Usher, Thomas James | Day 4

Also gave evidence at the earlier Petition Inquiry.

Instrumental in the choice of Mr Crompton Roberts as the Conservative candidate. In has testimony cited the names of the leading Conservatives in the constituency.
He offered to take on dealing with all the requests for flags and colours in Deal and Walmer when Mr Hughes said it was too much for him to handle. The requests turned out to be many and Walmer was subsequently passed on to George Marley. Not explicitly stated who paid him but listed as Edwin Hughes.

Commented that every house in the town had a flag and if there were any more the houses would disappear.

Witness Type: Briber, Petition witness

Party: Conservative

Witness Testimony:

  • 3731.

    (Mr. Holl) You are an auctioneer and surveyor ? — I am.

  • 3732.

    And I think you took, to some extent, an active part on the Conservative side in the late election ? — I did.

  • 3733.

    You were not in any way, I believe, a paid agent ? — I was not.

  • 3734.

    You were a volunteer ? — Yes.

  • 3735.

    When did you first meet Mr. Roberts— where and when as nearly as you can remember ? — I believe Mr. Spofforth mentioned yesterday that it was in consequence of a letter he received from me. I have a copy of that letter here (handing same).

  • 3736.

    This is the letter you sent ? — Yes, this is a copy of the letter I sent to Mr. Spofforth.

  • 3737.

    I see this is a letter (I need not trouble to read it) intimating your impression that there would be a vacancy, as Mr. Knatchbull Hugessen would be likely to retire, and enquiring whether or not a candidate was coming forward in case that contingency occurred ? — I made some memoranda.

  • 3738.

    There are some memoranda ? — Those are a few memoranda I made at the end as to what actually transpired afterwards.

  • 3739.

    Then Mr. Spofforth wrote a reply ? — He did, and he sent his clerk down.

  • 3740.

    Have you Mr. Spofforth’s letter ? — Yes, I have the original here (handing same),

  • 3741.

    From this note I should gather that you had had some previous communication with Mr. Spofforth, had you not ? — No, I had had some business transactions with him, and I knew his clerk, Mr. Simmons.

  • 3742.

    He uses the expression, “My client still thinks of you ” ? — Yes, I will explain that. In March, at the general election, the Conservatives had a meeting, and they determined not to fight the contest. Mr. Simmons, Mr. Spofforth’s clerk, came down here and said Mr. Spofforth had a client who was willing to come down and fight the Conservative cause here if we wished, but we were pretty well represented and satisfied, and we decided that we would not contest the borough. Then, when this other vacancy occurred, recollecting the conversation I had had with Mr. Simmons, I wrote the letter to Mr. Spofforth which you have a copy of.

  • 3743.

    Then Mr. Simmons came down ? — He did.

  • 3744.

    And he met some of the Conservatives ? — He met Dr. Hulke, Mr. William Nethersole, and myself at Dr. Hulke’s house.

  • 3745.

    I may take it that Dr. Hulke, Mr. Nethersole, and yourself were what I may call the leading members of the Conservative party ? — We take an interest in the Conservative party.

  • 3746.

    Can you tell me the names of any other parties here who are what I may call the leading men of the Conservative party ? — Yes, George Denne. Then there is Mr. Wise, but he does not take an active part. Most of the principal tradesmen who are on the Conservative side take a part in it at election time.

  • 3747.

    You say most of the principal tradesmen are on the Conservative side ? — Who are on the Conservative side.

  • 3748.

    Who are they ; do you remember the names of any of them ; Mr. Olds ? — Yes.

  • 3749.

    Mr. Ralph ? — Yes.

  • 3750.

    What is his Christian name, do you know ? There are two Ralphs.

  • 3751.

    Which do you mean is a leading man on the Conservative side ? — I do not know about a leading man ; he takes an active part. J. J. Ralph, he is a blacksmith.

  • 3752.

    William Frost Spears ? — He is a boatman.

  • 3753.

    Is he an active man ? — Yes.

  • 3754.

    George Henry Denne ? — Yes.

  • 3755.

    He is a builder ? — Yes.

  • 3756.

    J. J. Wise, is that the Mr. Wise that you spoke of ? — Mr. J. J. Wise is a Conservative, but he does not take an active part in Conservative matters.

  • 3757.

    James Wise of Middle Deal, what is he ? — He is a retired tradesman, I believe.

  • 3758.

    He is an active man ? — Yes, on this election.

  • 3759.

    Myhill, he is a waterman ? — No, he is a pilot.

  • 3760.

    Mr. Mackie ? — Yes ; he is a pilot.