# 1889 Carmarthenshire County Council election

The first election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in January 1889. It was followed by the 1892 election.

## 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.

## Candidates

Most of the seats were contested by Liberal and Conservative candidates, although in a number of cases rival Liberals fought each other. The number of unopposed returns was small.

## Outcome

There were a large number of contested elections and the majorities were small in most instances. The Liberals won a large majority of the seats with only nine Conservatives returned. There were also two Liberal Unionists, in Carmarthen and Llansteffan.
The Liberal victory was later auegmnented by the election of fourteen Liberals as aldermen, as opposed to three Conservatives.
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.

## Ward results
### Abergwili

Abergwili 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | D.L. Jones | 226 | | |
| | Liberal | John Lloyd | 221 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Bettws

Bettws 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | William Nathaniel Jones | 277 | | |
| | Liberal | James Rees | 230 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 46 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Caio

Caio 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | C. Lewis Davies | 240 | | |
| | Conservative | Sir James Hills-Johnes | 200 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 40 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Lower Division)

Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Lower Division) 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Thomas Jenkins | 235 | | |
| | Conservative | H. Brunel White | 230 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Upper Division)

Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Upper Division) 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | H. Norton | 213 | | |
| | Liberal | Thomas Davies | 192 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 21 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist win (new seat) | Liberal Unionist win (new seat) | Liberal Unionist win (new seat) | Liberal Unionist win (new seat) | Liberal Unionist win (new seat) |

### Carmarthen Western Ward (Lower Division)

Carmarthen Western Ward (Lower Division) 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | D.H. Thomas | 170 | | |
| | Liberal | W. de G. Warren | 132 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 38 | | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Carmarthen Western Ward (Upper Division)

Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Lower Division) 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | D. Rixon Morgan | 251 | | |
| | Conservative | James Phillips | 182 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 69 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Cenarth

Cenarth 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Edward Davies | 239 | | |
| | Conservative | H.W.T. Howell | 165 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Cilycwm

Cilycwm 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Rev Thomas Evans | 156 | | |
| | Conservative | R. Campbell-Davys | 137 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist | D.G. Vaughan | 63 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 19 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Conwil

Conwil 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Charles Jones | 265 | | |
| | Conservative | Thomas Davies | 121 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 144 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Kidwelly

Kidwelly 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Daniel Stephens | 135 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist | T.W.A. Evans | 85 | | |
| | Conservative | D.J. John | 28 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 50 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Laugharne

Laugharne 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | John D. Morse | 145 | | |
| | Conservative | E. Falkener | 128 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 17 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Llanarthney

Llanarthney 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Thomas Davies | 217 | | |
| | Liberal | Rev D.S. Davies | 159 | | |
| | Conservative | Rev R.G. Lawrence | 62 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 58 | | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Llandebie

Llandebie 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Lord Dynevor | 260 | | |
| | Liberal | David Richards | 186 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 74 | | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Llandilo Rural

Llandilo Rural 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Thomas Powell | 351 | | |
| | Conservative | Herbert Peel | 202 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 149 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Llandilo Urban

Llandilo Urban 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | J.W. Gwynne Hughes | 174 | | |
| | Conservative | John Thomas | 120 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 54 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Llandovery

Llandovery 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Col. D.E. Jones | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Llanedy

Llanedy 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Evan Evans | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Llanegwad

Llanegwad 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | H.J. Thomas | 330 | | |
| | Conservative | Henry Davies | 109 | | |
| | Conservative | A.W. Stokes | 62 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 221 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Llanelly Rural and Ward No.1 (six seats)

Llanelly Rural and Ward No.1 1889 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | Gwilym Evans | 1,402 | | |
| Liberal | Joseph Mayberry | 1,332 | | |
| Liberal | Henry Wilkins | 1,330 | | |
| Liberal | Owen Bonville | 1,234 | | |
| Liberal | Thomas Jenkins | 1,212 | | |
| Liberal | Rev P. Phillips | 1,139 | | |
| Independent | Hugh Nevill | 776 | | |
| Conservative | James Buckley | 756 | | |
| Conservative | Ernest Trubshaw | 722 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |
| Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |
| Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |
| Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |
| Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |
| Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Llanelly Ward No.2 (three seats)

Llanelly Ward No.2 1889 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | Thomas Phillips | 774 | | |
| Liberal | W.J. Wilson | 715 | | |
| Liberal | D.C. Parry | 659 | | |
| Conservative | Dr Henry J. Buckley | 553 | | |
| Liberal Unionist | John A. Williams | 483 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |
| Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |
| Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Llanelly Ward No.3 (two seats)

Llanelly Ward No.3 1889 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | John Bourne | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Conservative | J.S. Tregoning | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |
| Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Llanfihangel Aberbythick

Llanfihangel Aberbythick 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Viscount Emlyn | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Llanfihangel-ar-Arth

Llanfihangel-ar-Arth 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Evan Harries | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Llangadock

Llangadock 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | James Jenkins | 270 | | |
| | Liberal | W.N. Lewis | 213 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 57 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Llangeler

Llangeler 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | John Lewis | 268 | | |
| | Conservative | Arthur Howell Jones | 260 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Llangendeirne

Llangendeirne 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Evans | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Llangennech

Llangennech 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | J. Glyn Thomas | 202 | | |
| | Conservative | Rev E.A. Davies | 111 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 91 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Llangunnor

Llangunnor 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | C.E. Morris | 190 | | |
| | Conservative | David Evan Stephens | 169 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 21 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Llanon

Llanon 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Rev W.E. Evans | 146 | | |
| | Conservative | Major Edward Riley | 90 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 56 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Llansawel

Llansawel 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Sir J.H.W. Drummond, Bart. | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Llanstephan

Thomas Morris of Coomb was the son of William Morris, former Liberal MP for Carmarthen Boroughs.
Llanstephan 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | Thomas Morris | 197 | | |
| | Liberal | John Johns | 157 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 40 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist win (new seat) | Liberal Unionist win (new seat) | Liberal Unionist win (new seat) | Liberal Unionist win (new seat) | Liberal Unionist win (new seat) |

### Llanybyther

Llanybyther 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Col. H. Davies-Evans | 267 | | |
| | Liberal | D.H. James | 246 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 21 | | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Mothvey

Mothvey 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | George Jones | 176 | | |
| | Liberal | John Lewis | 136 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 40 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Pembrey (two seats)

Pembrey 1889 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Independent Liberal | W.J. Buckley | 176 | | |
| Liberal | William Howell | 460 | | |
| Liberal | Rev D. Evans | 397 | | |
| Conservative | T. Williams | 394 | | |
| Independent Liberal win (new seat) | Independent Liberal win (new seat) | Independent Liberal win (new seat) | Independent Liberal win (new seat) | Independent Liberal win (new seat) |
| Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Quarter Bach

Quarter Bach 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Dr Howell Rees | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Rhydcymmerai

Rhydcymmerai 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Daniel Evans | 165 | | |
| | Liberal | Thomas Price | 143 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 22 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### St Clears

St Clears 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | T. Evans | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### St Ishmael

J. Lewis Philipps of Bolahaul, near Carmarthen, had been a prominent figure in county government for many years and was chairman of the Carmarthen Board of Guardians from 1861 until 1884.
St Ishmael 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | J. Lewis Philipps | 203 | | |
| | Liberal | Evan Stephens | 180 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 23 | | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Trelech

Trelech 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | J. Davies | 245 | | |
| | Liberal | W. Phillips | 181 | | |
| | Conservative | D. Jones | 108 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 40 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

### Whitland and Llanboidy (two seats)

Whitland and Llanboidy 1889 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Liberal | Rev. William Thomas | 582 | | |
| Liberal | John Llewelyn | 452 | | |
| Liberal | J. Bagnall Evans | 321 | | |
| Conservative | J. Beynon | 206 | | |
| Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |
| Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |

## Election of Aldermen

In addition to the 51 councillors the council consisted of 17 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 seventeen aldermanic vacancies and the following aldermen were appointed by the newly elected council (with the number of votes cast recorded in each case). A second vote was held to determine which aldermen should retire in three years.
Elected for six years
* John James, Llandovery (from outside the Council) 40
* W.O. Brigstocke JP, Liberal (from outside the Council) 38
* David Randell MP, Liberal (from outside the Council) 38
* Dr J.A. Jones, Llanelly, Liberal (from outside the Council) 37
* H. Nevill, Llanelli, Conservative (from outside the Council) 36
* T. Williams, Llwynhendy, Liberal (from outside the Council) 33
* D. Richards, Ammanford, Liberal (defeated candidate at Llandebie) 30
* Joseph Joseph, Liberal (from outside the Council) 27
* W.R. Edwards, Carmarthen, Liberal (from outside the Council)
Elected for three years
* Col. Gwynnne Hughes JP, Liberal (from outside the Council) 36
* J. Lewis Philipps, Carmarthen, Conservative (elected councillor for St Ishmaels) 35
* Sir James Hills-Johnes, Conservative (defeated candidate at Caeo) 35
* W. de G. Warren, Tenby, Liberal (from outside the Council) 34
* Robert Scourfield, Llanstephan, Liberal (from outside the Council) 33
* D. Bowen, Llandeilo, Liberal (from outside the Council) 32
* J. Bagnall Evans JP, Liberal (defeated candidate at Whitland and Llanboidy) 31
* D. James, Bailibedw, Liberal (from outside the Council) 31
As in Cardiganshire the Liberals agreed that the Conservatives be allocated three aldermanic seats only. Only John Lewis Philipps was an elected member of the council.
Initially, Lewis Morris had been elected an alderman but he declined on the basis that he had no sufficient time at his disposal. He was then replaced by W.R. Edwards at the second meeting of the council.

## Aldermanic Vacanies, 1889-1892

David Bowen died a few weeks after his election as alderman, The council resolved to replace him with another representative from the Llandeilo area to serve for the remainder of the three-year term.
* Morgan Davies, Llandeilo, Liberal (from outside the Council)
Two vacancies arose in early 1891 following the resignation of W de G Warren and the death of J. Lewis Philipps. The vacancies were filled as follows:
* C.E. Morris, Liberal (elected member for Llangunnor)
* David Evans, Llanelli, Liberal
As a result of these changes there was one additional Liberal alderman at the expense of the Conservatives.
Morgan Davies died in February 1892, shortly before the end of his term as alderman.

## By-elections, 1889-1892
### St Ishmaels by-election, 1889

In contrast to the position in other counties only one by-election was caused by the election of aldermen. This was in St Ishmaels where, following the election of John Lewis Philipps as an alderman the Liberal candidate captured the seat after a contest that took place in heavy snow.
St Ishmaels by-election 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | J. Lloyd Thomas | 276 | | |
| | Conservative | D.T. Morris | 98 | | |

### Llanarthney by-election, 1889

Thomas Davies, Bremenda, the member for Llanarthney, died in August 1889 as a result of injuries sustained falling off his horse. Rev R.G. Lawrence of Middleton Hall, an unsuccessful candidate at the election held earlier in the year was returned unopposed.
Llanarthney by-election 1889 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Rev R.G. Lawrence | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |

### Pembrey by-election, 1890

A by-election arose in the Pembrey ward following the appointment of William Howell as returning officer for the county.

### Carmarthen Western Ward (Upper Division) by-election, 1890

D. Rixon Morgan, the sitting member, resigned late in 1890. Professor D.E. Jones of the Presbyterian College, Carmarthen, was chosen as his replacement as Liberal candidate.
Carmarthen Eastern Ward (Lower Division) by-election, 1890 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Professor D.E. Jones | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold |