Andrew George Blair: Difference between revisions
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He was first elected to the [[Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick]] in 1878 after unsuccessful attempts in the previous two elections. Though Blair was a supporter of Sir [[John A. Macdonald]]'s federal [[Conservative Party of Canada (historical)|Liberal-Conservatives]], he joined the [[parliamentary opposition]] in the legislature and, in 1879, became [[Opposition (parliamentary)|leader of the opposition]] to the [[Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick|Conservative]] government of [[Premier (Canada)|Premier]] [[John James Fraser]]. He molded the disparate opposition into the modern [[Liberal Party of New Brunswick]], instituting party platforms or [[manifesto]]s. He launched the first province-wide political campaign in an era when campaign had been run largely on a [[constituency]] basis. He took the party to power in 1883, winning enough support in the newly elected legislature to form a government. Blair became premier and [[Attorney-General]]. |
He was first elected to the [[Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick]] in 1878 after unsuccessful attempts in the previous two elections. Though Blair was a supporter of Sir [[John A. Macdonald]]'s federal [[Conservative Party of Canada (historical)|Liberal-Conservatives]], he joined the [[parliamentary opposition]] in the legislature and, in 1879, became [[Opposition (parliamentary)|leader of the opposition]] to the [[Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick|Conservative]] government of [[Premier (Canada)|Premier]] [[John James Fraser]]. He molded the disparate opposition into the modern [[Liberal Party of New Brunswick]], instituting party platforms or [[manifesto]]s. He launched the first province-wide political campaign in an era when campaign had been run largely on a [[constituency]] basis. He took the party to power in 1883, winning enough support in the newly elected legislature to form a government. Blair became premier and [[Attorney-General]]. |
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Blair's government built a three-quarters of a mile long [[bridge]] across the [[Saint John River (New Brunswick)|Saint John River]], linking [[Fredericton]] with villages and factories, notably that of [[Alexander Gibson (industrialist)|Boss Gibson]], on the other side of the river. His government also went to court to win the right to grant [[liquor]] licenses. He also extended the [[Suffrage|franchise]], which had been exclusively male, to widows and unmarried women who owned property. He was opposed, however, to universal [[female suffrage]]. His government also abolished the [[Legislative Council]] (the legislature's [[Upper House]]). |
Blair's government built a three-quarters of a mile long [[bridge]] across the [[Saint John River (New Brunswick)|Saint John River]], linking [[Fredericton]] with villages and factories, notably that of [[Alexander Gibson (industrialist)|Boss Gibson]], on the other side of the river, in spite of opposition by the federal government, which maintained that it was beyond provincial power to do so.<ref name=dnbblair/> His government also went to court to win the right to grant [[liquor]] licenses. He also extended the [[Suffrage|franchise]], which had been exclusively male, to widows and unmarried women who owned property. He was opposed, however, to universal [[female suffrage]]. His government also abolished the [[Legislative Council]] (the legislature's [[Upper House]]). |
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The Liberal government almost lost the 1889 election but was able to stay in power with the support of independent [[Member of the Legislative Assembly|Members of the Legislative Assembly]] (MLAs). Blair lost his own [[Legislative seat|seat]] in the 1892 election, due to [[Protestant]] opposition to his policy of accommodating [[Acadians]] and other [[Catholics]]. Blair had appointed several Acadians and other Catholics to his [[Cabinet (government)|cabinet]] and other government positions. Blair was able to re-enter the house through a [[by-election]]. |
The Liberal government almost lost the 1889 election but was able to stay in power with the support of independent [[Member of the Legislative Assembly|Members of the Legislative Assembly]] (MLAs). Blair lost his own [[Legislative seat|seat]] in the 1892 election, due to [[Protestant]] opposition to his policy of accommodating [[Acadians]] and other [[Catholics]]. Blair had appointed several Acadians and other Catholics to his [[Cabinet (government)|cabinet]] and other government positions. Blair was able to re-enter the house through a [[by-election]]. |
Revision as of 00:07, 16 December 2013
Andrew George Blair | |
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![]() Blair as a member of Wilfrid Laurier's cabinet | |
7th Premier of New Brunswick | |
In office 1883–1896 | |
Preceded by | Daniel L. Hanington |
Succeeded by | James Mitchell |
Personal details | |
Born | Fredericton, New Brunswick Canada ![]() | March 7, 1844
Died | January 25, 1907 Ottawa, Ontario Canada ![]() | (aged 62)
Political party | Liberal |
Spouse | Annie Elizabeth Thompson |
Andrew George Blair, PC KC (March 7, 1844 – January 25, 1907) was a Canadian politician in New Brunswick, Canada.
He was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick in 1878 after unsuccessful attempts in the previous two elections. Though Blair was a supporter of Sir John A. Macdonald's federal Liberal-Conservatives, he joined the parliamentary opposition in the legislature and, in 1879, became leader of the opposition to the Conservative government of Premier John James Fraser. He molded the disparate opposition into the modern Liberal Party of New Brunswick, instituting party platforms or manifestos. He launched the first province-wide political campaign in an era when campaign had been run largely on a constituency basis. He took the party to power in 1883, winning enough support in the newly elected legislature to form a government. Blair became premier and Attorney-General.
Blair's government built a three-quarters of a mile long bridge across the Saint John River, linking Fredericton with villages and factories, notably that of Boss Gibson, on the other side of the river, in spite of opposition by the federal government, which maintained that it was beyond provincial power to do so.[1] His government also went to court to win the right to grant liquor licenses. He also extended the franchise, which had been exclusively male, to widows and unmarried women who owned property. He was opposed, however, to universal female suffrage. His government also abolished the Legislative Council (the legislature's Upper House).
The Liberal government almost lost the 1889 election but was able to stay in power with the support of independent Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). Blair lost his own seat in the 1892 election, due to Protestant opposition to his policy of accommodating Acadians and other Catholics. Blair had appointed several Acadians and other Catholics to his cabinet and other government positions. Blair was able to re-enter the house through a by-election.
After leading his party to a major electoral victory in 1895, Blair left provincial politics in 1896 when he was appointed Minister of Railways and Canals in the federal Cabinet of Liberal Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier. He entered the Canadian House of Commons in an 1896 by-election, and was re-elected in the 1900 election.
In December 1901, Blair's daughter Bessie drowned while skating on the ill-frozen Ottawa River at a party put on by the Governor-General; Henry Harper dove in to try to rescue her, but drowned as well.[1] His actions are remembered by the statue on Parliament Hill to Sir Galahad.
Blair resigned from the government on 13 July 1903 in opposition to Laurier's plan to build the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. He did not see why the government "should build and own the lean section . . . and provide a company with government credit to enable them to build and operate the fat section," and referred to discussions about the railway that Wilfrid Laurier had had with other ministers behind his back, although he was the Minister charged with the portfolio. He further stated that other Ministers had been allowed to discuss with Grand Trunk officers plans for the transcontinental without informing him.[1]
In order to prevent him from becoming a major opposition figure, Laurier appointed Blair to head the Board of Railway Commissioners in December 1903, taking Blair out of active politics and out of the House of Commons. However, Blair resigned from the Board sixteen days before the 1904 election in order to campaign against Laurier. He withdrew from the campaign, however, after discussions with Laurier.[1]
He died on January 25, 1907 of a heart attack and was buried in the Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, Ontario.
External links
References
- 1844 births
- 1907 deaths
- Members of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada
- Lawyers in New Brunswick
- Canadian Queen's Counsel
- Premiers of New Brunswick
- Members of the House of Commons of Canada from New Brunswick
- Liberal Party of Canada MPs
- Canadian Ministers of Railways and Canals
- Canadian Presbyterians
- People from Fredericton