1892 Glamorgan County Council election

At the previous election, three Conservatives were returned for the five seats in the Aberdare area. On this occasion, four of the seats were won by Liberals, including David Morgan at Gadlys. The remaining Conservative, Rees Hopkin Rhys was now nominally at least, returned as a Liberal.

In this area the Conservatives were stronger than in the industrial valleys. However, the Liberals gained ground, notably by capturing both seats at Penarth.[1]

The Liberals also captured the majority of the seats in Merthyr Tydfil, although the Conservatives retained a firm grip on Dowlais and neighbouring Caeharris. At Cyfaththfa, the Labour candidate won a notable victory.

In contrast to the somewhat raucous campaign three years earlier, the campaign in the Rhondda was a peaceful one although a number of the wards were closely contested. Most of the pits were closed early, the weather was fine. Vehicles belonging to various tradesmen conducted the electors to the polls and "scores of miners from different pits were to bo observed hastily trudging home to wash themselves before recording their votes for their favourite candidates. One striking feature in connection with the elections was the conspicuous absence of drunken persons about the booths and in the streets, and the quietness and tho amicable feeling prevailing among the supporters of the various candidates, who cordially shook hands with each other and chatted together freely for some time."[3]

Thomas Davies had been elected at a by-election in 1889 following the elevation of T.P. White to the aldermanic bench. White had moved from Cwmaman to Maesycymmer during the intervening period and did not seek re-election.

J.M. Smith had been elected at a by-election in 1889 following the elevation of Richard Jenkins to the aldermanic bench.

John Claxton Meggitt

John Claxton Meggitt had been elected at a by-election in 1889 following the elevation of John Cory to the aldermanic bench. In 1892 it was anticipated that Cory would be re-appointed as an alderman without facing the electorate, although Meggitt offered to stand down when this proved not to be the case. After the election, when the Liberal group decided that aldermen would be chosen only from amongst elected members, Meggitt reluctantly agreed to be nominated so that Cory could take the vacant seat (see 'By-elections' below).[5]

The previous Conservative member, Lord Dunraven, elected in 1889, only attended two meetings of the council. The Liberal press, while deploring the failure of the Liberal candidate, described as a shrewd businessman, welcomed the fact that the interests of the town would now be represented.[2] Three years later, when the Liberals captured the seat for the first time, it was recalled that Price, upon his victory, was carried shoulder-high to the Conservative Club.[6] Although nominally a Conservative loss this was not how the result was widely regarded as the time.

At a by-election in 1889 following the elevation of William Hunter to the aldermanic bench, Jenkin Hill was defeated by the Conservative candidate, W.P. Struve. Struve did not seek re-election, allowing Hill to capture the seat in a straight fight with another Liberal candidate.

Henry Anthony had been elected at a by-election in 1889 following the elevation of David Lewis to the aldermanic bench.

J.S. Gibbon had captured the seat for the Conservatives at a by-election in 1889 following the elevation of Thomas Rees to the aldermanic bench.

At a by-election in 1889 following the elevation of Dr Henry Naunton Davies to the aldermanic bench, his brother, Dr Evan Naunton Davies had been elected. In 1892, Evan Naunton Davies did not seek re-election, leading to a contest between the Lib-Lab candidate, Moses Moses, and Idris Williams, a native of the Rhondda and a prominent if somewhat controversial figure in the public life of the valley. Moses thus became the Rhondda's first labour county councillor. He was supported at the election by the Porth Labour Committee, and ad hoc organisation which did not re-appear at subsequent elections.[7]

Although Benjamin Evans, the so-called 'Bishop of Gadlys', had initially intended to contest the seat he withdrew in favour of David Morgan, miners' agent.[8] The two men became bitter rivals in later years.

The elected member was a miners' agent and ally of Mabon.

Morgan, returned at a by-election in 1889, was returned unopposed after rumours that he would be opposed by Owen Harris, a Trecynon tradesman involved in local politics, proved unfounded.[9]

Rees Harries had been elected alderman in 1889 and Thomas Freeman, who served as Mayor of Swansea in 1889-90 was returned unopposed at the ensuing by-election. At one stage it was reported that Freeman would contest the seat at this election, possibly because of the uncertainty over whether sitting aldermen could stand.[10] However, Rees Harries decided to contest the seat and Freeman stood aside in his favour. Harries was not among the new aldermen elected by the Council.

This contest was regarded as the only instance in the county where a Liberal was ousted by a Conservative. Lindsay, although running as an Independent was regarded as a Conservative.

Rhys, a prominent figure in the public life of Aberdare for decades and Chairman of the Local Board of Health, was returned unopposed. Although described as a Liberal he had in the past been associated with the Conservative Party and his return in 1889 had been regarded as a defeat for the local Liberal Association.

John Arnold died, aged 49, shortly before the next election in 1895.[11]

This was regarded by the Liberals as one of the most significant contests, as David Morgan's personal popularity was expected to be a factor.[2]

The Liberal candidate, who was said to be popular among Conservatives as well as Liberals, hade refused to stand as an Independent.[2]

Morris, the sitting member and official Rhondda Labour and Liberal Association candidate in 1889, found himself at odds with the RLLA local committee which chose estate went Elias Henry Davies to oppose him.[12] The third Liberal candidate, Daniel Eynon, was a colliery manager.

Morgan Williams. lodge secretary at Ynyshir Colliery, was supported at the election by the Porth Labour Committee, and ad hoc organisation which did not re-appear at subsequent elections.[7]

The sitting councillor did not seek re-election and it was felt that the young Liberal candidate, 'Willie' Spickett faced a formidable opponent in the Chair of the Pontypridd Local Board of Health. Leyshon stood as an Independent but was regarded as a Conservative candidate.[2]

Daronwy Isaac, miners' agent and ally of Mabon, stood as an unofficial candidate although he was President of the Rhondda Labour and Liberal Association.[12] His opponent, William Morris was minister of Noddfa, Treorchy and already active in local government as a member of the Ystradyfodwg School Board.

The contest was reported to have been conducted with bitterness and bad feeling. Mr. Williams's record on the Council is a very satisfac- tory one. and it would have been hard indeed not to return one who has been tried and not found wanting. At the same time we are sorry that the Councifshould be without the services of Mr. T. P. Jenkins, who for many years was the chairman of the Rhondda Liberal and Labour Association, the first labour magistrate in Wales, and a man of great business capacity. The conflict between two good Liberals was most unfortunate. especially since it has generated so much ill feeling, and it is unfortunate that Mr. Jenkins did not elect to stand for another constituency against a Tory candidate.[2]

Thomas, the retiring councillor, announced that he would not seek re-election but reversed his decision on learning that Cory would be the new candidate.[2]

Clifford Cory

In the Town Ward, Aberdare, following David Price Davies's election as alderman, the contest was said to have created an intense amount of enthusiasm and more excitement than has been known to an election in this parish for many years.

John Cory was returned unopposed following john Claxton Meggitt's reluctant elevation to the aldermanic bench to make way for him.[5]

Following Henry Anthony's election as alderman, Richard Hill-Male, who had opposed him at the recent election, was now chosen as the official nominee of the Liberal Association. However, David Lewis, elected as Liberal councillor in 1889 and whose aldermanic term had lapsed also chose to contest the seat, and a number of lively meetings took place.[16] On polling day, Hill-Male was returned with a comfortable majority.[17]

The by-election followed the election of Herbert Evans as alderman.[18]

Idris Williams, narrowly defeated at the recent election by Moses Moses. was returned unopposed after a stormy meeting at Bethania Chapel, Dinas, when only members of the Liberal Association (the so-called 'Three Hundred') were allowed to vote. Eventually, Williams, who was also narrowly defeated at the 1889 election, was unanimously selected.[19] Technically, the return of Williams represented a Liberal gain.

Idris Williams

William Llewellyn, grocer, of Gwalia House, Tynewydd defeated William Jenkins, Ystradfechan, Treorchy, mining engineer at the Ocean Collieries.[18]

Following the election of John Powell as alderman, Robert Armine Morris, a prominent figure in the municipal life of Swansea, and a member of a leading family in the industrial life of the district, won the seat for the Conservatives. The campaign included a public meeting addressed by both candidates.[20] Prominent local Liberals were alleged to have at least tacitly supported Morris.[18]

Following the election of Sir H. Hussey Vivian, the chairman of the Council, as an alderman, two Liberal candidates contested the vacancy.[20] Thomas Freeman was a past Mayor of Swansea and a prominent figure in the public life of the town who had also served as councillor for Llandeilo Talybont on the first council. He was defeated by Llewellyn Davies who had unsuccessfully contested Margam against A.P. Vivian in 1889.

The candidate was returned unopposed following a meeting of electors at Hermon, Pontygwaith.[16] This outcome appears to have been challenged by the supporters of a certain Mr Fenwick, and a further meeting was held at which Hughes was again chosen, by 80 votes against 67 for Fenwick.[21]