1927 Hamilton, Ontario municipal election

The 1927 Hamilton municipal election was held on December 5, 1927 to select one Mayor, one Hydro Commissioner, 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, and in two bylaw referendum questions regarding an expansion to Hamilton's General Hospital and the city's sewer system.[1][2]

1927 Hamilton, Ontario municipal election
Monday, December 5, 1927
 
Candidate William Burton Calvin Davis
Party Independent Conservative Independent Liberal
Popular vote 15,052 8,382
Mayor before election

Freeman Treleaven
Independent

 Elected Mayor

William Burton
Independent Conservative

Mayor

The 1927 Mayoral contest in Hamilton saw the retirement of sitting two-term mayor Freeman Treleaven. On Nomination Day, Treleaven was nominated for a third term by two of his supporters, George Wild and T.H. Simpson. Speaking at city hall, Treleaven indicated he felt his two terms in office had been successful and expressed discomfort at potentially being elected to a third term, as only three other mayors in the city's history up to that point had served more than two terms in office.[3]

With Treleaven declining to seek office, the race for the mayoralty became a two-candidate contest between sitting Controller Calvin Davis and former Controller William Burton.[3] Prior to his nomination for the office of mayor, Burton had been considered a contender for the Hydro Commissioner's seat until November 21, when the Hamilton Spectator confirmed through a campaign supporter that the former Controller's political ambitions had shifted[4] Burton's campaign was affiliated with the local Conservative Party establishment, despite assertions that partisan politics did not play a role in local government.[5] Burton's campaign focused on lower taxes as an incentive to business, keeping municipal spending low, and improving local business façades to present a better local image.[6][7]

Davis' campaign began much earlier, with speculation of his mayoral ambitions appearing in the Spectator on November 2.[8] At the time of his candidacy, Davis was the dean of Hamilton City Council, having been elected as Ward 1 Councillor in 1918 and moving to the Board of Control the following year, which was a record for continuous service on council.[9] Davis' campaign focused on continuing outgoing mayor Treleaven's work and highlighted the close working relationship between the two.[10]

Despite providing various levels of support to candidates in the past, the city's largest newspaper, the Spectator, opted to not endorse either candidate, rather encouraging electors to consider each candidate's administrative abilities and personal political history.[11]

On Election Day, despite campaigning for a single week, Burton secured a commanding majority, winning every ward in the city.[12]

Summary of the December 5, 1927 Hamilton, Ontario Mayoral Election

 
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote Elected?
Votes %
  William Burton Independent Conservative 15,052 64.24%
  Calvin Davis Independent Liberal 8,382 35.76%
Total votes 23,432
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "Burton for Mayor; Demand of the People, Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 5,11.
"Herald Results as Victory for Party," Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 5,23.

Hydro Commissioner

Summary of the December 5, 1927 Hamilton, Ontario Hydro Commissioner Election

 
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote Elected?
Votes %
  Willoughby Ellis Independent 11,960 54.08%
  George Henry Evoy Independent 10,157 45.92%
Total votes 22,117
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "Burton for Mayor; Demand of the People, Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 5,11.

Board of Control

Summary of the December 5, 1927 Hamilton, Ontario Board of Control Election

 
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote Elected?
Votes %
  John Peebles (incumbent) Independent Liberal 12,926
  William Morrison (incumbent) Independent Conservative 11,535
  John Henry Bell (incumbent) Independent Conservative 11,248
  Herbert Arthur Burrell Independent Conservative 9,896
  John George Sherring Independent 9,048
  C. Herbert MacKay Independent 8,395
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "Burton for Mayor; Demand of the People, Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 5,11.
"Herald Results as Victory for Party," Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 5,23.

Referendums
 
Hamilton, Ontario Municipal Election
1927 Bylaw Referendums
Question Yes No
Votes%Votes%
A by-law regarding an expansion to Hamilton's General Hospital5,76546.446,64853.56
A by-law regarding improvements to Hamilton's storm sewer system6,26253.655,41146.35
Total votes
Registered voters
Sources: "Burton for Mayor; Demand of the People, Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 5,11.

Aldermen

Ward One

Summary of the December 5, 1927 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 1 Alderman Election

 
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote Elected?
Votes %
  Herbert Wilton (incumbent) Independent Conservative 1,904
  Alastan Polson Independent Conservative 1,871
  Richard Evan Jones (incumbent) Independent 1,590
  Robert Currie Gardner Independent 1,509
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "Aldermanic Vote", Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 11.
"Herald Results as Victory for Party," Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 5,23.

Ward Two

Summary of the December 5, 1927 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 2 Alderman Election

 
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote Elected?
Votes %
  Gordon Flett Independent Conservative 1,451
  Thomas Wright (incumbent) Independent Conservative 1,245
  Robert Spera (incumbent) Independent 1,009
  Henry Lloyd George Westland Independent Conservative 888
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "Aldermanic Vote", Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 11.
"Herald Results as Victory for Party," Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 5,23.

Ward Three

Summary of the December 5, 1927 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 3 Alderman Election

 
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote Elected?
Votes %
  Argue Martin (incumbent) Independent Conservative Acclaimed
  Cranmer Riselay (incumbent) Independent Conservative Acclaimed
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "Aldermanic Vote", Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 11.
"Herald Results as Victory for Party," Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 5,23.

Ward Four

Summary of the December 5, 1927 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 4 Alderman Election

 
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote Elected?
Votes %
  Donald McFarlane (incumbent) Independent Conservative 1,513
  Thomas O'Heir Independent Conservative 666
  William Ronald (incumbent) Independent 624
  William Thompson Independent 524
  Edward Hughes Independent 409
  Percy Wright Independent 371
  Henry Roberts Canadian Labour Party 149
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "Aldermanic Vote", Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 11.
"Herald Results as Victory for Party," Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 5,23.

Ward Five

Summary of the December 5, 1927 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 5 Alderman Election

 
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote Elected?
Votes %
  Charles Aitchison (incumbent) Canadian Labour Party 1,368
  Albert Marck Independent Conservative 1,309
  George Halcrow Independent 1,139
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "Aldermanic Vote", Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 11.
"Herald Results as Victory for Party," Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 5,23.

Ward Six

Summary of the December 5, 1927 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 6 Alderman Election

 
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote Elected?
Votes %
  John Hodgson (incumbent) Independent Conservative 1,834
  Fred Brooks Independent Conservative 1,564
  Archie Pollock Canadian Labour Party 864
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "Aldermanic Vote", Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 11.
"Herald Results as Victory for Party," Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 5,23.

Ward Seven

Summary of the December 5, 1927 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 7 Alderman Election

 
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote Elected?
Votes %
  Archie Burton (incumbent) Independent Conservative 2,222
  Charles Brayley Independent Conservative 1,122
  Samuel Clark Independent 1,052
  Stanley Marriner Canadian Labour Party 299
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "Aldermanic Vote", Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 11.
"Herald Results as Victory for Party," Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 5,23.

Ward Eight

Summary of the December 5, 1927 Hamilton, Ontario Ward 8 Alderman Election

 
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote Elected?
Votes %
  Sam Lawrence (incumbent) Canadian Labour Party 2,222
  Alfred Smees Independent Conservative 1,641
  Thomas Lewington Independent 1,571
  Henry Dirks Independent 434
  George Jones Independent 372
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "Aldermanic Vote", Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 11.
"Herald Results as Victory for Party," Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 5,23.

Board of Education

Ward One

Summary of the December 5, 1927 Hamilton Board of Education Ward 1 Trustee Election

 
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote Elected?
Votes %
  John Pearson MacKay (incumbent) Independent Acclaimed
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "Nominations for School Trustee", Hamilton Spectator, November 28, 1927, 5.

Ward Two

Summary of the December 5, 1927 Hamilton Board of Education Ward 2 Trustee Election

 
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote Elected?
Votes %
  Wallace William Lees (incumbent) Independent Acclaimed
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "Nominations for School Trustee", Hamilton Spectator, November 28, 1927, 5.

Ward Three

Summary of the December 5, 1927 Hamilton Board of Education Ward 3 Trustee Election

 
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote Elected?
Votes %
  S.B. Russell (incumbent) Independent Acclaimed
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "Nominations for School Trustee", Hamilton Spectator, November 28, 1927, 5.

Ward Four

Summary of the December 5, 1927 Hamilton Board of Education Ward 4 Trustee Election

 
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote Elected?
Votes %
  George R. Allan (incumbent) Independent Conservative Acclaimed
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "Nominations for School Trustee", Hamilton Spectator, November 28, 1927, 5.

Ward Five

Summary of the December 5, 1927 Hamilton Board of Education Ward 5 Trustee Election

 
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote Elected?
Votes %
  Thomas McIlwraith (incumbent) Independent Acclaimed
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "Nominations for School Trustee", Hamilton Spectator, November 28, 1927, 5.

Ward Six

Summary of the December 5, 1927 Hamilton Board of Education Ward 6 Trustee Election

 
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote Elected?
Votes %
  George Armstrong (incumbent) Independent Acclaimed
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "Nominations for School Trustee", Hamilton Spectator, November 28, 1927, 5.

Ward Seven

Summary of the December 5, 1927 Hamilton Board of Education Ward 7 Trustee Election

 
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote Elected?
Votes %
  George Wild (incumbent) Independent Conservative Acclaimed
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "Nominations for School Trustee", Hamilton Spectator, November 28, 1927, 5.

Ward Eight

Summary of the December 5, 1927 Hamilton Board of Education Ward 8 Trustee Election

 
Candidate Affiliation Popular vote Elected?
Votes %
  Harold Stanley Burns (incumbent) Independent Acclaimed
Total votes
Registered voters
Note: Candidate campaign colours are used as a visual differentiation between candidates and to indicate affiliation.
Sources: "Nominations for School Trustee", Hamilton Spectator, November 28, 1927, 5.

References
  1. "Some new faces in Council circle", Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, December 6, 1927, pp. 11.
  2. "People oppose expenditure on Barton Street," Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, December 6, 1927, pp. 11.
  3. "Burton and Davis for Mayor's chair," Hamilton Spectator, November 28, 1927, 1.
  4. "Ex Con. WM Burton may decide to run," Hamilton Spectator, November 21, 1927, 1.
  5. "Herald Results as Victory for Party," Hamilton Spectator, December 6, 1927, 5,23.
  6. "I stand for a Civic Debt Budget (ad)," Hamilton Spectator, December 3, 1927.
  7. "Dress up the city's windows! (ad)," Hamilton Spectator, December 4, 1927.
  8. "Speaking of mayors," Hamilton Spectator, November 2, 1927, 6.
  9. "Controller Davis to seek mayor's chair," Hamilton Spectator, vol. LXXXI, 1.
  10. "Davis for Mayor (ad)," Hamilton Spectator, November 27, 1927, 21.
  11. "Monday's election," Hamilton Spectator, December 3, 1927, 4.
  12. "Burton for Mayor; Demand of the People, Hamilton Spectator,
    December 6, 1927, 5,11.
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