Three Years of Autonomy 1905-08‪.‬

Editor's Introduction--In 1908, on the third anniversary of the formation of the province of Alberta, Premier A.C. Rutherford prepared a comprehensive report for distribution to the general public. During its first three years of existence, the government was primarily involved in establishing the structures for the future administration of the new province. As a result, the pronouncements of the premier provide an excellent indicator of how Alberta and its future were perceived at that time. Rutherford emphasized no sales tax, no debt, the importance of agriculture, and his own preoccupation with education.