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:
- 1390. [Mr. Holl.) William Piddock, 14L. Who did you pay the 14L to ? — To William Piddock.
- 1391.
What arrangement did you make with him ? When did you arrange with him ? — On the polling day.
- 1392.
The morning of the polling day ? — Yes.
- 1393.
What arrangement did you make with him ? — I must have arranged before that, because he drove over very early in the morning. He fetched Baily. I did not know where Baily was.
- 1394.
Did you arrange what you would give him ? — No, he stated the sum on the polling day. I had arranged with him to fetch Baily, and as many others as he could, the day before.
- 1395.
Did you tell him you would pay him for doing it ? — I did.
- 1396.
But you did not tell him how much ? — No.
- 1397.
You are sure of that ? — Quite sure.
- 1398.
Nothing was said about the amount ? — No ; he named the amount on the polling day.
- 1399.
Then on the polling day you say, early in the morning he drove over. When did you first see him ? — The day before.
- 1400.
I mean on the polling day ? — I saw him go off in his van that morning early. I did not speak to him. I was seeing about my own men, and saw him go away.
- 1401.
When did you arrange to give him the 14L. ? — When he asked me for it.
- 1402.
When was that ? — The polling day.
- 1403.
When he brought Baily over ? — Then he said, “Here are so many men who will go our way, and they want so much.”
- 1404.
That was before they polled ? — Before they polled.
- 1405.
He told you they wanted so much ? — Yes.
- 1406.
How much did he say ? — I think it was 3L a man, and 2L for himself for expenses.
- 1407.
They wanted 3L. a man, and he wanted 2L. for himself for expenses ? — Yes. He is a voter.
- 1408.
You gave him the 14L ? — I did,
- 1409.
To give to them a portion of it, and to keep the test himself ? — Yes.
- 1410.
Did you speak to either of the others, Baily, Burton, Drayson, or Smith ? — I might have canvassed them, but I had no particular promise from any of them.
- 1411.
Where were they brought over from ? — There was only one brought.
- 1412.
Baily was brought, and the other three men lived in Sandwich ? — Yes.
- 1413.
Piddock brought them up to poll ? — Yes.
- 1414.
Had you promised either of those four anything ? — No.
- 1415.
I mean did all that occur take place between you and Piddock ? — Yes.
- 1416.
There is Chaney Harrison IL, what is he ? — He works in the brewery.
- 1417.
When did you arrange with him ? — I think it was after I paid him that. After the election, I think, I paid him that 11.
- 1418.
When did you first speak to him about coming to vote ? — I do not think I made any arrangement with him I only canvassed him. He came and said he wanted something, and I paid him the next day 1L.
- 1419.
You got this 50L. the day before the polling day ? — Yes,