Baker, Richard | Day 14
Initially claimed mistaken identity and asked for expenses. But under subsequent interrogation he gave a different story and expenses refused. His brother was Frederick Baker who accepted money from Mr Hughes (C) on his behalf because he was away in France. When he found out he refused to have it (he was a Liberal) and Frederick gave the money to Richard’s wife unbeknown to him hoping to influence him to vote Conservative.
Witness Type: Freeman
Party: Liberal
Witness Testimony:
- 16972.
(Mr. Turner.) What are you ? — A cabinet maker.
- 16973.
At Ramsgate ? — Yes.
- 16974.
What is your address ? — 33 Hardress Street.
- 16975.
What did you receive ? — Nothing at all.
- 16976.
Nothing for your vote or your expenses ? — Not a farthing.
- 16977.
Did you expend any money ? — No, only my personal expenses when I went to Sandwich.
- 16978.
How much were your personal expenses ? — By the rail.
- 16979.
How much was given ? — Nothing at all.
- 16980.
You paid your own personal expenses ? — Yes.
- 16981.
Did you have anything promised you ? — No, only 5s for the railway train going there.
- 16982.
That was all ? — Yes, that was all.
- 16983.
Nothing else ? — Nothing else.
- 16984.
(Mr. Holl.) Who promised you that ? — Mr Woodruff in Ramsgate. There was 5s allowed for everyone that went for expenses for travelling.
- 16985.
Did you have anything from Mr Hughes ? — No, nothing at all.
- 16986.
(Mr. Jeune.) Do you know Mr W J Hughes ? — No.
- 16987.
Is there any other Richard Baker at Ramsgate besides you ? — Not as I know of.
- 16988.
Or R Baker; Robert Baker ? — Not that I am aware of.
- 16989.
Well, there is some mistake; we are sorry to have brought you here ? — I suppose you will allow me my expenses ? (Mr. Holl.) You must apply to the secretary for that.
- 17031. [Witness recalled and further examined.]
(Mr. Holl.) You have some correction to make in your evidence, have you not ? — Yes ; about the money you were speaking of just now which perhaps I ought to have named, that Mr. Hughes says he gave to me. My brother will be here presently. Mr. Hughes gave it to my brother for me, and when he offered it me, of course, I refused it. I said to my brother, “When did you make an application to Mr. Hughes on my behalf.” He said, “You were working in France at the time and I thought it was my duty to intercede to get your expenses.” I told him I was very sorry for that as I would look after my own business. He laid the money down which of course, I refused to take, and I left him with the money.
- 17032.
Do you know what became of it ? — I understood he said he should return it, or give it to my wife. I said, “What will you give it to my wife for.” He said, “I shall not return it. Perhaps by giving it to her it will influence you to vote on behalf of the Conservative candidate.”
- 17033.
Did he give it to your wife ? — Yes.
- 17034.
And she kept it ? — And she kept it, but it was unbeknown to me.
- 17035.
I daresay it had a little effect; you did not object ? — I told her she had no business to receive it, and I said, not only that, I am a Liberal, and, of course, I was going to vote for the Liberal cause.
- 17036.
Did you know your wife kept it ? — I knew my wife kept it afterwards.
- 17037.
And you did not insist on her returning it ? — I told her to return it.
- 17038.
But you knew she kept it ? — She kept it, not with my consent.
- 17039.
You did not ask her to give it to you to enable you to return it ? — I told her to return it.
- 17040.
But you did not ask her to give it you that you might return it ? — No, I did not ask her that. I told her to return it to my brother.
- 17041.
And when you said to her, return it, you knew she would not do that ? — Of course I am not answerable for her actions in that way.
- 17042.
If you wanted to return it, you would have asked her for it, and have returned it yourself, and you did not do that ? — I told her to return it.