1892 Glamorgan County Council election

The second election to the Glamorgan County Council was held on 8 March 1892.^[1] The 1889 election was the first contest and the next was the 1895 election. Glamorgan County Council had been established by the 1888 Local Government Act, and the first election held in January 1889. Glamorgan was by far the largest county in Wales in terms of population. 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.

Results are mainly drawn from the South Wales Star.^[2]

Most candidates were described either as Liberals or as Conservatives; but these allegiances were fluid, and in most cases there was no evidence of a connection between candidates and local Liberal or Conservative party organisations.

Overview of the Result

The Liberal Party was once again triumphant and won a majority of the seats. Indeed, in the contested elections only two Conservative-supported candidates were successful, Edwin Price and Bridgend and Captain Lindsay at Llantwit Fardre, Both stood as nominally Independent candidates.^[3] The Liberals regarded their successes at Penarth to be among their most notable victories.^[2]

A notable feature of these elections was the return of a number of working men and others as Lib-Lab candidates. this was notable in the Rhondda but also elsewhere. David Morgan (Dai o'r Nant) was returned unopposed at Gadlys, Aberdare and two other miners' agents were elected. In the Garw Valley, John Thomas defeated another Liberal candidate while at Resolven, Isaac Evans defeated the sitting member, Edwards-Vaughan of Rheola.

The Conservatives held a number of seats unopposed and a small number of Independent candidates were returned. These were, in most cases, regarded as Conservatives, for example in Bridgend and Pontypridd.

Boundary Changes

There were a limited number of boundary changes at this election, resulting in the abolition of the six two-member wards which existed at the inaugural election in 1889. These were divided, in each case, into two single-member wards, as follows:

1889 two-member ward	1892 single member wards
Llwynypia and Trealaw	Llwynypia and Clydach / Trealaw and Tonypandy
Neath	Neath North / Neath South
Penarth	Penarth North / Penarth South
Penrhiwceiber and Dyffryn	Mountain Ash / Penrhiwceiber
Pentre and Ystrad	Pentre / Ystrad
Treorchy and Treherbert	Treherbert / Treorchy

Candidates and Unopposed Returns

66 members were returned to the council, all of whom represented single member wards.

There were 37 unopposed returns, as compared to a mere three at the initial election in 1889.

Party	Unopposed Returns
Liberal	23
Conservative	8
Unionist	2
Independent	2
Liberal Unionist	1
Liberal-Labour	1

As shown in the table the vast majority were Liberals, although their number includes Rees Hopkin Rhys who was described as a Liberal at this election. Among the other unopposed returns was Sir John Jones Jenkins at Oystermouth and David Morgan at Gadlys.

Contested Elections

The election was fought on largely political lines with the Liberals contesting nearly every seat. In some cases two Liberals faced each other and there was little evidence of an attempt to limit the number of candidates in order to avoid splitting the vote and allowing a candidate of a different political persuasion to win the seat.^[4] In many ways this provides evidence that the Liberal Party in Glamorgan was such a broad coalition that it encompassed both leading coal owners and active trade unionists. As such, tensions were almost inevitable.

Aberdare Valley

At the previous election, three Conservatives were returned for the five seats in the Aberdare area. On this occasion, four of the seats were won by Liberals, including David Morgan at Gadlys. The remaining Conservative, Rees Hopkin Rhys was now nominally at least, returned as a Liberal.

Cardiff and South Glamorgan

In this area the Conservatives were stronger than in the industrial valleys. However, the Liberals gained ground, notably by capturing both seats at Penarth.^[1]

Merthyr Tydfil

The Liberals also captured the majority of the seats in Merthyr Tydfil, although the Conservatives retained a firm grip on Dowlais and neighbouring Caeharris. At Cyfaththfa, the Labour candidate won a notable victory.

Rhondda District

In contrast to the somewhat raucous campaign three years earlier, the campaign in the Rhondda was a peaceful one although a number of the wards were closely contested. Most of the pits were closed early, the weather was fine. Vehicles belonging to various tradesmen conducted the electors to the polls and "scores of miners from different pits were to bo observed hastily trudging home to wash themselves before recording their votes for their favourite candidates. One striking feature in connection with the elections was the conspicuous absence of drunken persons about the booths and in the streets, and the quietness and tho amicable feeling prevailing among the supporters of the various candidates, who cordially shook hands with each other and chatted together freely for some time."^[3]

Retiring Aldermen

Before the election there was a widespread assumption, shared by a number of the retiring aldermen, that they would be automatically re-elected as aldermen without seeking election.^[5] In the weeks before the election, there was a debate in the press about whether sitting aldermen could contest the election. This debate was fuelled to a considerable extent by personal rivalries and it soon became clear that there was nothing to prohibit sitting aldermen to seek election as councillors.

Of the eleven retiring aldermen, only three sought re-election and it appears that many of the others had assumed, wrongly as it transpired (see below, 'Election of Aldermen') that they would be-appointed without contesting an election. Both Gwilym Jones at Dyffryn and Aaron Davies at Pontlottyn were successful, while Rees Harries was returned unopposed at Llandeilo Talybont.

Results

Aberaman

Thomas Davies had been elected at a by-election in 1889 following the elevation of T.P. White to the aldermanic bench. White had moved from Cwmaman to Maesycymmer during the intervening period and did not seek re-election.

Aberaman 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Thomas Davies*	unopposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

Aberavon

J.M. Smith had been elected at a by-election in 1889 following the elevation of Richard Jenkins to the aldermanic bench.

Aberavon 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	John Morgan Smith*	unopposed
	Independent hold		Swing

Aberdare Town

Aberdare Town 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	David Price Davies*	unopposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

Barry and Cadoxton

 

John Claxton Meggitt

John Claxton Meggitt had been elected at a by-election in 1889 following the elevation of John Cory to the aldermanic bench. In 1892 it was anticipated that Cory would be re-appointed as an alderman without facing the electorate, although Meggitt offered to stand down when this proved not to be the case. After the election, when the Liberal group decided that aldermen would be chosen only from amongst elected members, Meggitt reluctantly agreed to be nominated so that Cory could take the vacant seat (see 'By-elections' below).^[5]

Barry and Cadoxton 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	John Claxton Meggitt*	unopposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

Bridgend

The previous Conservative member, Lord Dunraven, elected in 1889, only attended two meetings of the council. The Liberal press, while deploring the failure of the Liberal candidate, described as a shrewd businessman, welcomed the fact that the interests of the town would now be represented.^[2] Three years later, when the Liberals captured the seat for the first time, it was recalled that Price, upon his victory, was carried shoulder-high to the Conservative Club.^[6] Although nominally a Conservative loss this was not how the result was widely regarded as the time.

Bridgend 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	Edwin Price	382
	Liberal	D H. Lloyd	356
Majority			26
	Independent hold		Swing

Briton Ferry

At a by-election in 1889 following the elevation of William Hunter to the aldermanic bench, Jenkin Hill was defeated by the Conservative candidate, W.P. Struve. Struve did not seek re-election, allowing Hill to capture the seat in a straight fight with another Liberal candidate.

Briton Ferry 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Jenkin Hill	593
	Liberal	Daniel Lewis Jones (Cyn Alaw)	228
Majority			365
	Liberal gain from Conservative		Swing

Caeharris

Caeharris 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Unionist	Edward Pritchard Martin*	unopposed
	Unionist hold		Swing

Caerphilly

Henry Anthony had been elected at a by-election in 1889 following the elevation of David Lewis to the aldermanic bench.

Caerphilly 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Henry Anthony*	733
	Liberal	Richard Hill Male	542
Majority			191
	Liberal hold		Swing

Coedffranc

Coedffranc 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	J. Newell Moore*	unopposed
	Conservative hold		Swing

Coity

Coity 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	William Howell	unopposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

Cowbridge

J.S. Gibbon had captured the seat for the Conservatives at a by-election in 1889 following the elevation of Thomas Rees to the aldermanic bench.

Cowbridge 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	John Samuel Gibbon*	Unopposed
	Conservative hold		Swing

Cwmavon

Cwmavon 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Herbert Evans	503
	Liberal	Rev. Daniel Evans	366
Majority			137
	Liberal hold		Swing

Cyfarthfa

Cyfarthfa 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Lib-Lab	Thomas Thomas	856
	Liberal	Joseph Owen	310
Majority			546
	Lib-Lab gain from Unionist		Swing

Cymmer

At a by-election in 1889 following the elevation of Dr Henry Naunton Davies to the aldermanic bench, his brother, Dr Evan Naunton Davies had been elected. In 1892, Evan Naunton Davies did not seek re-election, leading to a contest between the Lib-Lab candidate, Moses Moses, and Idris Williams, a native of the Rhondda and a prominent if somewhat controversial figure in the public life of the valley. Moses thus became the Rhondda's first labour county councillor. He was supported at the election by the Porth Labour Committee, and ad hoc organisation which did not re-appear at subsequent elections.^[7]

Cymmer 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Lib-Lab	Moses Moses	485
	Liberal	Idris Williams	459
Majority			26
	Lib-Lab hold		Swing

Dinas Powys

Dinas Powys 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	Oliver Henry Jones*	Unopposed
	Conservative hold		Swing

Dowlais

Dowlais 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	Thomas Jenkins*	unopposed
	Conservative hold		Swing

Dulais Valley

Dulais Valley 1892

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

Ferndale

Ferndale 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Morgan Thomas	unopposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

Gadlys

Although Benjamin Evans, the so-called 'Bishop of Gadlys', had initially intended to contest the seat he withdrew in favour of David Morgan, miners' agent.^[8] The two men became bitter rivals in later years.

Gadlys 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Lib-Lab	David Morgan	Unopposed	N/A	N/A
	Lib-Lab gain from Independent

Garw Valley

The elected member was a miners' agent and ally of Mabon.

Garw Valley 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	John Thomas	469
	Liberal	Thomas Lewis	388
Majority			81
	Liberal hold		Swing

Gellifaelog

Gellifaelog 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Evan Lewis	470
	Liberal	Patrick Mansfield	209
Majority			261
	Liberal hold		Swing

Gelligaer

Gelligaer 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	Henry William Martin	unopposed
	Independent hold		Swing

Gower

Gower 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Frank Cory Yeo*	unopposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

Hirwaun

Morgan, returned at a by-election in 1889, was returned unopposed after rumours that he would be opposed by Owen Harris, a Trecynon tradesman involved in local politics, proved unfounded.^[9]

Hirwaun 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Rev Richard Morgan*	unopposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

Kibbor

Kibbor 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	Henry Lewis*	unopposed
	Conservative hold		Swing

Llandaff

Llandaff 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	Robert Forrest*	unopposed
	Conservative hold		Swing

Llandeilo Talybont

Rees Harries had been elected alderman in 1889 and Thomas Freeman, who served as Mayor of Swansea in 1889-90 was returned unopposed at the ensuing by-election. At one stage it was reported that Freeman would contest the seat at this election, possibly because of the uncertainty over whether sitting aldermen could stand.^[10] However, Rees Harries decided to contest the seat and Freeman stood aside in his favour. Harries was not among the new aldermen elected by the council.

Llandeilo Talybont 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Rees Harries**	unopposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

Llansamlet

Llansamlet 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	William Sims	unoppposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

Llantrisant

Llantrisant 1892

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

Llantwit Vardre

This contest was regarded as the only instance in the county where a Liberal was ousted by a Conservative. Lindsay, although running as an Independent was regarded as a Conservative.

Llantwit Vardre 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	Capt. Morgan Lindsay	403
	Liberal	Edward Edwards*	341
Majority			62
	Liberal hold		Swing

Llwydcoed

Rhys, a prominent figure in the public life of Aberdare for decades and Chairman of the Local Board of Health, was returned unopposed. Although described as a Liberal he had in the past been associated with the Conservative Party and his return in 1889 had been regarded as a defeat for the local Liberal Association.

Llwydcoed 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Rees Hopkin Rhys	Unopposed	N/A	N/A
	Liberal hold

Llwynypia and Clydach

Llwynypia and Clydach 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Richard Morris	unopposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

Lougher and Penderry

Lougher and Penderry 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Edward Rice Daniel	unopposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

Maesteg

Maesteg 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	James Barrow	unopposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

Margam

Margam 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Arthur Pendarves Vivian	630
	Liberal	Llewellyn Howell	328
Majority			307
	Liberal hold		Swing

Merthyr Town

Merthyr Town 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Unionist	Frank James	unopposed
	Unionist hold		Swing

Merthyr Vale

Merthyr Vale 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	David Prosser	538
	Liberal	Walter Bell*	523
Majority			153
	Liberal hold		Swing

Morriston

Morriston 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	William Williams	unopposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

Mountain Ash

Mountain Ash 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Gwilym Jones*	530
	Liberal	Hon. H. Campbell Bruce	178
Majority			352
	Liberal hold		Swing

Neath (North)

Neath (North) 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Unionist	John Henry Rowland	499
	Independent Liberal	Edmund Law	318
Majority			181
	Unionist hold		Swing

Neath (South)

John Arnold died, aged 49, shortly before the next election in 1895.^[11]

Neath (South) 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	John Arnold	391
	Independent	W.B. Trick	362
Majority			29
	Liberal hold		Swing

Newcastle

Newcastle 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Thomas J. Hughes	unopposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

Ogmore

Ogmore 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Evan Evans*	414
	Independent	J.D. Nicholl	386
Majority			28
	Liberal hold		Swing

Ogmore Valley

Ogmore Valley 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	John Williams	unopposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

Oystermouth

Oystermouth 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal Unionist	Sir John Jones Jenkins	unopposed
	Liberal Unionist hold		Swing

Penarth North

This was regarded by the Liberals as one of the most significant contests, as David Morgan's personal popularity was expected to be a factor.^[2]

Penarth North 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	W.B. Shepherd	307
	Conservative	David Morgan	224
	Independent	D. Cornwall	59
Majority			83
	Liberal hold		Swing

Penarth South

The Liberal candidate, who was said to be popular among Conservatives as well as Liberals, had refused to stand as an Independent.^[2]

Penarth South 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	J.P. Jones	302
	Conservative	Henry Oakdell Fisher*	210
Majority			92
	Liberal hold		Swing

Penrhiwceiber

Penrhiwceiber 1892

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

Pentre

Morris, the sitting member and official Rhondda Labour and Liberal Association candidate in 1889, found himself at odds with the RLLA local committee which chose estate went Elias Henry Davies to oppose him.^[12] The third Liberal candidate, Daniel Eynon, was a colliery manager.

Pentre 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Richard Morris*	401
	Liberal	Elias Henry Davies	313
	Liberal	Daniel Eynon	292
Majority			88
	Liberal hold		Swing

Penydarren

Penydarren 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	David Davies*	584
	Liberal	Thomas Williams	415
Majority			169
	Liberal hold		Swing

Plymouth

Plymouth 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Henry W.Lewis	unopposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

Pontardawe

Pontardawe 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Ernest Hall Hedley*	511
	Liberal	John Beynon	291
Majority			220
	Liberal hold		Swing

Pontlottyn

Pontlottyn 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Rev Aaron Davies**	unopposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

Pontypridd

Pontypridd 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Hopkin Smith Davies	752
	Conservative	W. Jones-Powell	632
Majority			120
	Liberal hold		Swing

Porth and Penygraig

Morgan Williams. lodge secretary at Ynyshir Colliery, was supported at the election by the Porth Labour Committee, an ad hoc organisation which did not re-appear at subsequent elections.^[7]

Porth and Penygraig 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Lib-Lab	Morgan Williams	458
	Conservative	Thomas Jones	316
Majority			142
	Lib-Lab hold		Swing

Resolven

Resolven 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Lib-Lab	Isaac Evans	752
	Conservative	J. Edwards Vaughan	471
Majority			181
	Lib-Lab gain from Conservative		Swing

Sketty

Sketty 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	John Powell	unopposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

Tirdeunaw

Tirdeunaw 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Sir H. Hussey Vivian	Unopposed	N/A	N/A
	Liberal hold

Treforest

The sitting councillor did not seek re-election and it was felt that the young Liberal candidate, 'Willie' Spickett faced a formidable opponent in the Chair of the Pontypridd Local Board of Health. Leyshon stood as an Independent but was regarded as a Conservative candidate.^[2]

Treforest 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	William Spickett	576
	Independent	David Leyshon	534
Majority			42
	Liberal hold		Swing

Treherbert

Treherbert 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Lib-Lab	John Walters	669
	Liberal	Dr. Montague D. Makuna	220
Majority			449
	Lib-Lab hold		Swing

Treorchy

Daronwy Isaac, miners' agent and ally of Mabon, stood as an unofficial candidate although he was President of the Rhondda Labour and Liberal Association.^[12] His opponent, William Morris was minister of Noddfa, Treorchy and already active in local government as a member of the Ystradyfodwg School Board.

Treorchy 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Lib-Lab	Daronwy Isaac	430
	Liberal	Rev William Morris	350
Majority			80
	Lib-Lab hold		Swing

Trealaw and Tonypandy

The contest was reported to have been conducted with bitterness and bad feeling. Mr. Williams's record on the council is a very satisfac- tory one. and it would have been hard indeed not to return one who has been tried and not found wanting. At the same time we are sorry that the Councifshould be without the services of Mr. T. P. Jenkins, who for many years was the chairman of the Rhondda Liberal and Labour Association, the first labour magistrate in Wales, and a man of great business capacity. The conflict between two good Liberals was most unfortunate. especially since it has generated so much ill feeling, and it is unfortunate that Mr. Jenkins did not elect to stand for another constituency against a Tory candidate.^[2]

Trealaw and Tonypandy 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	William Gwrtydd Williams*	456
	Liberal	T. Pascoe Jenkins	331
Majority			125
	Liberal hold		Swing

Tylorstown and Ynyshir

Tylorstown and Ynyshir 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	W.H. Mathias	unopposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

Ystalyfera

Ystalyfera 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	Dr David Thomas*	unopposed
	Conservative hold		Swing

Ystrad

Thomas, the retiring councillor, announced that he would not seek re-election but reversed his decision on learning that Cory would be the new candidate.^[2]

 

Clifford Cory

Ystrad 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Clifford J. Cory	775
	Lib-Lab	David Thomas*	706
Majority			69
	Liberal hold		Swing

Election of Aldermen

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 1892, there were eleven Aldermanic vacancies.

At a meeting of the South Wales Liberal Federation in Cardiff, a decision was taken that only elected members be elected aldermen.^[13] Even the Liberal journal, the South Wales Star thought that it was unfortunate that this ruling was made after the election when only three sitting aldermen had stood.^[14]

Two of the three retiring aldermen who had contested the election were re-elected to the aldermanic bench, namely Aaron Davies and W.H. Mathias. Rees Harries was not re-elected. J.C. Meggitt consented to be elected an alderman in order to allow John Cory to return as councillor for Barry (see below).^[5] The election of Moses Moses suggests that Liberal representatives on the County Council were more prepared than local leaders in the Rhondda to advance labour representatives.

The following aldermen were appointed by the newly elected council.^[15]

• David Price Davies, Liberal (elected councillor at Aberdare Town)
• John Powell, Liberal (elected councillor at Sketty)
• Sir Hussey Vivian MP, Liberal, elected councillor at Tirdeunaw
• Herbert Evans, Liberal, elected councillor at Cwmavon
• Rev Aaron Davies, Liberal, retiring alderman (elected Councillor at Pontlottyn)
• Henry Anthony, Liberal (elected councillor at Caerphilly)
• Moses Moses, Liberal-Labour (elected councillor at Cymmer)
• John Williams, Liberal (elected councillor at Ogmore Valley)
• W.H. Mathias, Liberal (elected councillor at Tylorstown and Ynyshir)
• Gwilym Jones, Liberal, retiring alderman (elected councillor at Mountain Ash)
• J.C. Meggitt, Liberal (elected councillor at Barry and Cadoxton)

By-elections

Aberdare Town by-election

In the Town Ward, Aberdare, following David Price Davies's election as alderman, the contest was said to have created an intense amount of enthusiasm and more excitement than has been known to an election in this parish for many years.

Aberdare Town by-election 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Thomas Thomas	702
	Liberal	Griffith George	512
	Liberal hold		Swing

Barry and Cadoxton by-election

John Cory was returned unopposed following John Claxton Meggitt's reluctant elevation to the aldermanic bench to make way for him.^[5]

Barry and Cadoxton by-election 1892

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

Caerphilly by-election

Following Henry Anthony's election as alderman, Richard Hill-Male, who had opposed him at the recent election, was now chosen as the official nominee of the Liberal Association. However, David Lewis, elected as Liberal councillor in 1889 and whose aldermanic term had lapsed also chose to contest the seat, and a number of lively meetings took place.^[16] On polling day, Hill-Male was returned with a comfortable majority.^[17]

Caerphilly by-election 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Richard Hill Male	660
	Independent	Samuel Evans	346
	Liberal	David Lewis**	330
Majority			191
	Liberal hold		Swing

Cwmavon by-election

The by-election followed the election of Herbert Evans as alderman.^[18]

Cwmavon by-election 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Thomas Davies	444
	Liberal	Rev Daniel Evans	431
Majority			13
	Liberal hold		Swing

Cymmer by-election

Idris Williams, narrowly defeated at the recent election by Moses Moses. was returned unopposed after a stormy meeting at Bethania Chapel, Dinas, when only members of the Liberal Association (the so-called 'Three Hundred') were allowed to vote. Eventually, Williams, who was also narrowly defeated at the 1889 election, was unanimously selected.^[19] Technically, the return of Williams represented a Liberal gain.

 

Idris Williams

Cymmer by-election 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Idris Williams	unopposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

Mountain Ash by-election

Mountain Ash by-election 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal
	Liberal hold		Swing

Ogmore Valley by-election

William Llewellyn, grocer, of Gwalia House, Tynewydd defeated William Jenkins, Ystradfechan, Treorchy, mining engineer at the Ocean Collieries.^[18]

Ogmore Valley by-election 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	William Llewellyn	543
	Liberal	William Jenkins	510
Majority			33
	Liberal hold		Swing

Pontlottyn by-election

Pontlottyn by-election 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Rev J.P. Williams	unopposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

Sketty by-election

Following the election of John Powell as alderman, Robert Armine Morris, a prominent figure in the municipal life of Swansea, and a member of a leading family in the industrial life of the district, won the seat for the Conservatives. The campaign included a public meeting addressed by both candidates.^[20] Prominent local Liberals were alleged to have at least tacitly supported Morris.^[18]

Sketty by-election 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	Robert Armine Morris	454
	Liberal	W. Fred Richards	409
	Liberal	Francis Richard Crawshay	57
Majority			45
	Conservative gain from Liberal		Swing

Tirdeunaw by-election

Following the election of Sir H. Hussey Vivian, the chairman of the council, as an alderman, two Liberal candidates contested the vacancy.^[20] Thomas Freeman was a past Mayor of Swansea and a prominent figure in the public life of the town who had also served as councillor for Llandeilo Talybont on the first council. He was defeated by Llewellyn Davies who had unsuccessfully contested Margam against A.P. Vivian in 1889.

Tirdeunaw by-election 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Llewellyn Davies	137
	Liberal	Thomas Freeman*	75
Majority			62
	Liberal hold		Swing

Tylorstown and Ynyshir by-election

The candidate was returned unopposed following a meeting of electors at Hermon, Pontygwaith.^[16] This outcome appears to have been challenged by the supporters of a certain Mr Fenwick, and a further meeting was held at which Hughes was again chosen, by 80 votes against 67 for Fenwick.^[21]

Tylorstown and Ynyshir by-election 1892

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	Rev J.D. Hughes	unopposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

References

1. "County Council Elections in South Wales". South Wales Daily News. 9 March 1892. p. 5. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
2. "The County Council Elections". South Wales Star. 11 March 1892. Retrieved 10 February 2014. (Detail of the electorate in the contested seats is also provided.)
3. "Glamorganshire". Cardiff Times. 12 March 1892. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
4. Williams. Democratic Rhondda. p. 47.
5. "Approaching County Council Election at Barry". South Wales Star. 18 March 1892. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
6. "Nominations". Glamorgan Gazette. 1 March 1895. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
7. Williams. Democratic Rhondda. p. 57.
8. "Glamorgan County Council Elections. List of Candidates". Cambrian. 4 March 1892. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
9. "Y Cyngor Sirol a Mr Owen Harris, Grocer, Trecynon". Tarian y Gweithiwr. 14 January 1892. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
10. "County Councils. Lists of Candidates in South Wales". Cardiff Times. 20 February 1892. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
11. "Death of Councillor Arnold, of Neath". South Wales Daily News. 26 February 1895. p. 6. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
12. Williams. Democratic Rhondda. p. 50.
13. "Selection of Aldermen". South Wales Star. 18 March 1892. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
14. "Editorial". South Wales Star. 18 March 1892. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
15. "Glamorgan County Council". Cambrian. 18 March 1892. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
16. "County Council Elections". Pontypridd Chronicle. 1 April 1892. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
17. "County Council Election. Caerphilly Division". Pontypridd Chronicle. 29 April 1892. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
18. "Glamorgan County Council Elections". South Wales Daily News. 23 April 1892. p. 6. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
19. "County Council Vacancy in the Cymmer Ward. Selection of a Candidate". South Wales Star. 1 April 1892. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
20. "Glamorgan County Council Bye-Elections. Sketty and Tirdeunaw Divisions". Cambrian. 25 March 1892. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
21. "County Council Elections". Evening Express. 24 March 1892. Retrieved 6 April 2014.

Bibliography

• 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.