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125th Anniversary Supplement of The Canadian Statesman, October 3, 1979 Staff of Te Canadian Statesman in June 1958 Former Canadian Statesman Employees Mrs. R. Gibson zk-1 ýý>II% Country Correspondent Clarence "Porky" Osborne Liberal Celebration Follows Victory in 1949 Bowmanvilie really came to life on Monday. It's liard to say at what time the excitement really started, For some, it hasn't stop- ed since the announcement was made by tne Prime Minister that there wouid lie a Dominion elect- ion June 27. Others didn't show any life until the polis opened at 9 o'clock Monday morning. Al day there were smali groups assembled at every corner on the main street with many an aspir- ing soap box orator expounding his pet political theories in true demnocratie style. However it wasn't until 7 o'clock Monday evening that the excitement really started roiling. Cars began to congregate on both sides of the main street. The committee rooms of both parties began, quickly filling up. AI- thougli the whloe town seemed to flock to King St., many stayed at home with ears glued to the radio foliowing reports of election returns. About 8 o'clock cheers were heard coming from the Liberal rooms. Siowly returns were com- ing in that put John James out in front and the hopes of ail his sup- porters were beginning to soar. Within an hour returos appeared even .more promising for the Lib- erals of the cotistituency and plans were begun for a monster celebration to take place as soon as it was a sure victory. The loudspeaker kept roaring out returns that were getting bet- ter ail the time and the instruc- tions were giveni to load the cars and start for Port Hope. About 35 cars tooting horns with excited people yelling exuitingiy to let Port Hopers know that Durham County had more than one*town People jammed around thE Liberais Rooms in Port Hope as Mr. James was lianded a micro- phone apd macle bis first speech as Federal Representative for Durham County. The words that reaily caught the hearts of the Port Hope people were flot the expression of thanks, but Mr. James stating that bis victory was not a personai defeat of Progres- sive Conservative Chas. Stephen- son, but rather bis defeat as a representative of George Drew. It was flot difficit to conclucie fromn the -immediate ovation that Charlie Sephenson is stili consid- ered tops as a man and weli likeci by evcrybody. Mr. Stephenson showed himself to be a great sportsman, by going to the Liber- ai rooms liere for the express pur.- pose to shake John James hand, congratulate him andi wisti him the best of luck in the future. The return toBowmanviile was iiterally the return of the trium- phant warrior. Crowds biocked front street from the Liberal rooms to the Balmoral Hotel. Two buses haci followed the procession fromn Port Hope. ln one of the buses was the Sea Cadet's Bugle Band and they took over the musi- cal part of the celebration when the Orono musicians became wea- ry. When the new representative reached Bowmanville, accompan- ied by Roy Nichols in bis auto, he was hoisted onto the shoulciers of two local staiwarts and carriecl in front of a cbeering parade clown to bis own stamping groundis, The Canadian States- man. In orcier to lie seen andi heard lie gave bis speech from a second floor window. It was in this speech that lie paid tribute to bis wife wliom lie said reaily took the brunt of bis campaign. Afterpictures were taken, Mr. James returneci to King and Divi- sion Streets and was calieci on to speak over the lourispeaker. At this point, the crowd realiy let go. Mr. James tolcl the crowd that this was the first time in 50 years that Bowmanviile liaclbacl a rep- resentative in the Bouse of Com- nions. A laugli passeci over tlie whole crowd wben the successfol candidate stated that lie diint know by bow many votes lie had won, but just like at school lie cicln't -Worry about lionours as long as lie passed.. Throughout the wliole celebra- tion there was a strong feeling running tbr ougb the jubilant crowd that couici have been sens- ed even by outsiders. From the faces of ail coulcl le seen the proud glow that almost spoke in itseif, "We know Johnny James- he's our boy." Monclay night was a perfect example of "the home- town boy makes gooci" andi the whoie town was bursting at the seams with priclo. It is-a bard task Io find out who wils the orc tpe'rsan t(> ca.st ai vote in Bowmanlvi le, bt l'vMr. Robt. Fry sliofId lhave aia cx-ei len1t chiance of claimiiig ihat lionatir. -Mr. Fry is 84 ycars olci ai came ag~ the way froni Canipheilford to exeÉcise bis -franchise. By ail r,7- ports Mr. Fry is a real Liberal and probably feels now that the trip was well worthwhile. We would be willing to bet that Mrs. N. S. B. James was one o0f the proudest mothers in Canada, Monclay night and why not- S.et. Marys kows On tarjo... after ail, we1 grew up together' ST. MARYS CEMENT COMPANY, HEAD OFFICE 2200 YONGE STREET, TORONTO MJLLS AT ST. MARYS AND BOWMANVILLE. là; !il ili! ý IINam Rimmm