1904 Cardiganshire County Council election

The election was dominated by the controversy over the Education Act and the funding of church schools. In some quarters, candidates were described as 'Progressive' or 'Sectarian' rather than on party lines.^[1] However, as in previous elections, there was a large Liberal majority, which was assured once the unopposed returns had been confirmed.

There were a large number of unopposed returns.^[2]

A few seats were lost by Liberals.

contested elections were mostly won by Liberals.^[3]

Eight aldermen retired, all of whom were Liberals apart from Sir Marteine Lloyd. Peter Jones, J.M. Howell, Walter T. Davies and the Rev T. Mason Jones stood in the election but were not re-elected aldermen. Sir Marteine Lloyd, Evan Richards and Rev John Williams were re-elected without facing the electorate. John Powell stood down.

J.M. Howell, whose term as alderman had come to an end, was elected unopposed for a seat that was previously held by a Conservative.

Dr Evan Evans, sitting member for Felinfach, switched to Nantcwnlle, allowing retiring alderman Walter Thomas Davies to contest Felinfach.

Once again a number of aldermen who had not faced the electorate were elected.^[4] Evan Richards was elected aldermen for a third term (although he had not faced the electorate since 1892) and Sir Marteine Lloyd and the Rev John Williams for a second term. The other five aldermen were new appointments, including Thomas Morris who had not contested the election. Peter Jones (an alderman since 1889 although he had always sought re-election) and J.M. Howell (an alderman since 1898) were two prominent figures who were re-elected as councillors but not as aldermen.

The following were elected:

• Sir Marteine Lloyd, Conservative. (retiring alderman, from outside Council - did not seek election)
• Edward Evans, Liberal (elected councillor for Strada Florida)
• Vaughan Davies, M.P., (elected councillor for Llanfarian)
• Thomas Morris. (from outside the Council, retiring member for Troedyraur)
• Lima Jones (elected councillor for Aberaeron)
• Evan Richards, (retiring alderman, from outside Council - did not seek election)
• Rev. John Williams (retiring alderman, from outside Council - did not seek election)
• Dr. Jenkyn Lewis.(elected councillor for Cilcennin)

At Cilcennin and Llanfarian Conservative candidates were elected unopposed to fill Liberal vacancies. While one local paper said it 'spoke well' of the Liberals to allow political opponents to take the two seats, including that previously held by the sitting Liberal MP, it also reflected the decline of partisan politics in the county since 1889.^[5]

Following Lima Jones's election as alderman, three candidates contested the by-election.^[5]