Mercer, George | Day 1

Provided a detailed account of the makeup of Deal and opinion as to why the town switched to Conservative on account that the Liberal candidate was not well known having previously been the MP for Rochester.

Mercer was also the Borough Coroner.

Witness Type: Other

Witness Testimony:

  • 270.

    You cannot speak to Sandwich perhaps ? – No, I cannot.

  • 271.

    Or Walmer ? – No.

  • 272.

    Of these 74 fully licensed houses, can you tell me what they are rated at ? – I can tell you their annual value. If it is any assistance to the Commissioners, I will have a list made of each house, and the value.

  • 273.

    That will be the best way ? – I will take care you shall have it.

  • 274.

    You mentioned 30 besides the 74. Did that include the 14 ? – Yes.

  • 276.

    14 beer-houses and 16 licensed shops ? – Yes.

  • 276.

    (Mr. Holl.) Perhaps you would let us have a list containing the names and addresses, and whether licensed fully, or not, and the rateable value ? – Yes.

  • 277.

    (Mr. Turner.) You were here last election, I suppose ? – Yes.

  • 278.

    And you saw what was going on ? – Yes.

  • 279.

    You saw the number of FLAGS, and so on, that were being used ? – Yes.

  • 280.

    Did it strike you as being unusual ? – It was unusual ; but I should mention Deal and Walmer are somewhat peculiarly situated, as you will see when you have become a little more familiar with us. There are flag staffs the whole length of the place, and boats on the beach. We are always in the habit of having FLAGS. FLAGS here are not in the same category as in an inland place.

  • 281.

    But at this particular election there was a fever of FLAGS ? – Certainly.

  • 282.

    And ROSETTES ? – I did not notice ROSETTES as being much more numerous than usual, but FLAGS certainly were.

  • 283.

    Were there a great many boys going about with boards ? –

  • 284.

    Of course you were here at the election of 1868 ? – Yes.

  • 285.

    And 1874 ? – Yes.

  • 286.

    As compared with the election of 1874, was there any increase in the show of FLAGS ? – Certainly.

  • 287.

    Did you observe a great employment of conveyances going on ? – On the day of the election I was scarcely in the town more than a quarter of an hour. There were certainly CARRIAGES flying about in all directions ; FLYS.

  • 288.

    In Deal we have heard there are three polling districts ? – Yes.

  • 289.

    Where are they situated in the town ; how far would a voter have to go ? – One was here, another was at the National Schools, and the third was at the Parochial Schools near the railway station.

  • 290.

    Of course they were appointed by you ? – Yes.

  • 291.

    As a general rule I suppose there was no necessity for the conveyance of voters to the polling place ? – Well, I should suppose the utmost distance might be a mile.

  • 292.

    We have had given to us the members at the previous election at which the Liberals were successful. Can you account for the majority for Mr. Roberts, as against the previous majority for the Liberals ? – I think it is only a matter of opinion. We considered ourselves well represented by our late members, Mr. Knatchbull-Hugessen and Mr. Brassey. I think they had the confidence of the constituency.

  • 293.

    They had ? – They had certainly. At this election they were independent altogether ; they were neither of them candidates, and probably that may have had some influence ; the change of sides.

  • 294.

    The voters did not abstain from voting but went over to the Conservatives ? – I think several of the gentlemen who were not of the way of thinking of Mr. Knatchbull-Hugessen, voted for him because he was much respected.

  • 295.

    Did you observe that at the last election the number of officials employed were more than in 1874 ? – I really cannot answer that question. I took no part in either election, but I do not think there was much difference. I imagine they were pretty much the same.

  • 296.

    Did you on the day of the election see much drunkenness going on ? – No ; and I should have known it as clerk to the magistrates, I do not think there was a single case, if my memory is right. I do not remember an instance. It was particularly quiet in that respect.

  • 297.

    You were surprised yourself, I suppose, at the result of the election ? – Well, I was. I was not surprised at the result. I expected the result would have been so, but I was surprised at the number.

  • 298.

    I think you said that the greater number of the population of Deal are composed of boatmen ? – Not the greater number ; a great number.

  • 299.

    A large proportion ? – I am unable to say, but still a very large proportion get their living on the water by assisting the ships. Of course there is a good deal of lodging letting, and I should say that a great many of the public houses let lodgings as well.