Bridge, Edward Law | Day 21

Living at 4 Granville Road when he testified. Claimed he did not know or recognise the man that came to his house and paid him £3. Later said he came with Mr Porter and knew he was a Conservative.

Witness Type: Bribee

Party: Conservative

Witness Testimony:

  • 20869.

    (Mr. Jeune.) Where do you live ? — 9, Wellington Place I did live, but I now live at 4, Granville Road.

  • 20870.

    What is your occupation ? — Photographer.

  • 20871.

    What did you get at the election ? — £3.

  • 20872.

    From whom ? — He was quite a stranger to me. I should not know the gentleman again if I were to see him.

  • 20873.

    He was not a Deal or a Walmer man ? — No.

  • 20874.

    Did he tell you his name ? — No.

  • 20876.

    Who did he ask you to vote for ? — Well, I do not think he asked me at all, but knew I was a Conservative.

  • 20876.

    Did you have any talk with him ? — No.

  • 20877.

    Where did you meet him ? — At my house.

  • 20878.

    He came to your house ? — Yes.

  • 20879.

    And asked to see you ? — Yes.

  • 20880.

    When he saw you what did he say ? — Well, I cannot tell you what he said, but he gave me the £3, I suppose, for my vote.

  • 20881.

    So do I; but before that he said something, did he not ? — No, I do not recollect that he did.

  • 20882.

    People do not hand out £3 as a rule and walk away without saying a word ? — I do not remember what he said.

  • 20883.

    Did he not say, “I suppose you are all right,” or something of that kind ? — He might have said so.

  • 20884.

    He must have done; you do not get £3 every day in that way, and surely you must remember ? — I do not remember.

  • 20885.

    Come, try; it is quite impossible that you cannot remember ? — I am sure if I were to meet the gentleman again I should not know him.

  • 20886.

    It may be that you would not know him, but you must know what he said to you, and what you said to him. First of all, he was a stranger, and you were a little surprised to see him ? — We passed the time of day, I suppose.

  • 20887.

    That is something; what happened then ? — I cannot tell you, more than that he gave me £3 for my vote.

  • 20888.

    Surely you must be able to remember; the thing has never happened to you before or since, I suppose ? — Of course I knew what he was come for.

  • 20889.

    How did you know that ? — I do not remember what he did say.

  • 20890.

    But you must recollect it ? — I received the £3, but I tell you he was quite a stranger to me, and I should not know the gentleman again.

  • 20891.

    That you have said several times, but what I want to know is what took place, because something must have happened ? — I do not remember.

  • 20892.

    Did he tell you where he came from ? — No.

  • 20893.

    Did he tell you who had sent him ? — No.

  • 20894.

    Did he ask you which way you were going to vote ? — I do not think he did, but he knew I was a Conservative.

  • 20895.

    How did he know that ? — I had the Conservative colours outside my house.

  • 20896.

    He came in and saw you and said, “Good morning;” what did you say then ? — I do not remember.

  • 20897.

    (Mr. Turner) Are you sure that he said, “Good morning” ? — I cannot recollect.

  • 20898.

    (Mr. Jeune.) Come, come, you must recollect ? — I do not indeed.