1906 Toronto municipal election explained

Municipal elections were held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on January 1, 1906. The position of Mayor of Toronto was open as the incumbent, Thomas Urquhart, did not stand for re-election. Alderman Emerson Coatsworth defeated Controller Frank S. Spence.

Also on the ballot were plebiscites on two liquor licensing proposals which would have reduced the number of taverns and stores permitted to sell alcohol. Controller Spence supported the by-laws and attributed his defeat to its opponents.[1]

Toronto mayor

Results
  • Ald. Emerson Coatsworth - 16,425
  • Controller Frank Spence - 12,328Source: [1]

    Board of Control

    The three members of the Toronto Board of Control running for re-election were successful. Alderman Jones was elected to fill the vacant seat formerly held by Controller Spence.

    Results
  • William Peyton Hubbard (incumbent) - 14,081
  • S. Alfred Jones - 14,039
  • J.J. Ward (incumbent) - 13,770
  • John Shaw (incumbent) - 12,524
  • Thomas Hastings - 11,308

    Source: [1] and [2]

    Plebiscites

    Two liquor licensing by-laws were on the ballot, one to reduce the number of taverns allowed to sell alcohol, the second to reduce the number of liquor stores. Both measures were defeated.

    Reduction of the number of taverns
  • Yes - 13,409
  • No - 14,629
    Reduction of shops.
  • Yes - 12,750
  • No - 14,904

    Source: [1]

    City council

    Three aldermen were elected to Toronto City Council per ward. In the Second Ward, Joseph Oliver filled the vacancy left by Ald. Emerson Coatsworth mayoral candidacy. In the Fourth Ward, George McMurrich filled the vacancy left by Alderman Jones, who ran for Board of Control. In Sixth Ward, John Henry Adams replaced Alderman Lynd, who retired.

    First Ward (Riverdale)
  • Daniel Chisholm (incumbent) - 1,979
  • Robert Fleming (incumbent) - 1,565
  • William Temple Stewart (incumbent) - 1,406
  • Edward Hales - 1,288
  • James Wilson - 1,222
  • J.M. Briggs - 180
    Second Ward (Cabbagetown and Rosedale)
  • Joseph Oliver - 1,715
  • Dr. John Noble (incumbent) - 1,660
  • Tommy Church (incumbent) - 1,590
  • Edward Strachan Cox - 1,507
  • James Hales - 1,358
  • David Carlyle - 1,137
  • Thomas Foster - 997
  • W.S. Johnston - 787
  • W.A. Douglass - 366
  • Frederick Burrows - 179
    Third Ward (Central Business District and The Ward)
  • George Reginald Geary (incumbent) - 3,034
  • Oliver Barton Sheppard (incumbent) - 2,681
  • Sam McBride (incumbent) - 2,544
  • John Wilson Bengough - 2,395
  • Frank Moses - 1,148
  • J.A. Humphrey - 1,118
  • John Dunlop - 104
    Fourth Ward (Spadina)
  • Dr. D.W.S. Harrison (incumbent) - 3,094
  • Robert Crawford Vaughan (incumbent) - 3,009
  • George McMurrich - 2,386
  • Fred Dane - 2,176
  • E.J. Humphrey - 1,414
  • Edward Hanlan - 1,305
    Fifth Ward (Trinity-Bellwoods)
  • John Dunn (incumbent) - 2,846
  • John Bell Hay (incumbent) - 2,263
  • Albert James Keeler (incumbent) - 2,237
  • Frank Woods - 2,055
  • James Cooper Claxton- 2,055
    Sixth Ward (Brockton and Parkdale)
  • James Henry McGhie (incumbent) - 2,367
  • John James Graham (incumbent) - 2,037
  • John Henry Adams - 1,569
  • J. Harvey Hall - 1,074
  • Walter Mann - 742
  • D.R. Bell - 642
  • J.E. Stewart - 607
  • W.H. Warrington - 436
  • Thomas Cannon - 389
  • R.B. Noble - 191

    Source: [1] and [3]

    References

    Results taken from the January 2, 1906 Toronto Globe and might not exactly match final tallies.

    Notes and References

    1. "COATSWORTH AND LIQUOR; NESBITT MACHINE WINS: Majorities Against Spence and the Reduction By-laws FIGURES THAT SIGNIFY MUCH Coatsworth's Majorities Greatest in Strongholds of Liquor Men Controller Spence the Only Member of a Civic Board to Fail of Re-election Two Ex-Members and One New Aspirant Elected to the Council Aid. Jones Becomes a Member of the Board of Control No Change in the Board of Education-- Majorities Against the Reduction By-laws Large Controller Spence Attributes His Defeat to Effective Organization Formed For Defeat of Liquor License By-laws-- Coatsworth Calls it Victory of People", The Globe (1844-1936); Toronto, Ont. [Toronto, Ont]02 Jan 1906: 1
    2. "BETWEEN SPENCE AND COATSWORTH: Mayoralty Campaign is Now on in ...," The Globe (1844-1936); Dec 23, 1905; ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Globe and Mail pg. 11
    3. CANDIDATES FOR COUNCIL LINE uP: Aldermen Present and Future Begin Their Campaign AMBITIOUS NEW-COMERS Three Members of Last Council Disappear From List, The Globe (1844-1936); Toronto, Ont. [Toronto, Ont]23 Dec 1905: 14