Simmons, Daniel George Frederick | Day 17

Questioned at very great length about his expenses. He was somewhat ‘forgetful’ and ‘careless’ in his record keeping. Although he had previously lived in the area and knew many of the people involved in the election, he was rather vague about who he had dealings with!

Witness Type: Briber, Freeman, Treater

Party: Conservative

Witness Testimony:

  • 19040.

    And he knew that you were going round these houses, did he not ? — I cannot say that he did. He only knew I was about doing my best for him. He never asked me personally what part I was taking or what things I was doing.

  • 19041.

    When did you give Mr Crompton Roberts this paper of yours ? — I think it was two days after the election.

  • 19042.

    That is to say, on the 20th ? — Yes. I think it was the second or third day after.

  • 19043.

    You say you expected him to ask you some particulars; did he ask you any particulars ? — No.

  • 19044.

    Did you volunteer any particulars to him ? — No.

  • 19045.

    What happened? Did you simply hand him the paper, and he take it, or what ? — I sent it to him by post. I told Mr Spofforth when I returned to the office that I had a certain sum of money from Mr Crompton Roberts. I did not name any sum, and he said, “You had better account for it in some way, he is a man of business — prompt,” and that sort of thing, and I sent in that account at once. That same morning I sat down in the office and did it, and he acknowledged it. About a week after, he came into the office and said, “I received that account, and I am much obliged,” but I cannot lay my hands upon it at present. I have mislaid it.

  • 19046.

    Now as to these other sums spent in what you call small charities; you spent some part of that yourself ? — Yes.

  • 19047.

    Did you see any other people doing the same kind of thing; relieving cases of distress about the place ? — No, but I knew it was the custom to do so.

  • 19048.

    There were a good many cases of distress relieved about that time ? — Yes; the town was in a bad state just then.

  • 19049.

    Do you know whether Dr Hulke, Mr Bristow and Alderman Ralph relieved other cases of distress besides those you gave the money for ? — I cannot say. I should not think they did. They only asked me casually if something could not be done for so-and-so; such a case as they might have heard of.

  • 19050.

    How came you to give £3 to Mrs Cox? Why that particular sum ? — Well, that was entirely in my own judgment. I might have given her £5; I rather think Mr Crompton Roberts thought I should give her about £5.

  • 19051.

    You decided it should be £3 ? — Yes. £3 I gave to her, and I said if she was in great distress I would give her a little more.

  • 19052.

    That is to say, you gave her £3, and suggested to her that she should have a little more ? — Yes, if it was necessary.

  • 19053.

    And that little more, probably, was the £2 to make up £5 altogether ? — No; it might have been £3 more. It was nothing to do with the other amounts paid to voters for voting.

  • 19054.

    It was not ? — No.

  • 19055.

    I see on this paper which Mr Crompton Roberts has been asked about there is: “Cash, £300, fetched by Simmons.” What £300 was it you fetched ? — I told Mr Crompton Roberts when I was going back to the office on that day that I was going, and he said, “I wish you would bring me down some money. Cash me a cheque if you are going up.”

  • 19056.

    Did he give you a cheque ? — Yes, he sent it on to my private lodgings.

  • 19057.

    Who was that cheque drawn to ? — To self, I think, as far as I can recollect.

  • 19058.

    He gave you his own cheque for £300 ? — Yes.

  • 19059.

    Where did you get the gold for that ? — I cashed it at the London Joint Stock bank.

  • 19060.

    Did you get gold for it ? — Yes.

  • 19061.

    And you brought down the gold to Mr Crompton Roberts and gave it to him ? — He said it was for household expenses, I was to give it to his butler, and I did so.

  • 19062.

    In gold ? — Yes.

  • 19063.

    Now you got down to Deal, I think you said, on the 4th of May ? — Yes.

  • 19064.

    I see you telegraphed on the next day to Mr Spofforth, ‘‘Very enthusiastic reception. You should come today. Have questions of great moment to consult with you.” What were the questions of great moment that you had to consult with Mr Spofforth about ? — As to what should be done in the election. I thought Mr Spofforth was coming down as the election agent, and it was highly important we should start at once, and I did not know what to do. I had no instructions myself.

  • 19065.

    Did you write any letters to Mr Spofforth? You telegraphed to him; did you follow it up with a letter ? — No.

  • 19066.

    Did you ever write to Mr Spofforth during the time you were down at Sandwich or Deal ? — Yes, I think so. I wrote once, I think, to ask him whether I should come back again or not; whether, as I had a lot to do at the office, he did not think it would be necessary for me to return.

  • 19067.

    Anything else? Did you write to him on the subject of the election, saying how the election was going, or anything of that kind, or the way it was getting on ? — No.

  • 19068.

    What is No 26 on this paper which you have produced this morning (handing the same to the witness) ? — I think Dr Hulke put that down. I think that is his number.

  • 19069.

    Is No 26 the number of his house, or the number on the register, or what ? — It is not the number in the street.