Riley, William | Day 7

Took money to pay 8 men £3 apiece but claims 4 of them deceived him so he gave the remaining 4 £5 each. The 4 men not paid were James Riches, 11 Griffin St ; Thomas Job, Kings Arms Alley ; John Hurren, Peter Street ; and possibly James Richards of Middle Street. All four took Conservative bribes. The remaining £4 he kept but £2 was spent on rope and other expenses.

Witness Type: Briber, Publican, Beerhouse Keeper, Treater

Party: Liberal

Witness Testimony:

  • 6922.

    (Mr Holl.) What are you ? — A publican. 

  • 6923.

    What house do you keep ? — The “Prince Albert.” 

  • 6924.

    Is that in Deal or Walmer? — Deal. 

  • 6925.

    What money did you receive ? — 24L.

  • 6926.

    Who did you receive it from ? — Mr. Outwin. 

  • 6927.

    How did you dispose of it ; first, what was it given to you for ?  — For bribery during the election. 

  • 6928.

    To pay for votes ? — Yes.

  • 6929.

    How did you dispose of it ; have you a list ? — Yes (handing the same). 

  • 6930.

    From this list, it appears you paid four persons 5L. each ? — Yes. I took up the 24L. to pay eight. 

  • 6931.

    But you did only pay four ? — Yes; there was some deceived me, and some were dissatisfied, and so I thought I would serve them all alike. 

  • 6932.

    Did you pay 5L. to each of those four men ? — Yes. 

  • 6933.

    When did you pay them ? — It was paid on the morning of the election. 

  • 6934.

    For their votes ? — Yes. 

  • 6935.

    To vote for the Liberal candidate ? — Yes. There are other little additional expenses. 

  • 6936.

    The other 4L. you kept for yourself ? — Well, they had some rope of me, and I have got about 2L, balance left in my hand, and they are quite willing to have that 2L. balance back if anybody is deficient. I know some are deficient. We never had no meeting about it, or I should have given it up before, or had a settling about it. 

  • 6937.

    You have a claim for rope you supplied ? — Yes. 

  • 6938.

    Have you sent it in ? — No, because we have never had any meetings since the election. 

  • 6939.

    Who did you supply the rope to ? — I do not know, it was had at the COMMITTEE ROOM while I was away ; they had a ball of twine ; I think it was worth 4s. 

  • 6940.

    I thought you said there were 2L. worth of rope ? — No, there were additional expenses in running about, and other people drinking, and I have only got about 2L. now, and anybody who wants it back can have it. 

  • 6941.

    You think you spent on that and the twine about 2L. altogether ? — Yes. 

  • 6942.

    And you have kept no memorandum of anything you spent, I suppose ? — No ; I simply paid money at the PUBLIC-HOUSES I went to. 

  • 6943.

    Then, 4L. you have in hand, have you ? — No, 2L. only ; it is the balance only. 

  • 6944.

    You are a voter, I suppose ? — Yes. 

  • 6945.

    And this money was given to you to pay eight men ? — Yes. 

  • 6946.

    How was it you did not pay the other four ? — Because they deceived me ; they went and voted on the other side ; I could not find them. 

  • 6947.

    Do you know their names ? — Yes, I think I know all four. 

  • 6948.

    Who were they ? — Two were living next door to me, father and son. 

  • 6949.

    What were their names ? — Riches. 

  • 6950.

    What are their Christian names ? — I do not know that. 

  • 6951.

    You say there were two men named Riches living next door to you, what is the address next door ? —91, Middle Street.