Abel Thomas

Abel Thomas (1848 – 23 July 1912) was a Welsh Liberal politician and lawyer.

Thomas was the son of a Baptist Minister, the Reverend Theophilus Evan Thomas JP of Trehale in Pembrokeshire. In 1875, he married Bessie Polak. They had a son and two daughters before his wife died in 1890.

Thomas was educated at Clifton College and the University of London where he gained his BA degree. He went into the law and was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple in 1873. He took silk in 1891 and became a Bencher of the Middle Temple in 1900. He was later elected Chairman of the Pembrokeshire Quarter Sessions. He also served for many years as a Justice of the Peace in Pembrokeshire.

In 1890 a vacancy arose in the East Carmarthenshire constituency following the death of David Pugh, the octogenarian member since 1885. A large number of candidates were proposed, including Alfred Davies, R.D. Burnie, and the well-known local doctor, Howell Rees. However, within a few days all had withdrawn with the exception of Thomas and Gwilym Evans, vice-chairman of Carmarthenshire County Council. It appeared that Evans was largely supported by the more industrialised parts of the community while Thomas drew most support from the rural areas.

A series of meetings addressed by both Thomas and Evans were he;d throughout the constituency. It became clear from these meetings that there were differences between the candidates. Evans addressed the first meeting at Llandovery predominantly using the Welsh language, which invited a contrast with his opponent's limited knowledge of Welsh. As a result, Thomas felt compelled at a subsequent meeting at Llandeilo to appeal that his lack of fluency in Welsh should not be held to support his opponent. Evans placed himself firmly in the radical camp, supporting Home Rule. emphasizing his prominent role as a member of Carmarthenshire County Council, and stating that he would follow in the footsteps of Mabon, David Randell and Tom Ellis. Thomas, in contrast expressed himself to be an opponent of Home Rule for Wales. On 29 July, some three hundred delegates from throughout the constituency gathered at Ammanford to select a candidate. The proceedings were dominated by debates about the eligibility of various delegates to vote but eventually it was agreed to proceed on the basis of the credentials provided for those delegates in attendance. Abel Thomas was selected as Liberal candidate, defeating Gwilym Evans by 170 votes against 121.

...
Wikipedia