Journals of the Legislative Council of the Island of Newfoundland: title changes, 1855-1935: n.a., 1855-, St. Johns. Var. GovPr., 1855-1936. (The
first appointed Governor of Newfoundland took residence in 1728. Almost a century later, in 1825, a nominated Council was appointed. In 1832 the
constitution was expanded to include nominated Executive and Legislative Councils, and an elective Assembly. The initial Assembly had 15 members, chosen by
universal, male, household suffrage. Newfoundland received responsible self-government in 1855, the same year in which that privilege was granted to
New South Wales and Victoria. Under the new constitution, the Governor was appointed by the Crown for a term which usually ran about five years. The
Legislative Council was comprised of 15 nominated members, appointed for life on good behavior. The House of Assembly was comprised of 36 members,
elected under universal manhood suffrage; women being finally enfranchised in 1925. In 1935, with the colony’s finances in disarray, the constitution was
suspended, and for fourteen years the colony was administered by a “Commission of Government,” composed of six members, three from Newfoundland and
three appointed from Great Britain. The “Governor in Commission” administered Colony affairs, reporting only to the Secretary of State for Dominion
Affairs. This unique constitutional regime lasted until 1949, when Newfoundland voted for confederation with Canada. In the new dispensation, the
legislature was made unicameral, and so the Legislative Council ceased to exist as of 1935.)
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