Coleman, Benjamin Longden | Day 2
Farmer & Market Gardener Employing 22 Men 13 Boys (240 Acres)
Applied to Mr Emmerson to manage election. Received two sums of £40 and £50. The first was to engage Public Houses.
Party: Liberal
Witness Testimony:
- 1360.
You gave him instructions how to vote, and you gave him a sovereign ? — He had promised; he came and wanted something before he went, and I gave it to him.
- 1361.
What did he say ? — I do not know. He might have said, ” What are you going to give me ?” I really cannot remember now.
- 1362.
John Young, what is he ? — He is a farm labourer.
- 1363.
Where does he live ? — St. Peter Street.
- 1364.
When did you arrange with him ? — I made no arrangement. He is always our way, and I paid him next day I believe. It was not on that day.
- 1365.
You saw him before the polling day ? — Yes.
- 1366.
What arrangement did you make with him then ? — None then, only that he would do as he did before come our way.
- 1367.
Did you tell him you would give him anything ? — Not then.
- 1368.
Did he ask for anything ? — No.
- 1369.
He said he would do as he did before ? — He would come our way ; he always voted our way before.
- 1370.
You gave him a sovereign ? — Yes.
- 1371.
But that was afterwards ? — Afterwards.
- 1372.
George Sacree, what is he ? — He is a farm labourer ; a market gardening labourer.
- 1373.
Where does he live ? — Friars, Sandwich,
- 1374.
When did you arrange with him ? — It might have have been the day before, or that day, I cannot remember.
- 1375.
You agreed to give him 1L. if he voted for the Liberals ? — Yes.
- 1376.
That was on the day of the election, or the day before ? — Yes.
- 1377.
When did you pay him ? — A day or two afterwards ; about the next day, I expect. It might have been that day. I really cannot recollect.
- 1378.
J. Spicer, what is he ? — A sailor.
- 1379.
Where does he live ? — Church Street, St. Mary, I believe.
- 1380.
Sandwich ? — Yes.
- 1381.
I see you gave him 2L. When did you engage with him ? — I think that was the morning.
- 1382.
The morning of the polling day ? — Yes.
- 1383.
What arrangement did you make ? — None. The same as others. He said he must have something as the others were all getting something on the other side.
- 1384.
What did you say ? — I told him I would see what I could do. I think I gave him the money the next day.
- 1385.
He voted, and you paid him the next day ? — I suppose so.
- 1386.
Why did you give him 2L. ? — You gave Ferrier and Young and Sacree 1L. each, why did you give him 2L. ? Had not he arranged that you should give him 2L. ? — No. Some place more value upon their votes than others. It is really a thing I cannot possibly explain.
- 1387.
Had not you made some promise as to the amount you would give him ? — To Spicer ?
- 1388.
Yes ? — I do not recollect any. He has generally been our way, and he expects something.
- 1389.
(Mr. Turner.) But you give some men in the same position as he IL., and you give him 2L ? — They asked for it, and I gave it to them to satisfy them.