Worrels, Lewis | Day 5

Received £5 for committee room. Then £30 to expend on securing votes which was distributed amongst 10 men and £6 to pay canvassers.

Witness Type: Briber, Publican, Beerhouse Keeper

Party: Conservative

Witness Testimony:

  • 5150.

    (Mr. Turner.) What are you ? — I am a publican.

  • 5151.

    What is the name of your house ? — The “Sir Colin Campbell,” Walmer Road.

  • 5152.

    During this election did you receive any money from anybody ? — Yes.

  • 5153.

    Who from ? — Mr. Olds.

  • 5154.

    How much ? —41L.

  • 5155.

    When did you receive that ? — I received it in three instalments ; first I received 6L for the hiring of the house, then I received 30L., and I received after that 6L. to pay canvassers.

  • 5156.

    5L. for your windows, 6L. for canvassing, and the remainder would be 30L., what was that for ? — To expend in the best manner I could to secure votes, I suppose.

  • 5157.

    Did Mr. Olds say anything to you ? — He told me to make the best use I could of it on behalf of Mr. Crompton Roberts.

  • 5158.

    What did you do with it ? — Paid 10 men 3L. a-piece.

  • 5159.

    Had you made any arrangement with them beforehand that, they would be paid ? — No, I was not aware they would be paid anything. I did after I got the money.

  • 5160.

    I mean before you paid the men what passed between you and them ? — I told them I could pay them if they voted.

  • 5161.

    They were all voters ? — Yes, I think so, nearly every one. I might say I know they are.

  • 5162.

    Did they agree to take it ? — Yes.

  • 5163.

    And promised to vote ? — Yes.

  • 5164.

    Did they vote ? — I believe they did. I saw the majority of them coming down to the polling booth and go in.

  • 5165.

    And after the election did you pay them ? — I paid them before the election.

  • 5166.

    Before they voted ? — Before they voted.

  • 5167.

    Have you got a list of them ? — Yes (handing same).

  • 5168.

    I see you did not take anything for yourself ? — — No, I was promised, but I never had it.

  • 5169.

    (Mr. Holl.) You had only 6L. as canvasser ? — That is all.

  • 5170.

    (Mr. Turner.) Have you received or paid any oilier money in connexion with the election ? — No, not one farthing.

  • 5171.

    That was all that passed, you say, between you and Mr. Olds; he told you to use the 25L. for Mr. Crompton Roberts ? — I was to use my influence and get all l could to vote for Mr. Crompton Roberts.

  • 5172.

    Did you hear at all from Mr. Olds where the money came from ? — No ; we went to his office one day. There was a great rush there. There were some 8 or 10 of us ; it is generally customary at election times. There were a lot of Sandwich people there, and I do not think Mr. Olds knew what we had, or who had it.

  • 5173.

    (Mr. Holl.) When did you get your money, and at what time ? — I cannot tell you the time; it might have been four or five days before the election.

  • 5174.

    Four or five days before the election ? — I should think so, or two or three days. I could not tell.

  • 5175.

    You got your money two or three days before the election ? — Yes.

  • 5176.

    Are you sure of that ? — Yes ; I should not pay my money out of my own pocket on nobody’s behalf.

  • 5177.

    How long before the election was it that you spoke to these men ? — I should think it might be a day or two.

  • 5178.

    Before the election ? — Before the election.

  • 5179.

    The election took place on the Tuesday ? — Yes.