# 1898 Cardiganshire County Council election

The fourth election for Cardiganshire County Council took place in March 1898. They were preceded by the 1895 election and followed by the 1901 election

## Overview of the Result

At the fourth elections held for the County Council, the Liberals retained their large majority.

## Boundary Changes

There were boundary changes in the Aberaeron area, arising from the formation of the Aberaeron Urban District Council in 1894.

## Unopposed Returns

There were a number of unopposed returns. The Conservatives held seats they won in 1895 including Borth and Cardigan South while Independent Conservative Henry Bonsall was returned unopposed for Bow Street.

## Contested Elections

The Liberals won Aberystwyth No.1, lost in 1895, after the Unionists failed to field a candidate.

## Retiring Aldermen

Eight aldermen retired. Of these only Peter Jones (Trefeurig) and Jenkin Jenkins (Felinfach) sought re-election, although two others (John Powell and Evan Richards) would be re-elected without facing the electorate. Jenkins was defeated at Felinfach by Walter T. Davies. Davies, however was among those who were chosen as new aldermen enabling Jenkins to contest the by-election (see below). Four aldermen retired namely W.O. Brigstocke, Dr Jenkin Lewis, David Lloyd and D.W. E. Rowland.

## The New Council

J.C. Harford of Falcondale was elected as the first Conservative chairman on a motion moved by Peter Jones.
Cardiganshire County Council 1898 : elected members :
| Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss |
| Liberal | 39 | 4 | 1 | +3 |
| Conservative | 8 | 1 | 4 | -3 |
| Liberal Unionist | | | | |
| Ind. Conservative | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |

### Council following the election of aldermen and by-elections

Cardiganshire County Council 1898 : following the election of aldermen :
| Party | Seats |
| Liberal | 50 |
| Conservative | 9 |
| Liberal Unionist | 0 |
| Ind. Conservative | 1 |
| Independent | 0 |
Cardiganshire County Council 1898 : following by-elections :
| Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss |
| Liberal | 53 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Conservative | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Liberal Unionist | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ind. Conservative | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Independent | | | | |

## Results
### Aberaeron

Aberaeron 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | John Morgan Howell* | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Aberarth

Aberarth 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Evan Lima Jones* | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Aberbanc

David Lloyd, an alderman from 1889 to 1895 was returned unopposed.
Aberbanc 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Dr David Lloyd* | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Aberporth

Aberporth 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Joshua Hughes* | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Aberystwyth Division 1

Aberystwyth Division 1 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Robert Doughton | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal gain from Unionist | Liberal gain from Unionist | Swing | | |

### Aberystwyth Division 2

Aberystwyth Division 2 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | David Charles Roberts* | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Aberystwyth Division 3

A repeat of the contest in 1895. Ellis increased his majority from 7 to 29.
Aberystwyth Division 3 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | Robert Ellis | 186 |
| | Conservative | Dr Thomas Pugh Beddoes | 157 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 29 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing |

### Aberystwyth Division 4

James had been elected at the 1895 by-election following C.M. Williams's re-appointment as alderman.
Aberystwyth Division 4 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | Evan Hugh James* | 158 |
| | Conservative | John Morgan | 133 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 25 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing |

### Borth

Borth 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Morgan Williams* | unopposed | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Bow Street

Bow Street 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Ind. Conservative | Henry Bonsall | unopposed | | |
| | Ind. Conservative hold | Ind. Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Cardigan North

Cardigan North 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Rev John Williams* | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Cardigan South

Cardigan South 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | C.E.D. Morgan-Richardson | unopposed | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Cilcennin

Jenkin Lewis had previously sat as an Unionist.
Cilcennin 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | Dr Jenkin Lewis** | 146 |
| | Conservative | Price Lewes | 96 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 50 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing |

### Cwmrheidol

The seat changed hands for the third time, with Nicholas Bray, the victor in 1889 and 1895 being defeated as he was in 1892.
Cwmrheidol 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | John Morgan | 90 |
| | Conservative | Capt. Nicholas Bray* | 44 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 46 |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing |

### Devil's Bridge

Devil's Bridge 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | Abraham Thomas Joseph | 114 |
| | Conservative | William Thomas Hill | 50 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 64 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing |

### Felinfach

The sitting councillor defeated Alderman Jenkin Jenkins, who had defeated him by a small majority in 1892.
Felinfach 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | Walter Thomas Davies* | 177 |
| | Liberal | Jenkin Jenkins** | 109 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 68 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing |

### Goginan

Goginan 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Joseph Parry | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Lampeter Borough

Harford, was again returned unopposed.
Lampeter Borough 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Charles Harford* | unopposed | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Llanarth

Llanarth 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | James Evans* | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Llanbadarn Fawr

Llanbadarn Fawr 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Major H.E. Bonsall | unopposed | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Llanddewi Brefi

Llanddewi Brefi 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | David Davies* | 153 |
| | Conservative | William Rees | 46 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 107 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing |

### Llandygwydd

Llandygwydd 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Col. John Richard Howell* | unopposed | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Llandysiliogogo

Llansysiliogogo 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Rev R. Jones | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Llandysul North

Llandysul North 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Daniel Evans | unopposed | | |

### Llandysul South

Llandysul South 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | Rev Thomas Pennant Phillips | 208 |
| | Conservative | Charles Lloyd* | 191 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 18 |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing |

### Llanfair Clydogau

Llanfair Clydogau 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | John Jenkin Davies | 150 |
| | Liberal | John Watkin Davies* | 131 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 19 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing |

### Llanfarian

Llanfarian 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | Vaughan Davies* | 135 |
| | Independent | Richard John Roberts | 60 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 75 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing |

### Llanfihangel y Creuddyn

Llanfihangel y Creuddyn 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | William Evans* | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Llangoedmor

Llangoedmor 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | David Samuel Jones* | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Llangeitho

Llangeitho 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | Thomas Davies | 158 |
| | Liberal | John Rowlands* | 130 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 28 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing |

### Llangrannog

Llangrannog 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Thomas Evans* | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Llanilar

Llanilar 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Benjamin Jones* | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Llanllwchaiarn

Llanllwchaiarn 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Rev William Griffiths* | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Llanrhystyd

Llanrhystyd 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Evan Jones* | unopposed | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Llansantffraed

Llansantffraed 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Conservative | Evan Morgan* | 132 |
| | Liberal | David Morgan | 100 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 32 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing |

### Llanwenog

Llanwenog 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Conservative | Herbert Davies-Evans jnr. | 196 |
| | Liberal | James Jones | 122 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 74 |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal | Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing |

### Llanwnen

Llanwnen 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | John Daniel Jenkins | 124 |
| | Conservative | S.D. Jones | 66 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 58 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing |

### Lledrod

Lledrod 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | David Jenkins* | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Nantcwnlle

Nantcwnlle 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | Daniel Jenkins | 122 |
| | Conservative | John Jones | 109 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 13 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing |

### New Quay

New Quay 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | John Owen Davies | 149 |
| | Conservative | Thomas Davies | 120 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 29 |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing |

### Penbryn

Penbryn 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Capt. D. Jones | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Strata Florida

Strata Florida 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Edward Evans | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Taliesin

Taliesin 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | John Jones* | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Talybont

Talybont 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Edward Jones* | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Trefeurig

Trefeurig 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Peter Jones** | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Tregaron

Tregaron 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Daniel Jenkin Williams* | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Troedyraur

Troedyraur 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Thomas Morris | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Ysbyty Ystwyth

Ysbyty Ystwyth 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Thomas Morgan | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

## 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 elections, the following Alderman were appointed by the newly elected council.
* Peter Jones, Liberal (retiring alderman, elected councillor at Trefeurig)
* Sir Marteine Lloyd, Conservative (from outside the Council, retiring councillor for New Quay)
* Evan Richards, Liberal (retiring alderman, from outside Council - did not seek election)
* John Morgan Howell, Liberal (elected councillor at Aberaeron)
* Walter T. Davies, Liberal (elected councillor at Felinfach)
* Rev John Williams, Liberal (elected councillor at Cardigan North)
* John Powell, Liberal (retiring alderman, from outside Council - did not seek election)
* Rev T. Mason Jones, Liberal (from outside the Council, retiring member for Ysbyty Ystwyth)
With the exception of Sir Marteine Lloyd, of the eight elected aldermen were Liberals. This broke the pattern established in 1889 whereby there were three Conservatives on the aldermanic bench. Of those elected, four were elected members of the Council and four were not. Two retiring aldermen (John Powell and Evan Richards) did not seek re-election although Peter Jones did so. Sir Marteine Lloyd and Rev T. Mason Jones were members of the previous council who did not seek re-election.

## 1898 by-elections following the election of aldermen

Only two of the four by-elections was contested.

### Aeron by-election

Following the election of J.M. Howell as alderman, a disagreement among local Liberals led to the unopposed return of a prominent Conservative.
Aeron by-election 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Major Price Lewes | unopposed | | |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal | Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | | |

### Cardigan North by-election

Following the election of the Rev John Williams as alderman, O. Beynon Evans was returned unopposed.
Cardigan North by-election 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | O. Beynon Evans | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Felinfach by-election

Having lost the election, as retiring alderman, to the retiring councillor, Jenkin Jenkins of Blaenplwyf was returned.
Felinfach by-election 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| | Liberal | Jenkin Jenkins | 144 |
| | Unionist | Evan Jonathan | 104 |
| | Liberal | D. Teify Jones | 41 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 40 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing |

### Trefeurig by-election

Trefeurig by-election 1898 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | J. Hugh Edwards | unopposed | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |