Skardon, Robert John | Day 8

£3 from Mr Wise (C) plus £3 from Mr Ralph to vote for Mr JG – discrepancy in the Parliamentary Papers transcript – Commissioner mentions £5. He voted Conservative because he always had.

Witness Type: Both Sides

Party: Conservative

Witness Testimony:

  • 8785.

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

  • 8786.

    Where do you live ? — Middle Street, North End.

  • 8787.

    Did you receive any money ? — Yes.

  • 8788.

    3L. ? — Yes.

  • 8789.

    From whom ? — Mr. Wise, of Middle Beal.

  • 8790.

    To vote for whom ? — For Mr. Crompton Roberts.

  • 8791.

    And did you vote for him ? —I voted for him, but I did not have any money before I voted.

  • 8792.

    But still you knew you were going to have it ? — I expected it.

  • 8793.

    And so you voted for him ? — Yes.

  • 8794.

    Did you receive anything else ? — Yes, 3L. from Mr. Ralph.

  • 8795.

    What for ? — The same, I suppose.

  • 8796.

    He is the other side ? —Yes.

  • 8797.

    And you received from him to vote for Sir Julian Goldsmid ? —Yes.

  • 8798.

    Which came first ? —I cannot say which came first.

  • 8799.

    Of course he did not know you were receiving money to vote for Mr. Crompton Roberts ? — No.

  • 8800.

    You did not tell him ? — No.

  • 8801.

    Did you receive anything else besides the 3L., and 5L ? — No.

  • 8802.

    (Mr. Holl.) What is Mr. Wise’s Christian name ? — I do not know his Christian name.

  • 8803.

    James Wise, is it ? — Oh, yes.

  • 8804.

    (Mr. Jeune.) Did you promise Wise you would vote for his man ? — I did not promise anyone. He told me if I went on for them I should be right. I went on my own opinion.

  • 8805.

    And the other side came down and told you that if you went for them you would be right ? — Yes.

  • 8806.

    And which side did you go eventually ? — Mr. Crompton Roberts’ side.

  • 8807.

    Why ? — My father and all the lot have always gone that side.

  • 8808.

    You have always been Conservative ? — Yes.

  • 8809.

    So you had money from both sides, and you kept up the traditions of the family into the bargain ? — Yes. I should like to have found another friend or two like them.