1900 Toronto municipal election

Municipal elections were held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on January 1, 1900. Incumbent Mayor of Toronto John Shaw chose not to stand for a third term. Former Alderman Ernest A. Macdonald was elected mayor after having been unsuccessful on three previous attempts. He defeated Member of Parliament Edward Frederick Clarke, who was also a former mayor, and Second Ward Alderman John Hallam.[1][2]

Toronto mayor

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Results
Ernest A. Macdonald - 11,912
Edward Frederick Clarke, M.P. - 9,229
Alderman John Hallam - 5,181

Source:[3]

Board of Control

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The Toronto Board of Control was elected by Toronto City Council from among its members. Aldermen Sheppard, Frame and Spence were chosen to sit on the board, which was chaired by the mayor.[4]

Plebiscites

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Two plebiscites were held, one on the amalgamation of the school boards for elementary schools and high schools and a second authorizing the payment of salaries to the Mayor, Controllers, and Alderman, positions which had been unpaid.[2][5]

Amalgamation of school boards
For - 11,288
Against - 5,650
Salaries for the Mayor, Controllers, and Aldermen
For - 7,584
Against - 11,220

Source:[2]

Aldermen elected to City Council

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Map of Toronto's six wards (1892-1909), published in The Globe, 1 January 1892.

Four alderman were elected to sit on Toronto City Council in each of six wards. Former Alderman John Leslie filled the vacancy left by the retirement of Alderman Frankland in the First Ward. Aldermen Davies, Score, Hanlan, Graham, and Lynd were all defeated.

First Ward
James Frame (incumbent) - 1,911
Wm. T. Stewart (incumbent) - 1,394
John Knox Leslie - 1,263
John Russell (incumbent)- 1,125
F.A. Richardson - 1,022
Lewis Brown - 782
George Chesman - 232
Charles C. Woodley - 194
E. Rice - 113
Second Ward
Francis Stephen Spence (incumbent) - 2,150
Daniel Lamb (incumbent) - 2,051
Edward Strachan Cox - 1,684
Thomas Foster - 1,581 (after recount)
George Anderson - 1,576 (after recount)
Charles Caldwell - 1,351
Thomas Davies (incumbent) - 1,286
William Thompson - 333

The original count was reported as Anderson 1,571 and Foster 1,524. A recount found that Foster had 11 more votes than Anderson. As a result, Foster was seated as the ward's fourth alderman.[6]

Third Ward
John Francis Loudon - 3,628
Oliver Barton Sheppard (incumbent) - 2,681
George McMurrich - 2,351
Bernard Saunders (incumbent) - 2,139
Richard John Score (incumbent) - 2,003
Herbert S. James - 458
Fourth Ward
Thomas Urquhart - 3,098
Wm. P. Hubbard (incumbent) - 2,674
James Crane (incumbent) - 2,601
Wm. Burns (incumbent) - 2,495[7]
Stephen W. Burns - 2,476[7]
Edward Hanlan (incumbent) - 1,345
Thomas Roberts - 384

Reports initially gave William Burns 2,497 votes and Stephen Burns 2,470 votes. A recount adjusted the figures but affirmed the election of William Burns.[7]

Fifth Ward
William L. Bell - 2,173
John Dunn (incumbent) - 1,831
A.R. Denison (incumbent) - 1,703
Francis H. Woods (incumbent) - 1,611
Dr. William Stewart Fraleigh - 1,600
Robert H. Graham (incumbent) - 1,559
Alex Stewart - 1,117
Henry E. Hamilton - 848
D.T. Hedley - 95
John Sabine - 90
Sixth Ward
Alex Asher - 1,701
John J. Graham (incumbent) - 1,636
James M. Bowman (incumbent) - 1,615
John J. Ward - 1,419
James W. Mallon - 1,370
Dr Adam Lynd (incumbent) - 1,191
Hugh MacMath - 707
A.F. Hatch - 83

Source:[2] and [8]

References

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Results taken from the January 2, 1900 Toronto Globe and might not exactly match final tallies.

  1. ^ A FIELD OF THREE: Hallam, Clarke and Macdonald Nominated For the Mayoralty MAYOR SHAW QUITS He Assures the Electors That There is No Deal On CANDIDATES' ADDRESSES Ald. Hallam's Business Platform--Mr. Macdonald's Change of Front--Ex-Mayor Clarke's Policy Some Who Were There Entrance of the Candidates The Nominations Mr. Macdonald Changes Front Ald. Hallam's Business Platform Against Monopoly Favors New Industries Will Enforce City's Rights Opposed to Salaries Ex-Mayor Clarke's Nominators Mr. Clarke's Speech Had Given Honest Service The Educational Question Mayor Shaw's Denial The Globe (1844-1936); Toronto, Ont. [Toronto, Ont]23 Dec 1899: 25.
  2. ^ a b c d THE STRAPHOLDERS WIN THE DAY: E. A. Macdonald Elected Mayor of Toronto by 2,615 Majority SCHOOL UNION FAVORED, The Globe (1844-1936); Toronto, Ont. [Toronto, Ont]02 Jan 1900:
  3. ^ VISITS CITY HALL: Mayor-elect Macdonald Puts in an Appearance The Scramble For Seats on Board of Control--Official Return of Monday's Vote, The Globe (1844-1936); Toronto, Ont. [Toronto, Ont]03 Jan 1900: 7.
  4. ^ CIVIC INAUGURATION: Mayor Macdonald's Message Outlines an Energetic Policy THREE NEW CONTROLLERS Mayor Favors Election of Controllers by the People and Abolition of the Double Vote--He Resents the "Vulgar and Intolerant Language" of Mr. Wm. Mackenzie, "the Representative of a Corrupt Plutocracy," and Accepts the Gauntlet Thrown Down by Covenant-breaking Corporations--Candidates For High School Board to Be Pledged--May or Complains of a Disgraceful Lobby--Send-off to Second Contingent, The Globe (1844-1936); Toronto, Ont. [Toronto, Ont]09 Jan 1900: 9
  5. ^ LOSS WAS LIGHT: Record of the Fires, Losses and Insurance For the Year MORE THAN TWO TO ONE Vote on Amalgamation of School Boards-- Attempt to Evade Compliance With Mandate to people", The Globe (1844-1936); Toronto, Ont. [Toronto, Ont]06 Jan 1900: 20
  6. ^ THE PRICE OF GAS: Preparing Another Suit Against the Consumers' Gas Co. ACCOUNTS NOT AUDITED Wlmt the Controllers Discovered--Estimates to be Prepared Early--Recounts in Wards 2 and 4, The Globe (1844-1936); Toronto, Ont. [Toronto, Ont]11 Jan 1900: 7.
  7. ^ a b c HOLDS THE SEAT: Re-count in Fourth Ward in Favor of Aid. Wm. Burns Mayor Inquires Into Complaints Against officials-- New Sureties Offered, The Globe (1844-1936); Toronto, Ont. [Toronto, Ont]15 Jan 1900: 5.
  8. ^ A"LDERMEN IN THE FIELD: Number of Candidates in City Wards Smaller Than Usual LARGE AUDIENCES Only Four Members of Present Council Retire SOME LIVELY MEETINGS Plenty of Sport in the Fifth Ward, Resulting in Breaking of Furniture--Trustee Contests FIRST WARD School Trustees THE SECOND WARD School Trustees THIRD WARD Aldermen School Trustees Fourth Ward School Trustees FIFTH WARD School Trustees SIXTH WARD, The Globe (1844-1936); Toronto, Ont. [Toronto, Ont]23 Dec 1899: 28.