Citation : The Liberal-Conservatives were a political party that came to prominence in March of 1878. The party's origins can be traced back to the general election of 1876. While the Island’s political scene had been the mainstay of Liberals and Conservatives, these two traditional parties gave way to coalitions. The issue of public vs. sectarian schools, and the provincial government’s stance on the matter, reigned supreme, and polarized politicians and the Island into two groups based largely on religion: The Free School Coalition (Protestant Liberals, and some Conservative Liberals), and the Denominationalist Coalition (remaining Conservatives, and some Liberal Catholics). The “Free Schoolers” advocated for adherence to the Free Education Act (passed in 1855), and supported public/secular schools. The sitting Free School Coalition (Liberals) resigned in March of 1878, placing the Opposition party - which had morphed from the Denominationalists into the Liberal-Conservatives - in power, at which point a general election was called.
Citation : Source: Patriot - July 14 1877 to June 28 1879 (Microfilm @ Robertson Library, UPEI)
8 March 1879 p.2 col.5 - The Situation
13 March 1879 p.2 col.6-7 - After Many Days
3 April 1879 p.2 col.4 - Nomination Day
3 April 1879 p.3 col.4 - The Nominations
5 April 1879 p.2 col.1 - The Candidates
5 April 1879 p.3 col.4 - To the Free and Independent Electors of the Fourth District of Queens County
10 April 1879 p.2 cols.5-6 - The Result
10 April 1879 p.3 col.1 - The Result
26 April 1879 p.1 col.7 - To the Editor of the Patriot
Source: Examiner - December 16 1878 to June 25 1879 (Microfilm @ Robertson Library, UPEI)
10 April 1879, p.2 cols.1-2 “The Victory”; “The Contest and the Result”
