Premier of Ontario
As premier, Hepburn undertook a number of measures which enhanced his reputation as the practitioner of a highly vigorous style. He closed Chorley Park, the residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Hepburn made a public show of austerity by auctioning off the chauffeur driven limousines used by the previous Conservative cabinet. He also introduced a succession tax thereby increasing government revenues by taxing wealthy estates. He also fired many civil servants. Hepburn cut spending on electric power from Quebec, gave money to mining industries in northern Ontario, and introduced compulsory milk pasteurization. In so doing, he has been credited with virtually wiping out bovine tuberculosis in the province.
Breaking with the temperance stances of previous Liberal governments, Hepburn expanded the availability of liquor by allowing hotels to sell beer and wine. The government also made international news by making the Dionne Quintuplets wards of the province in response to public outrage of plans by promoters to exploit the infants by putting them on display at the Chicago World's Fair.
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