Wednesday 5 July 2023

1875 Exhibition at the Ocean House

 1875-10-02. Weekly Times

 

“The Boyton Life-Saving Apparatus : Exhibition at the Ocean House.”

 

Yesterday afternoon the Ocean House, the Beach and the Bay, presented a much-animated appearance. The afternoon was a lovely one, and the placid waters of Burlington Bay were dotted with craft of every description. The Florence and Dennis Bowen took down large crowds of passengers every trip, and the merry-go-rounds and other amusements on the Beach did a lively business.At about five o’clock Mr. Nurse left the Ocean House attended by a very large crowd. He took the water immediately opposite the hotel, and began to paddle out with his luggage behind him. He used his paddle with remarkable dexterity, running in and out of the crowd of boats with the greatest ease. He then paddled down to a raft moored off the Piers, and, unloosing his hammer, proceeded to set to work to hammer together some loose boards and otherwise reconstruct his raft. He then got on the raft, and proceeded to finish his frail vessel. A fishing rod was handed to him and he commenced to fish for the wily bass. The portmanteau was then unpacked and the cups and saucers  arranged on the raft. A flask of whiskey, among other things, making its appearance, from which the exhibitor took a good drink. In a little time a fine fish was hooked, which was landed with remarkable ease as it weighed about four pounds. Of course there were some among the crowd surrounding who remarked that the fish had been hooked before – but there always will be sceptics. He then proceeded to kill and clean the fish, and having it cut up into pieces, proceeded to cook it by means of a small lamp cooking-stove.Strange to say, though the fish was cut in half, the head part still jumped round in the most lively manner. The lamp being well-lighted, the fish in the pan soon began to fizzle and it was most evident that Mr. Nurse was about to enjoy a good tea. The fish, being done, Mr. Nurse kindly invited our reporter to tea, and the fish was excellent. Some ladies joined in the repast and pronounced it first rate. Tea being finished, Mr. Nurse proceeded to pack up, and then again betook himself to the water, paddling towards the piers . Arrived close to them, the whiskey bottle was again called into requisition, and a cigar case was produced and a cigar lighted. After this, he produced a revolver and fired several shots. Hoisting the Union Jack on a flag staff, he started off again. In a little time he shipped his sail, but there being no wind, Mr. Nurse was unable to illustrate its working. Gliding tranquilly along, he commenced to read a newspaper. Then, fully inflating the apparatus, which before had only been half-inflated, he proceeded to rescue a lad who had jumped off the piers, carrying him with the greatest ease, and padding back to the Ocean House. This concluded the exhibition, the results of which were of the most satisfactory character.


Wednesday 17 February 2021

1876 - Dundas True Banner

It was a small town weekly newspaper in Dundas Ontario but the editor was always fully capable of filling it with all sorts of items. The editor had to find enough items of interest, both large and small, to fill the paper and keep the readers’ interest.

From the April 6, 1876 edition of the Dundas True Banner and Wentworth Chronicle, a number of newsworthy things were published.

The Dundas Town Hall was a favourite location for residents to witness the discussions of the Town Council but there nothing to report at the last meeting to be scheduled before that April 6th edition:

 “The Town Council did not meet on Monday evening for want of a quorum – so that the ‘great unwashed’ were defrauded out of their usual monthly entertainment.”

There was another entertainment upcoming at the Town Hall and residents were reminded to take note:

“We need scarcely remind our readers that Mr. Kennedy, the talented and well-known Scottish vocalist and his accomplished family, will give an entertainment at the Town Hall here tomorrow (Friday) evening. Mr. Kennedy ought to be greeted with a full house. Dundas is seldom favored with first-class entertainments, and when our citizens have an opportunity to see one, they should turn out en masse. Remember tomorrow night.”

The death of a well-known resident, who had an interesting history appeared in the issue:

“Mr. James McDavid, aged 79 years, died at the residence of Mr. David Bates, his son-in-law, in Hamilton on Friday last. The deceased was born at Stoney Creek and took part in the War of 1814-1815, he being employed as a dispatch bearer from one post of the British army to the other. He was mounted on a Dragoon horse, and knew well the paths traveled by the Indians, but was exposed to great dangers, being liable at any moment to being intercepted by the enemy. As each year came round, he always noted particularly the day on which he carried the dispatch which announced to the commander the tidings of peace. He was well-known in Dundas, where he spent most of his time for some years past with Mrs. Russell, his eldest daughter, and where his cheerful and intelligent countenance will long be remembered by many friends. His remains were interred at Stoney Creek on the 3rd inst.”

Dundas was still considered the head of navigation for vessels coming from Lake Ontario so news about the two main canals affecting ship from the Lake Ontario were of keen interest:

“Considerable discussion for and against the Bridging of the Burlington Canal in connection with the Hamilton and Northwestern Railway is going on in Hamilton. It has now been suggested that the railway should pass under the canal, which would, of course, remove the opposition of the mariners.”

As for the Desjardins Canal leading from Hamilton Bay through Coote’s Paradise, news regarding that canal was always noted carefully, especially as the canal was about to be owned by Dundas:

“On Tuesday Mr. Blake introduced a bill to amend the act respecting the Desjardins Canal, so that the Government will have power when the Canal becomes  their property at the end of the present session to transfer to the Town of Dundas.”

The editor of the Dundas True Banner was an avid reader, and frequent critic, of the newspapers published in Hamilton:

 “The editor of the Spec. says: ‘The editor of the Dundas Banner does not believe there is a pit which burns.’ It is fortunate that the editor of the Banner is responsible for his own belief, but we can assure the Spec man that if the pit itself don’t burn, its contents, in our opinion, will be thoroughly scorched, and we would advise him to mend his ways if in the end he wants to escape adding fuel to the flame of the wrath that is to come.”

“The Hamilton papers are just now in ecstasies. It appears that Joseph Light & Co. have published a fly sheet which is profusely illustrated and contains all the horrid details of the murder of the Late Mr. Mills, the trial of his murderer and the scenes at his execution. Then again, a man named James, who keeps a saloon on Hughson street, has on exhibition the club which was used by Young in murdering Able Macdonald, near Caledonia. Surely our city contemporaries should be above pandering to such base and groveling curiosity. As public educators, it is not their mission to teach people to gloat over crimes, the enormity of which makes men shudder.

 “We are greatly pleased to know the fact that the citizens of Hamilton are fast regaining their respectability, as we see by the Times that no less than twenty-two of the inhabitants of that city took baths the other day and were clean washed. The Times don’t say whether or not they put on clean shirts, but we hope they did, as it would be a sheer waste of money for them to get scrubbed, and then put on the same dirty old duds. Perhaps the Times will be kind enough to tell us how many of the great ‘unwashed’ in the city have cut their toenails within the past month. Such items of news show a degree of enterprise on the part of the newspaper locals which is rarely exhibited, and which deserves special commendation.”

Finally, there was always a little space left for short items of just a few sentences:

“Diphtheria seems to be epidemic in Hamilton just now. One man named Hooker has lost five children within a short time, and the last one in his family now lies at the point of death.

“At the Interim Sessions held yesterday, John McGorman pleaded guilty to breaking the window at McPherson’s Shoe Store, Dundas and stealing boots, and got off with three months in gaol.”

“And now we have another innovation in the ‘social’ line, for we see that at Brantford, the M.E. church people had a ‘hot maple sugar social.’ How would it do to try this in Dundas! Just think of all the young folks , and the old folks too, supping hot maple sugar with horn spoons, and trying to keep their ‘chops’ clean at the same time. Wouldn’t it be jolly !?”


 

 

Saturday 1 July 2017

1867 - Confederation Day in Hamilton



The light in the sky was getting stronger and stronger, but the sun had yet to arise on July 1, 1867. Then at a pre-coordinated time, church bells all across the city of Hamilton began to peel. Drowsy Hamiltonians partially awakened by the sound, were fully rousing when the booming of artillery was heard coming from the eastern section of the city.
A reporter from the Spectator for the Hamilton Spectator had been up for some time, given the task of recording how the first official day of the Dominion Day began.
His story hurried written, typeset and printed for a special morning edition began as follows :
“““Never since the first settlement of Canada has there dawned upon the land so auspicious a day as that we are about to celebrate. The consolidation of the various British-American provinces into one Dominion is an event not only in the history of Canada, but in the history of the human race. It is an altogether unprecedented one, but based as our union upon the best principles of British constitutional freedom, and resulting as it does from the combined wisdom of the ablest and most patriotic men of the Mother Country and Canada, we may look forward with confidence to the future success of the experiment which we this day commence.
“Hamilton will commemorate this day in a manner which will be worthy of the city, and will reflect credit upon those who have had the arrangement of the celebration committed to them. In after years men will talk of having been participators in the grand celebration of today and will speak with pride of the gallant and loyal show which was made by the people of this city.
“The bridal of the provinces, like all other weddings, was celebrated by a peal of merry marriage bells. At the first stroke of this morning, a peal of bells announced the commencement of the eventful day, and we hope that their harmony will be a prophetic symbol of the harmony which will  ever exist between the various sections of the new Dominion.”
 1“Confederation Day ! : The Celebration ! : A Splendid Display ”
Hamilton Spectator.   July 01, 1867.
At the special day approached, a committee of citizens had formed to solicit sufficient monetary donations to cover the costs of the celebration. As the City of Hamilton municipal government was still undergoing financial difficulties, it was up to private citizens to provide the needed dollars. The very first person to be approached was Issac Buchanan who without hesitation donated $100.
It was not hard to eventually raise sufficient funds to carry out one of the most memorable public celebrations in Hamilton’s History.
Not only were Hamiltonians themselves out on the principal streets early, visitors from nearby municipalities and rural districts had come to the city to take in the sights and sounds.
The decorations which had been put in place had beautified the city magnificently :
“Flags waved from every housetop – red, white and blue bunting was stretched across one side of the street to the other – laurels and evergreens clustered round the verandas, and balconies, while from window and housetop, and gallery, the fairest flowers of our city bloomed and blushed, not unseen, and added grace and beauty to the scene.
“A BANNER extending from the ropes of the establishments of Mr. T. Mitchell and Mr. Thomas White on King street, attracted much attention. On the top were the words ‘First of July, 1867; may it never be obliterated,’ on the right end ‘Unity is Strength’ and left, ‘Success to Confederation’ in the centre was the couplet :
‘All hail the happy morn
 When the new Dominion was born.’
‘Between the lines was the emblem of Canada, at the foot were the words ‘Once United, may we never be severed.’ ”2
2 “Confederation Day ! : The Celebration ! : A Splendid Display ”
Hamilton Spectator.   July 02, 1867.
The prime feature of Confederation Day in Hamilton, Ontario on Confederation Day was a remarkable parade which the indefatigable man from the Spectator laboriously recorded and wrote up for the following day’s edition of the newspaper:
““The procession began to be formed about half-past nine o’clock, the first on the ground being the Friendly Brothers of Union, a society of colored men, who looked exceedingly well, marching with admirable regularity and exactness. Other bodies followed in quick succession, and soon all were in there places.
“The Hamilton Glove and Mitten Manufacturing company was unfortunately prevented from being present in consequence of their being unable to procure teams at the last moment. The temperance societies were unable to attend.
          LINE OF MARCH
          “The line of march was taken up at about ten o’clock, and the procession moved with great regularity from King street down James to Gore, along Gore to John, up John to Main, along Main to James, down James to King, thence across the common to the platform behind the Crystal Palace.
          “The fire brigade came first, with Mr. Attwood, their marshal, at their head. The brigade never looked better or turned out in greater strength. The order of march was : No. 1, Captain Amor, 60 men; No. 2, Captain Taylor, 60 men; No. 3, Captain McKenna, 80 men; hose, Captain McCann, 60 men; hooks, Captain J. Reilly, about 50 men.
          “The men of the companies looked exceedingly neat and clean and marched in admirable order. The various machines were tastefully decorated with flowers, etc. The band of the brigade marched at their head, and played some excellent tunes. Next to the firemen came the Royal Cadets, a body of juvenile soldiers armed with wooden guns, who marched and drilled with a procession which leads us to believe that in a few years these incipient warriors will be able to do good service for their country. Then followed the school trustees in carriages, and after them, led by Mr. McCallum, the principal of the Central school, came about  400 of the children of the institution, who trudged along through the dust in the most plucky manner possible, waving their royal standards and Union Jacks, and entering into the affair in a thoroughly jovial and spirited manner. As they marched on beneath the hot sun, the little fellows beguiled the way with snatches of songs, mostly of a patriotic description, occasionally varying the proceedings with three cheers for the Red, White and Blue.
          “The Odd Fellows turned out in good strength, and marched in front of the St. Andrew’s society, and the Highland Bagpipes. We were sorry to see the St. Andrew’s society turn out in such small force. The St. George’s society showed a good strength, and with their banners, etc., at their head made a good show. Wanzer & Co. made a fine display. The car filled with young women employed in the establishment was (as might be expected) one of the prettiest features in the procession. The occupants were all dressed in light dresses, on which were printed the names of all the British North American provinces. The Canadian Oil company followed in a wagon drawn by six horses, the ribbands being handled by E. Mitchell.
                   BUTCHERS ON PARADE
          “Then came the butchers, who made an excellent show. The ox, which had been profusely ornamented with red and blue rosettes and artificial flowers (furnished by Mrs. Kidner), was in a wagon from which he surveyed the admiring spectators with mild and placid gaze. Round him clustered the sturdy butchers, all of them well mounted and exceedingly ‘Old Countrifed.’ A number of the beholders seemed to be very much puzzled how the animal could have been induced to enter the vehicle prepared for his reception.
          “The iron moulders were not showy-looking, but an exceedingly respectable looking body of men, and they marched well and preserved good order. The shoemakers, with King Crispin, and his champion and sundry other worthies, grotesquely habited, were a decided attraction. The king was dressed in robes of pink, with a crown of gold upon his head, while the champion looked decidedly like a warrior of the olden time.
          “The bakers, next, made a good display. In fact, they attracted more observation perhaps than any other body. The process of bread making, etc., was carried on during the progress of the procession. The general committee, city officials and citizens closed the line of procession.”2
                As the procession headed up York street and neared Locke Street North, it briefly halted while a military unit moved into place to lead the processionists south on Locke street to the Crystal Palace. Beside the Palace itself, a platform had been installed:
“On the procession arriving at the grounds, the various trades and societies were formed in close column round the speakers’ platform, the children being in the front, and the fire brigade on the outside.”2
(To Be Continued)

Saturday 11 August 2012

Hamilton and Lake Erie Railway - 1873


On a Monday morning, September 8, 1873, a distinguished gathering of prominent citizens gathered at the temporary platform set up on Ferguson avenue, between King and Main street, beside the recently installed tracks of the Hamilton and Lake Erie Railway.
The occasion was the opening along the new railway line which would ultimately connect the city of Hamilton with Port Dover, although on that day it had only been finished as far as Jarvis.
The train consisted of five first class coaches, and smoking car, and a baggage car. It was under the personal charge of Mr. W. Wallace, General Superintendent of the railway.
Among the 250 passengers was a guest who might have been somewhat less distinguished than the rest, but whose descriptive powers would capture the trip in words for the readers of the Spectator newspaper.
The reporter noted that:
“The train was drawn by the locomotive John Scott, under the skilful hands of Mr. Wm. Rodgers, Locomotive Superintendent. The engine was beautifully decorated with flowers and was gay with fluttering bunting. Not a few men of practical experience thought the train too heavy to be taken up “the Mountain” by a single engine, but the John Scott walked away with them up the steep ascent without faltering for an instant, and with a speed that surprised everybody on board.”
The start was effected about a quarter past nine, with all the cars comfortably full:
“As the train wound around the base of the escarpment, the beautiful landscape, spread beneath and revealing new charms at almost every hundred yards, was the theme of general admiration. One of the incidental advantages of this will be that the passengers arriving by it for the first time will receive pleasing impressions of Hamilton. The first trip over a new railway rarely gives occasion for going into ecstasies over its condition; the desire to get it opened is too strong to wait for all the little finishing touches which give a look of completeness to the practised eye. From the city up to the top of the “mountain,” however, the Hamilton and Lake Erie Railroad is a most substantially constructed track, thoroughly ballasted, and in perfect order, between that and Caledonia the building is but partially completed, though the road bed is a solid and safe one.”
 When the train arrived at Caledonia, the passengers were impressed with the welcome they received:
“Flags were flying in every direction. Upper windows were crowded with fair faces, and fluttering handkerchiefs greeted the strangers with a hearty welcome. The station platform was crowded with a welcoming company whose radiant faces testified the pleasure which they felt, even without the hearty cheers which gave it a vocal utterance.
“Soon the company brought by the train and that on the platform were promiscuously mingled, and old friends were finding each out, shaking hands and exchanging congratulations. “How are you, old Scott? Is heard a score of times as that veteran friend of the road is encountered by his old friends of campaigning days, and by the beard of the prophet, here is Hobbs of Walpole, and Capt. Stewart of Oneida., Reeves of their respective townships when the Haldimand bylaw was passed, and who, I verily believe, never slept two hours out of the twenty-four when the question of carrying it was before the people.
“Here too is Squire McKinnon, of course – and his son Mayor Archibald McKinnon, Reeve of the village, surrounded by his Reception Committee, who are to entertain us on our return from Jarvis. Mr. Almas, of Hagersville, meets us here to bear us company to that village.
“But we cannot name even a tithe of the prominent friends of the enterprise who have gathered from every quarter to look upon the reward of their labors and the realization of their hopes. After a few minutes delay, the greater part of the company walk forward to get a better view of the splendid bridge over the Grand River than riding in the train would give. The solid masonry of its piers, and the substantial work of its superstructure were the subjects of much admiring comment, and when the train came along, it was noticed that was not the slightest deflection that this eye could detect.”
One of Hamilton’s richest and most prominent citizens, William Hendrie was on the trip, and the Spectator reporter echoed the favourable comments made about Mr. Hendrie and the work of his comp0any:
At the southern end of the bridge, the work for which Mr. Hendrie, of Hamilton, has the contract, commences; it extends to Jarvis, some 17 miles, and was commenced a year ago, and but for delays in receiving iron, would have been finished long before now. For several miles beyond this, we find the road ballasted and complete, everything about showing the great workmanlike finish which Mr. Hendrie and his superintendent, Mr. Eddington, always leave behind them.”
On to Hagersville, where, as at Caledonia, the platform was covered with a large gathering of citizens to welcome the guests on the train:
“Fog signals give off a detonating salute. The steam whistle of a neighboring factory pipes us a rhythmical “good morning, how are you? welcome to Hagersville,” and the stentorian voice of the “John Scott” sends back an echoing answer of good will. But that is not all, for now there floats through the open windows of the cars the stirring music of the Hagersville brass band, mingled with cheers that are strong and hearty. Here, too, the flags are flying, and an air of general rejoicing pervades the place.
At the next stop, Ballsville, the guests were treated, unexpectedly, to something  to slack their thirsts:
“We find Capt. Ryan smiling behind tankards of foaming ale, and bottles of greater potency. It was not the first time that many of us had enjoyed that gentleman’s generous hospitality, and we remembered well his valuable assistance in the carrying of the bylaw. When, therefore, the President proposed his health, the proposition was hailed with three genuine cheers.”
The final stop was at Jarvis where the line ended at that time:
“The demonstrations that greeted us at other places were repeated here, and in addition an agreeable surprise had been provided in the shape of a luncheon in the station building, which was tastefully decorated with flags and evergreens. If the new railway leads to the source of such butter and such ham as was dispensed at that luncheon, it will have a claim to our gratitude not hitherto thought of. Our stay at Jarvis was necessarily brief, for we were due at Caledonia between two and three o’clock. Nevertheless, the President took occasion to thank the people of Jarvis for their handsome and unexpected reception.”
The guests returned to the train, which immediately started for Hamilton, reaching the station a little before seven o’clock.
All the excursionists had fully enjoyed themselves, and the whole affair passed off to the entire satisfaction of all.

Friday 25 May 2012

Federal Election Campaign - 1878


On Thursday, August 8, 1878, the Liberal-Conservative party of Hamilton began its federal election campaign with an open-air gathering of party members on the grounds of the William Baker residence, Main and Locke streets, in the city’s west end.
Both Hamilton Tory candidates were in attendance and the major platforms were presented to the party faithful, an audience which included Hamilton’s venerable political statesman, the Hon. Issac Buchanan.
The current mayor of Hamilton, Mr. Francis Edwin Kilvert, nominated to contest the Hamilton West riding, was the first person chosen to make a speech. His major platform proposals centered on the policy of protective tariffs for Canadian industry – the National Policy advocated by party leader, Sir John A. Macdonald.
Mayor Kilvert believed that the protection of Canadian industry was essential in order to restore prosperity to the nation, particularly during the then-current state of deep economic depression.
Many of the factories in Hamilton in 1878, which were either closed or operating well below capacity, could be restored to full health with the imposition of protective tariffs on imported manufactured goods, which were undercutting the price of Canadian manufactured goods. Protection would enable local factories to employ more men and would encourage the investment of capital into the city to build new plants.
Times had been hard, during the four years of government of Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie, Mayor Kilvert claimed. He said that it was imperative that the Grits be driven from office. In conclusion, he expressed his hope that the supporters of the Liberal-Conservatives of Hamilton would spare no effort to ensure the election of both himself and his fellow candidate Thomas Robertson.
After being introduced to great cheers, Candidate Robertson began his address by ridiculing the two Grits who then were representing the two Hamilton ridings, Mr. A. T. Wood and Mr. Irving. In the previous election campaign of 1873, both Mr. Wood and Mr. Irving had pledged themselves in favour of  protection. Hundreds of electors had voted for them because of their stand on that question.
However, their leader chose not to pursue a policy of protection, and during the Grit administration, the country had declined from a relatively prosperous state to a low ebb.
Mr. Wood and Mr. Irving had chosen to prefer party loyalties over the nation’s best interests, and thus were unworthy of support, according to Candidate Robertson. He later went on to say that he found, during his door-to-door canvasing, that many houses in the city had ‘to let’ signs on them, as hundreds of men had left with their families in search of employment.
After Mr. Robertson’s speech, the Honourable Isaac Buchanan was called upon for a few words. Buchanan bluntly claimed that the Grit administration suffered from want of brains, saying “if the present Government remains in power another five years, the country will be lost. The country will be in a dreadful state if we elect Messrs. Wood and Irving.”
At this point, some one in the crowd shouted out : “When you were there we had better times.”
Mr. Buchanan replied to that member of the crowd, as well to all gathered, by saying: “Yes, we had much better times. You ought to choose your friends and those in power they are not. But for protection, society in the United States would have gone to pieces.”
After three cheers for the Queen, followed by cheers for the candidates, and Isaac Buchanan, the meeting was brought to a close and the audience dispersed.
On Wednesday evening, August 21, 1878, the first open-air political meeting of the federal campaign was held at the newly-constructed Amphitheatre on James street north. As described in the Spectator : “seating accommodation had been provided for about 2,000, but last night, many who attended late were compelled to rest themselves standing up. The utmost harmony and good humour prevailed, and the few interruptions be a couple of inebriated individuals not being worthy of being characterized as disturbing elements.”
The meeting was organized by the Liberal-Conservative Association and, hoping to make matters lively, written invitations had been sent to the two incumbent Grit candidates
In his response to the invitation, Aemilius Irving wrote that “having been confined to the house by a cold for three days, and still unable to raise my voice, I almost fear that I will not be able to present myself.”
The other Grit candidate declined to attend the meeting at the Amphitheatre for two reasons. First of all, Mr. Wood felt that he would not “receive a fair hearing at a meeting, or a series of meetings, held under the auspices of the Conservative party of this city.” Secondly, Wood felt that he could “spend the few days  which remain between now and the election to better advantage than by having any programme mapped out by your Association.”
The main speaker of the evening was Mr. N. F. Davis, who outlined the advantages of the National Policy:
“Thirty thousand young Canadians were going across the line every year, where there are already 70,000 of Canada’s best sons. Everyone of these should be heads of families in Canada. The National Policy will keep the sons and daughters of the Dominion here, and give them remunerative employment. Why, we are paying $27 a head for emigrants, and yet pushing a policy which drives 30,000 of our best young men – the bone and sinew of Canada – out of the country.”
Candidate Thomas Roberston was the only other speaker. He told the crowd that he would not go over the National Policy again, as it had been so ably explained by Mr. Davis.
Candidates Wood and Irving, Robertson said, had been asked time and time again to come forward to discuss the merits of the Grit free trade policy over the Tory National Policy. Every guarantee had been given that they would receive a fair hearing.
Mr. Irving had promised to appear upon recovery of his health, but Mr. Wood was afraid to meet the citizens face to face:
“If Mr. Wood had done his duty, he shouldn’t be afraid to come before a fair and generous public, and defend his position. A meeting would be held in this most comfortable place every week until the election, and if Mr. Wood declined to face his late constituents, then – “
A voice in the crowd shouted – “Leave him behind!” (Loud laughter and cheers)
Mr. Robertson then continued:
“In every court there is a jury, and in this court of the people of Hamilton, the jury has spoken. The verdict is ‘Mr. Wood will be left behind!” (Renewed cheers)
All four candidates competing in the two Hamilton ridings did appear together the following evening at the Germania Hall, at Main and James streets. At the beginning of the meeting, the chairman, Mr. Schwartz announced that, while the candidates could speak in English, all others must speak in German.
Aemilius Irving was the first speaker, and he immediately denied that the current economic depression was the result of his party’s policies:
“The commercial depression is traced to Germany. The money taken from France was wasted, squandered upon fortresses, and the inflation so produced ended in distress. It then spread to the United States and Canada.”
Mr. Irving denied that conditions for the Canadian manufacturer were as bad as portrayed by the Torys:
“Figures show that our principal manufacturers consume now more material than ever before. Therefore they are in a more wholesome state than they occupied when we thought they were extremely prosperous. Is this a country going down? No; building is going on. People are not leaving the country. They did leave years ago, but not recently.”
Mayor Kilvert was the next speaker and he reviewed the preceding speech, starting by saying that he failed to see how the payment of an indemnity by France to Germany had anything to do with the current depression. He went on to state that it was the government in Ottawa that permitted the expatriation of Canadian workers. Canadian resources were not being developed. The National Policy would establish new factories in Canada to the great benefit of all classes.
Mr. A. T. Wood, the next speaker, claimed to be no speech-maker, but he vowed to try his best. He admitted that, in a speech to the House of Commons in 1876, he had come out in favour of a policy of protective tariffs, but the National Policy of the Liberal-Conservatives included a tariff on imported raw materials.
The Spectator reporter present at the meeting noted that this Wood’s statement was received with a “titter” as the audience was well aware that the National Policy proposed no tariff on raw materials.
Mr. Wood continued speaking for some time, until voices in the audience began to shout “time.” When he responded by saying that his speech was nearing its conclusion, there was much ironical laughter and applause.
Before the final speaker was introduced, Mr. Wood had left the premises.
Mr. Robertson dwelt on the inconsistency of Messrs. Wood and Irving, who, within five tears had transformed from protectionists to free traders :
“Mr. Wood had come before them tonight and had said that what was right in 1876 was wrong in 1878. Mr. Wood said he was not a speechmaker, but he was a most estimable advocate because he contends one day that black is white, and the next day that white is black.”
Referring to Mr. Wood’s speech in parliament in favour of protection, Mr. Robertson asserted that Woods “was playing bass fiddle then; he is now playing bass violin.”
Candidate Robertson noted that Wood had left the meeting, and while he did not wish to criticize the gentleman behind his back, he must tell people about Mr. Wood’s courage. He hoped now that his opponent would present himself before the general public :
“And not shirk them as he did that large and respectable audience in the Amphitheatre.”
The second monster meeting to be held at the Stoneman’s Gardens’ Amphitheatre drew over 2,500 people, despite very inclement weather. At the beginning of the meeting, the crowd was given the opportunity of having the proceedings cancelled because of the heavy rain. However, the crowd urged the meeting’s chairman to proceed.
Mayor Kilvert reviewed the basic tenets of the National Policy, taking care to point out that:
“Raw material should be admitted free in order that manufacturers might be encouraged, and even semi-manufactured goods, which might be called raw, should be admitted free, if we could not produce them.”
Mr. Irving made an appearance at the meeting to speak about Grit policies, but, once again, Mr. Wood chose not to face the electors at the Amphitheatre.
Mr. Irving contended that if they gave protection to manufacturers, American capitalists would come into Canada. When a chorus of voices cried, “That’s what we want!” Mr. Wood said : “then you’ll have your labour market broken down.” A voice in the audience immediately shot back : “it can’t be worse than it is.”
Candidate Robertson again hammered on the point that both Mr. Irving and Mr. Wood had drastically changed their positions on the tariff question:
“Do they remember that ‘Encourage Home Industries” and ‘Protection to Home Industries” were emblazoned on a certain committee room at the close of the last election? Do they hang the same inscriptions now? (Cries of No!) They would have to go to the Opposition for them now.”
The next evening, the Conservatives and the Grits held separate meetings.
At the Grit meeting, held at 215 York street, A. T. Wood was present to make a speech. When introduced, Mr. Wood was received with a mixture of applause and groans.
After noting that every man, woman and child was sick with the discussion concerning the Tory Party’s National Policy, Mr. Wood quoted a lot of statistics to justify the Grit’s free trade position. As noted in the Spectator, “their recitation being the signal for an exhibition of great impatience amongst the audience, who engaged in a general conversation for which the chairman rebuked them (without effect, however.)”
On August 31, 1878, the Spectator came out with a strong denunciation of the questionable tactics of the Grit party :
“The whole plan of the Grit campaign in Hamilton thus far has been distinguished by the evident desire on the part of the wire-pullers to keep their proceedings as secret as possible. The major portion of their work has been tinged largely with the back alley style of doing business.”
The incident which provoked the Spectator’s criticism was an attempt by the Grits to recover from the poor showing they made at the Germania Hall meeting. As the votes of German citizens were much sought after, the grits decided to hold a private caucus with them, away from the prying eyes and ears of the Liberal-Conservatives.
Word was passed around that a meeting was to be held in a room over Angus Sutherland’s grocery store, 56-58 King street west. Only a few hand-written notices were passed to inform the general public about the meeting.
When the meeting was about to begin, some Liberal-Conservatives were noticed in the crowd:
“Suddenly one of the leaders in this clever bit of finesse discovered that all present were not ‘of the faith,’ and it was ordered that all who were not prepared to pledge their fealty to the Mackenzie Free Trade Administration, and the Grit candidates of Hamilton, should retire. This occasioned some hubbub, a number of Germans present stating that they had been invited to attend, and therefore claimed the privilege of hearing what was to be offered them.”
An argument broke out between members of the audience and the chairman of the meeting, Mr. John  I. Mackenzie, the result being that those in favour of the National Policy left the meeting, leaving four people besides the organizers of the meeting.
The Spectator commented on this turn of events by saying “perhaps, before the campaign is over, the Grit candidates and their friends will realize that fair play is bonnie play, and that their hole-and-corner game is one which does not pay.”
On September 3, 1878, the Spectator sent a reporter around the city to interview the managers of several Hamilton industries to find out their views on the National Policy and what it would mean for their businesses. The men interviewed, the Spectator claimed, were chosen “without regard either to their political leanings or business, with the object of allowing them to speak for themselves.”
Mr. E. W. Ware of the Gurney & Ware scale manufacturing business said :
“Of course, we need protection. The Americans, notably those in Buffalo, have time and again flooded the Canadian market with scales at less price than they can be made for. They say they regard Canada as only a State and can afford to ship their surplus goods here because our duty is nothing to them.”
At the Burlington Glass Works, Burlington street and MacNab streets, Mr. W. G. Beach was quoted as saying :
“All the table ware of every description – tumblers, bottles and fancy ware – are imported from the States. But for the fact that we are not warranted in going to the expense of moulds, etc. to make such work, in consequence of the ‘slaughtering habits’ of the Americans, all table ware etc. could be made here as cheaply as it is supplied by the American houses, in very large quantities, as you may imagine when I have told you that all the glass ware we make in Canada now is glass for lamps and lanterns. I am confident that goods would not rise in price in Canada if we were sufficiently protected to warrant us going into the manufacture of glass ware for the table, etc. In That case, we would be able to employ between 200 and 300 hands. Now we employ barely 100 hands.”
Mr. J. H. Killey, of the Mona Iron Works, referred to the engines which had recently been purchased for the new Hamilton and Dundas Railway, which had been made in Philadelphia:
“If we had a tariff framed in the interests of the population, we would have it that not only engines, but thousands of railway cars, which are yearly sent in here, would be manufactured in Canada as cheap, if not cheaper, than they can be got in the States.”
Mr. Vail, of the Sanford, Vail and Bickley company, probably the most extensive clothing manufactory in Canada, also came out strongly in favour of the National Policy :
“When I came to Hamilton fully seventeen years ago, there were only about 10,000 inhabitants in the city. Now there are 35,000. And what has caused this great increase? Why, the establishment of manufactories here – the expenditure of a vast amount of money to supply articles to Canadians, and giving work to thousands of workmen whose condition has been greatly improved thereby. Seventeen years ago, a good farm could be bought for $2,000; now the same farm cannot be got for $4,000. The reason is obvious; the farmer is near a good market, and therefore can get so much more for his produce. Thus, without very probably contributing any to that result, the farmers around Hamilton have been greatly benefited by the building up of the city. For, take away the manufacturers of Hamilton, and land will fall to its price of 15 or 20 years ago; the people in the cities would have to leave, and probably go back to the low wages and poor fare of England.”
While the local Tory newspaper, the Hamilton Spectator, carried a succession of glowing reports of the Tory campaign and its progress, its rival, the Hamilton Times, took the opposite point of view.
At one Grit campaign rally, which the Spectator barely mentioned, the Times reported an incident which they tried to make into a major issue. Mr. A .T. Wood, whom the Spectator criticized for his reluctance to personally face the electors, was the target of some missiles thrown from the audience.
As described in the Times, “several Tory roughs, maddened by the enthusiasm of the vast audience who were cheering so heartily the Reform speeches, sent a volley of rotten eggs into the grounds.”
The Spectator in reporting the meeting in question dismissed the incident as the act of prankish young boys. The Times, however, viewed the incident as the behavior of “a party which under the prospect of defeat has invariably exhibited the lawlessness of desperadoes and the rowdyism of cowards.”
Just before the election, the Times carried an editorial, titled “A Few Timely Words to the Ladies of Hamilton.”
In explanation of the Grit position against the National Policy, the editorial told the ladies of Hamilton that protective tariffs would only aid the manufacturers and that higher tariffs on goods would increase prices:
“You will have to pay more for your teas, sugars, coffees, soaps, flour, bread, salt, coal, wall paper, ornaments, boots and shoes, etc., cottons, wollens, parasols, gloves and wearing apparel both for yourselves and your families.”
The editorial then concluded by reminding the ladies of Hamilton that while they could not vote themselves, they could still have an influence on the election’s result:
“Ladies often possess far clearer perceptions than the other sex enjoy, and can in thousands of instances exert subtle yet highly beneficial influence. We are not of those who wish to see ladies walking in the mud of party politics, nor would we listen to a proposal to drag them into the rude atmosphere of the polls from the homes they adorn, but we do say as reasonable creatures they are interested in passing events, and should take a part befitting their womanly instincts.”
By 8 a. m., on election day, September 17, 1878, carriages bearing the names of candidates spread out all over the city to bring voters to the polls.
While the advent of the secret ballot had made the process of voting itself less exciting than in the old days, there was still considerable enthusiastic activity in connection with the election. As the day wore on, the excitement became more intense, and every potential voter was seized and carried to the polls.
At the Liberal-Conservative committee rooms on the corner of King and John streets, there was a large crowd gathered all day to hear the latest reports of voting trends:
“Victory was betokened in every eye as, with stentorian voice, Mr. Waddell chronicled the returns from different wards, which, in every case, showed a decided triumph for the National Policy.”
The Spectator building, on the corner of MacNab street and Market Square, was another location for the general public to learn how the election was going:
“By the close of the poll many thousand citizens, amongst whom were not a few ladies, all filled with the most intense curiosity to learn the latest returns, congregated.”
At early dusk, the proprietor of the Spectator, sensing victory for the Liberal-Conservatives, illuminated the outside of their building, fully anticipating the victory of the party the newspaper had backed so thoroughly thoughout the campaign:
“The immense crowd which congregated in front of the offices during the evening were loud in their praise of the novel idea of a thorough illumination which enabled them to read the many thousands of extras showing the state of the poll, which were distributed from the steam presses.”
When it was declared that candidates Kilvert and Robertson were victorious, it was announced that a meeting would be held at the Amphitheatre. Over two thousand people made there way to that location, in anticipation of victory speeches by the candidates.
Mr. Waddell began the meeting by saying that when Sir John Macdonald had been in Hamilton the previous year, one of the signs produced for his visit had read “Hamilton Redeemed in 1878.”
Unfortunately, in the middle of Waddell’s speech, one half of the platform collapsed, and the meeting had to be moved over to the Market Square.
Meanwhile, another mass of enthusiastic supporters of candidates Kilvert and Roberston, would not be denied in their desire for a victory parade:
“Accordingly, with banners, mottoes, and other insignia floating in the breeze, the company marched through a number of the principal street of the city.”
The music for the procession was supplied by the Thirteenth Battalion Band as well as by the St. Patrick’s Band, The Temperance Brass Band and the True Blues’ Fife and Drum Band.
As the parade wended its way through the downtown streets, the number of marchers increased and the cheers grew in volume until the crowd reached a fever pitch upon return to the Market Square.
Mr. Donal McInness began the speeches as follows:
“The eyes of the whole Dominion have been upon us; and I can assure you it is one of the proudest events in my life that I am able to appear before you tonight and say there is nothing as successful as success! (Loud Cheers)
“Our opponents have beat us in calumny; but so far as we are concerned, there never was a purer election than there has ben today. The reason is because you, the people, have been with us, and we have been sincere and honest. Our opponents have lost it because their sins have found them out. (Loud Cheers).