The Evolution of Government in Newfoundland 1800- 1934

The Evolution of Government in Newfoundland 1800- 1934

From Infant to Adult

The Timeline:

1800 1817 1824 1832 1855

Naval

Governor= infant

Naval Governor lives in NL year round

Civil Governor=

Tween

Representative Government=

Teenager

RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT= Adult

Things were different in the early 1800’s:• British government

viewed Newfoundland as a fishing station= not a place to live

• It was illegal to live in Newfoundland year round!!

• Some people stayed= MASTERLESS MEN

Naval Governors 1800-1817

• Appointed by the British Government

• “Excellency”• Had power over the

military, politics and the courts

• 1800s, Newfoundland/Labrador seen as a fishing station, not a settlement Henry Osborn

First Naval Governor NL

• There was settlement in many places, St. John’s was growing, but the governor only stayed here for part of the year.


• Problems in fishery and no money led to riots in winters of 1816-1818

• 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


Winter of Rals:

• Britain sent emergency relief money to help

• The naval governor was instructed to stay year round in NL


Weakness of this type of government:

1. The people of Newfoundland were not allowed to elect leaders

2. British Government made all decisions

3. Naval governors were not responsive to the needs of the people of Newfoundland


• Newfoundland became a Crown Colony in 1824.

• Appointed by the British government

• Newfoundlanders had some say in their affairs

• Civil Governor could seek advice of an appointed local council (but DID NOT HAVE TO LISTEN TO THEM!)

Civil Governor 1824

Weakness of this type of government:

1. Appointed and not elected

Civil Governor 1824

The inhabitants of Newfoundland appear to have been considered, either as a race of savages untameable by civilization, and

which could not be re-trained by any regular code of laws, or as Angels

descended immediately from Heaven, pure and perfect, possessing minds which did not require instruction (Carson 1813 5).

William Carson:

• Born in Scotland in 1770

• Was a doctor coming to Newfoundland to set up a practice in 1808

• "The Great Reformer",

William Carson:

• Became the driving force to construct a hospital in 1814

• Worked to promote farming, whale fishery, town planning, relief for poor, and education/ judicial systems

William Carson:

• Joined with Patrick Morris to persuade British government to let Newfoundlanders govern themselves

• In 1832 this campaign met with success, and representative government was instituted

William Carson:

• He ran for House of Assembly and served three terms from 1833-1842

• Died in 1843: still telling Newfoundlanders to fight for responsible government

Patrick Morris

• Born in Ireland 1789

• Came to Newfoundland in 1804 to work as a clerk for a merchant

• Owned 5 schooners

• Large role in opening an orphan asylum school

Patrick Morris

• Fought for Newfoundlanders to have the right to govern themselves

• Served as a member of House of Assembly once representative government was granted

• Treasurer (1840-49)

1. Governor appointed by Britain

2. Legislative council appointed by Governor/ British Government. Usually wealthy, originating from England.

** Governor+ Council= POWER TO MAKE LAWS!!

Representative Government 1832-1855

3. Elected Assembly

• Men over the age of 21, and living in NL for 1 year could vote to elect members

• 15 members of the House of Assembly, representing 9 electoral districts (p73)


3. Elected Assembly

• Women and the poor were disenfranchised (no right to vote)

• Could suggest new laws to the governor and council

• Had NO POWER to make laws


Weaknesses of this form of government:

1. French Shore, south coast and Labrador were not represented

2. Women and the poor were not allowed to vote

3. The council and elected assembly argued constantly and got little accomplished


RESPONSIBLEGOVERNMENT

1855

• 1855- 1934

• Reformers wanted this

• Governor did not want this style of gov’t

• Executive council oppose as well

• Both not want to lose their power

• Reformers pressured British gov’t and after several years they agreed

Responsible Government

1. Governor- had no real power any more

2. Executive Council (Cabinet)

• Appointed by the governor

• Members came from the political party that gained the most votes in the election

• The leader of that party became Premier


• Phillip Francis Little becomes first Premier

• The style of government stay in place till 1934


Documents

The Evolution of Government in Newfoundland 1800- 1934