How did responsible government work in Newfoundland after 1855?

Responsible government was instituted in Newfoundland in 1855, establishing a system where the executive administration was drawn from and answerable to elected legislators.1

Following this implementation, the colony navigated several decades of political and economic challenges:

• Confederation Debate: In 1864, amid an economic depression, the colony debated joining the Canadian confederation. The issue was highly divisive, ultimately resulting in the defeat of the confederates in the 1869 general election.1
• Economic Development: To maintain independence, the government pursued economic diversification, most notably through the construction of a trans-island railway intended to stimulate land-based industries. While mining and a forest industry (including a newsprint mill in 1909) developed, the economy remained heavily reliant on fishing.1
• Suspension: Following the financial strain of World War I and the onset of the Great Depression, the government faced collapse. In 1934, responsible government was suspended and replaced by an appointed Commission of Government that reported to London.1

Local responsible government was not restored after the war; instead, the province joined Canada in 1949 following a referendum.2