Calgary town council, 1884-1895: a study of local government in a frontier environment

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dc.contributor.advisorKlassen, Henry C.
dc.contributor.authorForan, Max (Maxwell Laurence)
dc.coverage.spatial20000055en
dc.date.accessioned2005-07-19T21:19:32Z
dc.date.available2005-07-19T21:19:32Z
dc.date.issued1970
dc.descriptionBibliography: p. 139-148.en
dc.description.abstractThe following thesis examines the institution of government at the local level. Using data gleaned from city and other records, personal papers, official reports, minute books and the newspaper files, this study of local government in Calgary's first ten years of civic existence, 1884-1895, attempts to analyse the structure and policies of the town Council, and establish parameters with which this body may be assessed as fulfilling the role for which it was legally constituted. In this respect, the concept of Council as a representative, decision-making corporate entity is abstracted from ordinance as embodying the ideal of local government in late nineteenthcentury society. The fact that local government was forced to operate in a frontier environment is seen as placing fundamental limitations on the successful implementation of its policies. On the other hand it was the urban nature of the young town which decreed that local government at least attempt to transcend these deficiencies. In reacting to these two opposing forces, Calgary's town Councils followed understandable, even predictable patterns of behaviour. Firstly, local government in Calgary passed quickly into the hands of an elitist group which pursued policies in its own interests. Control of civic office was tightened in spite of democratic provisions, and the presence of an electorate which initially had shown marked interest in civic affairs. Furthermore, being basically concerned with matters that would contribute materially to the town's economic growth, this body evinced little interest in legislating or promulgating social leadership. Secondly, the Council did not function as a decision-making body, but was subject to vagaries, dissension, indecision, individual dominance, and outside influence. The elitist nature, combined with the absence of social leadership, and Council solidarity are seen as the major factors mitigating against any meaningful concept of local government as a representative, decision-making, corporate entity. Finally, local government derived its chief credence for being a vehicle of popular consensus through its role as promoter and guardian of town interests. In this, Council was most effective when entrepreneurial types dominated, and in Calgary's case a vital function is posited for that type of individual whose limitations bound him most securely to civic office. At its widest frame of reference the following thesis represents an approach to the study of a particular local government in its formative years. As a consequence, the delineation of criteria by which the viability of an infant and circumscribed institution can be projected, provides the overall historical thrust of this study.
dc.format.extentvii, 153 leaves ; 30 cm.en
dc.identifier82481562en
dc.identifier.citationForan, M. M. (1970). Calgary town council, 1884-1895: a study of local government in a frontier environment (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/19645en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/19645
dc.identifier.lccJC 1731 F65 1970en
dc.identifier.other82481562en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/14902
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.publisher.placeCalgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.
dc.subject.lccJC 1731 F65 1970en
dc.subject.lcshMunicipal government - Alberta - Calgary
dc.subject.lcshCalgary (Alta.) - Politics and government
dc.titleCalgary town council, 1884-1895: a study of local government in a frontier environment
dc.typemaster thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineHistory
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Arts (MA)
ucalgary.item.requestcopyTRUE
ucalgary.thesis.accessionTheses Collection 58.002:Box 82 82481562
ucalgary.thesis.notesPLen
ucalgary.thesis.uarcreleasenoen
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