Jordan, Francis Edward | Day 8

Voted for Mr Crompton-Roberts out of spite because the Liberals promised him money at the 1874 election but never paid.


Witness Type: Bribee

Party: Conservative


Witness Testimony:

  • 8955.

    (Mr. Turner) What are you ? — A hatter.

  • 8956.

    Where of ? — 117, High Street.

  • 8957.

    Did you receive any money ? — I did.

  • 8958.

    3L ? — No, 5L.

  • 8959.

    Who from ? — From Mr. Reynolds, through Mr. Allen.

  • 8960.

    What was that for ? — I suppose for voting.

  • 8961.

    For the Liberal ? — Yes.

  • 8962.

    And did you vote for the Liberal ? — No.

  • 8963.

    Who did you vote for ? — For Mr. Crompton Roberts.

  • 8964.

    Having received 5L. to vote for the Liberal you voted for Mr. Crompton Roberts ? — I did.

  • 8965.

    Did you get anything from him ? — I did not.

  • 8966.

    Then why did you do it ? — Simply to play off a trick they served me at the last general election.

  • 8967.

    (Mr. Jeune.) What do you mean by a trick they played you at the last general election ? —Simply they promised me a certain sum of money last general election to go and vote for them. I did vote, and I did not get it, and I thought they could pay it this time.

  • 8968.

    That was to pay off the Liberals for the last election ? — Yes.

  • 8969.

    In 1874 ? — Yes.

  • 8970.

    Who promised you money then ? — Mr. Wise.

  • 8971.

    To vote for Mr. Knatchbull-Hugessen and Mr. Brassey ? — Yes.

  • 8972.

    And they never paid you ? — They did not.

  • 8973.

    (Mr. Turner.) And so you thought you would have it this time by making promises you did not intend to keep ? — I did not make a promise, but I was supposed to have done so.

  • 8974.

    Of course they ‘gave you the 5L because they thought you promised to vote for Sir Julian ? — Yes.

  • 8975.

    Something had passed about it ? — Of course they asked me whether I had been asked or not, if anyone had been to me ; and I told them, yes, a gentleman had called on me.