Richard Squires
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The Right Honourable Sir Richard Squires KCMG |
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|---|---|
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| 5th Prime Minister of Newfoundland | |
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In office November 17, 1919 – July 24, 1923 |
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| Monarch | George V |
| Governor |
Charles Alexander Harris William Allardyce |
| Preceded by | Sir Michael Patrick Cashin |
| Succeeded by | William Warren |
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In office November 17, 1928 – June 11, 1932 |
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| Monarch | George V |
| Governor | John Middleton |
| Preceded by | Sir Frederick C. Alderdice |
| Succeeded by | Sir Frederick C. Alderdice |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
18 January 1880 Harbour Grace, Newfoundland |
| Died | 26 March 1940 (aged 60) St. John's, Newfoundland |
| Political party | Liberal Party |
| Spouse(s) | Helena Squires |
Sir Richard Anderson Squires KCMG (January 18, 1880 – March 26, 1940) was the Prime Minister of the Dominion of Newfoundland from 1919 to 1923 and from 1928 to 1932.
Squires was born in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland in 1880. He started out practising law in St. John's. He served as a member in the government of Edward Patrick Morris from 1913 to 1918. In 1919, Squires started a campaign for the vacant leadership of the Liberal Party. He won the leadership over William Warren.
Squires won the election of 1919 over Sir Michael Cashin of the Newfoundland People's Party (later called the Liberal-Labour-Progressive Party). He did this by forming an alliance with the Fisherman's Protective Union of William Coaker under the name of the Liberal Reform Party.
During his first administration, Squires started the development of the Humber River. He also attempted many reforms suggested by Coaker. These reforms would have regulated the fishery but failed because of a collapse in fish prices which was blamed on Coaker's reforms.
Squires's government attempted to diversify the economy and, to this end, financially assisted the failing transinsular railway operated by the Reid Newfoundland Company, finally nationalizing the railway in 1923.
Squires's government was accused of using bribes to win the 1923 General Election. A cabinet minister Dr. Alex A. Campbell was in the centre of the scandal. Several other cabinet members demanded Campbell be forced to resign. When Squires refused they said they would cross the floor. The Attorney General William Warren issued an arrest warrant for Squires. Squires was arrested and later released on bond. He then resigned as Prime Minister.
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Wikipedia