 Having defeated Brett , Sifton was immediately one of the area 's most prominent Liberals , and was named president of the District of Alberta Liberals shortly thereafter . In 1901 Clifford Sifton appointed James Hamilton Ross , Northwest Territories Treasurer and Minister of Public Works , Commissioner of Yukon . It fell to Northwest Territories Premier Frederick William Gordon Haultain to fill the ensuing vacancy and , to preserve the delicate non @-@ partisan balance of his administration , he had to pick a successor who was , like Ross , a Liberal . The role fell to Sifton . Soon after his appointment , Clifford offered him his sought @-@ after position of Northwest Territories Chief Justice ; Arthur declined on the basis of his recently assumed ministerial duties , but made it clear that he was still interested in receiving it eventually . 
