The first election to the Glamorgan County Council was held on 17 January 1889.[1] Results were announced over several days.[2] 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.
Overview of the Result
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. For many weeks prior to the election there was lively campaigning in most wards and on election day, 'there was great interest manifested in the proceedings, and at most of the polling places a great many votes were recorded.'[2]
As in most parts of Wales, the Liberal Party was triumphant and won a majority of the seats. The Liberal members elected ranged however, from traditional landowners such as Henry Hussey Vivian, through indigenous coalowners such as F.L. Davis to nonconformist radicals like the Rev Aaron Davies, Pontlottyn. A vigorous campaign was fought by the Liberals, which was reported in detail in the local press.
The following is a summary of the council composition following the election. The figures shown are the number of councillors plus aldermen. For instance 13 + 2 indicates 13 councillors and 2 aldermen.
Glamorgan County Council election result 1889
Party
Seats
Gains
Losses
Net gain/loss
Seats %
Votes %
Votes
+/−
Liberal
Conservative
Unionist
Labour
Independent
Other parties
Candidates and unopposed returns
66 members were returned to the Council. There were 6 wards that returned two members while the other 54 wards returned one member only.
Most wards were contested by Liberal and Conservative candidates, although several of the latter stood as Independents. In many cases, Liberals fought each other.[3]
There were only three unopposed returns, all of whom were Liberals. Frederick Lewis Davis, defeated by Mabon at the Rhondda election in 1885 was returned unopposed in Ferndale as was W.H. Mathias at another Rhondda ward. The third unopposed return was David Davies in Morriston.
Contested elections
Most candidates were described as either Liberals or Conservatives but these allegiances were fluid and, in some cases, there was little evidence of a connection between candidates and local Liberal or Conservative party organisations.
Aberdare and Merthyr Districts
There were five seats in the Aberdare district, namely Aberaman, Aberdare Town, Gadlys, Hirwaun and Llwydcoed and the return of three Conservatives in this predominantly radical and working-class community excited some comment. The three Conservatives, Sir William Thomas Lewis, Rees Hopkin Rhys and James Lewis, had all been active in the public life of the valley for many years, and their return owed as much to their local influence as to their politics. The nominally Liberal local paper, the Aberdare Times, regretted that the local Liberal Association chose to run candidates against these prominent local figures.[4] Upon the return of all three, a demonstration was held where (according to the admittedly anti-Liberal Aberdare Times), 'all classes of the people united to mark their sense of the pronounced triumph over the clique who presume to act in the name of the Liberal Association.'[5]
In the Merthyr Tydfil area, however, Liberal candidates were more successful but here too the Conservatives performed strongly.
Rhondda District
In the Rhondda district the success of William Abraham (Mabon) at the 1885 General Election had led to the emergence of a Rhondda Liberal and Labour Association within which working class leaders were active. At the 1889 election the Association advanced a slate of ten candidates, nine of whom were successful. this level of organisation contrasted sharply with other parts of the county. It is also significant that most of the official Liberal candidates had supported the official Liberal candidate, Frederick Davis, in 1885, rather than the Lib-Lab Mabon.[6] The relative unity of the valley Liberals in these elections is illustrated by a meeting held at the Treorchy Board Schools to support the candidatures of William Morgan and J.S. Edwards at Treherbert and Treorchy respectively. The meeting was chaired by William Morris, minister of Noddfa, Treorchy and addressed by both Daronwy Isaac and Mabon himself.[7]
The New Council
The first meeting of the Council was held at the Gwyn Hall in Neath and Sir Hussey Vivian MP elected to the chair.[8] The Liberal group did agree on a list of aldermen before hand but they were not as cohesive as in other counties in using a block vote.
One of the main debates related to the venue for meetings, with the claims of Neath and Pontypridd being most prominent. The Bridgend Local Board of Health had petitioned Lord Dunraven to lobby for that town to be considered.[7]
Results
Aberaman
This contest was widely reported and was a significant victory for a local tradesman, T.P. White, over a leading colliery official who later became a prominent figure in the South Wales and Monmouthshire Coalowners' Association. White had been chosen as Liberal candidate after a public meeting at Saron Chapel, Aberaman. In a letter to the press he referred to pressure from colliery officials and sought to re-assure the electors that there was a secret ballot.[9]
E.P. Martin was regarded as the candidate of the Dowlais Iron Company and was said to have dominated the contest from the outset.[1]
Caeharris 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Unionist
Edward Pritchard Martin
762
Liberal
Evan Lewis
133
Majority
629
Unionist win (new seat)
Caerphilly
Caerphilly 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
David Lewis
531
Liberal
Henry Anthony
406
Majority
125
Liberal win (new seat)
Coedffranc
Coedffranc 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Conservative
John Newall Moore
451
Liberal
Samuel T. Evans
319
Majority
132
Conservative win (new seat)
Coity
Coity 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
William Howell
564
Independent
R. Evans
164
Majority
400
Liberal win (new seat)
Cowbridge
Cowbridge 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
Thomas Rees
334
Independent
Rees Thomas
322
Conservative
R.T. Bassett
240
Majority
12
Liberal win (new seat)
Cwmavon
Cwmavon 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
Herbert Evans
415
Conservative
J. Stanley
387
Majority
28
Liberal win (new seat)
Cyfarthfa
Cyfarthfa 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Unionist
W. T. Crawshay
Unopposed
Unionist win (new seat)
Cymmer
Henry Naunton Davies was opposed by T. Griffiths, manager of Cymmer Colliery and a member of the Ystradyfodwg Local Board.
Cymmer 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
Henry Naunton Davies
785
Independent
T. Griffiths
311
Majority
474
Liberal win (new seat)
Dinas Powys
Dinas Powys 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Conservative
Oliver Henry Jones JP
443
Liberal
W. Jenkins
271
Majority
172
Conservative win (new seat)
Dowlais
Dowlais 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Conservative
Thomas Jenkins
469
Liberal
David Jones
443
Majority
26
Conservative win (new seat)
Dulais Valley
Evans Bevan, owner of the anthracite colliery at Seven Sisters, was a prominent businessman and industrialist. His return reflected his social status in the recently developed Dulais Valley.
James Lewis had been active in the public life of the Aberdare Valley for many years and his candidacy was supported by many Liberals, even though his politics were regarded as Conservative.[10]
Gadlys 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Independent
James Lewis
902
68.9
Liberal
T.J. Jones
407
31.1
Majority
495
37.8
Independent win (new seat)
Garw Valley
Garw Valley 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
Dr Edward John Parry
Unopposed
N/A
N/A
Liberal win (new seat)
Gellifaelog
Gellifaelog 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
Gwilym C. James
436
Independent
T. Jones
131
Majority
305
Liberal win (new seat)
Gelligaer
Gelligaer 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Conservative
Henry William Martin
510
Liberal
W. Coslett Beddoe
478
Majority
62
Conservative win (new seat)
Gower
Gower 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
Frank Cory Yeo
478
Conservative
R.A. Essery
328
Majority
806
Liberal win (new seat)
Hirwaun
The contest was marked by accusations (originally made at the time of the Glamorgan county election of 1880) that Lewis, as a prominent coal owner and land agent, had refused requests by nonconformists for land to build chapels. He publicly refuted these allegations, at a meeting held at Ebenezer, Trecynon.[11] Lewis's supporters also countered these claims by publishing old correspondence, including a letter by the late Thomas Price which refuted the accusations.[12] There is evidence that Lewis's personal popularity transcended any political considerations.[13]
This large ward covered the parishes of Llantwit Fardre, Llanfabon and Llanwonno and witnessed a close contest. The Liberal candidate, Edward Edwards, addressing a public meeting at Graigberthlwyd Chapel, referred to personal attacks made against him by opponents and defended his record as a Guardian and member of the Gelligaer Highways Board. Dewi Mabon also addressed this meeting, and in response to questions, Edwards declared himself in favour of the Welsh language being taught more widely in schools. it was alleged that his opponent, Jabez Evans, though nominally an Independent, was supported by the Conservative Party.[14] This is borne out to some extent by reports of Evans's meetings, where he was generally supported by those who argued that the "best men" should be elected, regardless of their politics.[15]
Lewis and Williams, chosen as the official candidates of the Liberal Association, faced one of the few prominent coal owners in the Rhondda to stand as a Conservative candidate. Their campaign was supported by D.A. Thomas who addressed a public meeting at Clydach Vale. Thomas stated that he had known Hood longer than the two Liberals, but that the county elections should be fought on political lines.[16]
Following a close three-way contest, John Jenkins, a member of the Local Board of Health for twelve years, scored a narrow victory. Jenkins was the proprietor of the Thomastown Brickworks and a prominent figure in the Merthyr Building Society. Jenkins was said to have campaigned as a Radical, while the other two candidates relied upon their 'personal qualifications'.[1] A few later, however, Jenkins was killed in an accident.[17]
Merthyr Town 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
John Jenkins
543
Unionist
Frank James
510
Conservative
D. Williams
500
Majority
33
Liberal win (new seat)
Merthyr Vale
Merthyr Vale 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
Walter Bell
Unopposed
Liberal win (new seat)
Morriston
David Davis, a tinplate manufacturer, was returned unopposed. The widespread support he attracted was indicated by a meeting at Morriston, chaired by William Williams, Maesygwernen, 'who was supported by nearly all the tinplate manufacturers of the neighbourhood and the leading inhabitants of the district'.[18]
Morriston 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
David Davies
unopposed
Liberal win (new seat)
Neath (two seats)
Neath 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Unionist
Charles Evan Thomas
920
Independent
Henry Pendrill Charles
738
Liberal
Thomas Powell
687
Unionist win (new seat)
Independent win (new seat)
Newcastle
Newcastle 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
James Bryant
477
Conservative
F.J. Coldridge Bowles
275
Majority
202
Liberal win (new seat)
Ogmore
Ogmore 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
Evan Evans
362
Independent
Rees Thomas
243
Conservative
William Howells
183
Majority
143
Liberal win (new seat)
Ogmore Valley
Ogmore Valley 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
John Williams
509
Conservative
Daniel Price
366
Majority
143
Liberal win (new seat)
Oystermouth
Oystermouth 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Conservative
Thomas Penrice
284
Conservative
Nicholl Morgan
244
Liberal
John Taylor
135
Conservative win (new seat)
Penarth (two members)
Penarth 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Conservative
Henry Oakden Fisher
667
Conservative
John Stuart Corbett
427
Liberal
Thomas Lewis
423
Liberal
D.T. Alexander
387
Conservative win (new seat)
Conservative win (new seat)
Penrhiwceiber and Dyffryn (two seats)
Penrhiwceiber and Dyffryn 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
Col. C.J.N. Gray
1,027
Liberal
Gwilym Jones
694
Liberal
Hon. H. Campbell Bruce
664
Liberal win (new seat)
Liberal win (new seat)
Pentre and Ystrad (two seats)
David Evans, manager of David Davis & Sons' pit at Bodringallt, and former chairman of the Ystradyfodwg School Board was the only official Rhondda Labour and Liberal Association candidate to be defeated.[19] The successful candidate was William Jenkins of Ystradefechan.
Pentre and Ystrad 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
William Jenkins
1,116
Liberal
Richard Morris
1,093
Liberal
David Evans
796
Majority
Liberal win (new seat)
Liberal win (new seat)
Penydarren
Penydarren 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
Thomas Williams
653
Conservative
John Plews
323
Majority
330
Liberal win (new seat)
Plymouth
Plymouth 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
Henry W. Lewis
570
Liberal
Joseph Owen
311
Majority
239
Liberal win (new seat)
Pontardawe
Pontardawe 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
Ernest Hall Hedley
511
Liberal
John Beynon
291
Majority
220
Liberal win (new seat)
Pontlottyn
Pontlottyn 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
Rev Aaron Davies
469
Conservative
J. Matthews
342
Majority
127
Liberal win (new seat)
Pontypridd
This contrast attracted considerable interest as a prominent Liberal faced a major employer in Pontypridd and owner of the Brown Lenox chain works.[20]
John Powell's candidature was supported by key Liberal figures in the county, including Sir Hussey Vivian and Mabon, both of whom addressed meetings. Powell claimed the support of both the Liberal Association and the Labour Party.[21]
The relative unity of the valley Liberals in these elections is illustrated by a meeting held at the Treorchy Board Schools to support the candidatures of William Morgan and J.S. Edwards at Treherbert and Treorchy respectively. The meeting was chaired by William Morris, minister of Noddfa, Treorchy and addressed by both Daronwy Isaac and Mabon himself.[7] At the 1885 election Morgan had supported F.L. Davis while Edwards had supported Mabon.[19]
Treorchy and Treherbert 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
William Morgan
1,061
Liberal
Rev John Salisbury Edwards
912
Independent
Evan Evans
619
Liberal win (new seat)
Liberal win (new seat)
Tylorstown and Ynyshir
Tylorstown and Ynyshir 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
William Henry Mathias
Unopposed
N/A
N/A
Liberal win (new seat)
Ystalyfera
At Ystalyfera there were two strong competing factions for the Liberal candidacy, each supporting John Beynon and James Williams respectively. After a lively arbitration meeting at Swansea, where three referees including David Randell MP and Thomas Phillips of Llanelli presided, Beynon was selected. However, a meeting of Williams's supporters resolved to ignore the decision and contest the seat.[7] These divisions may have contributed to the Conservative victory.
Ystalyfera 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Conservative
Dr David Thomas
375
Liberal
James Williams
239
Majority
136
Conservative win (new seat)
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 election of the initial 22 aldermen, half of the aldermanic bench would be elected every three years following the triennial council election.
Prior to the elections there had been some discussion about the method of electing aldermen. At a meeting in Clydach Vale, D.A. Thomas had argued that although he believed the elections should be fought on political lines, men such as J. T. D. Llewellyn and Rees Hopkin Rhys should be selected as aldermen in order that the Council could benefit from their experience as magistrates. This had been contradicted by one of the two Liberal candidates for the ward who had declared that the aldermen should be elected from within the council.[16] In the event both Llewelyn and Rhys were successful at the elections in any case.
After the initial elections, there were sixteen Aldermanic vacancies and the following Alderman were appointed by the newly elected council:
Elected for six years
J. T. D. Llewellyn, Conservative (elected councillor at Lougher and Penderry)
Thomas Williams, Liberal (elected councillor at Penydarren)
Walter H. Morgan Liberal (elected councillor at Pontypridd)
William Hunter, Liberal (elected councillor at Briton Ferry)
Gwilym Jones, Liberal (elected councillor at Penrhiwceiber and Dyffryn)
John Cory, Liberal (elected councillor at Barry and Cadoxton)
David Davies, Liberal (elected councillor at Morriston)
David Lewis Liberal (elected councillor at Caerphilly)
Rev Aaron Davies, Liberal (elected councillor at Pontlottyn)
William Jenkins, Liberal (elected councillor at Pentre and Ystrad)
Thomas Rees, Liberal (elected councillor at Cowbridge)
Edward Plummer, Liberal (elected councillor at Resolven)
Rees Harries, Liberal (elected councillor at Llandeilo Talybont)
Thomas P. White, Liberal (elected councillor at Aberaman)
Richard Jenkins, Liberal (elected councillor at Aberavon )
In contrast to the position in some Welsh counties such as Cardiganshire, where the Liberal majority voted en bloc for a slate of candidates, including a small number of Conservatives, the distribution of the votes in the ballot suggested that this was not the case in Glamorgan. The votes ranged from 58 for J.T.D. Llewellyn to 25 for Sir William Thomas Lewis, who was only four votes ahead of the next candidate, Lord Aberdare.[8] The Liberal caucus did agree on a slate, and altered it when four members including Hussey Vivian and Cory Yeo, declined to be nominated. However, the Liberal group were not as disciplined in adhering to the list as in some rural counties, perhaps reflecting the ambiguity inherent in some councillors' political allegiances.[22] Even so, the end result was that the Liberals had all but two of the aldermanic seats.
By-elections
Aberaman by -election
A by-election was held following T.P. White's elevation to the aldermanic bench. The result of the first election was regarded with surprise in some quarters and one local newspaper predicted that E.M. Hann, defeated at the first contest would be successful in the by-election.[23] However, Hann was again defeated by a different Liberal candidate, Thomas Davies.[24]
Following the election of Henry Naunton Davies as alderman, his brother scored a decisive victory at the by-election.
Cymmer by-election 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
Dr Evan Naunton Davies
781
Conservative
J. Davies
184
Majority
597
Liberal hold
Swing
Ferndale by-election
Evans, rejected at Pentre and Ystrad at the initial election, was returned unopposed.
Ferndale by-election 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
David Evans
Unopposed
Liberal hold
Gellifaelog by-election
Dowlais by-election 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
David Jones
277
Liberal
John Thomas
276
Unionist
Richard.P. Rees
82
Majority
1
Liberal hold
Swing
Hirwaun by-election
Morgan won the by-election, having been defeated at the initial contest by Sir William Thomas Lewis
Hirwaun by-election 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
Rev Richard Morgan
480
Independent
Dr Evan Jones
362
Majority
114
Llandeilo Talybont by-election
Following the election of Rees Harries as alderman, a public meeting was held under his chairmanship at which Thomas Freeman was selected to contest the seat. There were no other nominations.[25] Freeman was a prominent figure in the public life of Swansea and a member of the Swansea Town Council, which became the Swansea County Borough Council in 1889.
Following the election of William Jenkins as alderman, Aneurin Cule, a grocer from Pentre and David Thomas, checkweigher at Pentre Colliery were nominated but Cule withdrew allowing Thomas to be returned unopposed.[26] Thomas thus became the first working man to be elected to Glamorgan County Council.
Pentre and Ystrad by-election 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Lib-Lab
David Thomas
Unopposed
Penydarren by-election
Penydarren by-election 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
David Davies
Unopposed
Liberal hold
Pontlottyn by-election
Pontlottyn by-election 1898
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
Rev John Penry Williams
694
Liberal
Thomas Jones
380
Majority
314
Liberal hold
Swing
Pontypridd by-election
Pontypridd by-election 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
Henry Hopkins
577
Independent
David Leyshon
487
Majority
190
Liberal hold
Swing
Porth by-election
Following the election of John Jones Griffiths as alderman, two Liberals, including Hugh Jones, Baptist minister at Penygraig, were defeated by an Independent candidate.
Following the election of William Morgan as alderman, Evan Davies, a Treherbert butcher and William Morris, minister of Noddfa, Treorchy were nominated but Morris withdrew allowing Davies to be returned unopposed.[26]
Treorchy and Treherbert by-election 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
Evan Davies
Unopposed
Liberal hold
By-Elections 1889-1892
Merthyr Town by-election 1889
The by-election arose following the death of the Liberal councillor, John Jenkins, a few weeks after the election.[17] Frank James, who had been defeated by 33 votes at the original election in which both a Conservative and Unionist opposed the Liberal candidate, now scored a decisive victory.[27]
Merthyr Town by-election 1889
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Unionist
Frank James
1,033
Liberal
Joseph Williams
451
Majority
582
Ferndale by-election 1890
A by-election took place at Ferndale on 1 January 1890 following the death of David Evans, Bodringallt.[28] The elected candidate was the nominee of the Rhondda Labour and Liberal Association.
Ferndale 1890
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
±%
Liberal
Morgan Thomas
466
William Thomas
374
Majority
92
References
^ abc"County Council Elections. Yesterday's Polling". Western Mail. 18 January 1889. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
^ ab"The County Council Elections". Cambrian. 18 January 1889. Retrieved 21 November 2013. The results are incomplete.
^"Glamorganshire County Council Elections". Cambrian. 11 January 1889. Retrieved 31 March 2014. A full list of nominated candidates appears here
^"The County Council Election (editorial)". Aberdare Times. 8 December 1888. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
^"The County Council Election. Grand Demonstration". Aberdare Times. 26 January 1889. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
^ abcd"Glamorganshire". Cardiff Times. 5 January 1889. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
^ ab"Glamorganshire. Meeting at Neath". Cardiff Times. 2 February 1889. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
^"Aberdar. Etholiad Ward Rhif 4". Tarian y Gweithiwr. 13 December 1888. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
^"Y Cynghorau Sirol Unwaith Drachefn (editorial)". Tarian y Gweithiwr. 29 November 1888. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
^"Aberdare County Council Election". Aberdare Times. 5 January 1889. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
^"Mr W.T. Lewis a'r Capeli Ymneillduol". Tarian y Gweithiwr. 10 January 1889. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
^"Etholiad Aelod y Cyngor Sirol dros Ranbarth Hirwaun". Tarian y Gweithiwr. 10 January 1889. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
^"The Contest in the Llanwonno, Llanfabon and Llantwit Fardre Ward". Pontypridd Chronicle. 4 January 1889. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
^"Mr Jabez Evans and the County Council". Pontypridd Chronicle. 11 January 1889. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
^ ab"County Council Election. Llwynypia and Trealaw Division". Pontypridd Chronicle. 4 January 1889. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
^ ab"The Late Boiler Accident". Aberdare Times. 16 March 1889. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
^"Mr David Davis's Candidature". Cambrian. 11 January 1889. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
^ abWilliams. Democratic Rhondda. p. 49.
^"Pontypridd and the County Council". Pontypridd Chronicle. 4 January 1889. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
^"Glamorganshire County Council Elections". Cambrian. 11 January 1889. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
^"Glamorgan County Council". Pontypridd Chronicle. 8 February 1889. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
^"District Notes". Aberdare Times. 9 February 1889. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
^"County Council Election". Aberdare Times. 23 February 1889. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
^"The Vacancies in the Councils". Cardiff Times. 9 February 1889. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
^ ab"The Rhondda Contests". Pontypridd Chronicle. 15 February 1889. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
^"Glamorgan County Council. Bye-election at Merthyr". Aberdare Times. 30 March 1889. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
^"Glamorgan County Council. The Contest at Ferndale". Cardiff Times. 4 January 1890. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
Bibliography
Parry, Jon (1989). "Labour Leaders and Local Politics 1888-1902: The Example of Aberdare". Welsh History Review. 14 (3): 399–416. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
Williams, Chris (1996). Democratic Rhondda: Politics and society 1885-1951. Cardiff: University of Wales Press.
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Council elections in the administrative county of Glamorgan