11th General Assembly of Newfoundland

The 11th General Assembly of Newfoundland was the legislative assembly formed after the Newfoundland general election held in November 1873. It represented the colonial legislature of Newfoundland during a period of political instability and debate over the colony’s constitutional and economic direction. The Anti-Confederation Party, led by Charles Fox Bennett, won the election and initially appeared positioned to form the government. Before the assembly opened, however, defections and resignations weakened Bennett’s parliamentary position and left his party in a minority. Frederick Carter subsequently formed the government in 1874. The assembly’s proceedings therefore began in the context of a rapid change in political control rather than a straightforward continuation of the election result. Prescott Emerson was selected as speaker, while Sir Stephen John Hill served as the colonial governor. The members elected in 1873 constituted the assembly, with later by-elections used to fill vacancies created for various reasons. The legislature met from February 1874 until the fall of 1874. As a historical institution, it was not a commercial brand or operating business, but a time-bounded representative body within the colonial government of Newfoundland. Its significance lies principally in the transition from the electoral victory of Bennett’s Anti-Confederation forces to the formation of a government under Carter, and in its place within Newfoundland’s nineteenth-century parliamentary history.

The 11th General Assembly of Newfoundland originated in the general election conducted in November 1873. The election returned members to the colonial legislature and produced a victory for the Anti-Confederation Party under Charles Fox Bennett. The result suggested that the electorate had endorsed a political movement opposed to Newfoundland entering Confederation, an issue that had been important in the colony’s public life. The electoral outcome did not, however, translate directly into stable control of the assembly. Before the new legislature convened, defections and resignations reduced the Anti-Confederation Party’s strength. By the time the assembly was ready to meet, Bennett’s supporters were in a minority, creating the conditions for a change in government. The assembly first sat in February 1874. Frederick Carter formed the government during that year, following the erosion of Bennett’s parliamentary position. This change illustrates the difference between electoral success and the ability to command a working majority in a nineteenth-century colonial legislature. The transfer of governmental authority took place through shifts in membership and parliamentary allegiance rather than through a new general election. Prescott Emerson was chosen to preside as speaker, while Sir Stephen John Hill held the office of colonial governor and represented the Crown in Newfoundland’s constitutional system. The members of the assembly were those elected in 1873, supplemented where necessary by by-elections. The by-elections filled seats that became vacant for various reasons, although the available reference material does not specify the individual vacancies or the names of all replacement members. The assembly remained in existence and held proceedings from February until the fall of 1874. Its short period of activity reflected the normal succession of colonial assemblies rather than the operation of a continuing modern institution. Historically, the 11th General Assembly is associated with three developments: the Anti-Confederation electoral victory in 1873, the parliamentary defections and resignations that weakened the winning party, and the formation of a government by Frederick Carter in 1874. It should be understood as a legislative body of the Colony of Newfoundland, not as a company, product, political party, or contemporary national parliament.

• 1874

  Opening of the assembly

  [1]11th General Assembly of Newfoundlanden.wikipedia.org

  The 11th General Assembly began sitting in February. Prescott Emerson was selected as speaker.

• 1874

  Change in government

  [1]11th General Assembly of Newfoundlanden.wikipedia.org

  Defections and resignations reduced the Anti-Confederation Party to a minority, after which Frederick Carter formed the government.

• 1874

  End of sitting period

  [1]11th General Assembly of Newfoundlanden.wikipedia.org

  The assembly sat until the fall of 1874.

• 1873

  General election

  [1]11th General Assembly of Newfoundlanden.wikipedia.org

  Newfoundland held a general election in November, returning the members who would constitute the 11th General Assembly. Charles Fox Bennett’s Anti-Confederation Party won the election.

A colonial representative legislature rather than a commercial brand or consumer-facing organization.

• 1874

  Formation of the Carter governmentStrategy

  Background

  The Anti-Confederation Party won the 1873 election, but defections and resignations before the assembly opened left it in a minority.

  Action taken

  Frederick Carter formed the government after the parliamentary balance shifted.

  Aftermath

  Governmental control moved away from Bennett’s Anti-Confederation Party during the life of the assembly.

  Source

1. 111th General Assembly of Newfoundlanden.wikipedia.org