed with a heavy
whip and carried a rusty pistol which he loaded and fired
at intervals at the heels of the unfortunate " slaves "—
well paid for their temporary degradation — and was
supposed by the juveniles to be the genuine embodi
ment of the gallant Colonel himself, who had dragged
the miserable blacks from their far-off island homes.
In these processions flags of blue and white indicated the
Liberal proclivities of the bearers, while pink and white
distinguished the followers of Sibthorpe. These displays
took place daily and nightly, and while the contest lasted
there was ever upon the air the solemn beating of the
Tory drum, which found in " The Roast Beef of Old
England " its most popular air, or the brazen notes of
the Radical bugles and trombones, which anxiously
asked, "What Can the Matter Be?" Sometimes the
rival processions met, and dire was the result. The
streets were being repaved and macadamized just about
that special period, and stones and mud were handy.
Some boy of an adventurous disposition tried their effi
cacy upon some other boy of opposite political tendencies,
and it is almost needless to tell what followed. Flags
torn from their poles were trampled under foot ; the poles,
broken up, became convenient weapons of offence and
defence, and a real fight went on until the weaker party
succumbed, and retired to once more do vigorous battle
on the morrow. Colonel Sibthorpe's gardener, an old
man with bulbous nose and hearty laugh, wearing a pink
hat made of tin, with " Sibthorpe for ever," as its painted
legend, was the conspicuous leader of a boyish host who
took advantage of some holiday opportunities to lengthen
out a long line of supporters of the " Pink." The old
fellow was " King of the Castle," and marshalled his
voung recruits with all the knowledge and tactics of an
25

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
old soldier. In his hand, as his chief weapon of offence,
he carried a pole with a tin placard, firmly nailed thereto,
upon which was vividly depicted a blue " rooster " in the
struggles of death, stricken by an invincible pink bird of
a more formidable breed. The idea was a brilliant one,
but its originator had no special copyright. Next day
the Bulwerites had their revenge, for they had an artist
equal to the Conservative Landseer, and who sent forth
a blue rooster crowing vociferously, if an arched and
extended neck, a tip-toe attitude and a defiant look con
veyed any meaning, and when the legions met the pink
bird fell to the ground and speedily became an object of
Radical derision and destruction.
The blazing tar barrels, carried on the shoulders of
men, whose special skill in dexterously and safely tossing
into the air these fiery rallying signals earned for them
higher compensation than was paid the ordinary election
" rooter," were objects of special delight tO' the juvenile
mind, while the crowning excitement of the prolonged
popular " spree " was the " chairing " of the successful
candidate, who had to submit to being placed on a raised
platform and carried through the city on the shoulders
of voluntary or purchased enthusiasts.
The most reprehensible practice which, after wholesale
bribery, prevailed at the elections was the custom, handed
down for many recurring contests, of marching the sup
porters of each candidate to the several breweries owned
by adherents of the two parties. The boys, decked with
ribbons, and carrying upon their hats mottoes of " Church
and State," " The Constitution for ever," " No Coali
tion," " Bulwer and Reform," and others of equal ambi
guity, were ranged against the walls of the brewery yard
and freely served with beer, while their seniors of the
same political faith guzzled and imbibed to their high
26

AN OLD-TIME ENGLISH ELECTION
content and happiness. On two occasions the supporters
of the " other side " met their opponents after this satur
nalia, and fierce was the conflict. The " Pinks " carried
many silk flags telling the world of the Sibthorpian vic
tories, dating back to the previous century, and these
were ruthlessly torn into ribbons by the warring com
batants. Next day there was more drinking, more
hurrahing, more challenges, more fighting, and the
"Blues" were compelled to bite the dust. But the
fiercest struggle was over the headquarters of the rival
candidates. The " Saracen's Head," one of the largest
coaching inns in the Eastern Counties, occupied one side
of the High Street, and was given over temporarily to the
Sibthorpians, while the " Reindeer," immediately oppo
site, sheltered the followers of Bulwer. Somebody
began it. Somebody always does. History telleth not
who threw the first stone, but it was thrown and fell on
glass. And windows were broken, and more followed,
and next morning not a pane remained in the front eleva
tion of either the broken Saracen's Head or the stricken
Reindeer. And of such were the contested elections of
our forefathers before the ballot was !
A further brief description of Sir E. L. Bulwer, taken
from Fitzgerald Molloy's " The Most Gorgeous Lady
Blessington," may be permissible before dismissing the
subject of his connection with Lincoln. Says Molloy:
" Descended from a family which, according to its own
belief, had been settled in Norfolk since the Conquest,
this member was, in bearing, a dainty patrician, eccentric
in his ideas, and talented. In appearance he was of
ordinary size, his hair light, his eyes pale blue, his nose
prominent, and his mouth full-lipped. Before he had
reached his twenty-fifth year he had married Rosina
Doyle Wheeler, clever and witty, with a will and temper
27

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
of her own." N. P. Willis writes a description of
Bulwer, in which he tells of the possession of a voice
lover-like and sweet, and says that his conversation was
gay, quick, various, half-satirical, and always fresh and
different from everybody else. " He seemed to talk,"
says Willis, " and could not help it ; and affected every
body with his spirits." Willis describes him as " short,
very much bent in the back, and as ill-dressed a man, for
a gentleman, as you could find in London." The only
commendable point in his person, we are told, was the
smallest boot he had ever seen a man stand upon. In
1838, on account of his literary merit, he was made a
baronet. Here is opportunity for the introduction of
a " little incident."
During one of the contests in Lincoln, Bulwer, passing
along the High Street, saw a large, vociferous and highly
excited crowd assembled near the Stone Bow, and as
earnestly engaged in the exchange of Doric expressions
of sympathy and defiance as if they had entered into a
taproom for political discussion. At the request of the
member, who was leading a little lad, his eldest son, the
crowd promptly opened its ranks, and he quietly stepped
forward towards two huge and ugly dogs, each tugging
at the other's throat, and each being in turn tugged at
by its tail by two of the most brawny men in the crowd.
Bulwer quietly took his snuffbox from his pocket and
scattered its contents upon the noses of the warriors.
In a second " the scene was changed." The dogs separ
ated and were speedily out of sight, sneezing and snarl
ing as they fled. Some votes were doubtless secured hy
this plucky and practical act which otherwise might not
have been recorded in his favor.
My boyish interest in public men was not confined to
those of my immediate locality, and during the thirties
28

AN OLD-TIME ENGLISH ELECTION
the name of Daniel O'Connell, the great Liberator, was
heard in every shire in England, and there was no British
statesman held in higher estimation than he who has
been well entitled " the Member for All Ireland." My
juvenile curiosity was one morning aroused by the an
nouncement that the popular orator had reached Lincoln,
that he was to remain for an hour, and that there was a
hope that he would address the people before his depart
ure for York, to the assize at which city he was making
his way. A large crowd gathered in front of the " City
Arms " hotel, where he was staying, and although rain
was falling, loud cheers proclaimed the desire of the
people to hear and applaud their hero. When he ap
peared at the gateway of the hm to enter his carriage,
he was compelled, by the earnestness of the crowd, to
offer some remarks to his impromptu audience. In
response to the call, he mounted the driver's box seat,
arrayed in overcoat, muffler, and travelling cap, and for
a quarter of an hour uttered words so rousing and accept
able to his friendly hearers that almost every sentence
was marked by cheers and applause, and when he got
down from his novel rostrum, and felt the hearty hand
clasps of those near him, he must have thought how much
akin were the Reformers of Ireland and the Radicals of
England. I had another experience of somewhat similar char
acter, in seeing Richard Cobden and John Bright, and
hearing Bright addressing a large crowd of farmers in
the sheep market at Lincoln on the question of the repeal
of the Corn Laws and the adoption of Free Trade. For
this purpose I stole away from my work for a few pre
cious minutes to obtain a glimpse, however brief, of men
whom I admired so much. I had to hurry back, but I
had seen them! 29

CHAPTER IV.
UPPER CANADA IN THE FORTIES.
Apprentice — Master and servant — A runaway's start — First
railroad trip — The Superb — Upper Canada — Dress — Dear
groceries — Cheap whiskey — Sixteen to one — Food — Open
fireplaces — Buckwheat cakes — Maple sugar — Cattle — Steam
boats on Grand River — From Buffalo to Brantford —
Farming — Rattlesnakes — Wild pigeons — Decreased forest,
fewer birds — Otter, trout and beaver.
When I was a lad of about fourteen I was bound as
apprentice to a large drapery or dry-goods concern in
Lincoln, and in a service of between two and three years'
duration acquired a fair knowledge of values and an
ability to assure a customer what colors were fast and
materials serviceable. When my indentures were signed,
my widowed mother, following what was then a cus
tomary practice in England, paid a premium to my em
ployers for instruction to be imparted to me, and at the
close of the stipulated three years I was to resume my
liberty. My mother remarried in the interval, and
with her husband departed for America, arriving in
Canada in 1843. Another relative resolved to follow
in 1844, and wished me to accompany him. I asked
my employers to remit the few weeks' service to which
they still had legal claim. They refused my request.
Desiring to have the guardianship of my relative, I re
newed my petition. Again the application was without
30

UPPER CANADA IN THE FORTIES
favorable result. I had conscientious scruples, but, alas !
they withered almost ere they bloomed. My uncle
secured berths for himself and family in the liner Hot-
tingeur, to sail at an early date, and I determined to
accompany him. On the last Sunday in April I was
driven by a friend from Lincoln to Nottingham, and
departed thence by rail that evening for Liverpool. This
was my first experience of railway travel, and I well
remember the sensations felt when I entered a carriage
chained to a monster seemingly arrayed in green and
gold, and we dashed off for Derby that night, and con
tinued our journey past Manchester and Chat Moss next
morning for Liverpool. I was disappointed when I
reached that town and was informed that the Hottingeur
would not start for New York for another week. I had
f IO in my pocket, and its rapid diminution would render
it impossible for me to go to Canada unless I made an
immediate start. I studied the notices of departures and
found that the first to leave Liverpool was the Superb,
a timber and cotton ship built on the Clyde untold years
before, and which went down off Greenock in the autumn
gales of 1844. I need waste no space in telling in detail
of its troubles and escapes. It landed us safely in New
York six weeks after we had left Liverpool, and in the
meantime we had run before a tremendous gale to the
Sargasso Sea, been in close proximity to the West
Indies, sailed under frozen rigging in the Northern
Atlantic, and had opportunities to study the possible
length and height of an Atlantic wave. We had been
served with ship dog-biscuits and sprouting potatoes as
a means of keeping body and soul together, until many
were suffering from diarrhoea. We had medical rem
edies in the form of Epsom salts and castor oil, without
a doctor to prescribe even them. It is not difficult to
31

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
determine how much of my fio remained to me
when Staten Island came in sight and the end of our
voyage was reached. Fortune favored me. Upon the
day that the Superb cast anchor and landed her passen
gers, the Hottingeur arrived from Liverpool, having
amongst her passengers my uncle and his family. I
again became a capitalist by effecting a necessary loan,
and on the following day started afresh for Canada.
Going up the Hudson in a " tow " for Albany, we took
passage in a mixed freight and passenger canal boat,
transferred to a steamer at Buffalo, and landed at Port
Robinson, on the Welland Canal, on the 23rd of June,
1844. And here I purpose, as briefly as possible, to tell what
knowledge of Upper Canadian life I acquired at that
time and in several following years. What the Old
World had learned through centuries of experience
had evidently become the property of the new country
at almost its first settlement. Making a home in the
Niagara District in the forties was to find it speedily
surrounded, in so far as mere necessary comforts went,
in the older sections of Upper Canada at least, by con
ditions not far inferior to those existing in the world
beyond the huge Atlantic waves. But there is a greater
difference between the Upper Canada of to-day and' that
of half a century ago than there is betwen the England
of the twentieth century and that of the earlier portion of
the nineteenth. On dress, homes, travel, education,
food, speech — in every particular item of daily life, in
fact — ^the stamp of progress has been placed.
Let us make comparison with the dress of sixty years
ago, and take the ordinary working farmer of that day
as our lay figure. Heavy full-cloth, satinette, coarse
linsey-woolsey shirting, all of home manufacture, com-
32

UPPER CANADA IN THE FORTIES
fortable, strong and serviceable, formed the staple of his
wear. Stoga boots and home-made and coarse straw
hats generally completed his costume. In winter his
headdress was often a cap of fur, made from the skin of
an animal shot by himself, and, for the season of frost,
replaced the nearly universal hand-plaited summer straw.
Home-made wincey and flannel, with a printed calico
dress, and a black Orleans or alpaca for "best wear,"
were the pride and ambition of the farmer's wife.
Canada tweeds were unknown, fine " boughten " and
imported flannels were little used, and a black silk was a
rarity. Woollen hoods in winter, a straw hat or sun-
bonnet in summer, with a go-to-meetin' hat or bonnet,
formed the headgear of our gentle country cousins.
" Plug " or silk hats were uncommon, producible at
funerals and regarded as a venerable remnant of Old
Country finery. Broad-leaved hats of felt were, it may
be added, the outcome of the visit made to America by
Kossuth, the Hungarian patriot. Town folk made a
near approach to European fashions, but they were often
a year or two behind those of the motherland.
Food, which is ever regarded as, at least, next in im
portance to dress, partook of a similar simplicity. Salt
meat, eggs and potatoes were the staple edibles after
bread. Fresh meat, in country parts, was at some sea
sons a comparative luxury. Veal was obtainable in
spring, mutton in summer, and beef or pork in the fall
or winter months, while poultry was generally marketed
as soon as possible after the fattening stubbles were
exhausted. Fancy groceries were actual luxuries. I
have seen currants sold at " three yorkers" (37V2 cents)
a pound ; and raisins, of a poorer quality than we now see,
often commanded " a quarter." Tea was dear, although
duties were low, and frequently brought a dollar; and
3 33

SIXTY YEARS hn ^ urrtiK uajnaua
coffee, cheaper in proportion, was more freely used.
Native fruits were cheap. Peaches were bought off the
tree in the Niagara District for twenty-five cents a bushel ;
apples had little commercial value, and cherries could
be had, in rural localities in the Niagara District, at
twenty-five cents " a tree," the purchaser picking off the
fruit. Ale and beer were obtainable, of drinkable qual
ity, in town, but little of either reached country parts.
Cider was often used, the most desirable being " frozen,"
so that the watery element was largely eliminated and a
very potent intoxicant produced. Whiskey, the common
drink of the country, could be had at any of the numerous
distilleries, by the barrel, at sixteen or twenty cents the
gallon, and there were few " bees," " loggings," or
" raisings " at which it was not more freely dispensed
than water, and there was a prevalent opinion that it
was much more wholesome. Venison, now a luxury,
was a common article of food in many sections, and
obtainable at three or four cents a pound. Wild pigeons,
pheasants or partridges, grouse, wild ducks and quail
were offered at figures which would be startling to people
with modern ideas of value. Maple sugar and molasses
were as common an article for " trading " transactions,
in country stores, as home-made straw hats, butter,
tallow, dried apples, timothy seed, woollen socks,
whittled butter ladles, bowls and axe-helves.
Dwellings were more advanced, probably, in proportion
to the age of a settlement, than food or dress. While
the majority of houses were of logs — the first buil ding-
material used by the settlers in a new section of coun
try — frame buildings of sawn boards superseded them
in older settlements, and preceded the more substantial
erections of brick and stone which now so liberally deck
the landscape in many of our farming districts. There
34

UPPER CANADA IN THE FORTIES
was not much of what is termed architectural beauty,
or even variety, but then, as now, solid comfort was the
distinguishing feature of Canadian homes. The open-
air fireplace in the living-room, the huge backlog, the
piled-up fire on winter nights, which often afforded light
as well as warmth, held undisputed sway before the
growing scarcity of fuel made the dark and frowning
cook-stove a sad and unavoidable necessity. That fire
side was a home institution from which men and women
"gradually broke loose; and many look back with regret
to the day when the andirons kept in place the crackling
logs and the griddle, swung over the blazing fire, sent
forth sweet music to the crowd of hungry girls and boys,
as the sizzling lard or chunk of fat pork made it ready
for the batter whence came those steaming buckwheat
cakes of cinnamon brown on either side, and which,
piping hot, were food for gods, girls and boys, and hardy
backwoodsmen. Sixty years back, the cattle on the hills, the sheep in
the meadow, the hogs in the beech woods, the cows in
the pasture, and the horses and oxen at the plough were
farther apart from their successors of to-day than aught
else that Canada has brought forth and improved. The
pail was the test of the cow, and other points were
nowhere. Beef wasn't king. Butter was but the key
to unlock the stores from which the good housewife filled
her tea-caddy, replenished the sugar-bowl, secured her
bonnet, or renewed those store clothes which it was the
darling desire of her heart to possess. Nearly every
" boughten " thing owned by her had come from the
churn or the hennery. If cows were " mixed," swine,
the pork factors, were as ugly as that famous possessor
of them who drove them pell-mell into the sea, and wore
manes as do the wild boars of a German forest. Sheep
35

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA _
were of a degenerated Merino breed, small in size and of
little value for mutton, and the selling price, minus the
skin, was often as low as one dollar the carcase. Cattle
were sometimes large when, at four or five years of age,
they reached maturity, but even then were bony, coarse,
and more of active than adipose tendencies. There were
but few men known as breeders of thoroughbred stock,
and you could have counted on the fingers of both hands
the names of those who had imported such animals from
Great Britain. The Provincial Exhibition had not°
begun its work of instruction and book-farming. The
horse, smart, quick, active and manageable, was the best
and most valuable product of the farm, and for general
purposes came more closely to the rural idea of the fitness
of things than his more pretentious and, it may be, better
pedigreed successor. If he could not command fancy
prices, he was worth more money than the average horse
of to-day, could do quite as much work, and was as
handy and useful a farmer's friend on the road as on
the farm. But if our horse does not show that widely
spread and general superiority which might reasonably
have been expected, the roads upon which he now travels
are, from every standpoint, a vast improvement upon
those of half a century ago. What can the settler of
to-day, in any section of old Upper Canada, tell of cor
duroys, log crossways and culverts, jolting mud-holes,
wide and deep, of ditches absent where most needed, of
huge stumps round which wagon wheels or sled runners
slipped or bumped, of sticky clay piled into yawning
chasms, or of big boulders dumped into a hole only to
make jumping, groaning, creaking, squeaking wheels
work a wider margin of sloppy, slushy, indescribable
confusion. In the county of Haldimand, in the summer days, a
36

UPPER CANADA IN THE FORTIES
steamboat ran from Dunnville to Brantford, carrying
passengers and merchandise, and was a great convenience
to the people resident on the banks of the stream —
" Grand River Roarers " they were termed — but the
Grand River Navigation Company saw that the invest
ment was a poor one, and the enterprise was abandoned.
To remain successful in life, in Canada or elsewhere,
without work was then, as now, an impossibility, and I
willingly took such as offered. My relatives had made an
unforttmate purchase of what proved to be a worn-out
farm in the township of Canboro', about seven miles from
Dunnville, and the struggle to help reclaim and improve
this occupied the summer and fall of 1844. Everything
was novel, and I revelled in the wonders which the new
land presented to the callow Englishman. Bird and
beast, reptile and insect, all were previously unknown to
me, and I lost no time in making myself familiar with
their appearance and habits. I was told which to avoid,
and the rattlesnake, having the worst reputation, became
my special aversion. The first which I killed was bask
ing in the sun heat of a summer day, and an oak rail,
taken from a fence at hand and vigorously used, speedily
rendered him harmless. A companion escaped. While
engaged, on another day, in " loading " a crop of peas,
I threw a bundle of the vines upon the wagon, when
one of the dangerous reptiles wriggled to the ground
and I despatched him with my fork. At the same time
my comrade on the wagon warned me that another
rattler was crawling past me. I turned to strike, but
my intended victim had disappeared below a large and
decayed pine stump. After' the crop was gathered the
stump was burnt, and in the following year rattlers were
an unknown quantity in that locality.
In travelling upon the roads in that neighborhood it
37

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
was not unusual to see a dead rattler, or other large
snake, adorning a roadside fence, and on a summer's
morning the road was marked with lines through the
thick dust indicating where snakes had passed in the
night. In that section of country the several other
varieties of snakes were regarded as harmless, but to kill
every such reptile seen was thought to be the duty of
the good citizen.
Canboro', near which village was my home, was but
a few miles from Lake Erie, and in the various creeks
small turtles were found in abundance, taking their wide
awake nap morning, evening and night, while there were
others of the snapping variety large enough tO' adorn an
aldermanic table.
Birds were plentiful in numbers and variety, and many
were common then which now are seldom seen. The
disappearance of the forest, and the increased number of
boys and guns, account largely for the falling off in the
extent of the annual migration from south to north, and
this is to be regretted. In the days to which I refer the
cardinal bird was often seen, herons were numerous,
humming-birds were comparatively abundant in their
coats of bronze and carmine, and quail were to be
seen and heard, with their call of " Bob White," late in
fall, early in spring, often in winter, and always through
out the summer months. Partridges, with their peculiar
drumming in spring and fall, were heard on every farm,
and the king of the woods, the large red-headed wood
pecker, a splendid variety of our summer visitors, was
no rarity. The tanager, with his adornment of crimson
and black, brightened field, forest and garden more
often before the devastation of our woodland, but
now is seldom found in locations of altitude and bar
renness. Ducks of one variety or other are still
38

UPPER CANADA IN THE FORTIES
food for the sportsman in decreased numbers. But
the bird most missed is the passenger pigeon. Large
flocks of these birds were last seen by me in 1866. They
flew in numbers each morning in June and July of
that year across the St. Clair into Michigan, and re
turned at night to roost in northern Ontario. The flocks
were not so large as in some previous years, and were
the last of which I have any record. In the fall of 1844
I saw one flight, or probably many smaller flights em
bodied in one huge mass for migratory purposes, cross
the field of view near Canboro', darkening the sky so that
the morning seemed dull, travelling from east to west,
and occupying more than an hour in its flight. Whence
the birds came none knew, but on other occasions when
these wild pigeons were killed, rice had been often found
in their crops, and old hunters surmised that it had been
taken from the fields of North Carolina — a prodigious
flight, although a possible and probable one. The rate
of flight and its great height while the birds were pass
ing over Lake Ontario en route gave strength to this
theory. Roosts were found in the townships north of
Elora, and I visited one in the township of Maryboro'
where the birds were breeding in large numbers in
the branches of lofty elms growing there in full lux
uriance. The return and departure of the birds engaged
in feeding their young was continuous, and fully war
ranted the description given by Fenimore Cooper when
he told of the thunder-like noise produced by the wings
of arriving and departing birds engaged in their parental
duties. The lessening of the number of birds owes much to
decreased forest, the frivolities of fashion in the love of
feather trimmings, and a target practice which takes a life
for every good shot. The whip-poor-will, the red-headed
39

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
woodpecker, the scarlet tanager, the blue-jay, the oriole,
the canary have been diminished in numbers as the
woods have disappeared. The gun has been more devas
tating than the axe.
With the disappearance of birds there is a marked
lessening in the number of the wild animals which came,
at one time or other, to the doors of our rural popula
tion. At Canboro' I saw twelve deer disporting them
selves, in the shining sunlight of a fine winter afternoon,
upon the ice formed on the mill-dam, and smaller herds
of them — a family or two running together — had their
" runs " in the woods of some of the old farms of the
locality. Otter had their " slides " upon the banks of
the Grand River, in which stream large trout were then
abundant ; and within half a mile of Elora beavers
cut down trees in the vain instinctive hope of damming
the big stream which, with rising waters, swept
away their good intentions. Wolves howled vigorously
nightly through fall and winter. Lynx were sometimes
trapped and often seen in woods bordering upon the
village, while foxes and the smaller faunae were more
plentiful than profitable.
In those days a good shot was a man of lofty reputa
tion, and a turkey-shooting match was one of the highest
forms of rural enjoyment. A horse race had innumerable
fascinations, but to be able to snuff a candle with a rifle
bullet, and to drive a nail into a stump, across a road
diagonally fired over, was a feat entitling the performer
to applause sweeter than that awarded to the most suc
cessful jockey or politician.
We have reason to be thankful that since the times of
which I have told change has placed its hand upon nearly
everything, and, in the vast majority of instances, for the
benefit of mankind. Life is made more and more worth
40

UPPER CANADA IN THE FORTIES
living. Every little detail of household routine has been
improved. We cook with ranges almost perfect in their
approach to autonomy. We have passed from saleratus
to yeast, and improved each adjunct to our daily life.
We have thrown aside the lancet, and placed the bath or
its equivalent tub in every household. We have turned
over the sturdy ox to the willing butcher, and substituted
the horse and mule for agricultural operations. We
have banished the whiskey still from the premises of
every miller. We no longer nauseate the child with
castor oil, Epsom salts, brimstone and treacle, and the
hundred other terrors of the sick-room provided for the
juvenile patient. The tablet and tabloid have brought
in a needed revolution, and with the homoeopathic dose
have sweetened life to the invalid whether young or old.

41

CHAPTER V.
FROM 1844 TO 184.9.
Farming — Fever and ague — Change of scene — Good water
powers — Drugs and literature — A green editor, genial and
Irish — A startling proposal — A Reform training — Robert
Smiley — Press reforms — Party feeling high — Lord Elgin —
Adorn a pageant or grace a feast — Rebellion Losses Bill
— Unpopular if just — An old argument given full play —
Paving stones and politics — A genuine ovation — Spoiled
eggs and faded patriotism — " Fire " — A magnificent library
destroyed — Lord Elgin rewarded — His progress through
Upper Canada a triumph— Ashes of Ste. Anne.
From 1844 to 1848 I spent most of my time in farm
ing, at Canboro', in the county of Haldimand, and
although as an agriculturist I was not what is termed
a brilliant success, I could have lived there comfortably,
performing the ordinary work of ploughing, seeding,
harrowing and gathering, had not severe attacks of fever
and ague rendered removal a necessity. A friend, who
knew the country well and had travelled over much of
the older portion of Ontario, invited me to visit with
him a section of the province in which ague was un
known and land was as fertile as any in Upper Canada.
His advice was taken; a new home was sought for and
found at a recently formed village, Elora, about thirteen
miles north of Guelph, and affording a settler oppor
tunity of growing up with it to prosperity. The idea
42

FROM 1844 TO 1849
of farming at that time was abandoned, and a mercantile
life seemed to afford quicker and better means for secur
ing a comfortable home. But the money which we had
when we came from England was about exhausted, and
it was necessary to start afresh in an effort to make
Canadian dollars replace the English sovereigns which
had slowly but certainly disappeared, first in buying a
worn-out farm at a high price, and later in buildings
and in securing the means of subsistence which the
meagre crop from the exhausted land failed to provide.
Upon the farm at Canboro' we had built a frame house,
covered in a large space for shed, stable and feeding pur
poses, and then found that sixty acres of poor land would
require some years for the recuperation of the vegetable
matter which had disappeared. We ultimately sold this
property for $800 to a respectable and intelligent farmer
from the county of York. He was a keen son of Scotia,
was not deceived as to the situation, and thought he
knew what he was about, but a year's experience con
vinced him that he had made a poor investment, and he
was doubtless glad to escape from an illimitable supply
of Canada thistles and the innumerable bodily evils which
a malarial atmosphere produces.
Elora was then fn its infancy and had less than two
hundred inhabitants. Upon the north side of the town
plot two houses had been erected, with a mill run by a
company, a distillery — an almost necessary adjunct to a
flour mill in those days — furnishing spirituous comfort
to all who sought it. A more beautiful site for a flour
ishing town could not well be imagined. A fall of forty
feet down a limestone escarpment gave enormous power
on the Grand River, where a dam had been erected, which,
for many months in the year, was filled with abundance
of water. The rocks, covered with cedar, pine, maple,
43

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
elm, beech, spruce, hemlock and basswood, were amongst
the most attractive features of the scene, and within two
hundred yards came the junction of the Grand and Irvine
rivers. Less than a mile up the Irvine were two other
"powers," while down the Grand itself, about another
mile away, was a fall taking in the waters of the com
bined streams.
After removing from Canboro' to Elora, if was deemed
advisable that I should learn more of the business cus
toms of the country. Walking about forty miles from
Elora to Hamilton, then a growing city though of small
population, and meeting with friends, I secured a posi
tion as assistant in a drug store. Here, at odd intervals,
I jotted down remembrances of the scenes on the banks
of the Grand River at Elora, and, ambitious of seeing
myself in print, had sent them anonymously to the
editor of the Journal and Express. Solomon Brega, its
editor, gave to the compositor scraps of editorial matter
and long " takes " from current literature and Toronto
and local newspapers, such information as might seem
necessary to continued existence of himself and his organ.
He liked to take things easily, and wore as many smiles
— and genuine, too — as brightened any face I had ever
seen. He was genial, a good fellow, and had seen some
thing of English newspaper life, notably in the offixe of
the London Morning Chronicle, and his reminiscences
were as interesting as they were novel.
I had sent in my contribution without any pen-name,
but it was printed, and I was happy. In the next issue
appeared a request that the writer of the article would
favor the editor with a call. I called, and was told that
the editor wished to spend two weeks at Niagara Falls.
and requested me to take charge of his newspaper during
his absence ! I had never read a " proof," nor had I
44

FROM 1844 TO 1849
written a line upon Canadian politics, and thought the
request as comic as it was seriously intended. As a boy
I had become a member of the Anti-Corn Law League,
and written an address " to the young men of England "
in favor of Free Trade, which had been politely returned
to me by Mr. Richard Cobden himself. I had the advan
tage of extensive newspaper reading before I left Eng
land, and had some slight acquaintance with Chartist
demands for Reform. I had, too, read the Toronto
Examiner previous to and after my arrival in Canada,
and was sympathetic with the Liberal party of the
province. I was thus but poorly prepared for the per
formance of such a task as was set before me. I con
sulted my employer, and he told me I could work at the
editorship during the evening, and learn the drug busi
ness in the day. Upon these conditions I set to work
upon the Express, and managed to get through my fort
night's labor in such fashion that the result of the
arrangement was my ultimate settlement in the sanctum,
the acquisition of a somewhat imperfect knowledge of
drugs, and a mental state of mingled enthusiasm and
conviction that many men can do more work than they
believe themselves capable of — until they attempt it.
In Hamilton the Gazette, the extreme Tory organ, was
the property of Mr. Bull, and was conducted with fair
ness; and the Hamilton Spectator had recently been estab
lished by Mr. Robert Smiley, a man full of enterprise,
who built up his paper into the form which for years
has made it into a profitable property, while its rivals,
conducted on old-fashioned lines, have long been dead.
In those days the scurrilous pen was the strong one,
and invective was even more attractive to the ordinary
reader than the most polished sentences. It was not to
be wondered at, therefore, that a young fellow full of
45

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
"go," and well satisfied with his lucubrations, penned
words he would be ashamed to utter to-day, and de
scended so low as to find himself applying the name of
Marryatt's " Snarleyow " to the editor of the Spectator.
And it was thought to be a great hit. Times have
changed. The amenities of the press are now as fully
observed as are those of private life. The political
instructor does not find strong and coarse words neces
sary when making a point. In saying that times are
changed, it is, however, necessary to remember that party
feeling ran high in 1848, that all Europe was aglow with
the fervor of revolutionary progress, and that men were
shaken out of their jog-trot beatitude into incipient war
fare between parties. While kingly thrones were totter
ing, and universal crash seemed possible and near, we
were as a people approaching the brink of civil war.
In 1849 came the Rebellion Losses Bill and the burn
ing of the Parliament Buildings at Montreal, accom
panied by that foolish exhibition of the Black Flag,
which sets us thinking what arrant blunderers some of
the leaders of those days were.
Public opinion was peculiarly sensitive, and readily
took offence at language said to have been used by
Lord Elgin at a public dinner, whereat he significantly
said : " I did not come to Canada to adorn a pageant or
to grace a feast."
These words were at once seized upon by some Re
formers as indicative of the speaker's intention to inter
fere with the action of the responsible government won
after so many fierce political battles in its behalf; and
by Conservatives as indicating the instructions which
had been given by the British Government to the Gov
ernor-General. The stenographer's report, on revision,
was pronounced to be incorrect, and the obnoxious words
46

FROM 1844 TO 1849
explained as a slip of the pen. In fact, the stenographer,
I was informed, admitted that his notes were mixed and
that he had at this point confused them. The necessary
changes were made, but the general feeling in regard to
the matter afforded another illustration of the uncer
tainty — sometimes only — of press reports and corrections.
Lord Elgin was too well trained a statesman and diplo
mat to wilfully make such an uncalled-for display of
authority, and he, the best judge of his intended sayings,
explicitly denied the use of the words imputed to him.
It must be conceded that, at the worst, he did not intend
to use such language, and never entertained the idea
which it appears to convey.
This was but an incident, however, and had nothing
to do with the excited state of the public mind over the
introduction and passage of what was known as " The
Rebellion Losses Bill," intended to cover the losses sus
tained by innocent and loyal men whose property had
been destroyed during the progress of the recent rebellion.
The measure met with much adverse criticism from the
Conservative party, then in opposition under the lead of
Sir Allan MacNab, member for Hamilton in the United
Parliament ; and his followers, in both Upper and Lower
Canada, were lashed into fury by their belief that the
bill was intended to cover the losses of traitors as well
as those of actual sufferers. The measure was un
doubtedly a compromise which seemed to be a fair instal
ment of justice to many innocent men who had materially
suffered at the hands of loyalists and rebels during the
troubles of 1838. Amongst them were some who had
probably — nay, undoubtedly — been guilty of treason, but
not of overt acts. To discriminate, when public money
was to be distributed, was difficult, but it seemed certain
that no great number of applicants could thus impose
47

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
upon oflicials deputed to make legal payment for injuries
reported and proved to have been committed.
When the Union was effected there was aroused a
strong feeling as to the location of the seat of govern
ment, and Montreal had been selected as being, in popular
estimation, the most suitable position for the purpose.
Ste. Anne's Market was occupied temporarily, pending
arrangements for a proper building. The discussion of
the Rebellion Losses had filled such room as was avail
able, at the sittings of both the Legislative Council and
the Legislative Assembly, with excited and riotously
inclined citizens. The debate going on in both bodies
had been of acrimonious character, and had aroused the
passions of the hearers of the various addresses. The
old race feuds were revived. The fact that the bill was
to receive the Royal Assent — that it had not been
reserved — was regarded as an open challenge by the
denouncers O'f the measure. But when, on the 26th of
April, 1849, the Governor-General had entered the Hall
of the Council and given sanction to the bill, at the same
time that he placed his imprimatur upon a solitary other
bill relating to the customs, the rage of the street op
ponents of the Losses Bill became unmanageable. What
to do was the query bandied from one to the other, and
an answer was speedily suggested. The Governor hav
ing, on his way to Monklands, crossed the upper front
of the city, an attempt was made to overtake and assail
him with missiles on his return, and "short cuts " were
ordered, so that he might be reached. There was a will
ingness on the part of the mob to obey orders, but the
horses in the rushing " pageant " outraced their pur
suers. There were those, however, who knew the topog
raphy of Montreal and succeeded in waylaying the car
riage, and eggs previously collected for the purpose, and
48

FROM 1844 TO 1849
paving stones picked up by the way, were thrown at its
occupants. One of these, two pounds in weight, reached
Major Bruce, aide to His Lordship, and eggs were plen
tifully smashed over the carriage. The gallant Major
had received a foul blow, but warded off some dangerous
ones intended for his superior.
But madly foolish as this attack had been, there was
worse to follow. The House of Assembly continued in
session during the evening, unapprehensive of further
trouble. About 8 p.m. a wild mob had assembled
on the Champ de Mars, and, directed by a mere handful
of well-dressed men, started towards Ste. Anne's.
Arrived there, their anger was further inflamed by the
sight of the lighted windows, which told them that the
men who had passed the hated bill were still inside.
What followed is well known. A little smoke, a glint of
flame, a cry of "Fire!" and the evil was done. By
whom, no person cared to ask. The doors were opened
wide, the flames rapidly spread, and everything having
the semblance of authority was torn down and trampled
on. The library, one of the finest of a public and schol
astic character in America, was destroyed, partly by fury,
partly by fire. Comparatively little that was rare or
valuable was saved in its integrity. The portrait of the
Queen was carefully taken from its place on the wall and
protected. The mace, the emblem of the authority
securing the liberties of the people, was forcibly taken
from G. K. Chisholm, Esq., Sergeant-at-Arms, who was
knocked down while guarding it. It was subsequently
carried to the rooms of Sir A. MacNab and duly shel
tered. The loss of the mace would have been compara
tively small. Her Majesty's portrait could have been
reproduced, but the destruction of the Parliamentary
Library, with its single and rare copies of literary trea-
4 49

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
sures, and its collection of the records of many of the
early settlers of America, whether French or Spanish,
Dutch or English, inflicted an irreparable injury, and
was a loss which must be forever deplored. The active
attack upon responsible government by a handful of its
Montreal opponents, the disgraceful resort to brute force
by their admirers, and the determination evinced to con
tinue and extend the hostile display, though almost for
gotten now, threatened to annihilate the homogeneity
springing then into being, and which has at last become
the first hope of all who care for national advancement
and prosperity.
Lord Elgin was speedily to receive his reward for his
consistency, firmness and constitutionality. Every sup
porter of responsible government saw in his acceptance
of the Rebellion Losses Bill the first marked instance of
full recognition of the principle at the foundation of all
British rule. The representatives of the people had de
clared that bill to be a response to the will of the elec
torate, and His Excellency, having no valid reason to
combat such a plain expression of opinion, unflinchingly
did his duty as a representative of Her Majesty. Upper
Canada, aroused by the violence of Montreal, resorted
to public meetings, whence emanated addresses to the
Crown, and invitations to His Excellency to visit Upper
Canada and witness for himself the loyalty and fidelity
of the vast majority of its people. Even if dubious of
his reception in certain quarters, he gladly accepted the
invitations, and proceeded on an extended tour of Upper
Canada. At every important point he was met by
enthusiastic crowds, and in but two localities did he
receive intentional slight or insult.
He had excellent reason for his faith in Upper Cana
dians, for he had seen them at a time when their modera-
50

FROM 1844 TO 1849
tion and good sense were sorely tried. The reception
given to the abused and egg-bespattered ruler came oppor
tunely in its heartiness, its thorough sincerity, its prac
tical solution of theoretical problems, and its earnest
expression of opinion in favor of the fullest possible
freedom of the citizen. Verily, in his progress through
Canada West, he adorned many pageants and graced
many feasts, and had paved a way towards reconciliation
between the Upper and Lower Provinces and the laying
of a firm foundation of a new people.
The exasperated feelings of the opponents of the Re
form Governments did not readily subside, and had to
find vent in an expression of feeling so unexpected — so
inconsistent when coming from a party of professed
loyalists — as a declaration of a pubHcly expressed desire
for the annexation of the two Canadas to the United
States. In the see-saw of politics the unexpected had
happened, and was, perhaps, a thing not to be surprised
at. Politics, it is proverbial, makes strange bedfellows.
The great bulk of Upper Canadians were at first puzzled,
then wonderstruck, and then convulsed with laughter.
They knew that the spoiled boys, playing truant for the
moment, would soon be back and seeking again to hold
their own in the game of politics. And so ended a mad
fiasco. But greater results followed. The seat of govern
ment was removed to a temporary home in Toronto and
Quebec by turns, but there was a general desire for per
manency in preference to perambulation. That desire
had much to do with the changes which speedily came.
From evil sprang good, and a united Canada, and the
great Dominion which bears its name, arose from the
ashes of Ste. Anne.

51

CHAPTER VI.
THE REBELLION.
Farnily Compact rule — " Rebellion " not formidable — Men more
frightened than hurt — William Lyon Mackenzie — A poor
soldier but brave man — Unselfish and patriotic. (
When I arrived in Canada, in June, 1844, the flames
of the Rebellion had died out, but there was a smoulder
ing afterglow in their ashes, indicative of a depth of
feeling suppressed rather than neutralized. Men do not
rebel without a sense of ill-usage, a conviction that a
government is tyrannical or careless of public interests,
and that it has indulged in favoritism towards its
intimate friends instead of listening to the grievances of
an outraged community. That feeling had, under what
is known as " Family Compact rule," found expression
at last in a resort to arms ; and although the rising was,
in Upper Canada, neither formidable nor general, it
clearly indicated what was possible and probable, and
frightened the ruling power into a partial concession of
the popular demands.
The suppression of the Rebellion, as the emeute was
heroically named, was the affair of a few days, almost
of hours, and no great glory could be awarded to the
winners in the one-sided contest. A large majority of
the electorate sought fair representation of their indi
vidual and collective rights, but they were not prepared to
plunge the country into the horrors of civil war, if they
5a

THE REBELLION
could in constitutional fashion find redress of wrongs.
The troubles were of comparatively light extent. In
Toronto alone were they of formidable character, and
only in the very centre of the province — the heart of the
country — was there serious danger from the attack upon
Canadians by Canadians. An American element had as
much to do with the insurrection as had the grievances
complained of by the Reformers of York and elsewhere.
Political partizanship of the usual character was almost
absent from the minds of men, while sympathy with the
oppressed and resentment at the outrageous misconduct
of some public officials in Toronto were prominent
amongst the causes which drove a portion of a loyal
colony into a rebellious attitude. A few words may suf
fice to describe the leader of a temporary revolt.
William Lyon Mackenzie was a born agitator, but
no soldier. He could readily arouse the enthusiasm of
the electorate, but had not a single element of the mili
tary leader beyond a personal courage which none denied
to him. But his Rebellion — for it was almost exclu
sively his — was ill-advised, short-lived, incoherent and
hysterical. Actual rebellion was not warranted, although
the result of the consciousness on the part of many people
that the wrongs endured by them were becoming un
endurable, and that, at some not very distant time, a
general protest of a physical character might be essential
to the securing of reforms anxiously sought as necessary
to the freedom of the people. That time had not arrived,
for while the hatred of what was looked upon as an
oligarchy undoubtedly prevailed, individual suffering had
not reached the average man, and it was confidently
hoped that agitation before and after the next general
election would bring about reform. Mackenzie's im
patience precipitated an avoidable outbreak, and the
53

SIXTY YEARS IN UPP,ER CANADA
incipient display of a totally unorganized force destroyed
the only chance of successful rebellion, even had such
been expedient and desirable. It was impossible to so
rnagnify a political contest into the importance of a War
of Roses, or in this fashion to create a parallel to Crom
weUian deeds in the actions of a newspaper editor who
was stronger in the use of scare headlines than in holding
a boarding pike or a claymore. The Rebellion, as it
was extravagantly termed, was of premature birth, and
fortunately ended less disastrously than might have been
expected. The consequent fiasco was sure to attend a
war attempted without small-arms, artillery, money,
food, clothing, or sufficient supplies, or any of the essen
tials to successful warfare. Mackenzie appears to have
feared that some other person would run the risk sooner
than he, and receive the ovation which he expected and
coveted. But while this idea of his conduct may be
common to many, none can dispute the existence of his
honest conviction that he was right. Personal sacrifice
never daunted him. The vindictive diatribes of an op
ponent did not make him quail. He courted rather than
dreaded the attacks of a wordy antagonist. He dearly
loved a fight, with pen or tongue as his weapon. He
was happy in the midst of wordy turbulence. The Fam
ily Compact was his bete noir, but he never feared it.
The most rabid attacks upon his political beliefs but
aroused him to more vigorous defence. His personal
honesty was generally admitted. For mere money, ex
cepting as a means to a great end, he did not hanker.
As the head of a family he was a devoted father. Upon
his private character there was not a stain, although his
most inveterate enemies would have gladly exposed it
if it had existed. He had many of the characteristics
of the successful politician, but few of those attached to
54

THE REBELLION
the doings of a demagogue. He was earnest, cour
ageous and patriotic, but lacked that prudence and
caution so commonly associated with one's idea of his
countrymen. He never forgot Canada, even when ex
patriated from it. He was not given to sulking in his
tent, and would rather " fight it out " with friend or foe
than shirk the battle. He was not a mere money-maker,
and had an open hand with which to give when assured
that pecuniary help was necessary. He was naturally
impulsive, and not always discriminating in his attacks,
but hurt no man willingly. I have heard much of him
from men who were his political allies, but never a word
which lowered my estimation of him as a man.

55

CHAPTER VII.
WILLIAM MACDOUGALL AND THE " CLEAR
GRIT" PLATFORM.
" A famous victory '' — Montgomery's Hotel — A northern
migration — A pen portrait — An impossible partizan — The
North American platform — " Reformator's " letters — Con
vention of June, 1867 — -An exasperated crowd — Macdougall
and Howland — George Brown aroused — Macdougall at
heart a Liberal — Did great work — Planks of the platform —
"Clear Grit."
One of the chief advocates of advanced reforms in
Upper Canada was William Macdougall, who was born
near the town of York, now the city of Toronto, on the
25th of January, 1822. He told me that one of his
early recollections as a lad was of his standing out of
doors in the cold wind of a December night in 1837, and
watching the destruction by fire of Montgomery's hotel,
which was in the neighborhood of his birthplace. His
curiosity had led him to follow the movements of the
rebels before their abrupt " migration to the north."
" ' And what good came of it at last ? '
Quoth little Peterkin.
'Why that I cannot tell' said he,
' But 'twas a famous victory.' "
"'But what they killed each other for,
I could not well make out ;
But everybody said,' quoth he,
'That 'twas a famous victory.'"
56

MACDOUGALL AND " CLEAR GRIT " PLATFORM
This conflagration made an indelible impression upon
the mind of the coming politician, and he talked with
enthusiasm of that night's experiences, which years after
cropped up again and again and served to intensify the
feeling of opposition to the oligarchy of those days as he
knew it and had been taught to know it.
He was a man of active mental power, and exhibited
many of the traits which have ever distinguished the
leaders of the people. While, however, he early devel
oped a love of discussion and facility in the production
of a line of argument of strongly convincing character
to himself and hearers, he lacked the pertinacity neces
sary to pronounced success. His association with party
men and measures was not continuous, nor was it always
the result of permanent conviction. To-day he was sin
cere in the belief that he had taken an unassailable stand ;
to-morrow he might be found battering the stronghold
which he had previously sustained, or, possibly, veer
ing towards some other point, and quickening his pace
as he approached it. He frequently displayed a personal
coldness which appeared to be cynical and repellant — an
unfortunate manner, neither more nor less. To those
who knew him thoroughly he possessed attractive quali
ties which were not always perceptible on the surface.
At times he lacked interest in his associations of a
political character which made him a doubtful supporter
of others, while always a champion of self.
And having reluctantly but candidly said this, I have
told what I regard as the sole cause of his political fail
ure, and said all of a deprecatory character that could
be fairly brought against him.
I knew him well as a correspondent and editor, and
found him always inclined to lean to the side of extended
popular liberty, but preferring to seek the road tq it in
57

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
his own fashion. His individuality was strongly marked
and distinguished him, and was genuine but subject to
prevailing moods. George Brown declared himself to
be a governmental impossibility, but William Macdougall
proved himself to be an impossible partisan.
With him I conjointly prepared " The Planks in the
Grit Platform," published in the North American, and
when it was published wrote the accompanying series of
letters, signed " Reformator," which were extensively
copied and approved by the majority of the compara
tively few Reform journals of that period. At the same
time I was associate editor of the semi-weekly Hamilton
Journal and Evcpress. Strange to tell, but it is never
theless true, I could not secure the original insertion of
these letters in that paper, although, as copied from the
Toronto Mirror, then very ably edited by Dr. Workman,
they were ordered by Mr. Brega, proprietor of the
Journal, to be regularly reproduced in his semi-weekly.
The Toronto Globe occasionally answered them, but
its editor was not in sympathy with the radical ideas of
William Macdougall and the rising " Clear Grit " party.
I have said that William Macdougall had many of the
characteristic points necessary to the winning hand. He
had one which transcended all others. He was cour
ageous — it may have been to a fault — but he had the
moral courage as necessary to the politician as to the
statesman. He never quailed- before an opponent. There
was a notable proof of the possession of this admirable
quality. What stronger illustration could he have given
of the existence of this power over himself and others
than in the bold front worn by him when standing face
to face with his opponents in the Toronto Convention
of the 27th of June, 1867? With men who had lately
been his trusted and trusting allies, now fiercely attacking
58

MACDOUGALL AND " CLEAR GRIT " PLATFORM
him and seeking to wither him with burning looks of
antagonism and contempt, he declared his belief that,
though manifestly wrong in the eyes of a thousand
united partisans, he and William Howland were prob
ably the only men then present who foresaw the imme
diate future which would compel every delegate to
confess his error. The crowd hissed and howled,
shouted contradiction and derision, and refused him
hearing. William Howland cowered before the tumul
tuous assemblage, and sat as if he were a bound victim
in the presence of his determined executioners; but
William Macdougall stood erect, folded his arms as if
defiant of the noisy throng, and calmly awaited the
thr,eatened onslaught. Growing ashamed of a demon
stration of a thousand against one, which with every
passing moment increased in its stupid intensity until
it reached an undignified climax, manliness reasserted
itself. A partial silence followed. Curiosity overcame
intense denunciation. Gradually the sibilant interrup-
tors became patient hearers. It may have been sheer
impudence on the part of the unit, but the man conquered
the multitude and was permitted, with occasional inter
ruptions, to tell his story briefly but strongly, and make
predictions of which some were verified at a not very
distant date. To a limited extent he had disarmed the
semi-ferocity of his opponents, and undoubtedly satisfied
himself that he was a martyr. With him and his few
supporters remained a hazy halo of victory, of, however,
doubtful worth or quality. George Brown was still
there, and to a large extent predominant. He paced the
platform from end to end, shook his fist fiercely in the
face of William Howland, who crouched in apparent
dread of the great tribune's invective, and made a sorry
figure trembling on the edge of that vituperative display.
59

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
William Howland, if not William Macdougall, received
much sympathy from old friends who had ventured into
the show. It is doubtful whether the Reform party
proper had gained from the exhibition of petulant per
sonal feeling and rant, and while Macdougall probably
did not influence seriously a single independent delegate,
or secure the conversion of even one old Reformer, the
leader of the great bulk of the progressive party had the
satisfaction of knowing that he had given a " combin'
down" to William Howland and warned the Reform
party against the machinations of William Macdougall
and Sir John Macdonald.
Of the erratic political character of William Mac
dougall it is not my intention to further speak. The same
story could be told of many of those who have or have
had much to do with Canadian administrations, and I
feel no disposition to select the career of one who occa
sionally departed from party lines as a dreadful example.
As I have said, he had party proclivities and predilec
tions, and not only initiated great changes, but honestly
and fearlessly fought for them. At heart he was a
Liberal, and there was no man in Upper Canada, outside
of Oliver Mowat and Edward Blake, whose name was
connected with so many suggestions of needed action.
Glance over the long list of changes advocated in the
North American of 185 1, and see how many of them
have been adopted and how few are still undetermined,
in one shape or other.
William Macdougall's marked success was in the intro
duction to the readers of the North American of the plat
form erected in the columns of his journal, and which
had been preceded by the Liberal line taken by the
Toronto Mirror, which, under the editorial control of
Dr. Joseph Workman (afterwards superintendent of the
60

MACDOUGALL AND " CLEAR GRIT " PLATFORM
Toronto Asylum for the Insane), was a warm supporter
of what then seemed to be propositions better fitted for
Utopia than Upper Canada, but which, like the planks
of the Chartist movement in Great Britain, became com
ponent parts of British and Canadian laws. It is true
that, in a few particulars, the " Clear Grit " movement did
not succeed in bringing about desired reforms, but the
unattained may fairly be regarded as non-essential, or
as matters to be dealt with in coming days of still more
advanced ideas. But, in its main points, the " Clear Grit "
platform of 1851 has been embodied in our laws, or has
led to other measures of equal value and importance.
Since its introduction we have made great progress in
our proposal and passage of legislative and other
changes, and the law-maker would be scoffed at as a relic
of the past who would regard as an extreme measure
that which, less than half a century ago, was denounced
as Republican, or fit only for " Yankee " uses.
A rapid survey of the laws sought to be repealed,
enacted, or amended in 1850 will convince the reader
of the anomalies which then existed in our code. By
what has been undone we may guess somewhat of the
extent and character of that which had previously been
done, and see cause to thank any man who had en
deavored to effect the removal of legal and other ab
surdities out of place in the nineteenth century.
The first plank in the platform, asking the power to
elect a governor, a legislative council and all local
officers, has not been adopted in full detail, even if ad
mitted in principle. Since the declaration of this plank
Confederation has come, and the election of our pro
vincial governors is in the hands of a cabinet indirectly
responsible to the provincial electorate. Up to the pas
sage of Baldwin's Municipal Act, in 1849, County
61

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
wardens were selected by the Government of Upper
Canada, while now every distinctly municipal official is
the choice of the electorate, and the indications are that ,
gireat extensions of popular power will ere long be
granted. The second plank is a declaration in favor of No
Property Qualification for the Representatives of the
People, and this principle has been adopted in all other
parliamentary elections than in those to the Senate,
where a comparatively small amount is yet necessary as
a monetary qualification.
The third plank asked for Extension of the Elective
Franchise to all Householders and Housekeepers, and
we have seen it including nearly every resident in a com
munity, although this was not obtained without a
struggle. The fourth plank regarded the Ballot as necessary,
and, after some waiting, it has been profusely granted
to parliamentary, municipal, school and other elections,
and in voting on by-laws.
The fifth proposition favored biennial and fixed par
liamentary elections. The first has been thought to be
unnecessary, as we have the quadrennial system, and the
fixed date is looked upon as incompatible with respon
sible government.
The sixth plank is in favor of no expenditure of
public money without consent of Parliament. This is
insured in our whole financial system. Dominion, pro
vincial and municipal, not only practically but very
efficiently. The seventh plank asks for retrenchment through all
departments of state, and would have been more in
consonance with the desires of the taxpayer had the
word economy replaced its substitute. 62

MACDOUGALL AND " CLEAR GRIT " PLATFORM
The eighth plank was one of the most important of
the series, for it declared for that reform in the repre
sentation by population which had so long been, and
properly, the battle-cry of the Reform party, and has
been silenced by the action of the country at the time of
Confederation. The ninth plank set forth the declaration that no pen
sion should be attached to any office, but that, if given
in individual cases, it must be as Parliament should
direct. The pensioning system, while now treated as a
prerogative, is not exercised without consent of the
legislators in the province interested.
The tenth plank is not yet fully recognized as part of
our governing machinery, although strenuously advo
cated by Canada's leading statesmen. The right of
Canada to deal independently with foreign countries,
although not nominally acknowledged, has been tacitly
admitted by Imperial authorities, and the cession of the
treaty-making power is no longer a disputed plank.
The eleventh and last of the planks is a bold but clear
and unmistakable declaration of extended colonial power,
and sets forth the rights of our law-making body — now
necessarily of the Dominion — to have power to alter or
repeal any act or charter. Imperial or otherwise, affect
ing ourselves, and which the Imperial Parliament itself
might alter or repeal. While this power has not been
ceded to the Canadian people, the difficulty has been
foreseen, and has been met by Section 94 of the British
North America Act, with its broad provision that uni
formity of legislation shall be secured by the provision
that it shall not have effect in any province unless and
until it is adopted and enacted as law by the legislature
thereof. Mr. Macdougall thought some of the things proposed
63

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
afar off, and believed that nothing but energetic and
long-continued agitation would bring them about. That
he felt anxious to commence and continue the movements
in their favor was evident, and had he received the com
mercial support absolutely necessary to the success of
his journal, he would have been able to occupy a still
higher position as a valuable agent for the furtherance
of many liberal and radical reforms than that which he
reached. But there were subjects which he looked upon as fit
for immediate consideration, and of these he published
a list, entitled " Subjects for Immediate Legislation
Advocated by the North American."
In his proposed law reforms he advocated the abolition
of the Court of Chancery, and establishment of Equity
in the courts of the province, as had been done in the
United States for more than half a century. He went
so far in his desire for a brushing away of the cobwebs
of Legality.
The sale of the public lands, for cash, at a low price;
the settlement of the Clergy Reserves and Rectory ques
tions; repeal of all laws granting moneys or conferring
special privileges on religious bodies; free navigation
of the St. Lawrence; modification of the Usury Laws;
improvement of agriculture by a judicious application
of government grants; decimal currency; extensive
amendment of the School Law, and several other matters
of equal importance were set down as requiring early
consideration and to be disposed of without delay.
The following is a copy of this well-remembered plat
form, as published in the North American, and when we
bear in mind how many of the reforms indicated are now
embodied in our statute books, we may form some idea
64

MACDOUGALL AND " CLEAR GRIT " PLATFORM
of the necessity then existent for a party as aggressive
and persistent as the Clear Grits proved to be.
It is nothing more than an act of justice to place this
platform once more on record as the best monument
which can be erected to the memory of William
Macdougall.

©Ije North ^Titeritan.
TOKONTO, FEIDAY, FEBRTJABY 14, 1851.

OUR PI^ATFORM

L Elective Institutions from the Highest Office of the
Government to the Lowest. These we class as
follows :
I. The Election of our Governor.
2. An Elective Legislative Council.
3. Election of all Local Officers —
By the County and Town Councils.
II. No Property Qualification for the Representatives of
the People.
III. Extension of the Elective Franchise — to all Householders
and Housekeepers.
IV. Vote by Ballot.
V. Biennial and Fixed Parliaments.
Vi. No Expenditure of Public Money without consent of
Parliament.
VII. Retrenchment through all the Departments of State.
VIII. Reform in the Representation based on Population.
IX. No Pension attached to any Office. Let pensions be
given in individual cases, when and as Parliament may
think proper.
X. Our Commerce and Intercourse with other Nations
placed entirely in our own Power, — leaving in the
power of England nothing but the question of Peace
and War, and that under certain restrictions-
XI. Our Legislature to have power to alter or repeal any Act
or Charter, Imperial or otherwise, affecting ourselves
only, and which the Imperial Parliament itself might
alter or repeal.
5 65

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
Subjects for Immediate Legislation, adyccated
by tlie " North American."

I. Law Reform. Court of Chancery Abolished, and Equity Jurisdiction
given to the Courts of Law, as is done in fifteen
states of the American Union, where it has been
found for 50 years to give entire satisfaction.
Simplification of Law Proceedings.
Abolition of the present Monopoly of the Legal
Profession.
2. Clergy Reserves for Education.
3. Abolition of the Rectories.
4. Immediate Repeal of all Laws granting monies to, or con
ferring special privileges upon Religious Bodies.
5. Speedy sale of the Public Lands — Cheap and for Cash.
6. Free Navisration of the St. Lawrence — to all Nations.
7. Modification of the Usury Laws.
8. Abolition of Primogeniture.
9. Improvement of Agriculture by a judicious application of
Public Grants.
10. Completion of such improvements in the Public Works as
are necessary to secure a maximum revenue, with a
view to the —
II. Abolition of Customs Houses and Duties on Imports.
12. Aihendment of the School Law.
13. Establishment of a Uniform Decimal Currency.
I see frequent reference in the various journals pub
lished in Ontario to the common belief that the term
" Clear Grit " was first sarcastically applied to Malcolm
Cameron and his supporters, David Christie, Caleb Hop
kins, Dr. Rolph, James Leslie and other ultra Reformers
who broke the bonds and scrambled over the boundaries
of the legitimate Reform party.
In Alexander Mackenzie's " Life of George Brown,"
the author says : " Mr. Cameron and Caleb Hopkins
were among the earliest to manifest discontent with the
do-nothing policy of Mr. Baldwin, at a time when Mr.
Brown and the Globe were freely supporting the Govern
ment. These two gentlemen were attacked with great
vigor by the Globe, and sarcastically dubbed the ' Clear
66

MACDOUGALL AND " CLEAR GRIT " PLATFORM
Grit ' party, a term which has since found a permanent
place in our political nomenclature, embracing in its more
extensive application the originator of the appellation."
In Dent's "Story of the Upper Canada Rebellion," he
says that the feeling of dissatisfaction with Baldwin's
lethargy was freely expressed by Peter Perry, of Whitby,
James Leslie, proprietor of the Toronto Examiner, and
William Macdougall. These gentlemen, with others,
were chiefly instrumental in forming a new political wing
which came to be known as the Clear Grit party. . . .
Their platform included many reforms which have long
since been accomplished."
Collins, in his " Life of John A. Macdonald," says,
page 138: " The term given to the new party was the
Clear Grits, a term which first appeared in the Globe.
The appellation appears to have originated during a con
versation between George Brown and David Christie,
the latter remarking that they wanted in the new move
ment men who were clear grit."
McMullen, in his " History of Canada," speaking
of the split amongst Upper Canada Reformers, says:
" This state of things specially produced a split among
Reformers; and a new party arose into influence which
had already been denominated, in American party phrase
ology, ' Clear Grits,' who declared themselves to be the
unadulterated political commodity."
My recollection of the use of the title is that it first
appeared in a Whitby newspaper, in a letter written by
Peter Perry. Peter was a merchant and miller, and
knew the meaning of the term to be, as Jamieson defines
it under " clear " and " grit " — " rock, hard, cold Scotch
granite." A pretty good description of Malcolm C.
Cameron. 67

CHAPTER VIII,
A CONTRAST AND A PARALLEL.
George Brown and John A. Macdonald, heads of great parties
— Equal power to originate — Much in common — Calvin and
Wesley — Both in turn successful — Personal appearance —
Brown a Parliamentarian — Macdonald a Cavalier — Each
great in use of his own peculiar virility — Confederation —
Sir John's speech : George Brown's Confederation planks
— Their monuments.
No figures in Canadian history have more firmly im
pressed themselves upon their contemporaries than those
of George Brown and John A. Macdonald. What the
first editor of the Globe was to the Upper Province,
" John A."was to the Canadas. Both stood at the head
of great parties, both possessed the power to originate
and control, and both had many followers guided by the
fealty of clansmen and the obstinacy of partisans.
There was much in common between them, while a wide
divergence existed on cardinal points of greater im
portance. Both men, like a Calvin or a Wesley, had
their ardent followers and admirers. Brown was, nat
urally, a Limited Monarchy man ; Macdonald was a life
long advocate of Absolutism, if that were essential to his
personal or party success. Both were loyal to the Crown,
and sincerely anxious to preserve, perpetuate and extend
the limits of British connection. Both were fluent, elo
quent and argumentative, although the declamatory
powers of Brown were more convincing in the hall than
68

RIGHT HONORABLE SIR JOHN A. MACDONALD.
First Premier of the Dominion of Canada.
Einiii nil nil Painting by
.1. W. L. Forster, i:.(:.A., 'I'oroiito.

A CONTRAST AND A PARALLEL
in the forum, and the lawyer-like reasoning of Mac
donald appealed more effectively to the casuist than to
the average everyday man. And yet both in turn were
successful leaders and controlled the Canadian public
opinion of their day.
Upon one point they were ever in ,unison. They saw,
at a distance, but rapidly approaching, the galaxy of
provinces now shining over the broad North-West, and
had full confidence in the still greater brilliance and
potentiality of a grand Canadian constellation. They
labored with equal ardor to develop that new world
which they had done so much to create. They might
differ as to the means necessary to this work, but were
agreed as to the character of the end each had in view.
They constantly rose higher in the approval of their
fellow-subjects, and their deaths did nothing to lessen
their claim upon their gratitude. None but the most
rigid partisan will deny the fullest possible admiration
of their wide conceptions, their unflinching determina
tion to carry them into effect, and the sacrifice of cher
ished beliefs to which they cheerfully, if reluctantly,
consented. The personal appearance of George Brown made him
easily recognizable on the street or platform. Six feet
three or four in height, of sanguine temperament, quick
in his movements, impulsive in utterance, vigorous in
action in all that he did, he was a man of mark. Almost
as noticeable in a group of men was Sir John A. Mac
donald. Spare in form and slightly stooping, he carried
a head which indicated force and culture, a consciousness
of power, and, in his serious moments, a mastery of
situation which compelled the observer to acknowledge
the presence of a dominant mind. In the profiles of both
men were seen the strong nasal outline, the firm chin,
and the broad and lofty brow which tell their own story.
69

SIXTY YEARS iN UPPER CANADA
George Brown had little of what the world terms
humor; John A. Macdonald bubbled over in his mani
festations of it. A good joTte had little significance for
Brown, while Macdonald fairly revelled in the utterances
from his own or other lips if the good story were well
told. Brown was a fair though scarcely patient listener
to any man who had a grievance or a new idea; Mac
donald was such a consummate actor, with a strong
desire to please, that he was able at all times and oppor
tunities to assume the role of the intensely interested
recipient. Conciliatory in all his moods, when not
actually on the defensive, he gave an apparently eager
welcome to the mental products of other men, and made
many life-long friends from the briefest interviews.
Brown, in CromweUian days, would have been a Par
liamentarian, while Macdonald could never have been
other than a dashing Cavalier. Brown looked upon the
world as at all times a serious reality ; Macdonald viewed
it as affording material for amusement when the
philosophic spectator called attention to some of its
phases and odd peculiarities. Each man was great in
the use and expression of his own peculiar strength, and
Canada was a loser in the death of both before the full
fruition of their hopes and confident expectations.
On the 6th of February, 1865, Sir John moved the
Address to Her Majesty which formally introduced the
question of Confederation. He said in the peroration of
his speech :
" In this younger country one great advantage of our
connection with Great Britain will be that, under her
auspices, inspired by her example, a portion of her Em
pire, our public men will be actuated by the statesmen at
home. These, although not material, physical benefits
of which you can make an arithmetical calculation, are
of such overwhelming advantage to our future interests
70

A CONTRAST AND A PARALLEL
and standing as a nation that to obtain them is well
worthy of any sacrifices we may be called upon to make,
and the people of this country are ready tO' make them.
. . . Here we are, in peace and prosperity, under the
fostering care of Great Britain — a dependent people, with
a government having only a limited and delegated au
thority, and yet allowed, without restriction and without
jealousy on the part of the mother country, to legislate
for ourselves, and peacefully and deliberately to consider
and determine the future of Canada and of British North
America. ... It was only by a happy concui;rence
of circumstances that we were enabled to bring this great
question to its present position. If we do not take ad
vantage of the time, if we show ourselves unequal to the
occasion, it may never return, and we shall hereafter
bitterly and unavailingly regret having failed to embrace
the happy opportunity now offered of founding a great
nation under the fostering care of Great Britain and
our Sovereign Lady, Queen Victoria."
On the 8th of February, 1865, George Brown, speak
ing in the House of Commons at Ottawa, on the Con
federation resolutions, in the course of his address made
a clear declaration of his " platform," and the reasons
for his support of its various " planks." They are of
such character that they read to-day as a prophecy ful
filled, and they may properly be placed on record in any
review, however brief, of his political belief.
Said he, at various points:
" Mr. Speaker, I am in favor of the union of the
British American Colonies, first, because it will raise us
from the attitude of a number of inconsiderable colonies
into a great and powerful people.
" But, secondly, I go heartily for the union because it
will throw down the barriers of trade and give us the
control of a market of four millions of people.
71

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
" Thirdly, Mr. Speaker, I am in favor of a union of
the provinces because it will make us the third maritime
state in the world.
" In the fourth place, Mr. Speaker, I go for a union
of the provinces because it will give a new start to immi
gration into our country.
" Fifthly, Mr. Speaker, I am in favor of a union
because it will enable us to meet without alarm the abro
gation of the Reciprocity Treaty, in case the States
should insist on its abolition.
" Sixthly, Mr. Speaker, I am in favor of the union of
the provinces because, in the event of war, it will enable
all colonies to defend themselves, and give more efficient
aid to the Empire than they could do separately."
The careers of the two statesmen — for that term, much
as it signifies, may be fairly applied to them — were
widely different until they affiliated towards their close.
George Brown was earnest in all that he did. He
used the tongs and sledge-hammer of the political Vulcan
in bringing the cohesive but malleable mass of public
opinion into desired shape.
Sir John cared more for the victory of finesse with
which he brought his desired end about than for an exhi
bition of robust style and manner. George Brown
appealed to the judgment, the feelings and the clannish-
ness of his hearers. John A. played upon their imper
fect knowledge, their prejudices, their often mistaken
enthusiasm, and their loyalty. Both men alike trusted
in the warm patriotism of their supporters because both
themselves possessed it in an extraordinary degree.
" Calais " may have been written upon the heart of Mary,
but that " Canada " was imprinted upon those of our
two statesmen does not permit a moment's doubt.
72

A CONTRAST AND A PARALLEL
Despite the outcome of human frailties and politicians'
blunders, every intelligent Canadian may proudly boast
of two leaders, distinguished by consummate ability,
who have left their marks upon the historic page of a
young and vigorous nation.
George Brown's monument will be found in the
columns of the Globe newspaper. Throw aside its ex
pressions of ordinary political views, and its labors in
behalf of the commercial interests of the city in which
it has been published, and there remains the journal,
with definite aims, which has steadily and wisely guided
public opinion and exhibited a thoroughness indicative
of the strongest point in the character of its founder.
Sir John A. Macdonald would, if he could be con
sulted, proudly point to the iron way which has connected
ocean with ocean and will long continue to be associated
with his name and labors.
One of my first remembrances of George Brown is his
delivery of a lecture illustrative of the doings and dis
coveries of the Kingston Penitentiary Commission, of
which he had acted as secretary, and which had suc
ceeded in unearthing abuses on the part of the officials,
which, if they did not imply dishonesty, certainly
indicated wretchedly loose management. Mr. Brown,
requested by numerous friends in Hamilton, laid before
them in manuscript form the results of an inquiry which
left the impression of scandalous misdoings. The hall
was fairly filled, and the audience, largely composed of
leading citizens of Mr. Brown's nationality, was in full
sympathy with the lecturer. His appearance was that
of a tall young fellow, blushing at unaccustomed sur
roundings, and evidently new to the art of public speak
ing. When, at certain points of his discourse, he at
tempted to dispense with his written aid, he left a sorry
73

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
impression on those who came to hear and sympathize
with the rising public man, who was already regarded
as one of the most prominent of a party then in the
ascendancy. There was little promise of the man
destined before long to magnetize Canadian crowds,
but there was, in his written remarks, at least, the
intense earnestness which distinguished his after public
utterances, when the editor of the Globe had become a
favorite speaker at the numerous public meetings which
he addressed in later years.
The labors of the Commission, as set forth by him,
had struck deeply one of the supporters of Sir John, who
was always a partisan, and led at a later period to a
reprisal, in the shape of deep invective of Brown by Mac
donald, which, for once, overshot its mark.
Hon. George Brown was born at Edinburgh on the
29th of November, 1813, and died at Toronto on the 9th
of May, 1880, the victim of a wound inflicted by one of
his employees, who was doubtless insane. This man,
named Bennet, had been discharged by a foreman in one
of the Globe departments, and had come to Mr. Brown's
office to ask for a " recommendation." The man's atti
tude was offensive, and he certainly drew his weapon,
but it is probable he did not intend to kill Mr. Brown,
who was shot while grappling with the intruder. The
thought comes to one that, under similar circumstances.
Sir John would have managed not to be shot.
Sir John Alexander Macdonald was born at Glasgow,
on the nth of January, 1815, and died at Ottawa on
the 6th of June, 1891.
Ten years more of life vouchsafed to each of these men
would have left a strong impression upon a nation in its
birth-throes at the time of their disappearance from the
political stage. 74

HON. GEORGE BROWN,
Leader of the Reform Party before Confederation.

CHAPTER IX.
MALCOLM C. CAMERON.
No picture of '40's and 'So's without reference to " Malcolm
Cameron " — A true Canadian and a Radical — A worker
without his coat — Had many offices — Could give and take
— A son of nature — His appearance — Loved a fight — A
consistent supporter of temperance, and yet caught in a
bar-room — " The Coon " — Halton election — Poor Weten-
hall's defeat — Looking for an honest man.
The dozen years which elapsed from the date of the
Mackenzie Rebellion to that of the legislation introduced
by Hon. R. Baldwin, after a brief stagnation of political
life, brought many ideas to the front, and some men
filled with a desire for radical reforms. The " rebels,"
as many of the agitators of that day were termed,
nothing daunted by the failure of their then recent ill-
advised resort to arms, commenced an agitation for the
adoption of needed changes already measurably within
reach. Probably the most notable of these Radicals
was Malcolm C. Cameron, and no picture of Upper
Canada in the forties and fifties would be complete with
out direct reference to his personality and his acts.
This hard worker — and a worker without his coat,
be it borne in mind — was the son of Angus Cameron,
hospital sergeant of a regiment doing duty in Canada.
He was bom on the 25th of April, 1808, and lived to fill
the position of Commissioner of Public Works, Minister
75

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
of. Agriculture, President of the Executive Council
and Postmaster-General of Old Canada. He was an
admirable executant, unafraid of obstacles, who laugh
ingly received stiff blows and never refrained from re
turning them, with compound interest, when he regarded
such action necessary. He had natural rather than
acquired oratorical prowess, and had a fine physique and
a magnificent voice, which assured him a good reception
in any company where its hearty tones were heard. He
was truly a man of the people — one of those sons of
Nature who feel at home everywhere, and whose popu
larity is dependent more upon personality and individ
uality than any other cause. His voice told well with
an audience, but his warm hand-shake, his manly ap
proach, his bluff manner, as sincere evidently as it
seemed, counted more. While he respected the conven
ances of society, he was not afraid of them, and it would
be safe to assert that he did not lose a wink of sleep
because of the opinion of Mrs. Grundy, and he would
not have laughed at the unintentionals of Mrs. Malaprop.
His appearance was as marked as his manner. Of good
height — probably five feet ten — having a portly presence,
a healthy color, black hair, and eyes like sloes, but as
bright and piercing as those of a hawk, he was what his
female friends would term a handsome man. As a poli
tician he was one of those who enjoy the good jokes,
the funny turns, the hard work, the amusing rencontres,
and the infinite variety of an election contest. His party
allegiance was unquestionable, but he possessed a feeling
of duty to himself as well as to his associates. His
fealty was reliable if he felt sure of the action and good
faith of those with whom he was connected. If not, he
fought for his own hand. 76

MALCOLM C. CAMERON
In one matter he was consistent from birth to death.
He was a faithful, temperate, fiver-active advocate of
ternperance, and was known from Lambton to Quebec,
and further, as a rigid and consistent abstainer from the
use of intoxicating liquors. For his subscription, speech
or vote the temperance men of the country could rely
upon him.
As an illustration of his ability to make himself at
home, and equal to all emergencies, it may be told how,
travelling on a political mission with Premier Robert
Baldwin, he suddenly disappeared. His chief was
anxious to find him, and personally sought him. Look
ing high and low, he peeped at last into the bar-room,
just then otherwise tenantless, and heard a grampus-like
blowing, and looking curiously around behind the door
found his Commissioner having a thorough wash, and
declaring it to be one of the best he ever had as he
resumed his upper garments. The shock experienced by
Mr. Baldwin is not difficult to imagine.
The Commissioner was spoken of as " The Coon "
everywhere. At a dinner given to him in Toronto, Dr.
Joseph Workman, acting as chairman, introduced him
as not only " The Coon," but as " the same old Coon he
had ever been," and this compliment was declared by
Mr. Cameron to have been the greatest he had ever
received. In speaking at a hustings meeting he may have been
exaggerative, for he was never afraid of new ideas but
readily grasped them, and it may be that he was more
often afoot in search of them than was consistent with
the characteristics of the leader of a party. He was
somewhat vindictive, too, but as readily forgave as he
took offence. No man with an opinion worth having

77

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
ever doubted his honest intentions. As a stump speaker
he was probably, in his day, the equal, at least, of Archi
bald McKellar, for both held strong conviction, ready
wit, a mine of good-natured opinions of friend and foe,
and the faculty of using, when necessary, pure Anglo-
Saxon dashed with a tinge of Highland accent.
The most regrettable of the few dubious things he did
was his pursuit of poor John Wetenhall, of Halton, who,
appointed Commissioner of Public Works by the Hincks
administration, was attacked relentlessly by Malcolm
Cameron, and was not only financially ruined, but lost
his reason. I reported Wetenhall's speech at his nom
ination in long hand, and spent the night at an hotel in
Dundas listening to the then maundering dictation of
his oratorical points. A few days after that miserable
night came the poll, and the result was dire. The roads
were bad, the Scots vote in Dumfries was alienated or
made indifferent by Malcolm Cameron's stump speeches ;
and with the contributory efforts of Rev. Mr. Jennings,
a Presbyterian minister in Toronto, who had heard
Wetenhall swear at one of his meetings and found him
unwilling to apologize therefor, the unexpected end of
the campaign came in the thorough defeat of the Minis
terial candidate and the triumphant return of Caleb
Hopkins. On the morning following the election, a knock at my
ofiice door preceded the entrance of a gaunt figure carry
ing a lantern in one hand and a big stake for a staff, who
was oddly dressed in unusual garments, and asked me to
find for him an honest man. I thought, at the first
glance, that this was the whim or jest of a cynic, but
speedily discovered that my visitor was the sad wreck
of an amiable and disappointed man. Poor Wetenhall
78

MALCOLM C. CAMERON
was sent to the Toronto Asylum for the Insane, and died
there from erysipelas following wounds received at the
hands of a brother unfortunate. More talented men
and keener politicians there may have been in the Reform
ranks of Upper Canada, but a more honest and trust
worthy man than he never sought the suffrages of the
people.

79

CHAPTER X.
D'ARCY M'GEE.
Poet, politician and patriot — Fought to win, not to annihilate
— Struggle with poverty — Fluctuating in party allegiance —
Dr. Parker, M.P. for North Wellington — His non-commit
talism — McGee's support from literature at last assured — A
new phase of life before him, speedily followed by death —
Sir John on McGee — Differences with Parker but
temporary — Parker's letter on coalitions and Nova Scotia's
grievance — The failure of his attempted Confederation
speech.
There were few men who possessed a larger share of
pre-eminently intellectual strength than did D'Arcy
McGee, whose brilliant career was unique. His sudden
elevation, largely due, it may be, to circumstances, was
remarkable and rare. An enthusiast, with the tempera
ment of a poet and the burning words of an orator of
cultivated skill, he became associated in early life with
the young and patriotic band who espoused the cause of
Irish freedom with vehemence and a hopefulness, born
largely of inexperience and doomed to end in failure,
it may be, but which, nevertheless, pointed the way to
a life-work for many whose names have become historic.
That McGee should scout the more sober teachings of
the wiser head of O'Connell was not surprising; that
he did not permanently stand up in opposition is proof
of a sagacity illustrating, once more, that cool thought
and soft words are more prolific of useful measures than
80

HON. T. D'ARCY McGEE.
Leader of the Irish Liberals in the Dominion Parliament.

D'ARCY McGEE
the hot-headed and impulsive charge which destroys
itself when it delivers a death-wound to a strong antag
onist. He came to know that the suaviter in modo is
generally preferable to the fortiter in re in political as
in other careers.
D'Arcy McGee possessed ability and integrity which
could not fail to make him prominent in any party to
which he might become attached, or to render him an
object of fear and solicitude to his opponents. He was
a partisan, but not of unforgiving and relentless char
acter. He was a combative politician, but his party
instincts frequently gave place to a love of fair play. He
fought to win, but not to annihilate. The father of a
family, and of small means, his financial resources were
necessarily limited, and the worry of poverty interfered
seriously with his literary and political labors, but no
proof was ever presented which tended to question his
character for incorruptibility. He may have been open
to the charge of fickleness, but he never sacrificed a friend
with intent to further his own interests. He fluctuated
in his party allegiance, but never, as he undoubtedly
believed, without reasonable cause. He was a sincere
and firm adherent of the faith of his childhood, and yet
was tolerant of the belief of differing friends and op
ponents alike. He had a frame strong in animal vigor,
and a brain which compensated for rugged and unattrac
tive features. His one facial beauty was a winning
smile, and if he was not an Adonis, he was at least a
Man. My last meeting with McGee was on the Friday pre
ceding his death, when, in the company of Dr. John
Howitt, of Guelph, we spent more than two hours in
discussing his personal affairs and the political character
of Confederation. He declared that he was tired of a
fi 8i

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
debate which had become the mere echo of the leading
men of two parties now professedly one, and which had
a foregone conclusion ahead of it. Was there ever, I
wonder, a prolonged debate of which this might not have
been said? I submit the question to all back-benchers.
He complained that some leaders of public opinion had
openly shirked discussion, or had so expressed themselves
as to leave a door for escape from consequences if, in some
unexpected manner, the result of changed conditions was
contrary to all expectations. He instanced, especially,
his disappointment at the attitude of Dr. Parker, member
for North Wellington, and said that he intended, if
opportunity presented itself, on the following Monday,
to give strong expression to his disapproval of this non-
committalism on the part of one who hoped to become a
leader of public opinion at an early date, and under the
very Confederation which he would neither condemn nor
approve. McGee said he was at last able to find a pros
pect of that support from literature which he had not suc
ceeded in obtaining from politics, and that he had just
concluded an arrangement with some American pub
lishers, notably the Harpers, which presented a promise
of permanency. He spoke of this with animation, de
claring that he had trodden underfoot certain things that
had hindered him in the past, and had entered on a new
phase of his life which would bring increased happiness
to himself and his family. In short, he had found him
self. Returning from Montreal, the following Tuesday
morning, I was shocked when the porter of the sleeping-
car whisperingly informed me that, after leaving the
Commons at the adjournment of the House about mid
night on Monday, April 7th, 1868, D'Arcy McGee had
been shot while opening the door of his lodging-house.
In Pope's " Biography of Sir John Macdonald "
82

D'ARCY McGEE
appears a confirmation of the subject-matter of the last
interview I had with McGee.
" Sir John Macdonald was deeply affected by Mr.
McGee's death. The following extracts from letters
written by him shortly after the tragical occurrence show
at once his regard for the dead and his solicitude for the
living. You will have been shocked by the news of his
assassination. Poor McGee! His only crime was that
he steadily and affectionately advised his countrymen in
Canada to enjoy all the advantages that our equal laws
and institutions give to Irishmen and to Roman Cath
olics. He sternly set his face against the introduction
of Fenianism into Canada, and he was, therefore, a
doomed man. There is great grief for his loss, and great
sympathy with his family. . . .
" ' You will have observed that Parker brought up the
question of your appointment again, for the patriotic
purpose of keeping alive the irritation in Nova Scotia.
He was, however, compelled to withdraw his motion.
It was on this occasion that poor McGee made his last
speech; and a beautiful speech it was! In it he spoke
of your merits, and gave Parker a most deserved casti
gation. Within an hour afterwards he was a corpse.' "
In justice to Dr. Parker, to whom McGee, although
once his friend, had became personally and politically
objectionable, so that between them a feeling of hostility
had arisen, it is well to show that Parker's opposition
to the murdered man was really of a trivial character,
which would have speedily disappeared, and that it was
one of those contretemps in public life which often occur
and are generally of a transient sort. The difference
arose from the fact that McGee was a supporter of
Coalition which Parker condemned, and that each dealt
83

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
somewhat harshly with the other. Knowing the exist
ence of the difference of opinion, I wrote to Dr. Parker
regretting the position, and received from him two
lengthy letters, from which I make brief extracts.
Writing to m^e on the 25th of November, 1867, he took
the attitude, popular and defensible, that he agreed with
the Nova Scotian contention that the people of the
various provinces ought to have had the question of Con
federation submitted to them, either by referendum or
general election, and wrote to me in reply to some obser
vations which I had addressed to him during the progress
of the Confederation debate, and said : " I read with much
interest your letter, and read it to, and discussed it with,
Holton. We both agree that there is much worthy of
consideration in your remarks. But I am in difficulties
as to the adoption of your views. In a hasty note I can
only refer in outline to my objections. I dissent entirely
from the doctrine that a nation is born. It appears to
me to be true in neither theory nor in fact. The Con
federacy may become a nation, but long and much labor
and travail must first be endured. You condemn recrim
ination over the past. But if there are to be no retro
spective discussions or condemnations, there is small
means left for checking misgovernment. We have, or
profess to have, parliamentary government on the well-
understood principles of the British Constitution! This
involves parliamentary criticism, extending to all acts,
large and small, past and present, of the administration.
It involves the conflict of parties everywhere. For 225
years or more, two great parties have contended, and
are still contending, in England for the government.
Cast your eye back over that period, and you see changes
vastly greater in the Constitution of Great Britain than
now effected in Canada. Yet it was never proposed that
84

D'ARCY McGEE
parties should fuse and end their conflict till new ques
tions or issues should redivide them. And they have
coalesced but twice in that period — once when military
despotism threatened the old laws and liberties, and once
when endangered by the encroachments of the Crown.
But, these dangers passed. Conservatives and Whigs
resumed their old hostile attitude. Hence I infer that
we are justified in drawing old lines — ^that old questions
exist, and in our little conflicts here, so far, we have not
exceeded the general practice in England. You say that
we have no policy. It appears to me that we require
none. John A. Macdonald never initiated a policy, but,
step by step, has taken advantage of the labors and policy
of the Reformers in the past. When they educated the
country to demand a measure he acceded to it, and has
repeatedly gathered fruit from Reform labors. We have
in the past stood upon a policy and a platform, and yet
were steadily and constantly baffled and defeated. Our
policy was generally sound and judicious, yet we lost,
and I do not think we should better succeed by the same
means in the future. We have been beaten by strategy
and tact, not by superior statesmanship. I think that you
are inaccurate in the statement that we had no policy in
the past. We had Representation by Population, Re
trenchment, etc., etc., etc. Now you seem to me to
depreciate the importance of the Nova Scotia embroglio.
The people are thoroughly against Confederation; they
are the source of all power, and should never be legis
lated into the union without their consent. There is the
difficulty, and, depend upon it, we shall suffer for it in
the future. It will crop up constantly."
On the I Sth of November, 1867, Parker had written to
me stating how the session was passing without work
done or to do, and that it was thought better to avoid
85

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
a division of the House until some obnoxious question
presented itself. Again he referred to the position of
Nova Scotia, and said : " The position of Nova Scotians
prevents any close alliance in our party, still I think they
may be regarded as members of the Opposition." He
makes an allusion to the fact that he had failed in an
attempt to speak, and said : "I rose to speak on the Ad
dress, far from well, intending to review the conduct and
tactics of ministers during the elections, interference with
the Local Governments, and give Macdougall and How
land a roasting, but finding myself unable to do either
myself or subject justice, made an excuse, and sat down.
The incident was unpleasant, but the same has occurred
to others. I will take some other opportunity to pay my
respects to our Reform deserters."
Mr. D'Arcy McGee's opposition to Dr. Parker evi
dently arose from the expressed conviction that a coali
tion could not be established and maintained without a
loss of party advantages, a sacrifice of principle, and a
further increase of the labors involved in bringing a
great issue to a crucial point. Confederation practically
gave a continued coalition, a loss of legislative power,
and a perpetuation of some, if not of all the evils existent
in the days preceding non-party organization. McGee
undoubtedly looked upon the attack made by Parker as
an assault upon his own personal position, resented it,
and viewed with anger the attitude of one who had been
one of his warmest personal friends.
It may be added that McGee was born in Ireland,
April 13th, 1825, and met his sad death in Ottawa, April
7th, 1868.

86

CHAPTER XI.
MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS AND MUNICIPAL
INDEBTEDNESS.
Slow growth — United Empire Loyalists — Land grants — Military
settlements — Magisterial rule — District councillors — The
Jailer, a liquor dealer — District wardens. Government
nominees — Baldwin the municipal reformer — The Great
Seal upon everything — Centralization and red tape —
Amendments a necessity unfairly termed "tinkering" —
Municipal councils the guarantees of the people's freedom
— Municipal indebtedness — Crash of 1857 succeeding period
of inflation — Reckless use of Government loans — Municipal
bankruptcy threatened — Situation called for action — Mr.
Mowat to the relief — Municipal loan fund scheme —
Municipalities without debts given an equitable share —
Wise and satisfactory solution.
The municipal institutions of Upper and Lower
Canada developed slowly in passing from a system of
French origin to what was in fact a strengthened form of
American simplicity. The two systems commingled, but
while the French element remained almost unchanged
for many years, that of British origin had emerged from
its semi-Gallic condition. What may be termed a Brit
ish-American system acquired strength which grew with
time and experience, and when, in 1792, Upper Canada
was given a separate and distinct autonomy, it had
started fairly on the road to future nationality.
Although for many years no broad thought of co-opera-
87

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
tive action existed, its germs were there, and they grew
more rapidly under the new regime.
The first effort of the newly established province was
to effect some common action in the construction of
roads, and this could be effectually done only where the
settlement contained a considerable number of interested
residents. The first greater impulse to municipal con
trol of the means of communication came with the United
Empire Loyalists, who flocked into Upper Canada after
the close of the Revolutionary War, for they were actual
settlers, whose first object was the formation of new
homes in what, at that time, was a wilderness. The
leading idea of the military commander and governor
was the strengthening of his defences by the introduc
tion into the province of soldier settlers, and, to effect
this, large land grants were made to- such as would accept
them on the conditions imposed. Many of the soldiers
of the disbanded 84th Regiment took up lands at the
same period, and allotments were made to oflicers and
rank and file in the following proportions : To a field
officer were given 5,000 acres; a captain, 3,000; a sub
altern, 2,000; and a private, 200 acres. The great bulk
of the recipients of the grants settled upon the banks of
the St Lawrence and on the shores of the Bay of Quinte.
This country was divided into townships and subdivided
into concessions and lots. In the summer of 1784, the
persons to whom lands had been assigned took possession
of them, thus at once settling a territory of a hundred
and fifty miles in extent. During that year the Loyal
ists, comprising Butler's Rangers, who had acted on the
Niagara frontier and in Pennsylvania, and those attached
to the Indian Department, had lands assigned tO' them
near Niagara, on the west bank of the river and south
side of Lake Ontario, and in the Detroit country, on
88

MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS
the east side of the strait. It may be here remarked that
until recently, and, indeed, until this day in the old dis
trict of Niagara, the descendants of the Pennsylvanians
hold the memory of Butler's Rangers in deepest de
testation, and ascribe to them all the crimes in the calen
dar. They regarded them with a horror similar to that
evinced by the Covenanters towards Butcher Cumber
land of infamous memory.
The Government supplied incoming settlers with pro
visions for two years, farm implements and some cloth
ing, and as a result many began to clear up their loca
tions, and homes were formed in a section of country
accessible by water "and fairly fertile. But the scattered
settlements grew slowly, the scanty population in many of
them dwelling far apart. In the whole of the country
named it did not for some years exceed ten thousand, and
in no section was it compact. Roads of any description,
so long as they gave winter ingress and access to the
settler, who on the waterways had a rgady summer en
trance and exit, had to be accepted as the best possible
at that period of Upper Canadian history.
In 1788 Sir Guy Carleton, afterwards Lord Dorches
ter, divided Upper Canada into four districts, namely,
Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nassau and Hesse, but such
names had little meaning for the people, and there was
small wonder that they were afterwards abolished. On
July 1 6th, 1792, Lieut. -Governor Simcoe, by authority of
the new Imperial Constitutional Act, divided the province
of Upper Canada into nineteen counties, which were
named Glengarry, Stormont, Dundas, Grenville, Leeds,
Frontenac, Ontario, Addington, Lennox, Prince Edward,
Hastings, Northumberland, Durham, York, Lincoln,
Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Kent, and for the purposes
of representation in the Parliament about to be called,
89

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
these were arranged into constituencies, of which the fol
lowing summary gives a recapitulation : For Glengarry,
2 ; Stormont, Dundas and Grenville, one each, 3 ; Leeds
and Frontenac, i; Ontario and Addington, i; Prince
Edward and the district of Adolphustown, i ; the remain
der of Lennox, with Hastings and Northumberland, i ;
Durham, York and the first riding of Lincoln, i ; second
and third riding of Lincoln, one each, 2; fourth riding
of Lincoln and Norfolk, i ; Suffolk and Essex, i ; Kent,
2; or a total of 16 members.
The first Parliament of Upper Canada met at Niagara
on the 17th of September, 1792, but the whole of the
members do not appear to have been present. In this
session the names of the four districts already mentioned
as created by Lord Dorchester, and into which Upper
Canada was divided before the passage of the Consti
tutional Act, were changed. Lunenburg became the
Eastern District; Mecklenburg, the Midland; Nassau,
the Home ; and Hesse, the Western.
The country was locally governed by Justices in
Sessions, little more or less than a magisterial oligarchy.
It was enacted in the preceding Legislature that the
magistrates in Quarter Sessions assembled should pro
vide for the erection of a jail and court-house in each
district. The majority of the magistrates present at a
district meeting were directed to select the site and plan
for these buildings, and the sheriff was appointed the
jailer. The justices at their sessions were to make rules
for the management of the jail, and these, when approved
by one of the judges of the Superior Court, were to be
regarded as binding on jailer and prisoner. There was
also an enactment that spirituous liquors should not be
used in the jails, ,and that the jailer should not be licensed
to sell, lend, use, give away, or knowingly permit or suffer
90

MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS
any such liquor to be sold, lent, used, or given away in
any such jail, or to be brought into the jail, unless pre
scribed by a regular physician, the penalty being £20
for every offence. Another Act, passed at the same
session, provided that any two magistrates, acting
in their division, could issue their warrants, giving eight
days' notice in any parish, reputed township, or polling
place, of a meeting of its inhabitants, householders, to
the constable of such parish, for the purpose of choosing
and maintaining the parish or town officers to serve for
the next year ensuing, at which meeting the constable
was to be the presiding officer. The officers to be chosen
were a clerk of the parish or township, who was to make
a true and complete list of every male and female in
habitant within its limits and forward return thereof to
the justices, and to enter and record all such matters as
should relate to the parish, town or township. Two per
sons were to be selected as assessors, another person to
serve as collector of taxes, and not less than two, nor
more than six persons, as specified in the warrant, to
oversee and perform such things as should be directed by
the Act, touching or concerning the highways and roads,
and to serve as fence viewers. They were also to
choose a poundkeeper and two persons to act as church
wardens, as soon as any church was built for performance
of divine service according to the use of the Church of
England, with a parson or minister appointed thereto.
Persons infracting the law, and any neglecting or
refusing to take office, were subject to a penalty of forty
shillings. A poundkeeper was authorized, as he is to-day, to im
pound trespassing cattle.
The magistrates in quarter sessions annually appointed
a high constable for each district, and constables for each
91

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
township. Amendments were made, from time to time,
in after sessions of Parliament, but they were of com
paratively minor character.
And such was the needed mechanism of municipal con
trol at a time when rule by magistrates was the fashion,
and " justice's justice " was the backwoodsman's only
resource. For serious offences there was, of course, trial by jury,
which was established by an enactment of the first
session of this Parliament.
In the third session of the Upper Canada Parliament
the first effort at licensing public houses was made. A
bill was introduced and passed, placing them practically
under the control of a bench of magistrates. Every man
obtaining a license had first to secure a certificate from
the magistrates of the division wherein he resided that
he was a proper person to keep an inn or public house,
and should produce to the justices, if they required it, a
testimonial, under the hands of the parson and church or
town wardens, or of four reputable and substantial house
holders, and inhabitants of the division wherein the inn
was intended to be kept, setting forth that such person
was of good fame, sober in life and conversation, and that
he had taken the oath of allegiance to our Sovereign Lord
the King.
Up to 1849 but little change was made in the method
of electing members of the District Council. The old
fashion of selection at an open meeting, with an informal
poll of votes, if necessary, prevailed as it did in the first
days after the formation of counties. In rural parts the
style of nomination viva voce obtained, and very little
interest was generally taken in the proceedings of this
body. Indeed, the pathmaster was often a more im
portant official than the district councillor. " Roads,
92

MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS
roads, roads," was the popular cry, and " Keep down the
taxes!" the popular sentiment.
Two magistrates constituted what was known as the
Court of Requests, and, in matters involving less than
£io, did the work of the present Division Court. Abuses
were unavoidable, even where not to be expected.
The nomination by the Government of the district
wardens was a block to progress, and not seldom made
this ofiicial not only the nominee of the party in power,
and therefore inclined to be subservient, but a mere tool.
An Act which savors of paternalism, but which had the
sanction of long custom, was one providing for the
amount of toll to be paid to the miller for grinding and
bolting grain brought to him to be ground.
There was a current and believed anecdote that when
the value of the service was being considered by the
Legislature, the proposed toll of one-tenth was scouted
by a member owning a mill, who declared that such
a toll was too low, and that one of a twelfth was a more
fitting recompense! He therefore moved the amend
ment, which was at once accepted by the Assembly, the
majority of whose members were not millers, but farmers
with grists to grind.
Acts were passed in this session for the regulation of
the militia, the taking of a local census, and for the con
struction, control and repairs of such highways as were
then existent.
The Report of the Municipal Commission says : " Very
much was done, in the five sessions of the first Parlia
ment, to complete the organization of the Government
and establish a system which could easily expand as the
population increased. Most of the Acts passed by subr
sequent Legislatures were but the complement and out
growth of those passed at Newark." And it adds, at page
93

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
41 : " In the rural districts there seemed, even in 1834, to
be no prospect of the introduction of a sound municipal
system. The justices in session still managed all local
matters pretty much as they pleased."
The Act uniting Upper and Lower Canada was passed
in 1 84 1, but was almost grudgingly received in the Upper
Province. It was regarded as a drastic remedy for a
bad state of things, and far-seeing men had little confi
dence in its results. The Upper Canadian was afraid of
the numerical strength of the Lower Canadian, and
dreaded greater disaster as a result of what was con
sidered an ill-conceived attempt to bring about prosperity
and improved relations. The expected did not happen,
and happily none of the forebodings were justified.
Neither province had been satisfied with things as they
were, both felt the necessity for municipal reform, and
one of the first efforts of the United Canada Parliament
was to produce a Municipal Act which should, to some
extent, meet the varying ideas of the rural element in both
of the old provinces. In 1841 an attempt at improve
ment was unsuccessfully made in an Act introduced by
Mr. Harrison, the Provincial Secretary. According to
it, each township was authorized to elect two councillors
when the names of inhabitant freeholders and house
holders on the assessment lists exceeded three hundred.
The qualification of a councillor was residence in the
township and possession to his own use in fee of lands
within the district, or one of the districts next adjoining,
of the real value of £300, over and above all charges and
encumbrances. The councillors were to hold their seats
for three years, one-third of the number going out each
year, and no one to hold ofiice for more than three years.
Wardens were elected from time to time by the Gov
ernor, by Letters Patent under the Great Seal. The
94

MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS
dictrict council was to meet four times each year, com
mencing on the first Tuesday in February, May, August
and November. Extraordinary meetings might be held,
for not more than six days each, under written order
from the Governor to the warden of the district. Com
mittees were expressly authorized. Each council sub
mitted three names of fit and proper persons to act as
clerk of the council, from whom the Governor selected
one to be appointed under the Great Seal. The office of
treasurer, vacant at each New Year, was filled by appoint
ment of the Governor. Of two district auditors, one was
to be appointed by the Governor and the other by the
council. The district surveyor was named by the warden
and approved by the Governor.
The revenue of the district council was limited to such
amount as the justices in quarter sessions deemed neces
sary for maintenance of the jail, repairs of roads, etc.,
and the only money controlled by the town commissioners
was that paid in commutation of statute labor, and the
sum collected under the Wild Lands Assessment Act for
lands in the townships. The proceeds of the tax on wild
lands was paid over by the district treasurer to the clerk
of each township, on demand, and this amount the com
missioners spent on roads and bridges. The Court of
Requests, established in 1792, was placed under the con
trol of commissioners appointed by the Lieutenant-Gov
ernor instead of remaining under that of any two justices
of the peace. Centralization was still the principle, and
bands of red tape continued to make ineffective the
Municipal Act of 1841.
In 1849 the Legislature, under the advice of Hon.
Robert Baldwin, enacted a Municipal Law which at last
gave to the people that system of self-government which
they now enjoy, and. established the principle that local
95

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
control of financial matters of local interest should be
vested in the tax-payer. Private Acts, giving what might
be termed municipal charters to various municipalities,
were repealed in the interests of the general public, and
one effective Act was passed which, in its preamble, de
clared that " it would be of great public benefit and ad
vantage that provision should be made, by one general
law, for the erection of municipal corporations and their
establishment and regulation in and for the several coun
ties, cities, towns, townships and villages of Upper
Canada." That Act, with slight amendments made from time to
time, is, in its main features, the one great statute of
interest to every citizen, and its operation has not only
insured the liberty and rights of every individual, but has
given to us a system far excelling that adopted in many
States of the American Union. That it should require
some amendment annually is not surprising, for every
year has seen in our province some change of con
dition and some extension of territory, some new situa
tion produced by circumstances. That it is sufficiently
expansive to cover so much is proof of the wisdom of its
authors, and though some over-conservative defenders of
the Municipal Law may regard any change as " tinker
ing," the common sense of our practical law-makers, and
of the hundreds of councillors who are familiar with its
working, insures careful consideration of every proposed
amendment and speedy repeal of any which may have
been proved to be worthless.
" Tinkering " does not always lead to the useful, but
it does much to rectify wrong, and certainly vindicates
the right of the people to be heard wherever they sup
pose a wrong to exist.
No Act of the Legislature of Ontario has, probably,
96

MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS
had more amendments to its provisions tacked on to it,
or more incongruities removed from it, than has the
Liquor License Act. It seems to be the target for every
moral reformer, and all conditions of men are prepared to
improve it by extension or suppression. No meeting of
the Legislature has come and gone without a fight, more
or less protracted, over the attempt to abolish this or
incorporate that, and no other subject of debate brings a
more eagerly interested crowd to the galleries of the
Legislature. I am told that if the mere onlooker takes
a seat in the gallery at such a time he is pretty certain
to have on one side of him a hotel-keeper breathing evi
dence of the sustaining draught he has recently swal
lowed, and on the other side a strong-minded lady of
temperance proclivities, whose remarks on the proceed
ings on the floor are sure to be edifying if not exactly
instructive. And so the struggle goes on, temperance
men arrayed against liquor-dealers. And the end is not
yet. Upon one point, however, all men are disposed to
agree: that amended law has brought about amended
manners, and that amended manners are in tum bene
ficial to a whole people. The Municipal Act is in similar
position, and it is to be hoped that careful " tinkering"
in both cases will tend to bring both laws into a nearer
and ever nearer approach to a perfection which appears
now to be beyond reach.
When acting as associate editor on the Hamilton Jour
nal and Express, in 1849, I was given an advance copy
of Mr. Baldwin's Municipal Act to condense for publi
cation by the press. The task was not difficult, for the
language of the bill was comparatively simple and the
various clauses were clearly put — so clearly that to-day,
after more than half a century of use, criticism and
amendment, the changes are verbal only, while the main
7 97

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
provisions of the measure remain as they were first
enacted. The Act itself was highly and justly prized,
for it gave to the people full control of municipal affairs,
did away with the restrictions and hindrances existing,
and imparted to all classes a thorough knowledge of the
machinery of self-government.
The county councils were destined to become parlia
ments in themselves, and gave to the men who paid for
them an opportunity to intelligently effect needed local
improvements in the way of roads and bridges, schools
and schoolmasters — for a Common School Bill, on the
same broad lines, followed the Municipal Act, and, as a
result, good roads and better schools opened the way
towards the desired goal, better means of communication
and education, and, consequently, a more prosperous and
intelligent population. The impetus thus given to the
efforts of Canadians to better their condition at once
showed expected results. The attempt at paternal gov
ernment in early municipal legislation, in the selection of
wardens by the Governor, an absurd restriction upon a
free and intelligent people, reached its end. The county
council, as I have said, became a local parliament, and
men were there educated for the work of law-making in
a higher sphere.
A cry was raised in later days against the unnecessary
number of these municipal representatives, and a well-
intentioned change was made a few years ago which
somewhat reduced expenditure, although it threatened to
destroy the general usefulness of the central municipal
institution. A return to representation by population has
been wisely made, and it is improbable that, for a long
time to come, any attempt will be made to go back upon
the principles so earnestly supported by Robert Baldwin
in his Magna Charta of municipal freedom.
98

MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS
My own municipal experience was a fac-simile of that
of thousands of others. I was one of the five councillors
elected to represent the village of Elora at its incorpora
tion in 1857, and had previously serve'd as pathmaster or
road commissioner, as it was then entitled, and so had
some knowledge of municipal affairs. In the following
year I became reeve, and served in that capacity for seven
years, taking a somewhat active part in promoting the
construction of gravel roads throughout the county of
Wellington, and in this manner becoming sufficiently
well known to be elected to a seat in the Legislative
Assembly of Ontario, where I represented, first the Centre,
and later the East Riding of the county, continuously for
more than twenty years. As a trustee for many years
of the Public and Grammar or High School Boards, the
educational branch of municipal business became familiar
to me. I have seen many changes and great general
advance in methods of education, but we have not yet
reached the day when every Canadian boy or girl of
twelve years of age will be able to. read intelligently,
to write plainly and neatly, to spell correctly, and to ex
hibit a thorough mastery of the four simple rules of
arithmetic. It is coming — it is not far off — and when it
reaches us we shall, as a people, live longer and more
profitable lives, reach a higher and superior stage of gen
eral efficiency, and be better fitted even than now to pre
pare Canada for the mighty and happy destiny which
surely awaits her.
In 1857 there was a great commercial crash in Upper
Canada. There had been railway inflation, followed by
over-speculation in various directions. Portions of many
farms had been converted into village plots, and sur
veyors and lithographers lived in clover. In some sec
tions the speculation had been productive of wealth;
99

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA .
villages and even towns had been successfully " laid
out," and sold at high prices. The disease — for such
it became — had spread rapidly, and in every county
there were examples of an attempt, on the part of some
individuals or companies, to convert a rural corner into
a more valuable real estate. The success of the specula
tors at one point encouraged the efforts of others else
where, and deals in " lots " were a common method of
making money on paper. Many men for the first time
became acquainted with champagne, and paid dearly for
their self-indulgence at some other man's expense. To
drink wine and buy hotel and other sites was almost
commonplace. But over-speculation meant over-valua
tion, and fools rushed in where wise men feared to tread.
There was a Cobaltic spirit abroad, and what individuals
did muhicipalities soon imitated. All sorts of schemes
were set on foot. Some were practicable; some were
doubtful ; the great bulk were chimerical. And yet men
went on and on, piling up future trouble, and going head-
over-heels into the dread bog of speculation. They had
lost their calculating heads, or worked them too hard.
To doubt the wisdom of these blundering schemers was
to be unpatriotic, to be undeserving the confidence of your
neighbors, and to become a black sheep, even though a
woolly one, in a well-shorn flock. Railways had done
much to develop legitimately the resources of the country,
but they, too, had overfed the lust for wealth. Pro
jectors were rampant, and all sorts of fanciful ideas were
given shape on paper, and aided by silver tongues and
ready pens, the fun grew fast and furious. Unreason
had once more its transient supremacy, and debts which
called for future reckoning were contracted by munici
palities and individuals.
There is a common belief that every decade, in

MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS
its seventh year, has a financial storm, and 1857
seemed in its experiences to deepen this impression.
In the midst of apparent general prosperity, and
at the very height of the general excitement, the
rumblings of thunder gave warning, the tornado followed,
and the card houses of financial optimists were blown
into nothingness. Some share of relief was obtainable
from municipal aid as direct or indirect help to halting
projects, but the general depression was accerttuated by
it, rather than removed. Inflation, despite ominous
political clouds, came once more in 1867. Confederation
gave more or less buoyancy to the financial situation,
raised great expectations, and temporarily staved off the
threatened difficulties. At this period, Mr. Mowat,
cautious and far-seeing, succeeded Mr. Blake as Premier
of Ontario. Supported by a majority which left his
hands free to mould and successfully bring into operation
a comprehensive plan of relief, he courageously submitted
to the Legislature of Ontario his well-known Municipal
Loan Fund proposition, and on the 26th of March, 1873,
it passed through committee in the form of the necessary
introductory resolutions, and received the warm approval
of both sides of the House. The principal feature of
these resolutions was the declaration of the expediency
of making provision for a rearrangement of the Munici
pal Loan Fund debts, so as to secure the due and regular
payment of such of them as are to be paid, and went on
to state that it is further expedient to distribute amongst
the municipalities of the province, for local purposes, the
future produce of the said debt, and so much of the other
funds of the province as may, with the produce of the said
debt, be equal to the allowance hereinafter mentioned.
The details of the proposal were such that municipalities
having no indebtedness to wipe out shared equitably in

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
the distribution of public funds, and were enabled to
effect expenditures solely for local improvements with the
amount allotted to them. A better " all round " measure
was never proposed, and to-day the whole province feels
the good effects of the liberal legislation adopted by their
representatives some thirty-five years ago.
Much as Mr. Mowat, then Attorney-General, did in
the way of law reform in his native province, highly as
he, in his later years, distinguished himself in his fight
for provincial rights, and important as were the many
changes which he gradually but thoroughly effected in
the numerous statutes which he introduced and amended
during his parliamentary career, there was no measure
of his which was so productive of general relief of the
necessities of every municipality in Ontario as the
Municipal Loan Fund Act.

CHAPTER XII.
THE BALLOT.
Corruption — Remedy demanded — Not the fault of one party
only — A Ballot Bill submitted, 1873 — Old campaigners
opposed — Instances of outrage — The briber and the bully
— " Vote like a man " — Vote for second reading of bill in
Ontario Legislative Assembly, 6th February, 1873 — Yeas
for second reading, 50; nays, 14 — Sir John A. on numbered
ballot.
For many years before Confederation, and after its
creation, electoral corruption, gross intimidation, blud
geon arguments and brutal force had been employed at
various elections, to the detriment and loss of electoral
strength, by one or the other of the opposing candidates.
The evil had become so serious and threatening that
every honest man felt the necessity for some effective
remedy. It was the fashion to denounce one or the other
of the great parties as the more hlamable, but public
inquiry, when made, as it often was, proved that the
evils were not confined exclusively to the supporters of
the Government or Opposition, that each side was some
times guilty, and that some radical step was necessary to
a wide and thorough suppression of the evil. Penalty
after penalty weighed down the pages of our election
laws. Candidates were disqualified at election trials.
Disfranchisements of constituencies were clamored for
when some especially marked instance of electoral tur
pitude came to light. That something must be done to
103

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
remove a national shame was generally admitted. In
Canada, New Brimswick had followed the example set
by the majority of the various States of the American
Union. In England, the ballot, for parliamentary elec
tions, was brought into force, and there were indica
tions that it would materially mitigate a scandalous evil.
A Quebec member of the Dominion Parliament had intro
duced a bill following, in some of its features, the British
Act, but his fellow-members were not prepared to sup
port him in his advocacy of such a revolutionary measure.
Important as was the third session of the second Par
liament of the Ontario Legislature, in no particular was
it more forward than in its willing recognition of the
principle of the ballot. Mr. Mowat was firmly established
as Premier, and the pressing reforms which claimed his
first attention had been put under way. Nearly every
active politician who had experience in Canadian par
liamentary elections was aware of the existence of bribery
and intimidation. So common was this experience that,
although never seeing money actually exchanged for a
vote, its use was as well known to me as was the exist
ence, say, of the Queen of England, or the fact that she
occupied the throne.
An election trial was then even a more costly luxury
than it is to-day, and it was avoided when opportunity
for compromise existed or had been created, this being
cheaper than another contest under the open vote. All
admitted the advantages of the ballot as a means of
reducing the expense of an election, if for no other reason ;
but there existed a jealousy on the part of some who were
active campaigners and desired no. change from a method
with which they were familiar and which so often resulted
in victory to the more audacious or pecuniarily aggres
sive party. The people as a whole, however, were
104

THE BALLOT
anxious for some betterment of their parliamentary
election proceedings, and a general election was then
measurably in sight. But nobody seemed willing to take
early action in the required direction, or even to set forth
an initiative resolution or bill. From the early days of
Ontario Gritism I had, in the press and through plat
form utterances, urged the adoption of the ballot, and
during my candidature for a seat in the Assembly had
promised the electors that, if returned, I would, if neces
sary, at fitting opportunity introduce a measure extending
a protecting hand over the elector, and affording him
opportunity to vote without fear of threats or ostracism,
or the equally obnoxious intimidation of employers or
of the brother members of a secret society. There were
ways, too, of using the necessary safeguards of an elec
tion so as to make them a means of annoyance and party
advantage. I had seen a lawyer, afterwards a member of
Parliament, and still later a judge, when acting as agent,
put the oath to make the elector, a grey-haired and feeble
old man, declare that he was twenty-one years of age,
and another, who in his excited protests dropped his
" h's " thickly around him, had to swear that he was a
British subject. This was done to kill time as the close
of the poll drew near, and there were many voters — of
views obnoxious to this agent — waiting impatiently to
exercise their franchise. At a polling-booth in another
place I had seen men driven from the building with
broken heads and bruised bodies because it was known
that their votes, if recorded, would be contrary to those
of the local majority. I had known men, sworn as
special constables, use their authority to force back, again
and again, from the poll, voters of an opposite party, and
I had heard some twenty men who, while taking the
oath as special constables, and saying that they would

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
keep the peace towards all Her Majesty's subjects, inter
polate the words, " except the d — d Grits." I was
intimately acquainted with some of the actors in a sad
tragedy where, during the progress of a two days' voting,
a lot of half-drunken but peaceable men, driving past a
tavern, were called back by the hoots of a crowd of op
ponents, and in the fray which followed one man was
shot and killed. I had seen men speaking the German
language and very little English, who were in smaller
number than their antagonists, deliberately and system
atically crowded from the booth and kept from it for
two days, until the poll was closed. I had heard of
a number of men waiting for the second day of the poll
and then being bought up at the rate of fifty cents each,
because there was no higher bid, the other candidate
refusing to have act or part in such proceedings. I was
told by a man of the part taken by himself in an election,
where wagon-loads of electors were bought at the cost
of $5 in each case, the money being in unnegotiable bills
of the then recently defunct Zimmerman Bank.
I had seen enough to know that a parliamentary elec
tion nearly always meant violence and corruption, that
the extension of an unprotected suffrage would only
afford a wider field for the operations of the briber and
the bully, and that the only means of securing order and
freedom was to be found in the secret vote. " To vote
like a man in broad daylight " sounded very well in
theory, but produced poor results when carried out in
the midst and under the influence of such orgies as every
contested election in those days produced.
The election law in Great Britain had been so far modi
fied as to grant the ballot, the numbered ballot, which
permitted a scrutiny if desired, and had been found to
work effectively. New Brunswick was using the ballot
1 06

THE BALLOT
in voting, and finding it to work with ease. A member
had, on two occasions, introduced in the Dominion
Parliament a Ballot Bill, which did not, however,
pass into law. Availing myself of this effort and a copy
of the English Act, I prepared and introduced a bill
which was intended to be the foundation of an enlarged
Ontario measure. Day after day passed without any
signification of the Government's intention to acquiesce
in its second reading. Upon inquiry, I found that the
Cabinet was divided in opinion, that such second reading
might not be reached, and that prompt action was neces
sary if the measure were to be discussed during the
session then on. I declared to the Ontario Government
my intention to proceed with it on the next opportunity
offered by the rules of the House. The difference of
opinion as to discussion of the bill continued, and
although two members of the Government asked me to
withdraw it for further consideration, I persisted, and a
debate came off, followed by a vote which was a complete
victory for " the Chartist plank." Prominent amongst
those taking part was E. B. Wood, of Brant, who, radical
as he was in early life, grew more conservative, it would
seem, as time passed on, for he spoke against the bill —
and voted for it ! The fact that some Conservatives sup
ported the bill and some Reformers opposed it is enough
to show that the vote was distinctly non-partisan and
sufficiently pronounced to warrant the Premier in declar
ing that the principle of the bill having been assented to,
it was now the duty of the Government to perfect its
details, and that it would be reintroduced at the next
session with such amendments to its present form as
might be deemed necessary. The matter is sufficiently
important to warrant the insertion here of the division
upon which the second reading was carried. On the 6th
107

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
of February, 1873, the six months' hoist was moved in
amendment, and lost by a vote of 14 to 50. The second
reading was then put and carried on the following
division :
Yeas. — Ardagh, Barber, Bethune, Caldwell, Christie,
Clarke (Norfolk), Clarke (Wellington), Clemens, Cook,
Craig (Glengarry), Craig (Russell), Crosby, Deroche,
Farewell, Finlayson, Fraser, Gibbons, Gibson, Gow,
Grange, Guest, Haney, Lauder, McKellar, McKim,
McLeod, McManus, McRae, Mowat, Oliver, Pardee,
Paxton, Prince, Read, Robinson, Scott (Ottawa), Sex
ton, Sinclair, Smith, Snetzinger, Striker, Watterworth,
Webb, Wells, Williams (Durham), Williams (Hamil
ton), Wilson, Wood (Brant), Wood (Victoria), — 50.
Nays. — Boulter, Boultbee, Cameron, Code, Deacon,
Fitzsimmons, Hamilton, Macdonald, Meredith, Merrick,
Monk, Monteith, Rykert, Tooley, — 14.
In the following session, 1874, the Government re
deemed its pledge, and vote by ballot at elections for the
Legislature became the law. This system of voting was
afterwards extended to school and municipal elections,
and to Separate Schools when desired by the trustees.
Subsequent to the adoption of the ballot in Ontario,
Hon. Alexander Mackenzie introduced a measure in the
House of Commons and succeeded in carrying it. The
form of the ballot was somewhat different from that used
iri Ontario. The Dominion ballot was unnumbered and
therefore untraceable, and does not afford the protection
against forgery and " stuffing " which is found in the
numbered ballot. In 1906 the Ontario Government,
under the Premiership of Hon. J. P. Whitney, abolished
the numbered voting paper, thus practically adopting the
Dominion system. In Britain, after an experience of
many years, the number is still retained, and there is evi-
108

THE BALLOT
dently no intention to make the radical change which has
been effected in Ontario.
There are men yet to be found who regret the loss of
the " fun " of a parliamentary election of the old-
fashioned style, and others who declare that the ballot
has failed to cure the evils for which it was considered
a specific, and has, instead, brought other evils in its
train. Ignorance and partisan dishonesty have doubtless
shown some weak points in the Ballot Act, but few laws
on the statute book give perfect satisfaction. It is more
easy to detect weaknesses than to provide remedies, but
it is to be hoped the tendency will be to improve rather
than to repeal the ballot law, which is really the poor
man's shield, and, like the Municipal and School Acts,
has become a charter of the liberties of the intelligent
elector. It may be interesting to state here that Sir John A.
Macdonald said that he was in favor of such a system as
would afford the opportunity of a scrutiny, and he hoped
the Minister of Justice would alter this portion of the
bill — ^providing for an unnumbered ballot — so that this
advantage might be secured.
Hon. J. J. C. Abbott, the Conservative leader in the
Senate, then a member of the House of Commons, advo
cated the system in force in Ontario and Great Britain,
on the ground that it afforded greater facility for the
punishment, if not the prevention, of personation and
fraudulent voting. He moved in amendment that each
ballot paper shall have a number on the back, and shall
have attached a counterfoil with the same number on the
face, but this amendment was not accepted.

109

CHAPTER XIII.
THE MILITIA OF CANADA IN THE FORTIES
AND AFTER.
A sudden awakening of a people dependent entirely on British
military protection — A dawdling policy — Trust to it
and the British — Militia musters on old King George's
birthday — Drill of primitive character — " Haw " and " Gee "
— Whiskey rations — Captain's cheese-knife — A colt, a young
recruit — A colored company — " Auld " Kerr, a model
for Canadian youth — Enlisted at is, and died at 90 — The
Peninsular War and Waterloo — The Trent affair — Canada
in a blaze — Formation of independent companies — Musketry
instruction and copper caps — Imperial troops — " Guards "
for drill instructors — A military spirit at last aroused.
In 1 86 1 the people of Canada awoke suddenly to the
fact that the country was absolutely without other ser
viceable defence than was afforded by Imperial troops
and Imperial military skill. For years red-coated
British soldiers had come and gone to and from Canada
with regularity, and the fact seemed to be known to resi
dents of our cities only. We had, ages ago, seemingly,
driven American soldiers from Canadian soil. We had,
after a little smoke and excitement, put down an incipient
rebellion, again with the aid of British arms. But for
actual protection from attack, or preservation from in
ternal disorder, we relied as entirely and dependently
upon British brain, muscle and ability as a toddling child
hangs upon a vigorous mother. The good-will of the
110

THE MILITIA OF CANADA IN THE FORTIES
American nation was our chief guarantee for freedom
from attack, and money spent in support of an active
militia was regarded as so much thrown into the mael
strom of the turbulent Niagara. We were not illiberal
when appeals were made to our generosity ; we were not
blind to our shortcomings when they were pointed out
to us; but we were content to dawdle along the road
towards effective preparation without arriving at any
point promising adequate defence. The position of the
Canadas then reminded me forcibly of an exhibition of
the military power of the country in 1845. At that date,
and for some years before, there had been an annual
muster, on old King George's birthday, of the young
men of our rural parts not yet enrolled for military pur
poses. I was then resident in the county of Haldimand,
Niagara district, and received a notification that I must
proceed to the village of Dunnville and attend the annual
muster on the 4th of June. I proceeded there in due
course, reported at a named tavern, and " fell in " with
some thirty other young fellows in front of it. The
specified hour having arrived, we lined up in fair order,
and our names were called with military vigor. Then
came a veteran carrying a tin pail with something in it,
and its bearer stopped in front of every man in turn. A
tin dipper descended into the pail and ascended to the
welcoming hand of each visitor as he was reached. A
gurgle and a smack of the lips, and another nail had been
driven into the system of the soldier. Captain Farr,
commanding, then appeared in front of the contingent
specially under his orders, and called us back to the
" Attention " which we had bestowed elsewhere. We
were " two deep," if not a little more, and received the
order to " wheel " to the " left." Explanation was neces
sary before we could take up the unexpected movement,
III

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
but after its repetition we were almost equal to the per
formance of the double shuffle dignified by the name of
a " quick march." Then we reached a turn to our left.
Dispirited by the response to the previous command to
" wheel," the gallant captain — called " Cap," for short,
by his corps — politely informed his command that it was
useless to tell them what the drill book said, but they
must " haw " or " gee " as they were directed. So first
we " geed," and then we " hawed," and got there just the
same. There were several squads on the vacant lot to
which we had been marched, mostly big lads and young
men, who were lying on the ground good-naturedly
awaiting orders. One special squad, in uniforms, and
really looking soldier-like, were drilling with a combina
tion of snap and vigor. Their backs were turned to
wards us, but on their countermarching we discovered
that our models were all negroes — a company raised dur
ing the recent Rebellion and said to have been very
efficient in making corduroy roads. They received
special notice from the colonel, who wore regimentals,
too, and sat his steed — a mare — as if not afraid of it.
In passing up and down the line now formed, he gave
us ample opportunity, not only to admire his horseman
ship, but to form an opinion of the good points of a
lively colt running at the heels of its mother. After his
little speech of commendation and recommendation,
reports were made by company officers, and we involun
tarily broke into groups. Then the fun commenced.
Wrestling, jumping, " stumping for a horse race," and so
forth, soon broke up all semblance of order, and one
irreverent and evidently licensed good fellow tiptoed to
the rear of the " Cap," and suddenly snatched and drew
from its scabbard the slightly rusted sword which had

THE MILITIA OF CANADA IN THE FORTIES
been carried through a rebellion now apparently for
gotten. A loud haw-haw from the boys, arid the advice
from one of them to our commanding officer to put up
his "old cheese-knife," and we marched back to the
tavern to receive another drink, after which the military
heroes were dismissed, and more fun and frolic followed.
At Waddington school, in England, the boys were regu
larly drilled by a Waterloo veteran, who had promoted
me as a sergeant in his small command, and I had seen
volunteer yeomanry under Lord Yarborough, and was
shocked at the looseness here displayed. And this ac
tually occurred in 1845, within a half-dozen miles of the
battle-ground of Ridgeway, where, in 1866, university
students and other smart young fellows were shot down
in a fight with a Fenian " army " coming from Buffalo,
and enjphasizing the fact that every country worth plun
dering ought to be able to bolt its doors and keep out
burglars. An important factor in the development of a military
spirit in Canada was the presence, at many points, of one
or more old soldiers, veterans of the Napoleonic and
Peninsular wars. Elora, of which village I have already
spoken, was fortunate in the possession of several worthy
examples of this class, and the best known and most dis
tinguished was probably William Kerr, who lived with
his son in the village for many years, and who was buried
there at last in the beautifully situated cemetery, and was
given the desire of his heart, a military funeral, attended
by a military band, and his coffin covered with the British
flag. He was a native of Paisley, Scotland, born in 1791.
In 1806, when he was fifteen years old, he offered him
self as a recruit in his native town, and although he was
so young — ^fighting material was becoming scarce — he
was a tall, well-built lad, and he would pass the inspect-
8 "3

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
ing officer. He said that he felt old enough to fight, and
although the weight of his musket would try his strength,
Scotch pluck would carry him through. He found others
readily thinking as did he, took the shilling, and nobly
earned it before he left the service, as a private in the
91st Highlanders, the well-known Argyll Regiment. He
was at once sent off with other recruits to Spain, and
was present under Picton, of whom he spoke with a feel
ing akin to reverence, of the many engagements which
ended with Toulouse. There the 91st was exposed to
the heavy fire of the French artillery during a battle
fought after peace had been declared, although, of course,
the fact was not known to the opposing generals.
" Auld " Kerr was with Sir John Moore on his retreat,
and fought at Corunna on the i6th of January, 1809.
The 91st was one of the regiments covering the retreat,
and the veteran told, with exciting enthusiasm, of the
sad necessity which compelled the slaughter of the artil
lery and cavalry horses, shot and thrown over the cliffs
at Corunna, and which otherwise would have been used
by the French as food. He was not present at the burial
of Sir John Moore, made doubly famous by the lines of
Wolfe, but was in the ranks covering the retreat. He
was with his regiment at Nivelle, Nive, the Pyrenees,
Bayonne, Vittoria, Orthez, Toulouse, and the minor en
gagements which distinguished Wellington's final cam
paign in Spain. After Corunna the 91st was sent to Ire
land to recruit, and embarked for America in 1814, but
the order was countermanded, and in 181 5 the regiment.
consisting very largely of recruits, was sent to Ostend,
and marched to Ghent and Oudenarde, and in June of
that year young Kerr was with his regiment in the re
serves at Waterloo. In the general advance which closed
that great battle, the 91st did its part with zeal, after a
114

THE MILITIA OF CANADA IN THE FORTIES
whole day of forced inaction under continuous fire.
After the advance into France, Cambray, a French
stronghold, was assaulted and taken, and here our hero
received his first serious wound, a fragment of the stone
walls of the fortification striking him in one eye and ren
dering it sightless. The 91st was the first regiment of
British infantry to enter Paris, and Kerr was in its lead
ing company. He remained in France with the army of
occupation for four years, and was discharged in 1819
with a pension of a shilling a day. The old man had
most happy recollections of his stay in Paris, and one
formed from his stories a pleasant picture of the kindly
bourgeois fraternizing with the foreigner and politely
aiding him in the struggle with the language. The cure
too, loomed large in the picture, as he does, or did, in the
French life of that day, and altogether the years of garri
son duty in Paris were years of relaxation and genial
growth after the wear and tear of much fighting.
The 91st, having been in reserve at Waterloo, was neg
lected in the subsequent distribution of medals and special
pensions, and its claims were undecided until 1876, after
which time William Kerr received, besides a shilling a
day for service pension, is. 3d. additional for Waterloo,
and entered into possession of the coveted and long-with
held medal. He died in 1878, as good a soldier as ever
bore British arms.
We have given a fair picture of the Canadas from a
military point of view after Ae Rebellion of 1837, and
until the events of 1861 saw the United States disrupted
and fighting, and threatening every day, by some unfore
seen blunder, to drag Great Britain into the controversy.
Men were excited and alarmed, and a firm conviction
prevailed that Canada must cease to be wholly reliant
upon ' British lives, blood and armaments. A move
115

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
towards expansion of the active militia force must be
made, and steps were slowly taken to increase the number
of vqlunteer companies, of which a comparatively few
had been organized. In the county of Wellington, where
I resided, but one company of rifles existed, and a com
pany of garrison artillery was formed. As typical of
the slow progress of the volunteer movement throughout
the province, and of the lack of encouragement given to
it in its early days, I may cite the action in the county of
Wellington,* peopled largely by men of British birth or
parentage. In April meetings were held in the villages
of Fergus, Elora and Mount Forest, and a determina
tion expressed that a volunteer corps should be raised in
each of these places. The attendance was large, the
enthusiasm genuine, and the service rolls were rapidly
filled. This was in April, 1861. In that year the United
States was enduring all the horrors of war in its southern
and central States, and upon both sides troops were
rushed to the front in tens of thousands — not so lavishly
as in after years, but so numerously that a long and fierce
war looked inevitable. And yet no active movement in
the way of enlistment, distribution of arms and com
petent drill was made to any extent by our central author
ities. It was not until August that the three Wellington
companies, organized in April, were given official stand
ing, and then they were uniformed at their own expense,
as was the case with volunteers throughout the land.
This system gave them a voice in the selection of the
material of their uniforms.* The Elora company was a
* It ought to be told here, that the County Council of Wellington
has regularly voted an additional 25 cents per diem, to be paid to
every man of rank and file present during the period of the annual
encampment, and that the city of Guelph has invariably followed this
excellent example with its two rifle companies and well-known field
battery. The battalion band is also pecuniarily assisted annually.
116

THE MILITIA OF CANADA IN THE FORTIES
rifle corps, and ordinarily would have worn the rifle
green, but it was thought that more suitable dress might
be procured than the imported regulation uniform, and of
cloth, manufactured in the country. After a short delay
the experiment was made. The color selected was a
dark fawn, and when this was seen by Col. McDougall,
the inspecting officer, it was at once approved of.
Col. McDougall went further, and recommended the gen
eral adoption of similar material, a strong cloth woven
in the woollen mills at Gait. But the powers controlling
the militia did not agree with the business views of the
Gait manufacturer, and refused to depart from the prac
tice of supplying to colonials uniforms made for British
troops of the line. As a result, the opportunity was
lost for the adoption of khaki uniform, until the losses of
the African war awoke the authorities to the value of a
color undistinguishable at a much less distance than the
flaring scarlet, of which every hand's breadth shows
against the green of grass or the verdant foliage of wood
lands. It may be added that another company in the
vicinity of Elora used a steel-grey satinette in the manu
facture of their clothing, and were well satisfied with it
as a protection for troops engaged in skirmishing,
although the khaki was preferred by all seeing both when
effects could be compared.
It is true that newly-formed companies in the early
sixties purchased their own uniforms, but it is proper to
add that the Government reimbursed the outlay to a par
tial extent, after the stability of the several corps had
been established by the performance of as many drills as
was determined by the authorities to be • necessary to
secure " effective " men. For many years now cloth for
uniforms has been made in Canada, and in every case the
quality was found to be superior to that of imported
117

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
goods. In those days, however, when real war seemed
imminent, and men went to the front to fight, if neces
sary, color of cloth was a secondary consideration, and
men were more intent upon acquiring the art of a good
shot than to deck themselves in holiday array. And it
is almost depressing to look back and see the enormous
coil of red tape which was wound round everything. Of
this the sending of the Elora company — my model for
the purpose of illustration — to the front in 1866, before
the Fenian raid, gave ample proof. Although formed
some years before, in 1861, that company was sent to the
frontier in 1866 without overcoat straps, and had to
manufacture them out of strong carpet binding. It was
also compelled to use, upon dark-green rifle uniforms,
white pipeclayed belts, which could not be blackened
until General Napier, who was at Toronto, granted the
necessary permission; and then the volunteers were not
allowed to make the change, but the old soldiers of the
Canadian Rifles, with whom the Elora company was
lying in barracks at Chatham, did the work and received
the pay. To this no objection was made, and some of
the veterans of that worthy corps fought their battles
o'er again while disposing of the unexpected windfall.
The old Minie rifle, discarded from the regular ser
vice, was the weapon furnished to the volunteers of early
days, and some excellent shooting at short ranges was
recorded. A plentiful supply of percussion caps was
sent with the annual allowance of ammunition, and aim
ing drill at first consisted of discharging these caps at a
lighted candle. Although the distance was short, there
were men who could not " blow the candle out," and the
steadiness of aim which followed at regular target prac
tice proved the effectiveness of the simple drill. It may
not be out of place to state that I was a member of the
118

THE MILITIA OF CANADA IN THE FORTIES
company at its formation and was gazetted in 1861 as
lieutenant. My brother officers, Captain Donaldson and
Ensign Newman, made enthusiastic soldiers, and we were
ready to turn out, at short order, a well-drilled com
pany. Its composition was typical of that of many other
isolated companies at various points in the Canada of that
date. After the Trent difficulty, the Imperial Govern
ment sent out to Canada a number of first-class drill ser
geants, many from the Guards, who travelled from point
to point and were delighted by the rapid progress made
by the many close students of the military art. Amongst
the recruits were numerous mechanics, clerks, and intel
ligent young fellows of all classes, who quickly mani
fested their understanding of the instruction given to
them, and their appreciation of the fact that this drill
foreshadowed possibilities in the near future, and that
the efforts of the instructors were not a waste of time,
but really added to the defensive means of one of the
finest countries in the world. Whatever the impelling
motive, the result of the readiness and aptitude of young
¦Canadians for military life was most encouraging to the
statesmen of the country, who felt the heavy responsi
bilities resting upon them, and a fair interest was pro
perly taken by the Government of the day in the full
development of a peace establishment of which as a
people we have had good reason to feel proud.
When the test of our loyalty, our common sense and
our patriotism came in 1861, the Trent affair set the
whole country ablaze. An indifferent people became
belligerent in sentiment. Better war, despite our unpre-
paredness, we as one man declared, than a craven sub
mission to an intolerant outrage. We were at once
Canadian and British. Whatever Anglophobia might
have taken possession of a few dissatisfied French
119

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
Canadians disappeared in a single night, and a bright
morning dissipated the thin mist which had obscured the
evening vision. The people of Upper and Lower Canada
were one, and from the mad act of an ambitious but
ill-judging American naval captain sprang the united
Canada which ended in Confederation, the opening
of the North-West, and that recognition of a new
nation which speedily followed. There was a cer
tain amount of friction or indifference before the
event; there was a sympathetic prayer for a recog
nition of the South and the successful growth of
a new power after it. British troops were rushed
across the Atlantic in face of coming winter, and that
famous march through the snows of New Brunswick
passed into history. The country was on the verge of
war. Fortunately, upon both sides of the line, there
were leading men of ordinary foresight who were able to
control the situation, who saw the, immensity of the dan
ger, acted cautiously, and skilfully avoided it. Remon
strance was courteously but firmly expressed. While
irresponsible newispaper men were attempting to lash the
two peoples into fury, the everyday, thinking and acting
men of the great Republic took steps towards reconcilia
tion or abeyance of active condemnation, and the final
effort for the preservation of peace led to neutral action
on the part of the cool heads of British diplomacy, and
ended in a simple apology, the liberation of Mason and
Slidell, the exchange of courtesies, and the return of old
relations between America and Britain, although the
latter had been the more severely tried.
The conflict between the Northern States and the
Southern Confederation continued until the exhausted
resources of the South terminated the unnatural and de
plorable war. The struggles of the contending parties

THE MILITIA OF CANADA IN THE FORTIES
ended, as might have been expected, in the gradual and
at last rapid decadence of the more thinly populated sec
tion of the Union. And while the Southerners fought
with undiminished pluck, they could not effect the im
possible. Daily were the Northern States pushing men
towards the very vitals of the Confederacy, and the
inevitable result was not less perceptible to Lee than to
Grant. Both must have wished for the culmination. It
arrived, and the world rejoiced and welcomed a peace
which closed one of the most bloody pages in history.

CHAPTER XIV.
THE FENIAN INVASION.
Close of the American War — Fenian attack from Buffalo —
Independent companies battalionized — Canadian youth
make good soldiers — No jingoism or junkerism —
" Conscription " an unknown word — Intentions of Fenian
invaders well known in advance of attack — Chatham — Royal
Canadian Rifles — Drill thorough — A parson of the old
school — Fenian alarms — Men prompt and ready from
Sandwich to Nova Scotia — The Sunburst afloat — A very
short visit to Canada — British tars — Artillery practice — A
horse-breaking surgeon as a private citizen — The force
generally.
With the cessation of the American war came a some
what chaotic state of fiscal matters in the United States,
and Canada, almost necessarily, sympathized commer
cially with her neighbor. But Upper Canada had more
than matters of dollars and cents to contend with. The
close of the rebellion cast thousands of unquiet men upon
the labor market of the continent, and they preferred a
life, now closed to them, in which the military element
was superior to the mere civilian, and conceived a
plan which might give opportunity to these marauders
to obtain desired occupation. After weeks of prepara
tion, a Fenian invasion was projected and attempted.
Crossing in scows from Buffalo about the end of May,
a large armed party reached the Canadian shore at Fort
Erie, causing much excitement and the hurried assembly
of troops at different points. The Fenian invaders, ad-

THE FENIAN INVASION
vancing in the direction of Hamilton, were attacked by
Canadian militia on the following morning, and defeated
with loss of life on both sides. This was known as the
battle of Ridgeway, and the events of that time may be
regarded as the genesis of an active force in Canada
worthy of the name. In September of that year the
scattered independent companies, as they were termed,
were formed into battalions, and something like valuable
organization was gone about in a isystematic manner.
The " establishment " of an eight-company battalion con
sisted of I lieut.-colonel, 2 majors, i adjutant, i surgeon,
I quartermaster, i paymaster, 24 company officers, 24
sergeants, 24 corporals, with a total of, say, about 400
rank and file. A few battalions mustered over this
strength, while more fell below it, but for years this was
regarded as the complement. Fenian rumors did much
to maintain the numerical strength of the force, but it
was not dependent upon this alone. Canadians have a
natural aptitude for soldiering, and when we remember
the varied employments of our young men in the daily
life of the farm, the factory, the lumber woods, the
fisheries, the mine, the lakes and their navigation, the
shop, the office, we see at once how such a people must
naturally possess the resourcefulness and initiative fitting
them for active military life. Every year since the date
of that assumption of manhood by Canadians has our
military system been made acceptable without fuss and
feathers; and while, like all human institutions, it has
its defects, there is intelligent management at its head,
and a departmental control free from jingoism or junker
ism or other military fad. Canada is defended on busi
ness principles, and its representatives are fairly up to
their work. If ever circumstances force our people to
self-protection they know that they have a country
123

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
worthy of defence, and will not be backward in using
their utmost efforts with that end in view.
Our military schools are the practical outcome of a
determined preparation for a defence which all pray may
never be needed, and the valued work done there is
highly appreciated in Great Britain, where many Cana
dian cadets are helping to officer the Imperial army. In
our public schools, especially in Ontario, a system of drill
has been inaugurated which is an excellent physical
training and cannot fail to record its effects in the health
and nerve of a coming generation.
" Conscription " is a word which has not found place
in our programme of things necessary, and it is safe to
prophesy that it never will, unless under circumstances
which will bring every adult willingly into the ranks of
our defensive force.
The intention of the rank and file of the Fenian sym
pathizers to make an attack on the western frontier of
Canada West in 1866 was so evident that preparations
were made to circumvent them or to totally prevent their
progress. Windsor and Sarnia became two important
points for action, and there was ample evidence of Fenian
plans in these directions. And when coming events were
so freely and loosely discussed by the chief lieutenants
of Fenian leaders, there was no difficulty in detecting the
" something in the wind." As a consequence, an order
was issued for active service of the then organized militia.
To offer opposition, if it became necessary, and, at any
rate, to expose the Fenian policy and plans, isolated com
panies were ordered out in March, and still others , in
April. Sarnia and Windsor were notified, and a select but
not numerous force was placed in billets at both places.
In April the Elora company was summoned, and I men
tion it specially because I was its commanding officer,
124

THE FENIAN INVASION
and therefore its experiences, similar, no doubt, to those
of other independent companies, are best known to me.
The Guelph and other companies of No. i District were
sent to the front for duty before the date of the "in
vasion," and some of the various corps had been actually
ordered home again before the general call was made.
The Guelph company remained in billets until the general
order to return to ordinary company headquarters had
been issued, and so had a longer experience than many
other of these corps. The Owen Sound, Stratford,
Thfimesford, Chatham and other western volunteers
acquired a good knowledge of military matters during
this experience, and, through the use of rope drill, gained
some idea of battalion movements. These isolated com
panies, gathered at Windsor, Sarnia, Chatham, Stratford
and elsewhere, remained efficient in drill for some years
afterwards. The Elora corps was one of those making
good use of its opportunity.
About six weeks before the coming of the Fenian
force to Fort Erie, the Elora company was ordered to
Chatham, white belts and all, and placed under the com
mand of Captain Boyd, of the Royal Canadian Rifles.
This corps was made up of veterans, men who had been
discharged and re-enlisted. The routine work of the
barracks was, as far as possible, turned over to the volun
teers. This set the old soldiers at liberty, and those of
them whose good conduct had proved them worthy of
trust, got leave to go into the town to procure work —
wood-cutting, gardening and other odd jobs — always, of
course, holding themselves in readiness for a summons
back to military duty. Drill commenced at six a.m., last
ing two hours, and by drilling the two companies in
single line, battalion movements were possible. The
drill was under Sergeant O'Reilly, an excellent soldier
125

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
and a thorough master of interior economy. Altogether,
this opportunity to work beside picked and experienced
regulars was invaluable to both officers and men, and
while the old soldiers would sometimes slyly play tricks
on the colonials, and would follow orders — especially a
wrong order — down a well, or over the hills and far
away, the general relations existing between the two
bodies were most agreeable. With the citizens, too, we
got on admirably. We had found, upon our arrival, a
hostile feeling, accentuated by our unfortunate white
belts, which caused us to be taken for infantry, and to be
classed with an unpopular infantry company which had
just moved out; but, as I have said, our belts were soon
blacked, which had the odd effect of making our reputa
tion " white " ; and when, after seven weeks, we left
Chatham we were on the best possible terms with all and
sundry. The mayor and councillors, a brass band and
a big drum accompanied us to the station, an address
was read which dwelt largely upon our special and gen
eral merits, and everybody asked, " WuU ye no' come
back agen?" One of the pleasant memories of my stay
in Chatham is associated with the kindly personality and
beautiful garden of Archdeacon Sandys, a parson of the
old school, worthy to be remembered as a Canadian Dean
Hole. We returned to Elora from Chatham in time for a
Queen's Birthday demonstration, and had an opportunity
of showing the increased efficiency of our company. The
time spent away from home and business, with small pay,
had meant considerable sacrifice for all, but there was no
grumbling from the men, and their course had the hearty
commendation of their neighbors. It was supposed
that the Fenian scare was over, and we were gradually
settling down as ordinary citizens, when, on the morn-
126

THE FENIAN INVASION
ing" of June 2nd, a telegram arrived, directing the Elora
company to proceed to Stratford and await orders. The
telegram ought to have reached me on the evening of
the 1st, and the intention was to send us to the Niagara
frontier, but there was a mysterious delay in the for
warding of the message, and from Stratford the Elora
and Fergus companies under my command were sent
on to Point Edward. The Fergus company went on
to Sarnia, where the officers were billeted at the home
of Hon. Alexander Mackenzie. We remained at Point
Edward, and formed part of a detachment under Major
Graham. This detachment and some other twelve com
panies were commanded by Lieut.-Col. Richardson, of
Woodstock, afterwards a justice in the North-West.
There was expectation of a raid from Port Huron
on the night of Saturday, 2nd of June, and about mid
night an alarm was given, but was unfounded, although
the officer commanding the American forces at Fort
Gratiot crossed the river and asked that the Spicer, the
large railway ferry-boat, should be kept on the Canadian
side, as otherwise an attempt would be made to seize
it, and he could not rely upon his men, whose sympathy
\^'as with the marauders. The Spicer was detained on
the Canadian side, and the threatened raid eventuated
in nothing more serious than the cutting of the cable
crossing the river at this point. On the following night
drums were heard in Port Huron, on the west bank of
the River St. Clair, and there was a turn-out of Fenian
.strength there, but nothing resulted. On Sunday night
came intelligence by wire that Fenians were landing at
Camlachie. and a full company ol selected men was
despatched to reconnoitre. Upon their return, it was
ascertained that a vessel lav off the harbor, that boats
were passing to and from the shore, and that Canadian
127

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
whiskey, always preferred in Michigan by the best-
judges, was being carried into the United States without
the payment of the legal demands thereon. But the
alarm tested the watchfulness of the soldiery, and their
promptitude was satisfactory.
Soon after, reports were received from Chicago that
a vessel was leaving that port in charge of a captain
who had bet heavily that he would carry the Fenian
Rising Sun through British waters. He was regularly
looked for by the curious among us, but his vessel did
not appear until more than a week had elapsed, when a
" tow " of several schooners, with a tug-^boat at its head,
passed at its full speed to the Canadian side of the river.
The object of this move was not at first perceived, but
at the masthead of one of the boats was flauntingly dis
played the " Sunburst," and on the wharf was quickly
assembled a crowd of angry citizens, composed of Grand
Trunk employees and others, who hissed and howled at
the obnoxious display. Captain Dawson, of the Thames-
ford company, officer of the day, called out the guard,
ordered his men to load with ball cartridge, and the
United States and Great Britain would, in a few seconds,
have been on the verge of war, had not Major Graham,
who had been looking after suspected Fenians on the
Spicer, run rapidly to the guard-room, and with his
sword struck up the rifles of the guard, who had already
raised them, awaiting the order to fire. Meanwhile,
the helmsman of the offending vessel had run in a stoop
ing position to the forecastle, and doubtless blessed his
stars at the intervention. Telegrams were sent to Col.
Shanley, then down the river, and he, in company with
the United States officials, boarded the American vessel,
but found nothing of an incriminating character.
Upon the night when the cable was cut, Mr. Ste\\fart,
128

THE FENIAN INVASION
agent of the Grand Trunk Railway at Port Huron and
Point Edward, took the " General Grant," the fastest
engine in the yard, and ran to Detroit at a mile-a-minute
rate. On arrival he found that the attempted trip to
Canada of a Fenian excursion hadn't come off as prom
ised, although a steamboat had gone doAvn the river with
a large crowd of sympathizers on board, and returned
to port without landing its cargo. Stewart ordered the
switches on the G. T. R. to be left open all night, while
regular traffic was suspended.
Throughout this time we found the officials and men
of the Grand Trunk ready to lend any possible aid in
facilitating the plans of the military.
That we might not be entirely dependent on land
forces for defence, a gunboat was manufactured out of
a tug, covered with sheet iron, which might have turned
a rifle bullet, but its resisting powers, fortunately, were
not put to a test. It was manned by a crew from one
of Her Majesty's ships then lying at Quebec, and the
antics of these jolly fellows, when on shore for a lark,
were as diverting as one of Jacobs' sailor stories. The
countryside was theirs, although they could not wander
far from port, and chipmunks were their special pets
and prey. How many of the striped beauties were cap
tured and taken down to Quebec as reminders of the
happily fruitless Fenian raid in the west was never re
ported, but of the satisfaction of the captors of the saucy
little squirrels or dormice, as the case may be, there could
be no possible doubt. After a cruise to Goderich, the
" fleet " returned to Point Edward, and thence the
Jackies were despatched " home " to their snug quarters
on the St. Lawrence.
When this " gunboat," manned by British sailors, ap
proached Point Edward the American Fort Gratiot
9 129

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
fired a salute, and the detachment from the fleet ac
knowledged it. Much to the disgust of the Britishers,
the Americans fired their guns with more rapidity and
completed their salute sooner than their friendly rivals.
Curses loud and deep followed the contretemps, and the
entente cordiale appeared to be in danger until the secret
was out. The American soldiers had been using three
muzzle-loading brass howitzers, while the British had
used one breechloader, which they had handled nearly
as rapidly as their opponents had fired the three.
The results were broken windows in the G. T. R. station,
opposite to which the gunboat was lying, and a frater
nization which lasted until a late hour next morning.
These were small incidents, but they helped to relieve
the tedium of those sometimes slow summer days, which
were beginning to slightly shorten before we were re
leased from active duty and ordered to return to local
headquarters, holding ourselves in readiness for a pos
sible recall.
As an illustration of what a camp ought to be, one
was established at Thorold, as a protection to the Wel
land Canal, and this consisted of a regiment of the line,
the Grey Battery, fresh from the Crimea, and a pro
visional battalion of infantry, made up from isolated
companies of the active militia. When the Elora com
pany went out, it was to be associated with companies
from Gait, Fergus, Mount Forest, the Guelph garrison
artillery, etc. The weather was unpropitious, as during
our first night under canvas, and on every day except
ing that preceding our departure for home, rain poured
continuously. Although field movements, much to
everybody's regret, were impossible, excellent target
practice was made under a British musketry instructor.

130

THE FENIAN INVASION
and the experience of camp life proved to be of great
use in future years. Sir Garnet Wolseley was in com
mand, but left the force, for a few days, in the hands
of Col. Hoste, a Crimean hero, and returned only as we
were passing out on our way to the station. One of
the most noticeable and useful officers in that camp was
Major George Denison, of Toronto, who was on outpost
duty along the banks of the Niagara.
The day following our arrival at Thorold, I was act
ing as senior officer of the day, and was going my rounds
of inspection, when our surgeon offered to accompany
me. Glad of good company, and with a dim idea of the
exact discharge of my duties, I assented. The doctor
ostensibly went along to see the sights, but really to
break in the adjutant's horse, and carried with him
a mallet handle, as more serviceable than a riding-whip.
His uniform was scarcely up to regulation mark, for it
began with a pair of ordinary long boots, followed by
well-worn corduroy hunting breeches, over which and his
ordinary coat was enwrapped a huge mackintosh, the
costume being completed by a little cap of most irregular
fashion. His horse was troublesome, but the doctor was
an excellent rider, and safely guided him to the parade
ground, where the guard was to be inspected. The
sharp command to " Halt !" was given, and a sentry
stepped forward to the doctor, telling him that no private
persons were permitted there. The sentry, an old soldier,
was sorry, but " Private citizens could not be allowed
here," and he approached the horse, which evidently was
not used to such undue familiarities. The horse rushed
to the right and left under a shower of blows from the
mallet handle, but the doctor didn't lose his presence of
mind or his seat. The sentry, as opportunity offered.

131

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
repeated that non^ but officers could be allowed upon
such sacred ground. The doctor asserted again and
again that he was an officer, emphasizing his remarks
with a fluency which came of some practice. The sentry
was obstinate, the horse nearly wild, and the doctor
wholly irascible, as he once more told the astonished
sentry that he was an officer, and the poor fellow, over-,
come by much protestation, replied, " Then, sir, you
don't look like one." Fortunately, at this precise mo
ment the brigade major came on the ground. I ex
plained the position and the doctor returned to his tent,
not to sulk, but to laugh long and loudly over the absurd
incident. That camp at Thorold was the first of many which I
attended before my resignation from the force. While
there, I was gazetted major of the newly formed 30th
Battalion, Lieut.-Col. Higinbotham, of Guelph, being the
first in command, an excellent officer and a truly loyal
man. Upon his retirement, I was promoted to the rank
of lieut.-colonel of that regiment, and remained in com
mand more than twenty years. During that time we
had brigade camps at Windsor, Goderich, Guelph, Lon
don and St. Thomas, and on two occasions I was brigade
commander. Naturally, in those years, I made the ac
quaintance of many brother officers, and saw much of
the enlisted men, and as years went on, my respect for
the efficiency, courage and reliability of the Canadian
militia was constantly increased. While in camp, we
were always visited by the British officer in command
of the forces in Canada. These men impressed one by
their courtesy and the thorough earnestness with which
they performed their duties. District officers whose fine
qualities specially recall them were Col. Taylor, who died

132

THE FENIAN INVASION
at Winnipeg while drilling his command, and Lord
Aylmer, but recently retired from the office of Adjutant-
General. Nothing need be added as to the esprit du corps exist
ing in the ranks of the Canadian militia, the good char
acter of its work, the utility of its drill, and, more than
all beside, the spirit of sincere patriotism which dis
tinguishes all ranks of its service.

133

CHAPTER XV.
THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY— A
SINGLE CHAMBER SUCCESSFUL.
A single Chamber — Eighty-two members — General Stisted —
Lieutenant-Governor Howland — A coalition — The key-note
— A possible alliance dreaded — First Speech — Forgivable
eccentricities — A good hater — John A. and Sandfield Mac
donald — Control of the local — The coalition — Cameron,
Carling, Richards and Wood— Edward Blake— Archibald
McKellar— First Speaker— The first division— The Address
— List of members — A dutiful people — Delino Dexter
Calvin — The six months' hoist — Upper Canada College-
Indemnity — ^Controverted elections — ^Third session— Blake's
resolutions — Asylum for Blind — Exemptions — Party lines-
New system — Old men — Fourth session — Much ado about
nothing — The surplus — Platform building — Weakened faith
in coalition — Mirage disappearing — General election.
When the task of ruling Ontario through a single
Chamber was taken up in 1867, the system was regarded
as an experiment, and there were many of Conservative
instincts who dreaded the change, although willing to
accord to it a fair trial. It was thought by others that
the Legislature would be simply an extension of muni
cipal machinery, and these sought to minimize its im
portance and working value by styling it " a mere County
Council on a large scale." The fears of these imagina
tive Jeremiahs were unfounded. Invested with the full
legislative abilities of a Parliament, protected and con
trolled by the aegis of responsible government, under
134

• FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO, 1867.

THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
which only it could exist, and possessing executive
authority of the widest possible range, it has never
trespassed upon the rights of the people, enacted laws
inimical to their requirements, nor imposed taxation
which has been obnoxious to the general interests.
At the time of Confederation, the Ontario Chamber
consisted of 82 members, but has already made several
increases to its numbers, as the requirements of public
service have warranted, and it is probable that, with
the added demands of rapidly settling northern terri
tory, further additions will be made from time to time.
The authority under which a Legislature or Parlia
ment for the Province of Ontario was called was the
issuance of a Proclamation by Lieut.-Govemor Henry
William Stisted on the 7th of August, 1867, declaring
that : " Whereas we are desirous and resolved, as soon
as may be, to meet our People of our Province of
Ontario, and to have their advice in Parliament; we do
make known our Royal Will and Pleasure to call a
Legislature or Parliament, and do further declare that
by the advice of our Executive Council of Ontario, we
have this day given orders for issuing our Writs in due
form, for calling a Legislature or Parliament in our
said Province, which Writs are to bear date on the
seventh day of August instant, and to be returnable on
the twenty-fourth day of September next."
The newly-constituted Government went to the coun
try, and as there was no organized Opposition with an
acknowledged leader, the elections were determined
largely by local feelings and conditions. There was
amongst the majority of the Reformers a smouldering
distrust of the new rulers and a dread of playing into the
hands of John A., which resulted in the return of a
considerable number of men avowedly opposed to the
135

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
Coalition Government, and of these Mr. McKellar sub
sequently became the chosen leader.
The first Legislative Assembly of Ontario met in the
somewhat ancient brick buildings on Front and Simcoe
Streets, on 27th December, 1867. The old hall, in which
had gathered the Legislative Council and the Legis
lative Assembly of early time, was so crowded with the
principal citizens of Toronto, accompanied by their wives
and daughters, that its seating capacity was insufficient,
and there were hundreds who could not find admission.
The Speech from the Throne was read by Major-Gen.
Henry William Stisted, C.B., who announced in the
first paragraph that, " In accordance with the provision
of a Statute of the Imperial Parliament for the Federal
Union of the British North American Provinces, and
for the erection of separate local governments in the
Provinces of Ontario and Quebec, I have been deputed,
in the name of Her Majesty the Queen, to open the first
session of the Legislature of Ontario." And with what
mingled feelings of patriotism and satisfaction must
those present have heard the proud announcement of
the opening of a new era, and the inauguration of a
more advanced political existence.
Major-Gen. Stisted held the position of Lieutenant-
Governor until July 14th, 1868, when he was succeeded
by Hon. William Pearce Howland, for some years
previous a prominent member of the Reform party of
Upper Canada, and who willingly threw aside his
political predilections for the wider service of all
Ontario. The Speech from the Throne was moderate in char
acter, as might be expected under such conditions as
governed its inception, for the new Government was
eminently of coalition character, and while it set forth
136

THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
no declaration of even moderate Conservative tendency,
it did not, and was not expected by its opponents to
plunge into the advocacy of measures which had been
made the exclusive property of Upper Canadian Re
formers. The legislators were instructed that it would
be their duty to consider the best and most appropriate
means of husbanding their resources, and of augment
ing, as far as possible, the public wealth, and they were
admonished " a^lways to remember that they formed the
most prominent and populous portion of a new-born
Dominion." In these two passages we have, I think,
the keynote of John Sandfield Macdonald's course as
Premier — to save money and to assert the importance
of Ontario, which gradually, probably unconsciously,
came to mean the importance of his Government and his
leadership. He had opposed Confederation, and was
not even then fully convinced of the advantages deriv
able from a union under which he thought it possible,
if not probable, that the smaller provinces might, by
combination, thwart the broader policy of Ontario and
Quebec. He was evidently awake to the possibility of
an alliance between one of the premier provinces and a
majority of the smaller bodies, but he was over-cautious.
He underestimated the strength of Ontario, and over
rated the cohesive character of the Maritime element,
and his prudence was tainted with a tinge of cowardice.
Therefore was it that he moved slowly, refused to take
up the broader policy which had distinguished, him as a
representative of Reform principles in Upper Canada,
and verged upon a weakness which ought not to have
existed in a leader of the experience of J. S. Macdon
ald. This want of a more generous and definite policy
was the rock upon which he ultimately struck.
John Sandfield Macdonald was a veteran poli-
137

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
tician who had already filled the position of Premier of
the united Canadas. His integrity was undoubted,
while his personal qualities were such as to secure to
him the faithful adherence of his immediate followers.
He had eccentricities which were usually overlooked,
and did not seriously interfere with his general popular
ity. If not oratorical he could tersely explain his views.
and secure their acceptance by his hearers. His ante
cedents, of many years' standing, were proof of the sin
cerity of his Reform principles, and when he took up
the reins of office, he did so in the firm conviction that
his policy would be in accordance with his professions
in early life. He was a Roman Catholic, but his
religious sentiments, and they were undoubtedly gen
uine, never dragged him into polemical discussion, or to
a subservient attitude on the Separate School question.
He had one distinguishing weakness; he was a good
hater, and had no love for George Brown. These two
men never heartily became one on any question which
occupied the public mind. I remember an incident,
unimportant in itself, but which markedly illustrated the
feeling so evidently and constantly existent. At the
formation of the Brown-Dorion administration, a
public dinner was given in the village of Elora in honor
of the event. This occurred in days when railways had
not reached that section of country, and the ministerial
visitors travelled from Guelph in carriages. A party
from Elora met the invited guests a few miles out, and
escorted them to that village. These guests were men
notable then, although afterwards better known. There
were John Sandfield Macdonald, A. A. Dorion, Oliver
Mowat, Michael Foley, A. Ferguson Blair, Luther H.
Holton, David Stirton and others, but minus the chief,
George Brown. I naturally inquired why he was
138

HON. JOHN SANDFIELD MACDONALD.
first Premier of the Province of Ontario.
FiTimiiii Oil Piiiiitingby
.1. W. li. Forstor, li.r.A., Toroiitn.

THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
absent. Some one replied that private affairs had com
pelled his return from Hamilton to Toronto, and I ex
pressed regret. An irascible voice from the interior of
a carriage immediately and snappishly asked, " Can't
you do without George Brown for a single night?"
The voice was the voice of Sandfield, and his question
was never answered, his hearers being too much aston
ished to readily find a reply suitable to the time and cir
cumstances. This dislike for George Brown and the Brownite sec
tion of the Liberal party, and the fact that John A.
Macdonald had, as it were, stood godfather for the first
Ontario Premier, doubtless had much to do with his
choice of colleagues, a choice which had rather dis
credited him with the more uncompromising members
of the Reform party, who had not approved of the
" hunting in couples " of the two Premiers during the
general elections of 1867. John A. continued to exhibit
a fatherly interest in the Government of the other Mac
donald, and was not always, we gather, entirely content
with its course. In the " Life of John A. Macdonald,"
by Joseph Pope, at page 20, second volume, we read :
" The relations between Ottawa and Toronto were,
on the whole, friendly, though the local Premier's
exalted views of the functions and prerogatives of his
Legislature, his intractability and unwillingness to take
advice from anybody, added not a little to the weight
of Sir John Macdonald's responsibilities. On the other
hand, he expected to have a voice in all matters of
federal concern affecting Ontario, and was much dis
satisfied when, from any reason, action was taken
without reference to him. So concerned was Sir John
for the successful administration of provincial affairs
that at one time he seriously thought of entering the
139

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
local house with a view of keeping an eye on its legis
lation. It is not surprising, however, that he found
this plan impracticable." In a letter to Mr. Alex.
Campbell, afterwards Lieut.-Governor of Ontario, Sir
John thus wrote, after the death in September, 1868, of
Sir Henry Smith, the local member for Frontenac:
" Do you know (this is strictly entre nous) that I have
some idea of running for Frontenac myself? I want a
check on the powers that be in Toronto, and if I were
a member of the local I could make all things pleasant
for Sandfield in the Dominion Parliament. This, how
ever, is merely a crude idea which may never come to
anything." It is interesting, but not very profitable, to speculate
upon the situation that would have been created had
this " crude idea " been carried out.
The coalition Cabinet of five was so formed as to give
full influence to the Conservatives of the province, and
fairly represented the moderate Reformers of the day.
The most prominent of the colleagues of John Sandfield
was Hon Matthew Crooks Cameron, an eminent law
yer, a consistent Conservative, and a man of kindly dis
position. He was a vigorous fighter, and loved to meet an
opponent in the wordy war, and in his many political
contests had struck, again and again, without counting
the cost and with a sole desire to gain a needed political
advantage. With him was Hon. John Carling, who
while not an extremist, possessed practical ability,
respected his position, and was persona grata with men
on Opposition and Government benches alike. The
Reform element, after the Premier, was represented by
the Hon. E. B. Wood^ of Brant, who acted as Pro
vincial Treasurer, and displayed abilities fitting him for
the position. He was eminent as an advocate at the
140

THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
Bar, especially as a criminal lawyer, and was a poli
tician. The third representative of moderate Reform
was the Hon. Stephen Richards^ a man of high prin
ciples, a plodding lawyer, a good office executive, and
free from extreme party zeal.
The Government had reason to point with pride to
the many prominent men whom they could number
amongst their supporters. With such followers as Sir
Henry Smith, Hon. R. W. Scott (Ottawa), Fred. W.
Cumberland, Colonel Williams, John Coyne, A. W.
Lauder, M. W. Strange, Charles Rykert, Andrew Mon
teith, William Lount, A. D. Ferrier, Simpson McCall,
Thos. N. Ferguson and James Craig, they might feel
that, if not invincible, they were upheld by brain,
experience, and character. Arrayed against this strong
phalanx was a body of men whose names have been
common property to the Canadian people since Con
federation. Amongst them were Edward Blake, Archi
bald McKellar, Timothy Pardee, Peter Gow, Robert
Christie, Hon. J. McMurrich, George Perry, James
Trow, John Lorn McDougall, Jacob Baxter, William
Barber, Hugh Finlayson, John McLeod, Moses Springer,
Adam Oliver and others. The House was a fairly
representative one, and in the orderly conduct of public
business set an example worthy of imitation and respect.
Its members had a fair knowledge of and due regard for
the observance of the Rules of Procedure, and respect
for the forms handed down through the centuries, and
which have made the British Legislature truly " the
Mother of Parliaments." Looking at this first assem
blage of the people's representatives, the men of the
present day have no reason to feel ashamed of the
quality or conduct of the Provincial Legislature which
assembled in 1867. 141

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
Edward Blake^ as the leader of an Opposition in
Ontario and Ottawa, who had held various high posi
tions, and who had necessarily come in contact with
varied representatives of public and private opinions,
stands pre-eminently first of those now living who
helped to bring about the advantages which Con
federation has undoubtedly conferred upon Canada.
Although Blake was a young man at his entrance to
public life, in his knowledge of parliamentary law he
stood above many of his associates, for the bent of his
mind led him to a study of its intricacies, and his posi
tion compelled him to frequently and promptly use his
knowledge. He was alert in his insistence upon the very
letter of that law, when occasion demanded firmness, but
he was never merely pedantic, and did not attempt to
take such advantage as a strain upon formalism might
have justified. He was cool in debate, unless aroused
by some extraordinary event, and had a style which
convinced his hearers that he was earnestly placing
before them that which he believed to be true. Possess
ing an excellent physique, a cultured voice, easily fol
lowed, a pronunciation which never slurred nor over
emphasized, a quiet manner and great argumentative
skill, and, more than all, a thorough acquaintance with
his subject, he was ever a formidable antagonist, upon
either the platform or the floor of the House, and his
attacks upon the Sandfield Administration, in the last
days of its existence, exhibited all the skill of a Can
ning combined with the pertinacity and logical ability
of a Gladstone.
Archibald McKellar, leader of Ontario Reformers
in the first session, although he admitted Mr. Blake's
superiority in knowledge of political tactics, was a man
of natural talent, fairly cultivated, and played no mean
142

THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
part in the education of the electorate during his occu
pancy of the position of Opposition Leader. He could
be good-naturedly sarcastic, and Seldom resorted to fierce
invective, but he was not wanting in the ability to deal
a heavy blow when he deemed it called for. As a plat
form speaker he was equal to any ordinary emergency,
and turned aside the shaft aimed at himself or others
with a readiness of wit and humor which found friends
for him in every constituency. He was a practical
joker, too, and would have been at home in the company
of a Sothern or a Toole. As an administrator of the
Government succeeding that of Sandfield Macdonald, he
was a creditable Commissioner of Public Works, and an
excellent Commissioner of Agriculture.
The first Speaker of the House, John Stevenson,
Esq., of Lennox, was elected by acclamation, and occu
pied with credit the position to which he had been
called. He was directed as to his course in the chair by
a resolution of the House which declared, " That the
Rules, Orders and Forms of Proceedings of the House
of Commons of Canada be, and until altered, the Rules,
Orders and Proceedings of this House, as far as practi
cable." In addition to this guidance, he benefited further
by the advice of Premier Macdonald, who had acted as
Speaker in the Parliament of Canada. Mr. Speaker
Stevenson had before him the task of giving decisions
which served to place upon the Records of the House
interpretations of the law of Parliament, and which,
even now, are a guide to the head of the Legislative
Assembly, and his decisions on points arising in debate,
on several important occasions, were such as won for
him the concurrence of leading men upon both sides of
the House.
The returns from the first general election in Ontario
143

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
showed that 82 members had been elected. The politi
cal standing of some members was not altogether a
certain quantity, but the first division, on a Municipal
Law amendment, showed 45 voting with the Govern
ment and 28 against it. The first division, on a matter
of general public interest, was on a resolution proposed
by Mr. McKellar, 26th February, 1868, to the effect
that any subject of Her Majesty, 21 years of age,
deriving an income from his calling of not less than
$600 per annum, and having a month's residence in a
municipality before an election, should be entitled to vote
at any election in that municipality. This proposition
was opposed by the Government and defeated by a vote
of 47 to 27. It may be interesting to record the names
of the members voting on the first question really of a
controversial character :
Yeas. — Barber, Baxter, Blake, Boyd, Christie, Clem
ens, Crosby, Evans, Ferrier, Finlayson, Galbraith, Gib
bons, Gow, Graham (Hastings), McDougall, McKellar,
McKim, McLeod, McMurrich, Paxton, Pardee, Smith
(Middlesex), Springer, Trow, Williams (Hamilton), —
27. Nays. — Beattie, Boulton, Cameron, Carling, Car
negie, Clarke, Cockburn, Colquhoun, Cook, Craig (Glen
garry), Craig (Russell), Cumberland, Currie, Eyre,
Ferguson, Fitzsimmons, Graham (York), Greely,
Hooper, Lauder, Lount, Luton, Lyon, Macdonald,
Matchett, Monteith, McCall (Norfolk), McColl (Elgin),
McGill, Oliver, Read, Richards, Rykert, Scott (Ottawa),
Scott (Grey), Secord, Sexton, Shaw, Sinclair, Strange,
Tett, Tupple, Wallis, Wigle, Williams (Durham),
Wilson, Wood, — 47.
In those days, as now, the Address was moved by a
supporter of the Government, duly seconded by a col-
144

THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
league, and made to repeat the Speech from the Throne
in slavish obedience to its phraseology. The paragraphs
of the reply were duly numbered, and separately put
from the chair, when they were subject to a nominal
second reading, and nominally submitted to a Special
Committee. ' This committee reported the Address
intact, and it was ordered to be " presented to His
Excellency by such members of the House as are of the
Executive Council of the Province." This routine
having been duly performed, the House adjourned to
the Sth of January, 1868.
On reassembling an alphabetical list of the members
of the Legislative Assembly was brought down, and
read as follows:
Barber, W. ; Baxter, Dr. J.; Beatty, W.; Blake
Edward; Boulter, G. H. ; Boyd, J.; Cameron, Hon
M. C. ; Carling, Hon J. ; Carnegie, J. ; Christie, R.
Clark, M. ; Clemens, I. ; Cockburn, A. P. ; Colquhon, A.
Cook, Simon ; Corby, H. ; Coyne, J. ; Craig, W.
Crosby, H. P. ; Cumberland, F. W. ; Currie, N. ; Evans,
J. ; Eyre, J. ; Ferguson, J. R. ; Ferrier, A. D. ; Finlay
son, H. ; Fitzsimmons, W. ; Fraser, A. ; Galbraith, D.
Gibbons, R. (election contested) ; Gow, P. ; Graham, R.
Graham, T. ; Greely, A. ; Hooper, E. J. ; Hays, W. T.
Lauder, A. W. ; Lount, W. ; Luton, D. ; Lyon, R.
Macdonald, Hon. J. S. ; Matchett, T. ; Monteith, A.
McCall, T. ; McColl, Nicol ; McDougall, J. L. ; McGill,
Dr.; McKellar, A.; McKim, R. ; McLeod, I.; McMur
rich, Hon. J. ; Oliver, A. ; Pardee, T. B. ; Paxton,
Thomas ; Perry, G. ; Read, G. ; Richards, Hon. S. ;
Rykert, J. C. ; Scott, J. ; Scott, R. W. ; Secord, J. ; Sex
ton, W. ; Shaw, W. M. ; Sinclair, D. ; Smith, J. ; Smith,
Sir H. D. ; Smith, J. ; Stevenson, J. (Speaker) ; Strange,
M. W.; Springer, M. ; Supple, J.,- Swinarton, J.; Tett,
10 145

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
B.; Trow, J.; WalHs, J.; Wilson, J. M.; Wigle, S. ;
Williams, A. T. H.; Williams, J. M.; Wilson, J.;
Wood, Hon. E. B.
And being thus fairly enlightened as to " who was
who," the House got down to business and introduced a
bill respecting Justices of the Peace. Another bill was
introduced for fixing the license fee to be paid to the
province by tavern-keepers, over and above all other
fees; another for the formation of a Consolidated
Revenue Fund; and another authorizing the publication
of an Ontario Gazette. A division, not altogether
political, took place over a motion, by Mr. McKellar,
that the House do not go into committee on resolutions
respecting formation of Consolidated Fund until the
estimates have been brought in. Yeas, 26; nays, 51.
The right to present petitions was not neglected, and
the temperance people were early in the field with a
" grist " of them praying that the Licensed Victuallers
be not granted a charter. Petitions asking aid, which
still come in various insinuating forms, only to be ruth
lessly rejected, were then sometimes " read and
received," and a reverend gentleman came boldly into
the open as an office-seeker, and petitioned for an
appointment as librarian.
The matters specially noted here give some idea of the
work of the Ontario Legislative Assembly during its
first session. It was devoted to organization and ended
with the now familiar announcement, that His Honor
— then, and for some years, styled His " Excellency " —
thanked Her Majesty's subjects — her dutiful and loyal
subjects — for this proof of their benevolence. It is
noteworthy that, at the close of the second session, the
word " dutiful " was omitted, although re-inserted in
the Journal of the year 1869, and since continued, the
146

THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
dutiful representatives once more announcing their
duty as ahead of their loyalty.
There are not wanting evidences of the readiness of
the Opposition to take advantage of any opportunity to
force the hand of the Government, and an illustration
of this was given on the last day of the session, when
Mr. McKellar moved that an address be presented to
His Excellency praying him to recommend an appro
priation of $4,000 to Isabella Mackenzie, widow of the
late Wm. Lyon Mackenzie, for her sole use and benefit.
Yeas, 35; Nays, 31. The only member of the Govern
ment supporting the motion was Mr. Richards, and the
Premier does not appear to have voted, although he
moved the adjournment almost immediately after.
There are few occasions when a private member may
move towards advising the expenditure of public money,
and the hand of a skilled parliamentarian is here
revealed. Sir Henry Smith, who represented Frontenac, and
was the only titled private member the House has
known, died during the recess. He possessed a large
fund of parliamentary knowledge, and had been Speaker
in the Canada Parliament. His death was doubtless a
loss to his constituency and the province, and he would
probably have risen to a share in Government control
had he lived. One of the eccentrics of the early days
of the Ontario Parliament, Delino Dexter Calvin,
was sent to fill the vacant position. A New Englander
by birth, he had many of the ideas of a peculiar people,
and when he rose to address the House he did not speak
to empty benches. He had the old English pronuncia
tion, still preserved in his native State, and the manner
in which he snapped his fingers at the nearest page, and
said to him in authoritative tones, " Boy ! bring me
147

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
some waiter,^' invariably insured a round of restrained
applause. He was a confirmed " abstainer," and in this
respect possessed a sphere of influence, the settlers in the
immediate neighborhood of his home religiously fol
lowing suit. Although a warm supporter of Conserva
tive principles, he gave independent votes, and so
asserted his superiority to mere partyism.
The second session of this first Legislature dealt use
fully with amendments to the Municipal Act, the Tavern
License Act, and the Lines and Watercourses Act — mat
ters which have occupied Upper Canada law-makers since
the days of General Simcoe. Even now no session
would be up to average requirements which did not,
more or less seriously, deal with these subjects. Sheep
and dogs held their fair share of public attention, and
Provincial Secretary Cameron prepared to wrestle with
the Public School Act. A select committee was appointed
to inquire into and report upon the usefulness and cost
of wooden railways as a means of furthering the settle
ment of the country. Disputed elections were still con
sidered by special committees. An Income Franchise
Bill was introduced by the Opposition, and the six
months' hoist was carried by a vote of 45 to 27. An
inquiry was opened up, on motion of Mf. R. Christie,
into the endowment and utility of Upper Canada College.
Robert Christie, Esq., was first elected in 1867 for
North Wentworth, and again in 1871. He distinguished
himself by a bold attack upon the management of Upper
Canada College, which he regarded as mismanagement,
and succeeded in convincing the people that he had
taken a right view of a wrong side of a public question.
Upon leaving Parliament he was appointed one of the
Inspectors of Public Institutions, and until a recent date
was equal to the requirements of the position.
148

THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
Mr. Blake introduced a series of resolutions, declar
ing that the financial arrangements made by the Union
Act, as between Canada and the several provinces, ought
not to be changed without the consent of the several
provinces; and, further, that no such change as effected
by the Nova Scotia Act should have been made without
a general revision and readjustment of the financial
arrangements as between the several provinces; and the
said Act is grossly unjust to Ontario. Hon. Mr.
Cameron moved a six months' hoist, which was carried
on a vote of 42 yeas to 35 nays.
The amount to be paid to members of the House was
fixed at a sessional allowance of four hundred and fifty
dollars ($450), and no more, with ten cents per mile
from Toronto to their homes, coming and going.
During this session, Mr. Blake moved for an address
to Her Majesty, praying that she might be graciously
pleased to cause a measure to be submitted to the
Imperial Parliament for the purpose of removing all
color for the assumption by the Parliament of Canada
of the power to disturb the financial relations established
by the British North America Act (1867), as between
Canada and the several provinces. Mr. McNeil Clark,
South Grenville, moved in amendment. That all the
words after the word " that " be left out and the fol
lowing be substituted : " It is inexpedient to present any
address to Her Majesty the Queen which may be con
sidered as an expression of dissatisfaction at the action
of the Imperial Government, or of the Dominion Par
liament, taken with a view to allay the disaffection in
Nova Scotia."
The amendment was lost. Yeas, 12; nays, 57.
The question was then put. Yeas, 57; nays, 12.
Mr. Blake introduced a bill relating to trial of con-
149

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
troverted elections, and a six months' hoist was carried
by 44 to 28.
An unusual vote was recorded during this session.
On the third reading of a bill relating to the County
Courts' Act, an amendment having been lost on a
division, a vote was taken, the result being 70 to o ; which
votes were duly recorded on the cry of " Yeas and
Nays." The third session met on 3rd November, 1869, and
was mainly distinguished by the fact that Mr. Blake
again brought up his resolutions complaining of undue
preference displayed towards Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick. The whole of these were disposed of by the
convenient six months' postponement, with the excep
tion of the twelfth paragraph, which asked that Her
Majesty be requested to disallow the Nova Scotia Act,
which was withdrawn, and the thirteenth, which was
carried by a vote of 64 yeas to 12 nays; and it was as
follows :
" Resolved, That in the opinion of this House the
interests of the country require such legislation as may
remove all color for the assumption by the Parliament
of Canada of the power to disturb the financial relations
established by the Union Act, as between Canada and
the several provinces."
On December 6th, 1869, Mr. Blake moved that the
participation of members of this House in contracts for
supplies to provincial institutions, sustained and con
trolled through the Executive, will tend to subvert the
independence of the House, and should be prohibited,
when an amendment was moved, and carried, declaring
that in the opinion of this House the independence of
the House and the public interests are sufficiently pro-

150

THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
tected by the Act to secure the independence of the
Legislative Assembly.
On the same day, Mr. Blake moved that the selection
of sites for provincial institutions established by the
Legislature should be made solely in the public interest,
and should not be, to any extent, dependent on favor, or
on the political opinions prevalent in the locality, and
that to make it so dependent will tend to impair public
morality, and to subvert the independence of this House.
It was moved in amendment by Attorney-General
Macdonald, " That this House, recognizing the judicious
selection of the several sites on which the Government
have caused to be erected the provincial institutions, for
which appropriations have been made by the Legislature,
is of opinion that there is not any cause shown to justify
doubt that similar prudence in respect to future selec
tions of sites will not fail to be observed." Yeas, 38;
nays. 22.
On the 2 1st December, on a resolution respecting the
Asylum for the Blind, Mr. Boyd moved that the House,
while willing and anxious to make suitable provisions
for the relief of the indigent blind, is of the opinion that
estimates of the probable cost of the proposed asylum,
according to approved plans, should be submitted to this
House, before it is called upon to vote $75,000 in
respect thereof. Yeas, 23; nays, 49. An amendment
was then proposed, and voted down by 53 to 22, that it
was expedient the asylum should be erected at Hamilton.
On a resolution respecting surveys and drainage of
swamp lands, it was moved by Mr. Boyd that the reso
lution be referred back to the Committee of Supply, for
the purpose of specifying certain localities and improve
ments to which, or some of which, the sum of $200,000
mentioned therein shall be applied, so as not to leave so
151

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
large a sum of money to be expended at the mere will
of the Executive, without a previous vote appropriating
the same, as far as possible, to particular works. This
was voted down by 49 to 24, the vote being of a strictly
party character.
Several divisions upon assessment and other muni
cipal matters were called, but were not confined to
partisan expressions of opinion.
Some of the most severe fights of the session turned
upon points affecting rival railways.
The question of exemption from taxation of the
dwelling houses of ministers of religion was raised, but
the proposal was voted down.
The irregularity, and certainly the inexpedience, of
admitting petitions " asking aid " had been discovered,
and during this session we find declared " out of order "
a petition for a grant for the construction of a ship canal
between lakes Huron and Ontario — a project still
unrealized and still agitated.
Looking over the votes of these early sessions, one
finds perhaps less independence than the circumstances
of a body newly-organized might warrant. Men soon
ranged themselves on one side or the other, and in mat
ters of moment found it safer to follow their leaders.
The zeal of some of these neophytes, too, was less intense
than might have been expected. There seems to have
been considerable abstention from voting, and, pre
sumably, from the House. There was a new system, but
men were and still remain the same. Precisely what
constitutes an ideal private member is a question about
which there may be difference of opinion. One man's
view, frankly and emphatically stated to me, I can give.
Speaking to Hon. E. B. Wood, in the early days of the
second Parliament, I remarked that the House was to
152

THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
be congratulated on the brainy character of many of the
representatives. " Brains !" said E. B. " What do we
want with brains ? What we want is votes."
As the life of the Parliament waned the Opposition
gained in effectiveness, and followed up every advantage
with an activity, earnestness and vitality which were
beginning to tell upon the strength of the governing
power. As an evidence of the petulance observable in
the leader of the House, it was ordered, on motion
of Mr. Smith (Leeds), and seconded by Mr. Calvin,
" That the report or statement in the Globe newspaper
of the ioth inst., purporting to be a statement made in
this House by the member for South Bruce (Mr.
Blake), refiecting upon the truth or veracity of the
member for South Grey, be now read." Mr. Blake was
reported to have said, " I don't believe the hon. gentle
man's word is worth anything." This statement was
read by the Clerk, and that was the end of the episode.
Even pistols and coffee were not required, and to this
day nobody knows why such serious notice of so small
an affair found its way into parliamentary journals.
The surplus resulting from the Premier's system of
rigid economy naturally entered largely into the com
position of the Speech from the Throne, and was flaunt
ingly held in the faces of the Opposition. It was a
boomerang of fatal force, however, and served but to
call attention to the supposition that the accumulated
hoard was intended as a temporary bait, to certain con
stituencies unmentioned, at the cost of others studiously
unknown. It was intended by the Premier that the
money should be used to aid in the construction of
needed railroads and the erection of several public
institutions. He could not, he thought, safely tell an
expectant public where the promised expenditure would

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
be made, and the Opposition naturally sought to force
his hand. His blood was up. He would not be driven
into an exposure of his cards. He had the means by
which to satisfy some sections of the community, and
he hoped, by adroit use of this fact, to secure large sup
port, in expectant quarters, from men who had "axes
to grind." That argument cut both ways, and there
was a general uneasiness as to the precise localities to be
benefited by the grant and expenditure of public funds.
Every day of the last session was devoted to platform
building. The electorate was being educated to the
conviction that it was unsafe to vote moneys en bloc, at
the dictation of any Government whatever, and the
results of the votes taken were proof of the uneasiness
of the circle of Government supporters, who began to
look to personal security rather than the maintenance of
certain men in power.
The Assembly met on December 7th, 1870, and sat
until February 15th, 1871, with an adjournment from
December 22nd until the 4th of January, during the
holiday season of 1871, resuming its labors at that date.
It had spent forty-six days in actual sessional work, and
much time was occupied with still further consideration
than was given in the preceding session to the policy pro
pounded by the Liberal Opposition.
Meanwhile the country, which at one time had faith
in a coalition, began to see that the system might be
bought at too high a price, that it was inimical to rapid
progress, that under a British constitutional form of
government it was next to impossible to make it fully
harmonize with the principles of responsible government,
and that it was simply Conservatism under another name.
It had just been seen in one of its worst forms in its
opposition to the popular will when the money of the
154

THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
State was voted en bloc to enterprises of which the Gov
ernment had information of merely vague character,
and the House none. The electorate had been forced into
acquiescence with railway schemes, possibly good, more
probably bad, and objected to such expenditure of public
funds. The mirage which had existed in 1867 had
passed away. The continuous blows dealt by Blake and
his confreres began to tell. The conviction was daily
growing that the combination between Sir John and
John Sandfield had failed in its object. There was a
widening rift in the lute. Reformers who had supported
the coalition became suspicious of its staying powers.
They felt that the attempt to bring about " a permanent
union of moderate men of both parties " was not a suc
cess, and the same feeling spread among the large mass
of Conservative voters, who still clung to their old gods.
No man saw this more clearly than the chieftain of
the Dominion Conservatives, who, attending the nego
tiations at Washington, was fully occupied with ques
tions of still greater importance than that of the
possible, although improbable, control of Sandfield Mac
donald. The brusqueries of the Ontario Premier, his
discourteous reception of delegates, his insinuation that
his visitors had " axes to grind," the query as to what
Strathroy had done for him, and similar indiscretions, at
once became public property, and supplied his opponents
with a slogan which was heard through the coming elec
tions, not far distant. The canvass was an active one
upon both sides, and the eloquence of Edward Blake
was never more effective, while Alexander Mackenzie,
and many others of smaller calibre, probably, did
yeomen's service. The Reform party came to the front
in old form and fully united once more, while the Con
servatives worked with a vigor which, had it been
155

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
unitedly opposed to the mock coalition, would have
probably brought about a thorough resuscitation of their
strength and power.
The elections came off with a promptitude which sur
prised many and caught some unprepared. The roads
were heavy in northern sections, and it was predicted
that this would materially reduce the general vote. The
expectation was unfounded. Electors turned out with
alacrity, and the large vote cast was a true indication of
the popular feeling.
The result of the polls in this general election was
probably not up to Reform expectations, and was cer
tainly not equal to that confidently expected by Con
servatives. The Globe summary of the whole vote cast
gave as a result: Pronounced supporters of Sandfield
Macdonald, 32; Opposition (Blake) Reformers, 41;
Independents, 7, with Algoma and Addington to hear
from, 2. Total, 82.
Under any circumstances the Blake Reformers had a
distinct tie in the vote with combined Macdonaldites and
Independents. The critical vote in the new Parliament,
which virtually declared the fate of the Macdonald
Government, with the Speaker in the chair and practi
cally a full House, gave 42 votes to Blake and 40 to
Macdonald. There was a conviction in Conservative
circles that John Sandfield had not only unnecessarily
hurried the elections, but that his subordinates had mis
managed them. That Sir John A. Macdonald enter
tained this view, and feared the result of the hurried
appeal, is evident from the following quotation from
Mr. Pope's "Memoirs of Sir John." He says:
" On his return to Canada, Sir John A. Macdonald
did his utmost to retrieve the errors that the Ontario
Premier had committed, but, whether owing to his
156

THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
feeble health, or his constitutional obstinacy, the
Ontario leader could not be induced to take advice. He
would not believe that he, who had been such a faithful
steward of the people of Ontario, could run any danger
of defeat at the hands of their representatives. Sir John
A. Macdonald, with longer experience of parliamentary
majorities, and greater knowledge of human nature,
was not so sanguine. In June he wrote : ' I hope
nothing will happen to Sandfield or his Government. I
am vain enough to think that if I were in his place just
now, and had his cards, I could carry him through the
first three weeks of the session — wherein alone there is
any danger.' "
A few days after Sandfield's defeat. Sir John wrote
to a member of the defeated Cabinet, and said : " I need
scarcely say that I look upon the defeat of Sandfield's
administration as a most unfortunate event, of which
one cannot see the result. There is no use in crying
over spilt milk, but it is vexatious to see how Sandfield
threw away his chances. He has handed over the sur
plus, which he had not the pluck to use, to his opponents,
and although I pressed him, on my return from Wash
ington, to make a President of the Council and a Minis
ter of Education, which he had promised to do, yet he
took no steps towards doing so. With these two offices
and that of the Solicitor-General and the Speakership
he had the game in his own hands. You see that, as I
prophesied would be the case, the first act of the new
Government was to increase the Cabinet."
Such was the outcome of the elections as seen by John
A. Macdonald, and after events proved him to be
correct. It may be interesting to here write briefly of some of
157

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
the men whose names and faces and characteristics are
recalled in writing of Ontario's first Legislature:
John Coyne, Esq., who represented the constituency
of Peel, was in the House in the first and again in the
second Legislative Assembly. His remarks were tersely
put, with a dash of sarcasm making them acceptable to
friends and remarkably disagreeable to opponents. His
abilities promised him success in political life, but
disease of spine or lungs carried him to a comparatively
early grave.
Lieut.-Col. H. T. Williams, member for East
Durham, and a supporter of Hon. J. S. Macdonald, was
respected by all who knew him. He did not distinguish
himself as a law-maker, but was a partisan without the
objectionable features of many partisans. At the time
of the second Riel Rebellion in the North-West he went
to the front in command of his regiment, and died from
an attack of typhoid fever. '
William Barber, of Halton, was a representative of
the constituency in which, like nearly all local members,
he lived, and was a strong supporter of J. S. Macdonald,
more probably from a warm attachment to the man than
to his policy. He was re-elected in 1871 and 1875, and
remained in the Legislature until succeeded by Wm.
Kerns, a Conservative, in 1884,
Thomas Murray, Esq., was elected member for Ren
frew in 1869, and so sat in the first Ontario Legislature.
He was extensively engaged in lumbering in the east and
north of the province, was regarded as a man of large
experience in matters affecting our timber lands, and
was a fair speaker, whose opinions and practical know
ledge in his own special line were highly valued. His
parliamentary career was somewhat erratic, although he
was strictly a party man. 158

THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
Lieut.-Col. Cumberland was the first represen
tative in the Ontario Legislature of the constituency
of Algoma, then an almost unknown wilderness. At
his second election he was opposed by Lieut.-Col. G. T.
Denison, the well-known Police Magistrate of Toronto,
and this young military sprig almost defeated his
senior. The audacity of the plucky upstart astounded
the manager of the Northern, but all's well that ends
well, and the best after-dinner speaker in the House
was saved to the province to instruct and amuse until
the end of the second Legislature.
Hon. Timothy Blair Pardee was a member of the
first Ontario Legislative Assembly, and one of the most
active adherents to the maintenance of what he regarded
as Reform principles. If not obstinate — and he was
that under justifiable circumstances — he could not and
would not yield to the prospects of office, had that
involved any desertion of principle. Appointed a mem
ber of Hon. Oliver Mowat's first Cabinet, he soon
became figuratively the Premier's right hand. Honest
in intention, cautious in action, wise in counsel, attentive
to his duties, ruler in his own office, cool in argument
and always listened to with appreciation and interest, he
was admirably fitted to be the trusted colleague of
Oliver Mowat. Both men assimilated in thought and
character. Neither cared to inflict unnecessary pain in
saying " No." Both had respect for the feelings of
others, but Mr. Pardee managed refusals as successfully
as Sir John A. Macdonald, and perhaps more genuinely.
I am sure that he never made an enemy of one to whom
he felt compelled to refuse a favor, for all believed that
he would if he could and would not when he felt that
he could not. As Chairman of the Private Bills Com
mittee and Commissioner of Crown Lands, he was con-
159

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
stantly placed in opposition to interested applicants who
wished for that which they scarcely hoped to receive.
He was not often aroused to fighting pitch, but when he
attained it the House knew it. Ill-health shortened Mr.
Pardee's career, and the loss to the public in his death
was no common one.
Hugh Finlayson, Esq., was remarkable for his
fidelity to his trust as member for North Brant, which he
served faithfully until he was succeeded by Hon. James
Young in 1880. He was not a loud talker, but was atten
tive to his duties and had the respect of every member.
When the House was in session he was invariably in his
seat. Upon a division his whereabouts was never uncer
tain, and his six feet four of humanity rose steadily to
the call of the Speaker at the familiar command, " Mem
bers will please rise."
Donald Sinclair, Esq., was one of the charter
members, and a man of more than ordinary intelligence.
His voice was heard when he thought plain speech neces
sary, and the character of his remarks indicated the well-
read man whose opinion was not merely partisan. He
represented North Bruce for several Legislatures, and
was exceedingly popular in his constituency, and was
fortunate in securing a fair sprinkling of Conservative
votes. His acceptance of the Registry Office in Walk-
erton was viewed with satisfaction by both parties.
Moses Springer, Esq., was the representative of
North Waterloo in the first Parliament and for many
years later, and after his retirement from politics became
sheriff of his native county. He was as warm-hearted
as he was full of frolic, and had friends everywhere.
He was a typical man of the people, and was never
without a good story or a jocular remark for all whom
he encountered. His bonhomie was remarkable, and yet
160

iHiS FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
he was as shrewd as he was funny, could drive a horse-
trade with the acuteness of a David Harum, and do a
good act as promptly as he could close a good bargain.
In Waterloo he was an authority on insurance, and much
of the prosperity of the thriving local company is the
result of his suggestions. He was always a warm sup
porter of the leaders of the political party with which he
was in sympathy, and there was no man upon whom
Premier Mowat more certainly relied.
Isaac Clemens, Esq., who came into the Legislature
from South Waterloo along with Moses Springer, was
of a less pronounced type, and not so prominent poli
tically, but he was a faithful representative, and pos
sessed all the best qualities of his versatile colleague.
Thomas Scott, Esq., member for North Grey, was
in the first, second and third Legislatures, and was so
unfortunate as to be unseated because he had recklessly
or' thoughtlessly given to a thirsty elector a glass of ale
or some other trifling inducement, and had to pay the
penalty of an application of the strict letter of the law.
Daniel Galbraith, Esq., member for Lanark, was
a conspicuous representative in the first Legislature, pos
sessed the confidence of Edward Blake to a remarkable
extent, and was a keen Reformer, not to be surpassed in
his devotion to his principles. His career was cut short
by a fatal accident, a fall from a wagon, and all who
intimately knew him and his sturdy support of what he
regarded as right felt that the loss was a provincial one.
Robert McKim, Esq., was one of the charter mem
bers of the Ontario Legislature, and occupied a seat in the
first and second Parliaments, when he retired for a time
to unsuccessfully contest Centre Wellington for the House
of Commons. Later he returned to his first allegiance,
and was elected for the Local House in 1880 and 1884.
TT 161

SIXTY YEARG

LJ X j: J2,j^. v^riiN n.i-'n.

He was a man of shrewd wit, and was one of the best
" stumpers " ever found upon a platform. He was not
a violent air-beater, but proceeded quietly, and yet with
effective elucidation of the question before his audience.
He was strong in repartee, as a too venturesome opponent
speedily discovered, and carried his hearers with him in
nearly every attack made upon him. He was a born
politician, and was as strong holding the buttonhole of
an elector as when addressing an excited crowd.
Financial difficulties clouded the closiflg years of his poli
tical life, and the attempt to impugn his veracity in the
affair of the " Brawling Brood of Bribers " was a further
embittering circumstance. For some years before his
death Mr. McKim was sheriff of Wellington County.
Thomas Paxton, Esq., a Reformer, represented
North Ontario in the first Provincial Legislature, and so
shares the distinction of being a charter member. He
was largely engaged in lumbering in and beyond his
constituency, and was highly successful in his business
ventures. He spoke energetically when addressing the
Chamber, and was popular with his fellow-members.
Jacob Baxter, Esq., was for several years the sole
remaining charter member of the House, and was a faith
ful guardian of public interests during the whole period
spent in the service of the people, and although he seldom
spoke, always possessed settled opinions, which were
valued and listened to with interest by those to whom
they were expressed. Unanimously elected to the
Speakership of the House in February, 1887, he occu
pied the chair during the sixth Legislature, and. gave
impartial and satisfactory decisions. He continued in
the House as a private member until succeeded by Jose
W. Holmes, Esq., in 1Q03, having served the con
stituency of Haldimand for more than a quarter of a
162

THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
century. Few men have had such a record in any
legislative body in America.
James M. Williams, Esq., member for Hamilton,
entered the Legislature in 1867, and occupied a seat
therein for many years. He was one of the most effi
cient whips ever entrusted with the arduous work in
separable from the position, and had that happy manner
which accompanies the glad hand, and a knowledge of
men so essential to him who would control them.
George Perry, Esq., of North Oxford, was a modest
man when he first went into the Assembly in 1867,
although his silence did not cover any want of ability to
express his opinions. His opportunity came to him, as
it does to all men who patiently wait for it. A new
school bill was introduced by the Provincial Secretary,
and Perry had been a teacher. He spoke on the bill
generally, and his remarks were received with applause.
The committee stage was reached, and there you can run
on like a brook. Perry did more, for he ran on like a
schoolmaster, and it was solemnly asserted by men who
heard him that he made thirteen distinct speeches before
he let the House escape from him. And, strange to say,
he was reported to have spoken common-sense every time,
and had given thirteen consecutive exhibitions of a man
able to keep the attention of an audience. Let that be
as it may, he was looked upon as a Grit with ideas, and
with one very prominent, when he determined to retire
from the representation of North Oxford and assist in
placing in it Premier Mowat. Nobody censured the
voluble member who walked from the Legislative Assem
bly to the seat of the sheriff in Woodstock.
W. T. Hays, Esq., was a charter member, and re
presented North Huron in 1867. He was one of the
good-natured souls whom everybody likes, and was full
163

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
of stories of the smoking-room stripe, which set small
crowds in a roar. He was a warm supporter of John
Sandfield, and fairly earned the registrarship which was
awarded to him.
Ketchum Graham, Esq., from Hastings West, a
charter member, elected in 1867, was re-elected in 1871,
but afterwards found it more satisfactory and profitable
to look after the cheese interests of Hastings and adjoin
ing counties. He was a welcome speaker, for he had
originality and wit, and was a general favorite.
Robert Gibbons, Esq., sat for South Huron in 1867
and was a charter member who had been warden of his
county. He was re-elected in 1871, and was later on
appointed to the shrievalty of Huron, and was found to
be an efficient official.
James Trow, Esq., sat for South Perth in 1867, a
charter member with pronounced Reform views. He
was defeated in 1871 for the Legislature, but was elected
to the Commons at the general election in 1872. He
was a Welshman by birth, and, therefore, naturally a
Reformer. He was an acceptable speaker, and was
always listened to with the conviction on the part of
his hearers that he was a man of originality and broad
views. Henry Corby, Esq., represented East Hastings in the
first Legislature. His excellent business ability made
him a valuable committee man, full of suggestions, and
his advice was always of weight with his leader, John
Sandfield Macdonald. He was a Conservative of the
old school, but supported John Sandfield first and always.
John Thomas Grange, Esq., from Lennox, men
tioned elsewhere, entered the Legislature in 1871 as suc
cessor to John Stevenson, Esq., the first Speaker, and
having evidently a difficult constituency to represent, could
164

THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
not be described as a party man, and certainly was not a
partisan. He was one of the men whom any whip finds
difficult to manage, voting with equal facility for " yea "
or ' nay," and who see no use in party organization and
regard responsible government as a will-o'-the-wisp,
and ministerial consistency as an impalpable myth. You
find some such rarity in every legislative body.
William Sexton, Esq., was an early Reformer, and
never abandoned his principles. He was a fair speaker,
and sat in the House as member for South Wentworth
during the term of three Legislative Assemblies.
James Craig, Esq., representing one of the most noted
eastern constituencies — Glengarry— had a warm personal
friendship for Hon. J. S. Macdonald, and remained true
to him until his retirement from the Premiership. Both
were supporters of Liberalism, and upon the death of
John S. Macdonald, Mr. Craig enlisted himself under the
banner of Mr. Blake, and supported his policy so long as
he remained in the Legislature.

165

CHAPTER XVI.
A DEFEAT AND DEBACLE.
Hon. R. W. Scott the new Speaker — -His after career —
The Speech — Address amended by Government — Mr.
Mackenzie's amendment — John Sandfield — The crisis — A
close count — The majority for Opposition — Premier wants
time — The Lieutenant-Governor's opinion — Mr. Blake's
resolutions — An unanswerable statement — Another card
played — The Premier's speech — John Sandfield addresses the
House — Grand Duke Alexis — Scene between Premier and
Mr. Speaker — New Ministry formed — House adjourned to
iSth January — House reassembled — A working majority —
Every vacancy filled — Hon. Alex. Mackenzie, Provincial Sec
retary — Next day Treasurer — Mr. McKellar, Commissioner
of Agriculture — Hon. Adam Crooks, Attorney-General, after
wards Provincial Treasurer — Peter Gow, Provincial Secre
tary — Redemption of pledges — Thomas Scott — Select com
mittee — Blake and Wood positively deny Cameron's charge
— Committee unanimous in exoneration — The march of the
Cameron men — Increase of Cabinet — A seat in both Houses
— Rykert takes lofty ground — Second meeting — New faces —
Oliver Mowat.
The House did not meet until the 7th of December,
1 87 1, but no progress had been really made in the way of
bringing additional strength to the ministerial support.
Controverted election trials had been held, and left
the contending parties much as they were. The large
majority of the first Parliament had vanished, and in its
place was a divided band of Conservative and Reform
coalitionists. 166

A DEFEAT AND DEBACLE
Hon. R. W. Scott, of Ottawa, a supporter of Sand
field Macdonald, who was justly popular with both
parties, and whose parliamentary career had been with
out spot or blemish, was unanimously elected Speaker.
A better choice could not have been made. While noted
for his integrity, Mr. Scott was the possessor of parlia
mentary knowledge which was unexcelled by that of any
man in either the Dominion or the Provincial House. He
was soon after called to the control of the Crown Lands
Department, and was as successful in one position as the
other. His after career was positive and incontro
vertible evidence of his official usefulness and capacity.
The address in reply to the Speech from the Throne
was moved by Mr. Deroche, and seconded by Mr. Mac
donald, of Leeds. It congratulated His Excellency
upon the prosperity of the country, and regretted that
the province of Quebec declined to give effect to the
result of the arbitration between it and Ontario, and
declared that the fact that the objection to the award
should be urged on mainly technical grounds was a con
sideration that intensified the feeling of regret. Allu
sion was made to the question of education, and the
provision for a new school of technology shortly to be
opened. Immigration and free grants and the opera
tions in progress for the establishment of a school of
agriculture were spoken of. The tenth paragraph dealt
with the questions of drainage and law reform, and the
payment of witnesses attending the trials of criminals
received attention.
When the first paragraph of the proposed Address had
been read, Mr. Blake moved in amendment, seconded by
Mr. Pardee, that the following words be added to the
first paragraph : " But we feel bound to take the earliest
opportunity of informing your Excellency that we regret
167

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
the course taken by the Legislative Assembly last session,
under the guidance of your present ministers, in refer
ence to the large powers given to the Executive as to the
disposition of the Railway Aid Fund, and to state that,
in our opinion, the proposal of the Government to grant
aid to any railway should be submitted to the approval
or rejection of the Legislative Assembly, so as not to
leave so large a sum as $1,500,000 at the disposal of the
Executive without a vote of this House appropriating
the same to particular works."
On the following day Mr. McColl moved, in amend
ment to the proposed amendment, seconded by Mr.
Graham, that the following words be added to the pro
posed amendment : " That, inasmuch as one-tenth of the
constituencies of this province remain at this time un
represented in this House, by reason of six of the mem
bers elected at the last election having had their elections
declared void, and a seventh having become vacant by
reason of a double return, and an eighth by reason of
the resignation of the member elected thereto, it is in
expedient further to consider the question involved in
the said amendment, until the said constituencies are
duly represented on the fioor of this House."
After midnight, Mr. Boulter moved, for the purpose
of preventing any further amendment at that stage, sec
onded by Mr. Graham, " That this House do now
adjourn," and the motion having been put, was lost on
a division. Yeas, 34; Nays, 36.
The debate was then adjourned, after which the
House adjourned.
On the resumption of the debate, on the 13th, Mr.
S. C. Wood (Victoria) moved that all words in the pro
posed amendment, after " Fund," be left out, and that
the following words be substituted therefor : " but inas-
168

A DEFEAT AND DEBACLE
much as many railway companies have already acted
under the provisions of the Act in Aid of Railways, of
last session, it is inexpedient to disturb its provisions,
except by such carefully considered amendments as would
secure improved control over the expenditure, and at
the same time not interfere with the interests created
under the existing statute; and that railways hereafter
to be constructed in pursuance of the terms of the said
Act should have similar claims on the Railway Aid Fund
as those now being built."
On the 14th, Mr. Wood's amendment was put and
lost by 40 to 33. The first paragraph of the proposed
Address was then read as amended, when Mr. Mac
kenzie moved, seconded by Mr. McKellar, that the fol
lowing words be added to the first paragraph as
amended : " And we inform your Excellency that we
have no confidence in a ministry which is attempting
to carry out, in reference to the control of the said fund
of $1,500,000, an usurpation fraught with danger to
public liberty and constitutional government."
On the 15th, Mr. Macdonald (Leeds) moved, in
amendment to the proposed amendment, "That inas
much as one-tenth of the constituencies of this province
remain at this time unrepresented in this House, by rea
son of six of the members returned at the last election
having had their election declared void, and a seventh
seat having become vacant by reason of a double return,
and an eighth by reason of the resignation of a member
elected thereto, and that inasmuch as the Government
has declared that the Railway Fund is intact, and that
it will not, in consideration of the opinion expressed
in this House in passing the said amendment, make any
appropriation from the said fund without the same hav
ing been first submitted to Parliament, it is inexpedient
169

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
and unfair to consider any motion declaring want of
confidence in your Excellency's present advisers until
the said constituencies are duly represented in this
House." Mr. Speaker declared that the motion was, in purport,
identical with one on which during the debate the House
had expressed its opinion, and that it would be irregular
now again to submit this motion.
Mr. Mackenzie's amendment was carried by the fol
lowing vote:
Yeas. — Messrs. Barber, Baxter, Blake, Christie,
Clarke (Wellington), Clarke (Norfolk), Clemens, Cook,
Crooks, Crosby, Currie, Dawson, Fairbairn, Farewell,
Finlayson, Galbraith, Gibbons, Gibson, Gow, Hodgins,
Mackenzie, McKellar, McKim, Oliver, Pardee, Patter
son, Paxton, Perry, Prince, Robinson, Sexton, Sinclair,
Smith, Springer, Webb, Williams (Hamilton), Wilson,
—37- Nays. — Boulter, Boultbee, Calvin, Cameron, Carling,
Clarke (Grenville), Code, Corby, Coyne, Craig (Glen
garry), Cumberland, Deacon, Deroche, Ferguson, Fitz
simmons, Graham, Grange, Guest, Harrington, Mac
donald (Cornwall), Macdonald (Leeds), McCall, Mc
Callum, McManus, McRae, Merrick, Monteith, Richards,
Rykert, Scott, Tooley, Williams (Durham), Wood
(Brant), Wood (Victoria), — 36.
Such is the bare semi-official record of a wordy war
extending over several days, and which had developed
unexpected debating power and a wide knowledge
of the main question under debate. That the
Reform party had gained not only numerically but
oratorically was evident to every listener familiar with
the proceedings of the House. The crowds each day
filling the narrow galleries gave life to a chamber far
170

A DEFEAT AND DEBACLE
too small to accommodate the hundreds who desired to
witness the struggle between Blake, Mackenzie, Currie,
Crooks, McKellar, Pardee and others, on the one side,
and Cameron, Macdonald, Cumberland, Coyne and
Rykert on the other. The debate and the press reports
and discussion were even a greater education of the elec
torate than the hurry-scurry literature and high-bounder-
ism of an election campaign could afford. Blake was
in his prime, physically and mentally, and J. S. Mac
donald, although suffering severely from the disease
which terminated his life, marshalled his forces with
skill, and fought courageously. Alexander Mackenzie
never spoke with greater effect, clearness, vigor and high
resolve. Matthew C. Cameron, with incisive periods,
clear argument and forensic skill, battled keenly to the
end, and foremost men on either side gave valuable
assistance, some of the supporters of John Sandfield
fighting, doubtless, as much for their leader as for a
cause. In addition to the large crowds filling the gal
leries, ladies invaded the floor of the House, and the
Speaker's steps were occupied. There was not an
empty inch of available space. Upon the whole, prob
ably, the sympathies of the " strangers " were with the
Government. Toronto had two representatives in the
five occupants of Cabinet seats, and Toronto was always
more or less Conservative. It was known throughout
the city on the 15th that a crisis would be reached before
midnight. It came. The vote was taken on Mr. Mac
kenzie's amendment, as already recorded. All waited
anxiously during the few minutes necessary to verify
the names of the members. Then the Clerk read out
distinctly, "Yeas, thirty-seven; Nays, thirty-six," and
the Speaker declared that the amendment had carried.
It was plain that the end had come. Struggle as he
171

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
might, John Sandfield could not override a vote of want
of confidence. Midnight had passed, but it was deter
mined to complete the work so far done, and the Address,
with its amended first paragraph, was adopted, the four
teen paragraphs of which it was composed being sever
ally put and agreed to on a division which resulted in a
vote of 64 yeas to 6 nays, the ministers of necessity
voting to their own confounding, and the six irreconcil-
ables being Messrs. Boulter, Craig (Russell), Fitzsim
mons, Merrick, Rykert, and Scott (Grey).
The Address was engrossed, and ordered to be pre
sented to Lieut.-Governor Howland " by such members
of the House as are of the Executive Council," thus
placing the Government in the unhappy position of hav
ing to inform His Excellency that the House had lost
confidence in his advisers.
Sandfield Macdonald, still hesitating as to the course
to be pursued by him, was reluctant to resign until the
pending controverted election trials had been determined,
and on Monday, the i8th of December, he delivered to
Mr. Speaker a message from His Excellency which con
tained the following paragraph : " With reference to
that portion of the answer to the Speech which ex
presses the disapproval by the Legislative Assembly of
the large powers given to the Executive under an Act
passed by the last Legislature, appropriating a million
and a half of dollars in aid of railways, and in which
I am informed that the House has no confidence in a
Ministry which is attempting to carry out, in reference
to the control of the said appropriation, an usurpation
fraught with danger to public liberty and constitutional
government, I have to observe that no action has been
taken by my advisers in regard to the disposition of any
portion of the said fund, except in accordance with the
172

A DEFEAT AND DEBACLE
powers vested in them by virtue of the Act referred to,
and that I will give every constitutional consideration to
any bill that may be presented for my sanction, either
repealing or amending the said bill."
But the House was in no humor for temporizing, and
Mr. Blake moved, seconded by Mr. Mackenzie:
" That an humble address be presented to His Excel
lency the Lieutenant-Governor, representing: That this
House has received His Excellency's gracious reply to
the Address of this House adopted on Friday last.
" That this House was invited by His Excellency's
ministers to consider the gracious Speech of His Excel
lency, delivered at the opening of the session, and to
proceed with the work of the Assembly, notwithstanding
that some of the constituencies were unrepresented.
" That this House was thus declared to be, as it in
fact was, and is, competent in its present state to deal
with all questions which might be brought before it.
" That the discussion of the proposed Address in reply
to His Excellency's gracious Speech involved the ques
tion of the approval or condemnation of the policy of
ministers, and they themselves, in the course of the
debate, challenged an expression of the feeling of this
House towards them.
" That the ministers have been defeated in each of the
four divisions which have taken place, and have never
had control of the House.
" That the ministerial policy, on a most important
question, has been condemned and reversed by a decisive
vote of this House, which has declared its want of con
fidence in the ministers.
" That the Provincial Treasurer has, in consequence
of the hostile attitude of the House, resigned his office.
" That the continuance in office of the remaining min-
173

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
isters is, under existing circumstances, at variance with
the spirit of the Constitution.
" That the supplies voted by this House will lapse on
the 31st day of December, inst., and this House would
be wanting in its duty if it should not before that time
(as was done under like circumstances last year) make
provision for the expenditure, under ministers possess
ing its confidence, of the moneys necessary to carry on
the public service until the final estimates for the ensu
ing year can be voted.
" That this House regrets that the remaining minis
ters should have advised His Excellency to continue
them in office, and humbly prays that His Excellency
will be graciously pleased to consider the representa
tions contained in this Address."
As a clear, concise and unanswerable statement of the
situation, this address is perhaps unsurpassable, though
possibly the last paragraph might be regarded as some
what gratuitous.
John Sandfield had one more card to play, and he
moved in amendment, seconded by the Hon. Mr. Car
ling, that " when this House adjourns this day it do
stand adjourned till Tuesday, the 9th day of January,
1872." But the defeat had become a debacle, and the
amendment was defeated by 26 to 43, and the original
motion carried by 44 to 25, the difference in the majority
being due to an eastern member named Grange, who
seems to have asserted his independence by voting first
on one side and then on the other, regardless of other
considerations. In speaking to his amendment, the Premier went down
to the middle desk of the front row on the Government
side, in order that his failing voice might more effec
tively reach his supporters in this his last appeal. His
174

A DEFEAT AND DEBACLE
evident physical weakness intensified the distressing situ
ation, and there was not a man present who felt other
than regret at what was so plainly the approaching end
of a useful public .life. He spoke at some length in
justification of the policy of the Government in regard
to railway appropriations, and pleaded for delay, urging
that " it would be cruel and treacherous on the part of
the Government to resign until the vacant seats were
filled, and whilst the Government had every reason to
believe that the elections would result in their favor."
He then went on to say that they were within two or
three days of the time for adjournment for the holidays.
He thought the Opposition should be satisfied with the
expression of the House already made, and that they
should allow the House to adjourn till some time in
January, when the elections would be over and
they could test the strength of the House fairly. If it
should then prove that the Government were in a
minority, no man would more gladly resign his place
than he would, and in the meantime the Government
would do nothing except perform their routine duties ;
no appointments would be made, and no appropriation
of the railway fund would be made.
The answer to this appeal was, as we have said, a, vote
in the negative of 43 to 2,6. .
Next day, in announcing to the House that the Gov
ernment had resigned, and would continue to discharge
its duties only until His Excellency could form a min
istry, John Sandfield addressed the House at some length
and with dignity and self-restraint. Referring to his
delay in accepting the first want-of-confidence vote as
final, he said : " I hope that, notwithstanding what has
been said, credit will be given to myself and my col
leagues that we did not do as we did because we desired
175

SIXTY YEARS hn urr-rvr^. v^/iXN rs.j-'rv
to retain office, or for the sake of the emoluments of
office, or through any desire to be considered as the only
persons worthy of the confidence of the House and the
country, but because we believed, as I have said, that
there was a duty which devolved upon us to wait till all
the constituencies were represented." Then offering his
apologies to all whom he might have offended, and grant
ing forgiveness to all who had wronged him, the rather
painful scene was brought to a close.
Next day, December 20th, upon assembling, the mem
bers were reminded that, while governments might come
and governments might go, the amenities of life must
still go on, and the Speaker announced that the Grand
Duke Alexis (of Russia) would arrive in the city to
morrow, and it was contemplated to give him a recep
tion at the Government House. He had been requested
by Mrs. Howland to invite the members of this House,
with their wives and families, to meet the Grand Duke
at the Government House on the evening of the morrow
at 9.30.
Then Mr. Speaker Scott, who had been, he declared,
unjustly attacked in the press, rose to refer to the matter,
but before he could get further he was vehemently inter
rupted by Hon. J. S. Macdonald, who contended that
the Speaker had no right to speak from the chair of any
matter personal to himself. " I say the Speaker is the
Speaker for the House, and not for himself. This is the
ground I take. We are a demoralized House if we
allow the Speaker to rise."
There was a very heated and noisy discussion, and
finally Mr. Speaker yielded, and said he would make his
justification through the public press.
In a few days the new ministry was formed, and the
176

A DEFEAT AND DEBACLE
House adjourned to the i8th of January, pending the
appeal to the constituencies.
The following are some of the men who had their first
experience in the Ontario Legislature at this dramatic
hour: Thomas Gibson, Esq., member for many years for
North Huron, one of the most honest men who ever
filled a seat in the Legislature, was one of a small band
who received popular endorsement during many succes
sive parliaments. His style was peculiarly his own, and
you knew, when listening to his broad Scots tongue,
that he had that to say which was worth hearing, and
that he implicitly believed every word he uttered, as did
everybody else. He was an intense reader, and if a
stranger to the House asked for Thomas Gibson outside
of the hours when the House was in session, he was
likely to be directed to the library. He was a walking
encyclopaedia on matters municipal, for he had been a
reeve in Huron for many years, and, possessing a re
markably retentive memory, could respond to any ques
tion put to him along that line. He had honest objection
to the theatre. I persuaded him to hear and see
Adelaide Neilson in Juliet, and he left the building
declaring that such a performance was a slur upon
Shakespeare and profaned his name when his words
were used " in sic a manner by sic a woman."
The Hon. J. G. Currie, a native of Toronto, was
born on the 24th of November, 1827. He was elected
member of the Legislature of the old Canada Parlia
ment, and sat in it from 1862 to 1865. When Con
federation made changes necessary, he offered himself
as a candidate for the Legislative Assembly of Ontario,
to which he was elected in 1871. He was chosen as
Speaker when Mr. Scott entered Mr. Blake's Cabinet,
12 177

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
but resigned before the end of his term. He was fluent,
possessed an excellent knowledge of law, and was an
authority on parliamentary procedure. He was often
invited to deliver public lectures in favor of temperance
principles. A " Clear Grit " in political matters, and
well uj) in Canadian politics, he was always acceptable
in party meetings, and his reception was invariably cor
dial. For some years he was Lieut.-Colonel of the 19th
Battalion, and was always popular with those under his
command. Dr. j. H. Wilson, of East Elgin, was the banner-
bearer of the county in which he resided for some years,
and his eventual translation to the House of Commons as
the Reform member of a somewhat changeable con
stituency was a fitting climax to a consistent party career.
He was a man of intellectual strength, with a sarcastic
tongue, but humorous nevertheless, and with a twink
ling eye which indicated his love of fun and his willing
ness to indulge in a free-for-all war of words. He did
not spare friend or foe when wigs were on the green.
H. M. Deroche, Esq., from Addington, was one of
the most promising of the members sent to the second
Legislature. He was young, a good talker as well as
excellent debater, and had an attractive manner and ex
pression, but like many other young lawyers whose
ambition has led them into politics at the expense of a
promising practice, he reached the " so far," and did not
get beyond it. He had been elected to support John
Sandfield, and did his best to uphold a failing cause.
When he could not save the man whom he was expected
to support, he was one of the first to line up with the
party most anxious to maintain a liberal policy. Mr.
Deroche fairly earned the legal office in his native county
to which he retired. 178

CHAPTER XVII.
THE NEW GOVERNMENT.
M. C. Cameron, leader of Opposition — Sandfield Macdonald's
(ieath announced to House — The Address in reply to the
Speech, moved by Mr. Caldwell — Abstained from voting
because of private interests — Premier Mowat does business
— Inebriate Asylum — Mr. Speaker's decisions — A temperance
agitation — Selection of Guelph for Model Farm — -A keen
fight — Geo. H. Boulter — Henry Merrick — Abram Farwell —
Mr. Rykert moved against school inspectors in politics —
Advances to railway lines — Municipal Loan Fund Bill — ¦
A. W. Lauder — Session closed, 23rd March, 1873 — House
reassembled, third meeting Legislature, 3rd January, 1874 —
Hon. J. G. Currie resigned Speakership — Rupert Mearse
Wells, Esq., appointed — A. S. Hardy moves Address —
Threshing machines and accidents — Members of Cabinet
under oath — -A constitutional que.=;tion — The Orange Bill —
Public hospitals — Thomas R. Ferguson — A fracas^-
ArchibaM Bishop — D. J. O'Donoghue— T. M. Daly— Andrew
Monteith — Second session of House in same year, 12th
November, 1874 — Wm. H. Scott — Rykert asks for special
committee — Bill to readjust representation — House
adjourns, 21st December, 1873 — Shortest session since
Confederation — Writs for election issued 24th December— v
Government sustained. ^
1 The House had been adjourned from December to
the I Sth of January, 1872, and the time of ministers
and members had been fully occupied, in the interval, in
re-elections, the assumption of departmental duties, and
matters of private business. 179

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA

The House reassembled at the date previously deter
mined by adjournment, and a record session was prom
ised. It was not long before testing votes were taken
upon various points, and they indicated a great change
in legislative opinion since the previous month, when a
vote, almost a tie, had decided the fate of the late Gov
ernment. There would evidently be a good working
majority, strengthened and made reliable by the result
of the appeal to the people, through bye-elections, to fill
the various vacancies. Not a single adverse decision
had been given by the electorate, and the new Premier,
Hon. Edward Blake, had a band of united followers
proud to serve under him.
Associated with him was Hon. Alex. Mackenzie,
who represented West Middlesex, and entered the Blake
Cabinet as Provincial Secretary. After occupying that
position for one day, he was appointed Provincial Treas
urer, which office he retained until October, 1872, when,
dual representation having been abolished, he chose to
serve in the House of Commons. It would be super
fluous to speak further of him at this time. The story of
his career has inspired many Canadians, and there is no
better reading for any schoolboy in the Dominion.
Hon. a. McKellar came in as Commissioner of
Agriculture and Public Works, in which department he,
as we have already said, did excellent work.
Hon. Adam Crooks joined the Cabihet as Attorney-
General. A year later he became Provincial Treasurer,
and subsequently Minister of Education. It is in con
nection with the Department of Education that he is
best remembered.
Hon. Peter Gow had been one of the devoted band
who, entering the Legislature after the general elections
of 1867, persistently fought against the first adminis-
180

HON. EDWARD BLAKE.
Leader of the Liberal Party in Canada for many years.

THE NEW GOVERNMENT
tration, and when Mr. Blake took ofiice, Mr. Gow was
appointed Provincial Secretary. When Mr. Blake with
drew from the Legislature, Mr. Gow sought retirement
on account of failing health. Later, on the death of
Sheriff Grange, he succeeded to the shrievalty of Wel
lington County. Mr. Gow was essentially a man of the
people, and Guelph had reason to regret his decease, for
he never spared himself when services were looked for.
He was a good speaker, a splendid organizer, and an
effective worker. He had the happy manner of the
orator who compels by his candor the acquiescence of
his hearer, and three elections by acclamation were proof
of the general confidence entertained in him by his con
stituents. This was to be a Parliament devoted to a redemption
of pledges, and the strength of the new regime was made
manifest on the first division, following a motion made
by Mr. Blake, to the effect that the House felt bound
to express its regret that no effectual steps had been
taken to bring to justice the murderers of Thomas Scott,
and its opinion that something should be done to that
end. Thomas Scott, an Orangeman, was shot, it will
be remembered, during the first Riel rebellion in Mani
toba, and there was much dissatisfaction in Ontario over
the failure on the part of the authorities to secure and
punish his murderers. A resolution similar to the
present one had been introduced before the recess, and
John Sandfield's Government had refused to concur in
it. The matter had been a good deal discussed during
the bye-elections, and now every member of the House,
with one exception, was prepared to support an expres
sion of opinion which, it was felt, truly represented the
view of the whole province. The exception was Hon.
UI C. Cameron, who thought it should be left to the
i8i

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
tribunals of justice to deal with crime, and that a resolu
tion which would not be followed by action was a mere
vote-catcher which should receive no endorsement from
him. Now, as ever, Mr. Cameron was politically con
sistent, and did not lack the courage to stand alone when,
with sixty-two of his fellow-members arrayed against
him, he recorded his solitary " Nay."
On the 24th, Mr. Cameron moved the appointment
of a select committee to inquire whether any, and, if
any, what, corrupt inducement or offer was made to the
Hon. E. B. Wood to induce him to resign his position
as Treasurer of the province of Ontario, by the Hon.
E. Blake or any other member of the present Adminis
tration. Mr. Blake was willing to accept the motion on
its being so amended as to declare that Mr. Cameron, as
a member, had made this statement in his place in the
House, and was therefore responsible for it. Mr. Cam
eron resisted this proposed amendment, on the ground
that he had made no positive assertion of corruption,
but simply desired to ascertain whether such attempt at
corruption had been made. The amendment was carried,
on a division, by 45 to 20, further amended by 42 to 16,
and finally adopted as amended by 43 to 19. The com
mittee was called together, but Mr. Cameron refused to
recognize it. Messrs. Blake and Wood were present,
and were offered opportunity to make such statements
as they deemed necessary. Mr. Blake said : " I am very
glad to have this opportunity afforded to me. I have
read the charge that has been made, and I have to say
that I deny the truth of it entirely; it is absolutely false."
Mr. Wood said : " I have heard the charge made, and
I say it is false in all its particulars; there is not one
word of truth in it. With regard to any questions the
committee may wish to ask me, I shall be at any time

THE NEW GOVERNMENT
willing to be subjected to the most searching examina
tion in every possible way."
At a later meeting of the committee, the chairman.
Dr. Boulter, informed the committee that on the night
previous Hon. M. C. Cameron had handed to him the
following letter :
" G. H. Boulter, Esq., M.P.P., Chairman, Charges
against Hon. E. B. Wood, etc.
" In order that there may be no misapprehension on
the part of your committee as to the reason for my not
attending on every notification of its meetings, I have
the honor to state, the Government having seen fit, with
the sanction of the House, against my will, to change
the resolution introduced by me, asking for a committee
of inquiry, and having framed the charge as they thought
. proper, they thereby took the matter out of my hands.
Therefore, as stated by me on the floor of the House,
it is not my intention to take an active part in the inquiry.
Those who chose to put my resolution in a shape dif
ferent from that proposed by me assumed to know better
what was to be' investigated, and the manner in which
the charge should be investigated, than I did. They
must therefore accept the duty qf conducting the inquiry,
and assume the responsibility of neglecting to do so.
" No doubt it would be somewhat novel for those im
plicated in a charge to undertake to make it out against
themselves, though, if justly amenable thereto, they
would be in a position to do so, but this only goes to
show the impropriety of the Government's interference
with my resolution.
" I have the honor to be. Sir,
" Your obedient servant,
" M. C. Cameron."
183

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
To a layman, such a determination to indulge in a
streak of Jedburg justice is comical. To compel a man
to accuse himself, and then draw upon his imagina
tion for his supposed crime, is unusual, and an uncom
mon practice in these days of realism. To ask unsus
pected men to draw up a declaration of innocence to a
charge unmade and unmakable is a fit subject for a
Gilbertian extravaganza.
After hearing the statements made by Messrs. Blake
and Wood, and reading Mr. Cameron's letter, the fol
lowing resolution was unanimously adopted and reported
to the House:
" Be it resolved. That no corrupt inducement or offer
was made to the Hon. E. B. Wood, as a member of this
House, to induce him to resign his position as Treasurer
of the Province of Ontario, by the Hon. E. Blake, while
a member of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly.
"Reported, 15th Feb., 1872."
When during this session the House settled definitely
into Reform and Conservative parties, Mr. Cameron was
made leader of the Conservative Opposition, and dis
charged the duties of the position with ability and per
fect knowledge of its intricacies and requirements.
With his followers he was all that could be desired in
manner, tone and love of the work entrusted to him, and
had the full confidence of his party. Although he was
considered a " scold," and was subject to fits of irrita
tion, he was as punctilious in trifles as in matters of
moment, and possessed what one might term " the soul
of honor." This was unostentatiously displayed, but
the spirit extended over his whole life. He was so pre
cise in his ideas of honesty that he would not send an
unstamped letter to the House post-office if it were on
any other than public business. That he was as honor-
184

THE NEW GOVERNMENT
able as exact was illustrated by the fact that, when an
envelope containing a proof copy of the estimates, not
yet brought down, was placed upon his desk in the
House, presumably by a traitorous official, he at once
sent it over the floor to the Provincial Treasurer, ex
plaining how it had come into his possession.
Mr. Cameron's irritability arose largely from physical
suffering, although few knew this. When a lad he lost
a leg through a gunshot wound, inflicted by careless
handling when duck-shooting, and the stump never
properly healed, was always more or less painful, and,
at times, when he was " snappish," he was really suffer
ing keenly. He was of nervous temperament, as was
often evident, but never more markedly so than when
the third reading of the new Education Bill was called,
creating a new department and necessitating the appoint
ment of a Minister of Education. He refused to be a
party to what he regarded as infamous, and, evidently
acting under pre-arrangement, he rose from his chair
and, with his followers, solemnly marched out of the
Hous.e in single file, with Major Rosevear, of East Dur
ham, one of the wags of the Conservative party, turning
his face to the House, shaking his leg vigorously, and
making a final decorous yet sweeping bow to the Speaker.
Mr. Hunter, of Grey, improved the opportunity by shout
ing, " See the March of the Cameron Men !" and every
body roared — a small joke being as acceptable in the
House as a very diminutive witticism at a church tea-
meeting. On the 6th of February, 1872, a bill to amend the
Legislative Assembly Act came before the House for
further amendment in the direction of increase of num
ber of members of the Executive Council. The Gov
ernment had already discovered the awkward position in
185

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
which the Cabinet was often placed because of the
paucity of its numbers. An additional member of the
Executive would afford a more equable proportion of
distributed strength for the performance of duties, and
congestion would be more easily prevented. There was
no fear of a deadlock because of the even number of
six members in the Cabinet, for, in case of difference of
opinion, the Premier would rule. To avoid unnecessary
conflict in the House, it was proposed, not that there
should be six members, but that there should be not
more than six. The change was fully debated, and was
so strongly supported by Conservatives as well as Re
formers that it seemed unnecessary to divide the House.
Mr. Cameron, however, persisted in his opposition to
the proposed reform, and the result was its adoption by
a vote of 48 to 20. Since that time the number and
strength of the Cabinet have been twice increased with
out serious dissent.
After Confederation, a member of the Dominion
-House of Commons could, if elected thereto, occupy a
seat in the local Assembly, and this had a tendency to
raise up a class of professional politicians, highly un
desirable, and likely to lead to the continuation of abuses
which Confederation, it was hoped, would destroy. We
have noticed John A.'s expressed desire to take a seat
in the Ontario Assembly at the time of the death of Sir
Henry Smith, and can imagine the situation that might
thus have arisen, and had such an arrangement been
generally carried out the result would have been deplor
able. In both the House of Commons and the Assembly
acts were passed declaring the members of one body
ineligible to a seat in the other. The wisdom of this
departure has been often demonstrated, and while to-day
there may be differences as to the propriety of the course
186

HON. MATTHEW CROOKS CAMERON,
First Leader of the Ontario Conservative Opposition.

THE NEW GOVERNMENT
followed at times by either body, neither attempts even
critical interference with the other. So thoroughly is
their independence now understood that the power of '
veto possessed by the central Government is not likely
to be ever again vexatiously exercised.
When the bill to render illegal this dual representation
was before the Assembly, Mr. Rykert, of Lincoln, took
lofty ground as a champion of popular rights, and pro
posed an amendment, seconded by Mr. Macdonald, of
Leeds, that, " in the opinion of this House, the said bill
interferes with the rights of the people to select such
representatives as, in their judgment, may best advance
their interests and promote the welfare of the province,
without any sufficient cause for depriving the people of
such rights having arisen, and it is inexpedient and
improper to take away a right or privilege enjoyed by
the people, without grave, weighty and urgent reasons
therefor; therefore," etc. "Inexpedient" and "im
proper " were good terms, and so evidently thought the
half-dozen of the nineteen members voting for Mr.
Rykert's amendment, whose occupancy of seats in both
houses was threatened by the bill.
John C. Rykert, Esq., Lincoln, was a very well-
known politician in his day, and there was a generally
accepted idea that he was the hardest-working member
of the Opposition. He was believed to make more
bullets than any of his colleagues, and to show more
skill in aiming at and hitting the mark than any of the
men around him. There was point in the quotation
made by E. B. Wood, when he and Rykert had a political
set-to, and E. B., indulging in his favorite gesture of
supporting his injured hand upon the other arm, and
shaking the long index finger at the , object of his
187

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
remarks, said, half -laughingly, and yet in sarcastic
fashion : "And still they gazed, and still the vvoader grew
That one small head could carry all he knew."
Rykert was an industrious compiler of scrap-books,
and there was fun for everybody when he dragged from
under, or in, or about his desk one of his many scissors-
and-paste volumes, which formed a perfect magazine of
the sayings and doings of the members, not only of the
Legislative Assembly, but of Old Canada and the House
of Commons. These were used — and generally, be it
said, convincingly used — to confirm some statement in
his usually belligerent speeches.
The second meeting of the second Legislature took
place on the Sth of January, 1873, and as a result of the
withdrawal of Messrs. Blake, Mackenzie and other
gentlemen holding seats in the House of Commons,
many new faces were to be seen above the members'
desks. Oliver Mowat had been induced to leave the bench
and take up the burden of administrator-in-chief of the
affairs of Ontario.
Timothy Blair Pardee had been chosen as one of
his colleagues, and never did Mr. Mowat show greater
wisdom and foresight than when he selected Mr. Pardee
as an associate in the Government. Messrs. McKellar
and Crooks still sat in the seats of the mighty, and in the
following year Christopher Finlay Eraser joined
the Cabinet.
When Mr. McKellar retired, in 1875, Hon. S. C.
Wood succeeded him. In 1877 the Cabinet was in
creased by the accession of Hon. A. S. Hardy, and for
several years these men, Mowat, Pardee, Fraser, Crooks,
188

THE NEW GOVERNMENT
Wood, and Hardy formed one of the strongest, if not
the strongest of the administrations Ontario has known.
Mr. Carling was one of those who preferred a seat at
Ottawa, and in his place as local member for London
sat William Ralph Meredith, destined to a long
career as Leader of the Opposition to the invincible
Mowat. ' !^ ' ;
There were many returns and notifications accumu
lated during the recess, to be read at the opening of the
House, and one of these was specially sad and signifi
cant. It read:
To the Honorable James G. Currie, Speaker of the Legis
lative Assembly of Ontario:
" We, the undersigned, being two members of the
Legislative Assembly of Ontario, hereby give notice
that a vacancy has happened in the Legislative Assem
bly of Ontario, in the representation of the town of
Cornwall, by the death of the Honorable John Sandfield
Macdonald, member for the said town.
" Dated at Toronto this ioth day of June, 1872.
" Edward Blake,
" James Bethune."
And so John Sandfield was dead! The dire disease
which had weakened him so much in December had com
pleted its work in June, aided by the heart-break which
had inevitably followed his disappointment and over
throw. He had fought out the fight largely alone, for
his colleagues, leaving out Cameron and Wood as effec
tive aids, had counted for little in the contest. When
he retired to the seat in the south-western corner of the
chamber, assigned to the Speaker when the House was
189

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
in Committee of the Whole, he practically gave up his
political career, and calmly awaited the death which was
doubtless a welcome relief.
Sir William Howland had entered upon his last
year as Lieut.-Governor, and had an important speech
to read to the House. In it was foreshadowed legis
lation intended to make the surplus of four million
dollars more useful to the country than when hoarded
in the strong box of the province, and plainly indi
cating its appropriation to a complete and satisfac
tory rearrangement of the Municipal Loan Fund debt,
a matter which has been fully dealt with elsewhere
in this book. Railway enterprises occupied a prominent
position on the programme, while educational matters,
from the public school to the university, were to be
dealt with. The public institutions of an eleemosynary
character were recommended to the attention of the
House, and asylums for the deaf and dumb and for the
blind were to be instituted. Allusion was made to the
objection held by Quebec to the award of the arbitrators
appointed under Confederation, and promising to
bring the matter before the Privy Council of England,
and the House was informed that a Joint Commission
had been appointed for surveying the boundary between
Ontario and Quebec, and had already commenced
operations. The Address in reply to the Speech was moved by Mr.
Caldwell, of North Lanark, one of the newly elected
members, and the youngest man who, up to that date,
had undertaken such an onerous task. He spoke
modestly, but with a business-like manner, which
secured hearers and proved his capabilities for discharg
ing the duties of a legislator. The Caldwell family had
interests involved in the litigation which led to the
190

THE NEW GOVERNMENT
passage of the celebrated " Streams Bill," and it is note
worthy that, although this bill was of general applica
tion, Mr. Caldwell always refrained from voting when
it was up, because its provisions would affect his private
business. In those days the Address was a mere echo of the
Speech unless amendments were carried, and they were
likely to be of a character affecting the standing of the
Government itself. It was divided into paragraphs,
each of which, in turn, was separately considered and
amended or adopted. On this occasion it consisted of
seventeen paragraphs, seven of which were adopted with
out opposition, and a debate arose upon the eighth, re
lating to education. It was not completed upon that day,
but its adjournment was noteworthy as marked by the
first official act in the House of the new Premier, Hon.
Attorney-General Mowat, who moved the adjournment,
seconded by Hon. Mr. Cameron, still leader of the
Opposition. Amongst the many public bills introduced at this ses
sion was one brought in by Hon. Mr. Pardee, entitled
" An Act to provide for the establishment of a hospital
for the reclamation and cure of habitual drunkards,"
which was read a third time and received the Royal
assent. A building, known as the inebriate asylum, was
erected at Hamilton, but being urgently needed as an
asylum for insane, was used for that purpose. There
may come a time when public sentiment will regard the
establishment of such an institution as a matter of neces
sity in dealing with the evils arising from the use of
liquor, but so far governments have hesitated to place
the drunkard on the same footing as the lunatic by in
stituting machinery for arbitrarily depriving him of his
personal liberty. 191

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
Premier Mowat early showed that industry which
caused him to be described as "a glutton for work,"
and during this session the midnight hour frequently
found members present in the House.
This was evidently a time of advance movement on
the part of advocates of temperance, for not a day passed
in the early portion of the session in which numerous
petitions in favor of " prohibitory " legislation were not
presented. Objection was taken by Mr. Rykert to the
reception of one of these petitions, because it sought for
legislation affecting trade and commerce, a subject solely
within the powers of the legislature of the Dominion of
Canada. Mr. Speaker decided that there was no rule of the
House infringed by the reception of the petition, as the
power of the Ontario Legislature to interfere in the
matter was not then in question.
Later in the session, however, a bill (174) was intro
duced to prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors in
Ontario, and when proposed for second reading it was
opposed, on the ground that it interfered with trade
and commerce, and could not, therefore, be considered.
Mr. Speaker, having been referred to, decided that
he found the powers of the Legislature were limited by
the 90th section of the B. N. A. Act, and he had un
willingly come to the conclusion that the House had not
the power to pass the bill now before it.
Politicians have been "unwillingly coming to conclu
sions " with this subject ever since these early rumblings
of a storm that has often gathered and broken and dis
turbed the air of Ontario politics. And the end is not
yet. As a result of all this temperance agitation, on the
26th of March, a special committee was appointed to pre
pare a memorial to His Excellency (as the Lieut.-Gover-
192

THE NEW GOVERNMENT
nor was still styled) in reference to the use of intoxi
cants, and it reported that 369 petitions from upwards
of 28,000 inhabitants of this province had been presented
to the Assembly praying for prohibition of the manu
facture and sale of intoxicating beverages within the
province. Memorials signed by Mr. Speaker on behalf of the
Legislative Assembly, praying legislation on the subject,
were ordered to be prepared and forwarded to His Ex
cellency the Governor-General, to the Senators of the
Dominion, and to the House of Commons; and another
to the Lieut.-Governor of Ontario, praying him to for
ward such memorials to the parties named.
The heavy work of the session was undoubtedly upon
the rearrangement of the Municipal Loan Fund debt,
and the granting of liberal yet judicious aid to required
railways. There were other matters, however, which
may be briefly noticed as showing the trend of the times.
Steps were taken towards the establishment of a
school of practical science, with a museum of mineral
ogy, and further advance was made towards the starting
of a provincial model farm and agricultural college.
There was throughout the province a general belief
amongst agriculturists that an error had been committed
in the purchase of lands at Mimico for the use of a model
farm, and after a decision had been reached condemna
tory of its retention, a more suitable place was looked
for and found in the neighborhood of Guelph. The suit
ability of position was conceded by all disinterested
persons who knew its general character, and the ques
tion of the purchase from Mr. F. W. Stone, after a
thorough inspection, of 550 acres for $70,000, was never
in doubt. The wisdom of the choice has been demon
strated almost daily since it was made, but for years
r~b^':^"' 13 193

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
there , were lingering doubts in the minds of Eastern
men as to the use of a farm of that description for edu
cational purposes. For many sessions of the House there
were adverse criticisms of the purpose, the methods, the
utility of its maintenance, and of the value of the teach
ing there given to all desiring it and willing to pay the
comparatively small amount required for instruction and
board. In the House the fight over the purchase was a
keen one. All sorts of propositions came from the Oppo
sition, and some were introduced by supporters of the
Government. Mr. Boulter moved that " in the opinion
of this House it is not desirable that at the present time
the Provincial Treasury should be burdened with the cost
of the construction and maintenance of an agricultural
farm and college." Other propositions in amendment
were put to the House and voted down by greater or less
majorities. An analysis of the several proposals will
show that Dr. Boulter was opposed to the purchase of
any farm and erection of a college; that Mr. Cameron
sought to declare that the House would not be justified
in sanctioning any change in the location of such col
lege and farm from the site selected by the Administra
tion of the late Hon. J. S. Macdonald; Mr. Rykert
moved that if the Agricultural College is not to be built
at Mimico, it is expedient that Woodstock be selected as
a desirable place for the building of an agricultural col
lege. Mr. Merrick urged a similar claim for the city
of Ottawa, and Mr. Rykert, despairing of Woodstock,
moved that any site selected should be within a radius
of ten miles from Toronto, " on account of the peculiar
advantages afforded by being in close proximity to the
metropolis of the province." Mr. Farwell (South On
tario) moved that " inasmuch as parts of lots 23, 24,
25, 26, in the first concession of Whitby (being in all
194

THE NEW GOVERNMENT
600 acres, including Trafalgar Castle), can be acquired,
that the said lands and buildings are altogether suitable
for the said farm and college, and that it is expedient to
purchase the said lands and buildings for the said
purposes." The Government were doubtless proud to learn that
so many excellent sites for college and farm existed in
all parts of Ontario, but they, nevertheless, adhered to
the opinion that no place contained more suitable char
acteristics for the purpose than the Stone farm at
Guelph, and when their proposition was formally put
from the Chair, no further opposition to it was mani
fested, and the motion was passed without a demand for
a division. Dr. George H. Boulter, who was solicitous in this
instance for the preservation of the provincial finances,
represented North Hastings, and was one of the jolly,
good-hearted fellows who carry the spirit of fun with
them everywhere, and was as welcome in a crowd of
Reformers as among Conservatives, although probably
one of the keenest partisans in the Legislature. He was
in four assemblies after Confederation, a pretty certain
indication of the good position he held in the confidence
of his fellow Conservatives.
Henry Merrick, Esq., who urged the advantages of
the Ottawa neighborhood' for a model farm, has lived
to see his idea, to a certain extent, carried out by the
establishment there of the Dominion Experimental Farm.
Mr. Merrick was elected member for North Leeds and
Grenville. A manufacturer of woollens and engaged in
mercantile business, he was regarded by his party as a
financial authority, and his experience had doubtless
made him familiar with such matters. If not a first-
class speaker, he expressed himself so clearly and
19s

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
cogently that his opinion was valued, and few lengthy
debates came off in which he did not take part. He was
one of the popular members who disarmed criticism by
saying unpleasant things in a pleasant manner.
Abram Farwell, Esq., who desired to secure the
model farm for his own county, came to the House from
South Ontario in 1871, and was well known as a tem
perance reformer. He was a ready debater, and put his
arguments forcibly but pleasantly. As an active public
man he was well known in the Ontarios, and his Liberal
proclivities were tinctured with enough expression of
Conservative sentiment to maintain his thorough inde
pendence. He was not re-elected.
Mr. Rykert was frequently to the fore as an objector,
and upon going into concurrence in some delayed reso
lutions, he moved that " this House . . . feels
bound to express its opinion that it is highly derogatory
to the interests of education that any Inspector of High
or Public Schools should occupy a political position either
for candidature or by acting or engaging in any politi
cal contest." The vote taken was of 12 yeas to 41 nays.
Had a substantive motion been proposed instead of a
catch vote of want of confidence, the division would have
been of different character. The election law was after
wards so amended that no Public or High School In
spector could, without violating the spirit of the act,
become a candidate or actively engage in a political con
test. So the law remained until 1906, when, an Inspector
of Public Schools having been elected a member of the
House, the Act was so amended as to permit him to con
tinue in his position.
Mr. Rykert also gave expression to the timber policy
of the Opposition when, during this session, he moved
that " no license to cut timber upon the wild lands of
196

THE NEW GOVERNMENT
the province shall be granted (except in such quantities
as shall be required by the actual settler and for local
consumption) until the Order-in-Council respecting the
same shall have been confirmed by this House."
Some of the railway lines to which aid was voted
were the_ Wellington, Grey and Bruce, which was
assisted to the extent of $2,000 per mile, upon certain
conditions as to expenditure; the Northern Extension
Railway Company; London, Huron and Bruce; Prince
Edward County; Port Dover and Lake Huron Com
pany, and others.
The Municipal Loan Fund Bill had passed through
several stages with slight amendments, and was ready
for third reading, when, upon the rising of Committee,
Mr. Lauder fired his last shot by moving that the bill
be not now read the third time, but referred back to
Committee of the Whole for certain amendments. His
motion received but 8 yeas, while 49 nays were re
corded. The original motion was put and carried
without further opposition.
A. W. Lauder, Esq., was one of the " nine martyrs "
who followed John Sandfield Macdonald to the end of
his fight for a mistaken policy. He remained in the
Legislature as member for South Grey, and afterwards
for East Grey until the election of 1887, when his name
disappears from the list of members. He was consistent
in much that he did, but was impulsive, " tetchy," and
easily " drawn out." Nothing afforded more amuse
ment to Hon. C. F. Fraser than to make some remark
indirectly affecting the honorable member for South
Grey, who was at once upon his feet to deny or explain,
his associates on both sides enjoying the fun. Whatever
one may say of his judgment, he undoubtedly was con
vinced he was right. His unexpected death was re-
197

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
grettable, and when reference was made to it in the
House there was no doubt as to the genuine grief of his
leader and others who had come to know him well.
The end of the session of 1873, one of the most im
portant in the history of the Legislature, was reached
March 23rd, when the House prorogued after the Royal
assent had been given to one hundred and sixty-three
Acts — a pretty certain indication of ministerial industry !
Hon. W. R. Meredith, a Conservative, and member
for London in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario,
entered the House on the 8th of January, 1873, when
he took the oath and his seat, retaining it until called to
a higher position, if not a higher sphere, as Chief Jus
tice of the province. That his promotion was deserved
men of both parties freely and with pleasure admit^ and
that his political character was free from blemish has
never been questioned. To speak of his general ability
as a politician, and to repeat here what was so frequently
said of him, is only to reassert what nobody disputes.
To discuss his party affinities before his acceptance of
office, and to criticise his political course, is out of place
here. Suffice it to cheerfully declare that he was a
straightforward antagonist, a warm opponent of what
he regarded as wrong or inexpedient, and a respected
exponent of views which he had espoused when he first
entered the political arena.
His connection with Toronto University is, probably,
that portion of his life of which he is most justly proud,
and which promises to cause his name to be remembered
long after his labors for the institution of which he is
deservedly head have become matter of historical record.
He cannot work miracles, but he can influence further
educational reforms, and his ripe experience and full
knowledge of everyday modern life peculiarly fit him for
198

SIR WILLIAM RALPH MEREDITH,
Chief Justice High Court of Ontario, previou.sly Leader of Conservative Opposition.

THE NEW GOVERNMENT
the pleasant task to which he ungrudgingly gives the
few spare hours at his command.
George William Monk, M.P.P. for Carleton, a
Liberal-Conservative in politics, with a Conservative
leaning, was elected in 1871, unseated on petition, and
again returned in January, 1872. He was re-elected in
1875, 1880, 1884, 1887, 1 89 1, and sat until the Parlia
ment of 1895. During much of this period he had acted
as " whip " of the Conservatives, and when associated
with John B. Freeman, Esq., North Norfolk, the pair
of whip-crackers seemed to be ideal occupants of an
important position. Mr. Monk sat in the Local Legis
lature during nearly the whole of Mr. Mowat's adminis
tration, and was always willing to " give and take "
when delay was necessary, or to expedite matters when
that seemed important. He occupied a deservedly high
position in life insurance circles, and was a useful mem
ber of special committees on that or cognate subjects.
He seldom spoke, and when he did his remarks were
earnestly listened to, for they were generally of a con
ciliatory character and produced the desired effect. Mr.
Monk is still to be seen on the streets of Toronto, in
which city he now resides, looking as if time dealt very
kindly with him.
The House assembled for the third meeting of the
second Legislature on the 7th of January, 1874, when the
speech was read on the second day by a new Lieut.-
Governor, Hon. John Crawford. There was also a new
Speaker, who had to be elected before the formal render
ing of the Speech could take place. Mr. Currie had
signified his desire to be released from the Speaker's
chair in the following letter, addressed to the Clerk of the
House : 199

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
" Sir, — Finding the duties of the office of Speaker ex
ceedingly irksome and severe, and believing that I can
better serve my constituents and my native province
upon the floor of the Legislature, I beg to resign, and
hereby resign, the office of Speaker of the Legislative
Assembly of Ontario. " I have the honor to be,
" Yours, etc.,
" J. G. Currie.
" To Charles Todd Gillmor, Esq., Clerk Legislative
Assembly of Ontario."
After the Lieut.-Governor had pointed out the neces
sity for electing a Speaker, he left the chamber, and
Rupert Mearse Wells, Esq., was appointed Speaker.
Mr. Wells, although a non-resident, had been asked to
stand for South Bruce in place of Hon. E. Blake. He
first saw the light in the County of Prescott, 1835, was
educated for the law, and became a partner of Edward
Blake from i860 to 1870, and was successful in his
practice as in other things. Mr. Wells was a valuable
occupant of the Speaker's chair. His decisions were full,
clear, and have never been questioned. They form admir
able examples of really judicial ruling, and have afforded
reliable guidance to succeeding Speakers. Mr. Wells
held office for the balance of the second Legislature, and
when the House met after the general elections he was
re-elected. Governor Crawford's Speech was not one to arouse
unusual interest, and the most important measure in
dicated was a bill to provide for the use of the ballot in
elections to the Legislature. The writer had in the pre
vious session brought in a bill with this object, which
200

THE NEW GOVERNMENT
was withdrawn after receiving the approval of the
House on its second reading, the Attorney-General
promising to make such a bill a Government measure the
following session. As the ballot has been specially dealt
with in another chapter, it need not be further referred
to here.
The Address in reply to the Speech was moved by A. S.
Hardy, who made his first appearance in the House as
successor to E. B. Wood, in the representation of South
Brant. On the consideration of the fifth paragraph, an
amendment was proposed by Mr. Boultbee regretting the
disallowance of the Orange bills for Eastern and West
ern Ontario, which was voted down by 38 to 24. Later,
a similar amendment was proposed by Messrs. Cameron
and Merrick, but was ruled out of order, as reopening a
question that had already been decided by the House.
The temperance people were anxious to follow up the
work of last session, and Mr. Clarke (Norfolk) moved
that the House do express its desire that the British
North America Act be so amended as to enable the
Legislatures of the several provinces to enact such laws
as in their wisdom may seem necessary for the regula
tion and prohibition and suppression of the use and mak
ing of ardent spirits as a beverage. His resolution was
unanimously adopted.
During this session I was instrumental in having
an act passed to require the owners of threshing and
other machines to guard against accidents, and I have
always looked back with great satisfaction to this ap
parently insignificant piece of work. The one-armed
man was becoming all too common in farming districts,
largely as a result of threshing-machine accidents, and
inquiry showed that in England and some of the States
it had been found possible to provide efficient safe-

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
guards. After the adoption of these was made compul
sory in Ontario, there was seldom an addition from this
cause to the Order of the Empty Sleeve.
On the 9th of March in this year, Mr. Cameron moved
that members of the Cabinet were to be examined under
oath when appearing as witnesses before a Committee of
the House, but not respecting any matter or thing which
by their oath of office they were required to keep secret,
and an amendment was proposed by Mr. Crooks that
reasons of State policy preclude members of the Execu
tive Council from disclosing any confidential matter con
nected with their position. Mr. Meredith, in an amend
ment to the amendment, moved that the evidence of wit
nesses, whether members of the Executive Council or
not, should be taken under oath. This was lost by a
vote of 48 nays to 11 yeas.
The Attorney-General moved that the proposed
amendment be amended by words implying that on
grounds of public policy communications between mem
bers of the Executive Council touching public matters, or
between members of the Council and subordinates, are by
law confidential, and that by British constitutional usage
it is for ministers of the Crown having the confidence of
Parliament to determine from time to time, on their re
sponsibility as such ministers, what papers to produce
and what communications to make to Parliament, that
a like duty and responsibility belong to ministers of the
Crown as members of the Executive Council, in regard
to any Committee of the House, and to submitting to
examination on oath or otherwise before such Committee
touching such matters, unless the House order otherwise.
Yeas 45, and nays 19.
Every session there are private bills upon which fees
are remitted, usually bills which have been withdrawn, or

THE NEW GOVERNMENT
which are in the interest of religion or charity.
Amongst those thus treated in 1874 were the Orange
bill for Western Ontario, which was rejected by the
House, and that for Eastern Ontario, which had been
withdrawn by its promoter.
Mr. Fraser introduced a resolution setting forth that
it is desirable and expedient that all appropriations from
the public funds in aid of charitable institutions should
be made upon some properly arranged and equitable
system, and that municipal and other corporations, as
well as private individuals, should be stimulated and
encouraged to give a liberal support to such institutions.
Prior to the passage of this resolution each particular
hospital grant, instead of being a sum fairly earned,
was the result of a sort of grab-game wherein the
stronger party prevailed. There is little wonder that
the adjustment thus alternating between Protestant and
Catholic institutions, as chance or adroit scheming
directed, was deemed an unfair one, and that Mr. Fraser
and the Government did wisely in arranging a method
of distribution based on work done.
The session eventuated in more important legislation
than the opening Speech had indicated, and there were
placed upon the statute book of the year many useful,
practical, and every-day laws, some emanating from
private members, and many being public measures. A
plan of aid to superannuated high and public school
teachers was introduced, and altogether one hundred and
four bills received the Royal assent when the House was
prorogued on 24th of March, 1874.
There had been several bye-elections previous to this
session, and some occurred during the present one. In
addition to those already mentioned as taking their seats
for the first time, there were D'Arcy Boulton, from South
203

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
Simcoe; John Godkin Giles, from South Leeds; Arch.
Bishop, from South Huron; J. D. O'Donoghue, from
Ottawa; T. M. Daly, from North Perth, and last, but
not least, John McGowan, from North Wellington.
The change in the representation of South Simcoe was
occasioned by the withdrawal of Thomas R. Ferguson,
Esq., who was one of those affected by the abolition of
dual representation. Mr. Ferguson was elected in 1867.
and was a frequent speaker in the House, though
monotonous to an almost painful degree. A favorite
form of expression became absurd from repetition and
ran : " You know, Mr. Speaker, and I know, and the
country and this House know, Sir, that," etc., with a nod
of the head to the right, left, and centre which made
comical what might be perfectly true. He was a poli
tician of the turbulent type, and when Nassau Chatham
Gowan was contesting North Wellington with Charles
Allan, Ferguson was there and did much to precipitate
a riot in the township of Maryborough. He had to pass
through Elora on his return after the poll. The Re
formers had gone through the excitement of receiving
reports giving returns in favor of Allan, and many
were about retiring, when a buggy containing two men
drew up in front of the hotel at which the Grits were
jubilating. It was immediately seen that it was Fer
guson who was in control, and refusing to permit the
driver accompanying him to pass the hotel where the
Reformers were assembled. A shout was raised, and
two men approached the buggy and endeavored to pull
" Tom " out of it. He sprang to his feet, placed the
muzzle of a heavily loaded gun, which he carried, to the
breast of Andrew Gordon, twice pulled the trigger, but
fortunately found the weapon useless from rust, which
had filled the nipple and rendered harmless the cap.
204 '

THE NEW GOVERNMENT F'.
Ferguson was pulled from the buggy and advised to
run for his life. He was thrust over the bar of the hotel,
some one pulling off one of his boots as he disappeared,
and was then hurried from the rear of the building to a
place of safety by some of the Reformers present. Next
morning his tall hat furnished a football for passing
schoolboys. A trial followed this attempted shooting,
but the jury could see nothing wrong in the affair, and
no verdict was secured. When I met Ferguson after
wards he laughed at what might have been a catastrophe.
His pluck was seen when the final vote was taken in the
House at the time of John Sandfield's defeat. Every
vote was needed on both sides, and Ferguson, very ill at
the time, was placed on a couch and carried into the
House, and gave his vote from that position.
Arch. Bishop, Esq., of South Huron, was familiarly
known as " the Bishop of Huron," and certainly brought
no dishonor on his ecclesiastical character. He was an
entertaining speaker on any subject with which he was
specially familiar.
D. J. O'Donoghue, of Ottawa, whose recent death
called forth many well-deserved tributes, was a diamond
somewhat in the rough, a thorough and straightforward
politician, a creditable and clever leader of the Labor
party about the metropolis, and afterwards of the whole
Dominion. He had thorough knowledge of questions
specially affecting the workingman, was not ashamed of
his confreres, nor had he reason to be, and strongly be
lieved in the rights of man in the most comprehensive
terms. He never advocated physical force demonstra
tions, and believed them not only destructive of order,
but as imperilling the best interest of the State. After
he left the Legislature he represented the Local Govern
ment in labor difficulties, and later was attached to that
205

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
department at Ottawa. A clear reasoner and with great
natural ability, Mr. O'Donoghue accomplished what he
did by sheer force of intellect and devotion to principle.
Adam Oliver, Esq., was not new to the House in
1874, for he had been elected in 1867 and again in 1871.
For some reason he resigned in January, 1874, and was
immediately re-elected by acclamation. He was a model
man of business tact and enterprise. As a lumberman
he bought largely in the country of which Port Arthur
is the centre, and was one of the first to attempt develop
ment thereabout. The Township of Oliver was named
after him, and he was an early municipal representative
of the Township of Shuniah, a name seldom missing
from the journals of the proceedings of the Legislature.
Mr. Oliver had filled important municipal offices in the
County of Oxford and town of Ingersoll. Take him all
in all, he was a typical Canadian, and highly valued by
his constituents. He was one of the " common-sense "
talkers when he addressed the House, and was accept
able to his hearers. He had one point which, to many
men, would have been strong proof of his fitness, for he
could, along with other politicians, play an excellent
game of euchre, an outcome doubtless of his backwoods
experiences. T. M. Daly, Esq., came from North Perth in the
Conservative interests in 1874, as successor to Andrew
Monteith, and was one of the most popular of the story
telling members, one of those who can raise a laugh in
others and enjoy it. Of attempts at legislation the
records are a blank. He was of a class very different
from that in which Rykert took the lead, and yet he had
more or less influence in the House, and especially in the
smoking-room, where his stories commanded full and
206

THE NEW GOVERNMENT
persistent attention. To-day he would be described as a
good " mixer."
Andrew Monteith, Esq., was member for North
Perth in the first and second Ontario Legislatures, and
was undoubtedly one of the old brigade. While not aspir
ing to the position of leader of any section of the Con
servative party, he had that knowledge of agricultural
matters which induced him, in one respect at least, to
agree with the Reform Government, and to use the Col
lege at Guelph as a good school of instruction to which
he deemed it wise to send his son, now Minister of
Agriculture for Ontario, who is making good use of the
knowledge thus acquired. Mr. Monteith was one of the
rough-and-ready style of orators, but had the respect of
both sides of the House.
John Clarke, Esq., M.D., member for North Nor
folk, was elected in 1871, and sat in the House for several
sessions. He was not only active in the representation
of his constituents, but a faithful introducer of new
measures, and specially urged woman's rights and tem
perance reform. He was zealously industrious in the pro
mulgation of his views upon these subjects, and through
his control of the Reform newspaper in Simcoe secured
a large number of readers and supporters of his ideas.
He was appointed sheriff of Algoma, and died in Port
Arthur. George McManus, Esq., Cardwell, sat in the House
as representative of that constituency in 187 1. He was a
Conservative in political feeHng, but at the time of the
crisis which decided the fate of the Macdonald Govern
ment his voting was erratic. He was succeeded by John
Flesher, Esq., a Conservative, and the constituency has
leanings in that direction.
Thomas Hodgins, Esq., Q.C, represented Elgin
207

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
West in 1871, and was one of the most distinguished of
the Toronto bar. He did not care, however, to hold his
own in the political field, and retired after showing
unusual aptitude in his interpretation of the law of
Parliament and kindred subjects.
James Bethune, Esq., Q.C, was returned for Stor
mont at a bye-election in 1872, and afterwards in 1875.
By his early death the province and Legislature lost the
services of a clever man, an influential citizen, and a
sound Reformer. He had some crotchets, which time
would have sent to limbo, but in the main was a man of
practical ideas, and sure to secure a following in House
and country.
William Robinson, Esq., a Reformer, sat for King
ston in 1 87 1 and 1875. He was well known to be a
member of the Orange order, but so impartial was his
conduct in every matter that he held the respect and
secured the support of many prominent Catholics. He
spoke well, and was listened to with close attention.
Peter Patterson, Esq., of West York, a Reformer,
elected in 1871, was descended from an Irish family
settled in the United States, and was engaged in Canada
very successfully as an agricultural implement manufac
turer. He spoke pleasantly and acceptably, and gave
evidence of his business knowledge on several important
occasions. The 1 2th of November, 1874, witnessed the unusual
occurrence of a second meeting of the House in the same
year. To hold a session in the coming winter months
would compel a later meeting than was considered advis
able, and public interests were better served by securing
an expression of opinion previous to the not far distant
general elections. 208

THE NEW GOVERNMENT
The Speech from the Throne by Lieut.-Governor Craw
ford indicated contemplated increase in the number of
members; an arrangement with the Dominion Govern
ment to prevent overlapping of immigration work; an
extension of the objects to which aid from the Muni
cipal Loan Fund might be applied ; and the advancement
of those seemingly perennial questions, the boundaries
of Ontario, and a settlement of other differences between
Ontario and Quebec. The work of consolidating the
statutes had been entered upon, and ^n amendment of
the law respecting bribery at elections was promised.
No opposition was offered to the proposed Address in
reply, and it was disposed of without the delay arising
from a lengthy debate.
William H. Scott, Esq., recently elected for West
Peterborough, was the only new member to be intro
duced, and his accession was an event upon which the
House was to be congratulated. He held the qualifica
tions necessary to any man aspiring to high and useful
position in a deliberative and law-making Assembly, and
bade fair to attain it. Somewhat slow in his style of de
livery, he succeeded, nevertheless, in holding the atten
tion of his hearers, and his remarks were not uttered
until the speaker felt that he had thoroughly mastered
the details of his subject. He made no false promises,
and never rushed into absurd positions for the purpose
of momentarily carrying a doubtful point. He was
logical or nothing, and scorned, because he never re
quired, a misstatement. He never leant upon a reed to
carry him over a bog, but felt bottom before he ventured
in. He was strongly and conscientiously Conservative
in his views, and was not 'altogether free from partisan
ship, but he never descended to its low forms, and sought
to win honestly or to wait for other opportunity. He
14 209

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
was esteemed by both sides, and his early death was
regretted by all.
On the 20th of November, Mr. Rykert asked for a
special committee, consisting of Messrs. Currie, Cam
eron, Hardy, Meredith and Deroche, to inquire into the
truthfulness or falsity of charges made against Mr.
Rykert by Mr. McKellar, at a political meeting in Wal-
laceburg, to the effect that he had been offered and
accepted sums of money to influence his action in the
House towards certain proposed legislation. The en
quiry went on for some time, witnesses were examined,
and a divided committee, consisting of three Reformers
and two Conservatives, reported to the House. The
Reform section of it, Messrs. Deroche, Hardy and
Currie, reported that a portion of the charges had been
sustained; and Messrs. Cameron and Meredith de
clared that they could find no evidence adduced before
them to substantiate the charges, or any or either of
them. The report presented to the House the opinions
of Messrs. Deroche, Hardy and Currie only, while the
amendment proposed was representative of the views of
Messrs. Cameron and Meredith. The evidence taken
was voluminous in quantity, even if not so convincing
as either of the two parties in the wordy war might
have desired. '^ ' " '^
As indicated in the Speech, a bill was introduced, on
the 7th of December, to " readjust the Representa
tion in the Legislature," which was read a second time
on the 14th, and a third time on the i8th of December.
It met with vigorous opposition, on the ground of the
retention of the anomalies so long existent, and which
have since been removed. The majorities in its favor,
however, displayed no loss of confidence in the Adminis
tration.

THE NEW GOVERNMENT
During this session the use of the ballot was extended
to municipal elections.
Ninety-five acts were assented to on the 21st of
December, making this the shortest session since Con
federation. A general election was held in obedience to writs
issued by Lieut.-Governor Crawford, bearing date of
December 23rd, 1874, and the Government was sus
tained by a large majority.
The Lieut.-Governor had performed his last official
act in connection with the Legislature, for he died on the
13th of May, 1875. He was succeeded by Hon. Donald
Alexander Macdonald, brother of Hon. John Sandfield
Macdonald.

CHAPTER XVIII.
GETTING TO WORK.
A new House — ^A Department of Education — Rev. Egerton
Ryerson. Superintendent, retires — Hon. Samuel Casey
Wood, Provincial Secretary — A grist of controverted
elections — Sixteen declared void — Hon. W. Macdougall in
the House — Mere Countv Council — Macdougall and the
Crown Lands Office — Bethune's compulsory electoral
voting — Women's Rights, 31 yeas to 33 nays — David
Creighton, Esq. — The woman with the iron jaw — Proroga
tion — Rockwood Asylum — Hon. Peter Gow retires — ^lohn
C. Miller — Timber regulations — James Massie for South
Wellington — Municipal Franchise to Women voted down
— Twelve Apostles — The use of daily prayers — Third
session opened — A. M. Ross moved Address — New
Treasurer — The public service — Fighting the Supplies —
Eraser's amendments — Meredith on reduction of Attorney-
General's salary — The Speaker's salary — Clerks, messengers,
and pages attacked — Mr. Hardy in the House — Committee
on taxation — Vacancies and elections — Mr; Morris — Reading
letter in House — The Division Court — Richard Harcourt —
Simon J. Dawson.
The new House met 24th November, 1875, ^^^ Hon.
Rupert Mearse Wells was re-elected Speaker.
The topics introduced in the Speech from the Throne
were numerous and varied, and were followed in the
legislation of the session by useful and practical reforms.
One of the most important of these was, probably, the
creation of a Department of Education, with a Minister
of the Crown at its head, and on its passage the Hon.
212

GETTING TO WORK
Adam Crooks was called to the responsible position, and
Rev. Egerton Ryerson, Superintendent of Education,
was retired on a liberal continuance of his salary. The
leverend gentleman was a descendant of a Loyalist
family who settled in Canada from Massachusetts dur
ing the early days of the American troubles of the
eighteenth century. Amidst great, if not exceptional,
difficulties, he had become a close student, acquired much
knowledge, and, making good use of valuable time,
worked his way to the head of the educational system
of the country. He had a ready and fluent tongue, an
active pen and much tact, and held his own on an equality
with those who grasped at similar control of public affairs.
In those days there were three principal avenues to posi
tion — the bar, the pulpit, and politics. His oratorical
abilities were marked, and he speedily became locally
known as a man of parts. He avoided the bar, but ven
tured upon the sea of politics. He taught school in
Middlesex and elsewhere, and acquired a standing which
he retained until death. He undoubtedly did much to
erect the educational system of which we so justly are
proud. Of impulsive nature and a hard worker, he was
constantly enlarging it, and to-day we have forgotten the
political escapades which told their own story, and think
of him only as the founder of the Public School system
of Upper Canada. To day all men can join in sounding
his praise and extolling his good qualities. He was
accompanied to his grave in Toronto in 1882 by hosts
of friends who had once been his political enemies, and
it would be difficult now to find a single public man
willing to speak a word of censure upon his career.
In the list of successful candidates again appears the
name of Hon. Samuel Casey Wood, who had been re
elected to the well-earned position of Provincial Secre-
213

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
tary. A good man for active business, a fair speaker, an
excellent judge of character, he appeared to hold his
finger upon the pulsation of the financial and political
wires, and to be able to predict and prognosticate with
accuracy the probable outcome of any measure or act
with which he had to do. He proved himself to be a
man of foresight, and his opinion of this, that and the
other always had value with those who knew him in
timately. He was sworn in as Provincial Secretary and
Registrar from July 25th, 1875, to March, 1877, and
Treasurer of the province from the 19th of March, 1877,
to 2nd of June, 1883. Since leaving politics he has held
important positions in the commercial world, and in
1907, at this present writing, he is still occupied with
the work for which he is so well fitted.
There was an extensive resort to the uses of the Con
troverted Elections Act after the then recent elections,
and sixteen constituencies were declared void; and in
seven of these the results sustained the candidates first
returned as elected.
Hon. William Macdougall had been elected for
South Simcoe in place of D'Arcy Boulton, unseated.
The advent of this gentleman was regarded as cer
tain to add great strength to the Conservative party
in Ontario, but this expectation was fated to be quickly
dissipated. Of Mr. Macdougall's ability to serve there
could be no doubt, but his career in the Assembly was
disappointing. He appeared to think that the serious
discussion of mere provincial matters was not the work
for which Providence had designed him. He did not
assume the position for which his natural talent and
large experience had fitted him. He initiated nothing,
and was certainly overshadowed by other leaders of the
Opposition. When he spoke, his utterances did not belie
214

GETTING TO WORK
his reputation, but they were seldom heard, and he left
no strong impression upon the statutes of Ontario. To
show how little he was in accord with the leaders of his
newly-found allies, who seemed to have but temporarily
adopted him, he spoke sneeringly of the Legislative
Assembly as an enlarged county council, and although
these words in themselves meant little, they indicated
more than they expressed. Those, however, who had
gained their first knowledge of public business in the
township or county council regarded his words as a
studied insult and a slight on the work so well done
by what old Tories, who delighted in derision, desig
nated as " sucking republics." His apparent disregard
of Canadian interests was strongly exhibited when, upon
a motion for the usual immigration grant, he moved an
amendment to the effect that " in view of the depressed
condition of the manufacturing industry in this province,
and of the surplus labor now seeking employment in all
parts of the country, it is, in the opinion of this House,
inexpedient to offer any special aid in encouragement to
immigrants from other countries for the year 1876, and
that the resolution be referred back to the Committee of
Supply with instructions to amend the same accordingly."
This was evidently the work of protectionist friends
rather than the innate conviction of the old-time editor
of the radical North American. The proposed amend
ment was rejected, of course, but was preceded by an
other of similar character, and evidently of similar
parentage, from Mr. Deacon, who, following the tactics
of his party, expressed regret that the sum of $50,590
should be appropriated to the uses of the Crown Lands
Department for 1876, and declared that every effort
should be made to curtail the expenditure of that depart
ment, and he actually secured a vote of 27 yeas to 44
215

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
nays, Mr. Macdougall voting that the proposed sum
should not be granted.
Mr. Bethune introduced a bill rendering voting at an
election of a member of the Legislature compulsory, but
the strong expression of an antagonistic opinion of mem
bers, upon both sides of the House, against the principle
of the measure induced its mover not to proceed with its
second reading.
The second reading of Bill 147, " To fix and
declare the period for the annual meeting of the Legis
lative Assembly," having been read, Hon. C F. Fraser
took exception to the bill on the ground that it was un
constitutional and an interference with the prerogative
of the Crown, and Mr. Speaker being Of that opinion, the
bill was withdrawn. This was evidently the only course
to be pursued.
On the 26th of January, 1876, Mr. Creighton moved
"That Bill 151, to enable women to vote at municipal
elections, and on by-laws requiring the assent of the
electors," be now read a second time. The question was
not regarded as of a party character, and a division
showed a wide diversity of opinion upon the matter, and
gave 31 yeas to 33 nays.
Of the members supporting Mr. Creighton's motion
many were Reformers, amongst whom were Currie,
Hunter, Lane, McCraney, Miller, Paxton, Robinson,
Sinclair, Striker, Widdifield, and Clarke '(Wellington).
David Creighton, Esq., representative of North Grey
in 1879, 1884 and 1887, occupied a position in the Con
servative ranks of no mean order. He displayed great
aptitude in the manipulation of figures, and could perform
greater and more awe-inspiring feats with them than were
ever dreamt of by a Hermann or a Blitz. Annually he
tore the Budget Speech into a hundred fragments, with
, 216

GETTING TO WORK
a ferocity totally unexpected in a man of so much good-
humor, and invariably wound up with a declaration that
the financial statement was a great myth, and that there
was not a cent left of Sandfield Macdonald's millionaire
surplus. It was amusing to hear and see him ruthlessly
tearing off the frills from the Treasurer's prettily decor
ated lay figure, and convincing everybody, on his own
side of the House at least, that there wasn't enough
money in the Treasury to pay a single month's household
expenses. His greatest oratorical feat was the gallant
fight made by him in attempted destruction of Adam
Crooks's Education Department Bill, wherein an effort
was successfully made by the Government to set up a
Minister of Education. The Leader of the Opposition
regarded such a measure as infamous, and fought it to
the bitter end. The weapon used was an all-night ses
sion, and somebody had to talk against time. The com
ing Minister of Education, deserted for a time by the
Premier and his colleagues, soon wearied of his task.
The " sentry go " was better to talk about than to per
form, and by one o'clock in the morning the tired man
on guard, compelled to remain at his post, shut his eyes
in resignation and settled down into the leather-cushioned
chair for a poor imitation of a peaceful slumber. The
Liberal members grew sullen. The Conservatives de
termined to make a night of it. They did, but their
exhaustible supply of ammunition was speedily being
consumed, and threatened to give out. David Creighton
was equal to the occasion, filled the gap with a fresh
battery, and went on and on with a remarkable persist
ency and a still more wonderful fertility of imagination.
He had, in some American newspaper, read of a fascin
ating Michigan school-mistress with an iron jaw, and
gave her a very long and remarkably glowing introduc-
217

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
tion. He told her biography in sections and at length,
kept her at it while some of the less wakeful fell into a
vigorous snore, and then went back again to her early
school-days and depicted them with apparent accuracy.
He called the attention of the semi-somnolent but com
ing Minister of Education to the advantage of having
an iron jaw, even when discussing an education bill. It
would be cruel to inflict upon the reader all the advan
tages of iron jaws for teachers and a special one for a
minister. Mr. Crooks grew nervous and vexed at the
Creightonic volubility, and, seeing no advantages in that,
became amiable again and settled down for a sleep.
But it was useless. No progress was made in com
mittee, and it rose and the House adjourned. Revenge
came in due course. The bill was read on a future even
ing, and Mr. Crooks became Minister of Education,
but not before the well-known " March of the Cameron
Men," when Mr. Cameron, Leader of the Opposition,
gallantly led his followers into the lobby, and kept them
there until the third reading was consummated.
The House was prorogued on the ioth of February,
1876, and it was found that in the session just closed
one hundred and fourteen acts had received the Royal
assent. On the 3rd of January, 1877, the first day of the second
meeting of the third Legislature, His Honor Donald A.
Macdonald opened the House with a Speech from the
Throne. It was announced in it that the Commissioners had
completed the consolidated statutes ; that a measure would
be introduced for the extension of the franchise to
farmers' sons ; that an extension of the Voters' List Act
would be proposed; that a bill improving the qualifica-
218

GETTING TO WORK
tion of teachers would be brought down ; and that reports
would be laid before the House as to the working of the
law respecting the sale of fermented and spirituous
liquors under the act of last session.
An announcement was made that Rockwood Asylum
for the Insane, Dominion property, had been secured from
the Dominion Government, and that steps were necessary
to provide increased accommodation for " deaf and dumb
mutes." Once more a patient public was told that the financial
differences between Ontario and Quebec had not been
arranged, and that with reference to the boundary dispute
another arbitration would be necessary, but that almost
every document required had been procured.
Hon. Peter Gow resigned his seat, impelled thereto
by failing health, and James Massie, Esq., was elected
as his successor, and Gideon Striker, Esq., had been
elected in the recess for the county of Prince Edward.
J. C Miller, Esq., moved the Address in a busi
ness-like manner, and showed himself thoroughly master
of its principal topic — the extent and value of the Crown
lands of the Province. He was the representative of
Muskoka and Parry Sound, and had large experience
combined with especial knowledge of the subject with
which he dealt. He had half a dozen members -as critics,
but they listened to him with interest and had little or
nothing to say in reply. He was as much at home in
the House as he would have been in the forest, and did
his utmost whenever he spoke to cultivate public know
ledge of Ontario's most important asset. He suffered
from weak eyesight, but had a partial equivalent in his
grit, energy and determination. Ill-health deprived the
province of his services.
James Massie, Esq., from South Wellington, who
219

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
seconded the Address, was a Reformer, a shrewd man of
business, and, nevertheless, a warm politician. He was
at the head of a large trade, and did much to develop
the growth of the city of Guelph. He made himself
useful in the Sunday School and similar institutions.
Upon his retirement from politics, his appointment to
the superintendency of the Central Prison gave scope for
the exercise of his large working powers.
There was a good deal of contention over the estimates
during this session, the Opposition moving to strike out
or reduce different items. The Inspector of Divisioh
Courts was evidently regarded as an unnecessary official,
as his salary and allowance for travelling expenses were
attacked. When the item for unforeseen and unprovided expenses
came up, Mr. Macdougall moved that the proposed large
sum of fifty thousand dollars be reduced to twenty thou
sand dollars, so that such a large sum might not be left
to be expended at the sole discretion of the Govermnent.
An amendment was moved to the amendment repeat
ing the substance of the original resolution, and conclud
ing with the words, " that the resolution be now con
curred in." This was ruled out of order as precluding
any further amendment. Mr. Macdougall's amendment
was then.put and lost on a vote of 49 to 30.
Mr. Patterson, of Essex, afterwards Lieut.-Governor
of Manitoba, and probably with different ideas of the
fitness of things, then looked upon a School of Practical
Science as uncalled for, and would have struck out the
whole sum had not the friends of science interfered.
Before the close of the session the Attorney-General
brought down the report of a special committee appointed
to consider the propriety of the daily use df prayers at
the opening of the House during each session. The

GETTING TO WORK
report was favorable to such use, and the committee was
further empowered to make arrangements for the offer
ing of such prayers.
This daily reading of prayers by some clergyman of
the city was maintained for one session, but discontinued
in consequence of the difficulty of finding some clerical
gentleman for each succeeding opening of the House. I
recollect that I had the honor of first occupying the posi
tion of lay-reader when I was elected Speaker. My pre
decessor had conscientious scruples, the then Clerk of
the House, Col. Gillmor, was disinclined, and at the
request of the Premier, Sir Oliver Mowat, I consented to
act, and those who have followed me in the office of
Speaker have pursued the same course.
The House was prorogued on the 2nd of March, 1877,
and the Royal assent was given to eighty-nine acts.
His Honor Donald Alexander Macdonald opened the
third session of the third Legislature of Ontario, on the
9th of January, 1878, and took occasion to refer to a
visit made by him to the northern portion of Ontario,
and dwelt upon the progress of the new district, the colon
ization roads, and the high character of the settlements.
He alluded to the success of the immigration policy of the
Government. Allusion was also made to the progress
of the Normal Schools, and the value of the act regulat
ing them. He referred once more to the unsatisfactory
position of the Boundary question, but there were indi
cations of " a good time coming," although his Honor
did not convey this idea in exactly that language.
A. M. Ross, of West Huron, moved the Address,
which was seconded by Mr. Lane, of York, and ' twfo
paragraphs having been assented to, the House adjourned.
Lieut.-Col. a. M. Ross entered the Legislature on the
24th of November, 1875, ^^'^ ^^'^ made such a favorable

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
impression upon the members of the House taking part
in the Municipal Loan Fund Debate that he rapidly rose
to a high position. He was an adept in financial matters,
and had the confidence of his constituents, the general
public, and the Government, and no person felt surprise
when he was called to the Cabinet. He had, probably,
too great a love for detail, and his budget speeches were
somewhat tedious and prolix, but his hearers knew that
he was concealing nothing which ought to be told, and
that his financial statements were reliable. He differed
somewhat from his predecessors in putting great stress
upon the existence of a surplus, as proof of wise expen
diture, but that opinion gradually gave way to the con
viction that wise expenditure was the best proof of a
good use of a comfortable surplus.
In military command the Treasurer was as much at
home as in the exercise of financial skill, and his battalion,
the 43rd, was a credit to him and to the patriotic senti
ments of the young men of Huron.
He succeeded Hon. James Young as Provincial Trea
surer, and held the office from the 2nd of November.
1883, to the lAth of June, 1899, when he was succeeded
by Hon. R. Harcourt. He acted as Commissioner of
Agriculture from the 2nd of November, 1883, to Mav,
1888. D'uring this session an attempt was made to open the
House dailv at an earlier hour than 3 p.m., but the
objections made were so strong that the motion was lost.
The hours from 3 o'clock in the afternoon session to the
rising of the House are but a portion of the time allotted
to legislative work, for the committees meet at o or to
a.m. daily, and are often in session until after i p.m.
There would be no eain. therefore, in seeking' a meeting
of the House itself before 3 p.m.

GETTING TO WORK
In the early part of the session numerous petitions Were
presented praying the passage of an act to incorporate
the Loyal Orange Associations East and West. On the
1 6th of January a bill was introduced and referred to the
Committee on Private Bills, and embodying the prayer
of the petition. The Committee reported on the 25th of
January that the preamble of the bill was not proven,
on the ground that a special enactment in the premises
is not desirable or necessary. Mr. Merrick moved that
the bill be referred to the Committee with instructions to
report the preamble proven. The motion was lost.
Once more the question of the advisability of granting
the use of the municipal franchise to women was con
sidered and voted down. The division gave 12 yeas and
57 nays. Of the "twelve apostles of woman's rights"
no less than half a score were Reformers. In a later
year a similar bill became law, and women who held
property in their own right were given the voting power.
The two Conservatives who supported Dr. Clarke's
motion were Dr. Harkin and Mr. Abram Lauder.
During this session the franchise was granted to
farmers' sons.
A resolution relating to the public service was
reported from Committee, which was received the 26th
of February, 1878, as follows:
Resolved: That when the services of any clerk or
officer connected with the public service are dispensed
with, in consequence of any change in any department,
or in consequence of the age or infirmity or ill-health of
such officer, and not for anv fault on the part of such
officer, such gratuity shall be paid to him as shall be
directed by Order of Council, but not exceeding one
month's pav for each year of service, and in the event of
the deaJth of any such officer or clerk, while in the service
223

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
of the Crown, such gratuity may be paid to the family of,
such clerk or officer.
March 4th had witnessed a close division on the read
ing of the order of the day for the second reading of
a bill (102), "To restore to Her Majesty's subjects in
Ontario the right of trial by jury in civil actions."
This having been read, Mr. Macdougall moved its adop
tion, and the motion was lost on a division: yeas, 34;
nays, 35.
There was a determined fight upon the proposed
granting of supplies, but every proposition was met by
amendments so skilfully drawn that the Opposition made
no advance upon the Government's lines.
And here, it may be remarked, the hand of the Com
missioner of Public Works was seen in the draft of
nearly every amendment to the amendments proposed by
members of the Opposition. His thorough knowledge
of Parliamentary procedure enabled him to select the
right word for every emergency, and his triumphs were
due, it may be, to the fact that he was right, and largely
because he had aptitude and dialectic skill beyond the
ordinary. He was never more at home than when fight
ing votes of supply through committee. The Hon. W. R.
Meredith had a similar ability, and when the two came
in conflict, as they often did, the battle was one of giants,
which was enjoyed heartily by the " knowing " members
upon both sides of the House. If possible, Mr. Meredith
was more vehement than Mr. Fraser, but neither lacked
fire, energy and that intuitive ability to reach the thoughts
of an opponent which makes a fluent speaker and a poli
tical man-slayer.
Another attempt was made to reduce the vote for
" unforeseen and unprovided " expenditure, $50,000, by
reducing it to $20,000, but failed, the votes being : Yeas.
17; nays, 57. 224

GETTING TO WORK
On the 5th of March Mr. Meredith moved, seconded
by Mr. Morris, on going into supply, that the item be
not concurred in, but be forthwith recommitted to the
Committee of Supply, with instructions to reduce the
item for salary of Attorney-General and Premier from
$5,000 to $4,500. On division the yeas were 31 and
nays 45. Similar motions were made proposing reduc
tions of salaries, and lost on twenty-four similar divisions.
The Speaker did not remain unattacked. It was moved
on the 7th of March, 1879, that the item of $1,500, being
the salary of the Speaker, be reduced by the sum of $250.
and another amendment was proposed reducing the grant
of $1,500 by the sum of $500, so as to bring the amount
within the provisions of the statute in that behalf. This
was lost by yeas 35, nays 49. The original resolution,
making the salary $1,250, was then unanimously carried
by a vote of 83 to o.
As a result of this vote the Speaker's salary was
$1,250 per annum. For seven rather lean years Mr.
Speaker who writes these lines, and who succeeded Hon.
R. M. Wells, did not think himself extravagantly re
munerated for giving close attention, hour after hour, to
a wealth of " wise saws and modern instances," much
sharp wrangling, and a continual stream of oratorical
platitudes. If there were reasons for difference of
opinion upon these points, there was none as to the value
of the good things to which a Speaker, judging by my
own feelings, was glad to listen. I should have felt
cause for regret if at times I had not, perforce, to keep
the Chair and so enjoyed the eloquence and valuable
criticisms of such men as Oliver Mowat, M. C. Cameron,
Christopher Fraser, William Meredith, and half a score
of unnamed others.
Division after division followed throughout the long
IS 225

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
days of March 5th, 7th, Sth and ioth, many of them
striving at what to-day would be laughed at as absurd.
Even the small sums paid to clerks, messengers and pages
were deemed worthy of attack. Whatever other sins
may have led Cabinets and individual ministers astray,
undue extravagance in Ontario was not one of them. A
session preceding a general election is one in which, of
course, much skirmishing and a few great battles may
be confidently looked for, if not eagerly expected. It is
the acknowledged privilege of the opponents of a Govern
ment to closely seek what they consider the weakest spots.
It is useless to declare this unfair, for it is neither
more nor less than an assertion of the rights of the
" Outs " for the time being, and will ever be exercised
until the political millennium makes all men think alike.
During this session Mr. Hardy first appeared in the
House as a member of the Ministry, he having assumed
office in March, 1877, soon after the close of the last
session. David D. Hay, Esq., formerly of Listowel, and more
recently of Stratford, member for North Perth, was
elected and took his seat on the 24th of November,
1875. He was re-elected in 1879, and gave place to
George Hess, a Conservative, in 1883. Both gentlemen
were afterwards appointed to office by the Governments
which they had supported. Mr. Hay was a Reformer
of extreme views, and was not afraid to speak out in
meeting. He accompanied Lieut.-Governor D. A. Mac
donald when that gentleman went up to view the lands
and rocks of our northern country, pronounced it good.
but did not remain there to help its settlement. He had
a sense of quiet humor which he liked to share.
On the 7th of March, 1878, Royal assent was given to
seventy-five acts, and the House was prorogued.
226

GETTING TO WORK
A Committee on Taxation and Exem^ptions sat at
intervals during the session, and considered many matters
of much importance. Evidence was taken at great length
and submitted to the House, but it was deemed advisable,
in view of the fact that Parliament was now regarded as
moribund, to delay further action, and to leave the ques
tion to be dealt with by a new Parliament. Valuable
information on the subject of exemptions from taxation
had been compiled by J. P. Macdonald, Esq., barrister,
and was submitted to the House.
The Legislature, as it was now termed, was opened for
its last session on the 9th of January, 1878, by the Hon.
D. A. Macdonald, with a Speech promising little legis
lative work of a public character. Attention was in
vited once more to municipal assessment and exemption
from local taxation. The controverted elections law, and
the rectification of voters' lists, as well as the extension of
rights of voting for school trustees, were alluded to, also
an amendment to the jury law.
During the recess, the following gentlemen had re
signed their seats in the Legislative Assembly : Hon. Wm.
Macdougall, South Simcoe; Thos. Hodgins, West
Elgin; Simon J. Dawson, Algoma; J. C Patterson,
North Essex; Hon. M. C Cameron, East Toronto. In
their places were elected W. J. Parkhill, for South Sim
coe; Solomon White, North Essex; Robert A. Lyon,
Algoma; David McLaws, West Elgin; Hon. Alex.
Morris, East Toronto. Another new member was
Richard Harcourt, Esq., for Monck, in place of Dr.
Haney, who had died. The accession of Hon. Alex.
Morris, late Lieut.-Governor of Manitoba, was a valu
able addition to the Conservative ranks. The honorable
srentlettian was elected to represent East Toronto in the
bye-election of 1879, and occupied the position in 1884.
227

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
He had a large experience in Dominion officialdom, and
was a reliable authority upon points of order often aris
ing in parliamentary debate. He took deep interest in
the outcome of the various treaties formed with the
Indians of the North-West, and had, probably, greater
knowledge of this special subject than any other member
of the Legislative Assembly. He was a diplomatic
speaker, avoided the antagonisms so often witnessed in
legislative halls, and was punctilious in his observance of
the little courtesies which distinguish the cultured man
from the rough-and-ready democrat so frequently met
with in Western life. He had occupied the governor's
chair in Manitoba, and had done good service in reducing
to practice the working out of the many little intricacies
developed in the daily life of such a position as that
which he had the honor to occupy. He was specially and
justly proud of the negotiations conducted by him dur
ing the parliamentary troubles previous to the Confedera
tion of 1867, when he brought about reconciliation be
tween John A. Macdonald and George Brown, which
ended in an understanding, followed by the great
measure of Confederation. His intercourse with mem
bers of the House was of the most pleasant character,
and his aid. at times when party questions were set aside,
was warmly acknowledged and highly valued by the
Government. The House sent a message of regret to Her Majesty.
expressive of its deep sorrow at the death of Princess
Alice, and a declaration of the earnest hope that in this
and all other trials and difficulties Her Majesty might be
called upon to bear, .she would be supported by the con
solations of a Christian faith.
Addresses by the House were the order of the dav.
One of congratulation Avas forwarded to His Excellency
228

GETTING TO WORK
the Marquis of Lorne, Governor-General, and successor
to the Earl of Dufferin.
Another address was forwarded to the Earl of Duf
ferin upon his departure from Canada, and assuring him
of the hope of the people of Ontario that he might ever
look back upon his term of offioe in Canada with feelings
of unmixed happiness and satisfaction.
After the opening of the House many petitions were
received praying the incorporation of the Loyal Orange
Association of Eastern and Western Ontario, and many
others with a similar prayer were presented during the
session. Mr. Clarke (Wellington) reported from the Committee
of Supply that Mr. Bell, West Toronto, having proposed
to the Committee to read a letter or portion of a letter
upon his own responsibility as to its contents, Mr.
Bethune objected, for the following reasons : That no
member of the House has a right to read a letter unless
prepared to read the whole of the document and so place
the House in possession of the whole of the said letter,
including the signature, and that the Chairman having
ruled against the objection, the Committee had appealed
to the House against this decision, and a debate having
arisen, it was adjourned until the next day. On the 19th
of February the order of the day for resuming the debate
relating to the appeal to the House from the Committee
of the Whole House, on the i8th inst., having been read,
the debate was resumed, and, after some time, the
decision of the Chairman, Mr. Clarke (Wellington), was
sustained by the House. The Speaker, the Attorney-
General, Mr. Bethune and others expressed themselves
as favorable to this view, as reference to the journals of
the British House of Commons had sustained it.
A bill having come up for a second reading " to amend
229

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
the Division Courts Act," and favoring the extension of
the system, the nays were 35 and the yeas 38.
The original motion was so amended as to embody a
resolution declaring that any extension of the jurisdic
tion of the Division Courts would be at the expense of
the smaller suitors, who would have to give longer time
than hitherto in attendance, as the larger sums to be
considered would lead to extension of time in attend
ance, and it was therefore inadvisable to proceed with
the consideration of the bill until time had been given for
further discussion of the matter.
Richard Harcourt, Esq., entered the House in 1879
as member for Monck, on the death of Dr. Haney, and has
retained his seat continuously during the various Legis
latures from that time until the present writing. He
filled the position of Treasurer of the province from 1890
to October, 1899, and of Minister of Education from
1899 to the close of the Ross Administration. Mr. Har
court is, undoubtedly, the most finished speaker in the
House since the death of Hon. Christopher Fraser,
and, omitting the addresses delivered by the Hon.
G. W. Ross, his diction is not inferior to that of any
orator in Canada; and in his statement of facts, his ex
position of a budget, the elucidation of some doubtful
legal point, or an impassioned appeal to the higher con
victions of his audience, he is not surpassed, nay, not
even approached, let me modestly assert, by any man in
Ontario. He has a fault, difficult to overcome, and yet
detracting from the effectiveness and value of some of
his addresses; he over-emphasizes what he has to say,
and elaborates too closely the points which he seeks to
make. His administrative faculties are naturally great,
and the good work done by him in educational matters
will stand to his credit for years to come. He is neither
230

GETTING TO WORK
a smatterer nor a sloven, and he has always had a clear
conception of the great work before him. It is only now
that the extent of his foresightedness is making apparent
the true value of his efforts.
Among the members who came or went during this
period may be noticed :
Andrew Broder, Esq., who represented Dundas and
occupied no mean position in the Conservative party.
He was known as " The Butter King " in Dundas, and
had much to do in shaping the politics of his section of
country, for his business was extensive and constantly
brought him into contact with large numbers of agri
culturists. He spoke fluently, and was much in request
in Eastern Ontario as an advocate of Conservative
candidates. Lewis Wigle, Esq., was member for South Essex in
the third Legislative Assembly, succeeding his father in
the representation of the constituency. He was a per
missible joker, for he said many good things when
mounted on " the stump," and studied his people with a
keen outlook for their suffrages.
John Barr, Esq., M.D., was elected member for Duf
ferin in 1875, and has represented that county in Assembly
or Dominion nearly the whole period between then and
now. He understands the art of catching votes, and as
his constituency is made up of Conservative townships and
the Conservative town of Orangeville, the election ends,
as a matter of course, in the return of one or other of
the Conservative candidates. The only hope of a change
is in the prospect of a quarrel between contending Con
servatives, and as party discipline is strict, and all
patronage controlled by one man, the constituency is not
likely to depart from its allegiance. Just now. Dr. Barr
is serving in the House of Commons, and it is safe to say
231

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
no long debate reaches a conclusion until the member
for Dufferin has had his say and declared what " under
these circumstances, Mr. Speaker," ought to be done.
Robert Bell, Esq., was member for West Toronto,
and entered the House in 1877, retaining his position at
the next general election. He was a leading Orangeman
and took deep interest in all questions involving Separate
Schools, and it was in connection with a bill seeking to
introduce the ballot for Separate School elections that Mr.
Bell wished to read the letter or portion of letter to which
Mr. Bethune objected, as I have previously noticed.
Hon. j. C Patterson represented West Essex in the
second Legislature, and was highly popular. He after
wards occupied a seat in the Commons, and was appointed
Lieut.-Governor of Manitoba. He spoke with slight
hesitation, but had a clear knowledge of Canadian politics,
and was a warm advocate of Conservative principles.
James H. Hunter, Esq., was the representative of
South Grey in the third and following Legislatures. He
was a successful merchant, and made large purchases of
lands with other parties in the neighborhood of Toronto
Junction. It is said that he lost his seat by the delivery
of a lecture descriptive of Hallowe'en observance and
customs. He had a large German element in his con
stituency, and in this lecture ascribed to the Germans cer
tain rites in connection with the festival, which, repeated
and exaggerated, cost him the support of this section of
his people. Not only did Mr. Hunter lose their votes.
but at every recurring election the story is retold, to the
disadvantage of the Reform candidate. On such trifles
do great issues turn.
Joseph Widdifield, Esq., member for North York,
was one of the most popular in a House of popular men.
For some years he acted as whip, and his services in that
232

GETTING TO WORK
capacity were so much appreciated that on his retirement
from the position he was made the recipient of a very
handsome silver tea service, although a hopeless bachelor
and supposed to possess a soul above such vanities. He
was one of the lucky men who are pursued by good
fortune, and became sheriff of the large and important
County of York, but death loves a shining mark, and Mr.
Widdifield passed away at a comparatively early age.
Solomon White, Esq., succeeded Hon. J. C Patterson
in the representation of Essex. As a lawyer, Mr. White
was in a position to become popular, and was associated
with the interests of Essex from the days of Colonel
Prince down to the present time. He represented his
constituency from 1879 to 1887. He was helped ma
terially by his knowledge of the French language, largely
spoken in Essex. His camaraderie was marked and
made numerous friends.
James M. Ferris, Esq., of Irish descent, was M.P.P.
for East Northumberland in 1875. He had filled offices
from the wardenship down, during his residence in
Campbellford, and was highly popular. He was an
active man in his constituency, drove a successful busi
ness, and had a thorough knowledge of municipal mat
ters. He had such financial ability that he was at one
time spoken of as a probable Provincial Treasurer, but
felt that his private business required his close personal
attention. Sylvester Neelon, Esq., was first elected to the
Legislature from Lincoln in 1875, and was re-elected in
1879 and 1883. With vague ideas of party fealty under
a system of responsible government, he was never a
partisan, and as likely to vote against as with a Govern
ment. His proclivities were toward Conservatism, but
he did not always reach the point to which he seemed to
233

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
be going. As the owner of numerous vessels, and the
conductor of large milling properties, he was necessarily
a shrewd man of action, and held the confidence of many
leading men in the old Niagara district.
Kenneth Chisholm, Esq., sat first for Peel in the
Legislature meeting the 24th of November, 1875. He
was re-elected and sat in the Legislatures of 1879, 1884,
1887, 1891, and was succeeded by John Smith, who yet
occupies the position of woman's rights advocate, and is
as attentive to the discharge of his duties as is the
youngest man in the House.
W. W. Hargraft, Esq., sat for East Northumberland
in 1875. He was in one Legislature only, but became
well known as a practical supporter of the Government.
When the discussion as to the necessity for new Parlia
ment Buildings was on, and it was urged that the old
buildings would do " well enough," Mr. Hargraft was
seen one day busily working at his desk with an umbrella
raised over him to keep off the rain which was making
its way through the ceiling above where he sat. He
furnished a tangible argument of which the Commis
sioner of Public Works was not slow to take advantage.
John Fleming, Esq., was born in Scotland, and upon
emigrating and reaching Canada settled in the prosperous
town of Gait, and was one of its leading men. He was
a Reformer in politics, and held important municipal posi
tions for many years. He represented South Waterloo
fiom November, 1875, ""til 1878, when failing health
caused him to resign. A modest, well-read man, he had
in him all the elements of public usefulness, and his early
death cut short a valuable life.
William Thomas Long, Esq., elected Conservative
member for North Simcoe in 1875, was Irish by birth,
and came to Canada in 1850, and engaged in mercantile
234

GETTING TO WORK
affairs at CoUingwood. He was largely interested in
shipping, and has always been a consistent Conservative.
He was a speaker of rather more than average ability,
and always prepared himself thoroughly before address
ing the House.
John Watterworth, Esq., was first elected for West
Middlesex in 1875, and again in 1880. He was a reliable
supporter of his party, and voted for every Reform
measure.^ Simon J. Dawson, Esq., was elected member for
Algoma in 1875. As a legislator he was a man of one
idea — the development of the North-West — and he soon
discovered that there was little to be gained in the
Ontario Legislature as a field of operations,. To be in
touch with the Dominion Govemment seemed a prime
necessity, and Mr. Dawson did not complete one Parlia
ment as an Ontario representative. While he was in
the House it was my good fortune to occupy a seat at
the desk adjoining his, and to hear many interesting
things of what was then a comparatively unknown coun
try. From 1850 he had been associated, either through
private enterprise or in an official capacity, with the
regions beyond Lake Superior. In 1868 he was entrusted
with the commencement of the construction of the route
to Red River, now known as the " Dawson route," and
in 1870 he succeeded in putting through the expeditionary
force under Col. Garnet Wolseley.

23s

CHAPTER XIX.
AN EXCEPTIONAL TRIO.
Sir Oliver Mowat. — To attempt a biographical
sketch of Sir Oliver Mowat would, in the face of
Mr. Biggar's admirable Life of the late Premier
and Lieut.-Governor, be superfluous. To say that he
was born in Kingston, on the 22nd of July, 1820;
member of the Brown-Dorion Administration from 1858
to 1864; Premier of Ontario from 1872 to 1896; Lieut.-
Governor of the province of Ontario from 1897
to 1903, when he died, is to give the main features of
his life in epitome. An honest man and earnest worker,
a warm heart, and you have said of him in brief all
that could be added in eivtenso. He was not only an
administrator; he had all the best qualities of the
originator, and brought about legal changes because he
believed them called for, and when he did venture upon
making them, he sustained his action by cogent reason
ing, the convictions arising from long experience, and
the advice and co-operation by suggestion of his trusted
friends. He was a law-maker by and for the people. It
was said of him that he was never idle during his waking
moments, and that he thought out some needed reform
even in his hours of rest. He had a Scotsman's cautious
care in every forward step, and a Canadian's love of
progress while making it. And while he adhered, even
stubbornly, to a well-founded and matured opinion, he
was never above learning from the most humble sources.
236

AN EXCEPTIONAL TRIO
He kept an open mind until all available information
had been secured, and then made his decision. He was
human enough, probably, to prefer the man who easily
fell in with his views to the uncertain or sometimes un
manageable follower. It may be that the word "ex
pediency " was not altogether banished from his lexicon,
and that he occasionally found it necessary to study his
fellow-men with a view to their weaknesses. The day
has not yet arrived, however desirable its advent, when
complete detachment from these sources of power may
be the constant attitude of any Canadian premier.
Privately, Mr. Mowat was charitable and kind; pub
licly, he never withheld the public aid when his judgment
told him that it was requisite for the purposes of charity.
He was as economical of public funds as he was of his
own, and nobody was able to say that he had extrava
gantly misused for party purposes that which truly
belonged to the province alone.
In my last chapter I have given a brief summing-up
of the work done by him through his legislative and
administrative career, and need not repeat here what is
so well known by all Canadian citizens who have knowl
edge of his public doings, that he always meant to do
well, and generally, if not always, did as well as man
could. Christopher Finlay Eraser. — ^Upper Canada has
found her greatest strength in her self-made men,
from whatever position they may have sprung.
Her law-makers, divines, judges, teachers, merchants,
engineers, her doctors, her contractors, her editors,
have come from her brainy citizens who, taking
advantage of opportunity, and already braced by contact
with the world, have found the top which is ever waiting
237

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
for the fit occupant. Her Edisons, her Bells, her pre
eminent hundreds of others, talented and courageous,
have come largely from the farm, the railway, or the
workshop, and their well-directed energy has been the
means to the end. Turn to the roll-call of the best-
known Canadians, who have taken front rank simply
because of the development of their native powers, and
you will find it bristling with the names of the country
lads who have worked their way from the rural home
to the apex formed of our best and brightest.
Among the most widely-known names is that of Chris
topher Finlay Fraser, of Brockville, who worked from
the position of printer's devil to that of the Commis
sioner of Public Works for Ontario, and whose best
monument is the Parliament Buildings in Queen's Park,
in the Queen City, the substantial and economical erec
tion of which he so closely watched.
Born in Brockville in 1838, he was called to the Bar
in 1865, and was a candidate for his native town at the
first provincial elections in 1867, but was defeated. He
was elected for South Grenville in 1872, but was un
seated, to be re-elected later in the year; and on his
appointment as a member of the Executive Council of'
Ontario, on the 25th of November, 1873, he was re
turned by acclamation. He served as Provincial Secre
tary until April, 1874, when he became Commissioner
of Public Works. He was devoted to the duties of his
office, and for about twenty years was present at every
session of the Legislature except one, which his ill-
health forced him to pass in Colorado, and, subsequently,
declining health compelled the resignation of his position
in the Ontario cabinet at a comparatively early age.
There are few men, even with a Mowat at their head,
who have left parliamentary life with so firm a hold
238

AN EXCEPTIONAL TRIO
upon the regard and high respect of their supporters,
and, had he lived a few years longer, he would have
reached the premiership, to which he would undoubtedly
have succeeded when Sir Oliver Mowat was induced to
take office in the Dominion Government. He had clear
judgment, while his Highland blood gave him fire,
courage and intellectual energy, and his lucid reasoning
and logical mind distinguished him in a legislature
which had many strong men seated upon either side.
He was never caught napping, nor could he be diverted
or thrown off his balance by interjectory remarks. His
sarcasm was dreaded, but his utterances were more often
convincing than caustic, and he never rose to speak with
out securing and holding the attention- of his listeners.
His index finger accented his speech, and when he out
stretched it and directed it significantly to some point, or,
perhaps, to some person in his audience, it was full of
meaning to the crowds who filled the galleries if a speech
" from Fraser " was expected. His speech in opposition
to the bill seeking to incorporate the Orange body was
as memorable to his hearers as was that burst of declama
tion in which Blake indulged when he inquired, at the
time of the fall of the Sandfield Macdonald Cabinet,
whether a policeman would be required to drag the
defeated ministers from their seats. That Mr. Fraser
carefully prepared the matter and form of his greatest
speeches on special occasions was but a proper compli
ment to his listeners, but he never laboriously committed
to memory the mere words of a speech. He had a full
command of the technical terms of parliamentary usages,
and his impromptu amendments were the perfection of
resourcefulness. On a motion to adjourn, when speakers
are limited to ten minutes, he could effectively cover
more ground than any other to whom I have listened in
239

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
the Legislature. He was a fair opponent, but a hard
hitter, and knew but little of good-nature when aroused
to the rough exigencies of fierce debate. He struck
from the shoulder when blows were given, and in a fight
was not merely " sparring " with an opponent. His
special antipathy was an Orangeman, although he might
like him as an Irishman and respect him as an indus
trious citizen. He had been a victim in the attack made
by a so-called Protestant, but not church-going, mob
upon the Catholics of Toronto when they marched in
procession, one Sunday afternoon, from church to
church. His arm was struck by a heavy stone, a mis
sile from the crowd, and the contusion gave him trouble
for some time thereafter.
When Mr. Fraser felt himself unable longer to continue
to perform the exacting duties of his Department, he was
offered, and accepted, the position of Inspector of Regis
try Offices, the work of which involved travel and assured
the open-air life considered requisite to his health. His
tenure of the office was brief, for, returning from his
first inspection tour in the New Ontario region to his
chambers in Toronto, he retired exhausted, although in
good spirits, and was found dead in his room on the fol
lowing morning.
Hon. Arthur Sturgis Hardy was elected to the
Local Legislature, and took his seat as member for
South Brant on Sth of January, 1874, on the same day
that C F. Fraser came in from South Grenville. Mr.
Hardy was appointed Provincial Secretary on the 19th of
March, 1877, and held the office until January, 1889,
when he became Commissioner of Crown Lands, and
was in that position until July, 1896. Then he saw an
other promotion, for he succeeded Sir Oliver Mowat as
240

, AN EXCEPTIONAL TRIO
Premier and Attorney-General. In 1899 the uncertain
health against which he had fought for some time caused
him to retire from public life.
Mr. Hardy's advancements were rapid and deserved.
As a caustic, witty, and reasoning politician he was not
at any time surpassed by the leaders of either party.
While deficient in some of the traits so prominent in
Attorney-General Mowat, he was more attractive in his
elocutionary and oratorical efforts. He spoke best,
probably, after preparation, but very effectively on the
spur of the moment. Possessing an undoubted touch of
the histrionic, he was full of anecdote, was a clever mimic,
and had a ready memory for apt illustrations. Im
pulsive in temperament, he possibly left something to
chance, and did not look at all sides of a question or
study the end from the beginning so carefully as his
leader, but in his Departments — and he went nearly the
round of them — he had splendid business aptitude, and
occasional explosions of irascibility, which passed as
quickly as they came. After his withdrawal from the
Legislature, Mr. Hardy filled an office at Osgoode Hall.
His health seemed to improve, but he died early from
the effects of appendicitis and was much regretted by all
who knew him intimately.

16 241

CHAPTER XX.
STREAMS BILLS AND BOUNDARIES.
General election, 1879 — Reports of Judges — Lieutenant-
Governor's Speech — New buildings projected — Special Rail
way Committee — James Young, chairman — Able report —
Overhead bridges — Timber dues — Northern trip of
Lieutenant-Governor — Prorogation — Second session — The
Speech — Address, Gibson and Dryden — Third session —
Rivers and Streams Bill — Arbitration — Boundaries — Two
sessions in one year — House dissolved in 1883 — New
Legislature, 23rd January, 1884 — Authority to legislate re
liquor traffic — Provincial control of railways imperilled —
Hon. Adam Crooks — G. W. Ross called in — The bribery
case — Some notable representatives.
The third Legislature had been dissolved soon after
the close of its fourth session, and the elections were
held on the 5th of June, 1879, when the Government was
again sustained. The next meeting of the House was
fixed for the 7th of January, 1880, when Hon. D. A. Mac
donald presided for the last time, and Charles Clarke,
M.P.P. for Centre Wellington, was appointed Speaker.
The reports of judges for the trial of election petitions
showed vacancies in several constituencies, for which
elections had been or would be held, and the following
gentlemen, whose constituencies had been involved, took
their seats during the session : James H. Hunter, Thomas
Murray, Thomas Paxton, Samuel I. Peck, William Jelly,
Joseph Kerr, and Alex. Robertson.
The Governor's Speech referred to an official visit
242

STREAMS BILLS AND BOUNDARIES
which His Honor had made to the Thunder Bay Dis
trict, lying between Lake Superior and the Lake of the
Woods, and said there was reason to believe this visit
was not without public advantage. The existence of
gold deposits in the islands of the Lake of the Woods
had attracted much attention, and was likely to lead to
an influx of population which might make necessary
additional measures for the preservation of order. The
seemingly endless series of annual references was con
tinued, and gave a dim prospect of being concluded in
"our next." A remodelling of the Reformatory for
Boys at Penetanguishene was suggested, and the Ontario
Agricultural College was declared to have been so far
such a success as to justify legislation providing for its
permanent management.
The waste of pine timber, in consequence of the free
grant, was referred to. Amongst other matters to which
attention was directly called, was the necessity for the
erection of new public buildings for legislative and
departmental purposes. The value of the present site for
commercial purposes would materially reduce the cost of
- the new structure, while the price of material and labor
was now favorable for such undertakings.
The Speech concluded with an expression of the hope
that in the last session of the Legislative Assembly dur
ing which the Lieut.-Governor was likely to occupy his
position, the work might be of so permanent and useful
a character as to leave in the minds of all engaged in or
identified with it a feeling of true and lasting satis
faction. The Address in reply was moved by Mr. McLaughlin,
and seconded by Mr. Waters, and was carried at the
same sitting, the House adjourning before six o'clock, a
good beginning. Surely, but seldom if ever repeated.
243

SIXTY YEARS IN 'UPPER CANADA •
Early in the session a select committee was appointed
to inquire into the subject of frequent accidents to men
employed on railways, and means by which such dangers
might be decreased. The committee was under the chair
manship of Hon. James Young, and prepared an excel
lent report, which, although not exhaustive, made re
commendations of great value. They were, briefly told :
(i) That all overhead bridges should be built so as
to have a clear space of at least seven feet from the top
of the highest freight car to the lowest member of the
bridge above.
(2) That the running board upon freight cars should
be as nearly flush with roof of car as possible, and not
less than from twenty-four to thirty inches wide, and
extend as far as the dead-wood of the car will safely
admit, so as to leave as little space as possible between
the ends of the running board on each car, and also that
a hand-rail should be placed along the side of the run
ning board, to be not less than thirty inches in height.
(3) The Committee had looked carefully into the
question of automatic couplers for freight cars, and while
not making any positive recommendation, " would sug
gest whether in view of the great loss of life and injury
to brakemen in coupling cars, it is not desirable that the
adoption of automatic couplers should be made compul
sory upon Canadian railway companies."
(4) That all frogs and wing rails on railways should
be filled in with wood.
On the 23rd of January, Mr. Creighton, one of the most
industrious members sitting on the left of the Speaker,
moved that members of the House appointed to the
standing committees do remain thereon during the con
tinuance of that Parliament. This would seem, on the
face of it, a suitable suggestion, but every session brings
244

STREAMS BILLS AND BOUNDARIES
changes, and any hard and fast rule might prevent the
presence on a committee of some new member who had
special fitness. It would tend, also, to the lessening of
governmental control and responsibility. The motion
was lost on division.
Temperance, Toronto, and Timber appear to have been
amongst the most prominent matters discussed by the
Assembly during its annual sessions, and even yet the
trio claim a large share of attention. Timber seems
likely to demand legislation for a quarter of a century
at least; Temperance is not within measurable reach of
finality; and Toronto, like Tennyson's "Brook," goes
on forever.
In February, as the result of a bye-election, Alexander
Robertson took his seat as member for West Hastings.
On February 1 3th, the House went into Committee of the
Whole on a proposed resolution relating to the Free
Grants and Homestead Act, and when the motion for
a second reading was put, Mr. Meredith moved " that the
resolution be not now concurred in, but that it be
" Resolved,— ^That it is not expedient to interfere with
the existing law, giving to the settlers in the Free Grant
Districts the pine timber remaining on their lands at the
time of the issuing of the patent thereof."
This amendment was lost on a vote of 21 to 43. The
motion was put and carried, and it was
Resolved, — That the patentee, his heirs or assigns, of
land hereafter located or sold under the Free Grants and
Homestead Act shall be entitled to be paid out of the
consolidated revenue of the province on all pine trees
cut on such land, subsequent to the 30th day of April
next after the date of the patent, and upon which dues
have been collected by the Crown, the sum of twenty-five
cents on each thousand feet board measure of saw logs,
245

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
and three dollars on each thousand feet of square or
waney timber.
During this month the Municipal Committee reported
against the provisions of nineteen bills to amend the
Municipal Act, and also reported seven others which
they had amended. A bill embodying these was then
introduced. On the 23rd of February resolutions were brought
down declaring it expedient that new buildings should be
provided for the proper and needful accommodation of
the Provincial Legislature and public departments; and
setting apart a sum not exceeding five hundred thousand
dollars from surplus funds, and certain specified lands in
Queen's Park, in Toronto, and the lands upon which the
then Parliament Buildings were situated; all moneys
applied to form the fund to be known as '' The Parlia
ment Buildings Construction Fund, 1880."
When Mr. Fraser moved the bill to Committee, Mr.
Meredith moved in amendment " that while this House
is prepared to assent to the appropriation of such reason
able sum as may be required for the protection from fire
of the records of the Crown Lands Department, it is of
opinion that no sufficient reason exists for incurring at
the present time the large expenditure involved in the
erection of new Parliament and Departmental Buildings,
and that an opportunity should be afforded to the electors
of pronouncing upon the question before the province
is committed to so large an expenditure, and to that
end, that the consideration of the question should be
postponed until after the next general election."
It was after midnight before a division was reached,
and the amendment was defeated by a vote of 25 to 55,
the Toronto supporters of Mr. Meredith voting with the
Government. 246

STREAMS BILLS AND BOUNDARIES
In the opening Speech the Lieut.-Governor had re
ferred to a trip he had taken to the northern territory
during the recess. Five years before he had visited the
portions adjacent to old Ontario, but this later journey
had been more extended, and had taken him and his
party as far afield as Winnipeg. Accompanying His
Honor had been a member of the Government, a member
of the Assembly, the Clerk of the Plouse, an inspector
of public institutions, and a small staff of attendants,
danoemen, etc. The Governor had attended some func
tions on the way, and extended hospitalities in return
which, necessarily, were not of ostentatious or extrava
gant character. The total expenditure had been $5,571
from Toronto through to the Winnipeg of those days,
covering means of conveyance, travelling charges, pres
ents to Indians, camping supplies, etc. The trip, which
was expected to cover eight days, actually occupied four
teen, and additional supplies were necessary, increasing
the cost of the expedition. There was an item at Winni
peg of $1,684, and this included railway fares, return
trips for the party of whites and Indians. There were
seven canoes and thirty-one voyageurs who went
through to Winnipeg.
From the evidence of Colonel Gillmor, Clerk of the
House, and paymaster of this expedition, given before a
special Committee of Inquiry, it appeared that, during
the Administration of Hon. J. S. Macdonald, a trip on
the Chicora on the northern lakes, taking members of
Parliament and others, but without a Lieut.-Governor or
Premier, and occupying twelve days, had been under
taken at a cost to the province of $4,172. This jaunt
was under the control of Hon. John Carling, and Colonel
Gillmor declared he had, in preparing for the recent
trip, been to a considerable extent guided by the experi-
247

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
ences in connection with the Chicora expedition. The
arrangements had been left to him. He provided what
he thought proper ; not a single farthing more was spent
for refreshments than he would have spent had he been
taking the party out himself. Therefore, there was no
extravagance. This was conclusive, but did not satisfy
everybody, for Mr. Lauder moved that the accounts in
connection with the above trip be inserted in the minutes,
and, after a lengthy discussion, the motion was adopted.
There was an item for corkscrews, and the travellers
were referred to as the " Corkscrew Brigade," while
much merriment was occasioned by someone sending tp
p. D. Hay, Esq., to his seat in the House, a bottle of
Apollinaris with a corkscrew attached, and declared to
have been found on the site of a camp used by the ex
pedition. This discussion was, as might be supposed,
very annoying to the Lieut.-Govemor, who requested to
be allowed to reimburse the public treasury to the ex
tent of three hundred and fifty dollars, which he con
sidered a liberal estimate of his purely personal expenses,
and when the resolution covering the cost of the trip
came up in the House, Mr. Widdifield, a warm sup
porter of the Government, moved an amendment cover
ing the ground. Strange to say, the Opposition
resumed the debate by discussing Mr. Widdifield's
proposal, and it was finally resolved, on a division of 54
yeas to 25 nays, a straight party vote : " That Mr.
Speaker do now leave the chair, and this House, desir
ing to comply with the expressed wish of His Honor the
Lieutenant-Governor in that behalf, directs the Com
mittee of Supply to reduce the proposed item of
$5,571.22 for the payment re visit of His Honor to the
North-West, etc., by the sum of three hundred and fifty
dollars, which last-mentioned sum appears to be more
248

STREAMS BILLS AND BOUNDARIES
than sufficient to cover any of the said expenses that
might be considered personal."
In Committee the change in amount was made, and
the Lieut.-Governor, doubtless, was happy to be allowed
to " pay his way " in pursuit of knowledge of the re
mote regions of this his province. It is notable that in
the printed vote in the journals, the next item is one for
expenses of a visit of His Excellency the Governor-
General to Ontario, amounting to $6,753 — a liberal but
not extraordinary amount for such a purpose.
The House took action upon several measures of im
portance during the few remaining days of the session.
The sum of $30,000 was placed in the hands of the
Senate of the University as compensation for a building
in Queen's Park which stood in the way of the pro
jected new Parliament Buildings, the money to be used
for effecting needed improvements in the University; a
proposition to make changes in the Division Courts Act
was withdrawn; the House was divided upon the reso
lution of a grant of money for immigration purposes;
a condemnation of the railway policy of the Government
was rejected; a reported settlement of the Boundary
question was approved, but one member, Mr. Miller, vot
ing against it, the division showing 64 yeas to i nay;
resolutions proposed by Mr. Meredith protesting against
the exemption from taxes of gas works, water works,
plank or gravel roads, harbors or other works requiring
the investment of the whole or principal part of their
means in real estate, were refused by a vote of 38 to 15.
On 5th of March the House was prorogued after
assent had been given to eighty-four acts.
The second session of the fourth Legislature was
opened by the Hon. John Beverley Robinson on the 13th
of January, 1881. 249

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
The Speech dealt with the Boundary matter as still
an open issue between the Dominion and Provincial
Governments, and a regret was expressed that delayed
action interfered with the settlement and organization of
a large section of country. The completion of railway
connection between the existing system of Ontario- and
the Canadian Pacific Railway was alluded to as of
pressing importance. The report upon agricultural and
other matters, and the construction of Parliament Build
ings, and completion of plans therefor, were placed
prominently before the members of the House.
The Address was moved by J. M. Gibson, Esq., of
Hamilton, seconded by John Dryden, Esq., and was
adopted by the House after debate, on January i8th,
without amendment. The expression of the opinions of
members was almost unanimous in its condemnation of
unjustifiable delays upon the Boundary question, which
had become of serious import, and there was an expressed
desire everywhere on both sides of the House for
prompt and immediate action.
Another Orange Incorporation Bill was introduced
this year, and, of course, as on former manifestations of
its existence, caused considerable discussion and some
warm feelings.
Mr. Solomon White (Essex) moved, seconded by Mr.
Baskerville, that " inasmuch as the Act respecting the
Benevolent, Provident and other Societies, passed in
1874, contains provisions which were intended to enable,
and will enable the Loyal Orange Association to obtain
all the privileges sought to be obtained by the special
proposed Act of Incorporation, it is inexpedient that bill
(No. 5) to incorporate the Loyal Orange Incorporation
of Eastern and Western Ontario pass into law.

250

STREAMS BILLS AND BOUNDARIES
This amendment was lost by a vote of 3 yeas — Basker
ville, MacMaster, and White- — and 71 nays.
The original motion for a second reading was defeated
by 19 yeas against 56 nays.
Additional railway grants were brought clown as re
commended, and a bill was introduced to give increased
efficiency to the law against the illicit sale of intoxicating
liquors. On the 3rd of March, 1881, resolutions were introduced
relative to the northerly and western boundaries of the
province, and declaring that neglect in the matter is
seriously delaying the establishment of good government
in that section, and that it is the right of the Govern
ment of Ontario to assert and maintain the just claims
and rights of the Province of Ontario as determined by
the award of the arbitrators; and this House hereby re
affirms its determination to give its cordial support to
the Government of Canada in any steps it rnay take
necessary to sustain the award and to assert it, and main
tain the just claims and right of the province as thereby
declared and determined. Yeas, 75 ; nays, i — Mr.
Baskerville, of Ottawa.
On the same day, March 3rd, 1881, on the Order of
the Day for the third reading of Bill 102, for protect
ing the public interest in rivers, streams, and creeks,
Mr. Meredith moved in amendment, seconded by Mr.
Morris: That while this House is willing to pass such
enactments for the protection of rivers, streams, and
creeks, it is of opinion that the bill is calculated to inter
fere with important private interests without making
adequate compensation to such interference, and is, there
fore, opposed to sound principles of legislation, and cal-
, culated to form a dangerous precedent, and ought not,
as now framed, to become law.
251

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
The amendment having been put, it was lost by a vote
of yeas, 23 ; nays, 56, and the bill was read a third time.
Several railway grants were passed, opposition hav
ing been made to the Erie and Huron Railway, and
Georgian Bay and Wellington Railway.
On the 4th of March His Honor Lieut.-Governor
John Beverley Robinson prorogued the House after
assenting to ninety-one acts.
On the 1 2th of January, 1882, the third session of the
fourth Legislature began. Realizing what an unfitting
background for a function of any pretentions the shabby
old chamber afforded, Mrs. Robinson, wife of the Lieut.-
Governor, had requested that the windows might be
draped and the gas lighted, as was done at Ottawa, but
the democratic spirit of Mowat and Fraser took alarm,
and this harmless attempt to turn day into night was
gently but firmly resisted.
The Speech from the Throne began by alluding to the
increase of population in the province during the last de
cade, and expressing regret that the award of arbitrators
on the extension of our territory is " still disputed by the
Federal Government." He regretted, also, to inform
the House of the disallowance of the Act of last session
for protecting the public interest in rivers, streams, and
creeks. He congratulated the House on the fact that
the decision of the Judicial Committee of the Privy
Council had set at rest all question as to the right of the
Provincial Legislature to legislate, as our interest
may require, on matters of internal trade, and especially
of the law of insurance. A bill respecting market fees
was promised. There would, too, be bills dealing with
line fences, ditches, and water courses. Several other
measures, small in themselves, but tending to the increase
252

STREAMS BILLS AND BOUNDARIES
of public safety, health and comfort, were foreshadowed.
We have here a programme fairly representative of the
great matters and small which give occupation to a
Legislature, and who shall be wise enough to say which
are the more important in the daily life of the people of
the province ?
New members were introduced. Albert Hagar had been
elected for the County of Prescott; Frank Madill for
North Ontario ; Elias W. B. Snider for North Waterloo ;
Charles Henry Brereton for East Durham, and Robert
Kincaid for West Peterborough.
The Address was moved by Mr. D. D. Hay, and
seconded by Mr. Robinson, of Cardwell, and was the
usual " echo."
On the reading of the third paragraph Mr. Meredith
proposed to strike it out and substitute the following :
" That while we regret the delay which has occurred in
the final settlement of the northerly and westerly bound
aries of the province, and while we are prepared at all
times to maintain by all lawful and constitutional means
its territorial and other rights, we deprecate the taking
of any course which is calculated to disturb the peace of
the Dominion, and we desire to express our regret that
your Honor's advisers have not taken the only lawful
and constitutional means which, in the absence of the
approval of the award by the Parliament of Canada, are
open for the determination of the question in reference
to such boundaries."
Mr. Sinclair moved in amendment to the proposed
amendment, seconded by Mr. Hagar, that all after the
first word " that " be struck out, and in lieu thereof there
be inserted these words : " that part of the original reso
lution under consideration by the House be amended by
adding thereto the words following: 'And we avail
2S3

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA ^
ourselves of this, the earliest opportunity at the present
session, to reiterate our determination to give our cordial
support to any steps which may be necessary for ascer
taining and maintaining the just claims and rights of
Ontario, as by the said award found and determined;
and in the name of the people of Ontario we emphati
cally insist that any absence of prior legislation on the
part of the Dominion to give effect to the conclusions
which should be arrived at by the arbitrators can neither
justify nor excuse the action of the Dominion authori
ties in now repudiating the said award, and refusing to
give Ontario her just rights.' " The amendment to the
amendment was carried by 54 yeas to 26 nays.
The fourth paragraph in the Speech, relating to the
Streams Bill, having been read, Mr. Morris moved in
amendment that all the words be struck out and the
following words substituted therefor : " That we repre
sent to His Honor that the Act of last session for pro
tecting the public interest in rivers, streams and creeks
was contrary to constitutional usage and precedent, and
in violation of the rights of private property and of
natural justice, and that the same having been disal
lowed in the exercise of the power of disallowance which,
under the British North America Act, is vested in the
Governor-General of Canada, acting under the advice of
His Excellency's Ministers, who are responsible to the
Parliament and people of Canada for the action of the
Governor-General in exercising or abstaining from the
exercise of such power, we, while prepared to assert and
defend our constitutional rights with regard to all
matters of provincial jurisdiction, as defined by the
British North America Act, do not regard the disallow
ance of the Act in question as any invasion of those
rights," ,- '*|
254

STREAMS BILLS AND BOUNDARIES
Mr. Harcourt moved in amendment to the proposed
amendment, seconded by Mr. Murray, that all the words
after the first word " that " in the amendment be struck
out, and that in lieu thereof there be inserted these
words : " that part of the original resolution now under
consideration by this House be amended by adding
thereto the following : ' That we take this occasion to
declare not only that we will, by all proper means, resist
and oppose every encroachment and attack upon the con
stitutional rights of this province, but that in our judg
ment the constitution would not survive the wrench that
would be given to it if the Dominion Government
assumed to dictate the policy or question the action of
the Legislatures of the different provinces on subjects
reserved by the British North America Act to these
Legislatures.' "
This amendment was carried by 50 yeas to 24 nays.
The remaining resolutions were agreed to, and the
Address was presented in the usual manner.
Another attempt to extend the jurisdiction of the
Division Courts was defeated.
The Government lost no time in proceeding to assert
the rights of the Legislature by re-enacting the bill for
protecting the public interest in rivers, streams, and
creeks, and when this bill (82) came up for third read
ing, on the 2nd of March, 1882, Mr. Meredith moved in
amendment : " That while this House is willing to pass
such enactment as may be necessary for the protection
of the public interest in rivers, streams, and creeks, it is
of opinion that the bill is calculated to interfere with
important private interests without making adequate
compensation for such, interference, and is, therefore,
opposed to sound principles of legislation, and calculated

2S5

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
to form a dangerous precedent, and ought not, as now
framed, to become law." Yeas, 27; nays, 49.
An address was passed, and forwarded through the
proper channels to Her Majesty, expressing the sense
of profound gratitude this House felt on hearing of Her
Majesty's recent providential escape from injury at the
hands of an assassin.
On the order of the day for the second reading of a
bill to amend the Public and Separate Schools Act, Mr.
Fraser moved, seconded by Mr. Hardy, that the bill be
not now read a second time, but read this day six months.
Yeas, 50; nays, 13.
The Attorney-General introduced a series of resolu
tions in vigorous and unmistakable terms, condemning
the inaction of the Dominion Government relative to and
declaring the rights of the province to the territory
awarded to it by the arbitrators ; and, using the strongest
language, he proceeded to show that " the award was
made in pursuance of a reference designed to be binding
and conclusive, entered into by the two Governments in
good faith, with the knowledge of the Parliament of
Canada, and acquiesced in until long after the proceed
ings under the reference had terminated; that this
award was made by distinguished arbitrators of the
highest character, after an exhaustive collection of all
known evidence bearing on the subject; that the award
assigned to Ontario less territory than His Excellency's
present advisers, as well as previous Canadian Govern
ments, had in other contentions invariably claimed to lie
within this province; that more than two years elapsed
before the Federal Government gave any notice of an
intention to reject the award; and that the course of the
Federal Government in now rejecting such an award is
unprecedented in British practice, is opposed to the uses
356

STREAMS BILLS AND BOUNDARIES
of civilized government, and is a grievous wrong to the
people of Ontario."
The line of cleavage between Government and Oppo
sition on this great question of provincial rights
widened during this session, and until the matters in
dispute were finally settled by the decisions of the Privy
Council there was no departure from the attitude then
so strongly taken. That Mowat was equal to the occa
sion was a great thing for Ontario; that the occasion
arose was a great thing for Mowat.
The House prorogued the ioth of March, 1882, after
passing eighty-nine acts, and before the year had elapsed
was called together again, on the 13th of December,
and, with adjournments, sat until ist February, 1883,
when prorogation took place and seventy-three bills
received Royal assent. There was but little legislation
of a public character, and not much of marked im
portance. >
The Speech was brief, and did not predict o^ ask much
legislation, and the session, in view of the fact that a
general election was imminent, was a short one.
Allusion was made in the Address to fhe fact that,
although the arbitration respecting the northern and
western boundaries had been declared four years ago, no
action had followed on the part of the Dominion Govern
ment, and dissatisfaction naturally existed in conse
quence of this regrettable condition of public affairs.
His Honor was able to report a largely increased im
migration, and declared the lumbering interests of the
country to be prosperous.
Bills were to be submitted making changes in the
High and Public Schools Act, and were to be considered
in connection with street railways, election law, and
kindred matters.
17 257

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
The report from the License Department stated that
the temperance people were determined to resist all
attempts to relax the laws for restricting the liquor
traffic. Messrs. Balfour and Drury moved the Address to His
Honor. The Opposition made the usual denunciation of
lack of economy in the expenditure of public moneys,
and Mr. Bell attempted to effect amendments in the
Public and Separate Schools Act.
The general election followed, the nominations being
made on the 20th of February, and the polling on the
26th, terminating in favor of the Governnient.
Some of the men whose appearance in the Legislature
dates from this Parliament were:
Hon. John Morrison Gibson, first elected a member
of the Legislative Assembly for Hamilton in the year
1879, and again in 1883, 1886, -1890, 1894, and after
wards for East Wellington. He was called to the
Government, and held office from the 18th of January,
1889, to the 2 1st oT July, 1896, having filled the various
positions of Provincial Secretary, Commissioner of
Crown Lands, and Attorney-General. He was Provin
cial Secretary from the i8th of January, 1889, to the
2ist of July, 1896; Commissioner of Crown Lands
from the 21st of October, 1899, until the close of
the Ross Administration. When he acted as Chair
man of the Private Bills Committee, it was generally
acknowledged that he was eminently fitted for the per
formance of his duties. A thorough knowledge of law,
a practical acquaintance with public needs, a faculty
of discovery of " the nigger in the fence " which Mat
thew Crooks Cameron declared existed in every private
bill, and an obstinate adherence to what he believed
to be right, made him at home in the chair in the
258

STREAMS BILLS AND BOUNDARIES
Private Bills Committee room, and it is to be hoped
that the numerous men who in turn may occupy it
may be as well prepared to properly fill it. He seemed
intuitively to realize the dubious points of every measure
brought before him, and when he observed the slightest
weakness he pointed it out, and the Committee usually
had sufficient faith in his judgment to think his views
worthy their acceptance, and acted in accordance with
the suggestions which he had made. He was a thorough
man of business, and largely increased his knowledge of
State affairs during his occupancy of a Cabinet position.
He appeared to be successful in his numerous avocations.
As a lawyer, dealing largely with commercial trans
actions, he was one of fortune's favorites. It is difficult
to write freely of men still living, and yet there are some
of whom it is safe to express a candid opinion. Of
these is John M. Gibson, and in his case there is,
fortunately, little to be said other than of a pleasing
character. A man taking an active part in politics could
not, if he faithfully discharged his duty, escape the
tongue of the maligner or the libel of the partisan. That
he has done his duty to his country is undeniable. As
a military man he has admirably helped to develop the
spirit of self-defence which is essential to the protection
of a country claiming control of half a continent. Early
and late, in person as in spirit, he has admirably main
tained his place as one willing to defend his native land.
and, next to his own immediate interests, he has sought
to advance those of the Canadian volunteer. A reliable
marksman, a well disciplined officer, a born soldier, he
has given much valuable time to the advancement of the
strength and utility of our citizen soldiery. He has
never withheld personal or pecuniary sacrifice when it has
been deemed necessary. He has twice accompanied the
259

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
Bisley team to Great Britain, once as its commanding
officer, and had an early experience as a combatant at
Ridgeway, where he first saw men under fire. As a
student he was distinguished by his thorough applica
tion to his educational literary work, and won prizes of
which any aspirant to literary honors might be proud.
Of his political career men who know him best, even of
his opponents, speak most highly, and they tell of his
strict personal honor, his freedom from rancor, and his
generosity to an opponent when in the height of the
keenest debate. If he attains the average age of men,
and is not weighed down by the load of anxiety which
every politician and commercial man carries daily, he
will be heard of more often in the future, probably, than
in the past.
As. a speaker he is deliberate, if not painfully slow, in
opening up any question, and has a fuller use of lan
guage when spurred by provocation and attack than
when carefully balancing nearly every sentence as he
thoroughly works his way to a desired end.
His retirement from public life was an unfortunate
necessity, for it came about largely, if not altogether,
through serious ill-health, from which all right-minded
men will hope that he may permanently recover.
Hon. John Dryden, who entered the Legislative As
sembly as member for the constituency of South Ontario,
took his seat on January 7th, 1880, being elected at the
general election of 1879. He brought into the Legis
lature from his own locality the title of " Honest John
Dryden," and it was frequently applied to him. He is
a man of intelligence, a good talker, and an apt scholar.
Knowledge of many kinds he can boast, and he never
spoke — although taking a liberal share of debate after
his first session — without having something to say which
260

STREAMS BILLS AND BOUNDARIES
was worth listening to. He speedily " went up head."
He had an aptitude for practical farming, was highly
successful as a stock-breeder, and controlled one of the
finest farms in, not only the county of Ontario, but
throughout the province. He was invited to join the
Cabinet as Minister of Agriculture, and accepted the
responsibilities of the position with hesitation, it may
have been, but with the self-assurance that he was equal to
the task which had been assigned to him. The Agri
cultural College and Model Farm were in existence, and
had survived and promised to outlive the attacks which
an active Opposition brought to bear upon them. He
was master of the situation, knew what he was talking
about, could intelligently discuss every objection brought
against management or methods, and became as well
known as an agricultural expert in the Northern and
Western States as in his own province. His task was of
no small magnitude, but he appeared to enjoy the per
formance of it. He was as fully at home in fruit culture
as in the growth of wheat. He was proficient in the
handling of stock, and knew every point of the perfect
horse. He became the head of the College practically as
well as theoretically, and if he did not assume the title,
he certainly discharged many of the duties connected
with it. The experimental plot was his playground. He
was constantly searching out new objects upon which to
spend money for the benefit of the farmer — with a large
F, remember — and found it. From the township show
up he was constantly effecting improvements. He carried
a model dairy to every homestead, a spraying machine
to every fruit farm, and a cheese factory of improved
methods to every group of townships. Literature on
matters agricultural was distributed broadcast. Agri
cultural knowledge was brought to every school-house
261

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
where intelligent trustees became acquainted with its
value. And better than all — ^but this is still a moot
point— he was invited by the Imperial Government to
visit Ireland and devise some scheme for the better
cultivation of Irish soil and the better management of
Irish agricultural operations. And there is yet work for
him to do.
James MacMahon, M.D., a Reformer, entered the
Legislature as member for North Wentworth in 1880.
He sat for the constituency in 1884, 1887, 1891, and was
appointed issuer of law stamps. He was an acceptable
speaker, although he did not bore the House with un-
desired efforts in that direction. He fearlessly expressed
his views, nevertheless, and they had weight with his
fellow-members. He was a warm admirer of Mr.
Mowat. John Waters, Esq., entered the- Legislative Assem
bly as member for North Middlesex in 1880, and was
returned for the Legislatures of 1884, 1887, and 1891,
and afterwards appointed registrar. He has discharged
the duties of his office with zeal and close attention.
As a plain talker upon every-day subjects he gave indi
cations of an uncommon mind, and there was no
advanced reform upon which he had not a pronounced
opinion, or one which he was afraid to express. In Scot
land or England he would have been known as a Chartist
or pronounced Radical. He did not espouse this or that
question because it was new, but solely because it ex
pressed the views of progressive men and women.
Although the House found amusement in his advocacy
of Woman's Rights, he never hesitated to assert them
and their advancement, with the latest views upon the
subject. John B. Freeman, Esq., the representative of North
262

STREAMS BILLS AND BOUNDARIES
Norfolk for a considerable period, first took his seat
in 1880. He sat in the House from that date during
the Legislatures of 1884 and 1887, when his health
failed and he had to retire. To say that he was one
of the most genial of the many " good fellows " who
have served in the Ontario Assembly is to give him
faint praise. He acted as " whip " for the Liberals dur
ing several sessions, and enjoyed the utmost confidence
of Hon. O. Mowat and his colleagues. In the hope of
effecting an improvement in his health, Mr. Freeman
took a sea trip to California, as did Hon. T. B. Pardee,
but in both cases the remedy was resorted to at too late
a period to be of avail.
William Morgan, Esq., member for South Norfolk,
was a sturdy defender of Conservative principles. He
entered the Chamber in 1880, and occupied a seat therein
after the elections of 1884 and 1887. He was a fair
speaker, a good business member, and had an agreeable
personal manner which brought him many friends.
Charles Drury, Esq., East Simcoe, was elected at
a bye-election in 1882, and speedily assumed an active
share in the work of the House and his constituency.
He was re-elected at the general election of 1883, and
was unseated in November, 1884, and re-elected in June,
1885, and at the following general election. He had a
full knowledge of agricultural operations, theoretically
and practically, and, entering the Government, became,
on the 1st of May, 1888, the first Minister of Agricul
ture. He did much to convince the people of the high
importance of the School of Agriculture and the Model
Farm at Guelph, and his addresses in many portions of
the province were important factors in extending the
general knowledge of the interests over which he
presided. 263

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
David Near, Esq., the Conservative member for Wel
land in the fourth Legislature, was elected in 1879. He
was not a man of extreme views, and sometimes passed
beyond party bounds. He was not a talker, but still
another of the municipal men who can tell you how a
statute works and are full of amendments. He lived
near Ridgeway, and on the famous 2nd of June, 1867,
went down to see the Fenians repulsed by the Canadian
volunteers. He always chuckled when he told how,
seeing the Fenians running one way and the volunteers
the other, he thought it time that he too should run, and
made a faster trip home than when he came out to see
the engagement.
John Cascaden, Esq., M.D., represented West
Elgin in 1880, and again in 1884. He was a finished
speaker in the natural and oratorical style which distin
guished him. The matter of his speeches was as finished
as his manner, and the announcement of the fact that
he was on his feet soon filled the chairs — not so much
because what he said was more weighty than what others
uttered, but because of the elocution and attractive man
nerisms which were worth hearing and observing. He
was a hard fighter, and met with much opposition which
he succeeded in controlling.
James Laidlaw, Esq., was elected member for South
Wellington in 1879, and sat in 1884 for the constituency.
He was a welcome speaker when he rose to address the
Chair, and had a sense of humor which was acceptable
in an assembly which did not always distinguish itself
in that direction.
James Henry Metcalfe, Esq., was selected as pro
vincial representative of the city of Kingston at the elec
tion of 1879. He was one of the fun-makers of the
Assembly, and his utterances — some of them much to the
264

STREAMS BILLS AND BOUNDARIES
point — were listened to with a broad grin on nearly
every face, although there were some legislators who
would have regarded the most exquisite fooling with a
frown of disapprobation. I remember one special occa
sion on which the whole Chamber roared with laughter,
because, having just come from a dinner at Government
House, he furnished everybody with an appetizing repro
duction of the menu, and assured us, in a very confiden
tial style, how much he had admired the orange groves —
otherwise the greenhouse — to his heart's content, and
had walked therein, with the charming hostess, until he
thought himself in Paradise, or some similar but equally
pleasant locality.
Mr. Metcalfe was a keen sportsman, and could ride or
handicap a horse with full knowledge of the work, and
instruct the members in all the intricacies of whist and
euchre. He had a warm heart, and was popular because
of his excessive good-nature. He had taught Kingston
schoolboys in his youth, and many of them followed his
lead at election times. He ended his public career in the
Penitentiary, as an excellent Warden and efficient official.
W. James Parkhill, Esq., represented South Sim
coe, and was a Conservative. He was elected in 1879.
He was Grand Master of the Orange organization, was
genial in manner, and exhibited force in the presentation
of his views. He succeeded D'Arcy Boulton, who had
succeeded Thomas R. Ferguson when the latter died soon
after he captured the seat at the general election of 1875.
A. F. Wood, Esq., of Madoc, member for North
Hastings, was a ConservatTve, and one of the prominent
men of his party while in the Legislature. He was a
good speaker, and not a bore. His appearances on the
oratorical stage were not too frequent. He afterwards
sat in the Dominion Parliament. 265

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
George D. Hawley, Esq., succeeded Mr. Grange as
member for Lennox, and was the opposite of his pre
decessor in nearly every respect. He was a speaker of
rather more than average ability, as was shown when he
moved the Address in 1886. In 1884 he was defeated
by A. Hale Roe, an eccentric, who did not survive a con
troverted election trial, but was defeated by Hawley.
Frederick John French, Esq., barrister, was elected
for South Grenville for the fourth Legislature, 1879.
He was accepted as a legal authority by the Conserva
tives of his day, and made a special study of parlia
mentary practice. A moderately able speech was made
by him at infrequent intervals, and he was a tactician
of no small ability. He was not beloved by C F.
Fraser, as they had been opposing candidates, but their
political differences did not extend into personal matters.
Mr. French held his seat for several Legislatures,
having been elected and re-elected in 1880, 1884, and
1887, the constituency having very marked Conservative
tendencies. Hon. James Young was elected to a seat in the Legis
lative Assembly in 1879, having previously been for
several years in the House of Commons. South Water
loo was his constituency, and he had been identified
from early youth with the interests of Gait and the sur
rounding country, owning and editing a Reform paper
there for several years, and serving on the school and
council boards. With this experience and a marked
liking for public life, and industrious devotion to its
duties, it is no wonder Mr. Young took a leading part
in the Legislature. He was made a member of the
Executive Council in 1883, but ill-health soon caused
his resignation. His name was identified with much
266

STREAMS BILLS AND BOUNDARIES
useful legslation in the Dominion House, and always
has he been busy with his pen.
A general election was held in February, 1883, and
the first session of the new Legislature was called for
the 23rd of January, 1884. Hon. J. B. Robinson was
Lieut.-Governor, and Charles Clarke was re-elected
Speaker. The Speech from the Throne was of more than com
mon importance. Reference was made in favorable
terms to the new Governor-General, the Marquis of
Lansdowne, who had been appointed successor to the
Marquis of Lorne.
His Honor announced the fact that the traffic in
intoxicating liquors had been authoritatively pronounced
to be wholly within the legislative powers of the province.
The House was asked to consider the fact that, at the
last session of the Dominion Parliament, an Act was
passed declaring that the main line of railways in the
province, and all lines now or hereafter connecting with
them, shall be subject to the legislative authority of the
Parliament of Canada; and to consider whether the
British North America Act was intended to enable the
Federal Parliament to interfere in this manner with the
legislative authority of the province. He stated that, as
a result of negotiations between his Government and that
of Manitoba, a case had been agreed upon for the refer
ence of the dispute respecting the interprovincial bound
ary to the Judicial Committee of Pier Majesty's Privy
Council. The first question to be decided under that
reference would be the validity of the award made by
the arbitrators in 1878, and a controlling condition was
that the hearing should take place during the then
current year. 267

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
The Address, moved by Mr. Mclntyre, seconded by
Mr. Sills, reproduced the Speech. It was debated for
several days. On motion of Mr. Hardy, seconded by
Mr. Fraser, it was made to declare that the House
hastened to announce to His Honor that it was the duty
of the Government to take all the necessary steps to
firmly maintain the constitutional and legislative rights
of the province to regulate and control the liquor traffic.
The mental condition of the Hon. Adam Crooks had
become such, in the month of December, 1883, that he
was unfitted for the discharge of his parliamentary
duties, and in due course his seat was declared vacant.
A few months afterwards he died.
Hon. a. Crooks, it will not be out of place here to state,
was one of those courteous, amiable men whose com
panionship makes life worth living, and, although lack
ing some of the force of more vigorous men, was a good
executant, a deep reasoner, and an honest custodian of
the interests of those whose agent he became. His death
was generally deplored, and he holds in the memory of
his countrymen a position which any public man might
properly desire to attain.
In looking about for the best available successor to
Mr. Crooks, whose sudden break-down had left the
province without a Minister of Education, Mr. Mowat
felt impelled to go outside the House, and offered the
position to George W. Ross, Esq., then a member of
the House of Commons. Mr. Ross accepted the invita
tion, resigned his seat at Ottawa, and was elected M.P.P.
for West Middlesex, where he was afterwards re-elected
at every subsequent general election until his final retire
ment to enter the Dominion Senate. He was appointed
Minister of Education on the 23rd of November, 1883,
and held the office for nearly sixteen years, when, being
268

STREAMS BILLS AND BOUNDARIES
called upon to form a cabinet, he became Premier of
Ontario, and chose to administer what he regarded as the
less onerous Treasury Department. After the election
of 1905 he acted as leader of the Opposition, and since
then has been called to the Senate.
Mr. Ross is in every respect one of the most distin
guished sons of the Dominion, and though he has been
subject to severe, if not chronic, attacks of rheumatism,
has, in whatever capacity he has served the people,
proved himself eminently well-fitted for the discharge of
duties appertaining to his office. He has always been a
persistent worker, and systematically goes through his
daily routine of reading and correspondence. He is a
mentally busy man, and is never more happy than in pre
paring a speech, meeting a deputation, or consulting with
political friends, and is, I doubt not, as hard a worker
to-day as when carrying the weight of the laborious
duties of the premiership of Ontario. And he has always
found time to be affable with a visitor, and to break in
upon his avocations when advice has been asked. He
never sent away a deputation or an individual to whom
he had not exhibited the utmost courtesy and given ad
vice or information as requested. He regarded honest
attention as the due of every man who approached him.
His political have exceeded his literary occupations,
but his pen has not been idle, and from it we have many
valuable contributions on educational and kindred sub
jects, matters with which his experience, leading through
varied stages from the schoolroom to the minister's desk,
has given him peculiarly intimate acquaintance. He also
prepared the Life of Alexander Mackenzie, a most stimu
lating biography and excellent political handbook.
No record of our social progress would be complete
without mention of Mr. Ross's efforts in behalf of tem-
269

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
perance. If these did not produce all the results ex
pected, sufficient allowance was probably not made for
the difficulty of reconciling the attitude of a Premier,
bound to consider all men's views, with that of the
thorough-going temperance reformer. Nothing prac
tical can be gained by being too far in advance of general
public opinion.
As a speaker, Mr. Ross's eloquence has carried his
fame from the Bay of Fundy to the Pacific, and when
ever Canada is spoken of, the name of George W. Ross
comes foremost to the remembrance of the critic.
A red-letter day for the women of Ontario was the
5th of March, 1884, for on that date a motion was car
ried, on a division of 43 yeas to 26 nays, in favor of the
second reading of a bill to enable widows and unmarried
women to vote at municipal elections.
' On March 13th, Mr. Pardee moved resolutions in the
last paragraph of which was a declaration " That this
House deems it a duty to firmly protest against the en
croachments of the Federal Parliament on the rights of
the province, and to assert the rights of the people of
every province to exercise, through their Legislatures,
exclusive jurisdiction over railways and works of a local
and provincial character, and to supervise and regulate
the conduct of all companies owning or operating such
works." Mr. Meredith moved an amendment, in the shape of
resolutions concluding with the words, " That it is the
opinion of this House that the best interests of the
province demand that this House should, as it does
hereby, assert its just right, in respect of the matter
hereinbefore set forth, as set out and defined in these
resolutions, and that communication should at once be
had with the Federal authorities, with a view to procur-
270

STREAMS BILLS AND BOUNDARIES
ing the repeal, during the present session of the Dominion
Parliament, of the Act of the said Parliament herein
before referred to, in so far as it derogates from the
rights of this province as herein set forth, and that the
course of practice to be hereafter adopted in the exercise
of the powers conferred upon the Dominion Parliament,
in respect of the matters to which these resolutions relate,
where it is proposed to exercise such powers, should be
defined in accordance with the principles hereinbefore
set forth."
Mr. Hardy moved, in amendment to the amendment,
seconded by Mr. Fraser : " That this House again firmly
insists that where a company whose railway has been
constructed under a provincial charter seeks to escape
provincial control by procuring its railway to be declared
to be for any such general advantage as aforesaid, the
company ought to be compelled to first procure from the
provincial Legislature, by which it is incorporated, an
assent to its railway being so declared, or at least to show^
that such assent was applied for, and, if refused, has
been so refused on improper or insufficient grounds."
The amendment to the amendment, having been put,
was carried: Yeas, 47; nays, 32.
On the 17th of March, 1884, the Attorney-General,
rising in his place, addressed the Speaker, and requested
that he would read to the House letters placed in his
hands. Mr. Speaker then read two letters — one from Robert
McKim, member of the House for North Wellington,
covering ten one-hundred-dollar bills ; and another from
W. D. Balfour, member for South Essex, covering bills to
the value of $800, to influence these gentlemen to vote
in the Assembly against the Government.
As may be believed, the House was lost in its amaze-
271

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
ment at the stupidity, as well as criminality, of the pro
ceedings on the part of those who had attempted to bribe
men sworn " to be faithful and bear true allegiance to
Her Majesty."
The Attorney-General placed before the House his
statement of the affair, and moved that the matter be
referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections,
which was invested with full powers to call for persons
and papers. A detailed account of the action of all con
cerned will be found in the succeeding chapter, which
tells of the course pursued by what Mr. Fraser termed
a " Brawling Brood of Bribers."
Two of the more important bills of the session were,
one for the better prevention of corrupt and illegal prac
tices at elections, and one for the amendment of the
election law. Many amendments were proposed, but
only two were adopted, the Attorney-General declaring
that, while some of them were good, he was inclined to
think that, on the w^hole, his own provisions were better.
The work of the session was comprised of ninety-seven
acts, which received the Royal assent on March 25th,
when the House was prorogued.
The second session of this Legislature began on the
28th of January, 1885, and the Speech of His Honor,
John Beverley Robinson, congratulated the House upon
the fact that the Judicial Committee of Her Majesty's
Privy Council had, so far as they had dealt with the
question, adjudged the true boundaries of the province
to be such as were awarded by the- arbitrators. The
Government of Ontario was anxious to have submitted
to the same tribunal the question of our whole northern
boundary. Correspondence relating thereto would be
laid before the House.
r-A"}". ,1^.^.^^ BAKifl-' (*¦ 272

STREAMS BILLS AND BOUNDARIES
After the decision of the Privy Council, a proclama
tion had issued bringing into force the Act of the pre
ceding session with respect to the Provisional District of
Thunder Bay, and another erecting "The Territorial
District of Rainy River." Further legislation would be
necessary. He had also to congratulate them upon the fact that
the Privy Council had pronounced a judgment in regard
to the legal rights of the public in the rivers and streams
of the province, affirming- the views so strenuously main
tained by the Provincial Legislature.
He had further to give expression to his satisfaction
that the questions submitted to the Supreme Court of
Canada, touching the validity of the License Acts passed
by the Federal Parliament of 1883 and 1884, had been
answered by the Supreme Court to the effect that (with
certain considerable exceptions) these enactments ex
ceeded the jurisdiction of the Federal Parliament. The
confusion which those Acts created had thus been
removed. Many minor questions were referred to, and legisla
tion invited, but it is unnecessary to further specify them
here. Justices Boyd and Cameron, in their reports as elec
tion trial judges, stated that they had disagreed in their
decisions. The bill (No. 147) relating to Lord's Day excursions
came up for third reading on March 27th, when Mr.
Fraser moved in amendment, seconded by Mr. Hess, that
" whilst Bill 147 seeks to prohibit the operating on
Sundays of railway excursion trains, it makes no pro
vision against the operating of ordinary freight or pas
senger trains on Sunday; that it seeks to prohibit the
running on Sunday of steamboats for excursions, biit
18 273

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
makes no provision against the running or operation on
Sunday of any other craft, whether for profit or plea
sure; that it would not prohibit the wealthy man from
spending dollars in taking a Sunday excursion for plea
sure, but it would prevent the poor man from spending
as many cents for a like purpose; that the bill, if it
becomes law, will operate mainly, if not entirely, against
the just liberty and right of the working and poorer
classes to have legitimate and reasonable opportunities
for rest and relaxation on Sunday; and therefore said
bill should not now be read a second time." Yeas, 8;
nays, 57.
March 27th brought many members to their feet with
objections to the proposed rearrangement of constitu
encies, but this did not seriously affect the ministerial
plan, which was carried with few alterations, and on the
28th it received its third reading, and was intituled, " An
Act to amend the Laws relating to the Franchise and the
Representation of the People."
His Honor the Lieut.-Governor gave Royal assent to
ninety-nine Acts, and prorogued the House. He with
held assent from a bill, entitled, " An Act to correct cer
tain clerical errors in the Consolidated Jurors Act of
1883," the purpose thereof having been provided for by
the Act for further improving the Administration of the
Law. Looking over the division lists of these sessions, there
are a few names of new members whom one remembers
as men of rather more than ordinary promise. Among
them were —
H. P. O'Connor, Esq., who was a Reformer, elected
for South Bruce in 1883. He held the seat in the general
elections of 1886 and 1890, when the split caused by the
, Patrons of Industry, changed some Reform ridings into
274

STREAMS BILLS AND BOUNDARIES
doubtful constituencies. For a time the movement
brought about marked changes, but the policy was too
narrow to secure unbounded success. Good men were
driven from public life, it is true, but their substitutes
satisfied nobody, and now it is difficult to name half
a dozen of the Patrons who have, as representatives,
influenced public Hfe in one way or other. H. P
O'Connor was full of courageous humor, and told them,
again and again, that by desertion of the Reform ranks
they simply played into the hands of their most deter
mined opponents, and helped to build a platform which
could not be durable. He was an excellent speaker, a
keen debater, and an honest man — three high qualifica
tions for a public life. He had an untimely end, having
been thrown from his horse and killed.
Nicholas Awrey, Esq., member for South Went
worth in the Legislatures of 1884, 1887, 1891, and 1895,
was a popular and energetic representative. He was
, Commissioner for Ontario at the Chicago World's Fair,
and displayed aptitude for business and public affairs,
but failing health removed him from such activities, and
he died at an early age. He was succeeded in the House
by John Dickinson, Esq., a man of equal popularity.
H. E. Clarke, Esq., a Conservative, represented West
Toronto in 1884 and 1887, and was re-elected in 1891.
He was an able critic of finance, and well up in city
municipal matters. His manner was courteous, and one
never heard a slang word from him, even when oppor
tunities were tempting. He suffered from heart disease,
and anticipated sudden death. He was addressing the
House on the subject of assessment one day. Mr.
Hardy entered the chamber just as Mr. Clarke was con
cluding his remarks, and requested the speaker to repeat
some of what he had said, as the subject wa,s one in
'27s

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
which he took great interest. Mr. Clarke proceeded to
comply, when he suddenly fell forward upon the floor
of the House and immediately died. How shocking
this was to all who witnessed it may be imagined.
James Clancy, Esq., member for West Kent in 1883,
1887, and 1 89 1, was afterwards elected to the Commons,
and has more recently been appointed Auditor-General of
Ontario by the Whitney Administration. His knowledge
of financial matters, for he had been engaged in lumber
ing operations and mercantile affairs, was of more than
ordinary character and extent, and eminently fitted him
for the position which he has been called upon to fill.
J. Wellington McLaughlin, Esq., M.D., took his
seat for West Durham on January 23rd, 1884, and was
re-elected in 1887. He was a Reformer, and a speaker
of average ability, a hard worker at his desk, and an
industrious committee-man.
Charles Oaks Ermatinger, Conservative, was first
elected for East Elgin in 1883, and sat until 1886. He
was not a rabid partisan, but made a good speech, and
was always listened to when he addressed the Assembly.
He was full of drollery then — and probably is now —
and was a clever caricaturist.
William Kerns, Esq., represented the county of
Halton as successor to William Barber, the old and
respected first member from that constituency. The
Riding was always close, and Mr. Kerns's majority
was a small one, but he held the seat from 1883 through
four successive Legislatures. A fair-minded man, he
was free from excessive partyism, but always found the
support of Conservative measures his imperative duty.
As commanding officer of the 20th Halton Battalion for
a time, he was popular and much respected by his men.
?76

CHAPTER XXI.
THE BRIBERY CASE.
Letters for House — The envelopes opened — Money and letters
— The Attorney-General's statement — Excitement and
consternation — ^^C. F. Fraser and his diatribe — Leaders of
the House shocked by the disclosures — Committee on
Privileges and Elections — After the case was opened — A
Commission appointed — Issued to Judges Proudfoot, Scott
and Senkler — Enquiry by Commission opened 14th July,
1884 — Report dated ioth January, 1885 — Counsel appointed
— Extracts frora Report.
When I took the Chair in the Legislative Assembly
on the evening of the 17th of March, 1884, I carried with
me that which was destined to create a wide sensation
when laid before the House. Robert McKim, member
for North Wellington, and Wm. D. Balfour, member
for South Essex, had each given to me, in the afternoon
of that day, a letter addressed to me as Speaker. Open
ing the outer envelope, I found that there was a second
and sealed envelope in each package, and that both were
endorsed with the request that the second cover should
not be broken until the Attorney-General should desire
me to ascertain the contents. I took them with me
into the House at the usual hour of meeting, but no
request for the opening of the envelopes was made during
the afternoon. The House rose at six o'clock for the
usual recess, but did not adjourn, and at eight o'clock I
277

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
resumed the Chair and the House went into Committee
of the Whole upon Supply, the discussion being of routine
character and not arousing acrimony. An item in con
nection with legislation occupied the Committee, and, as
is usual on St. Patrick's Day, the members looked for a
brief night session, and the Committee reported several
resolutions without opposition. After I had resumed the
Chair, Mr. Hardy, the Provincial Secretary, presented
several reports which were received. At this point Mr.
Mowat rose, and, addressing the Chair, requested me to
open the envelopes placed in my hands and read to the
House the letters they contained. I did so, with some
curiosity as to the contents of the letters and the novelty
of the procedure, but convinced by the manner of the
Attorney-General that the matter was of no cornmon
import. The letters were as follows :
" Monday Morning, March 17th, 1884.
"Mr. Speaker, — The enclosed one thousand dollars
was yesterday paid to me, to influence my vote in the
Legislative Assembly, by Mr. Wilkinson. I place it in
your hands at the earliest opportunity on your return to
the city. " I remain, yours truly,
" R. McKiM."
" House of Assembly,
" Toronto, March 17th, 1884, 3 p.m.
"Dear Sir, — I hereby enclose you the sum of eight
hundred dollars, in one-hundred-dollar bills, handed to
me at 2.30 p.m. to-day, and now handed to you by me.
It was given me by a man named ' Big Push ' Wilkinson,
278

THE BRIBERY CASE
in Room No. 9, Walker House, to influence my vote
against the Government during the present session. I
made no promises. "Yours faithfully,
" Wm. D. Balfour.
" Col. Charles Clarke,
" Speaker Legislative Assembly, Ontario."
In the letter from Mr. McKim were one thoUsand
dollars, in ten one-hundred-dollar bills of the Bank of
British North America, and in Mr. Balfour's letter eight
similar bills.
It is needless to say that the written contents of these
packages aroused the most profound attention from the
members on both sides of the House, and that there
appeared to be a common feeling of disgust on the part
of those who heard the statement made, and extreme
annoyance at the fact that there were any grounds for the
charge that members of the Legislature had been tam
pered with in the manner stated by Messrs. McKim and
Balfour. Leaders of Reformers and Conservatives alike
felt that the honor and good name of the Legislative
Assembly had been besmirched, that its standing, what
ever the result of future action, was lowered, and that
the only steps to be taken were such as should fully
warrant the most drastic treatment. The scene was a
memorable one. Mr. Mowat and Mr. Meredith, the
opposing leaders of the House, were pale with suppressed
excitement. Mr. Morris, ex-Governor of Manitoba, the
lieutenant of the Conservative leader, was shocked by the
startling disclosures. There was a sympathetic deter
mination, which appeared to be unanimous, that inves
tigation should be made and the guilty punished. Little
279

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
could be said, but there was much to be done, and the
session was nearing its end. If the charges brought
against prominent members of the community were true,
and there appeared to be little doubt of that, the House
must make a probing inquiry, purge itself of disgrace,
and put blame upon the parties really guilty of a great
crime. One course only seemed to be oper.'. The House
must stand upon its dignity, make its own inquiry into
details, and see that no legal quibbles should be per
mitted to shield the ring-leaders in the attack upon the
probity and honor of the Legislature.
After the reading of the letters, the Attorney-General
resumed and said that money had been paid for the pur
pose of influencing votes in the House, and that this was
a high crime and misdemeanor. He then proceeded to
read the following statement in the form of a resolution :
" That he is credibly informed and believes that divers
persons named by him, including Christopher W. Bunting,
John A. Wilkinson, Edward Meek, F. S. Kirkland, and
one Lynch, have entered into a conspiracy to accomplish
the defeat of the Government in this House by corrupt
ing members of this House to vote against the Govern
ment and Government measures; that the first-named
three persons are well-known and active members of the
party in this province opposed to this Government; and
that the last named two persons are American citizens;
that for the purpose of corruptly influencing the votes of
members of this House, the said five persons have at
divers times during the present session of this Legislature
approached several members of this House with money,
offers of money, promises of offices in the gift of the
Dominion Government, and promises of other personal
advantages to such members ; that divers members of this
House so approached, being indignant at the criminal
280

THE BRIBERY CASE
conduct proposed to them, have deemed it to be the fit
ting course on their part and a duty to their constituents
and the public, acting herein with the approval and
advice of members of the Government, to seem for a
time to entertain such approaches, in order to the detec
tion, exposure and punishment of the persons guilty of
making such corrupt attempts, and have, in pursuance of
their duty, from time to time disclosed to members of the
Government the approaches from time to time made to
them, and the several acts therein of the guilty parties ;
that among the members of this House in regard to whom
such attempts have been made are Mr. Robert McKim,
member for the West Riding of Wellington, Mr. Wm. D.
Balfour, member for the South Riding of Essex, and Mr.
John F. Dowling, member for the South Riding of Ren
frew; that in carrying out the objects of the conspiracy
the said Wilkinson, to influence the vote of the said
McKim, repeatedly offered him money, and has at length
delivered to the said McKim one thousand dollars; that
Mr. McKim, immediately on receiving the money, placed
it in the hands of Mr. Speaker, to be by him produced to
this House; that both the said Wilkinson and the said
Bunting undertook to pay to Mr. McKim a further sum
of one thousand dollars on a future day; that the said
Bunting was a party to the payment of the former sum,
and to the promise to pay the latter sum for the corrupt
purpose already stated; and that, to secure the same
corrupt object, the said Wilkinson and Bunting further
offered and undertook that the said McKim should be
appointed registrar at Edmonton, in the North-West, at
a salary of one thousand dollars a year; that both the
said Wilkinson and the said Bunting assured the said
McKim that the Dominion Minister of the Interior had
pledged to them his word that their said promise of the
281

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
said office would be carried out, and the said Bunting, on
his own part, pledged his word to the same effect, that
for the same corrupt purpose already mentioned, and to
influence the vote of the said Wm. D. Balfour, the said
Wilkinson repeatedly offered to pay and did this day
deliver to the said Balfour, the sum of eight hundred
dollars in cash, and undertook to pay a further sum of
seven hundred dollars on a future day ; that for the same
purpose the said Kirkland also offered to pay to him the
sum of twelve hundred dollars; that immediately on
receiving the said sum of eight hundred dollars, [Mr.
Balfour placed the same in the hands of Mr. Speaker, to
be by him produced to this House, and that further to
secure the same purpose, the said Wilkinson undertook
that the said Balfour should be appointed by the Domin
ion Government to a registrarship at Regina, in the
North-West; that the said Wilkinson, for the corrupt
purpose already mentioned and to influence the vote of
the said John F. Dowling, offered him the sum of two
thousand dollars cash, and to pay him a further sum of
two thousand dollars at a future period; that the sum
so offered to be paid down was exhibited by him to the
said Wilkinson, and that there is reason to believe that
other corrupt offers were made by the said conspirators
to and rejected by other members of this House, and he
moves as follows : That the charges read and matters re
ferred to and set forth in said statement of the informa
tion and belief of the Attorney-General be forthwith
referred to the Standing Committee on Privileges and
Elections, with instructions to inquire and report thereon
and with power to send for and examine all necessary
persons and papers in or concerning the premises."
Mr. Meredith addressed the House, and declared that
this was as great a surprise to him as it had been to any
282

THE BRIBERY CASE
member of his side of the House, and he fully concurred
in the observations of the Attorney-General as to the
startling character of the statements that he had made
and the necessity of a faithful and full investigation
before the proper committee. He protested that no evi
dence had been adduced warranting the use of Mr. Bunt
ing's name, and condemned the carrying on of prolonged
negotiations with the alleged bribers.
Mr. Morris spoke briefly along similar lines. Perhaps
the most exciting incident in a group of incidents was
the speech delivered by Hon. C F. Fraser, in which Hl
spoke of all implicated in this affair as " a brawling
brood of bribers." Those who saw his outstretched arm
and pointed finger, and heard the thrilling tone which he
used when delivering those since famous words, cannot
readily forget one of the most remarkable diatribes war
ranted by an occasion. The Commissioner was inspired
by a conviction of the truthfulness of the charges made
and a determination to drag the accused into a court
of justice. He may have been more or less vin
dictive, may have been animated to some extent at
least by the partisan spirit, which excites in all poli
ticians a measure of personal bitterness, and doubt
less felt a not unnatural anxiety to make all possible
political capital out of the occurrences. So long as
law-makers are mere men this feeling will exist, and
much as we may deprecate it, mankind in general
will entertain and tolerate its manifestation. Defend
ing the course of the gentlemen who had caught the
corruptionists, and had been already assailed therefor,
he said: His honorable friend from East Toronto (Mr.
Morris) had only words of reproach for those gentle
men, who deserved at the hands of the House as a whole,
and at the hands of the province at large, credit and
honor and reputation for having brought this villainy
283

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
home. ( Cheers. ) His honorable friend said that it was a
grave and serious thing that members of the Government
should have allowed this matter to go on, but he knew,
and the House knew, that if any one on his (Eraser's)
side of the House had risen to make such a charge, with
out having evidence in his possession, he would have been
laughed and sneered at for making charges without
foundation. (Cheers.) It was necessary for public
purity, and in order to clear the political sky, that
such steps should be taken, that when the matter came
before the House they should be able to pl^ce, beyond
peradventure, the conviction of these men.
Then, steadily pointing his finger across the House, in
withering tones he said : .They have snared this brawling
brood of bribers that had been hatched under the eaves
of the Mail building during the session. (Loud and pro
longed applause.) He told his friends from South
Essex and North Wellington that they would get, as they
had deserved to get, credit and honor from the people of
this Dominion from one end of it to the other. (Cheers.)
He told his friend from East Toronto, as he had told his
friend from North Wellington, that there was no dishonor
in bringing home guilt where guilt lay. (Cheers. ) There
was no dishonor in making conviction sure; there was no
dishonor in putting one's self in the breach, and he said
if there were two men in the House who deserved the
esteem and credit of every honest man on both sides of
the House, they were the members for South Essex and
North Wellington.
The Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections
offered the most likely method of quickly getting at the
facts, and the case was ordered to be submitted to them.
This body consisted of the following members: The
Attorney-General and Messrs. Badgerow, Ballantyne,
Blezard, Brereton, Broder, Cascaden, Dryden, Erma-
284

THE BRIBERY CASE
tinger, Ferris, Fraser, French, Graham, Gray, Hagar,
Harcourt, Hart, Lauder, Mclntyre, McKenzie, McMahon,
Meredith, Merrick, Metcalf, Monk, Morin, Morris,
Murray, Neelon, Rayside, Roe, Ross, Sills, Snyder and
White — 35.
The Committee, with Mr. Harcourt as chairman, held
its first meeting next morning, and Messrs. John F.
Dowling and Wm. D. Balfour, both members of the
Assembly, without being sworn, gave statements as to
the offer made to them o.f money and promises of office
by certain persons named by them, and on condition
that they should vote against the Government of which
Mr. Mowat was Premier. The Committee sat on March
19th, 20th, 2 1 St, 22nd and 24th, and on the 24th formally
reported progress. In its third report, this Committee
recommended the appointment of a Commission to in
quire into and investigate the charges, and a motion of
an humble address to His Honor the Lieutenant-Gov
ernor was carried. Such Commissioners were to be
three judges, one of whom at least was to be a judge of
the Supreme Court of Judicature of Ontario.
The Committee took this action because, during the
few remaining days of the session, it would be impos
sible to continue and conclude the investigation of the
matters referred to it, and it therefore asked to be dis
charged from any present further action or proceeding
in the premises. The House having concurred in this
report and passed the Address, the Commissioners to
be appointed were vested with all the powers contained
or given in or by Chapter XVII. of the Revised
Statutes of Ontario, intituled "An Act respecting In
quiries," or in or by any Act amending the same.
A commission was issued to Mr. Justice Proudfoot.
Mr. Judge Scott, of the County of Peel, Brampton, and
Mr. Judge Senkler, ol the County of Lincoln, St.
28s

SIXTY lYEARS IN UPPER CANADA
Catharines, under Order of Council, dated 12th May,
1884, which, after reciting the charges of attempt at
corrupt infiuence upon certain members of the Legisla
ture of Ontario, therein named, went on to confer the
usual powers upon commissioners, and declared that the
" Election Law Amendment Act of 1884 " was to be
deemed to apply to any attempts to corrupt the success
ful candidates at elections of the Legislative Assembly,
whether such attempts were made before or subsequent
to the passing of the said Election Law.
The Commission opened its inquiry in Toronto on
July 14th, 1884, and dated its Report on ioth January,
1885. Justice Proudfoot was elected chairman, and
the conduct of the inquiry was committed by the
Attorney-General to S. H. Blake, Esq., Q.C. Wm.
Johnston, Esq., barrister, appeared for the Crown; Mr.
Edward Meek appeared on his own behalf, and Mr.
Thomas Caswell for Frank S. Kirkland.
; The Report states that at the meeting of the 14th day
of July, W R. Meredith, Esq., M.P.P., appeared as a
member of the Assembly, and requested liberty to cross-
examine the witnesses. The Commissioners declined to
permit him to do so in that capacity, but expressed their
readiness to hear him if he chose to appear for any of
the parties interested, or to formulate a charge against
anyone, for more thoroughly probing the matter.
On the 2nd September, W. R. Meredith, Esq., pre
ferred a charge against certain members of the Govern
ment in the following terms :
" That members of the Government, Messrs. Fraser,
Pardee, Hardy, and Mr. Mowat, knowing that attempts
were being made to corrupt members of the House,
induced members of the House to approach the
persons who are said to have been engaged in this
work, for the purpose of inducing them to make cor-
286

THE BRIBERY CASE
rupt offers, and to endeavor to entrap others not engaged
in the matter into the same corrupt acts."
Upon the 3rd of October, on the application of Hon.
Mr. Fraser, the Commissioners ordered the names of
the persons to be given whom the members of the Gov
ernment had colluded with others to endeavor to entrap.
On the next day the particulars were given as follows :
" The following are the particulars, so far as known,
of the persons referred to in Mr. Meredith's charge, as
persons approached by members of the House, at the
instance of members of the Government referred to in
the said charge : John A. Wilkinson, Edward Meek,
Christopher W. Bunting and F. A. Kirkland.
The Commissioners closed their sittings for taking
evidence and hearing the arguments of counsel on the
13th of October. Those sittings were public and open,
and accommodation was provided for reporters of the
public press.
The Commissioners, in transmitting the evidence
taken by them, numbered the Report Irom i to 42.
These numbers are appended to the paragraphs copied in
the Report, which was signed by Judge Proudfoot,
Chairman, and Judge E. A. Senkler. The following is
the Special Report made by Judge Scott:
" Osgoode Hall,
" Toronto, Sth January, 1885.
" I concur in reporting proceedings and evidence ;
would prefer a distinct statement as to the persons
against whom evidence may be read, and respectfully
decline giving an opinion or finding as to offences
proved. " (Signed) A. F. Scott,
" Commissioner.
" Brampton, Sth Jan., 1885. 287

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
The following numbered paragraphs are taken from
the Report of a majority of the Commissioners :
25. An attempt was made by Mr. Meek to impeach
the credibility of two of the witnesses, Robert McKim
and John Cascaden, and many witnesses were examined
against them and for them. The Commissioners con
sider that the credibility of Messrs. McKim and Cas
caden was not successfully attacked.
27. The Commissioners find that during the debate on
the Address at the last session of the House of Assembly,
a debate that lasted from the opening of the House on
the 23rd of January till the 6th of February, an en
deavor was made by John A. Wilkinson, Edwin Meek
and Christopher W. Bunting, acting in concert, to form
a coalition Government, and for that purpose to induce
members of the House, supporters of the Government,
to vote against them on the Address.
28. In pursuance of this scheme, negotiations were
entered into by Wilkinson, Meek, and Bunting with
Robert McKim, and by Meek with Cascaden, and offers
were made to them of money, and of offices in the North-
West Territory, to induce them to vote against the
Government. 29. The Commissioners only mention those to whom
corrupt offers were made to induce them to vote against
the Government by argument. F. A. Kirkland was also
endeavoring at this time to influence the votes of mem
bers for his own purposes, but not apparently in con
junction with the others.
30. After the vote on the Address had sustained the
Government, their efforts ceased until towards the end
of the session, when they were renewed, not only as to
Mr. McKim, but also as to Messrs. Dowling, Balfour
and Lyon. 288

THE BRIBERY CASE !
31. These renewed attempts were made by Kirkland,
in conjunction with Wilkinson, Meek and Bunting, and
by a person who passed by the name of Lynch, but whose
true name was Stimson.
32. Kirkland made advances to Balfour, represent
ing that Wilkinson and Bunting were desirous of know
ing what he would take to vote against the Government.
Wilkinson offered Balfour anything he might state, in
the way of a shrievalty or registrarship in the North-
West, or advertising for his paper from the depart
ments, and represented Bunting as working with him
in the matter. Wilkinson said he could pay him $1,000
or $1,200 down as a guarantee of the office, and after
the vote he would give, say, $1,000; that Balfour would
get any office he might decide upon. Kirkland also
offered Balfour to pay him $1,000 or $1,200 to speak
against the Government, and on the 17th of March
Wilkinson gave Balfour $800, and promised to give him
$700 after a vote was taken on a resolution to be moved
by the Opposition.
33. Negotiations had alsoi been renewed with McKim
and $1,000 were given to him on the i6th of March by
Wilkinson, after Stimson alias Lynch, had, on the pre
vious day endeavored to get McKim to bet on Dowling's
vote. 36. Corrupt offers were made also to Dowling by
Wilkinson, who wanted him to vote against the Govern
ment. He was to get $2,000, and, after he resigned his
seat, $2,000, or $3,000 if he did not interfere against
the candidate who should run. Wilkinson wanted him
to see Bunting to arrange to have the protest withdrawn.
Dowling saw Bunting, who said if he would assist in the
formation of a coalition, and vote against the Govern
ment, and resign his seat, they would recoup him his
19 289

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
election expenses, and they could afford to give him
$2,000 or $3,000. Wilkinson took Dowling to Stimson,
alias Lynch, who wanted to bet $2,000 that he would
not vote against the Mowat administration, and on the
15th of March, Wilkinson and Kirkland in company
endeavored to induce Dowling to vote against the
Government. 38. In regard to the charge made by Mr. Meredith
against Messrs. Fraser, Pardee, Hardy and Mowat, the
Commissioners are of opinion that the evidence wholly
fails to establish it. All the witnesses who speak on the
subject, with one exception, show that the advice of these
members of the Government to the persons to whom
offers were made, was to be passive, to see how far the
persons making offers would go. That is the evidence
of these members of the Government themselves; it is
the evidence also of the persons to whom they gave the
advice. The only conflicting evidence is that of the
witness Vicars, who says he heard Hardy say to Fraser,
" If your little scheme with Balfour works we will fix
them." This was distinctly denied both by Hardy and
Fraser. The Commissioners think that Vicars was
either under a mistake as to the persons who were
speaking together, or that he was telling an untruth.
They were not favorably impressed with the manner in
which Vicars gave his evidence and do not credit his
testimony. 40. The evidence does not show that the money
given to McKim and Balfour came from any other
source than Wilkinson or Stimson.
41. Nor does there appear to be any reason for sup
posing that any Conservative members of the House of
Assembly attempted to use improper means to induce
the members of the House to change their votes.
290

THE BRIBERY CASE
42. The Commissioners have arrived at the foregoing
conclusions, after a careful consideration of the evi
dence, and having had the advantage of hearing able
arguments by the counsel who appeared before them.
This Report, as I have said, was concurred in by
Justice Proudfoot and Judge Senkler, and can be found
in full, with the evidence and all the documents produced
before the Commission, in the sessional papers of the
Legislative Assembly, Vol. 17, Part 3, 1885, while the
proceedings of the House in connection with the dis
closures arid the preliminary investigation before the
Committee on Privileges and Elections are recorded in
the Journals for 1884. The Legislature took no action
upon the Report of the Commissioners, as the law was
felt to be uncertain and defective, but action was
brought before the Police Magistrate of Toronto, who
committed the four persons named as conspirators,
Messrs. Bunting, Kirkland, Meek and Wilkinson, for
trial at the Assizes for the County of York. A true bill
was found by the Grand Jury, and much evidence taken
similar in character to that adduced before the Com
missioners. The result, however, was an acquittal, the
judge. Sir Adam Wilson, charging strongly in that
direction. Leaving the court one day, I found myself walking
beside the man Kirkland, and we fell into conversation.
He seemed very much surprised at the fuss made over
such a small matter as attempting to buy a few legislators.
It was, he said, a usual preliminary to securing charters
and timber grants from other Legislatures, and he had
no interest in the fortunes of political parties in Ontario.
The end to be served in his case, he told me, was a purely
personal one.

291

CHAPTER XXII.
SIXTH, SEVENTH AND EIGHTH
LEGISLATURES.
House opened ioth February, 1887 — Mr. Speaker Baxter — Boun
daries still in dispute — Mr. Guthrie and Mr. Evanturel on the
Address — Municipal Franchise for Widows and Unmarried
Women — Jubilee Year — Resolution in favor of Home Rule
for Ireland — Session of 1888 — Judgment of Superior Court
re Crown Lands— Mr. Whitney in the House — Other new
members — Seventh Legislature- — ^Mr. Ballantyne, Speaker —
Deposits of nickel — Messrs. Harcourt and Dryden in the
Ministry — Purchase of supplies by tender — More money
for Parliament buildings — Length of sessions increasing —
Illness of Sir A Campbell in 1892 — Judge Hagarty opens
House — Death of Lieutenant-Governor Campbell — Opening
of Legislature in new Parliament buildings by Lieutenant-
Governor Kirkpatrick and Hon. Thos. Ballantyne, 4th
April, 1893 — From 1893 to the close of the Mowat
Administration.
The House met on the ioth of February, 1887, when
Hon. J. B. Robinson delivered the opening speech, Jacob
Baxter, Esq., having been unanimously elected Speaker.
Mr. Baxter was what is known as a charter member —
one of the old guard from the first Legislature. From
his large experience, his natural dignity and knowledge
of parliamentary law, he was well fitted to occupy the
position to which he was now called.
His Honor was still unable to announce an)' progress
292

SIXTH, SEVENTH AND EIGHTH LEGISLATURES . i
towards a final settlement, of the boundaries of the pro
vince, the Dominion Government having neglected to
recognize the rights of Ontario, as confirmed by the
Imperial Privy Council. This had become a burning
question, and no language could be regarded as too
strong which rightly stigmatized the fatuous conduct of
the Dominion authorities. But the Government, know
ing the folly of rash proceedings, still hoped for orderly
and peaceful settlement of a matter so important, and
while firmly and strenuously insisting upon full recog
nition of Ontario's rights, nevertheless did not unwisely
depart from the calm dignity of official language in urg
ing an early and final disposal of the matter.
The Address pointed further to the fact that the
despatches of 1884 from His Honor the Lieut.-Governor
of Ontario, bearing on the subject of the northern
boundary of Ontario, still, in 1887, remained unanswered.
The reply was moved by Mr. Guthrie and seconded by
Mr. Evanturel.
Other subjects were alluded to, but were superseded
in importance by this question of the limits of the pro
vince. Until that point was definitely decided, it neces
sarily continued to be of first concern, for it involved
lands, timber, minerals, railway routes, every source of
provincial wealth ; and the bold declaration that Ontario
had but little and doubtful claim to these valuable assets
naturally aroused the indignation of the thinking people
of the whole province.
At an early period in the session that motion which
had now become an annual one was planted in the hot
bed of notices of motion. From year to year it varied,
and, growing more modest, looked for less, in the hope
that the good times coming would speedily give more.
The vote was asked in behalf of widows and unmarried
293

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
females with taxable property, who sought a share in the
franchise. The demand seemed such an unreasonable one
that the motion for a second reading was lost. The vote
was a large one, there being 55 nays to 19 yeas.
This was " Jubilee " year, and the House prepared,
through a select committee, an elaborate address allud
ing to the principal events of Her Majesty's reign, writ
ten in well-selected terms, and giving at a glance a bird's-
eye view of British achievements during the fifty years
of her occupation of the throne. It is almost needless
to say that it was adopted by the unanimous concurrence
of the House, amidst the rousing and continued cheers
of the representatives of the people.
The Irish question found its way to the House, as it
did to every deliberative body in the British Dominions
enjoying representative home rule, and was fully and
fairly discussed. The last of the series of resolutions
given here, containing the gist of the whole address, was
carried by a large majority of the representatives :
Resolved : That we desire to place on record our pro
found sympathy with the efforts made to find a remedy
for miseries and evils long endured, and to express our
earnest hope that such a measure of local self-govern
ment may soon be granted as, while preserving the
integrity of the Empire, and all the just rights of the
minority, may at the same time be satisfactory to the
Irish people, and permanently remove discontent, and, so
far as may still be possible, its causes.
It was resolved, too, that copies of these resolutions be
forthwith communicated, by Mr. Speaker, to the Right
Honorable William Ewart Gladstone, M.P., and to
Charles Stuart Parnell, Esq., M.P.
The resolution was carried by a vote of 59 yeas to 28
nays. 294

SIXTH, SEVENTH AND EIGHTH LEGISLATURES
On the 23rd of April the House was prorogued after
assent had been given to ninety-nine acts.
The House reassembled on the 25 th of January, 1888,
the Speech being read by Sir Alexander Campbell, who
had succeeded the Hon. J. B. Robinson. He announced
that the Supreme Court of Canada had affirmed the
judgment of the High Court of Appeal in favor of the
provincial claim to Crown lands, to which the so-called
Indian title had not been extinguished until after Con
federation. The Federal Government had recently intimated to
him its intentions of concurring in the steps necessary
to obtain from the Imperial Parliament an act confirm
ing the western boundary of the provinces. Negotia
tions had also commenced respecting the northern
boundary, so far as the same has not already been
determined. ,
University extension had been advanced, and a site
had been procured for Upper Canada College.
Improvements were being effected in Hamilton
Asylum, rooms for 150 additional patients having been
brought into use.
The judges upon controverted elections and petitions
sent in their reports, declaring the elections of Mr. W.
Willoughby for East Northumberland, and of Theodore
J. Chamberlain for Dundas, void. James Clancy, Esq.,
for West Kent, was confirmed in his seat. At subsequent
elections Mr. J. P. Whitney was elected for Dlindas and
Mr. Richard Clarke for East Northumberland.
J. P. Whitney, Esq., defeated Mr. Chamberlain, an
old antagonist, in 1888, and has since been re-elected at
every general election. At the time of his election he
was a comparatively new man in politics, although he had
been previously in a contest with Mr. T. J. Chamberlain.
295

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
He at once took an interest in the business of the Legisla
ture. He spoke occasionally, and created a favorable im
pression upon party friends, and a belief in ministerial
ranks that here was a man to be reckoned with.
Mr. Meredith was then the Leader of the Opposition,
and regarded his new follower as one not only likely to
win his spurs, but to take a prominent part in the work
of the House. He gradually found his way to the front
benches, although he never shoved himself to the van
unless hard knocks were to be expected. He had one
hobby, if you like to so term it, in his merciless attacks
upon the attempts at bribery upon both sides, which were
revealed in every election court.
When the retirement of William Meredith left the
Conservative party practically without a leader, Mr.
Marter assumed the position reluctantly, and only after
great pressure, but soon relinquished it, feeling that he
could not deal with the temperance question as he would
like to do and retain a leadership of average Conser
vatives or Reformers. Ill-health precipitated what was
inevitable, and he made way in the hope that a stronger
man could be found to do the work for which he felt
incapable. Mr. Whitney was selected, and is yet under
trial. He had able predecessors, and there were those
who predicted his early retirement from office, but he
gradually led the country and his opponents to perceive
that no man to the left of the Speaker had exhibited
more tact, resource and knowledge of public affairs.
Some regarded him as distinguished by an unfinished
style as an orator, but it was soon seen that it was of the
quality which tells, and that he could use the scalping-
knife with deft and skilful hand, or the sledge-hammer
with thundering crash, as he desired, and when grown
accustomed, as he speedily did, to the ins and outs of
296

SIXTH, SEVENTH AND EIGHTH LEGISLATURES
parliamentary debate, he had no reason to fear any rival
or to quail before the attack or rejoinder of the leading
men of the Mowat regime. To speak at greater length
of one still on the political stage would be to be tempted
into a path which I do not care to follow.
'Other members who first appeared in the House about
this time were :
Angus McKay, Esq., M.D., who was member for
South Oxford, and held the constituency for several years.
First elected to the Legislature meeting on the ioth of
February, 1887, he was returned in 1891, 1895 and 1898.
A medical gentleman with largepractice, he was per
sonally highly popular, but local differences existed even
in South Oxford, and he was finally defeated. He acted
for some years as the Reform " whip " of the House,
and was presented with a handsome silver service by his
fellow-members. He was an attractive speaker, and took
part in a debate occasionally, but he had more onerous
duties and closely attended to them. When he did
address the House it was for the purpose of gaining time,
probably before a division. As a rival whip he was
confronted by G. W. Monk, Esq., or Dr. Willoughby,
and the intercourse of these was as pleasing as could
well be conceived as existing between men of such
antagonistic views.
Donald Guthrie, Esq., Q.C, was elected member for
South Wellington in the Local Legislature in 1886 and
again in 1900. He had previously represented his con
stituency in the Commons. Mr. Guthrie was a logical
advocate of Liberalism, and was otherwise an earnest and
attractive speaker, whose word had great weight. Un
fortunately he suffered from deafness, which seriously
interfered with his efficiency. But for that fact he would
have been invited to a seat in the Cabinet.
297

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
¦ Hon. Ernest Henry Bronson, Ottawa, was made a
member of the Executive Council, without portfolio, on
the 30th September, 1890, and was a pronounced Liberal,
of fiscal ability, and was largely engaged in lumbering.
He was an American by birth, but perfectly free from the
extreme views which distinguished many of his com
patriots. Of course, he had become a British subject
before he took his seat in the Local Assembly. He was a
concise and logical speaker, and was always listened to
with attention when he addressed the House.
James R. Stratton, Esq., was elected member for
West Peterborough in 1886, and sat in the House from
that date through the Legislatures of 1891, 1895, 1898
and 1903. His rise in the Legislature was rapid, and
he was one of its most industrious members. As a
speaker he was fluent, and wisely prepared himself
thoroughly to meet any possible attack upon his depart
ment or any of the private bill legislation which he pro
moted at every session before he became a busy mem
ber of the Government, when he was elevated to the
office of Provincial Secretary in 1899. O" a Municipal
Committee he was eminently in the lead, while in know
ledge of the subject of municipal assessment he was one
of the strongest men in the Legislature. From his first
entrance to the House he was marked by an attempt at
practical legislation, and prided himself upon the fact that
he had a clear conception of the advantages arising from
co-operation, and had a taste for its study, and a broad
view as to its possibilities. His home — for such Peter
borough may be termed — illustrates his ideas of progress,
and that union of small means which ultimately tends to
bring about great results. He has withdrawn for the
time from provincial politics, but he cannot keep out of
the turmoil — and vicissitudes, if you will — of party
298

SIXTH, SEVENTH AND EIGHTH LEGISLATURES
life, organization and action, and if health is spared to
him he will yet come again to the front in his public
career. Hon. F. E. A. Evanturel, for many years member
for Prescott, occupied a seat in the Legislature after the
general elections in 1887, 1891, 1895, 1898, 1902, but
was defeated in that of 1905. He had large influence
with the many electors of French-Canadian origin resi
dent in the eastern and northern constituencies of the
province, and, had the Ross Cabinet been sustained upon
its last appeal to the people, might have been selected as
a member of the Administration. He speaks well in
English and eloquently in French, and has the suavity of
his compatriots.
Robert Ferguson, Esq., entered the Legislature in
1887, and represented East Kent as a Reformer until
after the close of the century. He was always at his
post, faithfully supporting Reform measures, and never
shirked a vote or deserted a principle.
James Conmee, Esq., North Algoma, first took his
seat in the Legislature on 28th of January, 1886, and
at the general election later in the same year he was
again returned. He was one of the most remarkable men
taking a place in that Assembly. Possessing a com
bination of physical and intellectual strength, he is a man
of great force of character, of unusual acuteness, of
good judgment, and of unfailing courage. He might
quail before a lion, but the animal must be of more than
ordinary strength and ferocity, and the man who could
affright the member for Algoma never put in an appear
ance in the Ontario Legislature. Mr. Conmee's course
in the Legislature was marked by a thorough devotion
to the interests of his constituents, and this interest he
no doubt exhibits in the wider sphere of the House of
299

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
Commons. As a young man Mr. Conmee was of an
adventurous spirit, and served during the American
Civil War in the Sth New York Cavalry, under General
Custer. Edward Frederick Clarke, Esq., was elected to
represent West Toronto in 1887, and again in 1891. He
was a consistent Conservative, and for some time held
high positions in the Orange order. He was never dis
agreeably pugnacious, but firmly maintained such views
as he held. He was affable in manner and clear in the
expression of his views. A model politician, he re
spected his opponents, and, as a rule, those thinking
otherwise than with him had a high opinion of his in
tentions. He was a pleasant speaker and attentive to the
little courtesies which smooth every man's path. He was
ordinarily cool, and equal to the exigencies of debate,
though he never needlessly flayed an opponent. Mr.
Clarke was afterwards one of Toronto's representatives
at Ottawa. Few men of his day had more friends in his
home city, and his comparatively early death was greatly
regretted. James Rayside, Esq., was one of the Reform mem
bers of the House. He represented Glengarry in 1887,
after the seat had been filled for some years by Donald
McMaster, Esq., of Montreal. Mr. Rayside had been
engaged largely in lumbering, and being a man of ideas
and possessed of a popular manner, could handle an
elector as easily as a public question. He had many
friends and no enemy.
After a general election, 5th of June, 1890, the House
met on the i ith of February, 1891. His Honor the Lieut.-
Governor, Sir Alexander Campbell, went through the
form of discovering that the House had no Speaker, and
declared it impossible that he should seriously address
300

SIXTH, SEVENTH AND EIGHTH LEGISLATURES
himself to it until this deficiency had been supplied. He
would go away to-day and come back to-morrow.
When to-morrow and three o'clock arrived, the
vacancy had been filled, and very well filled, by the ap
pointment of Thomas Ballantyne, Esq., member for the
South Riding of Perth. This gentleman was acceptable
to His 'Honor, who proceeded to declare the causes of
his summoning the present Legislature, and said he had
pleasure in announcing that a considerable advance had
been made towards the settlement of long-pending dif
ferences between the Dominion and the province, and
that small matters still undecided were likely to be fully
adjusted during the present year.
In Quebec, however, the Government retained its old
attitude toward the Land Improvement "Fund, and it
was recommended that the payment to municipalities
from this fund, chargeable against Ontario, should no
longer be delayed.
The growing interest in scientific agriculture was
noticed with pleasure, and the good work of the Provin
cial Board of Health and of local boards working in
unison was referred to. The dissemination of " sanitary
literature " was declared to be one of the useful means
of fighting the spread of disease.
The discovery of immense and valuable deposits of
nickel would require some changes in the mining laws,
and the withdrawal from sale and location of some por
tions of Algoma and Nipissing.
Commissions which had inquired into the subjects of
prison reform and the fish and game laws would have
reports ready for consideration before the close of the
session. Two new ministers were present in the House, Hon.
Richard Harcourt, as Treasurer, and Hon. John Dryden,
301

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
as Minister of Agriculture. There were as many as
eighteen reports of judges who had held trials of con
troverted elections, many of those whose elections had
been protested being confirmed in their seats.
The Address in reply to the Speech was moved by
Joseph Tait, and seconded by J. T. Garrow. When the
estimates came up for consideration there was the annual
fight over the matter of the purchase, without tender, of
suppHes for institutions. Inquiries into this subject have
been frequent, and the result has been a confirmation of
the present method of buying all articles wisely pur
chasable in that way by tender, such as flour, coal, and
supplies in large and determinable quantities. Many
things of irregular or only occasional demand can be
bought to better advantage in the open market. The
keen commercial rivalry existing to-day makes over
charging improbable, and under either method it is safe
to assert that every Government will make sure that
party friends will have a preference, provided that quality
and price are equal. It is sheer hypocrisy to say that
any other course is pursued by any Government under
representative institutions. Ontario, in this respect, is
neither better nor worse than its neighbors, and as yet
no great scandal has been dragged from the coal-hole or
elsewhere, establishing dishonesty on the part of grocers,
dry goods men or others selling goods to the Govern
ment. During this session a further sum of one hundred and
fifty thousand dollars was voted for the erection of new
Parliament Buildings, making the total sum voted for
such purposes twelve hundred thousand dollars.
One hundred and thirteen acts were given the Royal
assent, when the House was prorogued on May 4th, the
latest date at which prorogation had taken place
302

SIXTH, SEVENTH AND EIGHTH LEGISLATURES
since Confederation. This was also the longest session
since the establishment of the Legislature, lacking only
one week of three months. The previous session in
1890 had been longer than any of those preceding it.
This increasing length of the session was due in a cou
siderable degree to the greater amount of private bill
legislation, which formed almost one-half of the work of
the session of 1891.
A member of this Legislature who afterwards attained
a leading position, was Hon. Elihu Davis, who
sat for North York from 1891 to the close of the Ross
regime. He was appointed Provincial Secretary, 28th
of August, 1896, and in October, 1899, became Com
missioner of Crown Lands. His addresses to the House
were carefully prepared, full of facts, strengthened with
strong arguments, which were put so as to impress the
listener with the conviction that he thoroughly under
stood his subject, and was not attempting to speak over
the heads of his audience. He was a careful depart
mental head, was on good terms with his staff, and fully
alive to the importance of the Crown Lands income, and
the value of our immense mining properties.
Hon. j. T. Garrow, Esq., was a man of uncommon
parts, and took his seat for West Huron, nth of Febru
ary, 1891, was re-elected in 1895, and afterwards
ascended the bench. He was called to the Cabinet with
out portfolio, holding that position for a brief period.
His elevation to the bench was generally approved. Mr.
Garrow is a close reasoner, but better fitted for a legal
administrator than a political partisan.
W. H. Biggar, Esq., who sat for West Plastings in
1 89 1 and 1895, was an energetic and successful com
mitteeman, especially on the Private Bills Committee,
where he had more influence than any other man
303

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
sent from Belleville. Although a legal gentleman, he was
not given to making long speeches. He is now solicitor
for the Grand Trunk, and has removed from Belleville
to Montreal.
The House was again called together for nth of
February, 1892, when, because of the inability through
sickness of His Honor Sir A. Campbell to open the ses
sion, the Honorable John Hawkins Hagarty, Chief Jus
tice of the province, was appointed to be administrator
of the Government, and opened the House in the usual
form. The Speech referred to the lamented death of one of
the direct heirs to the British throne, the Duke of Clar
ence, and informed the House that gracious messages
of acknowledgment had been received in reply to the
condolences sent by the Lieut.-Governor.
The activity of the Department of Agriculture was
being appreciated, and was bringing about increased
interest and advance in all departments of husbandry.
The reveriue from Woods and Forests had been larger
than anticipated, despite a decreased output.
Fires had been very troublesome in the forest regions
because of the drought, but the system of fire-ranging*
had prevented them from assuming disastrous propor
tions, and the injured timber had been sold to good
advantage. The new Parliament Buildings were nearing comple
tion, and it was hoped that the next session might be
held there.
The University Buildings, damaged by fire two years
previous, were almost restored, and the new Upper Can
ada College Building was so much appreciated that more
students asked for admission than could be accommo
dated. 3°4

SIXTH, SEVENTH AND EIGHTH LEGISLATURES
Lieut.-Col. Gillmor, Clerk of the Assembly from Con
federation to the end of 1891, when he died after a brief
illness, was succeeded by the writer, who held the office
until 1st of January, 1907, and was succeeded by A. H.
Sydere, Esq., for many years Clerk Assistant, and highly
qualified for his present position.
One of my first duties as Clerk of the House was to
administer the oath to James Kirkwood, Esq., my suc
cessor in the representation of East Wellington, who
had been elected in November, 1891.
On the 1st of March, 1892, the House received a return
of the election of Hon. W. Harty, as member for
Kingston. Hon. William Harty succeeded Hon. Christopher
F. Fraser as Commissioner of Public Works in the
Mowat Administration. Eminently practical and fully
acquainted >with the control of a large business, where
constructive knowledge was necessary, he was well fitted
to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of his
eminent predecessor. Mr. Harty was familiar, too, with
the labor questions of his day, and was in touch with
the movements of the labor party in the United States,
as well as in the Dominion, and especially in the prov
ince of Ontario. In manner he was democratically
approachable, felt that he held office through, by, and for
the people, and that the province and Dominion were on
the threshold of great changes, which would materially
advance the progress of the whole community. Mr.
Harty found the cares of office wearing, and withdrew
from the Government and the Legislature. He was
afterwards elected to represent Kingston in the
Dominion House.
On the 24th of March, 1892, an important step was

305

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
taken when resolutions were introduced respecting
succession duties.
The bounty on wolves was considered in Committee,
and it was determined that it should be increased from
$6 to $io upon each wolf killed in accordance with regu
lations. The wolf, it is said, still holds its own, and at
the present time the payments on account of bounties
threaten to exceed the appropriation for that purpose.,
A resolution was passed to enable the University of
Toronto to raise the sum of $250,000, to be a first charge
upon the permanent funds of the University, at the rate
of $5 to the pound for principal.
The order for a second reading of the bill to provide
for the admission of women to the study and practice of
the law elicited an amendment from Mr. Meredith,
seconded by Mr. Clancy, that the bill be read six months
hence. This was lost on a division of 40 to 41, and tl^e
second reading was carried.
Resolutions providing for additional railway aid were
brought down and received.
A bill for the protection of bees was carried on a vote
of 52 yeas to 27 nays. Amendments were moved but
voted down.
Judge 'Hagarty again acted as administrator at the
close of the session, after assenting to one hundred and
eight acts. Before doing so, he read the usual Speech,
and took opportunity to announce the fact that this was
the last session of the Legislative Assembly in the old
Parliament Buildings, and congratulated the House on
the liberal grant made for a proper representation of the
province at the World's Fair, to be held in Chicago in
the following year.
Lieut.-Governor Campbell did not recover from the
serious illness which afflicted him during the session
306

SIXTH, SEVENTH AND EIGHTH LEGISLATURES
of 1892, but died at Government House in May of that
year. His successor was Honorable George Airey Kirk
patrick, who had the honor of opening the first session
held in the new buildings in Queen's Park. This event
in the history of the Legislature took place on the 4th
day of April, 1893, and the interest and attendance
which it called forth made it a memorable occasion.
Hon. Thomas Ballantyne, of Stratford, who had
the honor of being the first Speaker to preside over the
deliberations of the Assembly in its new quarters, as he
was the last to officiate in the historic buildings now
obliterated, had been a member of the House for South
Perth continuously from 1875. For years he had been
a warm supporter of Reform principles, but as Speaker
partisan feeling never entered into his decisions, which
were always arrived at with caution. Since the close of
the Parliament of 1890, he has not taken the same deep
interest in public life as in more early years, and it is
largely owing to this fact that Perth has been somewhat
erratic in its political course. While taking a very
earnest and unselfish part in the promotion of public
affairs, local and general, Mr. Ballantyne has been
specially identified with the progress of the dairy in
dustry, in connection with which his name is as familiarly
known in Great Britain as in Canada. His generosity,
hospitality, and valuable advice are highly appreciated
in Perth, but even more widely valued outside of the
county. He never spared himself or his means when
by fair use of both he could advance Reform principles,
and he has been kept out of continued activity only by
failing health, which almost inevitably falls to the share
of him who, for many years, has done two men's work.
Mr. Ballantyne is an excellent conversationist, speaking
as aptly in a public assembly as when at his fireside, and
307

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
possesses an excellent repertory of political and general
information. During the recess. Nelson Gordon Bigelow, Esq., had
been elected in room of H. E. Clarke, Esq., whose tragic
death in the House has been noted. Mr. Bigelow did
not live to take his place in the Assembly. Another
election had been held since his death, and the successful
candidate was George Sterling Ryerson, Esq., M.D.,
who was for some time a useful and industrious repre
sentative of Toronto's interests.
The Lieut.-Governor referred to the fact that he had
the honor not only of opening the first session in the
new Parliament Buildings, but that he was presiding
over the Legislative work of a new century, this being
the first year of the second century of the existence of
representative government in Canada. He rejoiced in
believing that under our present relations with the
Empire we could enjoy every privilege necessary to the
fullest exercise of self-government.
He alluded to several measures and reports which
would be laid before them, and stated that a bill con
solidating the various Acts respecting the University of
Toronto, the Registry Acts, a bill respecting Labor
Liens, and another dealing with Voters' Lists in cities,
would be offered for their consideration.
The Address in reply was disposed of without delay,
and was moved by Mr. Allan, seconded by Mr. Mc-
Kechnie. Numerous petitions were presented this session, pray
ing that provision might be made for taking a direct
vote of the electors of Ontario upon the question of im
portation, manufacture, and sale of intoxicating liquors.
Mr. E. F. Clarke (Toronto) moved that the representa
tion of Toronto, as it now exists, is unfair and unjust,
308

SIXTH, SEVENTH AND EIGHTH LEGISLATURES
and that there is no reason for maintaining the anomalous,
exceptional, and unfair methods of electing representa
tives for the said electoral district.
Mr. Davis moved a long amendment, declaring against
the success of the experiment of minority representation
existent in Toronto, and admitting that it ought to be
abolished. Mr. Tait (Toronto) moved in amendment to the
amendment the additional provision that the city is
entitled to greater representation because of increase in
population. On May 20th the debate was renewed, and Mr. Tait's
amendment to the amendment was carried by a vote of
49 yeas to 29 nays. The amended amendment and the
amended main motion were carried on the same division,
the votes being strictly Conservative on the part of the
nays. Mr. Waters, not for a moment dismayed in his
crusade for women's rights, resumed the debate on the
second reading of Bill 82 to enable women to vote for
members of the Legislative Assembly. An amendment
declaring in effect that the results of such legislation had
not been sufficiently considered, and that it was inex
pedient to emulate the State of Wyoming, and moving
the six months' hoist, was introduced and carried by a
vote of 57 to 16.
Mr. Waters, representative of North Middlesex, was
one of those plucky men who never know when they are
defeated, and who persist in a certain course when it is
evident to all the rest of thinking mankind that they
cannot carry their ideas into practical operation. He was
a clear-headed municipal man, and his opinions in
general were valuable and often distinctly novel. He
was in the Legislature for several sessions, and was
309

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
missed when he deemed it advisable to accept an official
position in Middlesex.
The proposition embodied in Bill 71, " for the pre
vention of cruelty to and better protection of children,"
was moved by Mr. Gibson, Provincial Secretary, and
opposed by Mr. Meredith, who was strongly pronounced
on the ground that a paid provincial officer for the
enforcement of the law was an unnecessary expenditure,
and asked that this feature of the bill be removed. The
House differed from the hon. member, and by a vote of
53 to 29 disposed of his amendment. Mr. Whitney took
exception to a section of the bill, but his amendment was
lost by a vote of 62 to 22.
On 22nd May, 1893, Bill 156, to enable the electors
of the province to pronounce upon the desirability of
prohibiting the importation, manufacture, and sale, as a
beverage, of intoxicating liquors, was called for second
reading, and this motion of Mr. Ross was carried on a
division of 48 yeas to 28 nays.
Several railways were aided, and the bill authorizing
this was read a third time on May 25th, being carried on
a division of 52 yeas to 31 nays.
Prorogation took place on May 27th, and assent was
given to one hundred and seventeen acts.
-A general election was held in June, 1894, and the
Government was again sustained. When the new Legis
lature met on February 21st, 1895, William Douglas
Balfour, Esq., was chosen to fill the Speaker's chair, and
the Lieut.-Governor, who had retired while the Speaker
was being elected, returned, and read his Speech. It had
been the custom to occupy two days in the formalities
incidental to opening each new Legislature, but the more
simple procedure now obtains of presenting the Speaker

310

SIXTH, SEVENTH AND EIGHTH LEGISLATURES
to His Honor immediately after his election. The
Speech is then read and public business so far expedited.
Hon. W. D. Balfour sat for South Essex in the
Legislative Assembly from 1882 to the date of his death
in August, 1896. He was publisher and editor of the
Reform paper in Amherstburg. At all times a great
worker, he devoted his life to political labor, and no
man ever served his party more faithfully. In speaking,
his matter was carefully prepared, and the points made
by him were excellent, but a too rapid utterance de
tracted from the value of his addresses. He could arouse
the enthusiasm of his hearers, but the efforts made, for
he never spared himself, gradually weakened his frail con
stitution, and the toil of the election after he had joined
the Administration hastened his end. He had been
Speaker only a short time when he was taken into the
Government, and his death, at the moment when he had
attained a position of greater usefulness, was particu
larly sad. His great popularity amongst his own people
was shown by the immense crowd attending his funeral.
The Speech read by Lieut.-Governor Kirkpatrick in
1895 was brief, but had several matters prominently im
portant. The Supreme Court of Canada having held
that the province had no power to pass a prohibitory
liquor law, the Government was taking the necessary
proceedings for an appeal to Her Majesty's Privy Coun
cil upon the question. Bills were to be introduced for
the extension of the Factory Act and the Children's Pro
tection Act, and for revising and consolidating the Acts
relating to agriculture, and to mechanics' institutes and
free libraries.
The arbitrators adjusting unsettled accounts between
the Dominion and the provinces of Ontario and Quebec
were still making progress.

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
A measure having in view the simplifying of certain
legal proceedings would be introduced, and the question
of the maintenance of Government House would be con
sidered. A long-familiar figure was missed from the House
this session, and one of the announcements made by Mr.
Speaker was that the Clerk, having been notified that a
vacancy had occurred in the representation of the city
of London, owing to William Ralph Meredith having
accepted an office of profit at the nomination of the
Crown, had issued a writ for an election, and Thomas
Saunders Hobbs, Esq., was elected to fill the vacancy.
On the report of the judges for the trial of election
petitions, James Conmee, West Algoma, and William
A. Willoughby, East Northumberland, were declared
elected, and the following persons were declared not
elected : George Tucker, West Wellington ; Edward
Handley Smythe, Kingston.
Honorable William Harty was returned as elected for
Kingston. Mr. Craig, seconded by Mr. McNeish, moved the
address on 22nd of February, and it was passed on the
same day.
A motion was made by Mr. Haycock on the 13th of
March, that the maintenance of Government Hovise
should, after the expiration of five years from the ap
pointment or other earlier determination of the term of
office of His Honor the present Lieut.-Governor be dis
continued. The Attorney-General moved in amendment that the
matter should be referred to a special committee. This
was carried by a vote of 44 yeas to 37 nays.
This was the session in which the Patrons of Industry
were largely represented, and when their leader, Mr.
312

SIXTH, SEVENTH AND EIGHTH LEGISLATURES
Haycock was a power in the House and country. But
the fight was brief. These members speedily perceived
that they had nothing to gain by union with the Con
servatives, and that to carry out their views they must
work in unison with those who were promoting sensible
changes as well as the preservation of well-tried usages.
Measures with little but novelty to recommend them and
class representation for its own sake are not likely to
succeed under our system.
On the 3rd of April a bill was read a second time to
provide for the admission of women to the study and
practice of the law, and was adopted by a vote of 61
yeas to 27 nays.
There was a split between the extremists on a proposed
bill by Mr. Haycock to amend the Act respecting the
Legislative Assembly, and it was lost on a division where
Reformers and Conservatives alike were recorded against
it, the vote being 74 yeas to 13 nays. " And," to quote
the quaint language of the Journal, " so it passed in the
negative." In the last days of the session the Opposition exer
cised pretty freely its rights of criticism and suggestion.
The vexed question as to the propriety of the employ
ment of prison labor in manufacturing was up for dis
cussion, and when expenditure for educational purposes
was being considered, Mr. Whitney put in a plea for an
extension of the work to be done in public schools, a
matter in which he continued to take an active interest.
The session came to an end on the i6th of April, after
one hundred and twenty-seven acts had been assented to.
In 1896 the House met on the nth of February, and
the Speech read by His Honor was rather pessimistic in
tone. Business in several lines was depressed, the lumber

313

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
trade being especially dull, but the agricultural and
mining industries were being fostered and developed.
Perhaps the most important measure foreshadowed
was a bill reducing the number of members of county
councils. This bill aroused much discussion, and amend
ments, ranging from the six months' hoist to the suppress
ing or changing of certain sections, were offered and
defeated. Though well intended, the measure never
received full popular approval, and a return has been
made to the system which it superseded.
Private bills asking for power to build and operate
lines of electric railways were appearing in considerable
numbers, and a bill amending the Electric Railway Act
of the previous session was introduced.
The powers of the province to enact prohibitory liquor
legislation were still undecided, and in this matter the
Legislature was marking time.
Though there was little legislation to excite interest or
contention, one hundred and twenty-two acts received
the Royal assent when Lieut.-Governor Kirkpatrick pro
rogued the House on the 7th of April, 1896.
During the recess the Dominion elections took place.
The Reformers were victorious, and Sir Oliver Mowat
bade farewell to the Provincial Legislature, and became
Minister of Justice at Ottawa.

314

SIR OLIVER MOWAT.
Premier of Ontario for about a quarter oE a century.

CHAPTER XXIII.
CLOSING WORDS.
In bringing to a close this brief summary of the early
workings of Confederation in Ontario, I may be per
mitted to note the thought which has presented itself
to me during the progress of my labor, and in point
ing out, what has already been realized, that a com
plete history of the province, from the inception of the
Mowat regime to its end, cannot be adequately told in a
single volume. A mere sketch of the doings of the
period which has elapsed since Confederation was
brought about is all that has been attempted by me, and
I gladly make way for better pens to work out a com
plete story of the events of the last forty years. I have
attempted to familiarize the reader with some of the
forms through which our laws pass in their making, and
hinted at a few of the main incidents of the period, but
to look back at the comparatively little that has been
done by me is to convince me of the great extent of that
still left untouched, and to lead to the hope that some
other one, before reaching the age of an octogenarian,
may take up the tangled threads and weave from them
a fuller, brighter and more thorough and coherent story.
Much has been accomplished by those who have already
written largely upon the subject of Canadian history, and
they are necessarily to be consulted, but more is to be
found in the files of old newspapers, records of travellers,
315

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
the written sketches of localities, letters of private indi
viduals, municipal records, and other sources of original
information than in the parliamentary proceedings of
which I have had knowledge and to which I have in a
great measure confined myself.
I have felt that my story is incomplete, from the fact
that the field to be gone over by the explorer and nar
rator is too extended for limited time.
It was not commenced until two or three months of
my eighty-first year had elapsed, and even now I am
conscious that I have scarcely passed the threshold of
my subject.
My aim has been to cover what may be termed the
Mowat period. It will be noted that men who came on
the scene since that time have been purposely left to
other notice.
That period of our provincial history is unique, and
ought to remain unbroken in a narrative of the time in
which Ontario recommenced its growth. Whatever con
temporaries may have said as to his methods, the fact
remains that the work was done, and well done; that
Oliver Mowat built up a state out of a comparative wil
derness, and gave to it laws, steadily enforced, which
were necessary to its existence and its growth. To
engage in this glorious work — for such it was in the
hands of a man who saw the immediate future clearly,
and used that knowledge to make way for its coming —
was a noble finish to a long public life, and must make
his regime as memorable as that of any who have pre
ceded or may foHow him. It seems fitting that the work
of such an era should stand alone in its treatment by the
critic. The term of Mr. Mowat's premiership, extend
ing from 1872 to 1896, covered what may be regarded
as the high tide of Liberalism in Ontario, for it witnessed
316

CLOSING WORDS
the creation or amendment of laws bearing upon every
possible subject — social, political or educational. One
of the first demands of an established people is a recog
nition of the rights of the represented. In extension of
the suffrage, protection of the polling booth, the purity
of the election and of electoral machinery, the equal rights
of voter and representative were vigorously guarded, in
the voters' list, the ballot-box, the punishment of bribery,
the controverted election law, and the impartial decisions
of a clean judiciary. Municipal laws were reformed so.
often and so regularly that some men complained of
what they termed "tinkering." Education kept pace
with, or went even beyond, the demands of the educated.
From public school to university not a single year passed
without some needed change, if you will, but reform
undoubtedly. The school-house is the foundation of
popular liberty, and it was built with unsparing expendi
ture of public funds. The compact with those controll
ing the separate schools of the province was honestly
maintained in the face of frequent attack. Lands to
actual settlers were profusely, not extravagantly, granted.
Our assessment laws were gradually but effectively
brought into unison with all that the light of the time
and the experience of the past had revealed on the sub
ject. Our timber, a valued asset, was economically man
aged. A moderate succession duty was exacted in
accordance with a general sense of justice, and which
yearly meets with growing approval. Railways were gen
erously, perhaps lavishly, assisted, but nobody complained
of excessive liberality in that direction, the need of means
of transport being great. The law of dower and pro
vision for the widows of intestates, and the grant of
municipal suffrage to women, presaged a more liberal
acknowledgment of the part which woman takes in the
317

SIXTY YEARS IN UPPER CANADA
growth of civilization. Temperance advancement was
notably illustrative of the progress of the time. In fact,
it is useless to continue a list so markedly indicative of
the blessings brought about by a free people in a quarter
of a century when wisely and fearlessly led. The future,
influenced by the past, should have even better things in
store, and the model set by the unequalled premiership
of a progressive but conserving statesman will long live
in the minds of the electors of Ontario.

318

INDEX TO NAMES OF PERSONS
SPECIALLY MENTIONED.

Abbott, J. J. C, 109.
Awrey, Nicholas, 275.
Aylmer, Col. Lord, 133.
Baldwin, Hon. Robert, 77, 95.
Balfour, Hon. W. D., Speaker,
271, 277.
Ballantyne, Hon. Thos., Speaker,
301, 307.
Barber, William, 97, 158.
Barr, John, M.D., 231.
Baxter, Hon. J., Speaker, 162, 292.
Bell, Robert, 229, 232.
Bethune, James, 208.
Bigelow, N. G., 308.
Biggar, W. H., 303.
Bishop, Archibald, 205.
Blake, Hon. Edward, 142, 180,
182.
Boulter, G. H., M.D., 183, 194.
Boulton, D'Arcy, 203.
Brega, Solomon, Editor, 44, 58.
Bright, Hon. John, 29.
Broder, Andrew, 231.
Brown, Hon. George, 58, 59, 68,
138.
Bruce, Major, 49.
Caldwell, Wm. C, 190.
Calvin, D. D., 147.
Cameron, Hon. Malcolm, 66, 75.
Cameron, Hon. Matthew Crooks,
144, 181.
Campbell, Sir Alexander, Lt.-
Gov., 140, 29-S, 304, 306.
Carling, Hon. John, 140, 247.

Cascaden, John, M.D., 264, 285.
Chisholm, Kenneth, 234.
Clancy, James, 276.
Clarke, Charles, Speaker, 229,
242, 267.
Clarke, E. F., 300.
Clarke, H. E., 275.
Clarke, John, M.D., 207.
Clemens, Isaac, 161.
Cobden, Hon. Richard, 29, 45.
Conmee, James, 299.
Coyne, John, 158.
Craig, James, 165.
Crawford, Hon. J. W., Lt.-Gov.,
199, 211.
Creighton, David, 216.
Crooks, Hon. Adam, 180, 213, 268.
Cumberland, Lt.-Col., 159.
Currie, Hon. J. G., Lt.-Col., 177,
200.
Daly, T. M., 206.
Davis, Hon. Elihu, 303.
Dawson, Simon J., 131, 159.
Deroche, H. M., 167, 178.
Dickenson, John, 27;.
Dowling, John, M.D., 281.
Drury, Hon. Charles, 263.
Dryden, Hon. John, 260.
Elgin, Lord, Gov.-Gen., 46, 47, 50.
Ermatinger, C. O., 276.
Evanturel, Hon. F. E. A., Speaker,
299.
Farwell, Abram, 196.
19

INDEX TO NAMES OF PERSONS

Ferguson, Robert, 299.
Ferguson, Thos. R., 204.
Ferris, James M., 233.
Fleming, John, 234.
Fraser, Hon. C. F., 188, 237, 283.
Freeman, John B., "Whip," 262.
French, F. J., 266.

Galbraith, D., 161.
Garrow, Hon. J. C, 303.
Gibbon, Robert, 164.
Gibson, Thomas, 177.
Gibson, Hon. J. M., Lt.-Col., 258.
Gillmor, Lt.-Col., 247. 305.
Gow, Hon. Peter, 180.
Graham, Major, 128.
Graham, K., 164.
Grange, John T., 164.
Guthrie, Donald, 297.
Hagarty, Hon. John H., 304, 306.
Harcourt, Hon. Richard, 230.
Hardy, Hon. A. S., 188, 201, 240.
Hargraft, W. W., 234.
Harty, Hon. Wm., 305.
Hawley, Geo. D., 266.
Hay, D. D., 226.
Haycock, Joseph T., 312, 313.
Hays, W., 163.
Higinbotham, Lt.-Col., 132.
Hobbs, Thos. S., 312.
Hodgins, Thomas, 207.
Hopkins, Caleb, 66.
Hoste, Colonel, 131.
Howland, Hon. W., Lt.-Gov.,
59, 60, 136, 190.
Hunter, J. H., 232.
Kerns, Wm, , Lt.-Col., 276.
Kerr, William, 113.
Kirkpatrick, Hon. George A.,
Lt.-Gov., 307.
Kirkwood, James, 305.

Laidlaw, James, 264.
Lauder, A. W., 197.

Leslie, James, 66.
List of members first Legislature,
145.
Long, Wm. Thomas, 234.
Macdonald, Hon. D. A., Lt.-Gov.,
139, 21 r, 242, 247.
Macdonald, H. S., 157.
Macdonald, Sir John A., 68, 82,
109, 139.
Macdonald, Hon. John S., 137,
174, 175, i8g.
Macdougall, Hon. William, 56,
60, 214.
Mackenzie, Hon. Alex., 66.
Mackenzie, Wm. Lyon, 53.
MacMahon, James, M.D., 262.
MacNab, Sir Allan, 47.
Massie, James, 219.
McGee, Hon. T. D'Arcy, 83.
McKay, Angus, M.D., "Whip,"
297.
McKellar, Hon. Archibald, 136,
142, 180.
McKim, Robert, 271, 277.
McLaughlin, J. W., M.D., 276.
McManus, George, 207.
Meredith, Sir William, 189, 198,
282, 312.
Merrick, Henry, 195.
Metcalfe, J. H., 264.
Miller, J. C, 219.
Monk, George W., "Whip," 199.
Monteith, Andrew, 207.
Morgan, WilHam, " Whip," 263.
Morris, Hon. Alexander, 227,
283.
Mowat, Sir Oliver, loi, 104, 188,
191, 236, 262, 278.
Near, D., 264.
Neelon, Sylvester, 233.
O'Connell, Daniel, 29.
O'Connor, H. P., 274.
O'Donoghue, D. J., 205.
Oliver, Adam, 206.

320

INDEX TO NAMES OF PERSONS

Pardee, Hon. T. B., 159, 188.
Parker, Dr., 82.
Parkhill, W. J., 265.
Paterson, Peter, 208.
Patterson, Hon. J. C, 232.
Paxt6n, Thomas, 162.
Perry, George, 163.
Perry, Peter, 67.
Rayside, James, 300.
Richards, Hon. S., 141.
Richardson, Lt.-Col., 127.
Robinson, Hon. John Beverley,
Lt.-Gov., 249, 272.
Robinson, Thos., Dramatist, 21.
Robinson, W., M.D., 208.
Ross, A. M., Lt.-Col., 221.
Ross, Hon. G. W., 268.
Ryerson, Egerton, 213.
Rykert, John Charles, 210.
Scott, Hon. R. W., Speaker, 167,
176.
Scott, Thomas, 181.
Scott, W. H., 209.
Sexton, William, 165.
Sinclair, Daniel, 147, 160.
Smith, Sir Henry, 140.
Springer, M., 160.

Stevenson, Hon. J., Speaker, 143.
Stisted, Major-General, Lt.-Gov.,
I3S-
Stock, Thomas, 161.
Stratton, Hon. J. R., 298.
Taylor, Lt.-Col., 132.
Trow, James, 164.
Waters, John, 262.
Watterworth, John, 235.
Wells, R. M., Speaker, 200, 212.
Wetenhall, John, 78.
White, Solomon, 233.
Whitney, Hon. J. P., 108, 295,
313-
Widdifield, Joseph, M.D., 232.
Wigle, Lewis, 231.
Williams, Lt.-Col., 158.
Williams, James, 160.
Wilson, J. H., M.D., 178.
Wolseley, Sir Garnet, 131.
Wood, A. F., 265.
Wood, Hon. E. B., 140, 152, 182.
Wood, Hon. S. C, 188, 213.
Workman, Joseph, M.D., 58, 77.
Young, Hon. James, 244, 266,
314-

321

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