Controverted Elections
Volume 255: debated on Wednesday 11 August 1880
Mr. SPEAKER informed the House, that he had received from Sir Robert Lush and Mr. Justice Manisty, two of the Judges selected, in pursuance of The Parliamentary Elections Act, 1868, for the Trial of Election Petitions, a Certificate and Report relating to the Election for the Borough of Sandwich.
Borough Of Sandwich Election
Volume 255: debated on Wednesday 11 August 1880
The Parliamentary Elections Act, 1868.
The Parliamentary Elections and Corrupt Practices Act, 1879.
The Parliamentary Elections and Corrupt Practices Act, 1880.
To The Right Honourable, The Speaker of the House of Commons.
We, the Right Honourable Sir Robert Lush, knight, and the Honourable Sir Henry Manisty, knight, Judges of the High Court of Justice, and two of the Judges for the time being for the trial of Election Petitions in England, do hereby, in pursuance of the said Acts, certify that upon the 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th, and 10th days of August 1880, We duly held a Court at the Guildhall, in the Borough of Sandwich, in the County of Kent, for the trial of, and did try, the Election Petition for the said Borough between Sir Julian Goldsmid, baronet, Petitioner; and Charles Henry Crompton Roberts, Respondent.
And, in further pursuance of the said Acts, We report that at the conclusion of the said trial we determined that the said Charles Henry Crompton Roberts, being the Member whose Election and Return were complained of in the said Petition, was not duly elected or returned, and that his Election and Return were and are wholly null and void on the ground of bribery by Agents, and we do hereby certify in writing such our determination to you.
And whereas charges were made of corrupt practices having been committed at the said Election, we, in further pursuance of the said Acts, report as follows:—
(a.) That no corrupt practice was proved to have been committed by or with the knowledge or consent of any Candidate at such Election,
(b.) That the following persons have been proved at the trial to have been guilty of the corrupt practice of bribery:—
– Edwin Hughes.
– Samuel Olds.
– Frederick Cloke.
We have given Certificates of Indemnity to Edwin Hughes and Frederick Cloke.
(c.) That there is reason to believe that corrupt practices have extensively prevailed at the Election for the Borough of Sandwich to which the said Petition relates.
Dated this 10th day of August 1880.
ROBT. LUSH.
H. MANISTY.
And the said Certificate and Report were ordered to be entered in the Journals of this House.