Hughes, William John | Day 9
Hughes was a Sandwich grocer who had a very active part in the election, receiving £480 to distribute on behalf of the Conservative party. The equivalent of over £40k in today’s money. £144 was shared amongst 4 men who then distributed it amongst 48 voters. William Beck, Richard Wybourne, James Brett and John Langley.
Party: Conservative
Witness Testimony:
- 10213.
(Mr. Turner.) You are a grocer at Sandwich ? —Yes.
- 10214.
Where do you live ? — High Street, Sandwich.
- 10215.
You appear to have taken a very active part in the Sandwich part of this election ? — Yes, I worked very hard indeed.
- 10216.
Who did you first communicate with about it ; who put you in motion first, Mr. Olds ? — We were in motion before, but he was the first man I had anything to say to about money.
- 10217.
What did he give you ? — I had altogether 480L, I believe. I am only speaking from memory, as I supplied him with all the accounts. That was the first amount, and then I had 38L. That 38L. did not all come in one amount, because I first had 6L. afterwards 10L., then another instalment of 12L., and a fourth instalment of 10L.
- 10218.
Was the 480L in one sum ? — Yes, I believe it was, if that is the exact amount.
- 10219.
What did you do with that ? — I distributed it amongst different people.
- 10220.
Have you a list of how you distributed it ? — Yes (handing a paper to the Commissioners).
- 10221.
Did you yourself give the 3L. to these 48 voters ? — No, I did not.
- 10222.
How was it done ? — Mr. Beck, Mr. Wybourne, Mr. James Brett, and Mr. Langley assisted me in distributing the amount, but I cannot give the exact amount each person had. I had receipts from each voter rendered to me, and this is a list of the people who received 3L. each. I had receipts from every one that was paid.
- 10223.
Did you give any of it yourself to any voters ? I did to a few, but I cannot tell the exact number.
- 10224.
Can you give us the addresses of these men that assisted you ? — Beck, High Street, Sandwich; Wybourne, St. Peter’s Street, Sandwich ; Brett, Strand Street, Sandwich. It is James Brett.
- 10225.
What is Wybourne’s Christian name: ? — Richard.
- 10226.
Then Langley, do you know where he lives ? —No.
- 10227.
Do you know his Christian name ? — No, but it is in St. Mary’s Parish, and he is a builder or bricklayer. I believe it is Vicarage Lane.
- 10228.
These four men distributed 144L. ? — Yes.
- 10229.
Does this list that you have handed in include what you have distributed ? — Yes.
- 10230.
Each of these 48 had 3L. ? — Yes. I had receipts handed to me for every pound that was expended. I handed a balance sheet to Mr. Olds, and all the receipts immediately after the election. I have got all those names by carefully going through the list of voters, otherwise I had no note at all.
- 10231.
They all voted for Mr. Roberts ? — I believe so ; I canvassed for Mr. Roberts.
- 10232.
It was paid to them for voting that way ? — Yes, certainly.
- 10233.
Who is C. Baker, who had 6L. ? — He is a stationer in Market Place.
- 10234.
What was that for ? — He gave to two different people 3L. each.
- 10235.
Do you know their names ? — Johnson was one.
- 10236.
Do you know his Christian name ? — I cannot tell you positively who they were.
- 10237.
Do you know what Johnson is ? — He is a wheelwright.
- 10238.
Do you know who the other one was ? — I do not know, really. I gave the 6L. to Mr. Baker.
- 10239.
Who is Mr. Baker ? — A stationer ; he told me at the time who they were, and I had receipts for the amount.
- 10240.
Now with regard to the 38L. ? — I have here (handing a paper to the Commissioners) a balance sheet which I made up at the time, a copy of which I happened to keep. I sent that to Mr. Olds with the other receipts immediately after the election.
- 10241.
What are these payments ? — They were payments made to different people, and the money was, no doubt, expended in treating.
- 10242.
I see Brett, 11L. ; was that given to him to treat with ? — Yes.