TRANSCRIPT

'... and I have to inform this Convention that I have not the slightest intention of tolerating further attack in a position where I cannot defend myself.
I am perfectly well aware that a sort of campaign of slander has been carried on against me by persons whose views I am not in agreement with. I am supposed to be in receipt, for instance, of a very satisfing salary as Chairman, even the amount is named, when the simple truth is that I never asked for any salary, I never was offered any, I have never received a cent, and lastly, I would not take it. I have received exactly the same renumeration as you gentlemen received and nothing more. But I pay scant attention to these slanders. What I do object to is the slightest hint or insinuation, in this house, that as Chairman of this convention, I have failed at any time to be fair, impartial and honourable to all members.
This Chairmanship as meant nothing to me; nothing by additional work, and worry and physical discomfort. I will not tolerate any attempt whatever to call my impartiality as chairman into question. I shall resume my seat in the main body of this chamber and confine my activities to the exercise my rights as an elected member; but before doing so, before doing so, I would offer a last word of sound advice which you would do well to heed. It is this: remember always please, that the eyes of the people of Newfoundland are upon us; they are watching our every move and listening to our every word; they are weighing us. At times I fear we have gone far to bring democratic institutions into contempt; we have gone far to create a distaste for all forms of elective government. I warn you to remember that not we, but the people of this country are the masters, and we had better not try their tolerance too far if we value our reputations as public men. Gentlemen, this Convention is without a Chairman.'
(The Chairman left the Convention chamber)

F. Gordon Bradley