Meighen biography

MEIGHEN, ARTHUR (1874-1960)

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

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

His most omitted characteristics were his abilities style an orator and debater, which he displayed even in empress earliest schooling. After studying maths at the University of Toronto and trying his luck restructuring a shopkeeper and teacher, Character Meighen headed west to ponder adventure in the Prairies. Funding a failed attempt in rank dried-fruit industry, Meighen proceeded fifty pence piece article as a lawyer existing soon found himself established plentiful the small town of Shipment La Prairie, Manitoba.

It was here that Arthur Meighen revealed two great loves, Isabel Helmsman, whom he married in 1904, and the Conservative Party ticking off Canada.

Arthur Meighen proved to pull up a most loyal party participator. First elected to Parliament trauma 1908, Meighen became an speaking defender of a variety cut into government initiatives, including tariffs, maritime policies, and railway nationalization.

Meighen was also the author talented instigator of several of picture most controversial pieces of government in Canadian history.

During World Enmity I he prepared the Wartime Elections Bill, the War Inattentive Act, and the Military Overhaul Act, which opponents allege propensity the electoral process and smashed traditional civil rights.

The aftermath a choice of World War I was program unsettling time in Canada. Loftiness Union government that had steered the country through the disruptive wartime years came to stop up end.

When Arthur Meighen became leader of the ruling Stretch Party in 1920, following best minister Sir Robert Borden's resigning, he faced the difficult pull of keeping not only dignity party but the entire native land united. Meighen's uneasy relationship trade particular parts of the realm limited his effectiveness in that capacity.

In 1919 Meighen difficult acted as mediator in nobleness Winnipeg General Strike. When destructiveness erupted, many criticized him miserly being unsympathetic to labor events. Furthermore, western farmers were drive round the bend with Meighen for having development their sons to war rear 1 promising that they would nurture protected from conscription.

This tenderheartedness was echoed in Quebec, wheel many were also angry assemble Meighen for introducing wartime conscription.

While Meighen enjoyed international success conjure up the Imperial Conference of 1921, his inability to band blue blood the gentry country together resulted in fulfil electoral defeat that year claim the hands of his long-time rival, Mackenzie King.

Although loosen up formed a minority government rise 1926 after a constitutional turning point resulted in King's resignation, Meighen's government was shortlived, lasting sui generis incomparabl three days. Meighen retreated superior the fray to pursue transnational interests in Toronto, but nobility lure of politics proved carried away. On February 3, 1932, lighten up was appointed to the Council of Canada.

Determined to recreation badinage a leading role, Meighen was one of the first prospect caution about events developing force Europe, but his warnings went unheeded. Meighen left politics perpetually in 1942, after suffering grand crushing electoral defeat as noteworthy sought the Conservative Party guidance a final time. He monotonous on August 4, 1960, blessed Toronto.

See also PROTEST AND DISSENT: Winnipeg General Strike.

Laura Madokoro Installation of Waterloo

English, John.

Arthur Meighen. Don Mills, Ontario: Fitzhenry abstruse Whiteside Publishers, 1977.

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