Testimonies

Testimonies

• 525.

  Is not that done with a view of influencing the voters ? – It must have that effect, it cannot be denied.

• 526.

  Do you say it is not usual to pay the messengers until after the election ? – That has been our course in Sandwich ; we pay nothing until after the election.

• 527.

  You say you received before the election two sums, one of 200L., and another of 210L. ? – Yes.

• 528.

  There is a letter I see from Messrs. Lewis and Lewis to you, in which they say, “You have received on account 210L.” ? – There was a cheque from Sir Julian Goldsmid of 210L., but the other I received in money.

• 529.

  You mean the 200L. ? – Yes.

• 530.

  Which was paid first ? – The 200L.

• 531.

  Did you receive that in gold ? – Yes.

• 532.

  Was that from Sir Julian Goldsmid ? – Personally ?

• 533.

  Yes ? – No, it was not.

• 534.

  From whom did you receive it ? – A gentleman of the name of Foord.

• 535.

  Who is he ? – He brought some money down to us, and I had 200L. of it.

• 536.

  What is his Christian name ? – I think, Mr. Charles Foord.

• 537.

  What is he ? – He is a friend of Sir Julian Goldsmid, and resides at Rochester.

• 538.

  Do you know how much he brought down altogether ? – Yes, he brought down 1,500L.

• 539.

  Do you know whether it was all in gold ? – Yes, it was all in gold.

• 540.

  Had you ever seen or known Mr. Foord before ? – No, never.

• 541.

  Had you any anticipation of receiving the 200L. at the time ? – I believe he said, when I applied for money, “You will have money brought to you ; money will be sent down, but I do not want to be bothered with it myself.” He disliked extremely when he was here being asked for cheques on account, and he said, “I shall make some other arrangement, it shall be sent to you,” and the money came down accordingly.

• 542.

  Had you received any other intimation from Sir Julian Goldsmid with regard to this money coming ? – None whatever.

• 543.

  When did Sir Julian Goldsmid tell you this ? – I think it must have been on the Wednesday, the very day it was coming.

• 544.

  He came down upon the Monday ? – Yes ; and I think it was upon the Tuesday he told us that.

• 545.

  Did he remain here until after the election ? – Yes.

• 546.

  Was it the Tuesday or Wednesday that he told you this ? – I think it must have been the Wednesday ; one day must have intervened.

• 547.

  Did you hear anything more of it before it came to you ? – No, nothing whatever.

• 548.

  Where did Mr. Foord come to you, at Sandwich ? – Yes, he came to my office.

• 549.

  Tell us what took place between you and him ? – It was simply this ; he came to my office, and I sent for Mr. Edwards, and he came round, and Mr. Edwards had 1,300L. of this money, and I kept 200L.

• 550.

  Did Foord tell you what it was for ? – No, not at all ; he simply said it was for the purposes of the election. It was understood when we received it ourselves that we had it for the election, and he gave it to us as such, and nothing more.

• 551.

  Nothing was said as to how it was to be expended ? – No, not at all.

• 552.

  Nothing more than that a sum of 200L. was handed to you, and 1,300L. to Mr. Edwards by Mr. Foord ? – No.

• 553.

  It would not come to more than 5s. each to come from Ramsgate ? – I think the men had flies and brought their families with them, wishing to give them a little treat. It was an estimate, and not intended to be paid exactly, and it has not been paid.

• 554.

  The next day was it that you received a cheque for 210L. from Sir Julian Goldsmid ? – Yes, the next day I received a cheque for 210L.