Thomas Simpson Sproule

Thomas Simpson Sproule

Thomas Simpson Sproule (October 25 1843 – November 10 1917) was a Canadian parliamentarian and Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons from 1911 – 1915.

Sproule was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons in the 1878 election as a Conservative Member of Parliament (MP). He was subsequently re-elected eight times in succession.

Sproule was a staunch Protestant born into an Irish Unionist family. He was a member of the Orange Order, and rose to the position of "Master and Sovereign". In 1906, he became "President of the Imperial Grand Council of the World". The Order was noted for its anti-French and anti-Catholic views, particularly in that period.

He was a physician by profession and practiced in Markdale, Ontario, where he also owned a drug store and a large cattle farm, and invested in local businesses such as a flour mill and lumber yard.

As a Conservative MP, he was a supporter of Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald, but his loyalty to Orangeism led him to differ with his party's leadership on issues of language and religion, particularly on the Manitoba Schools Question. Sproule opposed any concession to Catholic Separate Schools or French language instruction.

Following the fall of the Conservative government in the 1896 election, largely due to divisions over the school issue, he became a pronounced critic of the immigration policies of Sir Wilfrid Laurier's government. Sproule opposed the admission to Canada of non-British migrants. He supported the abolition of French language instruction in Ontario schools, and the implementation of Regulation 17. Sproule also opposed the expansion of French language services by the federal government.

Following the defeat of the Laurier government in the 1911 election, the new Conservative Prime Minister, Robert Laird Borden, nominated Sproule to the position of Speaker of the House of Commons.

As both English and French were the languages of the House, Sproule, as presiding officer, embarked in French lessons despite being a life long opponent of the language. Sproule had to be able to lead the Commons prayers in both languages.

During a thirty six day filibuster on the question of the government's naval bill, Sproule lost his patience after weeks of 24 hour sessions, and became the first Speaker ever to "name" a member of the House for disorderly conduct.

Sproule was forced to retire from the Speakership due to ill heath, and was named to the Canadian Senate in 1915. He served for two years until his death in 1917.

External links

*
*

s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament from Grey East
years=1878–1917


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Sproule — may refer to:*Claire Sproule * Daniel Sproule * Dáithí Sproule * David Sproule * Devon Sproule * Harvey Sproule * Ivan Sproule * Paul Sproule * Thomas Simpson Sprouleee also* Claire Sproule (album) * Sproul …   Wikipedia

  • List of Members of the Canadian House of Commons - S — Sa * Jacques Saada b. 1947 first elected in 1997 as Liberal member for Brossard La Prairie, Quebec. * Thomas Sales b. 1868 first elected in 1921 as Progressive member for Saltcoats, Saskatchewan. * Max Saltsman b. 1921 first elected in 1964 as… …   Wikipedia

  • 12e législature du Canada — La distribution initiale des sièges au commencement de la 12e législature Sir Robert …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Liste des grands maîtres de la Grande loge d'Orange du Canada — Liste des grands maîtres de la Grande loge d Orange du Canada. Les personnes suivantes ont exercé la fonction de grand maître de la Grande loge d Orange du Canada[1] : Nom Portrait Mandat Ogle Robert Gowan[1] …   Wikipédia en Français

  • List of Ontario senators — This is a list of past and present Canadian senators representing the province of Ontario. Ontario has had 24 Senators since the time of Confederation. The province is also one of four regional senate divisions under Section 26 of the… …   Wikipedia

  • 11e législature du Canada — La distribution initiale de la 11e législature du Canada …   Wikipédia en Français

  • 7e législature du Canada — La 7e législature du Canada a été mise en place suite à la 7e élection générale canadienne, qui s est déroulée le 5 mars 1891. Le gouvernement conservateur de Sir John A. Macdonald a été porté au pouvoir pour un sixième mandat. La question des… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • 8e législature du Canada — La distribution initiale des sièges lors de la 8e législature du Canada …   Wikipédia en Français

  • 9e législature du Canada — La distribution initiale des sièges lors de la 9e législature du Canada …   Wikipédia en Français

  • 4e législature du Canada — La distribution initiale des siège durant la 4e législature …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”