Luff, Mary Ann | Day 9

The only Liberal Public House in Sandwich. Received £22 10s to treat 400-500 customers with all kinds of refreshments. Still nearly 40 years until women got the right to vote.

Witness Type: Treater

Party: Liberal

Witness Testimony:

  • 10408.

    (Mr. Turner) What are you ?— A licensed victualler.

  • 10409.

    What do you keep ? — The “Mermaid” at Sandwich.

  • 10410.

    What had you to do with this election ? — I had not anything to do with it — only to supply refreshments.

  • 10411.

    And you supplied refreshments, did you ? — Yes.

  • 10412.

    To what extent ? — 2L. I received on the Saturday morning, and there was 20L. 10s. afterwards.

  • 10413.

    The Saturday morning before the election ? — Yes, that was for refreshments before the election took place.

  • 10414.

    Who did you get the 2L. from ? — Mr. Coleman.

  • 10415.

    Who told you to supply these refreshments ? — Mr. Coleman.

  • 10416.

    To whom did he tell you to supply them ? — To anyone that came and used ms name.

  • 10417.

    That was the 2L. on Saturday ? — Yes ; and there was three days account after, Saturday, Monday, and the election day, Tuesday.

  • 10418.

    That was the 20L. 10s. ? — Yes.

  • 10419.

    What was that for ? — For refreshments. All kinds of refreshments.

  • 10420.

    Supplied to whom ? — To all that liked to come in Mr. Coleman’s name. My house being the only Liberal house, I had a great number to supply on the election day.

  • 10421.

    Yours is the only Liberal house, is it ? — Yes, and there are no more about.

  • 10422.

    Have you been paid that 20L. ? — No. I have not received any money, only the 2L. on the Saturday morning.

  • 10423.

    And is that all that you claimed ? — Yes.

  • 10424.

    Nothing more ? — Nothing more.

  • 10425.

    Did not you canvass your voters ? — No, I had nothing to do with any voters at all. I had my orders from Mr. Coleman to serve all those who came and used bis name.

  • 10426.

    Have you sent in your account for the 20L 10s. to Mr. Coleman ? — Yes ; he has the bill, I believe.

  • 10427.

    (Mr. Jeune.) About how many people did you supply ? — I do not know; on the election day there might have been 400 or 500 people to supply. My place was filled in all directions.

  • 10428.

    And before the election day ; on the Monday, and the days before, how many people do you think you supplied ? — A great many.

  • 10429.

    Did they all use Mr. Coleman’s name ? — Yes; none was served only those that came from Mr. Coleman.

  • 10430.

    All those that were served that came from Mr. Coleman, were they people who usually used your house, or a large number of others ? — Oh, no.

  • 10431.

    A large number that did not ? — Yes, a large number, voters and friends likewise; they was not particular.

  • 10432.

    (Mr. Turner.) Do you know whether many of them were voters, or not ? — No, I do not.

  • 10433.

    (Mr. Jeune.) Yours is the only Liberal house you say ? — Yes, near the hall.

  • 10434.

    What makes your house a Liberal house; you have not got a vote yet ? — No, but I have a brother who has, that lives in the house with me.

  • 10435.

    He is a voter, is he ? — Yes.

  • 10436.

    I suppose he is a good staunch Liberal ? — Yes.

  • 10437.

    Did he get anything ? — No.