Northwest Territories general election, 1888
Encyclopedia
The Northwest Territories general election of 1888 was the first general election in the history of the Northwest Territories
, Canada
. Elections were held in various districts between 20 June and 30 June 1888. This was the only general election, where the writs were issued to return on various days.
Prior to 1888, members of the 1st Council of the Northwest Territories
were elected in by-election
s to supplement members appointed by the Government of Canada
. In order to have an elected member, a constituency needed to be set up in an area 1000 square miles (2,590 km²) with 1000 people. Others members were appointed. This created a patch-work of represented and unrepresented areas across the sprawling and sparse territory.
Twenty-two members were elected in this election. Robert Brett
was appointed government leader by Lieutenant Governor Joseph Royal
. His official title was Chairman of the Lt. Governor's Advisory Council.
Three judges were appointed to the legislative assembly to provide legal advice, but they were not able to vote. They represented the territory at large.
Voters in this election cast their votes by telling the returning officer who they want to vote for. This system lasted until 1894 when a secret ballot
was first used in a by-election in the Whitewood
district.
Three Members were appointed by Lieutenant Governor Joseph Royal
after the election. The purpose was to bring experience in procedure, protocol and amending and introducing legislation. The Legal Advisors held seats at large, were allowed to participate in debates and were paid a salary of $250.00.
The three members of the assembly who were appointed, already served as members of the Assembly previously. There were no Legal Advisors reappointed after dissolution of the 1st North-West Legislative Assembly
in 1891.
had withdrawn before election day. The returning officer declared Thomas Tweed
elected by acclamation. Finlay lost his nomination deposit of $200.00
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
, Canada
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...
. Elections were held in various districts between 20 June and 30 June 1888. This was the only general election, where the writs were issued to return on various days.
Prior to 1888, members of the 1st Council of the Northwest Territories
1st Council of the Northwest Territories
This is a list of appointed and elected members of the 1st Council of the Northwest Territories in Canada from November 7, 1876 to 1888. Prior to 1876, members were appointed to the Temporary North-West Council....
were elected in by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
s to supplement members appointed by the Government of Canada
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
. In order to have an elected member, a constituency needed to be set up in an area 1000 square miles (2,590 km²) with 1000 people. Others members were appointed. This created a patch-work of represented and unrepresented areas across the sprawling and sparse territory.
Twenty-two members were elected in this election. Robert Brett
Robert Brett
Robert George Brett was a politician and physician in the North-West Territories and later Alberta, Canada....
was appointed government leader by Lieutenant Governor Joseph Royal
Joseph Royal
Joseph Royal was a Canadian journalist, lawyer, politician, businessman, and Lieutenant Governor of the Northwest Territories.-Early life and career:...
. His official title was Chairman of the Lt. Governor's Advisory Council.
Three judges were appointed to the legislative assembly to provide legal advice, but they were not able to vote. They represented the territory at large.
Voters in this election cast their votes by telling the returning officer who they want to vote for. This system lasted until 1894 when a secret ballot
Secret ballot
The secret ballot is a voting method in which a voter's choices in an election or a referendum are anonymous. The key aim is to ensure the voter records a sincere choice by forestalling attempts to influence the voter by intimidation or bribery. The system is one means of achieving the goal of...
was first used in a by-election in the Whitewood
Whitewood (N.W.T. electoral district)
Whitewood, was a territorial electoral district in the Northwest Territories of Canada from 1887 to 1905. The district was created from the former district of Broadview, prior to the 1888 general election....
district.
Election results
Three members were acclaimed, but the turnout cannot be established as no voters lists were in use. Candidates were all elected as part of a consensus government.| Election summary | # of candidates | Popular vote | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incumbent | New | # | % | |
| Elected candidates | 8 | 11 | 5,081 | 62.53% |
| Acclaimed candidates | 1 | 2 | - | - |
| Defeated candidates | - | 19 | 3,045 | 37.47% |
| Total | 41 | 8,126 | 100% | |
Legal Advisors
| Legal Advisors |
| James Macleod James Macleod Lieutenant-Colonel James Farquharson Macleod , born in Drynoch, Isle of Skye, Scotland, was a militia officer, lawyer, NWMP officer, magistrate, judge, and politician in Alberta. He served as the second Commissioner of the North-West Mounted Police, from July 22, 1876, to October 31, 1880... |
| Hugh Richardson |
| Charles Rouleau Charles Rouleau Charles Borromée Rouleau was a 19th-century Canadian politician, lawyer, judge and writer... |
Three Members were appointed by Lieutenant Governor Joseph Royal
Joseph Royal
Joseph Royal was a Canadian journalist, lawyer, politician, businessman, and Lieutenant Governor of the Northwest Territories.-Early life and career:...
after the election. The purpose was to bring experience in procedure, protocol and amending and introducing legislation. The Legal Advisors held seats at large, were allowed to participate in debates and were paid a salary of $250.00.
The three members of the assembly who were appointed, already served as members of the Assembly previously. There were no Legal Advisors reappointed after dissolution of the 1st North-West Legislative Assembly
1st North-West Legislative Assembly
The 1st North-West Legislative Assembly lasted from 1888 to 1891. This Assembly was the third in the history of the Northwest Territories. The Assembly marked a huge milestone bringing responsible government to the territory for the first time.-Background:...
in 1891.
Members of the Legislative Assembly elected
For complete electoral history, see individual districts| 1st North-West Legislative Assembly 1st North-West Legislative Assembly The 1st North-West Legislative Assembly lasted from 1888 to 1891. This Assembly was the third in the history of the Northwest Territories. The Assembly marked a huge milestone bringing responsible government to the territory for the first time.-Background:... elected |
|
| District | Member |
|---|---|
| Batoche Batoche (N.W.T. electoral district) Batoche was a territorial electoral district in the Northwest Territories that existed from 1888 to 1905.- Members of the Legislative Assembly :-1888 election:-1891 election:... |
Hilliard Mitchell Hilliard Mitchell Hilliard "Hillyard" Mitchell was a politician from the Canadian prairies.Hillyard was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories in the 1888 Northwest Territories general election... |
| Battleford Battleford (N.W.T. electoral district) Battleford was a territorial electoral district mandated to return a single member to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. The electoral district came into existence with the passage of the North-West Representation Act in 1888 and was abolished in 1905 when Alberta and... |
James Clinkskill James Clinkskill James Clinkskill was a Canadian politician and engineer, merchant, author and justice of the peace.-Early life:... |
| Calgary #1 Calgary (N.W.T. electoral district) Calgary was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created by royal proclamation in 1884.The riding was split into East Calgary, West Calgary and High River in 1894.... |
John Lineham John Lineham John Lineham was a former territorial-level politician from Northwest Territories, Canada.Lineham was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories in the 1888 Northwest Territories general election. He won the top place in the two-man district of Calgary. There were three... |
| Calgary #2 Calgary (N.W.T. electoral district) Calgary was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created by royal proclamation in 1884.The riding was split into East Calgary, West Calgary and High River in 1894.... |
Hugh Cayley Hugh Cayley Hugh St. Quentin Cayley was a Canadian lawyer, news reporter and politician.-Early life:Hugh St. Quentin Cayley was born on November 19, 1857 in Toronto. He was raised in Upper Canada and one of eleven children fathered by William Cayley... |
| Edmonton #1 Edmonton (N.W.T. electoral district) Edmonton was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created by royal proclamation in 1883 and abolished in 1905. In 1888 the riding returned the top two candidates after it was merged with the St. Albert electoral district. The... |
Herbert Charles Wilson Herbert Charles Wilson Herbert Charles Wilson was a Canadian politician and physician. He served as mayor of the Town of Edmonton and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the North-West Territories.... |
| Edmonton #2 Edmonton (N.W.T. electoral district) Edmonton was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created by royal proclamation in 1883 and abolished in 1905. In 1888 the riding returned the top two candidates after it was merged with the St. Albert electoral district. The... |
Frank Oliver |
| Kinistino Kinistino (N.W.T. electoral district) Kinistino was a former territorial electoral district in Northwest Territories, Canada. The electoral district was mandated to return a single member to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories from its creation in 1888 until it was abolished when Alberta and Saskatchewan were created... |
James Hoey James Hoey (politician) James Hoey was an Irish-born farmer and political figure in the Northwest Territories, Canada. He represented Kinistino in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories from 1888 to 1891.-Biography:... |
| Macleod Macleod (N.W.T. electoral district) Macelod was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created by royal proclamation in 1885 and abolished in 1905 when the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan were created.... |
Frederick Haultain Frederick W. A. G. Haultain Sir Frederick William Alpin Gordon Haultain was a lawyer and a long serving Canadian politician and judge. His career in provincial and territorial legislatures stretched into four decades... |
| Medicine Hat Medicine Hat (N.W.T. electoral district) Medicine Hat was a former territorial electoral district in Northwest Territories, Canada. The electoral district was created with the passage of the North-West Representation Act of 1888. The primary population center and the districts name sake was the city of Medicine Hat... |
Thomas Tweed Thomas Tweed Thomas Andrew Tweed was a merchant and political figure in the Northwest Territories, Canada. He represented Medicine Hat in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories from 1888 to 1894 as a Conservative.... |
| Moose Jaw Moose Jaw (N.W.T. electoral district) Moose Jaw was a territorial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories, Canada.The riding was created by royal proclamation in 1883 and abolished in 1905 when Alberta and Saskatchewan were created.... |
James Hamilton Ross James Hamilton Ross James Hamilton Ross was a Canadian politician, the Yukon Territory's third Commissioner, and an ardent defender of territorial rights... |
| Moosomin Moosomin (N.W.T. electoral district) Moosomin was a territorial electoral district in Northwest Territories, Canada that came into existence by Royal Proclamation in 1885 and was abolished when Alberta and Saskatchewan were created in 1905.-History:... |
John Ryerson Neff John Ryerson Neff John Ryerson Neff was a farmer and political figure in the Northwest Territories, Canada. He represented Moosomin in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories from 1888 to 1898.... |
| North Qu'Appelle | William Sutherland William Sutherland (N.W.T. politician) William Sutherland was a general merchant and political figure in the Northwest Territories, Canada. He represented Qu'Appelle in the 1st Council of the Northwest Territories from 1887 to 1888 and North Qu'Appelle in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories from 1888 to 1898 as a... |
| North Regina | David Jelly David Jelly David Finlay Jelly was an educator, farmer and political figure in the Northwest Territories, Canada... |
| Prince Albert #1 | William Plaxton William Plaxton William Plaxton was a Canadian politician who served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.Plaxton ran for election for the first time in the 1888 Northwest Territories general election in the Prince Albert electoral district. During that election Prince Albert was a... |
| Prince Albert #2 | John Betts John Felton Betts John Felton Betts was a merchant and political figure in the Northwest Territories, Canada. He represented Prince Albert and then Cumberland in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories from 1888 to 1898.... |
| Red Deer | Robert Brett Robert Brett Robert George Brett was a politician and physician in the North-West Territories and later Alberta, Canada.... |
| Souris | John Gillanders Turriff John Gillanders Turriff John Gillanders Turriff was a Canadian parliamentarian.Born in Petit-Métis, Canada East, Turriff as a young man settled in Western Canada, first in Manitoba, where he established himself as a farmer, and subsequently in that part of the North-West Territories which corresponds to the modern... |
| South Qu'Appelle | George Davidson George Davidson (politician) George Senze Davidson was a hotel owner, farmer and politician from the Northwest Territories, Canada.He came to Perth County in Canada West with his parents in 1852. From 1870 to 1876, Davidson was printer and publisher of the Listowel Banner... |
| South Regina | John Secord John Secord John Secord was a lawyer and political figure in the Northwest Territories, Canada. He represented Regina in the 1st Council of the Northwest Territories from 1885 to 1888 and South Regina in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories from 1888 to 1891 as a Liberal-Conservative.He was... |
| Wallace | Joel Reaman Joel Reaman Joel Reaman was a farmer, miller and political figure in the Northwest Territories, Canada. He represented Wallace in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories from 1888 to 1894 as a Conservative.... |
| Whitewood Whitewood (N.W.T. electoral district) Whitewood, was a territorial electoral district in the Northwest Territories of Canada from 1887 to 1905. The district was created from the former district of Broadview, prior to the 1888 general election.... |
Alexander Thorburn Alexander Thorburn Alexander "Alex" Gibbon "Gillion" "Gillan" Thorburn was a real-estate agent, merchant and former Canadian politician. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories from 1888 until 1891. Prior to that he was a school trustee.-Early life:Thorburn was born on December... |
| Wolseley | Benjamin Parkyn Richardson Benjamin Parkyn Richardson Benjamin Parkyn Richardson was a member of the first North-West Legislative Assembly in Northwest Territories, Canada, from 20 June 1888 until 10 October 1891... |
Medicine Hat
In the Medicine Hat electoral district, candidate William FinlayWilliam Finlay
William Thomas Finlay was a politician and cabinet minister in Alberta and Northwest Territories, Canada-Early life:...
had withdrawn before election day. The returning officer declared Thomas Tweed
Thomas Tweed
Thomas Andrew Tweed was a merchant and political figure in the Northwest Territories, Canada. He represented Medicine Hat in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories from 1888 to 1894 as a Conservative....
elected by acclamation. Finlay lost his nomination deposit of $200.00