1889 Glamorgan County Council election

The first election to the Glamorgan County Council were 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.

Overview of the Result

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.

Glamorgan County Council election result 1889

Party		Seats	Gains	Losses	Net gain/loss	Seats %	Votes %	Votes	+/−
	Liberal
	Conservative
	Unionist
	Labour
	Independent
	Other parties

Candidates and unopposed returns

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 elections

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 Districts

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

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

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]

Results

Aberaman

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

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

Aberdare Town 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	David Price Davies	Unopposed
	Liberal win (new seat)

Barry and Cadoxton

Barry and Cadoxton 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	John Cory	Unopposed
	Liberal win (new seat)

Bridgend

Bridgend 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Conservative	Lord Dunraven	Unopposed
	Conservative win (new seat)

Briton Ferry

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

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

Caerphilly 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	David Lewis	531
	Liberal	Henry Anthony	406
Majority			125
	Liberal win (new seat)

Coedffranc

Coedffranc 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Conservative	John Newall Moore	451
	Liberal	Samuel T. Evans	319
Majority			132
	Conservative win (new seat)

Coity

Coity 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	William Howell	564
	Independent	R. Evans	164
Majority			400
	Liberal win (new seat)

Cowbridge

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

Cwmavon 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	Herbert Evans	415
	Conservative	J. Stanley	387
Majority			28
	Liberal win (new seat)

Cyfarthfa

Cyfarthfa 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Unionist	W.T. Crawshay	Unopposed
	Unionist win (new seat)

Cymmer

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	Dr Henry Naunton Davies	785
	Independent	T.Griffiths	311
Majority			474
	Liberal win (new seat)

Dinas Powys

Dinas Powys 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Conservative	Oliver Henry Jones JP	443
	Liberal	W. Jenkins	271
Majority			172
	Conservative win (new seat)

Dowlais

Dowlais 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Conservative	Thomas Jenkins	469
	Liberal	David Jones	443
Majority			26
	Conservative win (new seat)

Dulais Valley

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

Ferndale 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	Frederick Lewis Davis	Unopposed
	Liberal win (new seat)

Gadlys

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

Garw Valley 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	Dr Edward John Parry	unopposed
	Liberal win (new seat)

Gellifaelog

Gellifaelog 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	Gwilym C. James	436
	Independent	T. Jones	131
Majority			305
	Liberal win (new seat)

Gelligaer

Gelligaer 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Conservative	Henry William Martin	510
	Liberal	W. Coslett Beddoe	478
Majority			62
	Conservative win (new seat)

Gower

Gower 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	Frank Cory Yeo	478
	Conservative	R.A. Essery	328
Majority
	Liberal win (new seat)

Hirwaun

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

Kibbor 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Conservative	Henry Lewis	589
	Liberal	Rev David Evans	284
Majority			305
	Conservative win (new seat)

Llandaff

Llandaff 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Conservative	Robert Forrest JP	448
	Liberal	W. Evans	257
Majority			191
	Conservative win (new seat)

Llandeilo Talybont

Llandeilo Talybont 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	Rees Harries	472
	Conservative	D. Lewis	97
Majority			375
	Liberal win (new seat)

Llansamlet

Llansamlet 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	William Sims	556
	Independent	W.F. Richards	392
Majority			164
	Liberal win (new seat)

Llantrisant

Llantrisant 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	J. Blandy Jenkins	609
	Conservative	Josiah Lewis	444
Majority			165
	Liberal win (new seat)

Llantwit Fardre

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

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)

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

Lougher and Penderry 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Conservative	J. T. D. Llewellyn	647
	Liberal	W. Harries	312
Majority			336
	Conservative win (new seat)

Maesteg

Maesteg 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	Dr John Davies	662
	Independent	D. Grey	509
Majority			153
	Liberal win (new seat)

Margam

Margam 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	Arthur Pendarves Vivian	618
	Liberal	Llewellyn Howell	377
Majority			241
	Liberal win (new seat)

Merthyr Town

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

Merthyr Vale 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	Walter Bell	Unopposed
	Liberal win (new seat)

Morriston

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)

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

Newcastle 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	James Bryant	477
	Conservative	F.J. Coldridge Bowles	275
Majority			202
	Liberal win (new seat)

Ogmore

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

Ogmore Valley 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	John Williams	509
	Conservative	Daniel Price	366
Majority			143
	Liberal win (new seat)

Oystermouth

Oystermouth 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Conservative	Thomas Penrice	284
	Conservative	Nicholl Morgan	244
	Liberal	John Taylor	135
	Conservative win (new seat)

Penarth (two members)

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)

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)

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.

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

Penydarren 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	Thomas Williams	653
	Conservative	John Plews	323
Majority			330
	Liberal win (new seat)

Plymouth

Plymouth 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	Henry W. Lewis	570
	Liberal	Joseph Owen	311
Majority			239
	Liberal win (new seat)

Pontardawe

Pontardawe 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	Ernest Hall Hedley	511
	Liberal	John Beynon	291
Majority			220
	Liberal win (new seat)

Pontlottyn

Pontlottyn 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	Rev Aaron Davies	469
	Conservative	J. Matthews	342
Majority			127
	Liberal win (new seat)

Pontypridd

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

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

Resolven 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	Edward Plummer	772
		Rev W. Griffiths	359
Majority			413
	Liberal win (new seat)

Sketty

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

Swansea Valley 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	Thomas Jones	505
	Independent	W. Jenkins	308
Majority			197
	Liberal win (new seat)

Tirdeunaw

Tirdeunaw 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	Sir H. Hussey Vivian	786
	Liberal	Llewelyn Davies	369
Majority			417
	Liberal win (new seat)

Treforest

Treforest 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	James Roberts	481
	Conservative	David Leyshon	383
Majority			98
	Liberal win (new seat)

Treorchy and Treherbert (two seats)

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

Tylorstown and Ynyshir 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	William Henry Mathias	unopposed
	Liberal win (new seat)

Ystalyfera

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

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)
• 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

Aberaman by -election

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

Aberavon by-election 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Conservative	John Morgan Smith	418
	Liberal	Evan Davies	347
Majority			71

Barry and Cadoxton by-election

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

Briton Ferry by-election 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Conservative	William Peddie Struve	365
	Liberal	Jenkin Hill	337
Majority			28

Caerphilly by-election

Caerphilly by-election 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	Henry Anthony	600
	Liberal	D. Morgan	320
Majority			280
	Liberal hold		Swing

Cowbridge by-election

Cowbridge by-election 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Conservative	John Samuel Gibbon	460
	Liberal	Rees Thomas	420
Majority			40

Cymmer by-election

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

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		Swing

Gellifaelog by-election

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

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

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		Swing

Loughor and Penderry by-election

Lougher and Penderry by-election 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	Edward Rice Daniel	554
	Conservative	John Roper Wright	494
Majority			60

Maesteg by-election

Maesteg by-election 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	James Barrow	719
	Liberal	Francis Richard Crawshay	347
Majority			372
	Liberal hold		Swing

Morriston by-election

Morriston 1889

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

Penrhiwceiber and Dyffryn by-election

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

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

Penydarren by-election 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	David Davies	Unopposed
	Liberal hold		Swing

Pontlottyn by-election

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

Pontypridd by-election 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	Henry Hopkins	577
	Independent	David Leyshon	487
Majority			190
	Liberal hold		Swing

Porth by-election

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

Resolven by-election 1889

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Conservative	J. Edwards Vaughan	630
	Liberal	Samuel T. Evans	556
Majority			74

Treorchy and Treherbert by-election

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 hold		Swing

By-Elections 1889-1892

Merthyr Town by-election 1889

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 an 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

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			92

References

1. "County Council Elections. Yesterday's Polling". Western Mail. 18 January 1889. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
2. "The County Council Elections". Cambrian. 18 January 1889. Retrieved 21 November 2013. The results are incomplete.
3. "Glamorganshire County Council Elections". Cambrian. 11 January 1889. Retrieved 31 March 2014. A full list of nominated candidates appears here
4. "The County Council Election (editorial)". Aberdare Times. 8 December 1888. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
5. "The County Council Election. Grand Demonstration". Aberdare Times. 26 January 1889. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
6. Williams. Democratic Rhondda. p. 49.
7. "Glamorganshire". Cardiff Times. 5 January 1889. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
8. "Glamorganshire. Meeting at Neath". Cardiff Times. 2 February 1889. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
9. "Aberdar. Etholiad Ward Rhif 4". Tarian y Gweithiwr. 13 December 1888. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
10. "Y Cynghorau Sirol Unwaith Drachefn (editorial)". Tarian y Gweithiwr. 29 November 1888. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
11. "Aberdare County Council Election". Aberdare Times. 5 January 1889. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
12. "Mr W.T. Lewis a'r Capeli Ymneillduol". Tarian y Gweithiwr. 10 January 1889. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
13. "Etholiad Aelod y Cyngor Sirol dros Ranbarth Hirwaun". Tarian y Gweithiwr. 10 January 1889. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
14. "The Contest in the Llanwonno, Llanfabon and Llantwit Fardre Ward". Pontypridd Chronicle. 4 January 1889. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
15. "Mr Jabez Evans and the County Council". Pontypridd Chronicle. 11 January 1889. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
16. "County Council Election. Llwynypia and Trealaw Division". Pontypridd Chronicle. 4 January 1889. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
17. "The Late Boiler Accident". Aberdare Times. 16 March 1889. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
18. "Mr David Davis's Candidature". Cambrian. 11 January 1889. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
19. Williams. Democratic Rhondda. p. 49.
20. "Pontypridd and the County Council". Pontypridd Chronicle. 4 January 1889. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
21. "Glamorganshire County Council Elections". Cambrian. 11 January 1889. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
22. "Glamorgan County Council". Pontypridd Chronicle. 8 February 1889. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
23. "District Notes". Aberdare Times. 9 February 1889. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
24. "County Council Election". Aberdare Times. 23 February 1889. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
25. "The Vacancies in the Councils". Cardiff Times. 9 February 1889. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
26. "The Rhondda Contests". Pontypridd Chronicle. 15 February 1889. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
27. "Glamorgan County Council. Bye-election at Merthyr". Aberdare Times. 30 March 1889. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
28. "Glamorgan County Council. The Contest at Ferndale". Cardiff Times. 4 January 1890. Retrieved 13 March 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.