A.C. Rutherford: The Premier Of Confederation

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #6, 14504-108 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

July XVIth, MMXIV

Hon. Jeff Johnson, B. Ed., MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

Today Executive Dissertations continues its look at Alberta Premiers with our Ist Premier, Alexander Cameron (A.C.) Rutherford, Liberal. A.C. was sworn in on September IInd, MCMV (IInd, 1905)-May XXVIth, MCMX (26th, 1910.) It was announced that A.C. would be the first Premier effective the day of Confederation at High Noon on the Ist of September so he is credited as being "Acting Premier" for one day bIV being sworn in. It should also be noted that the Railway Scandal that brought down A.C. as leader never implicated him personally, unlike Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald, Conservative, who did take monies in MDCCCLXXIII (1873) from railways for assistance in his reelection bid.

- A.C. was big on education, he opened the University Of Alberta in Strathcona on the south side of the North Saskatchewan River. Strathcona being its own separate town at the time. A.C. was so respected by the U Of A, after serving as Premier he was later asked to be its Chancellor.

- A.C. was definitely an education supporter & he served in the capacity of Alberta's Ist Minister of Education (your current job Jeff) IV every single day he was Premier. Being born in Ormond, Ontario and being a lawyer by training, A.C. saw the value of educated minds making Alberta better.

- A.C. began his political career X (10) years earlier as an MLA in the territorial legislature of the North West Territories. Just like another great Liberal, Percy Wickman: A.C. didn't win a seat there until his IIIrd attempt. Thus proving the adage that if: "at first you don't succeed, try, try again!"

- A.C. was so respected the law library at the U Of A is named after him, as is an elementary school in Edmonton, & a Mount Rutherford in Jasper National Park. 

- A.C. with his legal knowledge set up Alberta's court system & established the first speed limits. He also established Edmonton as the Provincial Capital, which continues to gnaw at Calgarians to this day. CIX (One-Hundred & Nine) Years of municipal battles & they continue unabated.

Father Of II With His Good Wife Mattie,

Rory

Source: Rutherford House Provincial Historic Site.