Early colonial constitutions: 1863 and the Slater Constitution of 1924

In the early Colony, the Governor ruled with a few British officials, and Sierra Leoneans had almost no say in making the laws that governed them. Change came slowly, through a series of colonial constitutions that gradually admitted Africans into government. This lesson covers the first two milestones: the 1863 Constitution, which created the Executive and Legislative Councils, and the 1924 Slater Constitution, which introduced the first elected members.

Learning objectives

By the end of this lesson you should be able to:

• describe Crown Colony government in Sierra Leone
• state the features of the 1863 Constitution
• state the features, merits and demerits of the 1924 Slater Constitution
• explain the importance of these constitutions in Sierra Leone's political development

Crown Colony government

The 1863 Constitution

In 1863, letters patent created two councils for the Colony of Sierra Leone:

Features of the 1863 Constitution:

1. The Governor presided over both councils and had a veto over legislation.
2. Official majority in the Legislative Council: colonial officials outnumbered unofficial members.
3. Unofficial members were nominated by the Governor, not elected; some were Krio merchants and professionals.
4. Laws applied only to the Colony.
5. The British Crown could disallow any ordinance.

Significance: for the first time, a few Africans sat in the colonial legislature, even though they had little power.

The 1924 Slater Constitution

Figure 1. The Legislative Council under the 1924 Slater Constitution. WASSCE Tutor diagram.

The constitution introduced under Governor Alexander Ransford Slater in 1924 followed demands by the National Congress of British West Africa (NCBWA) for elected representation.

Features:

1. The Legislative Council kept an official majority.
2. For the first time, three members were elected: two for Freetown and one for the rural area of the Colony.
3. The franchise was limited by income or property and literacy, so few people could vote.
4. Three Paramount Chiefs were nominated to represent the Protectorate: the first Protectorate representation in the legislature.
5. Other unofficial members were nominated by the Governor.
6. The Governor presided and kept veto and reserved powers.
7. The Executive Council remained made up of officials.

Merits

• Introduced the elective principle into Sierra Leone's government for the first time.
• Gave the Protectorate a voice in the legislature for the first time.
• Encouraged political activity: the NCBWA won all three elected seats in 1924.
• Brought Colony and Protectorate representatives together in one council.

Demerits

• The official majority meant officials could always outvote Africans.
• Limited franchise: only a small, wealthy, educated minority could vote.
• Paramount Chiefs were nominated, not elected, and could not easily oppose the Governor who appointed them.
• The Protectorate, with most of the population, had only three nominated members.
• The Governor's veto and London's control remained.
• No African in the Executive Council.

Key points

• Crown Colony government: a Governor ruling with councils of officials, under London.
• 1863: Executive and Legislative Councils created; official majority; nominated unofficial members; Governor's veto.
• 1924 Slater Constitution: first 3 elected members (Colony, limited franchise); 3 Paramount Chiefs nominated for the Protectorate; official majority retained.
• The NCBWA won the first elections; Bankole-Bright was a leading member.

WASSCE examination focus

Quick check

1. Which two councils did the 1863 Constitution create?
2. How many elected members did the 1924 Constitution introduce?
3. How was the Protectorate represented under the 1924 Constitution?
4. State two demerits of the Slater Constitution.

Answers:

1. The Executive Council and the Legislative Council.
2. Three, elected by voters in the Colony.
3. By three Paramount Chiefs nominated by the Governor.
4. Any two: official majority; limited franchise; Paramount Chiefs nominated, not elected; Protectorate under-represented; Governor's veto retained; no African in the Executive Council.