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 be 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 the 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 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, an 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]
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 Council should 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]
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 election, 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.
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
^ ab"County Council Elections in South Wales". South Wales Daily News. 9 March 1892. p. 5. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
^ abcdefgh"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.)
^ ab"Glamorganshire". Cardiff Times. 12 March 1892. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
^ abcd"Approaching County Council Election at Barry". South Wales Star. 18 March 1892. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
^"Nominations". Glamorgan Gazette. 1 March 1895. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
^ abWilliams. Democratic Rhondda. p. 57.
^"Glamorgan County Council Elections. List of Candidates". Cambrian. 4 March 1892. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
^"Y Cyngor Sirol a Mr Owen Harris, Grocer, Trecynon". Tarian y Gweithiwr. 14 January 1892. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
^"County Councils. Lists of Candidates in South Wales". Cardiff Times. 20 February 1892. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
^"Death of Councillor Arnold, of Neath". South Wales Daily News. 26 February 1895. p. 6. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
^ abWilliams. Democratic Rhondda. p. 50.
^"Selection of Aldermen". South Wales Star. 18 March 1892. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
^"Editorial". South Wales Star. 18 March 1892. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
^"Glamorgan County Council". Cambrian. 18 March 1892. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
^ ab"County Council Elections". Pontypridd Chronicle. 1 April 1892. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
^"County Council Election. Caerphilly Division". Pontypridd Chronicle. 29 April 1892. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
^ abc"Glamorgan County Council Elections". South Wales Daily News. 23 April 1892. p. 6. Retrieved 7 July 2015.
^"County Council Vacancy in the Cymmer Ward. Selection of a Candidate". South Wales Star. 1 April 1892. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
^ ab"Glamorgan County Council Bye-Elections. Sketty and Tirdeunaw Divisions". Cambrian. 25 March 1892. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
^"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.
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Council elections in the administrative county of Glamorgan