Solomon, Walter | Day 5

Re occupation he says he is doing nothing at present. The Poll Book lists him as having a barn etc in Gladstone Road. He received two amounts of £10 and £24 to pay 8 voters £3 apiece. The £10 chimes with Olds’ testimony that he paid some canvassers £4 over the normal amount of £6 which he paid to the others. In the event he paid 10 voters, 2 out of his own pocket. One name mentioned in his testimony, Mr Tate, wasn’t called to testify.

Witness Type: Briber

Party: Conservative

Witness Testimony:

  • 5290.

    (Mr. Turner.) What are you ? — I am doing nothing at present, though I see you have me mentioned as a farmer, which is quite right.

  • 5291.

    Did you receive any money during this election ? —Yes.

  • 5292.

    How much ? — In all 34L.

  • 5293.

    From whom ? — From Mr. Olds.

  • 5294.

    What did he tell you you were to do with it ? — He did not tell me. I told him I wanted to pay some voters with it, or rather I must first tell you that 10L. of that 34 L. was for myself for canvassing. I did not have this 34L. all at once, you must understand. I had 10L. first, and 24L. afterwards — the day previous to the election.

  • 5295.

    What did you tell him you wanted to do with it ? — I wanted to pay eight voters 3L. each.

  • 5296.

    Had you previously spoken to those voters ? — Yes, I had spoken to them ; I had canvassed them. ,

  • 5297.

    What had they said ? — They said there always was money at those times, that they could get money on the other side, and if they could get the same amount on our side, they would rather vote for Mr. Crompton Roberts.

  • 5298.

    Therefore you asked Mr. Olds for the 24L. for that purpose ? — That is it.

  • 5299.

    Did the voters vote ? — Yes, they did; I went with them. I looked out all about that. When I say they voted, of course you understand the ballot is secret. I did not go inside to see them vote.

  • 5300.

    You know as a fact that they voted ? — Yes.

  • 5301.

    When did you pay them the 3L. apiece ? — Previous to my going to the poll with them.

  • 5302.

    Have you got a list of those men ? — Yes (handing same) ; you will see there two names at the bottom of the list ; that is ten instead of eight ; but you will find the last two I paid 3L. each to out of my own pocket.

  • 5303.

    Redsull and Betts ?— Yes ; those are the two, at the bottom.

  • 5304.

    What are these numbers that you put in the margin ? — You will find those on the parliamentary register.

  • 5305.

    Redsull, Wilkins, Tate, Romney, Ashington, Betts, William, Betts, Robert, and then there is another Betts down here. Those two you paid out of your own pocket ? — Yes ; I must explain to you about my paying those last two. It was not by canvassing them to vote for Mr. Crompton Roberts, because I had every reason to believe that they had done so.

  • 5306.

    As a reward ? — As a reward.

  • 5307.

    You said nothing to them about it before ? — Not to Betts; but Redsull I canvassed. He said, “How about money matters ?” I paid those men now about a month since.

  • 5308.

    Why did you do that ? Did they ask you for it ? — Since the petition I had meant to do so, but I certainly was not going to pay them until that was over.

  • 5309.

    Did they ask you for it ? — Yes, Betts did ; but not Redsull.

  • 5310.

    After he had voted ? — Yes.

  • 5311.

    When did he come to you ? — He came to me on the very day that he did vote. Don’t you see I had his father and brother on my list, which no doubt was the occasion of his coming to me.

  • 5312.

    That list which you have given in, was given to you was it ? — No, I made it out myself.

  • 5313.

    Have you had any other money, or paid any other money ? — Not a penny.

  • 5314.

    That 24L. and 10L. is all you have had ? — Just so.

  • 5315.

    And all you have paid ? — Except that money which I have paid out of my own pocket. I must explain to you that I was a volunteer really, but of course as every servant is worthy of his hire, I suppose I had 10L. as well as other people ; caring very little whether I had it or not. I am on my oath. I paid these two men out of my own pocket, which leaves me with 4L., and I am very well satisfied.

  • 5316.

    (Mr. Jeune.) You wished success to the cause ? — Yes, I should think so.

  • 5317.

    Are these the numbers on the parliamentary register ? — Yes ; that was for my own convenience. I did not expect to have to give it out.