Carleton Place Fact–1878 – A separate High School of stone construction was built on High Street called the Prince of Wales School. During the course of bitter and widespread disputes and litigation, based on a division of business and real estate interests between the north and south halves of the town, the new school, though much needed remained unused for nearly five years. Photo from Comments About a Picture–Prince of Wales School (Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum)

Ottawa Daily Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
23 Oct 1879, Thu • Page 1

When the Prince of Wales High School in Carleton Place was to be built a huge argument arose in town to where it should be situated. The “southsiders” wanted it on the north side of the river and of course the other side “the northerners” couldn’t see that side of the question. Finally, it was taken to a vote. Like recent municipal disagreements, they decided to take it to a vote and it was strictly open voting. In the end everyone knew how the other one voted–well you know how this is going to end up already.

It seems that each side thought of everything in order to win. *One side even brought in former residents to vote, whose legal qualifications to say the least, were very doubtful. Actually at that time there were more folks living on the South side than the North side. However, many of the South side voted for the North only for the ‘sensible reason’ that a lot of the building material had already been placed on High Street.

The day after the election a group of “Southerners” were discussing the result in front of Napoleon Paul Lavalee’s Hotel when along came Jasper Holland on his way from the Post Office with his newspapers in hand.

Jasper lived near the station on Miguel Street and was one of the chaps who thought he had the good sense to vote “North”. As he passed the hotel the gang hanging outside began to get unruly and they chastised the passerby for voting the way he did. Jimmie Gemmil who ran the grocery store where Mrs. Mulvey was once located began to get real testy with Jasper and said “the traitor” was not the worth the spit on the ground and it was nothing but treachery.

A fight broke out between the two but the others quickly separated the fight once Napoleon “Paul” Lavallee the hotel owner poked his head out the door. Jasper was quickly declared the winner and with a defiant look he asked if there was anyone else that wanted to argue. Receiving no reply Jasper picked up his “Family Herald” and “Weekly Star” and strode off in the direction of home.

He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

Photo from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum Carleton Place Canadian newspaper files.

After..

March 28th 1973-Ottawa Journal

*Carleton- Place School Question. January 1 1879-Almonte Gazette

Judge Senkler’s Decision Perth, 14 Dec, 1878

Bell vs Greig — This is an investigation (held under R.S.O cap. 204 S. 61) of complaint respecting the mode of conducting the election of the deft, as a Public School Trustee for the Village of Carleton Place. The Election was held 18 Nov. 1878

“If a Trustee of any School Corporation is convicted of a felony or misdemeanour, or absent himself from the meetings of the Board for three consecutive months, without being authorized by resolution entered upon its minutes, or ceases to be a resident within the school municipality for which he is a Trustee such Trustee shall ipso facto vacate his seat and the remaining Trustees shall declare his seat vacant and order a new election.”

In this case the affidavits established that Wm. Bredin, who had been regularly elected trustee in January 1877, ceased to be a resident of the school municipality in April last, and immediately before leaving notified his fellow Trustees that he resigned, and of his intention to leave.

On the 5th last, being the day for the regular monthly meeting of the School Board, said Bredin and one Wm. Weir (who stands in the same position as Bredin) returned to the school municipality temporarily, and these two men, together with the other ten trustees met, and certain proceedings were adopted or attempted to be so, which culminated in the appointment of two chairmen and two secretaries, and in a resolution (with others) being declared passed by one chairman that the Board of Education declared the seats or Wm. Weir and Wm Bredin vacant, and ordered the chairman, Mr. McArthur, to forthwith give the necessary notice and call a meeting of the rate payers to elect two Trustees in their places.The first point to be decided is, were the seats of Weir and Bredin vacant before the Nov. last.

By clause 38, absence from meetings for three consecutive months without being authorized by resolution entered on the minutes ipso facto vacates the seat. The resolution declared by Mr.McArthur may have been voted for by all the qualified Trustees, but the affidavits do not show so. The ten other than Bredin and Weir were allowed to vote at that meeting without opposition upon that resolution; only four voted ( I don’t count the votes of Bredin and Weir; they were clearly bad, as that resolution most be the act of the remaining Trustees) as. abstained from voting.

Their silence cannot be deemed acquiescence, as they allege they did not hear the motion. If the ten trustees have preserved their seats, a resolution voted on by less than the majority cannot considered carried in the absence of sent by the balance or enough to make a majority. In this view the election must fall to the ground, unless the Relator has debarred himself from complaining. All that is shown is that he did not protest or object, and that he held up bis hand on a show of hands being called for. No ease cited gods the length of showing that want of protest or objection is acquiescence.

I cannot see that participating in an unnecessary step can he considered as acquiescence in the election. I shall, therefore, set aside the election of James Greig, and order a new. election. The time and place will be fixed in the formal order to be drawn up. As to the coats, I have no sympathy whatever with the Relator in this matter. His affidavit leaves impression that the motion to appoint him chairman preceded that to appoint Mr. McArthur chairman, the fact being that the motion to appoint Mr. McArthur chairman was actually voted on by the whole 12 present before the other resolution was even moved.

Then he used the expression: “I and the five trustees who acted with me.” It is clear that the five trusties referred to actually voted at the election complained of. The vote polled was a very large one, and the majority for Mr. Greig considerable. It should have been submitted to the Relator who as aware of all the proceedings, and he took no steps to protest or object. I therefore give no coats to the Relator .

W . S. Senkler Co. Judge.

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