PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. 499 every subsequent election, either by accla¬ mation or by an overwhelming majority, until the year 1891, when he retired from provincial politics to become a candidate for the Federal Parliament. During his long term as a provincial representative he was closely identified with the passing of some of the most important and far-reaching meas¬ ures that the Legislature has ever dealt with, including the Land Purchase Act and the Education Act . He was appointed to the Executive Coun ¬ cil in 1870, and was elected speaker in 1871, a position he held when the Island entered Confederation. He was appointed to the Executive in 1873, and again in 1876, resigning in 1879. Up to this time he had been a Conservative, but left the party owing to a disagreement over the School Act . For some time he ably filled the position of lead¬ ing, the Liberal opposition. His colleague for many years was Hon . J. \ Y. Richards , the two forming a source of great strength to the Liberal party in Prince county. In 1891 on the retirement of his brother, Hon . James Yeo . from the Dominion Parliament, Mr. Yeo was elected as Federal member for Prince county. At the general election of 1896 after the county had been divided he wa> elected as a member for , holding the seat till 1898, when he was appointed to the Senate. Senator Yeo owes his remarkable suc¬ cess as a business man and legislator to his great executive ability, inflexible determina¬ tion, and high personal character. His great capacity for work has been demonstrated not only in the faithful discharge of his legislative duties but in the management of his manifold interests, including extensive commercial, industrial and agricultural enterprises. He is one of the best stock- raisers in the province, devoting especial attention to cattle. In the councils of the Liberal party at Ottawa his great influence, wide knowledge of affairs, keen discernment, excellent judg¬ ment and thorough acquaintance with the conditions of his constituency are readily recognized, and he is invariably consulted on matters appertaining to the western part of the Island. Mr. Yeo was the first grand master of the Free Masons in Prince Edward Island . He was elected in 1875 and held the office for fourteen years. He is widely respected in the commu¬ nity for his strength of character, his unas¬ suming manner and his unostentatious charity. Hon . James W. Richards , M. L. A ., of Bideford , Prince Edward Island , is a member of an influential and honourable family, closely identified with the commercial and political history of Prince county, and highly respected and esteemed throughout the province. He was born in , Wales , but came to the Island at an early age. After receiving his education at the public schools and College and after graduating from a commercial institu¬ tion in St. John, Mr. Richards began his business career at Bideford , where he was associated with his father, Hon . William Richards , in carrying on extensive industrial and mercantile operations. For about two years he resided in England , where he was also engaged in commercial pursuits. He entered political life in 1873 when he was elected representative for the second district of Prince county in the Provincial Legislature. He was returned at every sub-