Beck, William | Day 14

Received £5 for a committee room which was never used except as a posting place for bills, plus £21 to distribute amongst 7 voters. Thomas Kingsford from Ramsgate named in testimony as one of the seven being paid but he wasn’t called to testify.

Witness Type: Briber, Publican, Beerhouse Keeper

Party: Conservative

Witness Testimony:

  • 17002.

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

  • 17003.

    At Sandwich ? — Yes,

  • 17004.

    What is your house ? — The ” Bell and Anchor.”

  • 17005.

    Did you receive any money in this election ? — Yes.

  • 17006.

    How much ? — 5L. for a room, and 21L. from Mr. Hughes.

  • 17007.

    What was that for, to distribute ? — Yes.

  • 17008.

    And did you distribute it ? — Yes.

  • 17009.

    Have you got the list of those whom you distributed it to ? — Yes (handing a paper to the Commissioners)

  • 17010.

    I see it was seven men at 3L. each, was it ? — Yes.

  • 17011.

    Are you yourself one of those seven ? — No.

  • 17012.

    I see one was at Ramsgate, Thomas Kingsford ?

  • 17013.

    That 3L. each was for their votes ? — I suppose so.

  • 17014.

    And you had 5L. for a COMMITTEE ROOM ? — Yes.

  • 17015.

    Was it used at all ? — No, only as a posting place for BILLS ; that is all.

  • 17016.

    There were no meetings there ? — No

  • 17017.

    Did you have anything for your own vote ? —No.

  • 17018.

    And no other moneys than that ? — None whatever.