¹ This particular document, originally undated, was assigned the date April 17, 1943, for classification purposes. Tom made his very late entrance into the Liberal Convention in Ontario that would determine who would be the next leader of the provincial party. The Liberals had not yet dissociated their federal and provincial organizations as the Tories had already done, so federal politicians could directly influence the structure of the provincial party, and Tom had made an enemy of the prime minister. On April 30th the delegates (many with ties to the federal Liberal party) elected Harry Nixon, who received 418 out of the nearly 600 votes. Tom received only 49 votes [Best, 170]. It is very likely that Tom's support of the previous Ontario premier, Mitchell Hepburn, cost him the support he needed to become premier himself.

Hepburn had rejuvenated the provincial party's image after becoming party leader in 1930 even though he was a backbencher in the federal party at the time and had no seat in the provincial legislature. In the 1934 election, the Liberals defeated the Tories to become the governing party in the province. Hepburn won his riding and promptly invited Tom to become a member of his cabinet.

Prime Minister King initially thought Hepburn possessed great potential, but believed his relatively young age made him prone to the temptations of women and alcohol and, hence, someone to be watched. King's opinion of Hepburn vacillated, and in his diary sometimes describes him as "promising," at other times as lacking judgement and a potential troublemaker. He was not alone in this opinion however as even Hepburn's friends were concerned that his drinking and furious outbursts would create difficulties [Saywell, 64].

On the other hand, King was rather impressed with Tom, but this would change. In 1940, Hepburn put forth a resolution condemning King's perceived lack of action with regards to the war, a position on which both he and then Tory Leader George Drew, agreed. On January 18th, the matter came to a head when Hepburn spoke in the provincial parliament, saying "I stand firm in my statements that Mackenzie King has not done his duty to his country--never has a never will." He then proceeded to read out the following resolution:

That this House has heard with interest the reports made by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition of the result of their visit to Ottawa to discuss war measures with the National Government and this House hereby endorses the statements made by the two members in question and joins with them in regretting that the Federal Government at Ottawa has made so little effort to prosecute Canada's duty in the war in the vigorous manner the people of Canada desire to see. [Saywell, 437]

When Harry Nixon refused to second the resolution, Hepburn handed it to Tom and reportedly said "Here, you are the President of the Liberal Association, second this" [Saywell, 438]. Tom obliged, infuriating King. Tom's continued support of Hepburn likely fanned the flames until the convention was held and the vote went to Nixon, who lasted only three months as Premier before the provincial election on August 4th, 1943. The Liberals retained only 15 seats in the legislature and Tom's was not one of them.

While Tom retained his non-political positions, his political difficulties were not yet over. George Drew, who was now the Conservative Premier, had Tom's construction efforts at Niagara Falls audited, but found no blame. In May 1944, Drew forced Tom out of his position as Chairman of the Niagara Parks Commission, informing him that because of the committee's interaction with government departments, the position would now to go to a member of the government (Conservative) [W-MCP7-1.148].

A few years later, Tom found himself at loggerheads with King. Starting in 1941 Tom oversaw the construction of the carillon tower at Niagara Falls, and had requested that the largest bell be inscribed with a statement praising the wartime efforts of "our Nations' Leaders" Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt (Box 14-122). King's name had been completely omitted, a fact King did not discover until May 1947 when the Niagara Bridge Commission applied for a refund on the tariff paid to have the bells imported from Britain. Tom refused to remove Churchill's name from the inscription, and the bells were kept locked up and out of sight until 1975. Tom died of cancer in 1948; consequently, he never heard the bells ring.

Best, John C. Thomas Baker McQuesten: Public Works, Politics and Imagination. Hamilton On: Corinth Press (1991)

The Diaries of William Lyon Mackenzie King: http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/king/001059-130-e.html#a

Saywell, John T. Just Call Me Mitch: The Life of Mitchell F. Hepburn. Toronto On: University of Toronto Press (1991)

² One page of W.L.M. Mackenzie King's Diary dated October 21, 1921, sent to Mary Anderson by e-mail by John Best, Owner & Editor of the Bay Observer newspaper, on August 23, 2013, with a note that it contains a message that W.L.M.King had met McQuestion [sic], likely, Thomas Baker McQuesten. It also contains mention of Thomas McQuesten's father (Isaac McQuesten) as being the best man for W.L.M. King's father's wedding which took place at Niagara-on-the-Lake. Thomas McQuesten did work to preserve W.L. Mackenzie's house and printing press at Niagara-on-the-Lake since it was the house where W.L.M. King's father had proposed to W.L. Mackenzie's daughter. So it creates a greater reason for Tom to try to preserve the history of Mackenzie and the Rebellion on the arch at Niagara. Eventually, the emblems on the arch and the controversey over the Carillon Tower did make W.L.M. King angry.
John Best notes that King senior was a law prof at U of T. He was not very successful in the actual practice of law.
See bolded sentence below for mention of "McQuestion" [McQuesten].

G3558. 112
Sunday, October 2, 1921 (Cont'd)
(Handwritten--p.275)
singing these hymns. Back to car at midnight.
Monday, October 3, 1921
(Handwritten--p.276)

I woke about 9 this a.m., slept only moderately well, rested till 10:30, had breakfast at Midleton and lunch at Digby on arrival at 2. Spent part of the morning dictating, Beaudry with the best of intentions is a poor secretary, too slow, too little knowledge of political affairs or people, too ready to give offhand and often inaccurate opinions. It is a great handicap having poor assistance. Nicol does his job splendidly. I greatly enjoyed the scenery of the country through which we passed, it is like northern Italy, the sea which flows in over the fields, the dykes, the valley of the Annapolis with its historic and romantic associations are a delight to the sojourner. I have seen nothing lovelier anywhere than all this southern portion of Nova Scotia. After reaching Digby we were taken for a drive by Dr. Lovett, the local candidate, whom I think will win, then I went to the car & did a little sorting of papers, then walked to the hotel, went to bed for an hour's rest, fell sound asleep, had bath & supper in my room, then to the meeting in the skating rink, with Mr. Fielding & Dr. Beland. The rain came on after we were there & made it necessary to shout a little. Beland spoke first, more genial than usual. Fielding last, very well but praising the Farmers too much, seeing they are our enemies in some ridings. Beland & I spoke of this to him after the meeting--his reply was that it was [what] he had said in the H. of C. I spoke for 1 hr. & a few minutes, to good effect I think, especially as regards tariff revision, re increase of product'n & cost of living had a sandwich & some cider in Mr. Fielding"s room after the meeting. By a curious coincidence, met today Mr. McQuestion [sic] of Hamilton whose father was father's best man when he was married & saw on street Mrs. Douglas--Miss Piper who was--our governess for years. Tonight am sleeping near [blank ?] where I hear the ebb & flow of the sea. It is delightful, to bed 12:45.
Meighan is speaking tonight at Amherst & Springhill & will be here in the morning. Reception not as demonstrative at station, but splendid aty meeting.
Tuesday, October 4, 1921
(Handwritten-- p.277)

Did not sleep too well last night, got up about 10 & left Digby at 11:30 Meighen had been due to arrive before we left but missed coming by boat as expected, and was very late by train. Davidson & other of his followers were at the train waiting somewhat disconsolate. He is trying meetings morning noon and night at this stage of the campaign it is too much. We passed his train enroute to Kentville--2 private cars--but [discontinued, end of page]