Rea, Edward | Day 6

Received £5 for a committee room, £6 as a canvasser and £81 to distribute amongst 27 voters. He canvassed with George Edward Porter.

The Fountain Inn which has long since been demolished was next to the Royal Hotel on the south side.

Witness Type: Briber, No Indemnity, Publican, Beerhouse Keeper

Party: Conservative

Other Days The Witness Was Called On: Day 22

Witness Testimony:

  • 6054.

    (Mr. Turner.) What are you ? — A licensed victualler.

  • 6055.

    What is your house ? — The “Fountain.”

  • 6056.

    Did you receive any money at this election ? — Yes, I received 5L. for a COMMITTEE ROOM, and 6L. as a canvasser, and 81L. (handing paper),

  • 6057.

    From whom ? — Mr. Olds. That is for 27 voters at 3L. apiece.

  • 6058.

    Are their names here ? — The names and address are there.

  • 6059.

    Did you arrange with the voters, before the voting, that they were to have this ? — I arranged that I would do the best I could with them for the amount of money. I did not make proper arrangements with them. I told them that what there was to come they should have, and that I would do the best I could for them.

  • 6060.

    And they voted as far as your knowledge goes ? I believe so. There is one man there named Port. I don’t know how he voted. He voted for Sandwich.

  • 6061.

    Are these Conservative voters ? — They are as far as I know.

  • 6062.

    They promised to vote for the Conservative candidate ? — Yes.

  • 6063.

    Did you pay them all 3L. after the election ? — I paid them 3L. on the morning of the election, before they went to vote.

  • 6064.

    You had 5L, 6L, and this 81L. ? — Yes.

  • 6065.

    Had you any more money ? — No.

  • 6066.

    No more money ? — No more money.

  • 6067.

    Do you know anything more about the expenses of the election ? — No, I never had anything more to do with it. That list was between me and Porter. You will see my name at the top. We canvassed together.

  • 6068.

    Was the money given to you together ? — We were together. I took the money, and Porter was with me when I took it.

  • 6069.

    Porter is here, I suppose ? — Yes.

  • 6070.

    They were all paid before they voted, as far as you know ? — Yes, I think every one.

  • 6071.

    Can you tell me now who you paid the money to ? — Porter is more likely to know than I am, because he knows the names better than I do.