Chapter 4 How the People were Governed

Evolution of Government In 1800, people had no say in government, naval governors in charge. NL is granted official colonial status in 1824 Representative Gov’t granted in 1832 Responsible Gov’t came in 1855

Naval Governors 1800s, Newfoundland/Labrador seen as a fishing station, not a settlement Naval governor was appointed to run the area each year by the British government There was settlement in many places, St. John’s was growing, but the governor only stayed here for part of the year.

Naval Governors (cont.) Problems in fishery and no money led to riots in winter Governor instructed to stay in the colony year-round after that “Winter of the Rals” – riots, starving people, all kinds of issues Governor Pickmore died in St. John’s that winter – see Did You Know? P.71

Crown Colony –Newfoundland became a Crown Colony in Still under control of British Gov’t –Civil Governor could seek advice of an appointed local council. –Reported directly to the British Government and remained under their control Sir Charles Hamilton, Second Resident Governor

Sir Thomas John Cochrane Civil Governor Energetic Governor Built Government House Opposed Representative Government Representative Gov’t came anyway in 1832, he promised to cooperate, but this did not work out. He was in constant conflict with reformers, including the Catholic Bishop (Fleming) He was recalled to England – he and his daughter were pelted with filth on their way to the wharf while leaving town.

Representative Government Representative Gov’t in members of the House of Assembly, representing 9 electoral districts. Members of the assembly were elected by the people Men over 21 living here for 1 year could vote Women and poor were disenfranchised – no right to vote.

Representative Government Governor and Council appointed by England – had the power Assembly could only suggest new laws Members of Representative Council represented the wealthy merchants, the Assembly members represented the poor and fishermen. Newspapers showed many political cartoons and took sides on issues

Disenframnchised Meaning: Did not have the right to vote! Women and the poor were disenfranchised…not to mention the aboriginals

Responsible Government Reformers wanted change and looked for Responsible Government Governor have no real power Have to follow advice of executive council Executive council picked from elected assembly Party with most seats was the ruling party

Responsible Government (cont.) Real hands in power of the people Reformers wanted this Governor did not want this style of gov’t Executive council oppose as well Both not want to lose their power Argued to the British government that this should not be brought into Newfoundland

Responsible Government British Government agreed with reformers Newfoundland granted responsible government in 1855 Phillip Francis Little becomes first Premier The style of government stay in place till 1934

Denominational Compromise Informal arrangement political and religious leaders made that cabinet positions and jobs in the public service would be shared among respective denominations. (i.e. One position R.C … the next Church of England)

Denominational School System 1874 the school system was organized on the basis of religious denominations was fully in place. Lasted until 1997 Great divide and distrust between denominations

Confederation Sentiments for and against Confederation were passionate Anti Confederates led by Charles Fox Bennett Confederates led by Premier Frederic Carter Issue of the 1869 ELECTION

DEBATE! Anti – against higher taxes, militia laws, keep fishery, closer ties to Britain, Newfoundland for Newfoundlanders Pro – need improvement, people will move away, employment, poverty, Union is strength, equality equals prosperity

Railway …. Trans-island railway built to open up land based resources 1881 construction began and by 1884 trains were running between St. John’s and Harbour Grace Railway completed in End of line at Port aux Basques for political reasons

CRISES OF 1890s St. John’s Great Fire of 1892: destroyed most the city leaving many of the townspeople homeless French Shore Crises: French claimed right to catch lobster/ Nflders said they could only catch fish…resolved when French Bank Crash 1894 : Commercial Bank could not pay it’s depositors due to the fragile nature of NL economy based on the fishery

Fishermen’s Protective Union Founded by William Ford Coaker at Herring Neck in 1908 by signing up 19 fishermen to the WPU Purpose: to reform the Truck system which left the fishermen powerless and reform the government which was controlled by wealthy men Created town of Port Union and set up a trading company that sold to fishermen at cost

F.P. U. Threat to the power of the R.C. church who had previously spoken out for the poor Became political and by 1913 had 8 members in the House of Assembly Called for reform in three areas…government, the fishery, and social policy