London Evening Advertiser
- Place seen for Progressives in next ministry
- Tory chief tells King of decision
- Rain fails to check fair crowds
The day after the election, attention turns from voting to forming a government: possible Progressive ministers, Meighen’s reported letter and the timing of resignation. Alongside the national calculations, wet weather changes the Western Fair programme but does not stop its visitors arriving by train.
Opening cabinet-formation report, the letter dispatch and the fair report’s opening paragraphs. Election tables, detailed riding lists and other small reports are not fully transcribed.
Translation
Place Seen for Progressives in Next Ministry
Ottawa, Sept. 15.—Rival political leaders are reviewing the field for the next move. Neither so far has made any public pronouncement. Premier Meighen was at his office this morning, but declined to make any statement. But expectations in political circles are that he will summon his cabinet and make preparations for placing his resignation in the hands of the Governor-General. This would be followed by the summoning of Mr. Mackenzie King to form a government.
There is already talk in the air of a Liberal-Progressive coalition government. During his previous term as premier, Mr. King made a number of endeavors to secure admission of Progressives to his cabinet. In the early part of last session, the admission of Robert Forke, at the time Progressive leader, and a couple of other Progressives was mooted; but the proposal failed to materialize. It is now thought that Mr. King, when he is called to form an administration, will endeavor to secure Progressive members for his cabinet. When in the West during the recent campaign both Mr. Mackenzie King and Mr. Forke spoke on the same platform.
Tory Chief Tells King of Decision
Ottawa, Sept. 15.—The Meighen government will resign immediately; Mr. Meighen decided this morning to write to Mr. Mackenzie King and acquaint him with his decision to resign at once. The Conservative chief will delay the resignation until Mr. King is ready to announce his cabinet, but the delay will be entirely a matter of courtesy. A resignation today would embarrass Mr. King in forming his government.
This letter has been despatched and should reach Mr. King either tonight or tomorrow morning. Meantime Mr. King, realizing that he has been returned virtually with a majority over all, is already turning his attention to the task of cabinet-making. The party leaders from the various provinces are being summoned, and it is not expected that there will be undue delay.
Rain Fails As Check On Fair Crowd
Drenching showers and lowering clouds failed to check the enthusiasm of the exhibition visitors who arrived early on the Western Fair grounds today. Members of the Fair board, concession operators and exhibitors, while expressing regret concerning the inclement weather, however, reiterated the slogan of other years, “Wednesday is the big day.” Throughout the morning visitors from all parts of Western Ontario who arrived in special and regular trains, left for the grounds, where they made the rounds of the many attractive buildings.
Unfortunately it was found necessary to postpone the harness races for the afternoon, owing to heavy track conditions. The management stated though that if the rain ceased the performance before the grandstand would be given as usual. It was pointed out that a special drying material will be used to dry the platform if the weather switches to a kindlier mood.
Context
Why Progressive participation mattered to King
The article recalls a failed attempt to bring Robert Forke and other Progressives into King’s earlier cabinet. Reviving that possibility after the election would turn cooperation between parties into shared responsibility for governing. Speaking together during the western campaign supplied a visible basis for the speculation. The question was therefore how electoral support could be translated into a workable ministry, with cabinet posts binding allies more closely than occasional parliamentary votes.
Why an outgoing prime minister might delay resignation
Government formation involved more than announcing an election result. The governor-general would call a successor, and that successor needed ministers ready to take office. The dispatch describes Meighen’s delay as a courtesy intended to give King that time. The letter lets the incoming leader organize a cabinet while the outgoing administration still formally exists, showing the practical coordination required for a change of government.
Why the fair drew visitors from beyond London
The Western Fair originated in the joining of agricultural and horticultural societies in 1867, with the first fair held in 1868. It developed as a regional meeting place combining agricultural display, industry, arts and entertainment. The special trains and varied exhibition buildings in this report show that wider catchment in action. Rain could interrupt outdoor racing without removing the reasons for visitors to travel into London and spend the day at the fair.
Original
Place Seen for Progressives in Next Ministry
Ottawa, Sept. 15.—Rival political leaders are reviewing the field for the next move. Neither so far has made any public pronouncement. Premier Meighen was at his office this morning, but declined to make any statement. But expectations in political circles are that he will summon his cabinet and make preparations for placing his resignation in the hands of the Governor-General. This would be followed by the summoning of Mr. Mackenzie King to form a government.
There is already talk in the air of a Liberal-Progressive coalition government. During his previous term as premier, Mr. King made a number of endeavors to secure admission of Progressives to his cabinet. In the early part of last session, the admission of Robert Forke, at the time Progressive leader, and a couple of other Progressives was mooted; but the proposal failed to materialize. It is now thought that Mr. King, when he is called to form an administration, will endeavor to secure Progressive members for his cabinet. When in the West during the recent campaign both Mr. Mackenzie King and Mr. Forke spoke on the same platform.
Tory Chief Tells King of Decision
Ottawa, Sept. 15.—The Meighen government will resign immediately; Mr. Meighen decided this morning to write to Mr. Mackenzie King and acquaint him with his decision to resign at once. The Conservative chief will delay the resignation until Mr. King is ready to announce his cabinet, but the delay will be entirely a matter of courtesy. A resignation today would embarrass Mr. King in forming his government.
This letter has been despatched and should reach Mr. King either tonight or tomorrow morning. Meantime Mr. King, realizing that he has been returned virtually with a majority over all, is already turning his attention to the task of cabinet-making. The party leaders from the various provinces are being summoned, and it is not expected that there will be undue delay.
Rain Fails As Check On Fair Crowd
Drenching showers and lowering clouds failed to check the enthusiasm of the exhibition visitors who arrived early on the Western Fair grounds today. Members of the Fair board, concession operators and exhibitors, while expressing regret concerning the inclement weather, however, reiterated the slogan of other years, “Wednesday is the big day.” Throughout the morning visitors from all parts of Western Ontario who arrived in special and regular trains, left for the grounds, where they made the rounds of the many attractive buildings.
Unfortunately it was found necessary to postpone the harness races for the afternoon, owing to heavy track conditions. The management stated though that if the rain ceased the performance before the grandstand would be given as usual. It was pointed out that a special drying material will be used to dry the platform if the weather switches to a kindlier mood.
Source: Holding institution