The Glamorgan County Council election, 1898 was the fourth contest for seats on this authority. It was preceded by the 1895 election and followed by the 1901 election. Glamorgan was by far the largest county in Wales in terms of population. Glamorgan County Council had been established by the 1888 Local Government Act, and the first elections held in early 1889. The county of Glamorgan was at this time becoming heavily industrialised, although some areas such as the Vale of Glamorgan remained essentially rural. The rise of nonconformist liberalism, especially since the 1860s, throughout Wales, had challenged the prevailing influence of the landed gentry. However, even in 1889, the traditional forces remained influential and no working men were elected to the Council. This changed in 1892 with the unopposed return of David Morgan in Aberdare and the success of Isaac Evans in Resolven.
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 1895 there were more unopposed results than in previous elections and the Conservatives made some headway, reflecting the position in the United Kingdom as a whole where the party took power that year.
Results are drawn from a number of sources. The include an account of unopposed returns in the Evening Express,[1] and results from the same newspaper[2] as well as the Cambrian[3] and Pontypridd Chronicle.[4]
Boundary changes edit
There were no boundary changes at this election.
Retiring aldermen edit
All eleven retiring aldermen were Liberals. Gwilym Jones, W.H. Mathias, J.C. Meggitt, Herbert Evans and the Rev Aaron Davies all sought re-election. Jones and Mathias were returned unopposed while Meggitt's only opponent withdrew before polling day. Herbert Evans was opposed by the sitting Liberal councillor whom he eventually narrowly defeated (see Cwmavon, below). Aaron Davies was defeated at Pontlottyn. At Aberdare, David Price Davies was also nominated but withdrew rather than face a contest with the sitting councillor.
Contested elections edit
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Results edit
Aberaman edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Thomas Davies | 481 | |||
Independent | Thomas Rees | 375 | |||
Majority | 106 | ||||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Aberavon edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | John Morgan Smith* | unopposed |
Aberdare Town edit
Prior to the election it became apparent that Evans, the sitting councillor and the retiring alderman, David Price Davies, both coveted the seats. Davies however withdrew before the poll.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | John William Evans* | unopposed | |||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Barry edit
The sitting councillor, John Cory, had withdrawn in favour of retiring alderman John Claxton Meggitt. The defeated candidate withdrew before polling day.[2]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | John Claxton Meggitt** | 507 | |||
W. Thomas | 56 | ||||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Blaengwawr edit
[1]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | John Howell* | Unopposed | |||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Cadoxton edit
[2]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Dr P.J. O' Donnell | 514 | |||
Conservative | Dr E. Treharne* | 367 | |||
Majority | 147 | ||||
Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing |
Bridgend edit
[1]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Independent | John Morgan Randall | Unopposed | |||
Independent gain from Liberal | Swing |
Briton Ferry edit
Jenkin Hill recaptured the seat he lost three years previously.[2]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Jenkin Hill | 506 | |||
Conservative | Dr E. Valentine Pegge* | 315 | |||
Majority | 191 | ||||
Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing |
Caeharris edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unionist | Edward Pritchard Martin | unopposed |
Caerphilly edit
A narrow victory.[4]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | H.E. Morgan Lindsay* | 846 | |||
Liberal | Edward Edwards | 843 | |||
Majority | 3 | ||||
Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing |
Cilfynydd edit
W.R. Davies took the place of Henry Lewis, who did not seek re-election after one term. Davies was chosen as a candidate after a public meeting of local Liberals where both candidates agreed to abide by the vote.[5]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | William Roberts Davies | Unopposed | |||
Liberal win (new seat) |
Coedffranc edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | J. Newell Moore* | unopposed | |||
Conservative hold | Swing |
Coity edit
[1]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | William Howell* | Unopposed | |||
Liberal hold |
Cowbridge edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | R.T. Bassett | unopposed | |||
Conservative hold | Swing |
Cwmavon edit
Two Liberals, a sitting alderman and sitting councillor, opposed each other.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Herbert Evans** | 471 | |||
Liberal | Llewellyn Griffiths* | 451 | |||
Majority | 20 | ||||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Cyfarthfa edit
Thomas Thomas recaptured the seat he lost three years previously.[2]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lib-Lab | Thomas Thomas | 515 | |||
Liberal | Thomas Davies | 266 | |||
Majority | |||||
Lib-Lab gain from Liberal | Swing |
Cymmer edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Morgan Williams* | Unopposed | |||
Liberal hold |
Dinas Powys edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Oliver Henry Jones* | Unopposed | |||
Conservative hold |
Dowlais edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Thomas Jenkins* | unopposed | |||
Conservative hold | Swing |
Dulais Valley edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Evan Evans Bevan* | unopposed | |||
Conservative hold | Swing |
Ferndale edit
David Thomas JP, who had ousted fellow Liberal Morgan Williams in 1895, did not seek re-election due to ill-health leading to a contrast between the Rev Silas Charles, Congregational Minister and Thomas Samuel, grocer.[4]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Rev Silas Charles | 778 | |||
Liberal | Thomas Samuel | 629 |
Gadlys edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Charles Kenshole | unopposed | |||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Garw Valley edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | John Thomas* | unopposed |
Gellifaelog edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Evan Lewis* | unopposed |
Gelligaer edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Independent | Henry William Martin | unopposed |
Gower edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
George E. Gordon | 314 | ||||
John Holland | 192 | ||||
Richard Hopkin James | 129 |
Kibbor edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Henry Lewis* | unopposed |
Llandaff edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Robert Forrest* | unopposed |
Llandeilo Talybont edit
[1]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Rees Harries* | Unopposed | |||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Llansamlet edit
[1]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | John Jordan | Unopposed | |||
Conservative hold | Swing |
Llantrisant edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | J. Blandy Jenkins* | unopposed |
Llwydcoed edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unionist | Rees Hopkin Rhys | unopposed |
Llwynypia and Clydach edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Richard Lewis | unopposed |
Gowerton and Penderry edit
[1]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Samuel Thomas* | Unopposed | |||
Liberal hold | Swing |
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.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Jenkin Jones* | 972 | |||
Liberal | James Barrow** | 842 |
Margam edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unionist | Edward Knox | unopposed |
Merthyr Town edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | J.W. Lewis | 706 | |||
Liberal | Alfred Edwards | 597 |
Merthyr Vale edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | David Prosser | 538 | |||
Liberal | Walter Bell | 523 | |||
Majority | 15 |
Morriston edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | William Williams | unopposed | |||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Mountain Ash edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Thomas Morris | 549 | |||
Liberal | Samuel Evans | 459 | |||
Liberal | John Lewis | 316 | |||
Majority | 90 | ||||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Neath (North) edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unionist | Hopkin Morgan | unopposed | |||
Unionist hold | Swing |
Neath (South) edit
At the previous election, Trick had stood as a Conservative.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Independent | W.B. Trick | Unopposed | N/A | N/A | |
Independent gain from Liberal |
Newcastle edit
[1]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Thomas J. Hughes* | Unopposed | |||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Ogmore edit
[1]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | J.I.D. Nicholl* | Unopposed | |||
Conservative hold | Swing |
Ogmore Valley edit
[1]Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | William Llewellyn* | Unopposed | |||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Oystermouth edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal Unionist | Sir John Jones Jenkins | Unopposed | N/A | N/A | |
Liberal Unionist hold |
Penarth North edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | W.B. Shepherd* | 377 | |||
J.L. Norris | 240 | ||||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Penarth South edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Frederick Henry Jotham | unopposed |
Penrhiwceiber edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dr. R. W. Jones | unopposed | ||||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Pentre edit
Morris appears to have defected to the Unionists, leading to his defeat. This was considered to be the most significant contest in the valley but, owing to the support of colliery officials and leading tradesmen for the winning candidate, Elias Henry Davies, it was clear that Morris and been defeated before the close of the poll.[4] Davies was an active Congregationalist, freemason and president of the Rhondda Cymmrodorion.[6]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | E.H. Davies | 643 | |||
Unionist | Richard Morris* | 457 | |||
Majority | |||||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Penydarren edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | David Davies* | 516 | |||
Conservative | T.E. Morgan | 270 | |||
Majority | 146 |
Pontardawe edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Frank Gilbertson | 500 | |||
Liberal | Dr Griffiths | 478 | |||
Majority | 22 |
Plymouth edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Henry W. Lewis* | 603 | |||
Conservative | A. Daniel | 440 |
Pontlottyn edit
Although a Liberal gain, the shock was the defeat of Alderman Aaron Davies.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Alfred Phillips | 570 | |||
Liberal | Rev Aaron Davies** | 355 | |||
Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing |
Pontypridd edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Hopkin Smith Davies* | 692 | |||
Independent | Dr Hamlen Williams | 605 |
Porth and Penygraig edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | J. Jones Griffiths** | 779 | |||
Conservative | J.W. Jones | 424 | |||
Majority | 555 | ||||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Resolven edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Daniel Evans | unopposed | |||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Sketty edit
A repeat of the contest in 1895, with the same result.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Sir Robert Armine Morris* | 498 | |||
Liberal | Rev John Davies | 405 | |||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Swansea Valley edit
Boundary Change
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Llewellyn Davies | Unopposed | N/A | N/A | |
Liberal hold |
Treforest edit
James Roberts had won the seat at a by-election following the death of the previous member, David Leyshon. His defeat was greeted with surprise by a crowd said to number 4,000 who had gathered to hear the result. Roberts said he was glad to think that he had been the means of overthrowing a member of a 'Pontypridd clique'.[4]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Independent | Samuel Evans | 671 | |||
Liberal | James Roberts* | 614 | |||
Majority | 57 |
Treherbert edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | William Morgan** | Unopposed | N/A | N/A | |
Liberal hold |
Treorchy edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lib-Lab | Daronwy Isaac* | Unopposed | N/A | N/A | |
Lib-Lab hold |
Trealaw and Tonypandy edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | D.W. Davies | 570 | |||
Liberal | William Lawrence | 398 | |||
Majority | 172 | ||||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Tylorstown and Ynyshir edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | W.H. Mathias** | Unopposed | |||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Ystalyfera edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Dr David Thomas* | unopposed | |||
Conservative hold | Swing |
Ystrad edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Clifford J. Cory* | 804 | |||
J.B. Price | 133 | ||||
Majority | 671 | ||||
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 1898 election, there were twelve Aldermanic vacancies. These comprised the eleven vacancies due to retiring alderman with the twelfth being vacant following the death of Isaac Evans.
The following aldermen were appointed by the newly elected council.[7]
elected for six years
- Gwilym Jones, Liberal, retiring alderman (elected councillor at Mountain Ash)
- W.H. Mathias, Liberal, retiring alderman (elected councillor at Tylorstown and Ynyshir)
- J.C. Meggitt, Liberal, retiring alderman (elected councillor at Barry)
- Llewellyn Davies, Liberal (elected councillor at Swansea Valley)
- T.J. Hughes, Liberal (elected councillor at Newcastle)
- William Llewellyn, Liberal (elected councillor at Ogmore Valley)
- J.W. Evans, Liberal (elected councillor at Aberdare Town)
- William Howell, Liberal (elected councillor at Coity)
- Rees Harris, Liberal (elected councillor at Llandeilo Talybont)
- David Prosser, Liberal (elected councillor at Merthyr Vale)
- Dr R.W. Jones, Liberal (elected councillor at Penrhiwceber)
elected for three years
- Daniel Evans, Liberal (elected councillor at Resolven)
All eleven aldermen were Liberals, as were the retiring aldermen.
By-elections edit
Aberdare Town by-election edit
Following the return of J.W. Evans, David Price Davies and Thomas Thomas (councillor for the ward from 1892 until 1895) were nominated. However, Thomas withdrew allowing Davies to be returned unopposed.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | David Price Davies* | unopposed | |||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Barry by-election edit
John Cory had been a member of the county council since its formation, and served as alderman from 1889 until 1892. Captain Murrell, in returning thanks for his election, said he came forward as an independent candidate as a protest against the introduction of the foreign element into the representation of the district.[8]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unionist | Captain Hamilton Murrell | 595 | |||
Liberal | John Cory* | 568 | |||
Unionist gain from Liberal | Swing |
Coity by-election edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | William Howell* | unopposed | |||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Llandeilo Talybont by-election edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Rees Harries* | unopposed |
Merthyr Vale by-election edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | David Prosser | 538 | |||
Liberal | Walter Bell | 523 | |||
Majority | 153 |
Mountain Ash by-election edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Thomas Morris | 549 | |||
Liberal | Samuel Evans | 459 | |||
Liberal | John Lewis | 316 | |||
Majority | 90 | ||||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Newcastle by-election edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Thomas J. Hughes | unopposed | |||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Ogmore Valley by-election edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | William Llewellyn* | unopposed | |||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Penrhiwceiber by-election edit
Following the election of Dr R.W. Jones as an alderman, Thomas Morris, who had represented Mountain Ash on the previous council, was elected.[9] Morris was opposed by another Liberal candidate, clerk to the Llanwonno School Board, who stood in opposition to Morris's links to the beer trade.[10] John Williams, checkweigher at a local colliery and a future Labour MP was a possible candidate but withdrew at an early stage.[11]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Thomas Morris* | 582 | |||
Liberal | S. Shipton | 484 | |||
Conservative | W.N. Matthews | 322 | |||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Resolven by-election edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Daniel Evans | unopposed | |||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Swansea Valley by-election edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | Llewellyn Davies | unopposed | |||
Liberal hold | Swing |
Tylorstown and Ynyshir by-election edit
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Liberal | W.H. Mathias** | unopposed | |||
Liberal hold | Swing |
By-elections 1898-1901 edit
Dowlais by-election edit
A by-election was held in Dowlais ward in October 1899 following the elevation of Thomas Jenkins to the aldermanic bench. John Davies, the local miners' agent defeated an Independent candidate, a local chemist.[12]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lib-Lab | John Davies | 311 | |||
Independent | R.P. Rees | 295 | |||
Majority | 16 | ||||
Lib-Lab gain from Conservative | Swing |
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "The County Council Elections. Further Unopposed Returns". Evening Express. 2 March 1898. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "County Council Elections". Evening Express. 8 March 1898. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
- ^ "The County Council Elections". Cambrian. 11 March 1895. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "Glamorgan County Council Elections". Pontypridd Chronicle. 11 March 1898. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
- ^ "County Council Elections. Cilfynydd and Trallwn Liberals Meet". Glamorgan Free Press. 26 February 1898. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
- ^ Williams. Democratic Rhondda. p. 55.
- ^ "Glamorgan County Council". Cardiff Times. 19 March 1898. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
- ^ "Glamorgan County Council Bye-Elections". Evening Express. 7 April 1898. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ^ "Glamorgan County Council. Penrhiwceiber Bye-Election". Pontypridd Chronicle. 22 April 1898. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
- ^ "Etholiad Cynghor Sirol Penrhiwceibr, Abercynon, ac Ynysybwl". Tarian y Gweithiwr. 14 April 1898. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
- ^ "Ynysybwl and the County Council Contest ". Pontypridd Chronicle. 1 April 1898. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
- ^ "County Council Election at Dowlais". Weekly Mail. 14 October 1899. p. 8. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
Bibliography edit
- Parry, Jon (1989). "Labour Leaders and Local Politics 1888-1902: The Example of Aberdare". Welsh History Review. 14 (3): 399–416. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
- Williams, Chris (1996). Democratic Rhondda: Politics and society 1885-1951. Cardiff: University of Wales Press.