Peace, Progress and Rosperity: A Biography of the Hon. Walter Scott Submined to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in Partial Fulnlment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Hktory University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon by Gordon L. Sanihart Falf 1998 O Copyright Gordon L. Bamhart, 1998. AU rights reserved. 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Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. Canada UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN Coiiege of Graduate Studies and Research SUMMARY OF DISSERTATION Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPIN by Gordon L, Barnhart Department of History University of Saskatchewan FaU 1998 Exnmining Committee: Dr. F.A. Zichy XXWWgl#EBX&- Dean's Designate, Chair of Graduate Studies and Research Dr. L. Kitzan Chair of Advisory Committee, Department of History Dr. T. D.Regehr SupeMsor, Department of Hiaory Dr. W. A. Waiser Department of History Dr. David E. Smith Department of Political Studies Dr. Dave De Brou Department of History Dr. Michael Hayden Department of History Extemal Examiner: Dr. J. E. Rea Department of History University of Manito ba Winnipeg, Manit O ba Peace, Progress and Prosperity: A Biography of the Hon. Walter Scott This thesis is a biography of Walter Scott, fkst Premier of Saskatchewan. He was a populist and had a vision for the new province, the fastest growing province in the Dominion. Agridtural and educational institutions were created to serve this growing population. Walter Scott combined his ability to coilect strong people around hirn with his talent to sense the public mood. Scott was a newspaperman, entrepreneur, land speculator, and distributor of federai Liberal patronage in the North-West before being elected to the House of Commons in 1900. By 1905, Scott became leader of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party and Premier. Contrary to nirrently held beliefs, this thesis argues that the four months between when Scott became Premier and the fïrst election, the govement was neither restructured nor was it rife with patronage. This was a the for carnpaigning. The political machine was built much later. Mer the 1905 election, the Scott government embarked on a program to build the new province's innastructure such as the Legislative Building and the University of Saskatchewan. For Scott and his government, agriculture was the vital component in the fabric of Saskatchewan lie. By including fann leadership in cabinet and creating a political climate founded on agriculture, Walter Scott built a power base that withstood the United Famiers' Movement that unseated govemments in neighbouring provinces. During the First World War, which created a ciimate of social change in Saskatchewan, the Scott Government banned the bar and established female suffrage. This thesis also examines when Walter Scott £kst exhibited signs of mental iliness. His health became a primary focus as he searched for a cure for depression. It will be argued that it was the battle with Rev. Murdock MacKuuion over minority rights in the school system that brought Scott's mental health to the point that he had to resign. Mer his death, the memory of Waiter Scott fided. Yet his Iegacy of democracy, education and agriculture continue until today. The fiuits of Walter Scott's labours continue to be harvested in Saskatchewan but few remernber who planted the original seeds. Biographieal Born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan Bachelor of Arts won.), University of Saskatchewan Masten of Arts, University of Regina Publications Review of In Palliser's Triangle: Livinn in the Grasslands. 1850-1930 by Barry Potyondi and Men Anainst the Desert by James H. Gray, Saskatchewan History, 1 (1 997). Review of Rome Tory: The Life and Legend of John G. Diefenbaker by Denis Smith, H- Canada, March 7, 1997. "The Lost Road to Senate Reform." Politics Canadg edited by Paul W. Fox and Graham White. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Inc., 1995. Sentinel of the Prairies, November, 1987. Pictorial history of the Legislative Buildings of Saskatchewan. "Saskatchewan - Building a New Land." The Parliamentarian, 3 (1985). "The Saskatchewan Table. " Canadian Parliarnentary Review, 3 (1985). "The Prairie Pastor E. H. Oliver." Saskatchewan Histov, 3 (1984). " Student Minister 1964." Harvest of Mernories: A History of Rural Wilkie. Wie, SK: Eighty Year History Society, 1984. PERMISSION TO USE In presenting this thesis in partial fûlfbent of the requirements for a Post- graduate degree fiom the University of Saskatchewan, 1agree that the Libraries of this University rnay make it fkly available for inspection. 1fùrther agree that permission for copying of this thesis in any rnanner, in whole or in part, for scholariy purposes may be granted by the professor or professors who supe~sedmy thesis work or, in their absence, by the Head of the Department or the Dean of the CoUege in which my thesis work was done. It is understood that any copying or publication or use of this thesis or parts thereof for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written pennission. It is also understood that due recognition shall be given to me and to the University of Saskatchewan in any scholarly use which may be made of any material in my thesis. Requests for pennission to copy or to make other use of material in this thesis in whole or in part should be addressed to: Head of the Department of Hiaory University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5AS This thesis is a biography of Walter Scott, first Premier of Saskatchewan. He was a populist and had a vision for the new province, the fastest growing province in the Dominion. Agricultural and educationai institutions were created to serve this growing population. Walter Scott combineci his abiiity to collect strong people around him with his talent to sense the public mood. Scott was a newspapennan. entrepreneur, land speculator, and distributor of federal Liberal patronage in the North-West before being elected to the House of Comrnons in 1900. By 1905, Scott became leader of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party and Premier. Contrary to currentiy held beiiefs, this thesis argues that the Scott administration neither restructurai the govemment nor filleci the public service with patronage appointments during the four months between Scott's appointment as Premier and the fkst general election. This was a tirne for campaigning. The po litical machine was built much later. Mer the 1905 election, the Scott government embarked on a program to build the new province's infirastnichtre such as the Legislative Building and the University of Saskatchewan. For Scott and his govemrnent, agriculture was the vital cornponent in the fabnc of Saskatchewan Me. By including fmleadership in cabinet and creating a political climate founded on agriculture, Walter Scott built a power base that withstood the United Farmers' Movement that unseated govemrnents in neighbouring provinces. DuMg the Fint World War, which created a clirnate of social change in Saskatchewan, the Scott Govemment banned the bar and established female sufhge. This thesis dso examines when Walter Scott first exhibited signs of mental illness. His health became a primary focus as he searcheci for a cure for depression. It wiii be argueci that it was the baîtie with Rw.Murdock Mad<ùinon over minority rights in the school system that brought Scott's mental health to the point that he had to resign. After his death, the memory of Walter Scott fded. Yet his legacy of democracy, education and agriculture conthe until today. The hits of Walter Scott's laboun continue to be harvested in Saskatchewan but few remember who planted the original seeds. Ackiawledgements This study was completed with the financial assistance of the CoUege of Graduate Studies and Research. 1 am grateful to the Messer Fund for two travel grants. 1 want to thank Ian Wilson, Chief Archivist, and ail of the archivists at the Archives of Ontario and the archivists at the Saskatchewan Archives Board and the University of Saskatchewan Archives. Without the help of archivists, a study such as this could not be done. Special mention must be given to Dr. Prez, Executive Director of the Homewood Health Centre, who permitted me to review Walter Scott's medical mes. 1 also want to thank the family of Walter Scott who shared their memories, their letters and their photos with me. 1 am deeply gratefbl to Dr. Ted Regehr for his Wendship and guidance over the last four years. I want to thank my fnends and family for their encouragement and advice throughout this joumey, particularly my long thefnend and partner, Elaine. Her wisdom, support and ski11 made this project a very positive one. A Note on Spehg and Punctuation This dissertation is based primarily on Walter Scott's own papers. Even though most of the letters and documents were typed, there were many typographical errors, missing commas and Amencan speiiing of words such as "labor." The original punctuation and spelling in the quotations have been maintained.