James McNaughton (politician)

James McNaughton (March 10, 1864 – January 1, 1959)[1] was a Canadian politician and former member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from Alberta.

James McNaughton
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
In office
April 17, 1913 – July 17, 1921
Preceded bydistrict created
Succeeded byOran McPherson
ConstituencyLittle Bow
Personal details
Born(1864-03-10)March 10, 1864
Glengarry County, Canada West
DiedJanuary 1, 1959(1959-01-01) (aged 94)
Political partyLiberal
Spouse
Sarah Campbell
(m. 1896)
Occupation
  • Merchant
  • politician

Political career

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James was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Little Bow for the Alberta Liberal Party in a hotly contested race against popular southern Alberta merchant John T. McDonald in the 1913 Alberta general election.

1913 election

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The 1913 Little Bow election became bitter and scandal-plagued after campaign workers of Conservative rival John T. McDonald were arrested without charge and detained until after the election. The Calgary Herald claimed it was caused by "Siftonism" running rampant through the province. In that same election the Liberals were also accused of gerrymandering Little Bow to be very liberal-friendly.

1917 election

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James was easily re-elected in a landslide in the 1917 Alberta general election. H. Thomas of the Socialist Party was the only other candidate during the election. Turn out in Little Bow was at its lowest ever with only 35% of the population turning out.

Defeat

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James McNaughton was handily defeated by future speaker Oran McPherson from the United Farmers of Alberta in the 1921 Alberta general election.

References

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  1. ^ Normandin, P.G.; Normandin, A.L. (1922). "Guide Parlementaire Canadien". The Canadian Parliamentary Guide = Guide Parlementaire Canadien. Gale Canada. ISSN 0315-6168. Retrieved 2015-08-30.
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Legislative Assembly of Alberta
Preceded by
New District
MLA Little Bow
1913-1921
Succeeded by