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Pictou in Politics
The first election in Pictou County was held in
1799. These were the days of irresponsible Government, when an
autocratic Executive at Halifax governed the Province, as they saw
fit, and generally without regard to the just claims of the outlying
settlements. It was natural, therefore, that the Scotsmen of Pictou
should be strong in protest against this form of government, and
when the opportunity was formally offered them they expressed
themselves as strongly opposed to it.
At this time, the counties of Pictou, Colchester and Halifax were
one for Electoral purposes, and were designated "Halifax" County.
Out of the four candidates allotted to the county of Halifax, Pictou
returned two, W. Cottman Tonge, and Edward Mortimer in opposition to
the ruling element at Halifax. Mr. Tonge is said to have been a man
of great independence, and fearless in asserting the rights of the
people. In 1806, Colchester and Pictou again overruled Halifax by
electing Edward Mortimer and S. G. W. Archibald of Truro. Edward
Mortimer was of Scottish descent. He settled in Pictou town where he
became a prominent merchant and shipper. Because of his wealth and
influence he was sometimes styled "the King of Pictou." For over
twenty years he represented the people in the General Assembly of
the Province. Political seed was apparently sown in a fruitful
field, and the men of Pictou have ever since taken the deepest and
most intelligent interest in public affairs. Through worthy
representatives they have made their influence strongly felt on the
floors of successive Parliaments and Legislature.
The outstanding question in Pictou's early politics, and the one
which contributed to a greater degree than any other in causing
party strife, was the unfortunate controversy, lasting more than
twenty years, over Pictou Academy's claims for Government aid, on
lines similar to that accorded to King's College, Windsor, which was
the special care of the Council of Twelve. Edward Mortimer, George
Smith and Jotham Blanchard were successively the men who championed
the cause of the Academy. In its earlier stages, the quarrel was
ecclesiastical, as well as political, and intense feelings were
aroused. Jotham Blanchard was elected in 1830 to the Assembly at
Halifax. This was the year of the "big election," concerning which
many stories of strife, bloodshed, and even death are told. Hon. J.
W. Carmichael describes the famous election of 1830, when "Kirk" and
"Antiburgher" were the war cries. Elections were not held then as
now in one day. That one occupied three weeks, commencing in
Halifax, adjourning to Truro, and then to Pictou, a week in each,
the excitement increasing as the contest proceeded. From Truro came
accounts of bands of electors marching in from Stewiacke,
Londonderry and Tatamagouche with pipes playing, flags flying, and
forming in a body around Court House Square.
The battle rolled on to Pictou and when Highlander met Lowlander
then came the tug of war. A regular plan of campaign was marked out.
On Monday, the Kirk men took possession of the town and drove the
Antiburghers before them like leaves before the blast. The
Antiburgher leaders took counsel with one another and orders were
issued. Messengers sped over hills and dales; and "Anti-burghers to
the rescue," was the cry. From East and West and Middle River came
in the detachments, and revived the drooping spirits of their party.
The college was guarded. A bodyguard was stationed in Blanchard's
House. On Wednesday night a fierce and possibly fatal contest was
prevented, solely by the interposition of Dr. McCulloch, who placed
himself between the contending parties just as their columns were
coming into conflict; and prevailed on both to retire. And so passed
away the week a week eventful in the history of Pictou, and of Nova
Scotia. It was decidedly the most exciting election ever held in the
Province. The bitter feelings engendered in that strife have long
passed away. There are now few, very few, remaining who can even
call them to recollection.
Joseph Howe followed the polling to Pictou and reported the events
there in the interest of his paper, the "Nova Scotian." Howe at that
time was attached to the Party of Privilege and afterwards said that
it was the impressions made upon him by Blanchard and the other
Pictou reformers that turned his mind towards the popular side, as
he expressed it, "those Pictou scribblers converted me."
Next came the agitation for Responsible Government, and Pictou was
the centre of the movement. Jotham Blanchard was the first public
man in the Province, by voice and pen to press for Responsible .
Government, as we have it today. This he did through the columns of
the Colonial Patriot and before the Home Government in 1831 when he
went across to plead for justice to Pictou Academy. In 1836 the
district of Pictou was established as a separate county. By that
act, it received two representatives for the County and one for the
township of Pictou. The first election under the new plan took place
that year, when by a compromise between the parties, George Smith, a
Liberal and an upholder of responsible government, and John Holmes,
a Tory and openly opposed to the new order of things, were chosen.
After a contest Henry Hatton was elected to represent the township.
In 1838 Thomas Dickson succeeded George Smith, the latter being
elevated to the Legislative Council. From 1840-1843 Holmes, Henry
Blackadar, and Hatton were the representatives. The next four years,
Holmes and George R. Young represented the County and Blackadar the
township. From 1847-1851 the members were Young, Andrew Robertson
and Blackadar. George R. Young was a member without portfolio of the
first real Reform Government that came into power after the election
of 1847. In 1851 the Liberals lost the County and for four years the
representatives were Holmes, Robert Murray and Martin I. Wilkins.
Mr. Holmes was one of the earliest settlers on the East River of
Pictou. He came from Scotland when only eleven years of age. By his
industry, intelligence and public spirit he won the confidence of
the people and for many years represented them in Parliament. In
1858, he was appointed a member of the Legislative Council and in
1867 to the Senate of Canada. He died in 1876, aged 87 years.
In 1855 Captain George McKenzie and A. C. McDonald were elected for
the County and Wilkins again for the township. Mr. McDonald was the
first son of the soil to win the confidence of the electors of
Pictou. He represented the County in the Nova Scotia Legislature, in
the Liberal interest, for eight years, and was Speaker of the House
of Assembly before Confederation. Captain McKenzie was one of the
old school politicians and a leading man in the county. For eight
years he represented it in the Liberal interest. Mr. Wilkins, though
not a native of the county, was long identified with it.
He went against his party at Confederation and was elected in 1867
on the Liberal ticket, becoming Attorney General in Mr. Annand's
Government. In 1859 the County was divided into two districts,
Eastern and Western. From 1859 to 1863 Captain George McKenzie and
James McDonald represented the Eastern district and A. C. McDonald
and R. P. Grant, Western. From 1863 to 1867, the Eastern district
was represented by James McDonald and James Fraser, (Downie), and
the Western district by Alexander McKay and Donald Fraser.
After confederation, in 1867, the Dominion Parliament was
established and met at Ottawa, with one representative from Pictou
County. An additional member in the Local House was at this time
given to the county. Hiram Blanchard, a son of Pictou, who
represented Inverness County from 1857 to 1867 was sworn in on July
4, 1867 as the first Premier of Nova Scotia after Confederation,
holding the portfolio of Attorney General. He was with out mandate
from the people and his stay in office was brief, for at the general
election which took place four months later, September 17, 1867, he
was utterly defeated, only two seats being carried for the
Government, his own, and Henry G. Pineo for Cumberland County. Mr.
Blanchard was unseated at the election in 1867 and remained in
private life until the general election, 1871, when he was again
returned by Inverness and became leader of the opposition in the
Provincial House until his death in 1874.
In 1867, Pictou elected to the Local House three Liberals Dr. George
Murray, R. S. Copeland and Martin I. Wilkins. In 1871, the pendulum
swung back and Simon H. Holmes, Alexander McKay, and Hugh J.
Cameron, were elected, and again in 1874. In 1878 Simon H. Holmes,
Alexander McKay and Adam C. Bell, were chosen by the people. In 1878
Simon H. Holmes became the fourth Premier of the Province, being
leader of the Government for four years. During his administration,
several laws and measures of great benefit to the Province, were
passed. In May, 1882, Mr. Holmes retired from politics to accept the
office of Prothonotary for the Supreme Court at Halifax, which
office he still holds.
Upon the retirement of Mr. Holmes, J. S. D. Thomson became Premier
and Adam C. Bell, Provincial Secretary. In an appeal made to the
country, three months later, the Government was defeated, although
Mr. Bell, with Robert Hockin and Dr. C. H. Munro were elected for
Pictou. In 1886, Bell and Munro were again elected with Jeffrey
McColl, New Glasgow, the first Liberal elected in Pictou for
nineteen years. Mr. Bell resigned in 1887, and ran for a seat in the
Federal House, but was defeated. His place in the Legislature was
taken by William Cameron, who was elected by acclamation, and again
returned by popular vote in 1890 and 1894. From 1890 to 1894,
Alexander Grant and James D. McGregor, with William Cameron,
represented the county.
Pictonians at Home and Abroad, 1914
Pictou County |