Crompton-Roberts, Charles Henry | Day 16

In 1880, he stood as the Conservative candidate in the by-election against the Liberal candidate, Sir Julian Goldsmid, and won the election by 1145 votes to 705.

He and his household stayed in Stanley House, Beach Street during the election. His horses were stabled at the Royal Hotel.

https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-share/a7c7c33a-7d94-4103-98dc-b39d1b68c804

Witness Type: Candidate / MP

Party: Conservative

Other Days The Witness Was Called On: Day 17 | Day 20

Witness Testimony:

  • 18147.

    (Mr. Holl.) How was this 500L transmitted to you at Deal ? — It was brought me down by Mr. Thomas.

  • 18148.

    Was that in notes, or in gold, or how ? — In gold.

  • 18149.

    Did you ask to have it transmitted in gold ? — No.

  • 18150.

    You do not know how it came to be remitted in gold, or what was the reason of it ? — No.

  • 18151.

    Had Mr. Hoare had any experience in electioneering matters do you know ? — None whatever.

  • 18152.

    Mr. Thomas brought it down ? — Yes.

  • 18153.

    It was given by Mr. Hoare to Mr. Thomas, and Mr. Thomas brought it down to you ? — Yes.

  • 18154.

    (Mr. Jeune.) Was Mr. Thomas sent up by you to London ? — No, I had never seen Mr. Thomas before.

  • 18155.

    Then I do not follow it. You sent the cheque yourself to Mr. Hoare ? — Yes.

  • 18156.

    In a letter ? — Yes.

  • 18157.

    And Mr. Hoare is your partner ? — Yes.

  • 18158.

    Did Mr. Hoare give the 500 sovereigns to Mr. Thomas ? — I asked him to remit it to Mr. Spofforth thinking he was coming down to work the election for me.

  • 18159.

    Did you do it by telegram ? — No, it was a letter, because I enclosed the cheque.

  • 18160.

    (Mr. Holl.) Have you a copy of the letter ? — No.

  • 18161.

    As nearly as you can tell me what the contents of the letter were ? — “I am sorry to have left town without seeing you, but I am summoned to Deal. I left by the four something train without money enough to pay for the tickets. I suppose some money will be wanted. I have not a cheque book with me. Please get this cheque cashed as it is on blank paper, unstamped, and they may make some difficulty. Please take it yourself to the bank and remit the proceeds to Spofforth who is coming down to work the election for me.” That is about as near as I can recollect it.

  • 18162.

    Thomas brought down the money ? — Yes.

  • 18163.

    Which is the next cheque you drew in connexion with the election (handing the pass book to the witness) ? — This one, “Cobs, 500L.”

  • 18164.

    That is May 8th, the first cheque being dated, May 5th ? — Yes.

  • 18165.

    Can you tell me why it was drawn payable to “Cobs” ? — Between going to Deal on Thursday I went down to see some horses and hounds sold at Rugby and Leicester, and I had already written “Cobs on one of the cheques, and when the cheque book came down to me and I was asked for money Cobs” was payable to bearer it did not matter what was upon the upon the cheque, and thinking inasmuch as it was cheque I left it so.

  • 18166.

    What was done with that cheque ? — It was handed to Mr. Hughes.

  • 18167.

    Have you got these cheques ? — No, I, do not keep the cheques.

  • 18168.

    Would your bankers have them ? — No, these cheques were taken down at the trial of the petition, and I have not seen them since. The judges had them then, but whether they have got them now or not, I do not know.

  • 18169.

    I do not think that this cheque to Mr. Hoare was mentioned at all before the judges, though there was a cheque mentioned as having been paid to Mr. Hughes upon the 8th no doubt ? — That will be the first one he had.

  • 18170.

    I do not think that this bank book was produced before the judges — there was a bank book connected with the account opened at Deal produced, but not this book. None of these cheques were produced and perhaps you will ascertain whether they are at the bank ? — It is certain that the bankers have not got them because whenever the bank pass book comes back the cheques are returned in the pocket.

  • 18171.

    I suppose you could keep the cheques ? — I have looked everywhere for those cheques, but I was under the impression that the secretary had them, or the judges had them.

  • 18172.

    I am quite sure that they were not handed in. (Mr. Edwin Hughes.) Mr. Spofforth produced them to the judges, they were there, but not looked at.

  • 18173.

    (Mr. Holl.) You think Mr. Spofforth would have them ? — (Mr. Edwin Hughes.) Yes.

  • 18174.

    (Mr. Holl.) That cheque was given to Mr. Hughes, do you know whether that is the cheque with which he opened the account at Sandwich. Was that cheque cashed in London and the money brought down by him ? — I have no idea. The cheque for 500L. to “Cobs” was the first amount I personally paid to Mr. Hughes.

  • 18175.

    What Mr. Hughes did with that cheque I suppose you personally do not know ? — I have not the slightest idea.

  • 18176.

    Then the next cheque apparently is unconnected with the election “Self 300L.” ? — No, that is nothing to do with the election.