The Icelandic Canadian - 01.12.1959, Síða 37

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN

Governor Frank Bastedo proclaims the
13 th legislature of the Province of
Saskatchewan dissolved. That could
come on Tuesday, May 10, next but,
of course, this is just a wild guess.
Although he will not seek re-election,
of one thing we are certain, “Minty”
will be an ardent politician until the
day he dies. He is a genuine Liberal,
first, last and always—an intense polit-
ician—a man of guts and thunder—but
an honest, sincere friend and a great
Canadian.
The removal of “Minty” Loptson
from the Saskatchewan legislature will
bring to an end an era of rough and
tumble politics that is not likely to
come again. . . .
It was left for Salcoats to give the
legislature not only its first speaker,
but the greatest character of all—the
utterly ruthless, dynamic, kindhearted,
brilliant possum—Asmundur Loptson—
known to one and all as “Minty”.
There has never been just anyone quite
like Minty Loptson. There is no one
in the C.C.F. ranks who has a good
word for “Minty” today, but I’m as
certain, as I am pounding this type-
writer, that he is the most feared op-
ponent and in their heart of hearts
the most secretly admired He is the
type of debater who can send the legis-
lature into pandemonium as he has
done so often. . . .
Asmundur Loptson was born in Ice-
land, Feb. 14, 1887, and came to Can-
ada with bis parents at the age of two
years, when the family took up res-
idence in Winnipeg. In 1891, they
moved to the Churchbridge district
where they settled on a farm and here
“Minty” remained until he was 15
years of age, not paying too much
attention to his education which came
to an end at this time.
“Minty” decided to accept a job as
a clerk in a general store in Church-
bridge and at thea ge of 18 began his
trade as a harness maker, which he
learned from his father. He also learn-
ed the delicate trade of jeweller from
his uncle at Selkirk. Then he opened
a general store of his own and in ad-
dition took a farm implement agency
and added lumber to his line.
In 1908 he disposed of his business
interests and took up a homestead
north of Churchbridge, later moving
to a farm he bought near Bredenbury.
Then he took up the lumber business
in Bredenbury and in 1914 disposed
of this to engage in the construction
of rural telephone lines, still later en-
gaging in highway construction work.
During the whole of this period he
added from time to time to bis land
holdings.
His public activities have been ex-
tensive. He served as secretary-treasur-
er of the Co-operative Creamery at
Churchbridge, school trustee of both
rural and urban districts. He sat on
the council of the R.M. of Saltcoats,
No. 213, from 1911 to 1923, inclusive,
the last four years of which he was
reeve, enjoying acclamations to coun-
cil several times and three acclamations
for the position of reeve. Then in 1928
he was elected mayor of Bredenbury.
The writer recalls attending the Lib-
eral convention held at Saltcoats on
Wednesday, May 1, 1929. . . .
As I look back on what I had written
of my friend “Minty” that day I find
I said: ‘Mr. Loptson’s maiden effort
on the platform elicited much favor-
able comment and it was evident to
all who heard him, that with a little
practice, he will develop into a cam-
paigner who will measure up to the
best of them. . . .’