"Carbonearism became a term used to describe the politics of the early 19th century in the Newfoundland town of Carbonear. The 1840 election was rendered abortive “by the ferocious conduct of a mob at Carbonear.” Rowdyism at elections was, indeed, known for a time in Newfoundland as “Carbonearism,” for it was at Carbonear that rioting occurred with regularity."
from Edmund Hanrahan
"HANRAHAN, EDMUND, politician and public servant; b. in 1802 at Carbonear, Nfld.; d. at Ferryland, Nfld., on 6 Feb. or 13 Feb. 1875.
Edmund Hanrahan, a man of “humble origins,” entered Newfoundland politics in December 1840 by contesting a by-election in Conception Bay. Both Hanrahan and his opponent, James Luke Prendergast, were Roman Catholics; Prendergast was backed by the Protestant merchants including John Munn, and Hanrahan was actively supported by the Roman Catholic clergy. The election was rendered abortive “by the ferocious conduct of a mob at Carbonear.” Rowdyism at elections was, indeed, known for a time in Newfoundland as “Carbonearism,” for it was at Carbonear that rioting occurred with regularity. Hanrahan was returned for Conception Bay in the general elections of 1842, 1848, and 1852; and, following the 1854 sub-division of districts, for Carbonear in 1855, 1859, and 1861. In the House of Assembly he was among the more radical of the Liberals and after 1850 supported Philip Francis Little* in the struggle for responsible government.
In 1855, on the introduction of responsible government, he was appointed to Little’s cabinet as surveyor general. After Little’s retirement, Hanrahan was continued in John Kent’s cabinet until its dismissal by Governor Alexander Bannerman* in 1861. The weak and divided Liberal party lost the general election in May 1861. Although Hanrahan was re-elected as a Liberal for Carbonear, where there was again violence, he accepted the appointment of acting appraiser to the General Water Company from the Conservative government of Hugh Hoyles*. Hanrahan’s resignation from his House of Assembly seat caused a by-election in Carbonear in November 1862 in which, for the first time in more than 20 years, a Conservative candidate, John Rorke*, was elected. The following year Hoyles rewarded Hanrahan with the appointment of stipendiary magistrate at Ferryland, necessitating the retirement of the incumbent Peter Winser. The Liberal Record reported that “Hanrahan sold Carbonear . . . at the expense of an honest man . . . Peter Winser.” In 1872 Hanrahan was elevated to the position of sheriff of the Southern District.
Hanrahan was married and the father of an apparently large family; four sons died young. After Hanrahan’s death his widow Mary unsuccessfully petitioned the assembly for a pension in consideration of her husband’s long service."
PANL, Newfoundland, Executive Council, Minutes, 1 March 1862. Newfoundland, Blue Books, 1842–74 (copies in PANL); House of Assembly, Journals, 1863, 8, 931. Courier (St John’s), 20 March, 25, 29 Oct. 1862. Newfoundlander (St John’s), 18 Oct. 1872, 17 Jan. 1873, 26 Feb. 1875. Newfoundland Patriot (St John’s), 27 Feb 1875. Pilot (St John’s), 8, 22 Jan. 1853. Public Ledger (St John’s), 30 Oct., 14 Nov., 15 Dec. 1840; 28 Jan. 1862. Record (St John’s), 8 March 1862, 15 Dec. 1863. Times and General Commercial Gazette (St John’s), 4 Jan. 1843. E. A. Wells, “The struggle for responsible government in Newfoundland, 1846–1855,” unpublished ma thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1966.
MORE
The Harbor Grace Standard and Conception Bay Advertiser
Nov. 2, 1878
REQUISITION:
To John RORKE, Esq.,
Sir, -
We, the undersigned Electors of Carbonear, beg most respectfully to
request
that you will again allow yourself to be put in nomination at the
approaching election to represent this district in the General Assembly of
the Island.
Your long and faithful services of sixteen years as our member, and your
large experience of the wants and general trade of the country, and what
will be most conducive to its welfare, inspire us with confidence that our
interests will be safe in our hand, and that you will continue to advocate
measures promotive of its best interest.
Should you consent to meet our wishes, we beg to assure you our best
exertions shall be used to secure your return.
W.H. HOYLES
Douglas TAYLOR
Rev. S. FLYNN, C.C.
M. W. FORWARD
John GOODISON
Philip VATCHER
Roland M. NELSON, M.D. John CLARKE
W.P. TAYLOR
Joseph HISCOCK
Robert JOYCE
Robert MARSHALL
B.T.H. GOULD
Thomas WOODS
William DUFF
James GOFF
John WINSOR
Robert MOORE
Stephen B. PIKE
George DEAN
Wm. JOYCE
Thomas MALONE
H. PENNEY
John RYALL
J. Thos. MURRIAH
George CROCKER
John PEARCE
Thomas MALONE
John FOOTE
Maurice MALONE
James GUY
James BERRIGAN
William GUY
James FOOTE
R. McCARTHY
George A. NICHOLE
Matthew POWER
Arthur THOMEY
A.H. FORWARD
George GORDON
E.T. BEMISTER
John MALONE
E.S. PIKE
George SOPER
Nicholas NICHOLE, P.M. William SOPER
W.T. GOULD
John COLFORD
George WINSOR
Hugh HORWOOD
Philip SAUNDERS
Nathaniel SOPER
Matthew McFREE
Edward CAHILL
Frederick ROWE
John NOEL
Samuel MOORE
John JOHNSON
Thomas DEAN
Mark PIKE
Horatio HOWELL
John LYTE
George E. TAYLOR
Moses FRINGE
Michael GOULD
Henry CAREW
Thomas CULLEN
R.H. TAYLOR
James KEOUGH
William TAYLOR
Thomas GOFF
Reuben VATCHER
Patrick HOGAN
Nicholas CLARK
James FORWARD
James CLARK
Michael KEARNEY
John KENNEDY
Richard FORSEY
Henry HAMILTON
Mark OATES
Peter McBAY
Ambrose TUCKER
John GILES
George E. JOYCE
Solomon DEAN
John PENNEY
Robert PENNEY
Carbonear, Oct. 28th 1878
REPLY:
TO THE DEPUTATION PRESENTING THIS REQUISITION:
Gentlemen, -
Allow me to express to you my earnest thanks for your very kind and most
influentially signed Requisition to allow myself to be put in nomination as
a Candidate to again represent you in the General Assembly of this Island.
After a sixteen years' service as your Representative and at my advanced
time of life, I had looked for the repose of domestic quietude; but it
would be acting contrary to my best feelings were I to refuse compliance
with this your very flattering invitation. It is an honor that I duly
estimate; and if I shall again be returned as your member, I can only say,
that all measures coming before the legislature, tending to the general
benefit of the country, shall as ever, have my most disinterested and best
support.
Gentlemen, a rumor has come to my hearing, that it is my intention, should I
be returned as your member, and should the present Government be
stabilitated in office to resign my membership, after a session or some
short period. This would be a course which, in my estimation , would be
both dishonorable and dishonest, and one which I never for a moment
contemplated; but if spared in health and strength shall serve to the end,
unless you should otherwise desire it. It is very true that I am, as I
hitherto have been, a supporter of the present Government and will continue
so to be, either in office or in Opposition, as the result of the
approaching Elections may determine, and so long as I believe they advocate
measures that will be acceptable to the people generally.
I remain,
Gentlemen,
Yours very faithfully,
John RORKE,
Carbonear, Oct. 30th, 1878
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transcribed by
Sue O'Neill