Tussenpersoon, handhaver en initiator

Mr. Arthur E.J. baron van Voorst tot Voorst, commissaris van de koningin in Noord-Brabant 1894-1928

Samenvatting

Mediator, Protector and Initiator. Mr. Arthur E.J. Baron van Voorst tot Voorst, Commissioner of the Queen in North-Brabant 1894-1928

From September 1st 1894 until his death in July 26th 1928, Baron van Voorst tot Voorst was Queen’s Commissioner in North Brabant. His terms of reference included both national and provincial tasks. Not only was he accountable to the Home Secretary, he also reported all possible issues in the province. Within the province itself he led the Deputy Council and fulfilled such duties as chairman of the meetings of the County Council. His role can be seen as that of a mediator between state and society. In properly fulfilling his tasks a Commissioner he could make an important contribution to the strengthening of the nation state. Thanks to his formal and informal contacts, Van Voorst tot Voorst had opportunities to intervene in communities when it was needed; he also had the ability to individually coach the citizens when problems arose.

During the railway strike of April 1903, Van Voorst tot Voorst revealed himself as a central player by constantly communicating between the ministry, the army and the mayors. All national directives were properly implemented, the commissioner advised the mayors of problems and he deliberated with the army about the deployment of soldiers, for instance for monitoring of the railway line Boxtel-Vlissingen. He also responded to newspaper reports where appropriate.

The duties as protector concentrated mainly on the administrative area. In the title chapter it is described how Van Voorst tot Voorst intervened in a conflict with the town clerk of Halsteren on the one hand and some councillors on the other hand. This case was fought up to the Crown. In his role as initiator he used his influence among others to influence mayors and aldermen of small municipalities towards municipal reorganization. The largest redeployment to which Van Voorst tot Voorst contributed is the merger of six muni- cipalities to form the city of Eindhoven on January 1st 1920.

Van Voorst tot Voorst profiled himself as an important public official on whom one could trust completely at both central and decentralised levels. He served the Southern Netherlands for almost 34 years with great dedication. He showed himself as a mediator who, by means of his expert, righteous and tactical action, made a positive contribution to the development and preservation of Southern Netherlands and of the nation state.