# 1898 Glamorgan County Council election

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

## Overview of the result

As in most parts of Wales, the Liberal Party was once again triumphant and won a majority of the seats. In 1895 there were more unopposed results than in previous elections and the Conservatives made some headway, reflecting the position in the United Kingdom as a whole where the party took power that year.
Results are drawn from a number of sources. The include an account of unopposed returns in the Evening Express, and results from the same newspaper as well as the Cambrian and Pontypridd Chronicle.

## 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.

## Results
### Aberaman

Aberaman :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | Thomas Davies | 481 |
| | Independent | Thomas Rees | 375 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 106 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing |

### Aberavon

Aberavon 1898 :
| Party | 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 seat. Davies however withdrew before the poll.
Aberdare Town 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | John William Evans* | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Barry

The sitting councillor, John Cory, had withdrawn in favour of retiring alderman John Claxton Meggitt. The defeated candidate withdrew before polling day.
Barry 1898 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes |
| Liberal | John Claxton Meggitt** | 507 |
| | W. Thomas | 56 |
| Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing |

### Blaengwawr

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

### Cadoxton

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

### Bridgend

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

### Briton Ferry

Jenkin Hill recaptured the seat he lost three years previously.
Briton Ferry 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | Jenkin Hill | 506 |
| | Conservative | Dr E. Valentine Pegge* | 315 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 191 |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing |

### Caeharris

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

### Caerphilly

A narrow victory.
Caerphilly 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Conservative | H.E. Morgan Lindsay* | 846 |
| | Liberal | Edward Edwards | 843 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3 |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal | 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.
Cilfynydd 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | William Roberts Davies | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Coedffranc

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

### Coity

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

### Cowbridge

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

### Cwmavon

Two Liberals, a sitting alderman and sitting councillor, opposed each other.
Cwmavon 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | Herbert Evans** | 471 |
| | Liberal | Llewellyn Griffiths* | 451 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 20 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing |

### Cyfarthfa

Thomas Thomas recaptured the seat he lost three years previously.
Cyfarthfa 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Lib-Lab | Thomas Thomas | 515 |
| | Liberal | Thomas Davies | 266 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | |
| | Lib-Lab gain from Liberal | Lib-Lab gain from Liberal | Swing |

### Cymmer

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

### Dinas Powys

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

### Dowlais

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

### Dulais Valley

Dulais Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Evan Evans Bevan* | unopposed | | |
| | Conservative hold | 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.
Ferndale 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Rev Silas Charles | 778 | | |
| | Liberal | Thomas Samuel | 629 | | |

### Gadlys

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

### Garw Valley

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

### Gellifaelog

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

### Gelligaer

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

### Gower

Gower 1898 :
| Candidate | Votes |
| George E. Gordon | 314 |
| John Holland | 192 |
| Richard Hopkin James | 129 |

### Kibbor

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

### Llandaff

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

### Llandeilo Talybont

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

### Llansamlet

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

### Llantrisant

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

### Llwydcoed

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

### Llwynypia and Clydach

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

### Gowerton and Penderry

Gowerton and Penderry 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Samuel Thomas* | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Liberal hold | 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 | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Jenkin Jones* | 972 | | |
| | Liberal | James Barrow** | 842 | | |

### Margam

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

### Merthyr Town

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

### Merthyr Vale

Merthyr Vale :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | David Prosser | 538 |
| | Liberal | Walter Bell | 523 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 15 |

### Morriston

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

### Mountain Ash

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

### Neath (North)

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

### Neath (South)

At the previous election, Trick had stood as a Conservative.
Neath (South) 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Independent | W.B. Trick | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Independent gain from Liberal | Independent gain from Liberal | Independent gain from Liberal | Independent gain from Liberal | Independent gain from Liberal |

### Newcastle

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

### Ogmore

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

### Ogmore Valley

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

### Oystermouth

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

### Penarth North

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

### Penarth South

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

### Penrhiwceiber

Penrhiwceiber :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | | Dr. R. W. Jones | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | 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. Davies was an active Congregationalist, freemason and president of the Rhondda Cymmrodorion.
Pentre 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | E.H. Davies | 643 |
| | Unionist | Richard Morris* | 457 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing |

### Penydarren

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

### Pontardawe

Pontardawe 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Conservative | Frank Gilbertson | 500 |
| | Liberal | Dr Griffiths | 478 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 22 |

### Plymouth

Plymouth 1898 :
| Party | 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 | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing |

### Pontypridd

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

### Porth and Penygraig

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

### Resolven

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

### Swansea Valley

Boundary Change
Swansea Valley 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Llewellyn Davies | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | 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'.
Treforest 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Independent | Samuel Evans | 671 |
| | Liberal | James Roberts* | 614 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 57 |

### Treherbert

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

### Treorchy

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

### Trealaw and Tonypandy

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

### Tylorstown and Ynyshir

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

### Ystalyfera

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

### Ystrad

Ystrad :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | Clifford J. Cory* | 804 |
| | | J.B. Price | 133 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 671 |
| | Liberal hold | 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.
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 | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | David Price Davies* | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | 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.
Barry by-election 1898 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes |
| Unionist | Captain Hamilton Murrell | 595 |
| Liberal | John Cory* | 568 |
| Unionist gain from Liberal | Unionist gain from Liberal | Swing |

### Coity by-election

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

### Llandeilo Talybont by-election

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

### Merthyr Vale by-election

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

### Mountain Ash by-election

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

### Newcastle by-election

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

### Ogmore Valley by-election

Ogmore Valley by-election 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | William Llewellyn* | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | 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. 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. John Williams, checkweigher at a local colliery and a future Labour MP was a possible candidate but withdrew at an early stage.
Penrhiwceiber by-election 1898 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes |
| Liberal | Thomas Morris* | 582 |
| Liberal | S. Shipton | 484 |
| Conservative | W.N. Matthews | 322 |
| Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing |

### Resolven by-election

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

### Swansea Valley by-election

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

### Tylorstown and Ynyshir by-election

Tylorstown and Ynyshir by-election 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | W.H. Mathias** | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | 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.
Dowlais by-election 1899 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Lib-Lab | John Davies | 311 |
| | Independent | R.P. Rees | 295 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 16 |
| | Lib-Lab gain from Conservative | Lib-Lab gain from Conservative | Swing |