Sharp, Richard | Day 10

Bribed by 3 people. £3 from Mr Warner and Mr Rea and £4 from Mr Norris. The fact was remarked upon during his testimony as being unique whereupon he said ‘not according to the paper’!

Witness Type: Both Sides, Bribee

Party: Liberal

Other Days The Witness Was Called On: Day 12

Witness Testimony:

  • 12778.

    (Mr. Jeune.) Where do you live ? — 19, Union Street.

  • 12779.

    What are you ? — A carpenter.

  • 12780.

    What did you receive in the election ? — 4L.

  • 12781.

    From whom ? — William Norris.

  • 12782.

    Any more ? — Yes, 3L.

  • 12783.

    From whom ? — Mr. Rea.

  • 12784.

    Edward Rea is that ? — Yes, Rea at the “Fountain.”

  • 12785.

    And I suppose they both wanted you to vote for them ? — I suppose so.

  • 12786.

    And I suppose you pleased one and not the other ? — The money was offered me, it was tempting, and I took it. I could not resist the temptation.

  • 12787.

    That was all you had, was it ? — No, I had 3L. from Mr. Warner.

  • 12788.

    What ? A third bribe ? — Yes. I come to tell you the truth, gentlemen.

  • 12789.

    Well, it is rather lucky I put the question directly to you ? — Well, it was. The money was very tempting to me.

  • 12790.

    So you were twice bribed on one side, and once on the other ? — Well, I do not know about bribing.

  • 12791.

    I do ? — No doubt you do, sir, but that is the truth.

  • 12792.

    Well, I think you are the only man who has succeeded in getting three bribes, as far as I can make out ? — Not according to the paper.

  • 12793.

    Is that all you got ? — That is all. It was the first time, and it will be the last. It was the first time I ever received any money, and I hope it will be the last.

  • 12794.

    You got one 3L. from Mr. Rea at the “Fountain” ? — I got it from the “Fountain,” a man paid me I had not seen before.

  • 12795.

    So you got two from the Conservatives, and one from the Liberal ? — Two from the Liberals, and one from the Conservatives.

  • 12796.

    And which way did you vote ? — I voted by the ballot.

  • 12797.

    But how did you vote ? — It is secret voting.

  • 12798.

    But I want to know how ? — I cannot tell you.

  • 12799.

    But you must ? — Well, I voted for Sir Julian Goldsmid.

  • 12800.

    That was the side you had the two bribes from ? — The side as was the heaviest.