1934 Hamilton, Ontario, municipal election

1934 Hamilton municipal election
← 1933 Monday, December 3, 1934 1935 →
 
Candidate Herbert Wilton Stuart Smith John Hunter
Party Independent Independent Communist
Popular vote 30,587 8,577 2,976
Percentage 71.55% 20.06% 7%
 
Candidate Thomas Fox John Cairney
Party Independent Independent
Popular vote 428 180
Percentage 1% 0.39%
Each of Hamilton's eight wards. Electors would send two Alderman per ward to City Hall in addition to four Controllers and one Mayor elected at-large.
Mayor before election

Herbert Wilton
Independent

Elected mayor

Herbert Wilton
Independent

The 1934 Hamilton municipal election was held on December 3, 1934, to select one Mayor, four Controllers, and sixteen members of the Hamilton, Ontario City Council, two from each of the city's eight wards. Voters also cast ballots for trustees for the public school board.[1]

Campaign

Candidates needed to fulfill a number of requirements to stand for office, namely be:

  • An owner or tenant of a property in the city or within five miles of city-limits,
  • Entered on the last revised voter's list,
  • A British subject,
  • Not liable for arrears of taxes.[2]

The election of 1934 was marked by the large number of mayoral candidates, with Herbert Wilton, who had considerable support from the local Conservative political machine, facing challenges from local barrister Stuart Smith, Communist candidate John Hunter, and minor candidates Thomas Fox and John Cairney.[3] While Wilton maintained that he would continue his policy of classical liberal economic policy, Smith campaigned on a platform of reform, advertising that he would "correct the many existing evils by substituting the much needed reforms," and calling for Hamilton's own New Deal.[4]

Having run successfully as a slate for two terms, members of the Economy Slate made no effort to continue their electoral cooperation. Citizens and associations in the city campaigned aggressively against slates, writing letters to the editor to the Spectator and issuing advertisements warning voters to "Beware of Slates."[5][6] Despite the negative public opinion regarding slates, the Spectator noted that members of the Conservative Party retained a majority of seats on council. The paper noted, "although it has never been a practice for either of the two old line parties to run slates, a check-up of next year's council representatives shows an overwhelming majority of members with Conservative leanings."[7]

The city's branches of the CCF and ILP, who had cooperated in the election of 1933, had dissolved their electoral agreement. Strains caused by the election de facto slate leader Sam Lawrence's to the Ontario Legislature and ideological divisions between each party's local leadership were significant factors in the abandonment of the short-lived electoral cooperation. Both parties nominated candidates, in some occasions against candidates of the other party. Twelve CCF candidates and six ILP candidates contested the election, with only one member of each party being elected.[8] Commenting on the election, the Spectator noted that only "Ward 8 along remains true to [the] divided party."[9]

Also notable were the campaigns of official Liberal Party candidates in Wards 5 and 8. The party had normally avoided official involvement in municipal government, but nominated two candidates from a large pool of members who expressed interest in running. The Spectator reported that the candidates would "uphold Liberal principles in all municipal affairs."[10]

Mayor

Summary of the December 3, 1934 Hamilton, Ontario Mayoral Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Herbert Wilton (incumbent) Independent 30,587 71.55% +14.14%
Stuart Smith Independent 8,577 20.06% n/a
John Hunter Communist 2,976 7% n/a
Thomas Fox Independent 428 1% n/a
John Cairney Independent 180 0.39% n/a
Total votes 42,748 100%
Registered voters n/a n/a n/a
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "Figures show Wilton given wide support", Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, December 4, 1934, pp. 15–22.

Board of Control

Summary of the December 3, 1934 Hamilton, Ontario Board of Control Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Nora-Frances Henderson Women's Civic Club 21,545 n/a n/a
Freeman Treleaven (incumbent) Independent 19,154 n/a n/a
Donald MacFarlane (incumbent) Independent 14,984 n/a n/a
Septimus DuMoulin (incumbent) Independent 13,049 n/a n/a
John Mitchell CCF 9,799 n/a n/a
Andy Frame Independent 9,236 n/a n/a
Archie Pollock ILP 8,798 n/a n/a
James Reed CCF 8,441 n/a n/a
Charles Aitchison ILP 7,015 n/a n/a
Wallace James Independent 6,582 n/a n/a
David Arnott Communist Party 2,370 n/a n/a
John Brewer Independent 449 n/a n/a
Total votes n/a n/a
Registered voters n/a n/a n/a
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "Board of Control Summary", Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, December 4, 1934, pp. 15.

Aldermen

Ward One

Summary of the December 3, 1934 Hamilton, Ontario Ward One Aldermanic Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote
Votes % ±%
William MacFarland (incumbent) Independent 4,632 n/a n/a
Orville Walsh Independent 3,094 n/a n/a
Elizabeth Bagshaw Women's Civic Club 2,278 n/a n/a
Samuel Flint CCF 619 n/a n/a
Robert Sutton Independent 334 n/a n/a
Total votes n/a n/a
Registered voters n/a n/a n/a
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "How Aldermanic Candidates Ran", Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, December 4, 1934, pp. 15.

Ward Two

Summary of the December 3, 1934 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Two Aldermanic Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Franklin Turville Independent 2,752 n/a n/a
William Ainsley (incumbent) Independent 2,411 n/a n/a
Lorne Gatenby Independent 1,520 n/a n/a
Total votes n/a n/a
Registered voters n/a n/a n/a
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "How Aldermanic Candidates Ran", Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, December 4, 1934, pp. 15.

Ward Three

Summary of the December 3, 1934 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Three Aldermanic Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Robert Evans (incumbent) Independent 2,412 n/a n/a
William Fick (incumbent) Independent 2,069 n/a n/a
Austin Macaulay Independent 1,443 n/a n/a
D'Arcy Lee Independent 1,230 n/a n/a
Arthur Patrick CCF 992 n/a n/a
George Dunsmure Independent 503 n/a n/a
Total votes n/a n/a
Registered voters n/a n/a n/a
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "How Aldermanic Candidates Ran", Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, December 4, 1934, pp. 15.

Ward Four

Summary of the December 3, 1934 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Four Aldermanic Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote
Votes % ±%
George Hancock (incumbent) Independent 1,829 n/a n/a
Arthur Davidson (incumbent) Independent 1,707 n/a n/a
William Thompson Independent 1,207 n/a n/a
Peter McCulloch Independent 1,032 n/a n/a
Charles Pollicott ILP 849 n/a n/a
James Newell CCF 433 n/a n/a
Total votes n/a n/a
Registered voters n/a n/a n/a
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "How Aldermanic Candidates Ran", Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, December 4, 1934, pp. 15.

Ward Five

Summary of the December 3, 1934 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Five Aldermanic Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Thomas White (incumbent) Independent 2,581 n/a n/a
Alexander Nelligan Independent 1,967 n/a n/a
Albert Marck Liberal 1,223 n/a n/a
John Rae CCF 678 n/a n/a
Christopher Hennessy Independent 372 n/a n/a
Michael Hutchison Independent 317 n/a n/a
Total votes n/a n/a
Registered voters n/a n/a n/a
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "How Aldermanic Candidates Ran", Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, December 4, 1934, pp. 15.

Ward Six

Summary of the December 3, 1934 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Six Aldermanic Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote
Votes % ±%
William Weir Independent 1,986 n/a n/a
John Hodgson Independent 1,867 n/a n/a
William Snyder Independent 1,325 n/a n/a
James Morris Independent 1,014 n/a n/a
Frank Thompson CCF 937 n/a n/a
John Sherring Independent 856 n/a n/a
Thomas Barnes Independent 650 n/a n/a
Harold Harrison CCF 628 n/a n/a
John Wise Independent 599 n/a n/a
James Johnson Independent 359 n/a n/a
William Wardley ILP 297 n/a n/a
Charles Servos Independent 286 n/a n/a
Harvey Hunt Independent 188 n/a n/a
Edward Langley Independent 93 n/a n/a
Total votes n/a n/a
Registered voters n/a n/a n/a
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "How Aldermanic Candidates Ran", Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, December 4, 1934, pp. 15.

Ward Seven

Summary of the December 3, 1934 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Seven Aldermanic Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Thomas Lewington (incumbent) Independent 2,332 n/a n/a
Archie Burton Independent 1,608 n/a n/a
Samuel Clarke (incumbent) ILP 1,567 n/a n/a
William Clark CCF 1,183 n/a n/a
Joseph Morris CCF 929 n/a n/a
Total votes n/a n/a
Registered voters n/a n/a n/a
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "How Aldermanic Candidates Ran", Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, December 4, 1934, pp. 15.

Ward Eight

Summary of the December 3, 1934 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Eight Aldermanic Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Agnes Sharpe CCF 3,042 n/a n/a
William Harrison ILP 1,810 n/a n/a
Roy Aindow CCF 1,319 n/a n/a
Robert Elliot Independent 1,238 n/a n/a
William Hale Liberal 979 n/a n/a
Frank Stockdale Independent 337 n/a n/a
George Knowles Independent 272 n/a n/a
Total votes n/a n/a
Registered voters n/a n/a n/a
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "How Aldermanic Candidates Ran", Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, December 4, 1934, pp. 15.

References

  1. ^ "Figures show Wilton given wide support," Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, December 4, 1934, pp. 15-22.
  2. ^ "Five Are Seeking Honour Of Chief Magistrate's Chair," Hamilton Spectator, Thursday, November 22, 1934, pp. 7-10.
  3. ^ "Five Are Seeking Honour Of Chief Magistrate's Chair," Hamilton Spectator, Thursday, November 22, 1934, pp. 7.
  4. ^ "Stuart Smith (Advertising)," Hamilton Spectator, Saturday, November 24, 1934, pp. 25.
  5. ^ "Only Independent People Should Vote (Letter)," Hamilton Spectator, Friday, November 30, 1934, pp. 6.
  6. ^ "Property Owners, Attention, Please! (Advertisement)," Hamilton Spectator, Saturday, December 1, 1934, pp. 19.
  7. ^ "Conservatives Hold Council Majority," Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, December 4, 1934, pp. 7.
  8. ^ "Split In Ranks Of Labour Force Not Healed Yet," Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, December 4, 1934, pp. 7.
  9. ^ "Labour Forces Suffer Defeat At The Polls," Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, December 4, 1934, pp. 15.
  10. ^ "Liberals Decided To Enter Field," Hamilton Spectator, Saturday, November 10, 1934, pp. 7.