The first election to the Glamorgan County Council was held on 17 January 1889.[1] Results were announced over several days.[2] They were followed by the 1892 election. The authority, by far the largest county in Wales in terms of population, was established by the 1888 Local Government Act. 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. For many weeks prior to the election there was lively campaigning in most wards and on election day, 'there was great interest manifested in the proceedings, and at most of the polling places a great many votes were recorded.'[2]
As in most parts of Wales, the Liberal Party was triumphant and won a majority of the seats. The Liberal members elected ranged however, from traditional landowners such as Henry Hussey Vivian, through indigenous coalowners such as F.L. Davis to nonconformist radicals like the Rev Aaron Davies, Pontlottyn. A vigorous campaign was fought by the Liberals, which was reported in detail in the local press.
The following is a summary of the council composition following the election. The figures shown are the number of councillors plus aldermen. For instance 13 + 2 indicates 13 councillors and 2 aldermen.
66 members were returned to the Council. There were 6 wards that returned two members while the other 54 wards returned one member only.
Most wards were contested by Liberal and Conservative candidates, although several of the latter stood as Independents. In many cases, Liberals fought each other.[3]
There were only three unopposed returns, all of whom were Liberals. Frederick Lewis Davis, defeated by Mabon at the Rhondda election in 1885 was returned unopposed in Ferndale as was W.H. Mathias at another Rhondda ward. The third unopposed return was David Davies in Morriston.
Contested electionsedit
Most candidates were described as either Liberals or Conservatives but these allegiances were fluid and, in some cases, there was little evidence of a connection between candidates and local Liberal or Conservative party organisations.
Aberdare and Merthyr Districtsedit
There were five seats in the Aberdare district, namely Aberaman, Aberdare Town, Gadlys, Hirwaun and Llwydcoed and the return of three Conservatives in this predominantly radical and working-class community excited some comment. The three Conservatives, Sir William Thomas Lewis, Rees Hopkin Rhys and James Lewis, had all been active in the public life of the valley for many years, and their return owed as much to their local influence as to their politics. The nominally Liberal local paper, the Aberdare Times, regretted that the local Liberal Association chose to run candidates against these prominent local figures.[4] Upon the return of all three, a demonstration was held where (according to the admittedly anti-Liberal Aberdare Times), 'all classes of the people united to mark their sense of the pronounced triumph over the clique who presume to act in the name of the Liberal Association.'[5]
In the Merthyr Tydfil area, however, Liberal candidates were more successful but here too the Conservatives performed strongly.
Rhondda Districtedit
In the Rhondda district the success of William Abraham (Mabon) at the 1885 General Election had led to the emergence of a Rhondda Liberal and Labour Association within which working class leaders were active. At the 1889 election the Association advanced a slate of ten candidates, nine of whom were successful. this level of organisation contrasted sharply with other parts of the county. It is also significant that most of the official Liberal candidates had supported the official Liberal candidate, Frederick Davis, in 1885, rather than the Lib-Lab Mabon.[6] The relative unity of the valley Liberals in these elections is illustrated by a meeting held at the Treorchy Board Schools to support the candidatures of William Morgan and J.S. Edwards at Treherbert and Treorchy respectively. The meeting was chaired by William Morris, minister of Noddfa, Treorchy and addressed by both Daronwy Isaac and Mabon himself.[7]
The New Counciledit
The first meeting of the Council was held at the Gwyn Hall in Neath and Sir Hussey Vivian MP elected to the chair.[8] The Liberal group did agree on a list of aldermen before hand but they were not as cohesive as in other counties in using a block vote.
One of the main debates related to the venue for meetings, with the claims of Neath and Pontypridd being most prominent. The Bridgend Local Board of Health had petitioned Lord Dunraven to lobby for that town to be considered.[7]
This contest was widely reported and was a significant victory for a local tradesman, T.P. White, over a leading colliery official who later became a prominent figure in the South Wales and Monmouthshire Coalowners' Association. White had been chosen as Liberal candidate after a public meeting at Saron Chapel, Aberaman. In a letter to the press he referred to pressure from colliery officials and sought to re-assure the electors that there was a secret ballot.[9]
Evans Bevan, owner of the anthracite colliery at Seven Sisters, was a prominent businessman and industrialist. His return reflected his social status in the recently developed Dulais Valley.
James Lewis had been active in the public life of the Aberdare Valley for many years and his candidacy was supported by many Liberals, even though his politics were regarded as Conservative.[10]
The contest was marked by accusations (originally made at the time of the Glamorgan county election of 1880) that Lewis, as a prominent coal owner and land agent, had refused requests by nonconformists for land to build chapels. He publicly refuted these allegations, at a meeting held at Ebenezer, Trecynon.[11] Lewis's supporters also countered these claims by publishing old correspondence, including a letter by the late Thomas Price which refuted the accusations.[12] There is evidence that Lewis's personal popularity transcended any political considerations.[13]
This large ward covered the parishes of Llantwit Fardre, Llanfabon and Llanwonno and witnessed a close contest. The Liberal candidate, Edward Edwards, addressing a public meeting at Graigberthlwyd Chapel, referred to personal attacks made against him by opponents and defended his record as a Guardian and member of the Gelligaer Highways Board. Dewi Mabon also addressed this meeting, and in response to questions, Edwards declared himself in favour of the Welsh language being taught more widely in schools. it was alleged that his opponent, Jabez Evans, though nominally an Independent, was supported by the Conservative Party.[14] This is borne out to some extent by reports of Evans's meetings, where he was generally supported by those who argued that the "best men" should be elected, regardless of their politics.[15]
Lewis and Williams, chosen as the official candidates of the Liberal Association, faced one of the few prominent coal owners in the Rhondda to stand as a Conservative candidate. Their campaign was supported by D.A. Thomas who addressed a public meeting at Clydach Vale. Thomas stated that he had known Hood longer than the two Liberals, but that the county elections should be fought on political lines.[16]
Following a close three-way contest, John Jenkins, a member of the Local Board of Health for twelve years, scored a narrow victory. Jenkins was the proprietor of the Thomastown Brickworks and a prominent figure in the Merthyr Building Society. Jenkins was said to have campaigned as a Radical, while the other two candidates relied upon their 'personal qualifications'.[1] A few later, however, Jenkins was killed in an accident.[17]
David Davis, a tinplate manufacturer, was returned unopposed. The widespread support he attracted was indicated by a meeting at Morriston, chaired by William Williams, Maesygwernen, 'who was supported by nearly all the tinplate manufacturers of the neighbourhood and the leading inhabitants of the district'.[18]
David Evans, manager of David Davis & Sons' pit at Bodringallt, and former chairman of the Ystradyfodwg School Board was the only official Rhondda Labour and Liberal Association candidate to be defeated.[19] The successful candidate was William Jenkins of Ystradefechan.
This contrast attracted considerable interest as a prominent Liberal faced a major employer in Pontypridd and owner of the Brown Lenox chain works.[20]
John Powell's candidature was supported by key Liberal figures in the county, including Sir Hussey Vivian and Mabon, both of whom addressed meetings. Powell claimed the support of both the Liberal Association and the Labour Party.[21]
The relative unity of the valley Liberals in these elections is illustrated by a meeting held at the Treorchy Board Schools to support the candidatures of William Morgan and J.S. Edwards at Treherbert and Treorchy respectively. The meeting was chaired by William Morris, minister of Noddfa, Treorchy and addressed by both Daronwy Isaac and Mabon himself.[7] At the 1885 election Morgan had supported F.L. Davis while Edwards had supported Mabon.[19]
At Ystalyfera there were two strong competing factions for the Liberal candidacy, each supporting John Beynon and James Williams respectively. After a lively arbitration meeting at Swansea, where three referees including David Randell MP and Thomas Phillips of Llanelli presided, Beynon was selected. However, a meeting of Williams's supporters resolved to ignore the decision and contest the seat.[7] These divisions may have contributed to the Conservative victory.
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 election of the initial 22 aldermen, half of the aldermanic bench would be elected every three years following the triennial council election.
Prior to the elections there had been some discussion about the method of electing aldermen. At a meeting in Clydach Vale, D.A. Thomas had argued that although he believed the elections should be fought on political lines, men such as J. T. D. Llewellyn and Rees Hopkin Rhys should be selected as aldermen in order that the Council could benefit from their experience as magistrates. This had been contradicted by one of the two Liberal candidates for the ward who had declared that the aldermen should be elected from within the council.[16] In the event both Llewelyn and Rhys were successful at the elections in any case.
After the initial elections, there were sixteen Aldermanic vacancies and the following Alderman were appointed by the newly elected council:
Elected for six years
J. T. D. Llewellyn, Conservative (elected councillor at Lougher and Penderry)
Thomas Williams, Liberal (elected councillor at Penydarren)
Walter H. Morgan Liberal (elected councillor at Pontypridd)
William Hunter, Liberal (elected councillor at Briton Ferry)
Gwilym Jones, Liberal (elected councillor at Penrhiwceiber and Dyffryn)
John Cory, Liberal (elected councillor at Barry and Cadoxton)
David Davies, Liberal (elected councillor at Morriston)
David Lewis Liberal (elected councillor at Caerphilly)
Rev Aaron Davies, Liberal (elected councillor at Pontlottyn)
William Jenkins, Liberal (elected councillor at Pentre and Ystrad)
Thomas Rees, Liberal (elected councillor at Cowbridge)
Edward Plummer, Liberal (elected councillor at Resolven)
Rees Harries, Liberal (elected councillor at Llandeilo Talybont)
Thomas P. White, Liberal (elected councillor at Aberaman)
Richard Jenkins, Liberal (elected councillor at Aberavon )
In contrast to the position in some Welsh counties such as Cardiganshire, where the Liberal majority voted en bloc for a slate of candidates, including a small number of Conservatives, the distribution of the votes in the ballot suggested that this was not the case in Glamorgan. The votes ranged from 58 for J.T.D. Llewellyn to 25 for Sir William Thomas Lewis, who was only four votes ahead of the next candidate, Lord Aberdare.[8] The Liberal caucus did agree on a slate, and altered it when four members including Hussey Vivian and Cory Yeo, declined to be nominated. However, the Liberal group were not as disciplined in adhering to the list as in some rural counties, perhaps reflecting the ambiguity inherent in some councillors' political allegiances.[22] Even so, the end result was that the Liberals had all but two of the aldermanic seats.
By-electionsedit
Aberaman by -electionedit
A by-election was held following T.P. White's elevation to the aldermanic bench. The result of the first election was regarded with surprise in some quarters and one local newspaper predicted that E.M. Hann, defeated at the first contest would be successful in the by-election.[23] However, Hann was again defeated by a different Liberal candidate, Thomas Davies.[24]
Following the election of Rees Harries as alderman, a public meeting was held under his chairmanship at which Thomas Freeman was selected to contest the seat. There were no other nominations.[25] Freeman was a prominent figure in the public life of Swansea and a member of the Swansea Town Council, which became the Swansea County Borough Council in 1889.
Following the election of William Jenkins as alderman, Aneurin Cule, a grocer from Pentre and David Thomas, checkweigher at Pentre Colliery were nominated but Cule withdrew allowing Thomas to be returned unopposed.[26] Thomas thus became the first working man to be elected to Glamorgan County Council.
Following the election of John Jones Griffiths as alderman, two Liberals, including Hugh Jones, Baptist minister at Penygraig, were defeated by an Independent candidate.
Following the election of William Morgan as alderman, Evan Davies, a Treherbert butcher and William Morris, minister of Noddfa, Treorchy were nominated but Morris withdrew allowing Davies to be returned unopposed.[26]
The by-election arose following the death of the Liberal councillor, John Jenkins, a few weeks after the election.[17] Frank James, who had been defeated by 33 votes at the original election in which both a Conservative and Unionist opposed the Liberal candidate, now scored a decisive victory.[27]
A by-election took place at Ferndale on 1 January 1890 following the death of David Evans, Bodringallt.[28] The elected candidate was the nominee of the Rhondda Labour and Liberal Association.
^"Pontypridd and the County Council". Pontypridd Chronicle. 4 January 1889. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
^"Glamorganshire County Council Elections". Cambrian. 11 January 1889. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
^"Glamorgan County Council". Pontypridd Chronicle. 8 February 1889. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
^"District Notes". Aberdare Times. 9 February 1889. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
^"County Council Election". Aberdare Times. 23 February 1889. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
^"The Vacancies in the Councils". Cardiff Times. 9 February 1889. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
^ ab"The Rhondda Contests". Pontypridd Chronicle. 15 February 1889. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
^"Glamorgan County Council. Bye-election at Merthyr". Aberdare Times. 30 March 1889. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
^"Glamorgan County Council. The Contest at Ferndale". Cardiff Times. 4 January 1890. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
Bibliographyedit
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.
May 07, 2024
1889, glamorgan, county, council, election, first, election, glamorgan, county, council, held, january, 1889, results, were, announced, over, several, days, they, were, followed, 1892, election, authority, largest, county, wales, terms, population, established. The first election to the Glamorgan County Council was held on 17 January 1889 1 Results were announced over several days 2 They were followed by the 1892 election The authority by far the largest county in Wales in terms of population was established by the 1888 Local Government Act The county of Glamorgan was at this time becoming heavily industrialised although some areas such as the Vale of Glamorgan remained essentially rural Contents 1 Overview of the Result 2 Candidates and unopposed returns 3 Contested elections 3 1 Aberdare and Merthyr Districts 3 2 Rhondda District 4 The New Council 5 Results 5 1 Aberaman 5 2 Aberavon 5 3 Aberdare Town 5 4 Barry and Cadoxton 5 5 Bridgend 5 6 Briton Ferry 5 7 Caeharris 5 8 Caerphilly 5 9 Coedffranc 5 10 Coity 5 11 Cowbridge 5 12 Cwmavon 5 13 Cyfarthfa 5 14 Cymmer 5 15 Dinas Powys 5 16 Dowlais 5 17 Dulais Valley 5 18 Ferndale 5 19 Gadlys 5 20 Garw Valley 5 21 Gellifaelog 5 22 Gelligaer 5 23 Gower 5 24 Hirwaun 5 25 Kibbor 5 26 Llandaff 5 27 Llandeilo Talybont 5 28 Llansamlet 5 29 Llantrisant 5 30 Llantwit Fardre 5 31 Llwydcoed 5 32 Llwynypia and Trealaw two seats 5 33 Loughor and Penderry 5 34 Maesteg 5 35 Margam 5 36 Merthyr Town 5 37 Merthyr Vale 5 38 Morriston 5 39 Neath two seats 5 40 Newcastle 5 41 Ogmore 5 42 Ogmore Valley 5 43 Oystermouth 5 44 Penarth two members 5 45 Penrhiwceiber and Dyffryn two seats 5 46 Pentre and Ystrad two seats 5 47 Penydarren 5 48 Plymouth 5 49 Pontardawe 5 50 Pontlottyn 5 51 Pontypridd 5 52 Porth 5 53 Resolven 5 54 Sketty 5 55 Swansea Valley 5 56 Tirdeunaw 5 57 Treforest 5 58 Treorchy and Treherbert two seats 5 59 Tylorstown and Ynyshir 5 60 Ystalyfera 6 Election of Aldermen 7 By elections 7 1 Aberaman by election 7 2 Aberavon by election 7 3 Barry and Cadoxton by election 7 4 Briton Ferry by election 7 5 Caerphilly by election 7 6 Cowbridge by election 7 7 Cymmer by election 7 8 Ferndale by election 7 9 Gellifaelog by election 7 10 Hirwaun by election 7 11 Llandeilo Talybont by election 7 12 Loughor and Penderry by election 7 13 Maesteg by election 7 14 Morriston by election 7 15 Penrhiwceiber and Dyffryn by election 7 16 Pentre and Ystrad by election 7 17 Penydarren by election 7 18 Pontlottyn by election 7 19 Pontypridd by election 7 20 Porth by election 7 21 Resolven by election 7 22 Treorchy and Treherbert by election 8 By Elections 1889 1892 8 1 Merthyr Town by election 1889 8 2 Ferndale by election 1890 9 References 10 BibliographyOverview of the Result editThe 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 For many weeks prior to the election there was lively campaigning in most wards and on election day there was great interest manifested in the proceedings and at most of the polling places a great many votes were recorded 2 As in most parts of Wales the Liberal Party was triumphant and won a majority of the seats The Liberal members elected ranged however from traditional landowners such as Henry Hussey Vivian through indigenous coalowners such as F L Davis to nonconformist radicals like the Rev Aaron Davies Pontlottyn A vigorous campaign was fought by the Liberals which was reported in detail in the local press The following is a summary of the council composition following the election The figures shown are the number of councillors plus aldermen For instance 13 2 indicates 13 councillors and 2 aldermen Glamorgan County Council election result 1889 Party Seats Gains Losses Net gain loss Seats Votes Votes Liberal Conservative Unionist Labour Independent Other partiesCandidates and unopposed returns edit66 members were returned to the Council There were 6 wards that returned two members while the other 54 wards returned one member only Most wards were contested by Liberal and Conservative candidates although several of the latter stood as Independents In many cases Liberals fought each other 3 There were only three unopposed returns all of whom were Liberals Frederick Lewis Davis defeated by Mabon at the Rhondda election in 1885 was returned unopposed in Ferndale as was W H Mathias at another Rhondda ward The third unopposed return was David Davies in Morriston Contested elections editMost candidates were described as either Liberals or Conservatives but these allegiances were fluid and in some cases there was little evidence of a connection between candidates and local Liberal or Conservative party organisations Aberdare and Merthyr Districts edit There were five seats in the Aberdare district namely Aberaman Aberdare Town Gadlys Hirwaun and Llwydcoed and the return of three Conservatives in this predominantly radical and working class community excited some comment The three Conservatives Sir William Thomas Lewis Rees Hopkin Rhys and James Lewis had all been active in the public life of the valley for many years and their return owed as much to their local influence as to their politics The nominally Liberal local paper the Aberdare Times regretted that the local Liberal Association chose to run candidates against these prominent local figures 4 Upon the return of all three a demonstration was held where according to the admittedly anti Liberal Aberdare Times all classes of the people united to mark their sense of the pronounced triumph over the clique who presume to act in the name of the Liberal Association 5 In the Merthyr Tydfil area however Liberal candidates were more successful but here too the Conservatives performed strongly Rhondda District edit In the Rhondda district the success of William Abraham Mabon at the 1885 General Election had led to the emergence of a Rhondda Liberal and Labour Association within which working class leaders were active At the 1889 election the Association advanced a slate of ten candidates nine of whom were successful this level of organisation contrasted sharply with other parts of the county It is also significant that most of the official Liberal candidates had supported the official Liberal candidate Frederick Davis in 1885 rather than the Lib Lab Mabon 6 The relative unity of the valley Liberals in these elections is illustrated by a meeting held at the Treorchy Board Schools to support the candidatures of William Morgan and J S Edwards at Treherbert and Treorchy respectively The meeting was chaired by William Morris minister of Noddfa Treorchy and addressed by both Daronwy Isaac and Mabon himself 7 The New Council editThe first meeting of the Council was held at the Gwyn Hall in Neath and Sir Hussey Vivian MP elected to the chair 8 The Liberal group did agree on a list of aldermen before hand but they were not as cohesive as in other counties in using a block vote One of the main debates related to the venue for meetings with the claims of Neath and Pontypridd being most prominent The Bridgend Local Board of Health had petitioned Lord Dunraven to lobby for that town to be considered 7 Results editAberaman edit This contest was widely reported and was a significant victory for a local tradesman T P White over a leading colliery official who later became a prominent figure in the South Wales and Monmouthshire Coalowners Association White had been chosen as Liberal candidate after a public meeting at Saron Chapel Aberaman In a letter to the press he referred to pressure from colliery officials and sought to re assure the electors that there was a secret ballot 9 Aberaman 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Thomas Phillip White 769 61 6 Conservative Edmund Mills Hann 480 38 4 Majority 289 23 2 Liberal win new seat Aberavon edit Aberavon 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Richard Jenkins 401 53 5 Conservative John Morgan Smith 348 46 5 Majority 53 7 0 Liberal win new seat Aberdare Town edit Aberdare Town 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal David Price Davies Unopposed Liberal win new seat Barry and Cadoxton edit Barry and Cadoxton 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal John Cory Unopposed Liberal win new seat Bridgend edit Bridgend 1889 Party Candidate Votes Conservative Lord Dunraven Unopposed Conservative win new seat Briton Ferry edit Briton Ferry 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal William Hunter 353 53 8 Conservative G H Davey 303 46 2 Majority 50 7 6 Liberal win new seat Caeharris edit E P Martin was regarded as the candidate of the Dowlais Iron Company and was said to have dominated the contest from the outset 1 Caeharris 1889 Party Candidate Votes Unionist Edward Pritchard Martin 762 Liberal Evan Lewis 133 Majority 629 Unionist win new seat Caerphilly edit Caerphilly 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal David Lewis 531 Liberal Henry Anthony 406 Majority 125 Liberal win new seat Coedffranc edit Coedffranc 1889 Party Candidate Votes Conservative John Newall Moore 451 Liberal Samuel T Evans 319 Majority 132 Conservative win new seat Coity edit Coity 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal William Howell 564 Independent R Evans 164 Majority 400 Liberal win new seat Cowbridge edit Cowbridge 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Thomas Rees 334 Independent Rees Thomas 322 Conservative R T Bassett 240 Majority 12 Liberal win new seat Cwmavon edit Cwmavon 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Herbert Evans 415 Conservative J Stanley 387 Majority 28 Liberal win new seat Cyfarthfa edit Cyfarthfa 1889 Party Candidate Votes Unionist W T Crawshay Unopposed Unionist win new seat Cymmer edit Henry Naunton Davies was opposed by T Griffiths manager of Cymmer Colliery and a member of the Ystradyfodwg Local Board Cymmer 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Henry Naunton Davies 785 Independent T Griffiths 311 Majority 474 Liberal win new seat Dinas Powys edit Dinas Powys 1889 Party Candidate Votes Conservative Oliver Henry Jones JP 443 Liberal W Jenkins 271 Majority 172 Conservative win new seat Dowlais edit Dowlais 1889 Party Candidate Votes Conservative Thomas Jenkins 469 Liberal David Jones 443 Majority 26 Conservative win new seat Dulais Valley edit Evans Bevan owner of the anthracite colliery at Seven Sisters was a prominent businessman and industrialist His return reflected his social status in the recently developed Dulais Valley Dulais Valley 1889 Party Candidate Votes Conservative Evan Evans Bevan 320 Conservative M S Williams 223 Liberal Rev D Glyn Davies 213 Majority 97 Conservative win new seat Ferndale edit Ferndale 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Frederick Lewis Davis Unopposed Liberal win new seat Gadlys edit James Lewis had been active in the public life of the Aberdare Valley for many years and his candidacy was supported by many Liberals even though his politics were regarded as Conservative 10 Gadlys 1889 Party Candidate Votes Independent James Lewis 902 68 9 Liberal T J Jones 407 31 1 Majority 495 37 8 Independent win new seat Garw Valley edit Garw Valley 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Dr Edward John Parry Unopposed N A N A Liberal win new seat Gellifaelog edit Gellifaelog 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Gwilym C James 436 Independent T Jones 131 Majority 305 Liberal win new seat Gelligaer edit Gelligaer 1889 Party Candidate Votes Conservative Henry William Martin 510 Liberal W Coslett Beddoe 478 Majority 62 Conservative win new seat Gower edit Gower 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Frank Cory Yeo 478 Conservative R A Essery 328 Majority 806 Liberal win new seat Hirwaun edit The contest was marked by accusations originally made at the time of the Glamorgan county election of 1880 that Lewis as a prominent coal owner and land agent had refused requests by nonconformists for land to build chapels He publicly refuted these allegations at a meeting held at Ebenezer Trecynon 11 Lewis s supporters also countered these claims by publishing old correspondence including a letter by the late Thomas Price which refuted the accusations 12 There is evidence that Lewis s personal popularity transcended any political considerations 13 Hirwaun 1889 Party Candidate Votes Conservative Sir William Thomas Lewis 454 Liberal Rev Richard Morgan 383 Majority 71 Conservative win new seat Kibbor edit Kibbor 1889 Party Candidate Votes Conservative Henry Lewis 589 Liberal Rev David Evans 284 Majority 305 Conservative win new seat Llandaff edit Llandaff 1889 Party Candidate Votes Conservative Robert Forrest JP 448 Liberal W Evans 257 Majority 191 Conservative win new seat Llandeilo Talybont edit Llandeilo Talybont 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Rees Harries 472 Conservative D Lewis 97 Majority 375 Liberal win new seat Llansamlet edit Llansamlet 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal William Sims 556 Independent W F Richards 392 Majority 164 Liberal win new seat Llantrisant edit Llantrisant 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal J Blandy Jenkins 609 Conservative Josiah Lewis 444 Majority 165 Liberal win new seat Llantwit Fardre edit This large ward covered the parishes of Llantwit Fardre Llanfabon and Llanwonno and witnessed a close contest The Liberal candidate Edward Edwards addressing a public meeting at Graigberthlwyd Chapel referred to personal attacks made against him by opponents and defended his record as a Guardian and member of the Gelligaer Highways Board Dewi Mabon also addressed this meeting and in response to questions Edwards declared himself in favour of the Welsh language being taught more widely in schools it was alleged that his opponent Jabez Evans though nominally an Independent was supported by the Conservative Party 14 This is borne out to some extent by reports of Evans s meetings where he was generally supported by those who argued that the best men should be elected regardless of their politics 15 Llantwit Fardre 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Edward Edwards 367 Independent Jabez Evans 314 Majority 53 Liberal win new seat Llwydcoed edit Llwydcoed 1889 Party Candidate Votes Conservative Rees Hopkin Rhys 317 Liberal Griffith George 258 Majority 59 Conservative win new seat Llwynypia and Trealaw two seats edit Lewis and Williams chosen as the official candidates of the Liberal Association faced one of the few prominent coal owners in the Rhondda to stand as a Conservative candidate Their campaign was supported by D A Thomas who addressed a public meeting at Clydach Vale Thomas stated that he had known Hood longer than the two Liberals but that the county elections should be fought on political lines 16 Llwynypia and Trealaw 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Richard Lewis 769 Liberal William Williams 730 Conservative Archibald Hood 713 Liberal win new seat Liberal win new seat Loughor and Penderry edit Lougher and Penderry 1889 Party Candidate Votes Conservative J T D Llewellyn 647 Liberal W Harries 312 Majority 336 Conservative win new seat Maesteg edit Maesteg 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Dr John Davies 662 Independent D Grey 509 Majority 153 Liberal win new seat Margam edit Margam 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Arthur Pendarves Vivian 618 Liberal Llewellyn Howell 377 Majority 241 Liberal win new seat Merthyr Town edit Following a close three way contest John Jenkins a member of the Local Board of Health for twelve years scored a narrow victory Jenkins was the proprietor of the Thomastown Brickworks and a prominent figure in the Merthyr Building Society Jenkins was said to have campaigned as a Radical while the other two candidates relied upon their personal qualifications 1 A few later however Jenkins was killed in an accident 17 Merthyr Town 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal John Jenkins 543 Unionist Frank James 510 Conservative D Williams 500 Majority 33 Liberal win new seat Merthyr Vale edit Merthyr Vale 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Walter Bell Unopposed Liberal win new seat Morriston edit David Davis a tinplate manufacturer was returned unopposed The widespread support he attracted was indicated by a meeting at Morriston chaired by William Williams Maesygwernen who was supported by nearly all the tinplate manufacturers of the neighbourhood and the leading inhabitants of the district 18 Morriston 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal David Davies unopposed Liberal win new seat Neath two seats edit Neath 1889 Party Candidate Votes Unionist Charles Evan Thomas 920 Independent Henry Pendrill Charles 738 Liberal Thomas Powell 687 Unionist win new seat Independent win new seat Newcastle edit Newcastle 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal James Bryant 477 Conservative F J Coldridge Bowles 275 Majority 202 Liberal win new seat Ogmore edit Ogmore 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Evan Evans 362 Independent Rees Thomas 243 Conservative William Howells 183 Majority 143 Liberal win new seat Ogmore Valley edit Ogmore Valley 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal John Williams 509 Conservative Daniel Price 366 Majority 143 Liberal win new seat Oystermouth edit Oystermouth 1889 Party Candidate Votes Conservative Thomas Penrice 284 Conservative Nicholl Morgan 244 Liberal John Taylor 135 Conservative win new seat Penarth two members edit Penarth 1889 Party Candidate Votes Conservative Henry Oakden Fisher 667 Conservative John Stuart Corbett 427 Liberal Thomas Lewis 423 Liberal D T Alexander 387 Conservative win new seat Conservative win new seat Penrhiwceiber and Dyffryn two seats edit Penrhiwceiber and Dyffryn 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Col C J N Gray 1 027 Liberal Gwilym Jones 694 Liberal Hon H Campbell Bruce 664 Liberal win new seat Liberal win new seat Pentre and Ystrad two seats edit David Evans manager of David Davis amp Sons pit at Bodringallt and former chairman of the Ystradyfodwg School Board was the only official Rhondda Labour and Liberal Association candidate to be defeated 19 The successful candidate was William Jenkins of Ystradefechan Pentre and Ystrad 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal William Jenkins 1 116 Liberal Richard Morris 1 093 Liberal David Evans 796 Majority Liberal win new seat Liberal win new seat Penydarren edit Penydarren 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Thomas Williams 653 Conservative John Plews 323 Majority 330 Liberal win new seat Plymouth edit Plymouth 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Henry W Lewis 570 Liberal Joseph Owen 311 Majority 239 Liberal win new seat Pontardawe edit Pontardawe 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Ernest Hall Hedley 511 Liberal John Beynon 291 Majority 220 Liberal win new seat Pontlottyn edit Pontlottyn 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Rev Aaron Davies 469 Conservative J Matthews 342 Majority 127 Liberal win new seat Pontypridd edit This contrast attracted considerable interest as a prominent Liberal faced a major employer in Pontypridd and owner of the Brown Lenox chain works 20 Pontypridd 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Walter Morgan 608 Conservative Gordon Lenox JP 490 Majority 118 Liberal win new seat Porth edit Porth 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal John Jones Griffiths 413 Liberal Idris Williams 303 Liberal Thomas Jones 243 Majority 110 Liberal win new seat Resolven edit Resolven 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Edward Plummer 772 Rev W Griffiths 359 Majority 413 Liberal win new seat Sketty edit John Powell s candidature was supported by key Liberal figures in the county including Sir Hussey Vivian and Mabon both of whom addressed meetings Powell claimed the support of both the Liberal Association and the Labour Party 21 Sketty 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal John Powell 597 Conservative Philip Richards 458 Liberal E Daniel 256 Majority 139 Liberal win new seat Swansea Valley edit Swansea Valley 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Thomas Jones 505 Independent W Jenkins 308 Majority 197 Liberal win new seat Tirdeunaw edit Tirdeunaw 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Sir H Hussey Vivian 786 Liberal Llewelyn Davies 369 Majority 417 Liberal win new seat Treforest edit Treforest 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal James Roberts 481 Conservative David Leyshon 383 Majority 98 Liberal win new seat Treorchy and Treherbert two seats edit The relative unity of the valley Liberals in these elections is illustrated by a meeting held at the Treorchy Board Schools to support the candidatures of William Morgan and J S Edwards at Treherbert and Treorchy respectively The meeting was chaired by William Morris minister of Noddfa Treorchy and addressed by both Daronwy Isaac and Mabon himself 7 At the 1885 election Morgan had supported F L Davis while Edwards had supported Mabon 19 Treorchy and Treherbert 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal William Morgan 1 061 Liberal Rev John Salisbury Edwards 912 Independent Evan Evans 619 Liberal win new seat Liberal win new seat Tylorstown and Ynyshir edit Tylorstown and Ynyshir 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal William Henry Mathias Unopposed N A N A Liberal win new seat Ystalyfera edit At Ystalyfera there were two strong competing factions for the Liberal candidacy each supporting John Beynon and James Williams respectively After a lively arbitration meeting at Swansea where three referees including David Randell MP and Thomas Phillips of Llanelli presided Beynon was selected However a meeting of Williams s supporters resolved to ignore the decision and contest the seat 7 These divisions may have contributed to the Conservative victory Ystalyfera 1889 Party Candidate Votes Conservative Dr David Thomas 375 Liberal James Williams 239 Majority 136 Conservative win new seat Election of Aldermen editIn 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 election of the initial 22 aldermen half of the aldermanic bench would be elected every three years following the triennial council election Prior to the elections there had been some discussion about the method of electing aldermen At a meeting in Clydach Vale D A Thomas had argued that although he believed the elections should be fought on political lines men such as J T D Llewellyn and Rees Hopkin Rhys should be selected as aldermen in order that the Council could benefit from their experience as magistrates This had been contradicted by one of the two Liberal candidates for the ward who had declared that the aldermen should be elected from within the council 16 In the event both Llewelyn and Rhys were successful at the elections in any case After the initial elections there were sixteen Aldermanic vacancies and the following Alderman were appointed by the newly elected council Elected for six years J T D Llewellyn Conservative elected councillor at Lougher and Penderry Thomas Williams Liberal elected councillor at Penydarren Walter H Morgan Liberal elected councillor at Pontypridd William Hunter Liberal elected councillor at Briton Ferry Frederick L Davis Liberal elected councillor at Ferndale John Davies Liberal elected councillor at Maesteg William Morgan elected councillor at Treherbert Dr H Naunton Davies Liberal elected Councillor at Cymmer John Jones Griffiths Liberal elected councillor at Porth Gwilym James elected councillor at Gellifaelog Sir William Thomas Lewis Conservative elected councillor at Hirwaun Elected for three years Gwilym Jones Liberal elected councillor at Penrhiwceiber and Dyffryn John Cory Liberal elected councillor at Barry and Cadoxton David Davies Liberal elected councillor at Morriston David Lewis Liberal elected councillor at Caerphilly Rev Aaron Davies Liberal elected councillor at Pontlottyn William Jenkins Liberal elected councillor at Pentre and Ystrad Thomas Rees Liberal elected councillor at Cowbridge Edward Plummer Liberal elected councillor at Resolven Rees Harries Liberal elected councillor at Llandeilo Talybont Thomas P White Liberal elected councillor at Aberaman Richard Jenkins Liberal elected councillor at Aberavon In contrast to the position in some Welsh counties such as Cardiganshire where the Liberal majority voted en bloc for a slate of candidates including a small number of Conservatives the distribution of the votes in the ballot suggested that this was not the case in Glamorgan The votes ranged from 58 for J T D Llewellyn to 25 for Sir William Thomas Lewis who was only four votes ahead of the next candidate Lord Aberdare 8 The Liberal caucus did agree on a slate and altered it when four members including Hussey Vivian and Cory Yeo declined to be nominated However the Liberal group were not as disciplined in adhering to the list as in some rural counties perhaps reflecting the ambiguity inherent in some councillors political allegiances 22 Even so the end result was that the Liberals had all but two of the aldermanic seats By elections editAberaman by election edit A by election was held following T P White s elevation to the aldermanic bench The result of the first election was regarded with surprise in some quarters and one local newspaper predicted that E M Hann defeated at the first contest would be successful in the by election 23 However Hann was again defeated by a different Liberal candidate Thomas Davies 24 Aberaman by election 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Thomas Davies 675 Conservative Edmund Mills Hann 549 Majority 126 Liberal hold Swing Aberavon by election edit Aberavon by election 1889 Party Candidate Votes Conservative John Morgan Smith 418 Liberal Evan Davies 347 Majority 71 Barry and Cadoxton by election edit nbsp John Claxton Meggitt Barry and Cadoxton by election 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal John Claxton Meggitt 263 Conservative General Lee 139 Liberal hold Swing Briton Ferry by election edit Briton Ferry by election 1889 Party Candidate Votes Conservative William Peddie Struve 365 Liberal Jenkin Hill 337 Majority 28 Caerphilly by election edit Caerphilly by election 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Henry Anthony 600 Liberal D Morgan 320 Majority 280 Liberal hold Swing Cowbridge by election edit Cowbridge by election 1889 Party Candidate Votes Conservative John Samuel Gibbon 460 Liberal Rees Thomas 420 Majority 40 Cymmer by election edit Following the election of Henry Naunton Davies as alderman his brother scored a decisive victory at the by election Cymmer by election 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Dr Evan Naunton Davies 781 Conservative J Davies 184 Majority 597 Liberal hold Swing Ferndale by election edit Evans rejected at Pentre and Ystrad at the initial election was returned unopposed Ferndale by election 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal David Evans Unopposed Liberal hold Gellifaelog by election edit Dowlais by election 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal David Jones 277 Liberal John Thomas 276 Unionist Richard P Rees 82 Majority 1 Liberal hold Swing Hirwaun by election edit Morgan won the by election having been defeated at the initial contest by Sir William Thomas Lewis Hirwaun by election 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Rev Richard Morgan 480 Independent Dr Evan Jones 362 Majority 114 Llandeilo Talybont by election edit Following the election of Rees Harries as alderman a public meeting was held under his chairmanship at which Thomas Freeman was selected to contest the seat There were no other nominations 25 Freeman was a prominent figure in the public life of Swansea and a member of the Swansea Town Council which became the Swansea County Borough Council in 1889 Llandeilo Talybont by election 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Thomas Freeman Unopposed Liberal hold Loughor and Penderry by election edit Lougher and Penderry by election 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Edward Rice Daniel 554 Conservative John Roper Wright 494 Majority 60 Maesteg by election edit Maesteg by election 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal James Barrow 719 Liberal Francis Richard Crawshay 347 Majority 372 Liberal hold Swing Morriston by election edit Morriston 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal William Williams Unopposed Liberal hold Penrhiwceiber and Dyffryn by election edit Penrhiwceiber and Dyffryn by election 1898 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Dr W P Jones 1 168 Liberal Unionist W Jones 286 Liberal hold Swing Pentre and Ystrad by election edit Following the election of William Jenkins as alderman Aneurin Cule a grocer from Pentre and David Thomas checkweigher at Pentre Colliery were nominated but Cule withdrew allowing Thomas to be returned unopposed 26 Thomas thus became the first working man to be elected to Glamorgan County Council Pentre and Ystrad by election 1889 Party Candidate Votes Lib Lab David Thomas Unopposed Penydarren by election edit Penydarren by election 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal David Davies Unopposed Liberal hold Pontlottyn by election edit Pontlottyn by election 1898 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Rev John Penry Williams 694 Liberal Thomas Jones 380 Majority 314 Liberal hold Swing Pontypridd by election edit Pontypridd by election 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Henry Hopkins 577 Independent David Leyshon 487 Majority 190 Liberal hold Swing Porth by election edit Following the election of John Jones Griffiths as alderman two Liberals including Hugh Jones Baptist minister at Penygraig were defeated by an Independent candidate Porth by election 1889 Party Candidate Votes Independent Thomas Jones 347 Liberal Rev Hugh Jones 309 Liberal D Powell 245 Majority 38 Resolven by election edit Resolven by election 1889 Party Candidate Votes Conservative J Edwards Vaughan 630 Liberal Samuel T Evans 556 Majority 74 Treorchy and Treherbert by election edit Following the election of William Morgan as alderman Evan Davies a Treherbert butcher and William Morris minister of Noddfa Treorchy were nominated but Morris withdrew allowing Davies to be returned unopposed 26 Treorchy and Treherbert by election 1889 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Evan Davies Unopposed Liberal holdBy Elections 1889 1892 editMerthyr Town by election 1889 edit The by election arose following the death of the Liberal councillor John Jenkins a few weeks after the election 17 Frank James who had been defeated by 33 votes at the original election in which both a Conservative and Unionist opposed the Liberal candidate now scored a decisive victory 27 Merthyr Town by election 1889 Party Candidate Votes Unionist Frank James 1 033 Liberal Joseph Williams 451 Majority 582 Ferndale by election 1890 edit A by election took place at Ferndale on 1 January 1890 following the death of David Evans Bodringallt 28 The elected candidate was the nominee of the Rhondda Labour and Liberal Association Ferndale 1890 Party Candidate Votes Liberal Morgan Thomas 466 William Thomas 374 Majority 92References edit a b c County Council Elections Yesterday s Polling Western Mail 18 January 1889 Retrieved 5 July 2015 a b The County Council Elections Cambrian 18 January 1889 Retrieved 21 November 2013 The results are incomplete Glamorganshire County Council Elections Cambrian 11 January 1889 Retrieved 31 March 2014 A full list of nominated candidates appears here The County Council Election editorial Aberdare Times 8 December 1888 Retrieved 13 February 2014 The County Council Election Grand Demonstration Aberdare Times 26 January 1889 Retrieved 2 April 2014 Williams Democratic Rhondda p 49 a b c d Glamorganshire Cardiff Times 5 January 1889 Retrieved 14 February 2014 a b Glamorganshire Meeting at Neath Cardiff Times 2 February 1889 Retrieved 12 February 2014 Aberdar Etholiad Ward Rhif 4 Tarian y Gweithiwr 13 December 1888 Retrieved 30 April 2014 Y Cynghorau Sirol Unwaith Drachefn editorial Tarian y Gweithiwr 29 November 1888 Retrieved 13 February 2014 Aberdare County Council Election Aberdare Times 5 January 1889 Retrieved 2 April 2014 Mr W T Lewis a r Capeli Ymneillduol Tarian y Gweithiwr 10 January 1889 Retrieved 11 February 2014 Etholiad Aelod y Cyngor Sirol dros Ranbarth Hirwaun Tarian y Gweithiwr 10 January 1889 Retrieved 17 February 2014 The Contest in the Llanwonno Llanfabon and Llantwit Fardre Ward Pontypridd Chronicle 4 January 1889 Retrieved 21 February 2014 Mr Jabez Evans and the County Council Pontypridd Chronicle 11 January 1889 Retrieved 16 February 2014 a b County Council Election Llwynypia and Trealaw Division Pontypridd Chronicle 4 January 1889 Retrieved 21 February 2014 a b The Late Boiler Accident Aberdare Times 16 March 1889 Retrieved 2 April 2014 Mr David Davis s Candidature Cambrian 11 January 1889 Retrieved 5 April 2014 a b Williams Democratic Rhondda p 49 Pontypridd and the County Council Pontypridd Chronicle 4 January 1889 Retrieved 14 February 2014 Glamorganshire County Council Elections Cambrian 11 January 1889 Retrieved 15 February 2014 Glamorgan County Council Pontypridd Chronicle 8 February 1889 Retrieved 13 February 2014 District Notes Aberdare Times 9 February 1889 Retrieved 7 January 2014 County Council Election Aberdare Times 23 February 1889 Retrieved 7 January 2014 The Vacancies in the Councils Cardiff Times 9 February 1889 Retrieved 4 April 2014 a b The Rhondda Contests Pontypridd Chronicle 15 February 1889 Retrieved 4 April 2014 Glamorgan County Council Bye election at Merthyr Aberdare Times 30 March 1889 Retrieved 1 April 2014 Glamorgan County Council The Contest at Ferndale Cardiff Times 4 January 1890 Retrieved 13 March 2014 Bibliography editParry 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 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1889 Glamorgan County Council election amp oldid 1182406960, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
