Glamorgan County Council election, 1904

The Glamorgan County Council election, 1904 was the sixth contest for seats on this authority. It was preceded by the 1901 election and followed by the 1907 election. Glamorgan was by far the largest county in Wales in terms of population. Glamorgan County Council had been esttblished 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.

As in most parts of Wales, the Liberal Party was once again triumphant and won a majority of the seats. In 1904 the majority of the seats were uncontested, in contrast to the position at previous elections.

Results are drawn from a number of sources. The include a number of newspapers.

There were no boundary changes at this election.

Eight of the eleven retiring aldermen were Liberals.

In the Rhondda district, the local paper stated that 'no truer manifestation of good faith and respect for the retiring County Councillors could have been shown than that eight of them were returned unopposed.' There were only two contested elections in the valley.

John Morgan Smith held on to the seat he had held since 1889 by a mere two votes. At previously elections he had described himself both as a Conservative and Independent and had been returned unopposed on several occasions.

Retiring alderman J.W. Evans was returned unopposed. Retiring councillor David Hughes did not stand.

J.C. Meggitt stood down after fifteen years.

This was a contest in which the controversy over the education rate featured and the sitting member, a Roman Catholic, was defeated by the clerk of the former School Board.

Jenkin Hill recaptured the seat he lost three years previously.

After fifteen years, Edward P. Martin, managing director of Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds decided not to seek re-election but was replaced as candidate by Henry W. Martin, general manager of the company. A 'large deputation of tradespeople and workmen' was reported to have pressed him to stand.

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