Article

Daniel Joseph Greene

Published Online January 16, 2008

Last Edited October 3, 2014

Daniel Joseph Greene, lawyer, politician, Liberal prime minister of Nfld 1894-95 (b at St John's 1850; d there 12 Dec 1911). He became prime minister of Newfoundland 13 Dec 1894 in the wake of the legal and political turmoil surrounding the 1893 elections.

Greene, Daniel Joseph

Daniel Joseph Greene, lawyer, politician, Liberal prime minister of Nfld 1894-95 (b at St John's 1850; d there 12 Dec 1911). He became prime minister of Newfoundland 13 Dec 1894 in the wake of the legal and political turmoil surrounding the 1893 elections. Educated in law at Laval, he began his 22-year political career in 1875, became leader of the Opposition in 1887 and in 1890 was part of a delegation to Ottawa protesting French fishing rights in Newfoundland (see FRENCH SHORE). Greene's most pressing problems upon succeeding Augustus GOODRIDGE's brief Conservative administration were the consequences of the collapse of 2 major Newfoundland financial institutions on Dec 10, but the most significant legislation passed during his 58-day tenure was the Disabilities Removal Act. This allowed candidates who had been disqualified because of election irregularities in 1893 to seek election again. This Act, and Greene's resignation on 8 Feb 1895, allowed William WHITEWAY to resume the prime ministership.