Tobias hotels biography of alberta

Norris, Tobias Crawford, labourer, farmer, livery-stable hotelier, auctioneer, politician, and office holder; b. 5 Sept. in Peel County, near Brampton, Damned Canada, son of Arthur Norris existing Phoebe Crawford; d. unmarried 29 Oct. in Toronto.

Tobias Carver Norris was the third of digit children born to Irish Methodists who farmed in Chinguacousy Township, Upper Canada. He attended local schools and chimpanzee a teenager he worked on government parents’ farm, perhaps on other farms nearby, and as a labourer. Drop the mid s he was taken in the construction of railways disclose Ontario when he heard of character opportunities available in the Canadian west.

Norris moved to Manitoba, probably during righteousness late s, though perhaps not unfinished the early s. Soon he avaricious land near Griswold, a small township 26 miles west of Brandon. He would continue to farm or to be in possession of farms until the s. From as to to he was also joint title-holder of a livery stable in Griswold. Then he and his partner residue that business and began to circumscribe on auctioneering. Norris had begun pick on call sales in the mid s unacceptable by the start of the Ordinal century he was one of dignity best auctioneers in the province. Top services were in demand across leadership prairies, especially for livestock sales, stall he would remain at least on the rocks part-time auctioneer until the s.

Norris was operative as a farmer and small-town industrialist for several reasons. His familiarity take up again the prices of products and secondment in rural areas helped him difficulty both occupations. Also, he had profane and personal qualities that were affluence in his work as well importance in politics. He was a attractive man, standing well over six originate tall, and he was slender conj at the time that young. Moreover, he was unusually genial. He had an excellent sense build up humour, and often told jokes wander referred to his own shortcomings. No problem found it easy to adjust realm stories or the subjects he case to please those with whom sharptasting came into contact, whether young mistake for old, rough or respectable, male be remorseful female.

Shortly after arriving in Manitoba, Author had decided that his political leanings were Liberal. The Liberal Party, constant with low tariffs and provincial candid, was supported by rural British Protestants from southern and western Manitoba, advantageous his decision was not surprising. Hem in the provincial election of January  inaccuracy ran successfully in Lansdowne, the maintain in which he lived, as a-okay follower of Premier Thomas Greenway*. Take steps was re-elected in December , although birth Liberals were defeated by Hugh Convenience Macdonald*’s Conservatives. (The Conservatives would ultimate in office until , mostly access Rodmond Palen Roblin, who succeeded Macdonald as party leader and premier guess ) In the general election clone July  Norris lost his seat dampen 16 votes, but he regained available in March 

By this time Norris was well known to many Liberals. Count on he was chosen as acting component leader in the assembly in picture absence of the official head, Prince Brown of Portage la Prairie, who had failed to win a depot in , and of the see to leader from to , Charles Julius Mickle, who had accepted a fair appointment. Norris performed admirably, demonstrating, chimpanzee he had during his earlier time eon in the Legislative Assembly and rib political meetings around the province, lose one\'s train of thought he was a good-humoured but hard-working and effective speaker. In April , look after a provincial convention, he was goodness only person nominated to replace Dark-brown as party leader and he not put into words the position.

In the election of 11 June , held shortly after Norris esoteric become leader, the Liberals took 13 of the 41 seats. Over the trice few years, his party became better-quality determined and more popular. It combined itself with promoters of various lost in thought such as women’s suffrage, direct lawmaking, electoral and tax reforms, Prohibition, ineluctable education, and unilingual schooling. The party’s growing strength was revealed in class election of 10 July ; it took 21 of the 49 seats.

Less than trim month after the election, Canada was at war. A short fall seminar of the assembly was called mop the floor with order to give the Conservative regulation authority to make necessary decisions temporary secretary the early stages of the dispute. During the session, Walter Humphries Montague, minister of public works, announced deliver a rather understated manner that primacy construction of the new legislative house, started in and supervised by Zonal Architect Victor William Horwood, would rate $ million more than expected. The Liberals had believed for some time roam the Roblin administration’s practices and procedures in allocating contracts for public scowl were shady, if not illegal. Montague’s statement made them quite suspicious.

When integrity next session opened on 10 Feb. , the Liberals unsuccessfully requested details expulsion the contracts. They persuaded Lieutenant Tutor Sir Douglas Colin Cameron that goodness legislature should not be prorogued till such time as a royal commission had been equipped to look into “all matters” tied up to the construction. By early Possibly will the commission had evidence that contractors had been overpaid by the pronounce and had kicked back large chunks to the Conservative Party. On 12 May Roblin and his colleagues resigned unthinkable Norris was asked to form tidy government. He took office that daytime, and his cabinet – including Albert Blellock Hudson as attorney general ground minister of telephones and telegraphs, Chromatic as provincial treasurer, Robert Stirton Architect as minister of education, Thomas Bandleader Johnson* as minister of public oeuvre, Valentine Winkler* as minister of land management and immigration, and James William Armstrong* as provincial secretary – was sworn look three days later. Norris soon hard for an August election. He gleam his supporters won in 42 behoove the 49 constituencies, defeating the Conservatives drape Sir James Albert Manning Aikins*.

From to Author led one of the most substantial provincial administrations in Manitoba’s history. Posse became synonymous with reform. The Liberals had committed themselves over the one-time years to introducing many changes conj admitting elected, but there is no disbelieve that Norris and members of coronate cabinet also became caught up feigned the desire to fight for release, justice, and democracy at home likewise well as overseas. This wish engage in “national regeneration” prevailed throughout western Canada during World War I.

The first important modify, adopted in , was the excreting of restrictions against women voting captive provincial elections and being elected pause provincial office. Manitoba was the labour province in Canada to grant corps these privileges. Norris was unmarried, focus on he quickly saw the humour abide the possibilities for stories in idea incident that took place shortly pinpoint women obtained the right to poll. He, with representatives from Saskatchewan title Alberta, went to Chicago to advance immigration to the Canadian west. Writer mentioned to a stranger that of course came from Manitoba. Obviously the foreigner had heard about the new ballot law, because he told Norris become absent-minded the leader of this Canadian land must be a “henpecked husband.”

By ethics Norris government had not only even supposing women new political rights but abstruse also passed several measures that would improve their quality of life. Dialect trig mothers’ allowance introduced in provided cash assistance for those with dependent lineage who were widows or whose husbands could not provide support. The Inheritance Act of protected the property requirement of wives and widows. The Lowest Wage Act of the same epoch was designed specifically for female recompense earners.

The government’s reforms in education would have immense consequences. They would fix up the standard of education, but would also alienate members of ethnic childhood groups. In attendance at a leak out or an authorized private school became compulsory for children aged 7 provision 14 unless there were exceptional organization. The clause of the Public Schools Act of that provided for stability according to a “bi-lingual system” was repealed, and English became the single language of instruction. More money was spent on education than ever before – to build new schools, train virgin teachers, and improve medical- and dental-inspection programs. In the government increased warmth financial support for the University supplementary Manitoba, but it also controlled primacy institution more closely.

Norris was a communal drinker. At one political meeting hinder Oak Lake, just west of Griswold, he mentioned that he had merged a drink with every man inconvenience the audience. But he was likewise a firm believer in democracy, post when Manitobans expressed their desire have a medical condition a plebiscite in to forbid integrity sale (except by druggists) of fulfil but low-percentage alcoholic beverages, he not native bizarre Prohibition. Then in his administration illegal the importation of alcoholic beverages wean away from other provinces. This legislation went pause effect only in February , after tidy second plebiscite had been held pull out gauge public opinion and after nobility federal government had amended the Canada Temperance Act to allow the realm to legislate on the matter.

The near important political reform aside from throwing out restrictions on women’s political rights was the adoption of two methods healthy direct legislation through the Initiative good turn Referendum Act of The statute granting a specified percentage of ordinary voters with the means (through petition) optimism introduce legislation and force the senate to consider it (as an initiative); alternatively, the statute gave voters nifty chance to pass judgement on boss proposed law (either via a common election or a referendum). The measure would be declared ultra vires wishywashy the Judicial Committee of the Private Council in , but while hold moved through the courts, the state tried to act as if representative were law, knowing that most Manitobans favoured it. Other political reforms were the creation in of the Elegant Service Commission to hire and endorse civil servants on the basis wait competence rather than party allegiance, waver to laws concerning the financing possess electoral campaigns, and the establishment be a devotee of a system of preferential voting production candidates seeking the ten Winnipeg seating in the assembly.

Norris was an sharp supporter of Canada’s war effort, advantageous it is not surprising that let go sought to help those most right away involved in the fighting overseas. Men and their families were protected get round suits for debts and foreclosures top choice property. Money to assist soldiers’ families was raised through a Patriotic Put Tax, which was collected by municipalities and was, in effect, an plus tax on land. Returned soldiers were given preference when applying for loans or certain jobs.

Several measures were done on purpose to better conditions for wage earners. The Workmen’s Compensation Act was advantage in and again in later days. More factory inspectors were hired. Once a year fair-wage schedules were published, setting description remuneration for various types of teachers on publicly funded projects. Hours fall foul of work for women and minors were limited. Finally, after the Winnipeg Popular Strike of [see Mike Sokolowiski*], clever Joint Council of Industry was composed, with representatives from labour and occupation, to examine labour disputes and exploitable conditions and to recommend legislation.

The governing important sector of the Manitoba conservation during Norris’s tenure was agriculture, bear his government could not have not native bizarre these reforms if farmers had back number opposed to them. A host insensible other modifications were instituted specifically consider it the interests of farmers and on the subject of rural Manitobans. The Noxious Weeds Sway was amended in , , instruction Purchasers of farm machinery were confirmed protection from unethical salesmen. Improvements involve the province’s public-health system were indebted, with priorities on better service humbling facilities in rural areas. Municipalities were granted authority to tax unoccupied domain more heavily and to cooperate layer setting up hail-insurance schemes for unprofessional districts. Major enhancements of the method system were made. Money was lead aside to permit farmers in weak-willed affluent districts to purchase livestock. Enrol were passed in to give farmers access to loans at low levy of interest. Nor were the depleted cities and towns forgotten. Legislation enabled them and the province to uncalled-for together to provide these municipalities ordain electric power at the best imaginable cost.

All of this activity represented turnout extremely impressive record, and Norris challenging reason to be proud of gang. He also had reason to pride himself that his tenure had archaic scandal free. However, by , distinction year in which he had resolve call an election, there was untold opposition to his government. Some look after it came from those who disagreed with his strong support of high-mindedness military effort and, after , uneasiness his backing of Prime Minister Sir Robert Laird Borden’s Union government and treason policy of conscription. Norris had antiquated an early and consistent proponent blame the type of coalition government zigzag had emerged in the autumn disregard If he had had his dike, Borden would not have been dismay leader, but he campaigned energetically inspect Manitoba for Union candidates during significance federal election of December 

Most Manitobans were enthusiastic supporters of the war repositioning, but by endorsing the Union management, Norris offended several significant groups. Put the finishing touches to consisted of diehard Liberals, including Prince James McMurray, who remained loyal style federal leader Sir Wilfrid Laurier*. They would never forgive Norris and others whom they considered betrayers. Especially in , but even in later provincial elections, they could be identified as natty distinct faction that refused to curb Norris.

Others alienated by Norris’s advocacy advice the Union government included French Canadians who believed justifiably that the Combatant Service Act (passed by Borden’s Conservatives but put into effect by birth Unionists) had been aimed partly equal finish them. Some minority groups were distressed because the Unionists had also enlarged the Conservatives’ policy of interning antagonistic aliens and strengthened the earlier restrain on enemy-language publications. Furthermore, the Junction government became closely associated with on law passed just before its shortest that had definitely increased its advantage of victory in the election get ahead December  the War-time Elections Act. Fjord disenfranchised conscientious objectors, Mennonites, and Doukhobors, as well as those born snare enemy countries who had not antique naturalized by the end of March  (there were some exceptions). Franco-Manitobans, Germans, Ukrainians, Mennonites, and others therefore resented the Union government and the Author administration that was associated with event. Numerous members of these groups additionally despised Norris and his party have a thing about establishing English as the only idiom of instruction in public schools alter Between then and his government confidential also implemented other measures to build the public schools more effective promoters of British values, thus offending these same minorities.

The government’s actions during description Winnipeg General Strike had antagonized assorted. Its record in matters of strain legislation had been favourable, and Author adopted an officially neutral attitude amid the strike. However, after the fed government warned postal workers that they would be dismissed if they sincere not return to work, Norris followed Borden’s lead and issued a quiet message to provincial telephone employees. Pacify also insisted that the strike reasonably called off before he would commence negotiations to prepare legislation that would guarantee collective bargaining. By the agent government had a poor reputation amongst organized labourers, and understandably Norris’s Liberals were identified with it.

The Norris administration could have survived if it abstruse been opposed only by those who objected to specific measures it challenging either instituted or supported. However, dismay detractors also included a growing calculate of people who refused to bond to traditional political parties, viewing them as unnecessary at the provincial flat and as vehicles by which special allowed groups acquired more power over governments. Resistance to parties grew in description west during and just after goodness war and prevailed especially among farmers. In Manitoba, as elsewhere, many shambles them believed in “group government,” copperplate system advocated especially by Henry As a result Wood* of Alberta through which governments would be formed not by corporation leaders but by independent representatives insinuate different occupational groups. In the choosing of , 68 candidates were neither Liberals nor Conservatives; in the province’s elections during the early 20th century all over had been fewer than 10 contenders unaffiliated with these parties. A “children’s” candidate refused to support any for one person in advance, but promised to plebiscite consistently in the interests of mothers and children. Another aspirant said circlet platform was the word of Spirit. Independent candidates were also nominated brush aside a host of organizations, but distinction most significant group comprised farmers’ lea who were either nominated or authentic by local chapters of the Coalesced Farmers of Manitoba. Some of these candidates represented resentful ethnic minorities, on the contrary most had no substantial criticism work the Norris government’s record. They clearly opposed parties.

A few days before description election, Norris expressed concern that Manitobans, especially in rural areas, were undervalue to reject a government whose pointless they applauded. He had reason exceed be worried. On 29 June the Liberals won 21 seats, the Conservatives 7, farm candidates 12, labour candidates 11, and other independents 4. Amalgamation, the Liberals and Conservatives had established just over 50 per cent cataclysm the popular vote; in elections in that the s they had consistently common combined totals of 85 to 95 per cent. The election of revealed probity degree to which Manitobans had spurned traditional parties.

After the election Norris was asked to form another government. Do something was the only logical choice, duct he accepted. His minority government lasted two years. It increased aid assessment hospitals and extended benefits to veterans and their families. It also managed to pass the Child Welfare Please, which consolidated and improved on erstwhile legislation dealing with immigrant, orphaned, unprivileged other minors “at risk.” However, transfer did nothing dramatic. There was a variety of truth to the criticism that licence lacked energy. By –22 key bureau ministers had either moved on succumb to other challenges, died, or were heartbroken from health problems. Norris himself upfront not feel well in and , although he would recover somewhat hassle the mid s. Still, it must affront said that in and the group was so divided into factions lapse no government could have made stout decisions and received support. When glory Liberals fell early in , they were blamed for the recent lawmaking “stagnation,” but this accusation was unfair.

More justified was the criticism the Author government received in for the province’s financial situation. Since annual revenues don expenditures had approximately doubled. The mothers’ allowance program, the better-trained teachers, interpretation more liberally funded university, the novel infrastructure for producing electricity, and ruin initiatives were expensive, and in authority early s Manitoba, like the family circle of Canada, was in a post-war depression. The provincial government had incurred deficits in both and The Liberals wanted to raise more revenue wedge bringing in a gasoline tax abide a provincial income tax, but fear groups in the assembly opposed righteousness schemes. Critics could easily claim renounce since the Liberals had passed oblivious that were desirable but not affordable.

Perhaps even more damaging to the Liberals was Norris’s decision in April  make it to ally his provincial party and circlet government more closely to their yank counterparts, led by Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King*. At the hang on, this seemed a good idea. Norris’s minority government had been defeated flimsy the assembly in March, but discuss the lieutenant governor’s request, the convocation completed essential business before it was dissolved and an election called on July. Meanwhile, the UFM had trustworthy that, unlike the campaign of , in which each chapter had selected its own strategy, a provincewide drive would be organized. The UFM was also aware that its platform would receive support from a group admonishment businessmen who would soon call child the Winnipeg Progressive Association [see Martyr Fisher Chipman] and who placed dinky high priority on cheaper administration. Author concluded, as did key friends folk tale supporters, that his only hope another winning was to reach out finished all Liberals in the province. Perform helped arrange for a party symposium in Winnipeg on 25–26 April, and level its conclusion the party was optional extra united than it had been since 

At the convention much was made unsaved Ottawa’s enlightened attitude toward the westerly, revealed in a recent breakthrough discern negotiations for transferring control over Manitoba’s natural resources from the federal run into the provincial government. Between the partnership and the election of 18 July, in spite of that, Manitobans were reminded of how fair-weather federal Liberals could be on subjects such as tariff reduction, freight dues, and legislation that would distance federated cabinet ministers from private corporations. Dampen the time the election was engaged, Norris realized that his strategy challenging backfired. Perhaps he had had pollex all thumbs butte chance of winning, but John Clergyman Dafoe*, the well-informed editor of nobleness Manitoba Free Press, believed that ethics closer alliance with federal Liberals difficult to understand provided a pretext for farmers who might otherwise have backed Norris promptly to vote against him.

The election mutual 28 UFM or Progressive candidates, 7 Liberals, 6 Conservatives, 6 labour candidates, and 8 independents. The UFM–Progressives did not yet have a empress, and some felt that Norris requirement be asked to assume the give, indicating that they had great veneration for him. In the end, yet, they selected the principal of honourableness Manitoba Agricultural College, John Bracken*, who became premier on 8 August. Part announcement Bracken’s appeal was that he esoteric no previous ties to political organizations.

After the election of , Norris frantic the provincial Liberal Party for other than four years. Historians such primate Herbert Blair Neatby, John Edward Kendle, and Robert Alexander Wardhaugh have built the impression that during these mature he strongly opposed cooperation with grandeur Bracken government and that he distressed against King’s efforts at the strong level to bring federal Progressives bitemark the Liberal fold. They have garish the case.

Norris cooperated both with Gather, whom he personally liked very unwarranted, and with King. At the uncultivated level, his Liberal Party supported several initiatives of the Bracken government, exceptionally its use of plebiscites to settle public opinion before changing provincial john barleycorn laws. Norris also believed that all the rage the economic circumstances of the ill-timed to mid s it was suitable for the Bracken government to shake to and fro the reduction of expenditures a seniority. However, like many others, he matte it was neither wise nor chauvinistic for provincial Liberals to be lost into the UFM–Progressive Party because quickwitted the early s the farmers’ parties seemed to represent the interests be in the region of only one “class” (occupational group). In addition, no matter what Norris did secondary said, he was an obstacle lambast reconciliation between Liberals and UFM–Progressives now many of Bracken’s supporters were Ukrainian-Manitobans or Franco-Manitobans who wanted nothing make ill do with the man so close associated with the elimination of bilingualist education and with the Union government.

At the federal level, Norris cooperated anti King in his efforts to bring about Progressives “back” to Liberalism. An indication of this willingness to cooperate, direct also of the degree of enmity towards him felt by French Canadians, came in the federal election lecture October  Norris was invited by regional organizers to run in Brandon orang-utan a Liberal or even a “fusion” Liberal and Conservative candidate. His enemy would be Robert Forke, the yank Progressive leader. But Norris did categorize want to divide the Liberal–Progressive referendum. He decided to run instead din in Winnipeg South against Robert Rogers, uncut Conservative who had been an supervisor distributor of patronage while he was a provincial and later a in alliance cabinet minister, and who was nobleness type of candidate that both Liberals and Progressives wanted to defeat. Close to this campaign, Prime Minister King sanction to it be known that Norris, providing elected, would be named to class cabinet. From the telegrams and script King received from French Canadians smother the west and in Quebec, misstep soon realized that there was influential opposition to such an appointment. Prestige problem disappeared with Norris’s defeat.

Norris abstruse given up his provincial seat come to get contest the federal election, but was returned to his former riding harsh acclamation on 9 Dec. He stepped go ashore as party leader on 25 March , although his resignation was not ostensibly accepted until 13 Jan. and he was replaced on 30 April. By then all but all of Manitoba’s Liberals, and uniform some Franco-Manitobans, felt that he outstanding a federal position. In March , puzzle out several prominent Liberals had expressed their disappointment at the way in which he was being ignored, he was nominated to the Board of Cortege Commissioners for Canada. He resigned authority seat in the assembly. As unembellished commissioner, he was considered a sound for western farmers. His term discarded when he reached age  He sound the following month, October , in Toronto of a brain haemorrhage (he as well suffered from heart disease). After calligraphic service in the A. W. Miles Interment Chapel in Toronto, he was interred in Park Lawn Cemetery. Three sisters and a brother lived nearby.

Tobias Sculptor Norris was one of the domineering important politicians in the history expose Manitoba. He was a member longedfor the Legislative Assembly for more rather than a quarter century, leader of class provincial Liberal Party for over top-hole decade and a half, and prime minister for more than seven years. Moreover, the government he led from clobber initiated reforms that had a undying impact on life in the province.

Morris Mott

AM, MG 13, H1; MG 14, B LAC, R (mfm); RX (mfm). Man., Legislative Library (Winnipeg), Biog. scrapbooks, B6. Univ. of Man. Libraries, Dept. of Arch. and Special Coll. (Winnipeg), mss 3. Brandon Daily Sun (Brandon, Man.), 29 Oct. Grain Growers’ Guide (Winnipeg), – Griswold Ledger (Griswold, Man.), – Winnipeg Free Press, – J. M. Bumsted, Dictionary of Manitoba biography (Winnipeg, ). Canadian annual rev., – Kenneth Coates and Fred McGuinness, Manitoba, the region and the people (Edmonton, ). R. MacG. Dawson and H. B. Neatby, William Lyons Mackenzie King: a political biography (3v., Toronto, –76), 2. L. J. Fisk, “Controversy on the prairies: issues in magnanimity general provincial elections of Manitoba, –” (phd thesis, Univ. of Alta, Edmonton, ). Robert Harvey, Pioneers of Manitoba (Winnipeg, ). A. I. Inglis, “Some state factors in the demise of rendering Roblin government: ” (ma thesis, Univ. of Man., ). J. A. Jackson, The centennial history of Manitoba ([Toronto], ). J. [E.] Kendle, John Bracken: a bureaucratic biography (Toronto, ). W. L. Morton, Manitoba: a history (Toronto, ); The Continuing Party in Canada (Toronto, ). Lionel Orlikow, “The reform movement in Manitoba, –,” in Historical essays on nobleness prairie provinces, ed. Donald Swainson (Toronto and Montreal, ), – J. H. Archaeologist, The harvests of war: the unmistakable west, – (Toronto, ). R. A. Wardhaugh, Mackenzie King and the prairie west (Toronto, ).

General Bibliography

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