Alexander Morris (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alexander Morris
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| 2nd Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba | |
| In office December 2, 1872 – October 7, 1877 |
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| Monarch | Victoria |
| Governor General | The Earl of Dufferin |
| Premier |
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| Preceded by | Adams George Archibald |
| Succeeded by | Joseph-Édouard Cauchon |
| 2nd Lieutenant Governor of the North-West Territories |
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| In office December 2, 1872 – October 7, 1876 |
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| Monarch | Victoria |
| Governor General | The Earl of Dufferin |
| Preceded by | Adams George Archibald |
| Succeeded by | David Laird |
| Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench of Manitoba |
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| In office July 2, 1872 – December 1872 |
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| Preceded by | New office |
| Succeeded by | Edmund Burke Wood |
| Minister of Inland Revenue | |
| In office November 16, 1869 – July 1, 1872 |
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| Preceded by | Alexander Campbell |
| Succeeded by | Charles Tupper |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 17, 1826 Perth, Upper Canada |
| Died | October 28, 1889 (aged 63) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Other political affiliations |
Conservative Party of Ontario |
| Spouse |
Margaret Cline
(m. 1851) |
| Children | 11 |
| Parent | William Morris |
| Residences | Kingston, Ontario |
| Alma mater | McGill University |
| Occupation | Lawyer, judge, businessperson, public servant |
Alexander Morris (March 17, 1826 – October 28, 1889) was an important Canadian politician. He worked in the government of Prime Minister John A. Macdonald from 1869 to 1872. He also became the second Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba (1872–1877). A Lieutenant Governor is like a representative of the King or Queen in a province. Morris also helped create the District of Keewatin and was its first Lieutenant Governor.
Contents
About Alexander Morris
Early Life and Education
Alexander Morris was born in Perth, a town in what was then called Upper Canada. Today, this area is part of Ontario. His father, William Morris, was a well-known businessman and politician.
Alexander went to school in Canada and Scotland. In 1849, he was the first person to earn an arts degree from McGill University. He later earned other degrees, including one in law. By 1851, he became a lawyer in both Canada East and Canada West. He built a successful law practice.
A Writer and Thinker
Morris was also a writer. In 1855, he wrote an essay called Canada and her resources. In this essay, he suggested that Canada should develop its own industries.
In 1858, he wrote another book called Nova Britannia. In this book, he predicted that the British colonies in North America would one day unite. This idea later became true with Confederation.
Morris also wrote about academic topics and the Presbyterian church. He was an important member of the Presbyterian church in Canada. In 1880, he wrote The Treaties of Canada With The Indians. This book is a key source for understanding the treaties signed with Indigenous peoples in Canada.
Entering Politics
Alexander Morris was expected to enter public life. In 1861, he ran for a seat in the legislature of the Province of Canada. He ran as a Liberal-Conservative, supporting the government of George-Étienne Cartier and John A. Macdonald. Morris won his election.
The government became weaker after the 1861 election. Morris then joined the opposition. He was re-elected in 1863. He returned to the government side in 1864.
During these years, Morris spoke often about the idea of Confederation. This was the process of uniting the Canadian colonies into one country. He also helped create the big coalition government in 1864. He even introduced a bill to stop public executions in Canada.
Working for Canada's Government
In 1867, Morris was re-elected without anyone running against him. This was the first election after Canada became a country. On November 16, 1869, he became the Minister of Inland Revenue. He served in Prime Minister Macdonald's government for three years.
In 1872, his doctors advised him not to run for re-election.
Leading Manitoba and the North-West Territories
Instead of running for election, Morris was appointed as the first Chief Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench of Manitoba. He held this job from July to December 1872.
In October 1872, he also became the acting Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba and the Northwest Territories. He officially became the Lieutenant Governor on December 2. He worked to help settle land claims for the Métis people in Manitoba.
Manitoba's government was still very new when Morris became Lieutenant Governor. He continued to act as the province's leader, similar to a Premier. In 1873, he refused a request to recognize Henry Joseph Clarke as Premier. Morris kept his own authority over the province's laws.
In 1874, Morris asked Marc-Amable Girard to become Manitoba's first official Premier. This was an important step in making the province's government more independent. Even after this, Morris still had a lot of influence.
Morris spoke for Manitoba when dealing with the federal government. He also helped create the University of Manitoba in 1877. He was very involved in signing treaties with Indigenous groups. He signed Treaties 3, 4, 5, and 6. He also helped revise Treaties 1 and 2. Morris supported Indigenous land rights more than the previous Lieutenant Governor. He also argued for education and hunting/fishing rights for Indigenous groups.
In 1874, Manitoba's finances were in trouble. The province asked the federal government for help. The federal government agreed, but said that the Legislative Council (an upper house of the government) should be removed to save money. When the council refused, Morris stepped in. He offered the councillors other government jobs. Thanks to Morris, Manitoba's Legislative Council was removed in 1876. It was the first provincial upper house to be abolished in Canada.
Morris left his role as Lieutenant Governor of the Northwest Territories in 1876. He then became the Lieutenant Governor of the new Keewatin District. This territory stretched far north into the Arctic. He held this position until 1877. Then, he resigned as Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba and returned to Ontario.
Later Political Career
In 1878, Morris tried to return to the federal House of Commons. He lost the election in the Selkirk riding. He then went back to Ontario.
Later in 1878, a seat in the Ontario provincial legislature became open. Morris ran for the Toronto East riding as a Conservative. He won the election. The Conservatives were not in power at the time. Morris served as the opposition leader in the provincial house.
In the 1879 election, he even defeated the Premier, Oliver Mowat, in Toronto East. Morris won another election in 1883. However, he did not run for re-election in 1886 due to health reasons. The Conservatives never formed the government in Ontario while Morris was there.
Morris continued to be an important figure in the Presbyterian Church in Canada after he retired. He passed away in 1889 at the age of 63.
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