Politics and Family Ties, 1876-80

• Author: C. Ian Kyer
• Pages: 47-61



M C hapter N

POLITICS AND FAMILY TIES,



P rolein restructur ingthe rmin themidsWhen

the rm wasfounded more than a dozenyears before Conservativeshad

been prominent in the politics of Upper Canada, even if not in power.

PremierJohn SandeldMacdonald mayhavebeen a Reformerbuthe was

more at home with the Conservative John A. Macdonald than with George

Brown and the western Grits. After Confederation the two entered into a n

alliance of sorts: John A. Macdonald’s leadership of the new national govern

mentwas paired wit hJohn Sa ndeldMacdonaldsleadership in Ontario

Thiswas goodnewsforBeay andChadwicka ndfortheir clientsWillia m

Gooderham and James Gooderham Worts. All were lifelong Conservative

supporters. They formed as Beays brother Joe wouldlater wr iteto Sir

JohnAtheGooderhamWortsBeayToryfaction

Beaydid nottake anyactiveroleinpol iticsHenever ranforp olitical

oceor campaignedfor those whodid Neverthelesshe was atrue blue

Conser vative.”

 At times he carried his Cons ervative politics to a laughable

extentWheninterviewedbythepressyearslaterLoyBeayremarked

Ono neocc asion   MrBeay was in London England and wenti ntoa

shop to purchase a travelli ng bag. When the salesman ca me back with the

changefrom thepurc hasemoneyh eremarkedt hatMrBeayhad selected

averyhandsome Gladstonebagasthest ylewascalledW henMrBeay