1904 Glamorgan County Council election

The 1904 Glamorgan County Council election was the sixth contest for seats on this authority in south Wales. It was preceded by the 1901 election and followed by the 1907 election. Glamorgan was by far the largest county in Wales in terms of population. Glamorgan County Council had been established by the Local Government Act 1888, the first elections being held in early 1889.

Overview of the result edit

As in most parts of Wales, the Liberal Party was once again triumphant and won a majority of the seats. In 1904 the majority of the seats were uncontested, in contrast to the position at previous elections.[1]

Results are drawn from a number of sources. They include a number of newspapers.[2]

Boundary changes edit

There were no boundary changes at this election.

Retiring aldermen edit

Eight of the eleven retiring aldermen were Liberals.

Contested elections edit

In the Rhondda district, the local paper stated that 'no truer manifestation of good faith and respect for the retiring County Councillors could have been shown than that eight of them were returned unopposed.' There were only two contested elections in the valley.[3]

Results edit

Aberaman edit

Aberaman 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Luther Davies unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Aberavon edit

John Morgan Smith held on to the seat he had held since 1889 by a mere two votes. At previously elections he had described himself both as a Conservative and Independent and had been returned unopposed on several occasions.

Aberavon 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent John Morgan Smith* 538
Liberal Frank B. Smith 536
Majority 2
Independent hold Swing

Aberdare Town edit

Retiring alderman J.W. Evans was returned unopposed. Retiring councillor David Hughes did not stand.[4]

Aberdare Town 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John William Evans** Unopposed N/A N/A
Liberal hold

Barry edit

J.C. Meggitt stood down after fifteen years.

Barry 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rev D.H. Williams 899
Conservative F.P. Jones-Lloyd 629
Majority 270
Liberal hold Swing

Blaengwawr edit

Blaengwawr 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Howell* 610
Liberal Gwilym Alexander Treharne 539
Majority 71
Liberal hold Swing

Cadoxton edit

This was a contest in which the controversy over the education rate featured and the sitting member, a Roman Catholic, was defeated by the clerk of the former School Board.[1]

Cadoxton 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Gwyn Morris 729
Liberal P.J. O' Donnell* 492
Majority 237
Liberal hold Swing

Bridgend edit

Bridgend 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Morgan Randall* 558
Liberal W. House 479
Majority 99
Conservative hold Swing

Briton Ferry edit

Jenkin Hill recaptured the seat he lost three years previously.

Briton Ferry 1901
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jenkin Hill* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Caeharris edit

After fifteen years, Edward P. Martin, managing director of Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds decided not to seek re-election but was replaced as candidate by Henry W. Martin, general manager of the company. A 'large deputation of tradespeople and workmen' was reported to have pressed him to stand.[5]
Caeharris 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Henry W. Martin unopposed

Caerphilly edit

Caerphilly 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Edward Evans 1,391
Conservative H.E. Morgan Lindsay* 982
Majority 409
Liberal hold Swing

Cilfynydd edit

Cilfynydd 1901
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal W.R. Davies* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Coedffranc edit

Coedffranc 1901
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Howell unopposed
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing

Coity edit

Coity 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Howell* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Cowbridge edit

Cowbridge 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal T.W. David 639
Conservative Colonel Homfray 446
Majority 93
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing

Cwmavon edit

Two Liberals, a sitting alderman and sitting councillor, opposed each other.

Cwmavon
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Herbert Evans* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Cyfarthfa edit

Thomas Thomas recaptured the seat he lost three years previously.

Cyfarthfa 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Lib-Lab Thomas Thomas* 515
Liberal Thomas Davies 266
Majority
Lib-Lab gain from Liberal Swing

Cymmer edit

Cymmer 1901
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Morgan Williams* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Dinas Powys edit

Dinas Powys
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Oliver Henry Jones* unopposed
Conservative hold Swing

Dowlais edit

Dowlais 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Lib-Lab John Davies*[n 1] 410
Liberal D. Jenkins 397
Majority 13
Lib-Lab hold Swing

Dulais Valley edit

Dulais Valley
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Evan Evans Bevan* unopposed
Conservative hold Swing

Ferndale edit

Ferndale 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Samuel* 1,224
Conservative E. Nelmes 546
Majority 678
Liberal hold Swing

Gadlys edit

Griffith George, who had previously served on the Aberdare School Board and Aberdare Urban District Council had been invited to contest the seat three years previously but had declined. Parker then stood and came within 41 votes of victory.[7] There was some criticism of George for opposing Parker at this election but he held on to win by 96 votes.

Gadlys 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Griffith George 497
Labour Evan Parker 401
Majority 96
Liberal hold Swing

Garw Valley edit

Garw Valley
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Thomas* unopposed

Gellifaelog edit

Gellifaelog
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Evan Lewis* unopposed

Gelligaer edit

Gelligaer 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Evan Thomas 739
Conservative D.S. Jones* 494
Majority 245
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing

Gower edit

Gower 1901
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
George E. Gordon* unopposed

Kibbor edit

Kibbor 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Lewis* 757
Liberal Eli Rees 517
Majority 240
Conservative hold Swing

Llandaff edit

Llandaff
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Robert Forrest* unopposed

Llandeilo Talybont edit

Llandeilo Talybont 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rees Harries* unopposed

Llansamlet edit

Llansamlet 1901
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Jordan* unopposed

Llantrisant edit

Llantrisant
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal J. Blandy Jenkins* unopposed

Llwydcoed edit

Rees Llewellyn was again returned unopposed.[4]

Llwydcoed 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rees Llewellyn* unopposed

Llwynypia and Clydach edit

James Evans, grocer, elected following Richard Lewis's election as alderman in 1901, was returned unopposed.[3]

Llwynypia and Clydach 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal James Evans* unopposed

Lougher and Penderry edit

Loughor and Penderry 1901
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Sir J.T.D. Llewellyn** unopposed

Maesteg edit

The same two candidates had faced each other in 1895. On that occasion, Barrow had won and was elected as alderman for a three-year period. Jenkin Jones was then returned at a by-election.

Maesteg
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jenkin Jones* 972
Liberal James Barrow** 842

Margam edit

Margam 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Edward T. Evans 770
Conservative D.R. David* 716
Majority 54
Liberal hold Swing

Merthyr Town edit

Merthyr Town 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal D.D. Jones 663
Conservative Dan Thomas 297
Majority 366
Liberal hold Swing

Merthyr Vale edit

Merthyr Vale 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal David Prosser* 880
Liberal Rowland Evans 729
Majority 151
Liberal hold Swing

Morriston edit

Morriston 1901
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William John Percy Player unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Mountain Ash edit

Mountain Ash
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Morris 549
Liberal Samuel Evans 459
Liberal John Lewis 316
Majority 90
Liberal hold Swing

Neath (North) edit

Neath (North) 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Hopkin Morgan unopposed
Unionist hold Swing

Neath (South) edit

At the previous election, Trick had stood as a Conservative.

Neath (South) 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent W.B. Trick unopposed
Independent gain from Liberal Swing

Newcastle edit

T.J. Hughes, first elected in 1889, had served as an alderman since 1898.

Newcastle 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas J. Hughes** 841
Conservative Lynch Blosse 371
Majority 470
Liberal hold Swing

Ogmore edit

Ogmore 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal G. Sibbering Jones 521
Conservative J.D.I Nicholl 384
Majority 137
Liberal hold Swing

Ogmore Valley edit

Ogmore Valley 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Llewellyn* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Oystermouth edit

Oystermouth 1901
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
T.W. James unopposed
Swing

Penarth North edit

Penarth North 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Rev E.S. Roberts 387
Liberal Jenkin Llewellyn 385
Majority 2
Conservative hold Swing

Penarth South edit

Penarth South
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Frederick Henry Jotham unopposed

Penrhiwceiber edit

Penrhiwceiber
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Dr. R. W. Jones unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Pentre edit

E.T. Davies, auctioneer, had been elected at a by-election following Elias Henry Davies's appointment as alderman in 1902. He was now returned unopposed.[3]

Pentre 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal E.T. Davies unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Penydarren edit

Penydarren
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal David Davies* 516
Conservative T.E. Morgan 270
Majority 146

Pontardawe edit

Pontardawe 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Frank W. Gilbertson* 658
Liberal Rev B.D. Davies 657
Majority 1
Conservative hold Swing

Plymouth edit

Plymouth
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Henry W. Lewis* 603
Conservative A. Daniel 440

Pontlottyn edit

Pontlottyn 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal D.B. Owen 572
Liberal John Griffiths 372
Majority 200
Liberal hold Swing

Pontypridd edit

The seat was now known as Pontypridd and Rhondda

Pontypridd 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Fleming 602
Liberal James Roberts* 398
Conservative H.M. Gregory 383
Majority 204
Labour gain from Liberal Swing

Penygraig edit

Penygraig appears to be a new ward.[3]

Penygraig 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rees Lloyd unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Porth edit

Porth and Penygraig 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Lib-Lab D. Watts Morgan 967
Liberal W.T. Davies 862
Majority 105
Liberal hold Swing

Resolven edit

Resolven 1901
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Daniel Evans** unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Sketty edit

John Davies had been defeated in the two previous elections but was now returned unopposed.

Sketty 1901
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rev John Davies unopposed
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing

Swansea Valley edit

Swansea Valley 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal E. Lewis* 825
Liberal Dr J. Jones 364
Majority 461
Liberal hold Swing

Treforest edit

James Roberts had won the seat at a by-election following the death of the previous member, David Leyshon

Treforest 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Samuel Evans 671
Liberal James Roberts* 614
Majority 57

Treherbert edit

Enoch Davies, returned in 1901 following William Morgan's re-election as alderman, was elected unopposed.[3]

Treherbert 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Enoch Davies* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Treorchy edit

Thomas Jones, Co-operative stores manager, was returned unopposed.[3]

Treorchy 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Jones* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Trealaw and Tonypandy edit

D.W. Davies, the member since 1898, was returned unopposed for the second successive election.[3]

Tonypandy 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal D.W. Davies* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Tylorstown and Ynyshir edit

Sitting councillor Dr T.H. Morris stood down to allow Alderman W.H. Mathias to be returned unopposed.[3]

Tylorstown and Ynyshir 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal W.H. Mathias** unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Ystalyfera edit

Ystalyfera 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal James Williams 303
Liberal John Williams 298
Labour David John Rees 172
Majority 5
Liberal hold Swing

Ystrad edit

Clifford Cory, the member since 1892, was once again returned unopposed.[3]

Ystrad 1904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Clifford John Cory* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Election of aldermen edit

In addition to the 66 councillors the council consisted of 22 county aldermen. Aldermen were elected by the council, and served a six-year term. Following the 1904 election, there were eleven Aldermanic vacancies.

The following aldermen were appointed by the newly elected council.

elected for six years

Notes edit

  1. ^ The results in the local press incorrectly refer to Davies as an Unionist.[2] He is described as a 'Radical' in a list of nominations in the same paper the previous week.[6]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Glamorganshire". Cardiff Times. 27 February 1904. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  2. ^ a b "County Council Elections. Radicals Gain Four Seats in Glamorganshire". Weekly Mail. 12 March 1904. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "5 March Impending Elections. County Council". Rhondda Leader. 5 March 1904. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  4. ^ a b "County Council Nominations". Aberdare Leader. 5 March 1904. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  5. ^ "County Councils. Preparing for the Forthcoming Elections". Weekly Mail. 27 February 1904. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  6. ^ "County Council Elections. Nominations & Unopposed Returns in South Wales". Weekly Mail. 5 March 1904. p. 10. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  7. ^ "County Council Election, Gadlys Ward (letter by A Nonconformist)". Aberdare Leader. 5 March 1904. Retrieved 3 May 2014.

Bibliography edit