HON. HUBERT ASHTON LaSELVE SIMPSON O.B.E. 1872-1938

HON. HUBERT ASHTON LaSELVE SIMPSON O.B.E.

1872-1938

One of the most conspicuous figures in the public life of Jamaica today is the Hon. Hubert Ashton LaSelve Simpson, member of the Legislative Council of Jamaica for the parish of Kingston. Aside from being the people’s representative in the local parliament, Mr. Simpson has also the unique distinction of being Mayor of the City at the same time.

He was born in Kingston in the year 1872. After finishing his education in the Kingston Collegiate School under the late William Morrison, M.A. Mr. Simpson entered government service in June 1891, but retired 20 months later to take up the study of law. He was admitted to practice as a solicitor in the courts of Jamaica in 1898, and has since that time practiced throughout the island.

In 1908 he was nominated for the vacant seat in the Legislative Council of Jamaica but was defeated by an almost 2 to 1 majority. Shortly after this the Kingston Citizen’s Association was formed and he was elected one of its vice-presidents, and served in that capacity for a considerable period.

In 1908, the general election for members of the mayor and council took place and he contested one seat and supported six other candidates, three of whom were elected along with himself. As a member of the mayor and council, Mr. Simpson has been able to produce improvements in the municipal affairs of Kingston, and impressed the community to the extent that in the general election for the Legislative Council in 1911, he was returned member for Kingston against his former opponent. In this position he has succeeded in getting the government to recognize the claims which the municipality of Kingston has on the central government for financial assistance to an extent that has never before been done. He has succeeded in amending the law under which the Kingston General Commissioners operate and under which they held their meetings in Camera. And now their meetings are thrown open to the public, a measure which has raised the usefulness of that department and has given the public knowledge of what it does, and what it does not do.

Rare Political Pin "VOTE FOR SIMPSON" Cir 1912

Mr. Simpson introduced the famous Shop Assistance Bill in the Legislative Council, which bill has now passed and become law; he has overcome the resistance which was raised by shopkeepers of the city. He also introduced and obtained the passing of a bill to facilitate recovery from defaulting tenants of premises, and after two years of work in the Legislative Council and continued service in the mayor and council, he was on the 8^th of October, 1912 elected Mayor of the city of Kingston.

That Mayor Simpson is a brilliant lawyer of remarkable legal ability no one can deny. In the Council, his legal training has aided him to a great extent in intelligently voicing the cause of the people whom he represents though styled as one of the radicals among the elected members by some of the newspapers. Mr. Simpson, to the thinking Jamaican, speaks with the voice of the new Jamaica; he is frank, fearless and honest of purpose. Source: New Era Magazine Cir 1912