James Patrick Fox
Encyclopedia
James Patrick Fox Canadian
politician and office holder, born in St. John’s
to James
and Bridget (Power) Fox.
Fox was the first person elected to the assembly under a new system under Prime Minister
Sir William Whiteway
legislation extending the right to vote in elections for the House of Assembly
to all males 21 years of age and older.
Fox became a partner in his father’s firm, James Fox and Sons, in 1882. Fox Senior had been a member of the Legislative Council
, the upper house in the bicameral system of government under which Newfoundland operated in the period between 1855 and 1934. Such as it was, Fox was exposed at an early age and it was something in which he developed a keen interest.
In 1888, he became a member of the first St. John’s municipal council. Consisted of seven members: five members elected on a ward system and two members appointed by the Newfoundland Government, Fox, along with James Goodfellow, who was the first chair of the council, was one of the government appointees.
At 30 years old, Fox left municipal council in 1890 when he was appointed to the Legislative Council by Prime Minister Sir William Whiteway
. He then resigned Legislative Council to run in a by-election to fill a seat after Dr. John Dearin
had died suddenly. Fox won the seat making him the first person elected to the House of Assembly under the new Manhood Suffrage Act of 1890. He was again reelected in St. John’s East in the general election of November 6, 1893.
Fox was named as Receiver General
, the chief financial officer in the administration. On January 6, 1894, the Conservatives filed petitions under the Corrupt Practices Act charging 15 Liberals and Independent MHA James Murray
with bribery and corruption. Fox was one of those charged.
On May 5, the court found Fox guilty as charged. His seat was declared vacant along with James Murphy and they were disqualified from running for election to the House of Assembly in future elections. Fox's brother, John F. Fox, ran for the Liberals in the Nov. 10 by-election and won the seat.
Fox had married Isabelle Langrishe LeGallais, a great-granddaughter of Dr. William Carson
on September 21, 1882. James Patrick Fox died at age 38 in 1899.
John, one of Isabelle and James' six children was Newfoundland
’s Rhodes Scholar for 1911 and served with distinction in the Newfoundland Regiment in the First World War.
Fox was also the first president of the Newfoundland Hockey Association which was formed in 1898; he died on his way to a championship match.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician and office holder, born in St. John’s
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John's is the capital and largest city in Newfoundland and Labrador, and is the oldest English-founded city in North America. It is located on the eastern tip of the Avalon Peninsula on the island of Newfoundland. With a population of 192,326 as of July 1, 2010, the St...
to James
James Fox (Newfoundland politician)
James Fox was a merchant and political figure in Newfoundland. He was a member of the Legislative Council of Newfoundland from 1879 to 1883....
and Bridget (Power) Fox.
Fox was the first person elected to the assembly under a new system under Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Sir William Whiteway
William Whiteway
Sir William Vallance Whiteway, QC KCMG was a politician and three time Premier of Newfoundland. Born in England, Whiteway emigrated to the island in 1843 and entered the law in 1852. In 1859 he was elected to the House of Assembly as a member of the Conservative Party of Newfoundland and became a...
legislation extending the right to vote in elections for the House of Assembly
House of Assembly
House of Assembly is a name given to the legislature or lower house of a bicameral parliament. In some countries this may be at a subnational level....
to all males 21 years of age and older.
Fox became a partner in his father’s firm, James Fox and Sons, in 1882. Fox Senior had been a member of the Legislative Council
Legislative Council of Newfoundland
The Legislative Council of Newfoundland was established in 1854 when the British Government granted a new constitution to Newfoundland establishing an Executive Council of not more than seven members of the majority party and a Legislative Council of not more than 15 members upon nomination of the...
, the upper house in the bicameral system of government under which Newfoundland operated in the period between 1855 and 1934. Such as it was, Fox was exposed at an early age and it was something in which he developed a keen interest.
In 1888, he became a member of the first St. John’s municipal council. Consisted of seven members: five members elected on a ward system and two members appointed by the Newfoundland Government, Fox, along with James Goodfellow, who was the first chair of the council, was one of the government appointees.
At 30 years old, Fox left municipal council in 1890 when he was appointed to the Legislative Council by Prime Minister Sir William Whiteway
William Whiteway
Sir William Vallance Whiteway, QC KCMG was a politician and three time Premier of Newfoundland. Born in England, Whiteway emigrated to the island in 1843 and entered the law in 1852. In 1859 he was elected to the House of Assembly as a member of the Conservative Party of Newfoundland and became a...
. He then resigned Legislative Council to run in a by-election to fill a seat after Dr. John Dearin
John Joseph Dearin
John Joseph Dearin was a pharmacist and political figure in Newfoundland. He represented St. John's East in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 1873 to 1878, from 1882 to 1885 and from 1889 to 1890....
had died suddenly. Fox won the seat making him the first person elected to the House of Assembly under the new Manhood Suffrage Act of 1890. He was again reelected in St. John’s East in the general election of November 6, 1893.
Fox was named as Receiver General
Receiver General
A Receiver General is an officer responsible for accepting payments on behalf of a government, and for making payments to a government on behalf of other parties. Receiver General is an alternative title for a Treasurer.-See also:...
, the chief financial officer in the administration. On January 6, 1894, the Conservatives filed petitions under the Corrupt Practices Act charging 15 Liberals and Independent MHA James Murray
James Murray (Newfoundland politician)
James Murray was a merchant and political figure in Newfoundland. He represented Burgeo-LaPoile in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly from 1889 to 1894 as an Independent....
with bribery and corruption. Fox was one of those charged.
On May 5, the court found Fox guilty as charged. His seat was declared vacant along with James Murphy and they were disqualified from running for election to the House of Assembly in future elections. Fox's brother, John F. Fox, ran for the Liberals in the Nov. 10 by-election and won the seat.
Fox had married Isabelle Langrishe LeGallais, a great-granddaughter of Dr. William Carson
William Carson
Sir William Carson , often called "The Great Reformer", was an important doctor and businessman in Newfoundland. Carson's primary contribution to Newfoundland was the application of modern agricultural principles....
on September 21, 1882. James Patrick Fox died at age 38 in 1899.
John, one of Isabelle and James' six children was Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
’s Rhodes Scholar for 1911 and served with distinction in the Newfoundland Regiment in the First World War.
Fox was also the first president of the Newfoundland Hockey Association which was formed in 1898; he died on his way to a championship match.