Electoral history of Mackenzie Bowell

This article is the Electoral history of Sir Mackenzie Bowell, the fifth Prime Minister of Canada. A Conservative, he became prime minister upon the sudden death in office of Prime Minister Sir John Thompson in 1894. Bowell served a short term of just over one year as prime minister (1894-1896), until he was forced to resign over the Manitoba Schools Question. He never led his party in a general election. When he died in 1917, he was one of the last surviving members of the first House of Commons of Canada elected in 1867.

Bowell in 1891.

Summary

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Canada had seven provinces, one territory and one semi-autonomous district during Bowell's term as Prime Minister.

Bowell ranks nineteenth out of twenty-three prime ministers for time in office, serving a short term of just over one year (December 1894-April, 1896).[1] He became prime minister upon the death in office of Sir John Thompson and was only in office for a total of 1 year and 128 days.

Bowell was the third of five prime ministers from Ontario, the others being Sir John A. Macdonald, Alexander Mackenzie, William Lyon Mackenzie King, and Lester B. Pearson.

Although he was the leader of the combined Liberal-Conservative Party and the Conservative Party, he did not lead the party in a general election. He resigned as prime minister after a Cabinet revolt over the Manitoba Schools Question.

Bowell stood for election to the House of Commons of Canada eight times, all in the constituency of Hastings North, Ontario. He was elected all eight times, once by acclamation.[2]

In 1892, Prime Minister Thompson appointed Bowell to the Senate of Canada. Bowell is one of two prime ministers who sat in the Senate during his term in office, rather than in the House of Commons.

Bowell was a member of the House of Commons for over 25 years, and a member of the Senate for over 25 years, for a combined total service in Parliament of 50 years, 2 months, and 4 days.[2]

Federal constituency elections, 1867-1891

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Powell stood for election to the House of Commons eight times, winning all eight (1867, 1872, 1874, 1878 (twice), 1882, 1887, and 1891), in the riding of Hastings North, Ontario.

1867 Federal election: Hastings North

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Federal Election, 1867: Hastings North, Ontario
Party Candidate Popular Vote %
  Conservative   Mackenzie Bowell 928 59.30%
  Unknown1 T. C. Wallbridge 636 40.64%
  Unknown Mr McLean 1 0.06%
Total 1,565 100.00%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Hastings North

1 In the early years of Confederation, there was no requirement to declare party affiliation.

  Elected.

1872 Federal election: Hastings North

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Federal Election, 1872: Hastings North, Ontario
Party Candidate Popular Vote %
  Conservative   X Mackenzie Bowell 766 57.8%
  Unknown1 T. C. Wallbridge 559 42.2%
Total 1,325 100.00%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Hastings North

1 In the early years of Confederation, there was no requirement to declare party affiliation.

  Elected.
X Incumbent.

1874 Federal election: Hastings North

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Federal Election, 1874: Hastings North, Ontario
Party Candidate Popular Vote %
  Conservative   X Mackenzie Bowell 847 53.0%
  Unknown1 E. D. O'Flynn 752 47.0%
Total 1,599 100.00%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Hastings North

1 In the early years of Confederation, there was no requirement to declare party affiliation.

  Elected.
X Incumbent.

1878 Federal election: Hastings North

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Federal Election, 1878: Hastings North, Ontario
Party Candidate Popular Vote %
  Conservative   X Mackenzie Bowell 1,249 55.3%
  Unknown1 E. D. O'Flynn 1,008 44.7%
Total 2,257 100.00%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Hastings North

1 In the early years of Confederation, there was no requirement to declare party affiliation.

  Elected.
X Incumbent.

1878 Federal Ministerial By-Election: Hastings North

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Federal Ministerial By-election, November 6, 1878: Hastings North, Ontario
On Mr Bowell being named Minister of Customs.
Party Candidate Popular Vote %
  Conservative   X Mackenzie Bowell Acclaimed
Total
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Hastings North

  Elected.
X Incumbent.

1882 Federal election: Hastings North

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Federal Election, 1882: Hastings North, Ontario
Party Candidate Popular Vote %
  Conservative   X Mackenzie Bowell 1,408 57.1%
  Unknown1 William Coe 1,057 42.9%
Total 2,465 100.00%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Hastings North

1 In the early years of Confederation, there was no requirement to declare party affiliation.

  Elected.
X Incumbent.

1887 Federal election: Hastings North

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Federal Election, 1887: Hastings North, Ontario
Party Candidate Popular Vote %
  Conservative   X Mackenzie Bowell 1,723 71.6%
  Unknown1 H.H. Sutton 682 28.4%
Total 2,405 100.00%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Hastings North

1 In the early years of Confederation, there was no requirement to declare party affiliation.

  Elected.
X Incumbent.

1891 Federal election: Hastings North

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Federal Election, 1891: Hastings North, Ontario
Party Candidate Popular Vote %
  Conservative   X Mackenzie Bowell 1,686 53.3%
  Liberal Peter Vankleek 1,480 46.7%
Total 3,166 100.00%
Source: Library of Parliament – History of Federal Ridings since 1867: Hastings North

1 In the early years of Confederation, there was no requirement to declare party affiliation.

  Elected.
X Incumbent.

Senate appointment (1892-1917)

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In late 1892, Bowell was called to the Senate on the advice of Prime Minister Thompson. He was the second prime minister to serve while sitting in the Senate. Following his resignation as prime minister in 1896, Bowell continued to serve in the Senate until his death in 1917.[2] He was one of the last surviving members of the first House of Commons elected in 1867.

See also

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References

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