Snoswell, Seth | Day 7

Paid for looking after a committee room at Star & Garter on Election Day.

Witness Type: Bribee

Party: Liberal

Witness Testimony:

  • 7716.

    (Mr. Roll) What are you ? — I am a pensioner. 

  • 7717.

    Where do you live ? — 14, Prince’s Street, Deal. 

  • 7718.

    What money have you received ? — I received 5L. from Mr. Ramell. 

  • 7719.

    What for, to vote ? — Before the election I asked them if they could not put me into some place where I could get a pound, or pay me for my services, and they told me the day Sir Julian Goldsmid came down in the Congregational School they would put my name down. I asked them what was I to do, and they said I was to attend the COMMITTEE ROOM, and I should be paid for my services. 

  • 7720.

    You were to stay in the COMMITTEE ROOM ? — Yes, I was to attend the COMMITTEE ROOM during the election, and I received 5L. for it. 

  • 7721.

    Did you attend the COMMITTEE ROOM ? — I did every day. 

  • 7722.

    I suppose you stopped there all day long ? — Nearly all day long. 

  • 7723.

    (Mr. Jeune.) Where was this COMMITTEE ROOM ? —In the “Star and Garter.” 

  • 7724.

    You had something to drink occasionally ? — No, I do not think I had one pennyworth of drink in the house. 

  • 7725.

    Do not you ? — No. 

  • 7726.

    (Mr Holl.) Besides staying at the COMMITTEE ROOM, did you do anything ? — I did just what I was told. I took a letter, or paper, or anything else. 

  • 7727.

    How many times a day did you go out ? — I took them several times. 

  • 7728.

    I suppose you are a voter ? — Yes, and a staunch Blue. 

  • 7729.

    Somebody gave you 5L. as a reward ? — I never was asked for my vote, and never was offered anything for my vote. All I know is they gave me 5L. 

  • 7730.

    You say you went and asked for employment ? —I did. 

  • 7731.

    How many days did you attend there ? — Every clay during the election. 

  • 7732.

    How many days was that ? — I do not know ; six or seven, I suppose. 

  • 7733.

    Yon say you made no bargain about your vote ?  — No. 

  • 7734.

    (Mr. Turner.) Did they tell you they would give you 5L ? — Yes. 

  • 7735.

    At the meeting ? — No. 

  • 7736.

    At the end of it ? — At the latter end of it they said I was to have 5L. 

  • 7737.

    (Mr. Holl.) When did you first hear that you were to have 5L. ? — A day or two before the election. 

  • 7738.

    They said you were to have 5L. for your services ; that is a good deal for six or seven days ? — I do not know what it was for. Perhaps they thought so much for my services, and so much for voting.  I cannot say that. 

  • 7739.

    (Mr. Jeune.) You thought the vote counted for something, did you not ? — Well, perhaps it might. I do not know. I cannot say. 

  • 7740.

    (Mr. Holl.) You say you suppose they thought some was for your vote and some for your services, did not you think so too ? — It is more than I expected certainly. 

  • 7741.

    (Mr. Jeune.) It is not more than you think you deserved ? — Well, sir, I was very glad to have it. 

  • 7742.

    (Mr. Turner.) Did they never speak to you about your vote ? — Never. No man never asked me which way I was going, but no doubt they knew that I should go that side as they knew I was Liberal all my lifetime. I voted for Mr. Gladstone, I voted for Admiral Stewart, I voted for Mr. Alderman Salomons, and I voted for two or three besides in Greenwich. I have always been a Blue all my lifetime, and I am not ashamed of it. I am ashamed this thing has come forward, that I am, Sir. 

  • 7743.

    (Mr. Holl.) Are you quite sure your vote was not in any way influenced. I did not know you were even paid for your vote ? — I do not know. I received 5L., and that is all I know about it. 

  • 7744.

    Was your vote in no way influenced at all ? — I never had no one ask me a question about it. I suppose they thought as I belonged to the Liberals I would not go. I would not turn my coat for any man.