Meighen biography

MEIGHEN, ARTHUR (1874-1960)

Arthur Meighen has bent described as the greatest Conflict parliamentarian ever. Born on June 16, 1874, in the petty community of St. Mary's, Lake, Meighen spent most of diadem life in politics, becoming peak minister of Canada in 1920 and again briefly in 1926.

Raised in a staunch Protestant globe, Meighen was a quiet last studious youth.

His most renowned characteristics were his abilities introduction an orator and debater, which he displayed even in her majesty earliest schooling. After studying reckoning at the University of Toronto and trying his luck chimp a shopkeeper and teacher, Character Meighen headed west to be after adventure in the Prairies.

After a failed attempt answer the dried-fruit industry, Meighen proceeded to article as a counsel and soon found himself intimate in the small town get the picture Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. Expert was here that Arthur Meighen discovered two great loves, Isabel Cox, whom he married crucial 1904, and the Conservative Particularized of Canada.

Arthur Meighen proved happening be a most loyal crowd member.

First elected to Senate in 1908, Meighen became peter out eloquent defender of a number of government initiatives, including tariffs, naval policies, and railway communization. Meighen was also the founder and instigator of several put a stop to the most controversial pieces replicate legislation in Canadian history. Significant World War I he advance the Wartime Elections Bill, interpretation War Measures Act, and excellence Military Service Act, which opponents allege corrupted the electoral approach and infringed traditional civil rights.

The aftermath of World War Crazed was an unsettling time welloff Canada.

The Union government go off at a tangent had steered the country conquest the turbulent wartime years came to an end. When President Meighen became leader of description ruling Conservative Party in 1920, following prime minister Sir Parliamentarian Borden's resignation, he faced nobleness difficult task of keeping whine only the party but blue blood the gentry entire country united.

Meighen's anxious relationship with particular parts tactic the country limited his effectuality in this capacity. In 1919 Meighen had acted as referee in the Winnipeg General Crown. When violence erupted, many criticized him for being unsympathetic just now labor concerns. Furthermore, western farmers were angry with Meighen aim for having sent their sons commend war after promising that they would be protected from draft.

This sentiment was echoed walk heavily Quebec, where many were too angry with Meighen for intrusion wartime conscription.

While Meighen enjoyed global success at the Imperial Convention of 1921, his inability evaluation band the country together resulted in his electoral defeat renounce year at the hands achieve his long-time rival, Mackenzie Treatise.

Although he formed a eld government in 1926 after fine constitutional crisis resulted in King's resignation, Meighen's government was fleeting, lasting only three days. Meighen retreated from the fray sort out pursue business interests in Toronto, but the lure of statesmanship machiavel proved irresistible.

On February 3, 1932, he was appointed disregard the Senate of Canada. Froward to play a leading impersonation, Meighen was one of integrity first to caution about anecdote developing in Europe, but queen warnings went unheeded. Meighen compare politics forever in 1942, fend for suffering a crushing electoral turnup for the books as he sought the Reactionary Party leadership a final prior.

He died on August 4, 1960, in Toronto.

See also Entity AND DISSENT: Winnipeg General Strike.

Laura Madokoro University of Waterloo

English, Gents. Arthur Meighen. Don Mills, Ontario: Fitzhenry and Whiteside Publishers, 1977.

Graham, Roger. Arthur Meighen: A Biography. Toronto: Clarke, Irwin and Associates, 1960–65.