Hon. J.C. Pope (Courtesy of Public Archives of P.E.I.)

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Will the Irishmen degrade themselves so far to show they have not pluck enough to vote according to their cons- cience, in despite of threats or arrears of rent . . . . If they

prefer Slavery, Disgrace and Religious Intolerance they will vote for Mr. Pope. BUT NO!! THEY NEVER WILL. 2 7

Mr. Pope won the election by approximately one hundred votes. Results of the voting in both townships were as follows.

W.W. Lord J.C. Pope28

Township 26: 79 91 Township 27: 134 87

While it is not possible to know exactly how the Irishmen voted, since Mr. Lord was supported by a number of people in the Kinkora area, Mr. Pope probably received few if any of the Catholic votes. This is supported by a remark made later by Mr. Pope in which he express- ed admiration for the “independent spirit” of his tenants whom he knew did not vote for him.29 Support for the Liberals in these five communities would continue strong until the 18705.

Besides the school, the church and the political parties, two other institutions rounded out the social structure of those early communities. The local tavern, usually a room in someone’s home, served as a place to gather to hear the news, and discuss work and social issues, as well as to relax. At least three licensed taverns existed along the Anderson Road in the Kinkora area during the 18405.30 There were many restrictions on such places; for example, card games, throwing dice, shuffle board and skittles (ninepins) were all considered “disorderly conduct?31 But that they were allowed to exist at all is the wonder, considering the strict moral code in effect at the time, such as the Lord’s Day Act, which not only forbade work and business on Sun—