- Simon Hugh Holmes
Simon Hugh Holmes (
July 30 ,1831 –October 14 ,1919 ) was aNova Scotia politician, publisher and lawyer.Holmes was born in Springvale, which is present-day
Pictou County . The son of Nova Scotia politician and Canadian senator John Holmes, Holmes in 1858 founded and edited the Pictou "Colonial Standard" as “a dedicated advocate of the principles of true Conservatism.” The paper and Holmes were advocates ofCanadian confederation . Holmes attempted to win a seat in the provinciallegislature in 1867 but was defeated in a wave of anti-Confederation sentiment. He managed to win a seat in 1871 and soon became "de facto" leader of the Conservative opposition. TheTories won the 1878 election and Holmes becamePremier of the province to find the treasury depleted and theLegislative Council in the hands of the Liberals.The Tory government passed legislation to create
county government, lengthened the training period for teachers, subsidized education for blind children and attempted to improve mine safety.The Liberal dominated
Upper House frustrated much of Holmes' program and Holmes attempted three times to abolish theLegislative Council but failed.Holmes personal style tended to be authoritarian and this factor, along with the political impasse, led to a
caucus revolt that resulted in Holmes' resignation in 1882 to accept a lucrative position as crown clerk for Halifax county. He died in Halifax.External links
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