Testimonies

Edwards, James Barber | Day 14

Witness Type: Briber, No Indemnity, Petition witness, Treater

Party: Liberal

Other Days The Witness Was Called On: Petition Day 1 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 9 | Day 10

Witness Testimony:

• 16577.

  Recalled and further examined. (Mr. Holl.) Did you act as agent for the Liberal candidates in the general election of 1880 ? — Yes. 

• 16578.

  We see that a return is made for that election; you acted only as agent for Deal and Walmer ? — Only for Deal upon that occasion. 

• 16579.

  That (handing a paper) is the return of the expenses for Deal at the general election in April of this year ? — Yes. 

• 16580.

  Does that include, so far as Deal is concerned, all the expenses that were incurred in that election ? — Yes, the whole of them. 

• 16581.

  Were there beyond those any other expenses that you are aware of, of any kind, in connection with the election ? — No, not any. 

• 16582.

  Did you expend, or are you aware of any money being expended in connection with that election at Deal, beyond the sum mentioned there ? — I knew of nothing, nor do I believe there is such a thing. It has been said that a certain amount of money was sent down, to be divided amongst the Liberal party, but I know nothing of it, nor do I believe it. It arose, I believe, something in this way: from its being said that the uncontested election cost several hundred pounds, and that was turned into £700. There has been often a talk that a certain amount of money has come down, but I know nothing of it, and I believe that there was nothing of the sort. 

• 16583.

  I understand you to say that you are not aware of any money having come down, and being expended either by way of distribution amongst any voters, or by persons of influence in the borough, or in any other way beyond what is mentioned in that account ? — No. 

• 16584.

  I understand you to say that you do not believe any money beyond what is mentioned in the account was expended ? — I do not believe it, and I have never heard in any shape or form that anybody ever received anything, nor do I believe that any money came. 

• 16585.

  There is an item of  “Printing and posting, £28.” What would that be for? I suppose there would be advertisements in the newspapers ? — Yes; and likewise there was a general meeting, and there was a special edition of the paper, and there were printed addresses, and “return thanks” and so on.

• 16586.

  Then, “Hotel accounts, £27 10s.” How long were the candidates down here ? — That occurred in this way: Mr Hugessen and Mr Brassey wished to come to Deal, and it was thought better that one should be at one hotel, and another at another. I engaged the hotel of Mr Denne for the day they were coming, but Mr Denne said that Mr Hugessen might want it again, and he would not allow it unless he had a guinea a day, and the same thing was done at the Queen’s Hotel for Mr Brassey. 

• 16587.

  A room was retained, you mean ? — Yes, they were always at their service. Mr Willoughby of the Queen’s said he could not keep these rooms unless he was paid a guinea a day, and that it was always usual to be paid until the election was over. 

• 16588.

  Do you mean that he declined to abstain from letting the room to anyone else unless the room was retained then ? — Yes, quite so. 

• 16589.

  How much did each hotel get ? — Mr Willoughby, £13 18s 6d (that is, the Queens), and Mr Denne of the Star and Garter, £13 11s 6d. 

• 16590.

  (Mr. Jeune.) How long was each candidate here ? — I think they came twice. 

• 16591.

  For one night each time ? — Yes, I think so, but the bills would show it. I was surprised that Mr Denne’s bill came to so little, because he met me and said he did not know how to make it out.

• 16592.

  (Mr. Turner.) Do you know for how long the rooms were retained ? — It was the day Mr Hugessen and Mr Brassey were coming down. 

• 16593.

  You say they came twice. What interval was there between their first and second visits ? — I should think three or four days, but the rooms were to be charged throughout whether they were there or not. 

• 16594.

  (Mr. Holl.) I understand you to say that they refused to keep the rooms for them against they did come down, unless they were taken at once ? — Yes, Mr Willoughby especially. Mr Denne did not say anything about it at first, but he did the next day. 

• 16595.

  (Mr. Jeune.) I see in each bill 10 guineas for these rooms is charged ? — Yes; I suppose that would be the ten days.

• 16596.

  (Mr. Holl.) Then there is “£9 14s, Hancock, for carriages.” what was that ? — There were carriages at various times to go over to Sandwich. 

• 16597.

  Carriages for the candidates ? — Yes, and I think upon the nomination day Mr Edmund Brown and myself went over by carriage because it did not suit to go by train. 

• 16598.

  (Mr. Jeune.) Then “Agency.” That is your fee I suppose ? — Yes. 

• 16599.

  The fee is the same whether there is a contest or not ? — Yes. 

• 16600.

  (Mr. Holl.) I understand you to say distinctly, as far as your knowledge goes, and as far as your belief goes, nothing whatever was spent at that election beyond what appears in this account ? — Not anything.