Testimonies

Olds, Samuel | Day 3

Witness Type: Briber, Councillor / Alderman, No Indemnity

Party: Conservative

Other Days The Witness Was Called On: Day 2 | Day 14

Witness Testimony:

• 1984.

  Did he tell you what they wanted the money for ? — Yes ; he said the others were giving drink and money, and they had nothing to do it with.

• 1985.

  Are you sure the last 10L. was the evening of the election ? — Yes.

• 1986.

  Not the evening before the election ? — I am speaking from memory, but I believe I am correct

• 1987.

  (Mr. Jeune.) You mean the evening before the election ? — No, the evening after the election.

• 1988.

  (Mr. Holl.) The first 102. was upon the morning of the election ? — No, in the afternoon, and the second in the evening, after the election ; at the declaration of the poll.

• 1989.

  Are you quite sure about that ? — I am speaking from memory, but I believe my memory is correct Mr. Hughes will correspond with my evidence ; there is nothing to keep back, and we have no wish to keep anything back.

• 1990.

  When you say that, I of course assume that you mean it ; but let it be understood that you not only say it, but act upon it ? — I do act upon it. It is a long time to go back, four months, but I think I am correct upon those matters.

• 1991.

  Have you not, besides the 32L. that you have now mentioned, sent over other moneys to the parties you have spoken of at Sandwich ; either sent it or given it ? —I have.

• 1992.

  How much ; tell us at once the whole, because it is just as well you should tell the whole at once otherwise you will be lengthening the inquiry ? — I should think about 450L., as near as I can give it.

• 1993.

  Besides the money you have been speaking of ? —Yes, besides the 82L.

• 1994.

  Tell us when that was sent, to whom, and in what sums. What was the first money you sent over, apart from the 32L. ? — I sent it all at once.

• 1995.

  Who was it sent to ? — I have just made a private memorandum, but it is all from recollection. I sent it over by Giles and Hughes. They came to my place for it.

• 1996.

  When was that ? — I think it must have been upon the Monday, Bank Holiday.

• 1997.

  The Monday before the election ? — Yes, the election was upon the Tuesday.

• 1998.

  What money did you give to them ? — About 450L.

• 1999.

  How did you pay it to them ? — In gold.

• 2000.

  From whom had you received that money ? — I received it from a gentleman, a dark gentleman and short brought it to my office ; in fact he was in my room when I got home. He wanted to see me, and I went in and asked him what he wanted.

• 2001.

  A short dark gentleman you found in your office ? — He was in my sitting room when I went home.

• 2002.

  What time in the day was that ? — I should think it was about 3 in the afternoon. He came in by the 3.27 train.

• 2003.

  Had you seen him before ? — No.

• 2004.

  Have you seen him since ? — No.

• 2005.

  Not at all ? — No.

• 2006.

  You are quite sure of that ? — Yes.

• 2007.

  Do you know his name ? — No, I do not ; I asked him his name, and he said it did not matter.

• 2008.

  And he gave you 450L. in gold, or more ? — He gave me 1,000L.

• 2009.

  And of that sum you gave 450L. to Mr. Hughes and Mr. Giles ? — Yes.

• 2010.

  To whom did you give the rest of it ? — I asked him what I was to do with it, and he said it was for electioneering purposes. He said, ” I have brought it to you to distribute amongst the agents and canvassers of the Conservative party. Distribute it in the best manner you can. ”

• 2111.

  Any of the tradespeople ? — No, not the tradespeople, more the working classes.

• 2112.

  Was that enquiry made of you by the active working men of your party ? — I have had them make such an enquiry as this, “Is there anything about, do you know of anything,” and I have answered them “No.”

• 2113.

  Have you heard that remark made by some of the leading working men of your party ? — Yes.