1898 Glamorgan County Council election

1898 Welsh local government election April 2022 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 Local Government Act 1888, 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 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,The County Council Elections. Further Unopposed Returns http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/page/view/3274240/ART66 17 March 2014 Evening Express 2 March 1898 and results from the same newspaperCounty Council Elections http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/page/view/3274400/ART64 17 March 2014 Evening Express 8 March 1898 as well as the CambrianThe County Council Elections http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/page/view/3342263/ART23 23 March 2014 Cambrian 11 March 1895 and Pontypridd Chronicle.Glamorgan County Council Elections http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/page/view/3813386/ART35 19 March 2014 Pontypridd Chronicle 11 March 1898 Boundary changes There were no boundary changes at this election. Retiring aldermen 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 March 2014 Results by ward Aberaman Aberaman Liberal Party (UK) Thomas Davies 481 Independent (politician) Thomas Rees 375 106 Liberal Party (UK) Aberavon Aberavon 1898 Conservative Party (UK) John Morgan Smith* unopposed Aberdare Town Prior to the election it became apparent that Evans, the sitting councillor and the retiring alderman, David Price Davies, both coveted the seat. Davies however withdrew before the poll. Aberdare Town 1898 Liberal Party (UK) John William Evans* unopposed Liberal Party (UK) Barry thumb|John Claxton Meggitt The sitting councillor, John Cory, had withdrawn in favour of retiring alderman John Claxton Meggitt. The defeated candidate withdrew before polling day. Barry 1898 Liberal Party (UK) John Claxton Meggitt** 507 W. Thomas 56 Liberal Party (UK) Blaengwawr Blaengwawr 1898 Liberal Party (UK) John Howell* unopposed Liberal Party (UK) Cadoxton Cadoxton 1898 Liberal Party (UK) Dr P.J. O' Donnell 514 Conservative Party (UK) Dr E. Treharne* 367 147 Liberal Party (UK) Conservative Party (UK) Bridgend Bridgend 1898 Independent (politician) John Morgan Randall unopposed Independent (politician) Liberal Party (UK) Briton Ferry Jenkin Hill recaptured the seat he lost three years previously. Briton Ferry 1898 Liberal Party (UK) Jenkin Hill 506 Conservative Party (UK) Dr E. Valentine Pegge* 315 191 Liberal Party (UK) Conservative Party (UK) Caeharris Caeharris 1898 Unionist Party (UK) Edward Pritchard Martin unopposed Caerphilly A narrow victory. Caerphilly 1898 Conservative Party (UK) H.E. Morgan Lindsay* 846 Liberal Party (UK) Edward Edwards 843 3 Conservative Party (UK) Liberal Party (UK) Cilfynydd 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.County Council Elections. Cilfynydd and Trallwn Liberals Meet http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/page/view/3633806/ART104 22 July 2014 Glamorgan Free Press 26 February 1898 Cilfynydd 1898 Liberal Party (UK) William Roberts Davies unopposed Liberal Party (UK) Coedffranc Coedffranc 1898 Conservative Party (UK) J. Newell Moore* unopposed Conservative Party (UK) Coity Coity 1898 Liberal Party (UK) William Howell* Unopposed N/A N/A Liberal Party (UK) Cowbridge Cowbridge Conservative Party (UK) R.T. Bassett unopposed Conservative Party (UK) Cwmavon Two Liberals, a sitting alderman and sitting councillor, opposed each other. Cwmavon 1898 Liberal Party (UK) Herbert Evans** 471 Liberal Party (UK) Llewellyn Griffiths* 451 20 Liberal Party (UK) Cyfarthfa Thomas Thomas recaptured the seat he lost three years previously. Cyfarthfa 1898 Liberal-Labour (UK) Thomas Thomas 515 Liberal Party (UK) Thomas Davies 266 Liberal-Labour (UK) Liberal Party (UK) Cymmer Cymmer 1898 Liberal Party (UK) Morgan Williams* Unopposed Liberal Party (UK) Dinas Powys Dinas Powys 1898 Conservative Party (UK) Oliver Henry Jones* unopposed Conservative Party (UK) Dowlais Dowlais Conservative Party (UK) Thomas Jenkins* unopposed Conservative Party (UK) Dulais Valley Dulais Valley Conservative Party (UK) Evan Evans Bevan* unopposed Conservative Party (UK) Ferndale 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. Ferndale 1898 Liberal Party (UK) Rev Silas Charles 778 Liberal Party (UK) Thomas Samuel 629 Gadlys Gadlys 1898 Liberal Party (UK) Charles Kenshole unopposed Liberal Party (UK) Garw Valley Garw Valley Liberal Party (UK) John Thomas* unopposed Gellifaelog Gellifaelog Liberal Party (UK) Evan Lewis* unopposed Gelligaer Gelligaer Independent (politician) Henry William Martin unopposed Gower Gower 1898 George E. Gordon 314 John Holland 192 Richard Hopkin James 129 Kibbor Kibbor Conservative Party (UK) Henry Lewis* unopposed Llandaff Llandaff Conservative Party (UK) Robert Forrest* unopposed Llandeilo Talybont Llandeilo Talybont 1898 Liberal Party (UK) Rees Harries* unopposed Liberal Party (UK) Llansamlet Llansamlet 1898 Conservative Party (UK) John Jordan unoppposed Conservative Party (UK) Llantrisant Llantrisant Liberal Party (UK) J. Blandy Jenkins* unopposed Llwydcoed Llwydcoed 1898 Unionist Party (UK) Rees Hopkin Rhys unopposed Llwynypia and Clydach Llwynypia and Clydach Liberal Party (UK) Richard Lewis unopposed Gowerton and Penderry Gowerton and Penderry 1898 Liberal Party (UK) Samuel Thomas* unopposed Liberal Party (UK) Maesteg The same two candidates had faced each other in 1895. On that occasion, Barrow had won and was elected as alderman for a three-year period. Jenkin Jones was then returned at a by-election. Maesteg Liberal Party (UK) Jenkin Jones* 972 Liberal Party (UK) James Barrow** 842 Margam Margam 1898 Unionist Party (UK) Edward Knox unopposed Merthyr Town Merthyr Town Conservative Party (UK) J.W. Lewis 706 Liberal Party (UK) Alfred Edwards 597 Merthyr Vale Merthyr Vale Liberal Party (UK) David Prosser 538 Liberal Party (UK) Walter Bell 523 15 Morriston Morriston Liberal Party (UK) William Williams unopposed Liberal Party (UK) Mountain Ash Mountain Ash Liberal Party (UK) Thomas Morris 549 Liberal Party (UK) Samuel Evans 459 Liberal Party (UK) John Lewis 316 90 Liberal Party (UK) Neath (North) Neath (North) 1898 Unionist Party (UK) Hopkin Morgan unopposed Unionist Party (UK) Neath (South) At the previous election, Trick had stood as a Conservative. Neath (South) 1898 Independent (politician) W.B. Trick Unopposed N/A N/A Independent (politician) Liberal Party (UK) Newcastle Newcastle 1898 Liberal Party (UK) Thomas J. Hughes* unopposed Liberal Party (UK) Ogmore Ogmore 1898 Conservative Party (UK) J.I.D. Nicholl* unopposed Conservative Party (UK) Ogmore Valley Ogmore Valley 1898 Liberal Party (UK) William Llewellyn* unopposed Liberal Party (UK) Oystermouth Oystermouth 1898 Liberal Unionist Sir John Jones Jenkins Unopposed N/A N/A Liberal Unionist Penarth North Penarth North Liberal Party (UK) W.B. Shepherd* 377 J.L. Norris 240 Liberal Party (UK) Penarth South Penarth South Frederick Henry Jotham unopposed Penrhiwceiber Penrhiwceiber Dr. R. W. Jones unopposed Liberal Party (UK) Pentre 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. Davies was an active Congregationalist, freemason and president of the Rhondda Cymmrodorion.Williams Democratic Rhondda 55 Pentre 1898 Liberal Party (UK) E.H. Davies 643 Unionist Party (UK) Richard Morris* 457 Liberal Party (UK) Penydarren Penydarren Liberal Party (UK) David Davies* 516 Conservative Party (UK) T.E. Morgan 270 146 Pontardawe Pontardawe 1898 Conservative Party (UK) Frank Gilbertson 500 Liberal Party (UK) Dr Griffiths 478 22 Plymouth Plymouth 1898 Liberal Party (UK) Henry W. Lewis* 603 Conservative Party (UK) A. Daniel 440 Pontlottyn Although a Liberal gain, the shock was the defeat of Alderman Aaron Davies. Pontlottyn 1898 Liberal Party (UK) Alfred Phillips 570 Liberal Party (UK) Rev Aaron Davies** 355 Liberal Party (UK) Conservative Party (UK) Pontypridd Pontypridd 1898 Liberal Party (UK) Hopkin Smith Davies* 692 Independent (politician) Dr Hamlen Williams 605 Porth and Penygraig Porth and Penygraig Liberal Party (UK) J. Jones Griffiths** 779 Conservative Party (UK) J.W. Jones 424 555 Liberal Party (UK) Resolven Resolven 1898 Liberal Party (UK) Daniel Evans unopposed Liberal Party (UK) Sketty A repeat of the contest in 1895, with the same result. Sketty 1898 Conservative Party (UK) Sir Robert Armine Morris* 498 Liberal Party (UK) Rev John Davies 405 Liberal Party (UK) Swansea Valley Boundary Change Swansea Valley 1898 Liberal Party (UK) Llewellyn Davies Unopposed N/A N/A Liberal Party (UK) Treforest 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'. Treforest 1898 Independent (politician) Samuel Evans 671 Liberal Party (UK) James Roberts* 614 57 Treherbert Treherbert 1898 Liberal Party (UK) William Morgan** Unopposed N/A N/A Liberal Party (UK) Treorchy Treorchy 1898 Liberal-Labour (UK) Daronwy Isaac* Unopposed N/A N/A Liberal-Labour (UK) Trealaw and Tonypandy Tonypandy 1898 Liberal Party (UK) D.W. Davies 570 Liberal Party (UK) William Lawrence 398 172 Liberal Party (UK) Tylorstown and Ynyshir Tylorstown and Ynyshir 1898 Liberal Party (UK) W.H. Mathias** unopposed Liberal Party (UK) Ystalyfera Ystalyfera 1898 Conservative Party (UK) Dr David Thomas* unopposed Conservative Party (UK) Ystrad Ystrad Liberal Party (UK) Clifford J. Cory* 804 J.B. Price 133 671 Liberal Party (UK) 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 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.Glamorgan County Council http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/page/view/3425582/ART88 20 March 2014 Cardiff Times 19 March 1898 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 Aberdare Town by-election 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. Aberdare Town by-election 1898 Liberal Party (UK) David Price Davies* unopposed Liberal Party (UK) Barry by-election 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.Glamorgan County Council Bye-Elections http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/page/view/3275128/ART26 10 May 2014 Evening Express 7 April 1898 Barry by-election 1898 Unionist Party (UK) Captain Hamilton Murrell 595 Liberal Party (UK) John Cory* 568 Unionist Party (UK) Liberal Party (UK) Coity by-election Coity by-election 1898 Liberal Party (UK) William Howell* unopposed Liberal Party (UK) Llandeilo Talybont by-election Llandeilo Talybont by-election 1898 Liberal Party (UK) Rees Harries* unopposed Merthyr Vale by-election Merthyr Vale by-election 1898 Liberal Party (UK) David Prosser 538 Liberal Party (UK) Walter Bell 523 153 Mountain Ash by-election Mountain Ash by-election 1898 Liberal Party (UK) Thomas Morris 549 Liberal Party (UK) Samuel Evans 459 Liberal Party (UK) John Lewis 316 90 Liberal Party (UK) Newcastle by-election Newcastle by-election 1898 Liberal Party (UK) Thomas J. Hughes unopposed Liberal Party (UK) Ogmore Valley by-election Ogmore Valley by-election 1898 Liberal Party (UK) William Llewellyn* unopposed Liberal Party (UK) Penrhiwceiber by-election Following the election of Dr R.W. Jones as an alderman, Thomas Morris, who had represented Mountain Ash on the previous council, was elected.Glamorgan County Council. Penrhiwceiber Bye-Election. http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/page/view/3813440/ART47 21 July 2014 Pontypridd Chronicle 22 April 1898 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.Etholiad Cynghor Sirol Penrhiwceibr, Abercynon, ac Ynysybwl. http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/page/view/3118942/ART13 21 July 2014 Tarian y Gweithiwr 14 April 1898 John Williams, checkweigher at a local colliery and a future Labour MP was a possible candidate but withdrew at an early stage.Ynysybwl and the County Council Contest . http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/page/view/3813415/ART70 21 July 2014 Pontypridd Chronicle 1 April 1898 Penrhiwceiber by-election 1898 Liberal Party (UK) Thomas Morris* 582 Liberal Party (UK) S. Shipton 484 Conservative Party (UK) W.N. Matthews 322 Liberal Party (UK) Resolven by-election Resolven by-election 1898 Liberal Party (UK) Daniel Evans unopposed Liberal Party (UK) Swansea Valley by-election Swansea Valley by-election 1898 Liberal Party (UK) Llewellyn Davies unopposed Liberal Party (UK) Tylorstown and Ynyshir by-election Tylorstown and Ynyshir by-election 1898 Liberal Party (UK) W.H. Mathias** unopposed Liberal Party (UK) By-elections 1898-1901 Dowlais by-election 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.County Council Election at Dowlais https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3371857/3371865/146/ 5 June 2019 Weekly Mail 14 October 1899 8 Dowlais by-election 1899 Liberal-Labour (UK) John Davies 311 Independent (politician) R.P. Rees 295 16 Liberal-Labour (UK) Conservative Party (UK) References 2 Bibliography Parry Jon Labour Leaders and Local Politics 1888-1902: The Example of Aberdare Welsh History Review 1989 14 3 399–416 http://welshjournals.llgc.org.uk/browse/viewobject/llgc-id:1080171/article/000016672 24 October 2013 Williams Chris Democratic Rhondda: Politics and society 1885-1951 1996 University of Wales Press Cardiff collapsed 1898 Category:1898 Welsh local elections Category:19th century in Glamorgan