Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/134

 I08 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY The Legislators Governor of South Australia. Sir Charles had no occasion to exercise the functions thus vested in him, but as early as 1850, an Australian conference was held — the beginning of united action — to protest against the continuance of transportation to any Australian colony. The Act to provide for a representative Legislative Council in South Australia was hailed with pleasure by the people, who characterised it as "wise, liberal, and comprehensive." In the Legislative Council Mr. J. Morphett carried resolutions affirming that there should be government by a Governor and two Chambers, the upper of which should be composed of hereditary members nominated by Her Majesty, the second of members elected by the people. The colonists were determined to take full advantage of their new powers, and for months before the Constitution actually arrived, evinced considerable activity in canvassing the views of possible candidates, and in advancing their particular theories. Associations and leagues were formed, their policies declaring for universal suffrage, vote by ballot, and no nominee members ; one went so far as to advocate annual elections. Democratic sentiment was vigorous, and the " South Australian Political Association " exerted a particularly powerful inHuence. The new Constitution arrived in the Province on January 16, 1851, in the ship j-lsceiidaiit, and Mr. George Life Angas came in the same vessel to take up his residence in South Australia. Since the foundation he had been laboring actively for South Australia in interviews with the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in the management of the South Australian Company, in correcting injurious reports concerning the Province, in advocating its attractions, in supporting it during its time of depression, and in agitating for a more popular system of government. An application was made to the Secretary of State for the Colonies to permit him to convey the new Constitution to the Province, but, on the ground that such a method of transmission was contrary to precedent, the honor, which would have been appropriate and was well deserved, was denied him. A clerk from the Colonial Office was instructed to deliver the package containing the important document to the captain of the Ascendant. " But he had gone ashore," says Hodder, "and as the ship was on the point of sailing, the clerk, either through negligence or from not understanding the importance of the papers with which he was entrusted, gave the package to a steward who, being very busy, thrust it into the nearest place of safety. . . . On arrival in Adelaide the proper authorities came on board to demand the Constitution and receive it with due honor, for advices from England had informed them that it would arrive in the Ascendant. The captain, of course, protested that he had seen nothing of it, and there was a great hue and cry for the lost Constitution, until one day shortly after, in turning out the captain's soiled linen for the laundress, it was found, to the great amusement of every one, at the bottom of the bag, where the steward had hurriedly placed it for security." 'I he new Constitution was proclaimed on January 20, 185 1, and on July 2 the elections began. The excitement became more acute as the day approached, and among