Timothy Warren Anglin - Definition and Overview

Timothy Warren Anglin (born August 31, 1822 in Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland. Died May 4, 1896)

Anglin left Ireland at the age of 26 as part of the exodus caused by the Irish Potato Famine. Following a sectarian riot in New Brunswick between members of the Orange Order and Catholics, Anglin appealed for moderation and unity. This led him to take up the editorship of a new newspaper, the Freeman, which made him an influential voice in the colony. He was elected to New Brunswick's legislative assembly in 1861 and became an opponent of Canadian Confederation and of the government of Samuel Leonard Tilley which he helped defeat in 1865. Tilley returned to power the next year, however, with the defeat of the Anti-Confederation Party in the election. Anglin lost his own seat.

New Brunswick entered Confederation as a province in 1867 and Anglin won a seat in the new Canadian House of Commons as a Liberal MP for the riding of Gloucester in the country's first general election.

When the Liberals came to power in the 1874 Canadian election, the new Prime Minister of Canada, Alexander Mackenzie, nominated Anglin as Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons.

Anglin's term as Speaker was controversial. The Speaker is expected to act in a non-partisan manner and be above politics yet Anglin used his rulings as Speaker as opportunities to enter into partisan debate. Even more troubling to the opposition was the fact that he retained his position as editor of a partisan newspaper during his term as Speaker and used his position to write editorials berating the Opposition. Especially controversial was the fact that his newspaper was given government printing contracts. Anglin was accused of violating the Independence of Parliament Act for accepting government printing contracts and was censured by the House of Commons Committee on Privilege in 1887. Anglin was forced to resign as Speaker and as an MP but was re-elected to the House of Commons in the by-election that was held to fill his seat and was successfully renominated by Mackenzie to the position of Speaker.

Anglin's period as Speaker ended with the 1878 Canadian election that defeated the Liberal government. He remained in the House of Commons until he lost his seat in the 1882 Canadian election. Following his defeat, Anglin moved to Toronto and became editor of the Toronto Tribune. In the 1887 Canadian election he was defeated in his bid to win a seat from the Ontario riding of Simcoe North.