Edmond Barton

Born at Glebe in Sydney on 18 January 1849, Barton was the son of an English accountant and a mother who was unusually educated for those days. Young Barton, Nicknamed ‘Toby’ from his earliest school days and because of his great taste for strong liquor, was an excellent student. He won various prizes and a scholarship in his big progress through Sydney schools and the university of Sydney. He graduated with honors in classics in 1868 and as MA in 1870.

In 1871, he founded a successful legal practice and, like many, another lawyer soon became interested in politics. Elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly in 1879, he became the youngest ever speaker of the house at the age of only 34. For four years, he led with tack and humor over an often-unruly Assembly.

During his early parliamentary career, the long- debated issue of Ffederation became an increasingly heated subject in the political arenas of Australia. The question was whether Australia should remain a loose collection of six colonies, which might evolve into six separate nations, or whether they should submerge their doubts and jealousies and federate into a single nation. Arguments for and against federation raged in pubs and clubs, and in shearing sheds and colonial parliaments. Most Australians were ardent supporters of one side or the other.

Barton was convinced the that federation was the key to Australia’s future as a nation. He Aallied himself to the federalists led by Sir Henry Parkes. When Parkes retied from politics in 1891, Barton had been such a vigorous campaigner for the cause that he was the natural successor to the old man.

Barton had found the mission, which lifted him out of the ruck of colonial politicians. For ten years he devoted himself physically and intellectually to federate, in a way which made nonsense of his enemies sneers about his laziness. He inspired the information of the Australasian federation league, which played a vital role in mounding public opinion. In those days of arduous travel, he stumped the country to deliver almost 300 speeches at the league meetings throughout NSW. At Ashfield, he encapsulated the federation movement in the words; “for the first time in history, we have a nation for a continent for a nation.

Undiscouraged by parliamentary rejection of the first Constitution Bill, he and his colleagues fought to keep the movement alive. In 1897, as leader of the federal Convention, he led over the Constitution bill but saw it lose in a nation referendum. In 1899 his friend had to rally to pay depts. And educate his six children as well but his supporters thought he was a devoted husband and farther.

Once more, Barton argued through the clauses of a constitution Bill that would be acceptable to Australians. The Bill had to cover innumerable explosive issues, including the location of a federal capital, but it was at last accepted to Australia. Barton and his colleagues then had to negotiate through the West Minister Parliament. On 9 July 1900. Queen Victoria agreed to the ACT, which established the Commonwealth of Australia.

But Lord hopetoun, the first Governor General, astounded Barton supporters by a decision that the premier of NSW, the premier state, should be the first Prime Minister of the Commonwealth. So many senior politicians rebelled that Hopetoun had to commission Barton instead.

Barton led the Protectionist party, which started to tackle the problems of Australia defence, creation of courts to adjudicate on the Constitution and on industrial relations. A unified tariff system and the introduce of the white Australian policy being demanded by many Australians. But Barton himself was weary, worried about his health and deeply in dept. He tended to leave much of his work to others, until he resigned from Parliament to become a senior puisne judge in the new high court. He continued to be a respected public figure until his death in1920.

http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5557/barton.html

Rhys, this is an excellent account of Barton and the beginnings of our Federation. Do you think this kind of marking would be OK for the rest of your work, or would you prefer another method. You included the reference too, which was appreciated. You are continuing to provide work of a high standard. Well done. JG