Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/141

 The Legislators ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 115 did their utmost to awaken the people to the great importance of the elections, and to the advisability of getting rid of "the incubus of nomineeism." " We are laying the foundations," remarked the Register, "of a new political and social state. We are deciding whether public opinion shall be taken as the source of legislative authority, or whether the people are yet to be held in the leading-strings of Imperial domination." The elections in most of the districts were held on September 20 and 21, in places amid scenes of disorder. At West Adelaide, where a popular candidate, Mr. J. H. Fisher, was defeated, mounted troopers had to rush with drawn swords into a crowd of partisans to disperse them. The new Council met on November i. Governor MacDonnell was in favor of a single chamber ; and, before the dissolution of the old Council, had issued " an elaborate outline " of a Constitution Bill, which did not receive a hearty welcome. He now declared that he would bow to the demands of the people, and introduced a more advanced measure. Even this was not popular, and was subjected to considerable amendment in committee. The Legislative Council decided to have two Chambers, both elective. The Upper House was to consist of 18 members, elected for 12 years by the whole Province as one constituency. Six members were to retire every four years ; the qualification for electors was fixed at a tenancy valued at ^25. The House of Assembly was to consist of 36 members, elected for three years by a certain number of districts divided on the basis of population. Manhood suffrage, with six months' registration, was declared ; all voting to be by ballot. There were to be five responsible Ministers, who were to be elected by the constituencies. Money Bills were to originate in the Assembly, and official appointments and dismissals were vested in the Ministry. No Governor's warrant for the payment of money was to be valid unless countersigned by the Chief Secretary. A Civil List was fixed, and the Constitution Bill in its amended form passed its third reading on January 2, 1856. Governor MacDonnell, in forwarding the measure to b'ngland, recommended that the royal assent should be given ; and on October 24, 1856, the new Constitution was returned unaltered, having received the assent of Her Majesty on June 24. Responsible government was proclaimed on the same day, as were the members of the first Ministry. Mr. B. T. Finniss, Colonial Secretary under the old rdgime, became first Premier and Chief Secretary; Mr. R. D. Hanson, Attorney-General; Mr. R. R. Torrens, Treasurer; Mr. A. H. Freeling, Commissioner of Public Works ; and Mr. C. Bonney, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration. By another proclamation, on the same day, the Crown vested in the colonial Legislature all the unsold and unappropriated territory of the Province. During the next few months the Ministry was engaged in establishing the State departments under the new system, and preparations were made for the elections, which were held on March 9, 1857. A public holiday was declared, and the proceedings were orderly throughout. There were 27 candidates for the 18 seats in the Legislative Council, and 62 for the 36 in the Assembly, nine candidates being unopposed. 12
 * ^50 freehold, ^10 per annum leasehold with three years to run or right of purchase, and