December 28, 1867

Hon. Dr. Joseph Goderic Blanchet, M.P. (Levis) and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Québec, 1873. Topley Studio / Library and Archives Canada / PA-033291

Hon. John Stevenson (Lennox), Speaker, Legislative Assembly of Ontario. E.A. Crossman. Archives of Ontario.

STEVENSON; BLANCHET ELECTED SPEAKERS

What ought to have been a formality, the election of the Speaker of the Ontario Legislative Assembly, very nearly became a test of Sandfield Macdonald’s government even before the Speech from the Throne, after the Leader of the Opposition, Archibald McKeller (Liberal, Bothwell), attempted to claim John Stevenson (Conservative, Lennox) as one of his own.

Following Stevenson’s nomination by Macdonald, McKeller rose to voice his support for the government choice. “They have,” McKeller said of the government, “taken a gentleman from this side of the house, representing our views and opinions — and for that reason, I think that no gentleman on this side will object to the nominee of the Government. From all I have heard of Mr. Stevenson, I believe him to be a good Reformer….”

This statement raised the hackles of Sir Henry Smith (Conservative, Frontenac), who himself had been rumoured for the Speakership, who said that if McKeller was correct and the Government had nominated for the position a man who opposed him and the Government, then he (Smith) would withdraw his support for the Government. The attempt by McKeller to mark Stevenson with the stamp of the Opposition was unfair and, he was certain, Stevenson was a supporter of the Government.

After some further debate, Mr. Stevenson’s election was made unanimous.

The affair in Québec City was far more routine with Col. Joseph-Godric Blanchet (Conservative, Lévis) being nominated and seconded by Premier Hon. Pierre Chauveau and Treasurer Hon. Christopher Dunkin. The nomination was supported without issue by Henry-Gustave Joly (Liberal, Lotbinière) who appears to have assumed the role of Opposition Leader.