Cardiganshire County Council election, 1889

The first election to the Cardiganshre County Council was held in January 1889.[1] It was followed by the 1892 election. The county was divided into numerous single member wards with two councillors elected to represent Cardigan, Lampeter, New Quay and Llandysul, and four to represent the town of Aberystwyth. 37 Liberals, 10 Conservatives and 1 Unionist were returned.

Overview of the Result

1889 was one of those landmark years in the history of Welsh Liberalism, a coming of age symbolized by the triumph across Wales of Liberal candidates in the inaugural county council elections. Nowhere was this more striking than in Cardiganshire, where a little over twenty years previously the evictions controversy had been at its most apparent. Welsh historiography has, likewise, emphasised the contests in Cardiganshire, citing particular contests (such as those noted below), as symbolic of what occurred throughout Wales. If 1868 saw the cracking of the ice, wrote one historian, 1889 was the year of the flood. Only three major landowners were returned, namely Lord Lisburne, Herbert Davies-Evans (the Lord Lieutenant of the County) and J.C. Harford of Falcondale.[2]

Unopposed Returns

There were only nine unopposed returns, all of whom were Liberals with the exception of Lord Lisburne in Strata Florida.

Contested Elections

There were a large number of contested elections and the majorities were small in most instances. In most cases there were contests between Liberal and Conservative candidates. In some wards, a form of 'primary' election took place to decide upon who should run as the Liberal candidate, although in others Liberal candidates fought each other. There were fewer instances where two Conservatives contested a seat. While many wards were hotly contested and the majorities small, in single figures in some instances, the Liberals could be considered to have scored a landslide victory. Some of the victories have been regarded as an illustration of the social changes that had taken place in the county. At Devil's Bridge, T.J. Waddingham of Hafod was defeated by the local postmaster; in Bow Street, a coal merchant (and grandfather of Elystan Morgan, later the only Labour MP to represent the county) defeated Henry Bonsall of Clarach; while in Troedyraur, Sir Marteine Lloyd, a former Conservative parliamentary candidate was defeated by a local farmer.[2]

The local Conservative-inclined newspapers, notably the Aberystwyth Observer emphasised that local authorities were intended to be non-political and that ‘the best men’ should be elected. A few Conservative candidates, who were usually landlords, scored personal victories against the tide. Most notably the Lord Lieutenant, H. Davies-Evans won by 27 votes in Llanwenog and in neighbouring Lampeter, J.C. Harford of Falcondale had a majority of 14 over the Liberal candidate, local doctor Abel Evans. In Llanfarian two Conservatives faced each other, with Morris Davies holding off the future Liberal MP for the county, Vaughan Davies of Tanybwlch.

The contest at Aberystwyth, which led to the return of four Liberal candidates, was considered to be somewhat quiet compared with municipal contests.[1] In Cardigan, nominally the county town, a closely fought contest led to the return of the Conservative candidate, Picton Evans and one of the two Liberals, the former Liberal Unionist Levi James.

In some wards, such as Aberaeron and Borth, there was more excitement, with bonfires being lit to celebrate the return of the successful candidates.[1]

Summary of Results

This section summarises the detailed results which are noted in the following sections. This was the inaugural county election and therefore no comparison can be made with the previous elections. In some cases there is an ambiguity in the sources over the party affiliations and this is explained below where relevant.

This table summarises the result of the elections in all wards. 48 councillors were elected.

Cardiganshire County Council 1889: elected members
Party Seats Gains Losses Net gain/loss Seats % Votes % Votes +/−
  Liberal 37
  Conservative 10
  Liberal Unionist 1
  Independent

This table summarises the position following the election of aldermen. Eight were elected from among the elected members and eight from outside the council. This brought the total number of councillors and aldermen to 56.

Cardiganshire County Council 1889 : following election of new aldermen
Party Seats Gains Losses Net gain/loss Seats % Votes % Votes +/−
  Liberal 44 7 +1
  Conservative 11 1 +1
  Liberal Unionist 1
  Independent 0 0

This table summarises the position following the by-elections for the seats vacated following the election of aldermen. Technically these were new seats, taking the total number of councillors to 64 However, the Liberals defended six seats and the Conservatives two. The Conservatives won the Tregaron seat which was won by a Liberal at the initial election but lost Llanfair Clydogau

Cardiganshire County Council 1889 : following by-elections
Party Seats Gains Losses Net gain/loss Seats % Votes % Votes +/−
  Liberal 50 1 1 0
  Conservative 13 1 1 0
  Liberal Unionist 1
  Independent 0

Results

Aberaeron

John Morgan Howell, an ironmonger and already a prominent figure in the public life of the county, and destined to remain so for many years, was returned with a decisive majority over John Griffiths, Nantgwynfynydd, a farmer. It was reported that, following the declaration of the result, the children of Aberarth British School were marched to the town and, in front of Howell's residence and that of the successful candidate at Aberarth (see below) instructed to give each a hearty cheer, which they did. After dark blue balls were sent off and bonfires were lit.[1]

Aberaeron 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal John Morgan Howell 204
Conservative John Griffiths 103
Majority 101
Liberal win (new seat)

Aberarth

John Hugh Jones, an Aberaeron draper, defeated T.H. Maddy of Dolaeron, a barrister.

Aberarth 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal John Hugh Jones 163
Conservative Thomas Herbert Maddy 69
Majority 103
Liberal win (new seat)

Aberbanc

Aberbanc 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal Evan Davies unopposed
Liberal win (new seat)

Aberystwyth (four seats)

The result in Aberystwyth, after a lively contest, led to the return of the four Liberal candidates.[1] C.M. Williams ( a draper), John James (another tradesman) and George Green (owner of the local foundry) were long-standing members of the Aberystwyth Town Council, the first two being aldermen. The fourth candidate, Thomas Levi, was a well-known figure in cultural and religious circles. John Morgan, who finished bottom of the poll, was the owner of the Aberystwyth Observer.

Aberystwyth 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal C.M. Williams 681
Liberal John James 610
Liberal George Green 563
Liberal Rev Thomas Levi 534
Conservative B.E. Morgan 498
Conservative J. Morgan 336
Liberal win (new seat)
Liberal win (new seat)
Liberal win (new seat)
Liberal win (new seat)

Blaenporth

Thomas Thomas, a farmer, of Plas, Aberporth, defeated Alexander Jenkins of Penrallt, Aberporth.

Blaenporth 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal Thomas Thomas 178
Conservative Major-General Alexander Jenkins 75
Majority 103
Liberal win (new seat)

Borth

The return of the local Calvinistic Methodist minister was greeted with considerable enthusiasm. Flags were displayed and, after nightfall, bonfires lighted, fireworks discharged, houses illuminated, and hundreds of people paraded the streets up to a late hour. James and some of his supporters were drawn in an open carriage through the village and, addressing the assembly said that the day was rapidly approach- ing when laws would be made by the people for the people.[1]

Borth 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal Rev Enoch Watkin James 134
Conservative John Morgan Williams 108
Majority 26
Liberal win (new seat)

Bow Street

Bow Street 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal William Morgan 92
Conservative Henry Bonsall 83
Majority 9
Liberal win (new seat)

Cardigan Borough (two seats)

The contest had been noted for claims by the Conservatives that it should not be based on politics.[1] On the declaration of the result and the return of Picton Evans at the head of the poll the bells of the parish church were rung, the traditional pattern for celebrating a Conservative victory in the town. Levi James, returned in second place had briefly become a Liberal Unionist after supporting David Davies at the 1886 General Election, but had subsequently returned to the Liberal fold.

Cardigan Borough 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative William Picton Evans 315
Liberal Levi James 296
Liberal Rev John Williams 282
Conservative David Griffith Davies 174
Majority

Cilcennin

Two Liberal candidates contested the seat and this draw criticism in the columns of Baner ac Amserau Cymru.[3]

Cilcennin 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal John Davies 116
Liberal John Jones 110
Conservative Major Price Lewes 88
Majority 6

Cwmrheidol

Cwmrheidol 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Capt. Nicholas Bray 87
Liberal John Morgan 58
Majority 29

Devil's Bridge

Devil's Bridge 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal David Jones 106
Conservative T.J. Waddingham 87
Majority 19

Goginan

Goginan 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal Rev David Morgan unopposed

Lampeter Borough

John Charles Harford of Falcondale defeated Abel Evans, a surgeon of Taliesin House.

Lampeter Borough 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative John Charles Harford 180
Liberal Dr Abel Evans 166
Majority 14

Llanarth

Llanarth 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal Morgan Evans 113
Conservative John Thomas 89
Majority 24

Llanbadarn Fawr

Llanbadarn Fawr
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Dr John T. Morgan 125
Liberal Rev Llewellyn Edwards 116
Majority 9

Llanddewi Brefi

Llanddewi Brefi
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal David Davies unopposed

Llandygwydd

Morgan Jones of Penylan, Llandygwydd, defeated David Lloyd, a surgeon, of Adpar, Newcastle Emlyn.

Llandygwydd 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Unionist Morgan Jones 95
Liberal David Lloyd 65
Majority 30

Llandyssul (two seats)

Llandysul
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal Rev T. Thomas 386
Liberal Enoch Davies 361
Conservative Charles Lloyd MA 223
Majority

Llansysiliogogo

Llansysiliogogo
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal Evan Evans unopposed

Llanfair Clydogau

Llanfair Clydogau
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative William Jones 139
Liberal John Watkin Davies 120
Majority 19

Llanfarian

Llanfarian
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Morris Davies 87
Conservative Vaughan Davies 72
Liberal Lewis James 32
Majority 15

Llanfihangel y Creuddyn

Llanfihangel y Creuddyn
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal Evan Richards 193
Conservative Evan Evans 31
Majority 162

Llanfihangel Ystrad

Llanfihangel Ystrad
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal Daniel Jenkins 169
Liberal Jenkin Jenkins, Blaenplwyf 108
Majority 61

Llangoedmor

Llangoedmor
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal William Owen Brigstocke unopposed

Llangeitho

Llangeitho
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal W.H. Jones 83
Unionist R.J. Davies 75
Liberal John Rowlands 62
Conservative Evan Davies 28
Majority 8

Llangrannog

Llangrannog
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal John Davies 106
Liberal Unionist Henry Tobit Evans 47
Majority 59

Llanilar

Llanilar
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative G.T. Parry 118
Liberal Edward Edwards 114
Majority 4

Llanrhystyd

Llanrhystyd
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal James James 144
Conservative Major G.H.P. Hughes 126
Majority 18

Llanllwchaiarn and New Quay (two seats)

Llanllwchaiarn and New Quay (two seats)
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal William Davies 307
Liberal William Timothy 288
Conservative Charles Edward Longcroft 148
Majority

Llansantffraed

In a closely fought contest, the Conservative candidate won by a narrow margin over retired mariner, Daniel Jones. Surgeon Jenkin Lewis polled only 27 votes but would be more successful in future contests.

Llansantffraed 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative E. Morgan 89
Liberal Capt. Daniel Jones 83
Unionist Jenkin Lewis 27
Majority 6

Llanwnen

Llanwnen
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal E.C.C. Davies unopposed

Llanwenog

The Lord Lieutunant of the County defeated an Unitarian minister, reflecting past conflicts over religious issues.

Llanwenog 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Col. H. Davies-Evans 174
Liberal Rev J. Davies 147
Majority 27

Lledrod

Lledrod
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal Rev John Owens 104
Liberal John Williams 88
Conservative Rev Evan Alban 71
Majority 16

Nantcwnlle

Nantcwnlle
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal Jenkin Jenkins (Aeronian) 150
Liberal David Davies, Pwllybadell 63
David Davies, Berthlwyd 27
Majority 87


Penbryn

David Griffiths of Penylan Fawr defeated Simon Davies of Aberarthen. Both candidates were farmers.

Penbryn 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal David Griffiths 118
Liberal Simon Davies 105
Majority 13

Strata Florida

Strata Florida
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Earl of Lisburne unopposed

Taliesin

Taliesin
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal John Morris 117
Conservative James Brittan 102
Majority 15

Talybont

Talybont
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal J.T. Morgan unopposed

Trefeurig

Trefeurig
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal Peter Jones unopposed

Tregaron

Tregaron
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal Roderick Lloyd unopposed

Troedyraur

Troedyraur
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal John Powell 179
Conservative Sir Marteine Lloyd 158
Majority 21

Ysbyty Ystwyth

Ysbyty Ystwyth
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal Thomas William Davies 97
Conservative William Davies 73
Majority 24

Election of Aldermen

In addition to the 48 councillors the council consisted of 16 county aldermen. Aldermen were elected by the council, and served a six-year term. Following the election of the initial sixteen aldermen, half of the aldermanic bench would be elected every three years following the triennial council election. After the initial elections, there were sixteen Aldermanic vacancies and the following Alderman were appointed by the newly elected council:

Elected for six years

Elected for three years

The Liberals consented to their opponents receiving three of the sixteen aldermanic seats, roughly in proportion to their representation on the Council. Of the three Conservatives, Lord Lisburne and William Jones had been elected but Major Price Lewes of Tyglyn Aeron was bottom of the poll at Cilcennin, behind two Liberals. It was suggested that some Liberals had favoured the Lord Lieutenant, Herbert Davies-Evans and Charles Lloyd of Waunifor, defeated at Llandysul, but said to be a good financier, in place of Jones and Lewes, but had been over-ruled.[4]

A number of elected Liberals councillors became aldermen, including Levi James of cardigan, a member of Cardigan Town Council for over twenty years; J.T. Morgan of Talybont; William Davies, Cross Inn, New Quay;

However the decision to choose eight of the new aldermen from outside of the Council soon tarnished the Liberal triumph. There had already been soundings in the local press in opposition to the move. ‘We profoundly regret the decision’ said a Cambrian News editorial, ‘to select outsiders as aldermen wherever that decision has been reached, and believe that a blow has been struck at the new bodies from which they will never recover until that decision is reversed.’[5] Particular objection was made to the election of aldermen of four candidates defeated at the polls. There were also two Liberal aldermen who did not even seek election.

Aldermanic Vacancies 1889-1895

Roderick Lloyd was appointed county surveyor and resigned his aldermanic seat. In May 1892, Rev John Owen was appointed to succeed him.[6]

Therefore, the following appointment was made for the remaining three years in May 1892.

By-elections

Eight by-elections were caused by the election of aldermen. In several cases local meetings were held to select a Liberal candidate and avoid a contest. At Talybont, for example, a test election was contested under the supervision of, amongst other, Alderman J.T. Morgan of Maesnewydd and William Morgan of neighbouring Bow Street. The Revd. John Davies defeated Richard Jones by 109 votes to 99 and Jones enthusiastically signed the successful candidate’s nomination papers. Two Liberal candidates unsuccessful at the first election, namely Rev John Williams in Cardigan and John Watkin Davies at Llanfair Clydogau, were elected unopposed.

The only contested elections were at Strata Florida, where a hotly contested poll led to the return of the rector of Ystrad Meurig for the seat vacates by the Earl of Lisburne and in neighbouring Tregaron, where the Conservatives captured the seat.

Aberystwyth by-election

Following the election of C.M. Williams as an alderman. D.C. Roberts, a member of a prominent Liberal family was returned unopposed.

Aberystwyth by-election 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal D.C. Roberts unopposed

Cardigan Borough by-election

Following the election of Levi James as an alderman, the Rev John Williams, defeated at the initial election was returned unopposed.

Cardigan Borough by-election 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal Rev John Williams unopposed

Llanfair Clydogau by-election

Following the election of William Jones, a Conservative, as an alderman, John Watkin Davies, the defeated Liberal candidate at the initial election was returned unopposed.

Llanfair Clydogau
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal John Watkin Davies unopposed

Llanllwchaiarn and New Quay by-election

Following the election of William Davies as an alderman, a test election took place at which draper John Owen Davies defeated farmer Joshua Jones of Nantypele. Davies was returned unopposed as a result.

Llanllwchaiarn and New Quay by-election 1889)
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal John Owen Davies unopposed

Nantcwnlle by-election

Nantcwnlle
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal William Jenkin Lloyd
Liberal John Jones

Strata Florida by-election

Strata Florida by-election 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Rev John Jones 121
Liberal David Jenkins 110

Talybont by-election

Following the election of J.T. Morgan as an alderman. a test election was held between the Rev John Davies and Richard Jones, grocer. Davies was successful and was returned unopposed, with his opponent signing his nomination papers.

Talybont by-election 1889
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Liberal Rev John Davies unopposed

Tregaron by-election

Tregaron
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative E. Rowlands 173
Liberal Unionist D.J. Williams 133

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Cardiganshire County Council". Cambrian News. 25 January 1889. Retrieved 4 December 2013.. Details of the candidates can be found in this source.
  2. 1 2 Morgan (1967). "Cardiganshire Politics": 330–1.
  3. "Canolbarth Ceredigion". Baner ac Amserau Cymru. 5 January 1889. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
  4. "Notes and Observations". Aberystwyth Observer. 9 February 1889. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  5. "Principle and Expediency (editorial)". Cambrian News. 1 February 1889. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  6. "Cardigan County Council". Cambrian News. 13 May 1892. Retrieved 20 September 2014.

Bibliography

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