Baker, Frederick | Day 14

Received £6 from Mr Hughes for himself and his brother. Gave it to his brother’s wife as his brother (Richard Baker) didn’t want anything to do with it.

Witness Type: Briber

Party: Conservative

Witness Testimony:

  • 17351.

    (Mr. Jeune.) Where do you live ? — 34, King Street Ramsgate.

  • 17352.

    What is your occupation ? — A baker.

  • 17353.

    What did you receive in connexion with the election ? — 6L.

  • 17354.

    Who from ? — Mr. Hughes.

  • 17355.

    What was that for ? — That was 3L. for myself and 3L. for my brother.

  • 17356.

    Did you give it him ? — No.

  • 17357.

    What did you do with it ? — I gave it to his wife ; he would not have anything to do with it.

  • 17358.

    Your brother has been called already ? — I believe so.

  • 17359.

    Is that all you received ? — That is all.

  • 17360.

    Was the 3L. you received for your vote ? — Well, it was for one thing ; it was not said by the person whom I received it from it was for my vote.

  • 17361.

    But you have no doubt it was for your vote ? — I should judge not.

  • 17362.

    What else was it for ? — For my expenses and loss of time.

  • 17363.

    Where did you come from ? — I came from Ramsgate, but I came from Canterbury that morning, and then had to go to Sandwich, and then to Canterbury again.

  • 17364.

    How many shillings would that cost you ? — It was not altogether the amount of money I spent, but it was the loss of goods.

  • 17365.

    Seriously, have you any doubt at all that that 3L. was paid for your vote substantially ? — Well, I should judge not.

  • 17366.

    What were your expenses ? — I daresay my expenses were 30s. ; then I lost over 3L. worth of goods by going there.

  • 17367.

    You lost 3L. worth of goods ? — Yes.

  • 17368.

    How was that ? — Because the day of the election it was Canterbury rural fete, and I attend those places, and consequently not being there I got the goods thrown upon my hands, and, of course, I could not sell them again.

  • 17369.

    Who asked you to come and vote ? — I was asked by Messrs. Denne and Baxter, and I told them I should not think of going. I laid the case before them, and assigned the reason why I should not go, and he said, “You must come at all costs.”

  • 17370.

    You told him, I suppose, that you would not go unless you were compensated ? — I told him I should not have anything to do with the election this time. He asked me to give the reason why, and I gave him the reason, which I have just spoken to you.

  • 17371.

    That you would lose money ? — That I should lose money by doing it. I had all the goods already made, and I should make a loss, and I did lose the goods.

  • 17372.

    And he gave you to understand you would be compensated for it ? — He told me they would pay me for my loss of time and loss of goods.

  • 17373.

    Is that all you got ? — That is all. [Adjourned for a short time. ]