•| -^^^^i0!hmM^^M/lv J. THE A. H. U. COLQUHOUN LIBRARY OF CANADIAN HISTORY Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from University of Toronto http://www.archive.org/details/sirgeorgewrossbiOOross SIR GEORGE W. ROSS — HC.B .Yr.2. Sir George W. Ross ^ Biographical Study BY MARGARET ROSS "Let it be known there is a standard of honor and that there is a standard of manliness to be called Canadian which will be recognized as such the wide world over." Sir George W. Ross THE RYERSON PRESS TORONTO Copyright, Canada, 1923, by THE RYERSON PRESS SIR GEORGE W. ROSS AND HIS TWO GRANDCHILDREN DEDICATED TO THE GRANDSONS OF THE LATE SIR GEORGE W. ROSS — CONTENTS Page Preface 9 Chapter I. Early Days—The Forest Home (1841-1857) 11 The Forest Home—Birth—The Little Log House The Mother —Scotland—The Homeland — For- bears—The Ross Clan —Sailing for Canada—Home- building—Conditions in Canada. — Chapter II. Early Days The Log School. 20 First Schooldays— Impressions at School and at Home—Conditions in Canada— Influence of Re- bellion (1837) —Stories—Winter Evenings. Chapter III. Young Manhood—Teacher (1857-1871) 24 First School—Studying for Second-Class Certifi- cate—The Temperance Society—The New Interest —Lobo—Marriage—Tribute (Dr. C. Campbell) The Young Orator—Baby Jim—Letter. Chapter IV. Young Manhood—Temperance 30 Tour on Behalf of Temperance (1864) —Glengarry —Death of Baby Jim— Public Approach. Chapter V. Young Manhood— Political Initiation 32 Choosing a Vocation—First Convention and First Political Speech (1867). Chapter \T. Young Manhood—Editor 34 The Strathroy Age (1867) — Responsibility of Editor —His Influence—The First General Election after Confederation—Sandfiield Macdonald—Sir John A. Macdonald— Political Platforms—Liberal Conven- tion at Toronto—Result of Election —Normal School, Toronto. Chapter VII. Young Manhood—Inspector.. 39 Beginning Work in East Lambton Schools—The Influence—Tribute—Hardships. — CONTENTS— Continued ChaptrrVIII. Provincial Election', 1871 .. 42 Sandficld Alardonald's Government on Trial —Blake Leader of Opposition—Alexander Mackenzie, Can- didate in West Middlesex— Ross's First Experience as a Campaign Speaker—The Victory. Chaptkr IX. Nomination and Election 45 Preparations for Canada's Second Parliament, 1872 —Nominated as Candidate for West Middlesex House of Commons—Campaign Platform —Mrs. Ross's Illness and Death—The Victory of Election. Chapter X. Second Parliament of Canada, 1873 56 The New Beginning—Study— In the House of Com- mons—Pacific Scandal—Dissolution of the House Another Election—Elected by Acclamation, 1874 Letter Written, 1873. Chapter XI. Third Parliament of Canada, 1874 64 The New Regime at Ottawa—Alexander Macken- zie, Premier—Studying Public Speaking—The National Policy Launched—Election of 1878— Mackenzie's Defeat—Marriage to Catharine Boston. Chapter XII. Fourth Parliament of Canada, 1882 67 Sir John A. Macdonald to the Fore Again—The National Policy Becomes Law—Speech on the Bill for Construction of Canadian Pacific Railway Gerrymander Bill—Election of 1882. Ch.\pter XIII. Fifth Parliament of Canada, 1883 69 Sir John A. Macdonald still to the Fore—First Speech on Reciprocity—Bill to Take Control of Liquor Traffic from Provincial House—Election of 1882 Protested—Sir Oliver Offers Position of Mini- ster of Education. — CONTENTS— Continued Chapter XIV. The Ontario Legislature. 72 Minister of Education and Member of the Cabinet —Building on Foundation Laid by Dr. Ryerson Kindergartens Introduced—University Federation —New Features in Schools of Ontario— Public Schools, Separate Schools, Technical Schools, Nor- mal Schools, High Schools—Tribute to Work as Minister of Education—The Ross Bible—Work as a Cabinet Minister. Chapter XV. Incidents — Honors —-Trip Abroad 97 Graduated in Law, 1883—Honored by St. Andrew's University—Called to the Bar—Honorary Com- missioner to Colonial Exhibition—Trip to Scotland —The Gaelic Society—Home Life—Letters Home. Chapter XVI. Premier of Ontario, (1899- 1905) 103 Difficulties to Face—Opening up of New Ontario Construction of the Temiskaming and Northern Railway—Election of 1902—At Coronation of King Edward—A Great Sorrow—-Development of Water Power on the St. Mary's River—Manufacture of Pulp and Paper—The Steel Rolling Mills—The Hydro Electric Commission—Good Roads Commis- sion—Dissolution of the House, 1902, and Appeal to the Country—Election of 1905— Defeat—Leader of the Opposition Ontario Legislature, 1905-1907 Marriage to Mildred Peel. Chapter XVII. The Parliament of Canada— in the Senate 119 Duties as Senator Compared with Duties of Member of House of Commons— Incidents^Parting with W^est Aliddlesex—Faces the Work—Reciprocity- Speech, 1911 —The Navy Bill—Power of the Sen- ate—Tributes Hon. W. R. Lougheed, Senator Kerr —Farewell Message to People of Canada. Chapter XVIII. The Passing of Sir George Ross 128 —• CONTENTS—Continued L'iiai'ti:k XIX. KxTKAtrs from Si'i:eches and Letters 1 ?,.\ Shall Canada Always be a Dependency of the Em- pire—Tribute to Sir Oliver Mowat—Clan Ross— Canada and the Navy—Speech Given at Unveiling of Statue in Memory of Sir John A. Macdonald. Chapter XX. Conclusion 145 Why Sir George W. Ross Should be Remembered by Canadians—Poem, "What Canada Wants." Chapter XXI. Valued Tributes 151 From Newspapers, Outstanding Men and In- stitutions. Appendix 1 03 Chronology in the Life of Sir George W. Ross Honors— Ross's Cabinet This picture is significant in presenting a repre- sentation of the old days. The author, Miss Ross, is sitting at a spinning wheel usedby Hon. George W. Ross's grandmother. The boy, "(i.W.," is one of Sir (leorge Ross's grandsons, representing his grandfather as he was at the same age. PREFACE TO the grandsons of Sir George W. Ross this book is lovingly dedicated by the author. If she should be fortunate enough to contribute en- couragement even in a small degree, to any of the youths of our Province, to press forward because of her effort in trying to show them what industry, perseverance, energy and courage with high ideals did for the subject of this book, the author will ever cherish a deep sense of gratitude to the over- ruling hand that guided her, at the age of seventy- seven, through difficulties which had to be met in its preparation. Her thanks are due to the publishers for their courtesy, and also to those who so generously gave their time and thought in contributing to the life and character of Sir George from their higher, broader and more important standard than she was capable of giving to the grandsons in her simple story. To her niece, Mrs. Mattie Rose Crawford, she also owes her most cordial thanks for the time and care devoted to the general preparation of the book for the press and to proof-reading. Being closely associated with her uncle. Sir George, in his home, while teaching in the Toronto Normal Model School, Mrs. Crawford was well PREFACE informed as to his aspirations and the difficulties with wliich he had to contend in his sphere as a public man. The author has endeavored to do justice to the much loved subject of the book and with as few traces of bias as possible, and hopes her endeavor may meet with the approbation of the public. Margaret Ross. Sir George W. Ross Chapter I EARLY DAYS—THE FOREST HOME 1841 NEAR the River Aux Sable, in the County of IMiddlesex, Ontario, where the Highlanders had settled like flocks on the hills, George \V. Ross was born. It was a rough-hewn cradle—a log house in the midst of the forest. Nine 3^ears before this event—September 18th, 1841—James Ross and Ellen McKinnon Ross, with four little children, had come to this forest and carved out a log house of two rooms. One of the rooms served as a dining-room, kitchen and living- room, the other as a sleeping room. In the living- room was a wide, old-fashioned fireplace built of stones gathered from the forest and clay taken from the brook near by. On the oak mantlepiece, as if presiding over the house, were some relics of the home land—two brass candlesticks with tray and snufifers, and "The Book," which was taken down every morning and evening and read with reverence by James Ross (a good old Scottish custom) to his little family, which with the arrival of George numbered eight. 11 : 12 SIR GEORGE W. ROSS In the sleeping-room were three beds—on one side two tent beds curtained with spotless white; on the other side, an open bed for the boys, in which many a traveller was betimes made comfortable. The Ross home was noted for its hospitality and for the inspiration that the little dark-eyed mother gave her guests. It was a common picture to see Mrs. Ross, early in the evening, sitting by the fireplace spinning and at her feet a child wrapped in a pladdie, with spelling book in hands, crooning over his lessons while she sang softly "Oh, why left I my hame? Why did I cross the deep? Oh, why left I my hame Where my forefathers sleep?" Such was the environment in which George W. Ross was born. The reason the Rosses came to Canada was the result of a movement for freedom that had its beginning many years before, and which first manifested itself in that dramatic and disastrous outburst of 1745, when the loyal Highlanders took up arms and made a passionate endeavor to restore Charles Stewart, "Bonnie Prince Charlie," to the throne of his fathers. This outburst caused the British Government to make a determined attempt to destroy the feudal power of the Highland Chief. The old clan system EARLY DAYS 13 was shattered and an act forbidding the clansmen to wear the tartan or carry arms was passed.