Remember This? The Minnie M. and Operation Bush Poll

This week, the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library tells us about a scandal that saw a Liberal MPP unseated, and a young American lumberjack in trouble with his father.

The steamer Minnie M normally transported travellers to Kensington, Batchawana and St. Joseph Island, but in 1903 this ship was used for a more scandalous purpose, a voting scandal to be more precise, which became known as Operation Bush Poll.

The Liberal candidate, C.N. Smith had run unsuccessfully in the 1902 election but he ran again in a by-election that was required for Algoma East in 1903. 

The day before the 1903 provincial election the Minnie M. was loaded with provisions. 

The steamer crossed to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and docked at the Union Dock. 

Six or seven barrels of beer and one barrel of whiskey and a quantity of cigars were loaded onto the Minnie M.  

Once they passed through the American locks the next stop was a suburb of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan called Algonquin where they picked up approximately 20 lumberjacks and set out for Batchawana. 

These American lumberjacks had been promised a free cruise and alcohol in exchange for their vote.  

At Batchawana the returning officer was offered new clothing if he allowed the men to vote but the unscheduled arrival in Batchawana of the Conservative scrutineer prevented them from voting. 

The Minnie M continued on to Michipicoten and the lumberjacks were transported by the Algoma Central Railway to the Helen Mine. 

Each of the lumberjacks was provided with the name of a deceased or absentee voter and instructed to vote for C.N. Smith. 

They had to swear on the Bible that they had worked for the Helen Mine for three years and were entitled to vote. 

When some of them objected to making these false statements they were assured that it was a “false” Bible so it was alright to go ahead with their declaration! 

Once they completed their task they were provided with dinner and liquor and brought back to Michipicoten Mission to repeat the fraud. 

The men were paid $2 in addition to the boat ride, food and liquor for their part in the voting scheme. 

C.N. Smith was elected to the Algoma East seat in provincial legislature.   

Of course, upon their return these lumberjacks talked about their experiences and word reached the ears of the Conservative opposition. 

In addition, a year later an American youth had been part of the voting scandal and his father demanded that he go to court to clear his name. 

On August 30th, 1904, a petition was filed at Osgoode Hall in Toronto to have C.N. Smith unseated. 

Operation Bush Poll, the largest voting scandal in the history of the province at that time was easily proven since at least three of the voters confirmed that they had not been present and one voter was dead.

The Liberal member, C.N Smith was disqualified from political office, however this episode in politics has continued to be the most novel way of “getting out the vote."     

Find out more of what the Public Library has to offer at www.ssmpl.ca and look for more Remember This? columns here.