10th General Assembly of Newfoundland

The 10th General Assembly of Newfoundland was the elected legislative assembly of the Colony of Newfoundland during the early 1870s. Its members were chosen in a general election held in November 1869, and the assembly met from 1870 until 1873. It operated within Newfoundland’s colonial parliamentary system, with the colonial governor representing the Crown and a premier leading the government supported by the elected house. The election produced a decisive victory for the Anti-Confederation Party, led by Charles Fox Bennett. The result was politically significant because it rejected candidates who supported the proposed union of Newfoundland with the Canadian Confederation. Although the question of Newfoundland’s possible entry into Confederation had been discussed during the 1860s, the defeat of the pro-Confederation side in this election effectively ended active discussions about union for the time being. Charles Fox Bennett became premier following the election. Thomas R. Bennett was selected as speaker of the assembly, while Sir Stephen John Hill served as colonial governor during the assembly’s term. The legislature therefore represented a period in which Newfoundland’s political institutions continued to operate separately from the developing Canadian federation. The assembly is not a commercial brand or operating business. It is a historical governmental institution and should be understood as part of Newfoundland’s constitutional and parliamentary history. Its significance lies principally in the 1869 electoral result, the Anti-Confederation government that followed, and the temporary closing of the political debate over Newfoundland joining Canada. The assembly’s term ended in 1873, after which it was succeeded by the next Newfoundland legislature.

The 10th General Assembly emerged from Newfoundland’s general election of November 1869. At the time, Newfoundland was a self-governing British colony with its own elected legislature and executive government. The election took place against the background of proposals for Newfoundland to enter the Canadian Confederation, an issue that had generated substantial political debate during the preceding decade. The Anti-Confederation Party, led by Charles Fox Bennett, won the election. Candidates associated with Confederation were decisively defeated, giving the new government a clear mandate to oppose union with Canada. Bennett became premier, and the assembly selected Thomas R. Bennett as speaker. Sir Stephen John Hill served as the colony’s governor, representing the Crown within Newfoundland’s constitutional system. The electoral result had consequences beyond the composition of the house. It brought the immediate political discussion of Confederation to an end. Newfoundland continued to govern itself separately rather than joining the Canadian federation in the early 1870s. The 10th General Assembly therefore belongs to a distinct phase of Newfoundland political history in which separation from Canada remained the policy of the governing party after a direct electoral contest. The assembly sat from 1870 to 1873. Its members constituted the colony’s elected legislative body during that period, although the available reference material does not provide a complete account of individual members, legislative measures, committee work, or the circumstances of each by-election. The assembly’s term ended in 1873 and was followed by the subsequent Newfoundland general assembly. Historically, its principal importance is its association with the 1869 Anti-Confederation victory and the resulting suspension of active Confederation negotiations.

• 1873

  Assembly term ends

  [1]10th General Assembly of Newfoundlanden.wikipedia.org

  The 10th General Assembly completed its period of sitting in 1873.

• 1870

  Assembly begins sitting

  [1]10th General Assembly of Newfoundlanden.wikipedia.org

  The 10th General Assembly commenced its parliamentary life in 1870 after the 1869 election. Charles Fox Bennett served as premier, Thomas R. Bennett was chosen as speaker, and Sir Stephen John Hill was colonial governor.

• 1870

  Confederation debate halted

  [1]10th General Assembly of Newfoundlanden.wikipedia.org

  The defeat of pro-Confederation candidates ended active discussions about Newfoundland joining Canada during the assembly’s political period.

• 1869

  General election held

  [1]10th General Assembly of Newfoundlanden.wikipedia.org

  Newfoundland held a general election in November 1869. The Anti-Confederation Party led by Charles Fox Bennett won a decisive victory over candidates supporting union with Canada.

Historical colonial legislature representing Newfoundland during the period immediately after the 1869 general election; politically identified with the Anti-Confederation government led by Charles Fox Bennett.

• 1870

  Continuation of an Anti-Confederation positionStrategy

  Background

  The 1869 election was contested in the context of proposals for Newfoundland to join the Canadian Confederation. The Anti-Confederation Party won decisively under Charles Fox Bennett.

  Action taken

  The government formed after the election maintained Newfoundland’s separate constitutional and political status rather than pursuing union with Canada.

  Aftermath

  The electoral defeat of pro-Confederation candidates brought active discussions about union with Canada to an end during the assembly’s term.

  Source

1. 110th General Assembly of Newfoundlanden.wikipedia.org