W.R. Motherwell and the Crisis of Federal Liberalism in Saskatchewan 1917-1926
Date
1969-09
Authors
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ORCID
Type
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
This thesis follows the political career of W.R. Motherwell
during the crisis years of federal Liberalism in Saskatchewan from
1917 to 1926.
After a brief Introduction describing Motherwell's background,
and something of his honest, but partisan, approach to politics,
Chapter 2 tells of his reaction to the issue of Union Government in
1917 -- how he chose to stay with the Laurier Liberal camp and
eventually resigned from the provincial Cabinet in December, 1918,
over Premier W.M. Martin's continued support of Union Government.
Chapter 3 deals with Motherwell's attitude towards the threat to
the Liberal party from a different source -- the Farmers' movement
into politics. The Assiniboia by-election, which this Chapter is
about, remained to Motherwell, for the rest of his political life,
his greatest stand for the Liberal party, its principles and leader.
Chapter 4 describes the years 1920 and 1921, during which time
Motherwell, sobered by the size of his defeat in Assiniboia, and by
the opposition of close friends to his running in that by-election,
decided to hide his hostility towards the new Farmers' party, and
also towards Premier Martin, who had refused to back Motherwell in
Assiniboia, and who shortly thereafter had announced that his provincial
Liberal organization was in no way connected with the federal
Party in the province. In the 1921 general election, Motherwell
found his forced silence paid dividends in both cases, as he was
elected in the Regina constituency with some segments of Progressive
support, as well as the backing of Premier Martin during the campaign.
Chapter 5 discusses Motherwell's problems with patronage during
his first two years as Minister of Agriculture in Mackenzie King's
cabinet and the failure to re-unite provincial and federal segments
of the Liberal party, at least openly, with the Liberal defeat in
the Moose Jaw by-election in April, 1923. Finally, while the Wheat
Board issue illustrated Motherwell's political honesty, and while
the "stand pat" tariff in the 1923 Budget showed the difficulty in
effectively representing the West in an eastern-orientated Cabinet
and party, both issues left r10therwell and the Liberal party in even
worse political esteem in Western Canada than in 1921.
Chapter 6 describes Motherwell's part in the Liberal party's
comeback during 1924 and 1925 from this nadir of popularity in the
West at the end of 1923, and the re-establishment of strong federalprovincial
Liberal bonds. The chapter concludes with the victory
of federal Liberalism in Saskatchewan in the 1925 and 1926 general
elections, and draws attention to events in those years that almost
saw Motherwell replaced in the Cabinet, and his accepting the
Lieutenant-Governorship of Saskatchewan.
The thesis ends with a brief Conclusion.
elected in the Regina constituency with some segments of Progressive
support, as well as the backing of Premier Martin during the campaign.
Chapter 5 discusses Motherwell's problems with patronage during
his first two years as Minister of Agriculture in Mackenzie King's
cabinet and the failure to re-unite provincial and federal segments
of the Liberal party, at least openly, with the Liberal defeat in
the Moose Jaw by-election in April, 1923. Finally, while the Wheat
Board issue illustrated Motherwell's political honesty, and while
the "stand pat" tariff in the 1923 Budget showed the difficulty in
effectively representing the West in an eastern-orientated Cabinet
and party, both issues left Motherwell and the Liberal party in even
worse political esteem in Western Canada than in 1921.
Chapter 6 describes Motherwell's part in the Liberal party's
comeback during 1924 and 1925 from this nadir of popularity in the
West at the end of 1923, and the re-establishment of strong federalprovincial
Liberal bonds. The chapter concludes with the victory
of federal Liberalism in Saskatchewan in the 1925 and 1926 general
elections, and draws attention to events in those years that almost
saw Motherwell replaced in the Cabinet, and his accepting the
Lieutenant-Governorship of Saskatchewan.
The thesis ends with a brief Conclusion.
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Degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Department
History
Program
History