NARRATIVES OF SASKATOON

1882-1912

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Sutherland was the Liberal candidate, and he was elected by a substantial majority. There had been considerable criticism of the Town Council during 1904. Much of it was unwarranted, as is usually the case. The unbounded optimism and enthusiasm of the people expected more of the Council than they could undertake, with the slender means at their disposal, hence the desire for a more vigorous administration. The Phoenix, our only local paper, was strongly advocating M. Isbister for re-election as Mayor. A section of the voters resented the proposition, and urged me strongly to accept the nomination. I was indifferent. I had no particular fault to find with what had been done by the Council with the means at their command. I recognized that under new conditions, when incorporation into a city had been accomplished, giving greater powers of borrowing, that more public improvements could be undertaken. Finally, I agreed to allow my name to be used, but I refused to take any means favoring my candidature, either by personal canvas or by public meetings. Nomina- tions were made on the 4th December, election on the 11th. On Isbister's paper were: D. T. Smith, J. F. Cairns, B. Chubb and W. A. Coulthard; on mine were: J. D. Ferguson and F. A. Blain. The contest was keen, no politics being introduced fortunately. The result gave Isbister 85 against 111 for me. Indication of the interest taken can be judged from the fact that every available vote but mine was polled, and those voters who were absent from town. Even the lady voters came to mark their ballots. Isbister and I were in the polling station and we were amused as each lady passed out after handing in her ballot, a smile was thrown in the direction of one or the other, giving us a slight indication of how she had voted. The Phoenix, which had strongly advocated re-election of Isbister, writing of the election, said: "From the hour of nomination the contest was keen, and excited general interest to a greater extent than the contest for a pro- vincial representative. Both candidates got the support of many friends on the opposite side of politics, so that the result is without political signifi- cance. It was believed by many that Mr. Clinkskill was a strong and popular candidate. He had a clean record behind him after years in public life. Not one instance was ever quoted of his having done anything improper. His career in business was marked with success which stood him well in the absence of municipal experience in Saskatoon. He therefore enters upon his work as Mayor under most favorable circumstances. Saskatoon has an exceptionally bright future before it. It is for him to prove himself equal to the occasion." Very fair words for an opposing paper, but its attitude changed in time when it feared I might become a factor in the political field. It might have saved itself the vituperations that were poured forth from time to time, as my ambition in that direction was a negligible quan- tity. The Aldermen elected were: J. R. Wilson, W. J. Be11, S. A. Clark, P. H. Currie, Harry Baker, and W. C. Sutherland who resigned after being elected M.LA., and Thomas Copland took his place. At one of the early meetings Dunning was appointed Constable, Inspector, License Inspector and Engineer of the Fire Engine; Dr. W. J. MacKay was appointed Medical Health Officer. We immediately started working on the proposed charter for the city. I took the Edmonton charter as a basis, and with a committee of three had the draft prepared and passed by the Council in the month of March. The Solicitor, D. T. Smith, was unable to have it typewritten, so the draft copy for presentation to the Legislature was written out in long hand. The Legislature passed the charter without any important amend- ments, and on the first day of July 1906, Saskatoon became a city. The Council and the people did their part in the development of the city. They were impressed with a desire to establish the public utilities and to own them themselves. We had several offers to install electric power plants, but all were rejected. The Council engaged Willis Chipman, of Toronto, to prepare plans for a system of sewerage, water works and electric power plant, and in April contracts were let for about one hundred and eighty thousand dollars, to carry out the same. What a change in a few months. The former Council hesitated about spending six thousand dollars for drainage, and now we commit the corporation for this seem- Page 69

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