Page "George William Ross" Paragraph 4

After Mowat's retirement as Premier, and a short interregnum by Arthur S. Hardy, Ross became Premier ( and Provincial Treasurer ) on October 21, 1899.

The Liberal government was tired, however, after almost thirty years in office, and Ross could do little to revive its fortunes.

In the provincial election of 1902, the Liberal majority was cut to five seats, but at a time when parties lacked the discipline over their members they would later develop, five seats was not enough for a secure government.

A vote-buying scandal based on allegations brought forward by Robert Roswell Gamey engulfed the government, and demands for prohibition split the party.

Leading a stagnating and drifting government, Ross called an election for January 25, 1905, in which the Liberals lost twenty-two seats and the Conservatives under James P. Whitney won sixty-nine, making Whitney the new Premier.