Riley, William | Day 7

Took money to pay 8 men £3 apiece but claims 4 of them deceived him so he gave the remaining 4 £5 each. The 4 men not paid were James Riches, 11 Griffin St ; Thomas Job, Kings Arms Alley ; John Hurren, Peter Street ; and possibly James Richards of Middle Street. All four took Conservative bribes. The remaining £4 he kept but £2 was spent on rope and other expenses.


Witness Type: Briber, Publican, Beerhouse Keeper, Treater

Party: Liberal


Witness Testimony:

  • 6952.

    (Mr. Jeune.) Would one of them be James Riches, 11, Griffin Street ? — He did live there, but he has removed next door to me. 

  • 6953.

    They both live at 91, Middle Street, Deal, you say ? — Yes. 

  • 6954.

    Who are the other two ? — One was named Hurren ; he lives in George Street.

  • 6955.

    What is his Christian name ? — John, I think. 

  • 6956.

    Do you know the number ? — No, I do not. 

  • 6957.

    Who was the other ? — His name was Job. 

  • 6958.

    What is his Christian name ? — I do not know ; he lives in King’s Arms Alley. 

  • 6959.

    In Deal ? — Yes. 

  • 6960.

    Do I understand you, that the other four men you could not find ? — They partly promised me, sufficiently so that I took up the money, because they would take it, and when the time come, if they saw me, they ran away, and for that reason I found I could not trust them, and I let them go. 

  • 6961.

    Then did you give the other four men 5L. a piece of your own idea ? — Yes. 

  • 6962.

    Instead of 3L. ? — Yes. 

  • 6963.

    You had not promised them more than 3L. had you ? — Not to speak of ; in fact, I could not tell them what I could give them no further than that they partly promised they would vote for them, and if they did I would do as others were doing. 

  • 6964.

    But you say you did give them 5L. apiece ? — Yes.