1933 Hamilton, Ontario, municipal election

The 1933 Hamilton municipal election was held on December 4, 1933 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]

1933 Hamilton municipal election

Monday, December 4, 1933
 
Candidate Herbert Wilton John Peebles
Party Independent Independent
Popular vote 24,140 18,238
Percentage 57.41% 42.59%

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

John Peebles
Independent

Elected Mayor

Herbert Wilton
Independent

Campaign

The civic election of 1933 saw a decline in support for sitting mayor John Peebles, who faced increasing attacks from both the right and left. In the months leading up to the vote, local communists sought municipal support for their campaign against discrimination. Peebles vocally opposed the campaign and objected to the 'tone' of the groups' communication.[2] Having been heckled by protesters angry about hunger in the city during his nomination meeting, Peebles' popularity began to slip with the electorate.[3] Despite this, the mayor received support from the Hamilton Spectator, highlighting his record on the economy and poverty in the city.[4]

Stemming from their success in the previous election, the Policy for 1933 group changed their name to the Economy Slate, running fifteen candidates, twelve of whom were sitting controllers and aldermen. Advocating a smaller city budget and a low tax rate, the Economy Slate continued to press for classical liberal economic policies that were in line with the early policies of the Bennet government in Ottawa.[5] Right-leaning alderman Nora-Frances Henderson, though not asked to join the Economy Slate, campaigned as an independent member of the slate, advertising that she would uphold their principles on council.[6]

The local branch of the Independent Labour Party opted to join forces with the newly founded Cooperative Commonwealth Federation and run candidates on a unified ticket. Distancing themselves from radical unionists and right-leaning aldermen, the slate ran advertisements that attacked both candidates from the Communist Party and the newly constituted Economy Slate.[7]

On election night, Wilton won the election with the help of area Conservatives with whom he was affiliated.[8] Despite losing Andy Gaul of Ward One, the Economy Slate grew from ten members to twelve, with Nora-Frances Henderson and Andy Frame supporting the slate in principle, despite not receiving support from the group. The extension of endorsement to the Liberal-affiliated William Ainsley and Conservative Thomas Lewington gave the group a commanding majority on council.[9]

Despite the unified CCF-ILP slate that contested the election, the group failed to secure more seats than the year prior. The party maintained its support in the city's working class wards and proved to be competitive in the west-end Ward Three where popular local unionist Charles Pollicott of the Strathcona neighbourhood was the party's candidate, but only elected six members to council, giving them a comparatively small opposition in relation to the strength of the Economy Slate.[10]

Mayor

Summary of the December 4, 1933 Hamilton, Ontario Mayoral Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote
Votes  % ±%
Herbert Wilton Independent 24,140 57.41% n/a
John Peebles (incumbent) Independent 17,906 42.59 -14.73%
Total votes 42,046 100%
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: "How City Voted To Choose Mayor", Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, December 5, 1933, pp. 17.

Board of Control

Summary of the December 4, 1933 Hamilton, Ontario Board of Control Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote
Votes  % ±%
Sam Lawrence (incumbent) CCF 22,310 n/a n/a
Freeman Treleaven (incumbent) Economy Slate 20,914 n/a n/a
Donald MacFarlane (incumbent) Economy Slate 19,114 n/a n/a
Septimus DuMoulin (incumbent) Economy Slate 17,653 n/a n/a
Wallace James Independent 15,028 n/a n/a
Charles Smith CCF 13,695 n/a n/a
Arthur Avery Communist Party 3,848 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 5, 1932, pp. 16.

Aldermen

Ward One

Summary of the December 4, 1933 Hamilton, Ontario Ward One Aldermanic Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote
Votes  % ±%
Nora Frances Henderson (incumbent) Independent Economy Slate 3,572 n/a n/a
William MacFarland Independent 3,105 n/a n/a
Andy Gaul (incumbent) Economy Slate 3,019 n/a n/a
Charles Killip CCF 1,166 n/a n/a
Joseph Harris Independent 504 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 5, 1933, pp. 16.

Ward Two

Summary of the December 4, 1933 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Two Aldermanic Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote
Votes  % ±%
William Ainsley (incumbent) Economy Slate 2,518 n/a n/a
Thomas Gallagher (incumbent) Economy Slate 2,123 n/a n/a
Samuel Cotterell Independent 1,489 n/a n/a
John Halcrow CCF 1,282 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 5, 1933, pp. 16.

Ward Three

Summary of the December 4, 1933 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Three Aldermanic Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote
Votes  % ±%
Robert Evans (incumbent) Economy Slate 2,446 n/a n/a
William Fick (incumbent) Economy Slate 2,156 n/a n/a
William Hutton Independent 1,496 n/a n/a
Austin Macaulay Independent 1,213 n/a n/a
Henry Ferguson CCF 934 n/a n/a
Samuel Bailey Independent 398 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 5, 1933, pp. 16.

Ward Four

Summary of the December 4, 1933 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Four Aldermanic Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote
Votes  % ±%
George Hancock (incumbent) Economy Slate 1,829 n/a n/a
Arthur Davidson (incumbent) Economy Slate 1,707 n/a n/a
Charles Pollicott CCF 1,388 n/a n/a
William Brown Independent 1,252 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 5, 1933, pp. 16.

Ward Five

Summary of the December 4, 1933 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Five Aldermanic Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote
Votes  % ±%
Thomas White (incumbent) Economy Slate 1,755 n/a n/a
Charles Aitchison (incumbent) CCF 1,616 n/a n/a
Alexander Nelligan Economy Slate 1,528 n/a n/a
John Sherring Independent 1,106 n/a n/a
William Peters CCF 894 n/a n/a
Bruce Smith Independent 535 n/a n/a
David Atkins Independent 458 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 5, 1933, pp. 16.

Ward Six

Summary of the December 4, 1933 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Six Aldermanic Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote
Votes  % ±%
Archie Pollock (incumbent) CCF 2,815 n/a n/a
Andy Frame (incumbent) Independent 2,399 n/a n/a
John Hodgson Independent 2,144 n/a n/a
James Morris Economy Slate 1,740 n/a n/a
Frank Thompson CCF 1,365 n/a n/a
Edward Fernside Independent 338 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 5, 1933, pp. 16.

Ward Seven

Summary of the December 4, 1933 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Seven Aldermanic Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote
Votes  % ±%
Samuel Clarke (incumbent) CCF 2,302 n/a n/a
Thomas Lewington (incumbent) Economy Slate 2,053 n/a n/a
Archie Burton Independent 1,639 n/a n/a
Frank Reeves CCF 1,357 n/a n/a
Elizabeth Graham Communist Party 642 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 5, 1933, pp. 16.

Ward Eight

Summary of the December 4, 1933 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Eight Aldermanic Election
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote
Votes  % ±%
John Mitchell (incumbent) CCF 3,751 n/a n/a
James Reed (incumbent) CCF 3,399 n/a n/a
David Richardson Economy Slate 2,249 n/a n/a
James Walker Communist Party 975 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 5, 1933, pp. 16.

References

  1. "How Aldermanic Candidates Ran", Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, December 5, 1933, pp. 16.
  2. "Peebles Takes Exception To Letter's Tone", Hamilton Spectator, Monday, November 13, 1933, pp. 7.
  3. Pebbles, Wilton To Battle For Office", Hamilton Spectator, Friday, November 24, 1933, pp. 7.
  4. "Difficult Times Require Careful Administration", Hamilton Spectator, Saturday, December 2, 1933, pp. 15.
  5. "A Guide For Electors (Advertisement)", Hamilton Spectator, Friday, December 1, 1933 pp. 17.
  6. "My Economy Slate... (Advertisement)", Hamilton Spectator, Friday, December 1, 1933, pp. 29.
  7. C.C.F.-I.L.P. Reply (Advertisement)", Hamilton Spectator, Saturday, December 2, 1933, pp. 20.
  8. "Mayor Has Played Varied Roles In Life", Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, December 5, 1933, pp. 7.
  9. "Only One Alderman Defeated At Polls", Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, December 5, 1933, pp. 16.
  10. "Only One Alderman Defeated At Polls", Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, December 5, 1933, pp. 16.
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