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CanHistory

CanHistory.com recently had a survey regarding “Who Was Your Favourite Prime Minister”, the participation level was great, and 46 people shared their thoughts on the list the editor provided.

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Arthur was born in 1874 on his family farm, located nearby St. Mary’s Ontario. Coming from humble beginnings, Arthur would become an educated man, first taking a career as a teacher at a local collegiate institute. He discovered he was not fond of teaching and decided to pursue other options, boldly borrowing money, he set out to establish his own business in Manitoba. Unfortunately that business did not succeed and once again Meighen returned to teaching.

With aspirations to become something more, Meighen retired from teaching in 1898 to prepare for a career as a lawyer. In 1903, after articling for firms in Winnipeg and Portage La Prairie, Meighen became a lawyer.

Soon Meighen’s focus switched to politics, he would run as a Conservative in the local riding during the 1908 federal election. Surprised Liberals found their ‘safe seat’ had disappeared as Meighen easily entered as the new federal representative in Ottawa.

Meighen’s wit helped him to rapidly advance within the ranks of the Conservative Party. With the outbreak of World War I, Borden depended more and more on Meighen's skill. In 1915 he was granted a seat in the cabinet as solicitor general.

Meighen saw the war effort as the most important thing and was willing to bankrupt Canada to help protect Britain from its aggressors. He favoured the draft of Canadian men to serve in the militia. Neither stance would make him particularly popular with the people of Canada.

Meighen shrewdly understood that the 1917 election would be won on the issue of the draft. There was resentment against farmers who would not allow their sons to join the militia. As an incentive to German-speaking naturalised citizens, the vote would be taken from conscientious objectors and placed in the hands of the wives of the men serving in the army.

The Military Voters Act and the War Times Election Act would come be enacted.

Borden introduced the Military Service Act into Parliament in 1917. Meighen debated tirelessly with Sir Wilfred Laurier, the Liberal leader over the passing of the Military Service Act. Meighen countered every issue that Laurier came up with and in so doing actually won support of members of liberal house.

Meighen would be credited with the creation of the Military Service Act, but he never desired that distinction. He believed that the French Canadians would always vote against him because of the passage of the bill.

His political career would not end here, in fact he would serve as the 9th Prime Minister of Canada in 1921-1922 and would again briefly hold office for a span of three months in 1926.