Frederick C. Alderdice

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The Right Honourable Frederick C. Alderdice
Alderdice during his time in office
10th Prime Minister of Newfoundland
In office June 11, 1932 – February 16, 1934
Monarch	George V
Governor	John Middleton David Murray Anderson
Preceded by	Richard Squires
Succeeded by	Joey Smallwood (as Premier)
In office August 15, 1928 – November 17, 1928
Monarch	George V
Governor	William Allardyce John Middleton
Preceded by	Walter Monroe
Succeeded by	Richard Squires
Commission offices Vice Chairman of the Commission of Government In office February 16, 1934 (1934-02-16) – February 26, 1936 (1936-02-26) Preceded by Office established Succeeded by William R. Howley Commissioner for Home Affairs and Education In office February 16, 1934 (1934-02-16) – February 26, 1936 (1936-02-26) Preceded by Office established Succeeded by James A. Winter
Legislative offices Member of the Newfoundland House of Assembly for St. John's West In office June 11, 1932 – February 16, 1934 Serving with Patrick F. Halley Preceded by Alexander Campbell Joseph Fitzgibbon (as MHAs for St. John's City West) Frank Bennett (as MHA for St. John's West Extern) Succeeded by Oliver Vardy (post-Confederation) James Spratt (post-Confederation) Member of the Newfoundland House of Assembly for St. John's City East In office October 29, 1928 – June 11, 1932 Serving with Gerald G. Byrne Preceded by William J. Higgins Cyril J. Fox (as MHAs for St. John's East) Succeeded by Lewis Edward Emerson (as MHA for St. John's East) Member of the Legislative Council of Newfoundland In office March 24, 1925 (1925-03-24) – August 15, 1928 (1928-08-15) Nominated by Walter Monroe Appointed by William Allardyce
Personal details
Born	(1871-11-10)November 10, 1871 Belfast, Ireland, United Kingdom
Died	February 26, 1936(1936-02-26) (aged 64) St. John's, Newfoundland
Party	Liberal-Conservative Progressive (1928–1932) United Newfoundland Party (1932–1934)
Spouse	Harriet Carter ​ (m. 1900)​
Children	4
Relatives	John Monroe (uncle) Moses Monroe (uncle) Walter Monroe (cousin)
Education	Methodist College Belfast
Occupation	Businessman

Frederick Charles Munro Alderdice (November 10, 1871 – February 26, 1936) was a Newfoundland businessman, politician and the last Prime Minister of Newfoundland.

Early life and family

Alderdice was born at Rose Cottage in Stranmillis, Belfast, Ireland to William Alderdice and Rachael Kathleen Alderdice (née Monroe). After graduating from Methodist College Belfast, he moved to Newfoundland in 1886 to work as a cashier for his uncle Moses Monroe's Colonial Cordage Company. Alderdice married Harriet Carter on October 25, 1900 and they had two sons and two daughters.

Alderdice became a prominent businessman in his own right, rising through the ranks within the Colonial Cordage Company until he became its managing director in 1922 following the death of his uncle James Monroe. An active rugby player in his youth, Alderdice contracted septicemia after a sports injury and had to amputate his feet, using walking sticks to move for the rest of his life.

Opposition leader (1928–1932)

Alderdice was nominated to the Legislative Council of Newfoundland in 1925 by his cousin Walter Monroe, who had recently become prime minister. He became involved in electoral politics when he succeeded Monroe as prime minister and leader of the Liberal-Conservative Progressive Party on August 15, 1928. Alderdice's first premiership was short-lived, however, as his government lost that year's general election to the Liberals led by Sir Richard Squires.

The Great Depression embroiled the dominion in a severe economic crisis which was compounded by corruption in the Squires government taking the dominion to the brink of bankruptcy. Widespread unemployment added to the crisis and resulted in an anti-government riot in St. John's on April 5, 1932. Alderdice joined with Liberals dissatisfied with Squires to form the United Newfoundland Party with himself as leader. The Squires government collapsed and Alderdice swept to power in the ensuing June election on the promise that, if elected, his government would examine the possibility of suspending the constitution and having a commission administer the country until conditions improved. His United Newfoundland Party won 24 seats to only two for the Liberals.

Prime Minister (1932–1934)

The Alderdice government was unable to deal with the economic crisis and proposed a partial default on the dominion's debts. Britain and Canada (whose currency was shared by Newfoundland) agreed to give the dominion financial aid in exchange for the creation of an Imperial Royal Commission to investigate the dominion's future. The Commission recommended the suspension of responsible government and the institution of an appointed Commission of Government to rule the dominion.

Alderdice was pressured by the British to accept the recommendations without calling a new election or submitting the proposals to a referendum. Alderdice agreed and, at the end of 1933, the legislature voted to accept the recommendations and voted itself out of existence.

Commission of Government (1934–1936)

Alderdice was appointed to the Commission of Government when it was established in February 1934 and served as Commissioner for Home Affairs and Education in the new Commission of Government as well as Vice-Chairman until his death in 1936.

Death and state funeral

Alderdice died very suddenly on February 26, 1936, from a paralytic stroke. Alderdice's funeral was attended by thousands, esteemed members of societies, and other commission members. The procession started at his home on Rennie Mill Road and ended at St. Thomas' Church.

References