The Glamorgan County Council election, 1898 was the fourth contest for seats on this authority. It was preceded by the 1895 election and followed by the 1901 election. Glamorgan was by far the largest county in Wales in terms of population. Glamorgan County Council had been established by the 1888 Local Government Act, and the first elections held in early 1889. The county of Glamorgan was at this time becoming heavily industrialised, although some areas such as the Vale of Glamorgan remained essentially rural. The rise of nonconformist liberalism, especially since the 1860s, throughout Wales, had challenged the prevailing influence of the landed gentry. However, even in 1889, the traditional forces remained influential and no working men were elected to the Council. This changed in 1892 with the unopposed return of David Morgan in Aberdare and the success of Isaac Evans in Resolven.

Overview of the result

As in most parts of Wales, the Liberal Party was once again triumphant and won a majority of the seats. In 1895 there were more unopposed results than in previous elections and the Conservatives made some headway, reflecting the position in the United Kingdom as a whole where the party took power that year.

Results are drawn from a number of sources. The include an account of unopposed returns in the Evening Express,[1] and results from the same newspaper[2] as well as the Cambrian[3] and Pontypridd Chronicle.[4]

Boundary changes

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

Results

Aberaman

Aberaman
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Davies 481
Independent Thomas Rees 375
Majority 106
Liberal hold Swing

Aberavon

Aberavon 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative 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 seats. Davies however withdrew before the poll.

Aberdare Town 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John William Evans* unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Barry

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.[2]

Barry 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Claxton Meggitt** 507
W. Thomas 56
Liberal hold Swing

Blaengwawr

[1]

Blaengwawr 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Howell* Unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Cadoxton

[2]

Cadoxton 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Dr P.J. O' Donnell 514
Conservative Dr E. Treharne* 367
Majority 147
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing

Bridgend

[1]

Bridgend 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent John Morgan Randall Unopposed
Independent gain from Liberal Swing

Briton Ferry

Jenkin Hill recaptured the seat he lost three years previously.[2]

Briton Ferry 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jenkin Hill 506
Conservative Dr E. Valentine Pegge* 315
Majority 191
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing

Caeharris

Caeharris 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Edward Pritchard Martin unopposed

Caerphilly

A narrow victory.[4]

Caerphilly 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative H.E. Morgan Lindsay* 846
Liberal Edward Edwards 843
Majority 3
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing

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.[5]

Cilfynydd 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Roberts Davies Unopposed
Liberal win (new seat)

Coedffranc

Coedffranc 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative J. Newell Moore* unopposed
Conservative hold Swing

Coity

[1]

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

Cowbridge

Cowbridge
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative R.T. Bassett unopposed
Conservative hold Swing

Cwmavon

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

Cwmavon 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Herbert Evans** 471
Liberal Llewellyn Griffiths* 451
Majority 20
Liberal hold Swing

Cyfarthfa

Thomas Thomas recaptured the seat he lost three years previously.[2]

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

Cymmer

[1]

Cymmer 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Morgan Williams* Unopposed
Liberal hold

Dinas Powys

Dinas Powys 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Oliver Henry Jones* Unopposed
Conservative hold

Dowlais

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

Dulais Valley

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

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.[4]

Ferndale 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rev Silas Charles 778
Liberal Thomas Samuel 629

Gadlys

Gadlys 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Charles Kenshole unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Garw Valley

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

Gellifaelog

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

Gelligaer

Gelligaer
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Henry William Martin unopposed

Gower

Gower 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
George E. Gordon 314
John Holland 192
Richard Hopkin James 129

Kibbor

Kibbor
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Lewis* unopposed

Llandaff

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

Llandeilo Talybont

[1]

Llandeilo Talybont 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Rees Harries* Unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Llansamlet

[1]

Llansamlet 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Jordan Unopposed
Conservative hold Swing

Llantrisant

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

Llwydcoed

Llwydcoed 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Rees Hopkin Rhys unopposed

Llwynypia and Clydach

Llwynypia and Clydach
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Richard Lewis unopposed

Gowerton and Penderry

[1]

Gowerton and Penderry 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Samuel Thomas* Unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

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

Margam

Margam 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Edward Knox unopposed

Merthyr Town

Merthyr Town
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative J.W. Lewis 706
Liberal Alfred Edwards 597

Merthyr Vale

Merthyr Vale
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal David Prosser 538
Liberal Walter Bell 523
Majority 15

Morriston

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

Mountain Ash

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

Neath (North)

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

Neath (South)

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

Neath (South) 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent W.B. Trick Unopposed N/A N/A
Independent gain from Liberal

Newcastle

[1]

Newcastle 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas J. Hughes* Unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Ogmore

[1]

Ogmore 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative J.I.D. Nicholl* Unopposed
Conservative hold Swing

Ogmore Valley

[1]

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

Oystermouth

Oystermouth 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Unionist Sir John Jones Jenkins Unopposed N/A N/A
Liberal Unionist hold

Penarth North

[1]

Penarth North
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal W.B. Shepherd* 377
J.L. Norris 240
Liberal hold Swing

Penarth South

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

Penrhiwceiber

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

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.[4] Davies was an active Congregationalist, freemason and president of the Rhondda Cymmrodorion.[6]

Pentre 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal E.H. Davies 643
Unionist Richard Morris* 457
Majority
Liberal hold Swing

Penydarren

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

Pontardawe

Pontardawe 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Frank Gilbertson 500
Liberal Dr Griffiths 478
Majority 22

Plymouth

Plymouth 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Henry W. Lewis* 603
Conservative A. Daniel 440

Pontlottyn

Although a Liberal gain, the shock was the defeat of Alderman Aaron Davies.

Pontlottyn 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Alfred Phillips 570
Liberal Rev Aaron Davies** 355
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing

Pontypridd

Pontypridd 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Hopkin Smith Davies* 692
Independent Dr Hamlen Williams 605

Porth and Penygraig

Porth and Penygraig
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal J. Jones Griffiths** 779
Conservative J.W. Jones 424
Majority 555
Liberal hold Swing

Resolven

Resolven 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Daniel Evans unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Sketty

A repeat of the contest in 1895, with the same result.

Sketty 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Sir Robert Armine Morris* 498
Liberal Rev John Davies 405
Liberal hold Swing

Swansea Valley

Boundary Change

Swansea Valley 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Llewellyn Davies Unopposed N/A N/A
Liberal hold

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'.[4]

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

Treherbert

Treherbert 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Morgan** Unopposed N/A N/A
Liberal hold

Treorchy

Treorchy 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Lib-Lab Daronwy Isaac* Unopposed N/A N/A
Lib-Lab hold

Trealaw and Tonypandy

[1]

Tonypandy 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal D.W. Davies 570
Liberal William Lawrence 398
Majority 172
Liberal hold Swing

Tylorstown and Ynyshir

[1]

Tylorstown and Ynyshir 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal W.H. Mathias** Unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Ystalyfera

Ystalyfera 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Dr David Thomas* unopposed
Conservative hold Swing

Ystrad

Ystrad
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Clifford J. Cory* 804
J.B. Price 133
Majority 671
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 1898 election, there were twelve Aldermanic vacancies. These comprised the eleven vacancies due to retiring alderman with the twelfth being vacant following the death of Isaac Evans.

The following aldermen were appointed by the newly elected council.[7]

elected for six years

  • Gwilym Jones, Liberal, retiring alderman (elected councillor at Mountain Ash)
  • W.H. Mathias, Liberal, retiring alderman (elected councillor at Tylorstown and Ynyshir)
  • J.C. Meggitt, Liberal, retiring alderman (elected councillor at Barry)
  • Llewellyn Davies, Liberal (elected councillor at Swansea Valley)
  • T.J. Hughes, Liberal (elected councillor at Newcastle)
  • William Llewellyn, Liberal (elected councillor at Ogmore Valley)
  • J.W. Evans, Liberal (elected councillor at Aberdare Town)
  • William Howell, Liberal (elected councillor at Coity)
  • Rees Harris, Liberal (elected councillor at Llandeilo Talybont)
  • David Prosser, Liberal (elected councillor at Merthyr Vale)
  • Dr R.W. Jones, Liberal (elected councillor at Penrhiwceber)

elected for three years

  • Daniel Evans, Liberal (elected councillor at Resolven)

All eleven aldermen were Liberals, as were the retiring aldermen.

By-elections

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

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.[8]

Barry by-election 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Captain Hamilton Murrell 595
Liberal John Cory* 568
Unionist gain from Liberal Swing

Coity by-election

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

Llandeilo Talybont by-election

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

Merthyr Vale by-election

Merthyr Vale by-election 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal David Prosser 538
Liberal Walter Bell 523
Majority 153

Mountain Ash by-election

Mountain Ash by-election 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Morris 549
Liberal Samuel Evans 459
Liberal John Lewis 316
Majority 90
Liberal hold Swing

Newcastle by-election

Newcastle by-election 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas J. Hughes unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Ogmore Valley by-election

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

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.[9] Morris was opposed by another Liberal candidate, clerk to the Llanwonno School Board, who stood in opposition to Morris's links to the beer trade.[10] John Williams, checkweigher at a local colliery and a future Labour MP was a possible candidate but withdrew at an early stage.[11]

Penrhiwceiber by-election 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Morris* 582
Liberal S. Shipton 484
Conservative W.N. Matthews 322
Liberal hold Swing

Resolven by-election

Resolven by-election 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Daniel Evans unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Swansea Valley by-election

Swansea Valley by-election 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Llewellyn Davies unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

Tylorstown and Ynyshir by-election

Tylorstown and Ynyshir by-election 1898
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal W.H. Mathias** unopposed
Liberal hold Swing

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.[12]

Dowlais by-election 1899
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Lib-Lab John Davies 311
Independent R.P. Rees 295
Majority 16
Lib-Lab gain from Conservative Swing

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "The County Council Elections. Further Unopposed Returns". Evening Express. 2 March 1898. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "County Council Elections". Evening Express. 8 March 1898. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  3. ↑ "The County Council Elections". Cambrian. 11 March 1895. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Glamorgan County Council Elections". Pontypridd Chronicle. 11 March 1898. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
  5. ↑ "County Council Elections. Cilfynydd and Trallwn Liberals Meet". Glamorgan Free Press. 26 February 1898. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  6. ↑ Williams. Democratic Rhondda. p. 55.
  7. ↑ "Glamorgan County Council". Cardiff Times. 19 March 1898. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  8. ↑ "Glamorgan County Council Bye-Elections". Evening Express. 7 April 1898. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  9. ↑ "Glamorgan County Council. Penrhiwceiber Bye-Election". Pontypridd Chronicle. 22 April 1898. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  10. ↑ "Etholiad Cynghor Sirol Penrhiwceibr, Abercynon, ac Ynysybwl". Tarian y Gweithiwr. 14 April 1898. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  11. ↑ "Ynysybwl and the County Council Contest ". Pontypridd Chronicle. 1 April 1898. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  12. ↑ "County Council Election at Dowlais". Weekly Mail. 14 October 1899. p. 8. Retrieved 5 June 2019.

Bibliography

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