Saul Solomon
Encyclopedia
Saul Solomon was an influential liberal politician of the Cape Colony
. A tireless defender of racial and religious equality, Saul Solomon was an important member of the movement for responsible government
and an opponent of Lord Carnarvon
's disastrous Confederation
scheme.
Saul Solomon was born on the Atlantic island of St Helena on 25 May 1817 (the nephew of the great St Helena businessman Saul Solomon senior). He had a rudimentary formal education in South Africa before beginning work as an apprentice in a printing business. He later acquired the business and built it into the largest printing business in the country, founding the Cape Argus
newspaper. He entered the first Cape parliament as one of the representatives for Cape Town in 1854 and remained an MP until his retirement in 1883.
Saul Solomon's original election promise had been "to give my decided opposition to all legislation tending to introduce distinctions either of class, colour or creed". Throughout his political career he strictly adhered to this manifesto - repeatedly turning down both cabinet and ministerial posts so as to be free to vote according to his beliefs.
Although he was from a Jewish background, Solomon was openly secular in outlook, declaring himself to be "a liberal in politics and a voluntary in religion". In the first Cape parliament in 1854, he presented his "Voluntary bill" (intended to end government subsidies to churches, and to ensure equal treatment of all beliefs) but it was turned down. He proceeded to put it to parliament every year, only for it to be repeatedly rejected.
Solomon joined the movement for responsible government
in the Cape and helped to institute it when it was established in 1872. The leader of the responsible government movement, Prime Minister John Molteno, became a friend and political ally of Saul Solomon. The two men were both businessmen from poor immigrant backgrounds, who had outlooks that were relatively liberal for the times, and saw eye-to-eye on a number of issues. One of these issues was Solomon's Voluntary Bill, which was finally passed by the Molteno government in 1875. Solomon went on to give his powerful support to the Molteno Ministry on many occasions in the future, though he characteristically refused all offers of cabinet positions so as to be able to oppose the government if his conscience required it.
The eastern part
of the Cape Colony
had a long-running separatist movement, consisting of a portion of white settlers, led by John Paterson
of Port Elizabeth, who resented the rule of the Cape Town parliament and wanted stricter labour laws to encourage the Xhosa to leave their lands and work on the settlers’ farms.
In accordance with his stated policy that "natives should be allowed to sell their labour as they desired, and that no semblance of coercion should be employed to provide labour for the farmer" as well as for other reasons, Solomon took a strong stance against the separatist movement and for a united, multi-racial Cape
. In parliament he led the "Westerners", who backed the Molteno-Merriman government
in successfully crushing the separatist movement. Separatist parliamentarians branded him a "negrophile" - an intended insult that he in fact accepted with considerable pride, and he went on to push even further for social reform (for example repealing the Contagious Diseases act).
Starting in 1874, the British Secretary of State for the Colonies
, Lord Carnarvon
, having federated Canada, began an ill-fated scheme to impose the same system of confederation
on the various states of southern Africa.
Although earlier in his career Solomon had been in favour of a form of federated “United States of South Africa”, he shared with Molteno concerns about the form and timing of Carnarvon’s confederation project. Of particular concern were the repressive “native policies” of Natal
and the Boer republics
(which would have affected the rights of many Cape citizens) and the fact that some neighbouring states, such as Zululand
, would actually require invasion in order to be incorporated into the confederation. Consequently Solomon ended up vigorously opposing Carnarvon’s proposal. Over the next few years the disastrous confederation scheme unravelled as predicted, leaving a swath of destructive wars across southern Africa.
Physically, Solomon was extraordinarily tiny. Childhood ill health, aggravated by a bout of rickets
, had left him with badly stunted legs. In fact, he was so short that when addressing Parliament he needed to stand on a chair in order to be seen.
His physical condition was particularly drawn attention to by the frequent presence by his side of his friend and political ally Molteno, who was unusually tall and powerfully built, and the image of the two men together was a topic for caricature by the political cartoonists of the time.
However, he was a very eloquent and persuasive speaker, with an incredibly sharp mind and a skill for reasoned argument. His proposals were usually painstakingly researched and he characteristically spent long hours studying censuses and other government publications for the precise facts and figures that he believed should inform his opinions. Consequently he was typically always prepared with the necessary evidence to back up his opinions and this earned him considerable respect, even from his political opponents.
His progressive views on equal rights extended to gender relations (for his marriage ceremony he famously asked that his wife should not have to vow to "obey" him) and religion (He never officially renounced his Judaism
, but he abhorred sectarian attitudes and attended churches as often as synagogues).
He retired from public life in 1883 due to poor health, moved to Kilcreggan
, Scotland in 1888, and died there in 1892.
Cape Colony
The Cape Colony, part of modern South Africa, was established by the Dutch East India Company in 1652, with the founding of Cape Town. It was subsequently occupied by the British in 1795 when the Netherlands were occupied by revolutionary France, so that the French revolutionaries could not take...
. A tireless defender of racial and religious equality, Saul Solomon was an important member of the movement for responsible government
Responsible government
Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy...
and an opponent of Lord Carnarvon
Henry Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon
Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon, PC, DL, FSA, FRS , known as Lord Porchester from 1833 to 1849, was a British politician and a leading member of the Conservative Party...
's disastrous Confederation
Confederation
A confederation in modern political terms is a permanent union of political units for common action in relation to other units. Usually created by treaty but often later adopting a common constitution, confederations tend to be established for dealing with critical issues such as defense, foreign...
scheme.
Saul Solomon was born on the Atlantic island of St Helena on 25 May 1817 (the nephew of the great St Helena businessman Saul Solomon senior). He had a rudimentary formal education in South Africa before beginning work as an apprentice in a printing business. He later acquired the business and built it into the largest printing business in the country, founding the Cape Argus
Cape Argus
Founded in 1857 by Saul Solomon, the Cape Argus is a daily newspaper published by Independent News & Media in Cape Town, South Africa. It is commonly referred to simply as "The Argus"....
newspaper. He entered the first Cape parliament as one of the representatives for Cape Town in 1854 and remained an MP until his retirement in 1883.
Saul Solomon's original election promise had been "to give my decided opposition to all legislation tending to introduce distinctions either of class, colour or creed". Throughout his political career he strictly adhered to this manifesto - repeatedly turning down both cabinet and ministerial posts so as to be free to vote according to his beliefs.
Although he was from a Jewish background, Solomon was openly secular in outlook, declaring himself to be "a liberal in politics and a voluntary in religion". In the first Cape parliament in 1854, he presented his "Voluntary bill" (intended to end government subsidies to churches, and to ensure equal treatment of all beliefs) but it was turned down. He proceeded to put it to parliament every year, only for it to be repeatedly rejected.
Solomon joined the movement for responsible government
Responsible government
Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy...
in the Cape and helped to institute it when it was established in 1872. The leader of the responsible government movement, Prime Minister John Molteno, became a friend and political ally of Saul Solomon. The two men were both businessmen from poor immigrant backgrounds, who had outlooks that were relatively liberal for the times, and saw eye-to-eye on a number of issues. One of these issues was Solomon's Voluntary Bill, which was finally passed by the Molteno government in 1875. Solomon went on to give his powerful support to the Molteno Ministry on many occasions in the future, though he characteristically refused all offers of cabinet positions so as to be able to oppose the government if his conscience required it.
The eastern part
Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bhisho, but its two largest cities are Port Elizabeth and East London. It was formed in 1994 out of the "independent" Xhosa homelands of Transkei and Ciskei, together with the eastern portion of the Cape Province...
of the Cape Colony
Cape Colony
The Cape Colony, part of modern South Africa, was established by the Dutch East India Company in 1652, with the founding of Cape Town. It was subsequently occupied by the British in 1795 when the Netherlands were occupied by revolutionary France, so that the French revolutionaries could not take...
had a long-running separatist movement, consisting of a portion of white settlers, led by John Paterson
John Paterson (Cape politician)
John Paterson was a prominent politician and successful businessman of the Cape Colony, and had a great influence on the development of Port Elizabeth where he was based. He ran newspapers, established the Grey Institute and founded South Africa’s Standard Bank...
of Port Elizabeth, who resented the rule of the Cape Town parliament and wanted stricter labour laws to encourage the Xhosa to leave their lands and work on the settlers’ farms.
In accordance with his stated policy that "natives should be allowed to sell their labour as they desired, and that no semblance of coercion should be employed to provide labour for the farmer" as well as for other reasons, Solomon took a strong stance against the separatist movement and for a united, multi-racial Cape
Cape Colony
The Cape Colony, part of modern South Africa, was established by the Dutch East India Company in 1652, with the founding of Cape Town. It was subsequently occupied by the British in 1795 when the Netherlands were occupied by revolutionary France, so that the French revolutionaries could not take...
. In parliament he led the "Westerners", who backed the Molteno-Merriman government
John Charles Molteno
Sir John Charles Molteno KCMG was a soldier, businessman, champion of responsible government and the first Prime Minister of the Cape Colony.-Early life:...
in successfully crushing the separatist movement. Separatist parliamentarians branded him a "negrophile" - an intended insult that he in fact accepted with considerable pride, and he went on to push even further for social reform (for example repealing the Contagious Diseases act).
Starting in 1874, the British Secretary of State for the Colonies
Secretary of State for the Colonies
The Secretary of State for the Colonies or Colonial Secretary was the British Cabinet minister in charge of managing the United Kingdom's various colonial dependencies....
, Lord Carnarvon
Henry Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon
Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon, PC, DL, FSA, FRS , known as Lord Porchester from 1833 to 1849, was a British politician and a leading member of the Conservative Party...
, having federated Canada, began an ill-fated scheme to impose the same system of confederation
Confederation
A confederation in modern political terms is a permanent union of political units for common action in relation to other units. Usually created by treaty but often later adopting a common constitution, confederations tend to be established for dealing with critical issues such as defense, foreign...
on the various states of southern Africa.
Although earlier in his career Solomon had been in favour of a form of federated “United States of South Africa”, he shared with Molteno concerns about the form and timing of Carnarvon’s confederation project. Of particular concern were the repressive “native policies” of Natal
Colony of Natal
The Colony of Natal was a British colony in south-eastern Africa. It was proclaimed a British colony on May 4, 1843 after the British government had annexed the Boer Republic of Natalia, and on 31 May 1910 combined with three other colonies to form the Union of South Africa, as one of its...
and the Boer republics
Boer Republics
The Boer Republics were independent self-governed republics created by the northeastern frontier branch of the Dutch-speaking inhabitants of the north eastern Cape Province and their descendants in mainly the northern and eastern parts of what is now the country of...
(which would have affected the rights of many Cape citizens) and the fact that some neighbouring states, such as Zululand
Zulu Kingdom
The Zulu Kingdom, sometimes referred to as the Zulu Empire or, rather imprecisely, Zululand, was a monarchy in Southern Africa that extended along the coast of the Indian Ocean from the Tugela River in the south to Pongola River in the north....
, would actually require invasion in order to be incorporated into the confederation. Consequently Solomon ended up vigorously opposing Carnarvon’s proposal. Over the next few years the disastrous confederation scheme unravelled as predicted, leaving a swath of destructive wars across southern Africa.
Physically, Solomon was extraordinarily tiny. Childhood ill health, aggravated by a bout of rickets
Rickets
Rickets is a softening of bones in children due to deficiency or impaired metabolism of vitamin D, magnesium , phosphorus or calcium, potentially leading to fractures and deformity. Rickets is among the most frequent childhood diseases in many developing countries...
, had left him with badly stunted legs. In fact, he was so short that when addressing Parliament he needed to stand on a chair in order to be seen.
His physical condition was particularly drawn attention to by the frequent presence by his side of his friend and political ally Molteno, who was unusually tall and powerfully built, and the image of the two men together was a topic for caricature by the political cartoonists of the time.
However, he was a very eloquent and persuasive speaker, with an incredibly sharp mind and a skill for reasoned argument. His proposals were usually painstakingly researched and he characteristically spent long hours studying censuses and other government publications for the precise facts and figures that he believed should inform his opinions. Consequently he was typically always prepared with the necessary evidence to back up his opinions and this earned him considerable respect, even from his political opponents.
His progressive views on equal rights extended to gender relations (for his marriage ceremony he famously asked that his wife should not have to vow to "obey" him) and religion (He never officially renounced his Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
, but he abhorred sectarian attitudes and attended churches as often as synagogues).
He retired from public life in 1883 due to poor health, moved to Kilcreggan
Kilcreggan
Kilcreggan is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland.It developed on the north shore of the Firth of Clyde at a time when Clyde steamers brought it within easy reach of Glasgow at about 25 miles west of the centre of Glasgow by boat...
, Scotland in 1888, and died there in 1892.
See also
- History of Cape Colony from 1870 to 1899History of Cape Colony from 1870 to 1899The year 1870 in the history of the Cape Colony marks the dawn of a new era in South Africa, and it can be said that the development of modern South Africa began on that date. Despite political complications that arose from time to time, progress in Cape Colony continued at a steady pace until the...
- John Charles MoltenoJohn Charles MoltenoSir John Charles Molteno KCMG was a soldier, businessman, champion of responsible government and the first Prime Minister of the Cape Colony.-Early life:...
- Henry Bartle FrereHenry Bartle FrereSir Henry Bartle Edward Frere, 1st Baronet, GCB, GCSI, was a British colonial administrator.-Early life:Frere was born at Clydach House, Clydach, Monmouthshire, the son of Edward Frere, manager of Clydach Ironworks...
- Gordon Sprigg
- John PatersonJohn Paterson (Cape politician)John Paterson was a prominent politician and successful businessman of the Cape Colony, and had a great influence on the development of Port Elizabeth where he was based. He ran newspapers, established the Grey Institute and founded South Africa’s Standard Bank...
Further reading
- Illustrated History of South Africa. The Reader's Digest Association South Africa (Pty) Ltd, 1992. ISBN 0-947008-90-X
- Solomon, W. E. C: Saul Solomon - the Member for Cape Town. Cape Town: Oxford University Press, 1948.