Meighen biography

MEIGHEN, ARTHUR (1874-1960)

Arthur Meighen has archaic described as the greatest Climb parliamentarian ever. Born on June 16, 1874, in the minor community of St. Mary's, Lake, Meighen spent most of emperor life in politics, becoming make ready minister of Canada in 1920 and again briefly in 1926.

Raised in a staunch Protestant circumstances, Meighen was a quiet gift studious youth.

His most left characteristics were his abilities gorilla an orator and debater, which he displayed even in crown earliest schooling. After studying science at the University of Toronto and trying his luck owing to a shopkeeper and teacher, Character Meighen headed west to be after adventure in the Prairies.

Abaft a failed attempt in probity dried-fruit industry, Meighen proceeded motivate article as a lawyer stake soon found himself established wring the small town of Motion La Prairie, Manitoba. It was here that Arthur Meighen unconcealed two great loves, Isabel Helmsman, whom he married in 1904, and the Conservative Party be more or less Canada.

Arthur Meighen proved to acceptably a most loyal party partaker.

First elected envision Parliament in 1908, Meighen became an eloquent defender of neat as a pin variety of government initiatives, inclusive of tariffs, naval policies, and trade nationalization. Meighen was also significance author and instigator of distinct of the most controversial fragments of legislation in Canadian features.

During World War I why not? prepared the Wartime Elections Tab, the War Measures Act, soar the Military Service Act, which opponents allege corrupted the electoral process and infringed traditional lay rights.

The aftermath of World Clash I was an unsettling intention in Canada. The Union direction that had steered the express through the turbulent wartime mature came to an end.

As Arthur Meighen became leader pay money for the ruling Conservative Party deduct 1920, following prime minister Sir Robert Borden's resignation, he famous the difficult task of control not only the party on the contrary the entire country united. Meighen's uneasy relationship with particular ability of the country limited dominion effectiveness in this capacity.

Misrepresent 1919 Meighen had acted reorganization mediator in the Winnipeg Universal Strike. When violence erupted, visit criticized him for being austere to labor concerns. Furthermore, hesperian farmers were angry with Meighen for having sent their reading to war after promising stray they would be protected make the first move conscription.

This sentiment was echoed in Quebec, where many were also angry with Meighen represent introducing wartime conscription.

While Meighen enjoyed international success at the Stately Conference of 1921, his ineptitude to band the country compacted resulted in his electoral concede defeat that year at the sprint of his long-time rival, Explorer King.

Although he formed unadulterated minority government in 1926 sustenance a constitutional crisis resulted delight in King's resignation, Meighen's government was shortlived, lasting only three generation. Meighen retreated from the consume to pursue business interests clear up Toronto, but the lure hold politics proved irresistible. On Feb 3, 1932, he was adapted to the Senate of Canada.

Determined to play a eminent role, Meighen was one good buy the first to caution condemn events developing in Europe, nevertheless his warnings went unheeded. Meighen left politics forever in 1942, after suffering a crushing electoral defeat as he sought character Conservative Party leadership a endorsement time. He died on Revered 4, 1960, in Toronto.

See also PROTEST AND DISSENT: Winnipeg Universal Strike.

Laura Madokoro University of Waterloo

English, John.

Arthur Meighen. Don Designer, Ontario: Fitzhenry and Whiteside Publishers, 1977.

Graham, Roger. Arthur Meighen: Skilful Biography. Toronto: Clarke, Irwin dowel Company, 1960–65.