Sutton, George Lamby | Day 8

Funny exchange over whether the money was for cleaning a chimney. Told to go as they’d had enough of him.

Witness Type: Bribee

Party: Conservative

Witness Testimony:

  • 9397.

    (Mr. Jeune.) Where do you live ? — 21, Farrier Street, Deal.

  • 9398.

    What are you ? — What do you mean ?

  • 9399.

    What is your occupation ? — Chimney-cleaner.

  • 9400.

    How much did you receive at the election ? — 3L.

  • 9401.

    From whom ? — Mr. Hayman.

  • 9402.

    Was that for your vote ? — I cannot say whether that was for my vote. He gave it to me. I was told to call at his house.

  • 9403.

    Was there anything else he could have paid you for except your vote ? — Yes.

  • 9404.

    What ? — For cleaning the chimney.

  • 9405.

    Did he engage you to clean a chimney ? — Yes.

  • 9406.

    When ? — The same morning that I received the money.

  • 9407.

    What chimney ? — The dining-room.

  • 9408.

    The dining-room of his house ; was that all ? — That was all.

  • 9409.

    He did not engage you to do anything else ? — No.

  • 9410.

    Simply to clean a chimney ? — That is all.

  • 9411.

    Do you mean to tell me seriously that you thought that 3L. was for cleaning one of the chimneys ? — No, I knew it was not.

  • 9412.

    Then why did you say it just now ? — You never asked me.

  • 9413.

    Yes, I did ? — I beg your pardon.

  • 9414.

    Answer the questions, and mind what you are about, or you will find yourself in a greater mess than you think for ? — You asked me what I got the money for. I said sweeping the chimney.

  • 9415.

    You did not think that. I did ask you. Do you not know that that 3L. was for your vote ? — I do not know that it was for my vote.

  • 9416.

    Do you mean to say that on your oath ? — I knew it was not for my sweeping the chimney.

  • 9417.

    What else could it have been for ? — That I do not know. The election was coming off a few days after.

  • 9418.

    Do you not think it was for your vote ? — I could not possibly say.

  • 9419.

    Do you not think it was ? — I could not swear so.

  • 9420.

    Do you not believe it was now ? — The way things are going on, it may be so. (Mr. Jeune.) Now on your oath, do you not believe that that 3L. was for your vote ? — It was for my vote, there is no doubt.

  • 9421.

    Of course it was. Then why did you not say so. Now go away ; we have had enough of you. (Mr. Holl.) If anybody comes and tells a deliberate falsehood in that way again we shall find it our duty to take a course which will be very unpleasant.