Merionethshire County Council election, 1889

Last updated

The first election to the Merionethshire County Council was held on 18 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 some of the urban areas.

Merionethshire County Council was a local authority in Wales from 1889 until its abolition in 1974.

Contents

Overview of the result

1889 was a 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. The outcome was very similar to that in Cardiganshire.

Liberal Party (UK) political party of the United Kingdom, 1859–1988

The Liberal Party was one of the two major parties in the United Kingdom with the opposing Conservative Party in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The party arose from an alliance of Whigs and free trade Peelites and Radicals favourable to the ideals of the American and French Revolutions in the 1850s. By the end of the 19th century, it had formed four governments under William Gladstone. Despite being divided over the issue of Irish Home Rule, the party returned to government in 1905 and then won a landslide victory in the following year's general election.

Unopposed Returns

There were some unopposed returns.

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.

The New Council

The first meeting of the council was held in Dolgellau.

Dolgellau town in Wales

Dolgellau is a market town and community in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, lying on the River Wnion, a tributary of the River Mawddach. It is traditionally the county town of the historic county of Merionethshire, which lost its administrative status when Gwynedd was created in 1974. Dolgellau is the main base for climbers of Cadair Idris.

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. One councillor was described as an Independent candidate but was also grouped in some reports with the Conservatives.

This table summarises the result of the elections in all wards. 42 councillors were elected.

Merionethshire County Council 1889: elected members
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  Liberal 33
  Conservative 8
  Independent 1

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.

Merionethshire County Council 1889 : following election of new aldermen
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  Liberal 43 10 +11
  Conservative 9 1 +1
  Independent 1 0

This table summarises the position following the by-elections for the three seats vacated following the election of aldermen. Technically these were new seats, taking the total number of councillors to 56. However, the Liberals defended three seats.

Merionethshire County Council 1889 : following by-elections
PartySeatsGainsLossesNet gain/lossSeats %Votes %Votes+/−
  Liberal 46 3 0 0
  Conservative 9 0 0 0
  Independent 1

Results

Abercorris and Talyllyn (two seats)

Abercorris and Talyllyn 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Morris Thomas 226
Liberal William Caradog Jones

 192
Conservative Edward Williams 169

Aberdovey District

Aberdovey District 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative James Webster 95
Liberal John Hughes Jones 89
Majority 6

Bala District

Richard Jones was a prominent figure in the public life of Bala, serving on many bodies. He was elected alderman at the first meeting of the Council but died suddenly in February, aged 65. [2]

Bala District 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Richard Jones unopposed

Barmouth Urban District

Lewis Lewis, gentleman, of Hillside, Barmouth, defeated John Robert Davies, gentleman, of Compton House, Barmouth. [1]

Barmouth Urban District 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Lewis Lewis 160
Conservative John Robert Davies 109
Majority 51

Conglywal District

Robert Roberts, physician and surgeon, of Isallt, Blaenau Festiniog defaeted Joseph Rhydwen Parry, Independent minister, of Manod Road, Blaenau Ffestiniog. [1]

Conglywal District 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Robert Roberts 163
Liberal Joseph Rhydwen Parry 129
Majority 34

Cynfal and Teigl District (two seats)

William Davies, farmer, of Caerblaidd, Ffestiniog and John Hughes, farmer, of Hafodfawrisaf, Maentwrog, were elected at thee expense of George Henry Ellis, solicitor, of Penymount, Ffestiniog and Edward Henry Jonathan, draper, of Paris House, Four Crosses. [1]

Dolgelley Combined District 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative William Davies 159
Liberal John Hughes 105
Independent George Henry Ellis 95
Liberal Edward Henry Jonathan 89

Cwmorthin and Ystradau (two seats)

Cwmorthin and Ystradau 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Alexander Milne Dunlop unopposed
Liberal William Parry Evans unopposed

Dolgelley Combined District (two seats)

Dolgelley Combined District 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Edward Jones 300
Liberal Morris Jones 261
Conservative John Vaughan 218

Dolgelley Rural District

Dolgelley Rural District 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Robert Pugh 111
Conservative Richard Edward Lloyd Richards 95
Majority 16

Dyffryn

Dyffryn 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Samuel Pope unopposed

Gwyddelwern

Gwyddelwern 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Robert Edwards unopposed


Harlech District

Richard Thomas Jones, surgeon, of Penygarth Villa, Harlech defeated John Owen, farmer, of Brynartro, Llanfair. [1]

Harlech District 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Richard Thomas Jones 152
Conservative John Owen 141
Majority 11

Llanaber

Charles Williams of Hengwm, Llanaber defeated John Jones, farmer, of Llwyndu, Barmouth. [1]

Llanaber 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Charles Williams 50
Liberal John Jones 28
Majority 22

Llandrillo

Llandrillo 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Henry Davies unopposed

Llandderfel

Llandderfel 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Thomas Jones unopposed

Llanegryn

Llanegryn 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative William Robert Maurice Wynne 151
Liberal John Evans 104
Majority 48

Llanfachreth

Llanfachreth 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Robert Vaughan 136
Liberal Edward Griffith 91
Majority 45

Llanfor

Richard John Price of Rhiwlas defeated William Thomas Rowlands, farmer, of Tanycoed, Llanfor (L). [1]

Llanaber 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative Richard John Price 141
Liberal William Thomas Rowlands 64
Majority 77

Llanfrothen

John Jones, gentleman, of Ynysfor, Llanfrothen defeated William Hughes, farmer, of Cwmcaeth, Nantmor, Beddgelert. [1]

Llanaber 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative John Jones 142
Liberal William Hughes 74
Majority 68

Llansantffraid and Corwen Combined Districts (three seats)

William Ffoulkes Jones, timber merchant, of the Terrace, Corwen; Robert David Roberts, wholesale grocer, of Glandwr, Corwen, and Hugh Cernyw Williams, Baptist minister, of London Road, Corwen were elected at the expense of David Robert Jones, surgeon, of the Terrace, Bridge Street, Corwen and Horatio Edward Walker, surgeon, of Plasyndref, Corwen. [1]

Penrhyn and Talsarnau 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal William Ffoulkes Jones 341
Liberal Robert David Roberts

 332
Liberal Rev Hugh Cernyw Williams 277
Conservative David Robert Jones 252
Conservative Horatio Edward Walker 162

Llanuwchllyn District

Llanuwchllyn 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Michael Daniel Jones 125
Conservative John Williams 117
Majority 8

Llanycil

Llanycil 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Edward Peters unopposed

Llwyngwril

Llwyngwril 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Ellis Pughe-Jones unopposed

Maenofferen and Diphwys Combined District (two seats)

John Parry Jones of the District Bank, Blaenau Ffestiniog and Robert Owen Jones, solicitor, of High Street, Blaenau Ffestiniog were elected at the expenmse of Morris Jones, flour dealer, of Blaenbowydd House, Blaenau Ffestiniog. [1]

Maenofferen and Diphwys Combined District 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal John Parry Jones 276
Liberal Robert Owen Jones 264
Independent Morris Jones 173

Maentwrog

William Edward Oakeley of Plas Tanybwlch defeated Griffith Ceidiog Roberts, nonconformist minister of Gwyndy, Maentwrog. [1] In what was described as the first Liberal meeting held at Maentwrog, in support of Roberts's candidature, Tom Ellis MP spoke for over an hour and a half. [3]

Maentwrog 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Conservative William Edward Oakeley 134
Liberal Griffith Ceidiog Roberts 83
Majority 51

Mawddwy District

Mawddwy 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal John Jones 141
Conservative Henry Owen 105
Majority 36

Pennal

Pennal 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal James Meredith unopposed

Penrhyn and Talsarnau (two seats)

J. B. Jones, miller, of Brynyfelin and John Rowe, quarry manager, of Glasfryn View, Penrhyn, were elected at the expense of Edmund Morgan Roberts, farmer, of Cefntrefor- isaf, Talsarnau and John Morgan, grocer, of Canton House, High Street, Blaenau Ffestiniog. [1]

Penrhyn and Talsarnau 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal J. B. Jones 223
Liberal John Rowe 219
Conservative Edmund Morgan Roberts 207
Liberal John Morgan 72

Rhiw and Bowydd (two seats)

Rhiw and Bowydd 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal David Griffith Williams unopposed
Liberal David Griffith Jones unopposed

Towyn Rural District

Towyn Rural District 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Rev Griffith Evans unopposed

Towyn Urban District

Towyn Urban District 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal Henry Haydn Jones unopposed

Trawsfynydd Eastern and Western Districts (two seats)

John Humphreys, physician and surgeon, of Fronwynion-street, Trawsfynydd and Robert Hugh Pughe, farmer, of Brynllefrith, Trawsfynydd, were elected at the expense of David Tegid Jones, farmer, of Y Goppa and William Evans, draper, of Meirion House, Trawsfynydd. [1]

Trawsfynydd Eastern and Western Districts 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Liberal John Humphreys 162
Independent Robert Hugh Pughe 109
Liberal David Tegid Jones 107
Liberal William Evans 81

Election of Aldermen

In addition to the 42 councillors the council consisted of 14 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: [4]

Only three of those elected were members of the council. [5]

Elected for six years

Elected for three years

Aldermanic Vacancies 1889-1895

Richard Jones died suddenly in February 1889, creating an immediate vacancy. [2]

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

By-elections

Three by-elections were caused by the election of aldermen.

Bala by-election

Edward Watkin, land agent, Rhiwlas, standing as an Independent, defeated the Liberal candidate by fifteen votes. Richard Jones, who had been elected alderman, died three days later. [2]

Bala by-election 1889
PartyCandidateVotes%±
Independent Edward Watkin 147
Liberal Evan Jones 132
Majority 15

Related Research Articles

The first election to the Glamorgan County Council were held on 17 January 1889. Results were announced over several days. 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.

The first election to the Cardiganshre County Council was held in January 1889. 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.

The second election for the Cardiganshire County Council took place in March 1892. It was preceded by the inaugural 1889 election and followed by the 1895 election

The third election to the Cardiganshire County Council took place in March 1895. It was preceded by the 1892 election and followed by the 1898 election

The second election to the Glamorgan County Council was held on 8 March 1892. The 1889 election was the first contest and the next was the 1895 election. Glamorgan County Council had been established by the 1888 Local Government Act, and the first election held in January 1889. Glamorgan was by far the largest county in Wales in terms of population. 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.

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 1888 Local Government Act, 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.

The Glamorgan County Council election, 1901 was the fifth contest for seats on this authority. It was preceded by the 1898 election and followed by the 1904 election. Glamorgan was by far the largest county in Wales in terms of population. Glamorgan County Council had been established by the 1888 Local Government Act, 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.

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

The fifth elections for Cardiganshire County Council took place in March 1901. They were preceded by the 1898 election and followed by the 1904 election

The sixth elections for Cardiganshire County Council took place in March 1904. They were preceded by the 1901 election and followed by the 1907 election

The Glamorgan County Council election, 1907 was the seventh contest for seats on this local authority in Wales. It was preceded by the 1904 election and followed by the 1910 election.

The first elections to the Montgomeryshire County Council were held in January 1889. They were followed by the 1892 election. The county was divided into numerous single member wards with two councillors elected to represent some of the urban areas.

The sixth elections for Cardiganshire County Council took place in March 1907. They were preceded by the 1904 election and followed by the 1910 election

The sixth elections for Cardiganshire County Council took place in March 1910. They were preceded by the 1907 election and followed by the 1913 election

The tenth elections for Cardiganshire County Council took place in March 1919. They were preceded by the 1913 election and followed by the 1922 election. No election took place in 1916 due to the First World War.

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

The second election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in March 1892. It was preceded by the 1889 election and followed by the 1895 election.

The third election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in March 1895. It was preceded by the 1892 election and followed by the 1898 election.

The third election to the Carmarthenshire County Council was held in March 1898. It was preceded by the 1895 election and followed by the 1901 election.

The second election to the Merionethshire County Council was held in March 1892. They were preceded by the 1889 election and followed by the 1895 election.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Merioneth County Council Elections". Cambrian News. 25 January 1889. p. 8. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 "Bala. County Council". Cambrian News. 22 February 1889. p. 7. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  3. ↑ "Senedd Meirion". Baner ac Amserau Cymru. Thomas Gee. 2 January 1889. p. 11. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  4. ↑ "Merioneth County Council". Cambrian News. 8 February 1889. p. 7. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  5. ↑ "Merioneth County Council". Cambrian News. 1 February 1889. p. 5. Retrieved 13 July 2015.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.