1896 Toronto municipal election explained

Municipal elections were held in Toronto, Canada, on January 6, 1896. Former mayor Robert John Fleming was elected, defeating Alderman John Shaw.[1] Fleming was considered a reformer while Shaw was considered the candidates of the Conservative establishment.[2]

Toronto mayor

Results
  • Robert John Fleming - 10,281
  • John Shaw - 8,583

    Source:[2]

    Board of Control

    Legislation was passed in the Ontario legislature in early April 1896 creating a Board of Control was a reform measure to serve as a cabinet or executive committee for the city. On April 20, 1896, three Controllers were elected by Toronto City Council from among its members, and presided over by the mayor. Aldermen Graham, Lamb, and McMurrich were elected to sit on the body.[3]

    Aldermen elected to City Council

    Four alderman were elected to sit on Toronto City Council in each of six wards. All 19 aldermen seeking re-election were successful.[2]

    First Ward
  • John Knox Leslie (incumbent) - 1,075
  • C.C. Small - 1,058
  • Ernest A. Macdonald - 1,035 (subsequently disqualified)
  • Thomas Allen (incumbent) - 1,031
  • J.A. Purvis - 861
  • W.T. Stewart -640
  • Elgin Schoff - 426

    Macdonald was unseated by the court in March 1896 as a result of a finding that he was not a qualified candidate at the time of his election as he did not own property that qualified him to hold office in the First Ward, as required by the Municipal Act. A new election was ordered and John Russell was elected to fill the vacant sat.[4]

    Second Ward
  • Francis S. Spence - 1,562
  • John Hallam (incumbent) - 1,518
  • Thomas Davies (incumbent) - 1,511
  • Daniel Lamb (incumbent) - 1,320
  • Dr. Samuel Thompson - 1,150
  • Thomas Foster - 1,008
  • William L. Beale - 1,027
  • Isaac G. Johnson - 595
  • John Murphy - 39
    Third Ward
  • Bernard Saunders (incumbent) - 2,381
  • O.B. Sheppard (incumbent) - 2,379
  • George McMurrich (incumbent) - 2,363
  • James B. Boustead- 1,994
  • Wallace Millichamp - 1,652
  • J. Enoch Thompson - 1,146
    Fourth Ward
  • William Burns (incumbent) - 2,356
  • Wm. P. Hubbard (incumbent) - 2,058
  • James Crane (incumbent) - 1,835
  • James Jolliffe (incumbent) -1,448
  • John McCaffrey - 1,093
  • John Lester - 583
  • Robert P. Hall - 485
  • Frank Sexton -283
    Fifth Ward
  • William Bell (incumbent) - 1,508
  • W.T.R. Preston - 1,441
  • Robert H. Graham (incumbent) - 1,388
  • John Dunn (incumbent) - 1,194
  • Arthur R. Denison - 998
  • Francis H. Woods - 987
  • Dr. William Stewart Fraleigh - 809
    Sixth Ward
  • James Gowanlock (incumbent) - 1,075
  • James Scott (incumbent) - 965
  • G.G. Rowe - 954
  • John J. Graham (incumbent) - 933
  • Adam Lynd M.D. - 816
  • C.L. Denison - 781
  • Dr. John Hunter - 579
  • Thomas W. Todd - 360

    Source:[2] and [5]

    References

    Aldermanic results taken from the January 7, 1896, Toronto Globe and might not exactly match final tallies.

    Notes and References

    1. "MAYOR FLEMINGS FOURTH TRIUMPH: Re-elected by the Substantial Majority of 1,585 CITIZENS ENDORSE THE ISLAND STREET RAILWAY", The Globe (1844-1936); Toronto, Ont. [Toronto, Ont]05 Jan 1897: 1.
    2. IT IS FLEMING: The People's "Bob" Overwhelms Ald. Shaw A DECISIVE MAJORITY The Council of 1895 Was Decidedly Popular RETIRING ALDERMEN ELECTED F. S. Spence and W. T. R. Preston Gain a Footing Mr. Spence Heads the Poll for a Start--The Aldermen and the Aqueduct QuestionThe Globe (1844-1936); Toronto, Ont. [Toronto, Ont]07 Jan 1896: 6.
    3. "BIG THREE CHOSEN: Council Elects the Board of Control HIS WORSHIP IS SATISFIED Ald. Lamb, Graham and McMurrich Lead A Contest In Prospect for the Chairman-ship of Works-New Rules of Procedure Discussed ELECTION PRELIMINARIES THE BIG THREE A SWEEPING MOTION A CONFERENCE PROPOSED", The Globe (1844-1936); Toronto, Ont. [Toronto, Ont]21 Apr 1896: 5
    4. "E. A. MACDONALD UNSEATED: The Master In Chambers Declares He Has Not the Legal Property Qualification for an Alderman", The Globe (1844-1936); Toronto, Ont. [Toronto, Ont]18 Mar 1896: 5
    5. "TWO CANDIDATES: Nominations in the Mayoralty Campaign SHAW AND FLEMING E. A. Macdonald Nominated but Retired REFORMS OF THE FUTURE? Speeches Containing Records and Promises A Noisy Meeting-- Hecklers Take the Candidates in Charge--The Issues of the Contest Outlined THE NOMINATIONS THE BALL OPENS TALK OF FRANCHISES MR. W. R. BROCK Shaw. MR. ROBERT J. FLEMING REFORMS OPPOSED BY SHAW APPEAL THE CASE FAVORS MUNICIPAL CONTROL SOME INCONSISTENCIES ALD. JOHN SHAW A NOISY INTERRUPTION THE GAS COMPANY NOTHING PERSONAL", The Globe (1844-1936); Toronto, Ont. [Toronto, Ont]31 Dec 1895: 1.

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