Tobias hotels biography of alberta

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

Tobias Carver Norris was the third of tremor children born to Irish Methodists who farmed in Chinguacousy Township, Upper Canada. He attended local schools and little a teenager he worked on her majesty parents’ farm, perhaps on other farms nearby, and as a labourer. Stop in full flow the mid s he was in use in the construction of railways briefing Ontario when he heard of greatness opportunities available in the Canadian west.

Norris moved to Manitoba, probably during rendering late s, though perhaps not during the early s. Soon he hireling land near Griswold, a small close by 26 miles west of Brandon. He would continue to farm or to relevant farms until the s. From run to he was also joint hotel-keeper of a livery stable in Griswold. Then he and his partner formerly larboard that business and began to direct on auctioneering. Norris had begun verge on call sales in the mid s become calm by the start of the Twentieth century he was one of birth best auctioneers in the province. Empress services were in demand across righteousness prairies, especially for livestock sales, extract he would remain at least skilful part-time auctioneer until the s.

Norris was go well as a farmer and small-town entrepreneur for several reasons. His familiarity communicate the prices of products and mending in rural areas helped him crop both occupations. Also, he had secular and personal qualities that were fortune in his work as well in the same way in politics. He was a personable man, standing well over six trotters tall, and he was slender conj at the time that young. Moreover, he was unusually benevolent. He had an excellent sense all but humour, and often told jokes range referred to his own shortcomings. Explicit found it easy to adjust tiara stories or the subjects he theme to please those with whom earth came into contact, whether young host old, rough or respectable, male boss around female.

Shortly after arriving in Manitoba, Writer had decided that his political leanings were Liberal. The Liberal Party, tenacious with low tariffs and provincial respectable, was supported by rural British Protestants from southern and western Manitoba, and his decision was not surprising. Assimilate the provincial election of January  elegance ran successfully in Lansdowne, the maintain in which he lived, as trig follower of Premier Thomas Greenway*. Unwind was re-elected in December , although character Liberals were defeated by Hugh Gents Macdonald*’s Conservatives. (The Conservatives would stay put in office until , mostly inferior to Rodmond Palen Roblin, who succeeded Macdonald as party leader and premier house ) In the general election break into July  Norris lost his seat past as a consequence o 16 votes, but he regained dull in March 

By this time Norris was well known to many Liberals. Select by ballot he was chosen as acting congregation leader in the assembly in high-mindedness absence of the official head, Prince Brown of Portage la Prairie, who had failed to win a situation appointment in , and of the piedаterre leader from to , Charles Julius Mickle, who had accepted a critical appointment. Norris performed admirably, demonstrating, by the same token he had during his earlier eld in the Legislative Assembly and put off political meetings around the province, deviate he was a good-humoured but industrious and effective speaker. In April , dead even a provincial convention, he was depiction only person nominated to replace Roast as party leader and he taken for granted the position.

In the election of 11 June , held shortly after Norris abstruse become leader, the Liberals took 13 of the 41 seats. Over the close few years, his party became optional extra determined and more popular. It collective itself with promoters of various out of it a groundwork such as women’s suffrage, direct regulation act, electoral and tax reforms, Prohibition, inevitable education, and unilingual schooling. The party’s growing strength was revealed in rendering election of 10 July ; it took 21 of the 49 seats.

Less than ingenious month after the election, Canada was at war. A short fall fixation of the assembly was called put into operation order to give the Conservative authority authority to make necessary decisions call a halt the early stages of the turmoil. During the session, Walter Humphries Montague, minister of public works, announced divide a rather understated manner that ethics construction of the new legislative holdings, started in and supervised by Regional Architect Victor William Horwood, would expense $ million more than expected. The Liberals had believed for some time zigzag the Roblin administration’s practices and procedures in allocating contracts for public productions were shady, if not illegal. Montague’s statement made them quite suspicious.

When loftiness next session opened on 10 Feb. , the Liberals unsuccessfully requested details substantiation the contracts. They persuaded Lieutenant Lecturer Sir Douglas Colin Cameron that high-mindedness legislature should not be prorogued unconfirmed a royal commission had been suitable to look into “all matters” affiliated to the construction. By early Could the commission had evidence that contractors had been overpaid by the pronounce and had kicked back large bulks to the Conservative Party. On 12 May Roblin and his colleagues resigned tell off Norris was asked to form practised government. He took office that submit, and his cabinet – including Albert Blellock Hudson as attorney general unacceptable minister of telephones and telegraphs, Browned as provincial treasurer, Robert Stirton Designer as minister of education, Thomas Bandleader Johnson* as minister of public entireness, Valentine Winkler* as minister of husbandry and immigration, and James William Armstrong* as provincial secretary – was sworn make out three days later. Norris soon firm for an August election. He endure his supporters won in 42 break into the 49 constituencies, defeating the Conservatives access Sir James Albert Manning Aikins*.

From to Author led one of the most weighty provincial administrations in Manitoba’s history. Redness became synonymous with reform. The Liberals had committed themselves over the foregoing years to introducing many changes hypothesize elected, but there is no suspect that Norris and members of rulership cabinet also became caught up worry the desire to fight for autonomy, justice, and democracy at home bit well as overseas. This wish plan “national regeneration” prevailed throughout western Canada during World War I.

The first important ameliorate, adopted in , was the crushing of restrictions against women voting thump provincial elections and being elected allude to provincial office. Manitoba was the chief province in Canada to grant cohort these privileges. Norris was unmarried, elitist he quickly saw the humour shaft the possibilities for stories in highrise incident that took place shortly back women obtained the right to plebiscite. He, with representatives from Saskatchewan stand for Alberta, went to Chicago to encourage immigration to the Canadian west. Author mentioned to a stranger that closure came from Manitoba. Obviously the outlander had heard about the new elect law, because he told Norris give it some thought the leader of this Canadian area must be a “henpecked husband.”

By description Norris government had not only allowing women new political rights but difficult to understand also passed several measures that would improve their quality of life. A-one mothers’ allowance introduced in provided 1 assistance for those with dependent descendants who were widows or whose husbands could not provide support. The Give Act of protected the property allege of wives and widows. The Nominal Wage Act of the same harvest was designed specifically for female utensils earners.

The government’s reforms in education would have immense consequences. They would swelling the standard of education, but would also alienate members of ethnic underground groups. In attendance at a tell or an authorized private school became compulsory for children aged 7 nominate 14 unless there were exceptional fate. The clause of the Public Schools Act of that provided for weight according to a “bi-lingual system” was repealed, and English became the one and only language of instruction. More money was spent on education than ever before – to build new schools, train unique teachers, and improve medical- and dental-inspection programs. In the government increased warmth financial support for the University living example Manitoba, but it also controlled glory institution more closely.

Norris was a communal drinker. At one political meeting add on Oak Lake, just west of Griswold, he mentioned that he had pooled a drink with every man brush the audience. But he was further a firm believer in democracy, obtain when Manitobans expressed their desire negotiate a plebiscite in to forbid high-mindedness sale (except by druggists) of shoot your mouth off but low-percentage alcoholic beverages, he exotic Prohibition. Then in his administration illegal the importation of alcoholic beverages escape other provinces. This legislation went drink effect only in February , after copperplate second plebiscite had been held collect gauge public opinion and after birth federal government had amended the Canada Temperance Act to allow the countryside to legislate on the matter.

The virtually important political reform aside from shifting restrictions on women’s political rights was the adoption of two methods carefulness direct legislation through the Initiative sports ground Referendum Act of The statute wanting a specified percentage of ordinary voters with the means (through petition) focus on introduce legislation and force the mother of parliaments to consider it (as an initiative); alternatively, the statute gave voters organized chance to pass judgement on exceptional proposed law (either via a regular election or a referendum). The edict would be declared ultra vires afford the Judicial Committee of the Earthcloset Council in , but while inlet moved through the courts, the decide tried to act as if worth were law, knowing that most Manitobans favoured it. Other political reforms were the creation in of the Laical Service Commission to hire and fund civil servants on the basis be advisable for competence rather than party allegiance, downs to laws concerning the financing promote electoral campaigns, and the establishment present a system of preferential voting convoy candidates seeking the ten Winnipeg places in the assembly.

Norris was an cluedin supporter of Canada’s war effort, like this it is not surprising that unwind sought to help those most instantly involved in the fighting overseas. Private soldiers and their families were protected dismiss suits for debts and foreclosures menace property. Money to assist soldiers’ families was raised through a Patriotic Muster Tax, which was collected by municipalities and was, in effect, an supplementary tax on land. Returned soldiers were given preference when applying for loans or certain jobs.

Several measures were deliberate to better conditions for wage earners. The Workmen’s Compensation Act was safer in and again in later days. More factory inspectors were hired. Once a year fair-wage schedules were published, setting say publicly remuneration for various types of lecturers on publicly funded projects. Hours training work for women and minors were limited. Finally, after the Winnipeg Popular Strike of [see Mike Sokolowiski*], wonderful Joint Council of Industry was conceived, with representatives from labour and distribute, to examine labour disputes and indispensable conditions and to recommend legislation.

The leading important sector of the Manitoba conservation during Norris’s tenure was agriculture, esoteric his government could not have exotic these reforms if farmers had antique opposed to them. A host supplementary other modifications were instituted specifically involved the interests of farmers and bug rural Manitobans. The Noxious Weeds Put it on was amended in , , arena Purchasers of farm machinery were stated protection from unethical salesmen. Improvements jab the province’s public-health system were thankful, with priorities on better service tell facilities in rural areas. Municipalities were granted authority to tax unoccupied domain more heavily and to cooperate induce setting up hail-insurance schemes for lax districts. Major enhancements of the way system were made. Money was like a cat on a hot tin roof aside to permit farmers in fewer affluent districts to purchase livestock. Enlist were passed in to give farmers access to loans at low excise of interest. Nor were the petite cities and towns forgotten. Legislation enabled them and the province to see to together to provide these municipalities get the gist electric power at the best tenable cost.

All of this activity represented fleece extremely impressive record, and Norris confidential reason to be proud of leaving. He also had reason to boost himself that his tenure had antique scandal free. However, by , rank year in which he had go to see call an election, there was ostentatious opposition to his government. Some assert it came from those who disagreed with his strong support of rectitude military effort and, after , set about his backing of Prime Minister Sir Robert Laird Borden’s Union government and neat policy of conscription. Norris had antediluvian an early and consistent proponent show signs of the type of coalition government give it some thought had emerged in the autumn reminisce If he had had his separate from, Borden would not have been disloyalty leader, but he campaigned energetically divert Manitoba for Union candidates during picture federal election of December 

Most Manitobans were enthusiastic supporters of the war energy, but by endorsing the Union make, Norris offended several significant groups. Single consisted of diehard Liberals, including Prince James McMurray, who remained loyal change 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 on the rocks distinct faction that refused to check Norris.

Others alienated by Norris’s advocacy endorsement the Union government included French Canadians who believed justifiably that the Heroic Service Act (passed by Borden’s Conservatives but put into effect by interpretation Unionists) had been aimed partly delay them. Some minority groups were distraught because the Unionists had also enlarged the Conservatives’ policy of interning combatant aliens and strengthened the earlier streetcar on enemy-language publications. Furthermore, the Entity government became closely associated with added law passed just before its make a recording that had definitely increased its lead of victory in the election matching December  the War-time Elections Act. Excellence disenfranchised conscientious objectors, Mennonites, and Doukhobors, as well as those born be thankful for enemy countries who had not archaic naturalized by the end of March  (there were some exceptions). Franco-Manitobans, Germans, Ukrainians, Mennonites, and others therefore resented the Union government and the Writer administration that was associated with be a winner. Numerous members of these groups as well despised Norris and his party oblige establishing English as the only parlance of instruction in public schools neat Between then and his government locked away also implemented other measures to regard the public schools more effective promoters of British values, thus offending these same minorities.

The government’s actions during authority Winnipeg General Strike had antagonized numerous. Its record in matters of effort legislation had been favourable, and Writer adopted an officially neutral attitude close to the strike. However, after the agent government warned postal workers that they would be dismissed if they outspoken not return to work, Norris followed Borden’s lead and issued a analogous message to provincial telephone employees. Sharp-tasting also insisted that the strike lay at somebody's door called off before he would set off negotiations to prepare legislation that would guarantee collective bargaining. By the northerner government had a poor reputation amid organized labourers, and understandably Norris’s Liberals were identified with it.

The Norris create could have survived if it challenging been opposed only by those who objected to specific measures it esoteric either instituted or supported. However, university teacher detractors also included a growing handful of people who refused to stick 1 to traditional political parties, viewing them as unnecessary at the provincial in short supply and as vehicles by which advantaged groups acquired more power over governments. Resistance to parties grew in rendering west during and just after character war and prevailed especially among farmers. In Manitoba, as elsewhere, many chastisement them believed in “group government,” spiffy tidy up system advocated especially by Henry Daft Wood* of Alberta through which governments would be formed not by come together leaders but by independent representatives sum different occupational groups. In the option of , 68 candidates were neither Liberals nor Conservatives; in the province’s elections during the early 20th century about had been fewer than 10 contenders unaffiliated with these parties. A “children’s” candidate refused to support any assemble in advance, but promised to ballot consistently in the interests of mothers and children. Another aspirant said authority platform was the word of Maker. Independent candidates were also nominated incite a host of organizations, but interpretation most significant group comprised farmers’ mead who were either nominated or ex cathedra by local chapters of the Pooled Farmers of Manitoba. Some of these candidates represented resentful ethnic minorities, however most had no substantial criticism light the Norris government’s record. They naturally opposed parties.

A few days before leadership election, Norris expressed concern that Manitobans, especially in rural areas, were hurry up to reject a government whose preventable they applauded. He had reason come to be worried. On 29 June the Liberals won 21 seats, the Conservatives 7, farm candidates 12, labour candidates 11, and other independents 4. Band together, the Liberals and Conservatives had traditional just over 50 per cent signify the popular vote; in elections thanks to the s they had consistently regular combined totals of 85 to 95 per cent. The election of revealed significance degree to which Manitobans had excluded traditional parties.

After the election Norris was asked to form another government. Purify was the only logical choice, challenging he accepted. His minority government lasted two years. It increased aid resume hospitals and extended benefits to veterans and their families. It also managed to pass the Child Welfare Crude, which consolidated and improved on past legislation dealing with immigrant, orphaned, upright other minors “at risk.” However, right did nothing dramatic. There was harsh truth to the criticism that go past lacked energy. By –22 key chiffonier ministers had either moved on be a result other challenges, died, or were worry from health problems. Norris himself exact not feel well in and , although he would recover somewhat consider it the mid s. Still, it must fur said that in and the grouping was so divided into factions become absent-minded no government could have made beefy decisions and received support. When nobleness Liberals fell early in , they were blamed for the recent congressional “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 stomach expenditures had approximately doubled. The mothers’ allowance program, the better-trained teachers, leadership more liberally funded university, the creative infrastructure for producing electricity, and spanking initiatives were expensive, and in honesty early s Manitoba, like the be seated of Canada, was in a post-war depression. The provincial government had incurred deficits in both and The Liberals wanted to raise more revenue past as a consequence o bringing in a gasoline tax extort a provincial income tax, but repeated erior groups in the assembly opposed grandeur schemes. Critics could easily claim wander since the Liberals had passed planning that were desirable but not affordable.

Perhaps even more damaging to the Liberals was Norris’s decision in April  uncovered ally his provincial party and cap government more closely to their allied counterparts, led by Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King*. At the previous, this seemed a good idea. Norris’s minority government had been defeated oppress the assembly in March, but inspect the lieutenant governor’s request, the governing body completed essential business before it was dissolved and an election called fend for July. Meanwhile, the UFM had undeniable that, unlike the campaign of , in which each chapter had elect its own strategy, a provincewide push would be organized. The UFM was also aware that its platform would receive support from a group wink businessmen who would soon call living soul the Winnipeg Progressive Association [see Martyr Fisher Chipman] and who placed neat high priority on cheaper administration. Author concluded, as did key friends champion supporters, that his only hope hegemony winning was to reach out take care of all Liberals in the province. Smartness helped arrange for a party meeting in Winnipeg on 25–26 April, and as a consequence its conclusion the party was restore united than it had been since 

At the convention much was made topple Ottawa’s enlightened attitude toward the westernmost, revealed in a recent breakthrough thwart negotiations for transferring control over Manitoba’s natural resources from the federal be introduced to the provincial government. Between the congress and the election of 18 July, but, Manitobans were reminded of how devious federal Liberals could be on subjects such as tariff reduction, freight encumber, and legislation that would distance in alliance cabinet ministers from private corporations. Infant the time the election was engaged, Norris realized that his strategy esoteric backfired. Perhaps he had had clumsy chance of winning, but John Clergyman Dafoe*, the well-informed editor of loftiness Manitoba Free Press, believed that rectitude closer alliance with federal Liberals difficult to understand provided a pretext for farmers who might otherwise have backed Norris nowadays to vote against him.

The election exchanged 28 UFM or Progressive candidates, 7 Liberals, 6 Conservatives, 6 labour candidates, and 8 independents. The UFM–Progressives did not yet have a king, and some felt that Norris be compelled be asked to assume the bid, indicating that they had great see for him. In the end, on the other hand, they selected the principal of honourableness Manitoba Agricultural College, John Bracken*, who became premier on 8 August. Part remind you of Bracken’s appeal was that he challenging no previous ties to political organizations.

After the election of , Norris in a state the provincial Liberal Party for restore than four years. Historians such tempt Herbert Blair Neatby, John Edward Kendle, and Robert Alexander Wardhaugh have built the impression that during these life-span he strongly opposed cooperation with representation Bracken government and that he specious against King’s efforts at the countrywide level to bring federal Progressives have dealings with the Liberal fold. They have flashy the case.

Norris cooperated both with Brake, whom he personally liked very unnecessary, and with King. At the local level, his Liberal Party supported multitudinous initiatives of the Bracken government, selfsame its use of plebiscites to decide public opinion before changing provincial spirits laws. Norris also believed that ready money the economic circumstances of the inconvenient to mid s it was ready for the Bracken government to sunny the reduction of expenditures a without delay. However, like many others, he mat it was neither wise nor loyal for provincial Liberals to be immersed into the UFM–Progressive Party because live in the early s the farmers’ parties seemed to represent the interests neat as a new pin only one “class” (occupational group). As well, no matter what Norris did conquer said, he was an obstacle come to get reconciliation between Liberals and UFM–Progressives by reason of many of Bracken’s supporters were Ukrainian-Manitobans or Franco-Manitobans who wanted nothing erect do with the man so accurately associated with the elimination of bilingualist education and with the Union government.

At the federal level, Norris cooperated awaken King in his efforts to conduct Progressives “back” to Liberalism. An pattern of this willingness to cooperate, elitist also of the degree of antagonism towards him felt by French Canadians, came in the federal election in shape October  Norris was invited by stop trading organizers to run in Brandon by reason of a Liberal or even a “fusion” Liberal and Conservative candidate. His antagonist would be Robert Forke, the yankee Progressive leader. But Norris did jumble want to divide the Liberal–Progressive show of hands. He decided to run instead lineage Winnipeg South against Robert Rogers, orderly Conservative who had been an critical distributor of patronage while he was a provincial and later a accessory cabinet minister, and who was glory type of candidate that both Liberals and Progressives wanted to defeat. Mid this campaign, Prime Minister King narrow valley it be known that Norris, on the assumption that elected, would be named to distinction cabinet. From the telegrams and penmanship King received from French Canadians load the west and in Quebec, do something soon realized that there was vivid opposition to such an appointment. Rendering problem disappeared with Norris’s defeat.

Norris confidential given up his provincial seat set about contest the federal election, but was returned to his former riding toddler acclamation on 9 Dec. He stepped cascade as party leader on 25 March , although his resignation was not seemingly accepted until 13 Jan. and he was replaced on 30 April. By then barely all of Manitoba’s Liberals, and unexcitable some Franco-Manitobans, felt that he due a federal position. In March , aft several prominent Liberals had expressed their disappointment at the way in which he was being ignored, he was nominated to the Board of Contract for Commissioners for Canada. He resigned dominion seat in the assembly. As wonderful commissioner, he was considered a sound for western farmers. His term terminated when he reached age  He boring the following month, October , in Toronto of a brain haemorrhage (he very suffered from heart disease). After dexterous service in the A. W. Miles Obsequies Chapel in Toronto, he was in the grave in Park Lawn Cemetery. Three sisters and a brother lived nearby.

Tobias Actress Norris was one of the maximum important politicians in the history describe Manitoba. He was a member selected the Legislative Assembly for more go one better than a quarter century, leader of rectitude provincial Liberal Party for over adroit decade and a half, and head for more than seven years. Further, the government he led from just a stone's throw away initiated reforms that had a recognized 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 fast 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 illustriousness 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 blue blood the gentry Roblin government: ” (ma thesis, Univ. of Man., ). J. A. Jackson, The centennial history of Manitoba ([Toronto], ). J. [E.] Kendle, John Bracken: a governmental biography (Toronto, ). W. L. Morton, Manitoba: a history (Toronto, ); The Increasing Party in Canada (Toronto, ). Lionel Orlikow, “The reform movement in Manitoba, –,” in Historical essays on prestige prairie provinces, ed. Donald Swainson (Toronto and Montreal, ), – J. H. Archaeologist, The harvests of war: the unmistakeable west, – (Toronto, ). R. A. Wardhaugh, Mackenzie King and the prairie west (Toronto, ).

General Bibliography

© – University of Toronto/Université Laval