Gillow, Richard | Day 11
No indemnity against prosecution. Testified that he received no money at all and used his own. One of three people the Commissioners named in their report who expended their own money in bribery for the Liberals. Have shown here that he spent £80 but unclear whether he was reimbursed. He said he expected to be. Gave £60 to Joseph Nowers who gave £5 to 11 men and kept £5 for himself. Initially denied giving out any more but two people subsequently testified and he was recalled to explain.
Witness Type: Briber, No Indemnity, Treater
Party: Liberal
Other Days The Witness Was Called On: Day 14
Witness Testimony:
- 13229.
Nor with Mr. Edwards ? — No.
- 13230.
Or Mr. Emmerson ? — No.
- 13231.
Not with anyone ? — No, it was only Mr. Terry that I spoke to.
- 13232.
Was any communication made to you ; was anything said or done that led you to suppose he would repay you ? — No, I went entirely on my own account.
- 13233.
Why did you give 60L to Nowers ? — Because I thought he would get about 12 or 14 votes for it.
- 13234.
Did he give you an idea of what sum he should require ? — Yes, he said they would cost 4L. or 5L. apiece. I will not say that those were his words, but we had a conversation about it, and he led me to understand that.
- 13235.
Did you pay any other money at all away for the purpose of its being distributed amongst other voters to obtain their votes ? — No.
- 13236.
None at all ? — I do not remember anything more at all. I paid a lot of money away in treating people, and all that sort of thing.
- 13237.
I want to know first whether you paid any other money away to anyone yourself personally, or to anyone else for the purpose of its being distributed amongst the voters to influence the votes ? — Not that I remember.
- 13238.
You do not remember anyone else ? — No.
- 13239.
What other moneys did you spend at all ? — I could not tell you to 5L.
- 13240.
Tell us as near as you can ? — Well, you know I treated everyone I saw.
- 13241.
Every liberal who had a vote ? — Yes, if I thought he was going to vote Liberal, I gave him a glass of something to drink.
- 13242.
Did you authorise beyond that, or direct any treating at any PUBLIC-HOUSES ; did you authorise any of the PUBLIC-HOUSES to supply beer or refreshments to any of the voters ? — No, I had nothing to do with that.
- 13243.
Was your treating confined to yourself offering drink to people ? — Yes, it was entirely on my own account.
- 13244.
Where did you treat them ? — Well, everywhere.
- 13245.
At the different inns and PUBLIC-HOUSES about the place ? — Yes.
- 13246.
Did you authorise anybody else to supply them, or to treat them ; did you give money to anybody else to treat anyone ? — No.
- 13247.
How much do you think you expended, in round numbers, in that way, as near as you can form an estimate ? — Well, I shall have to make a guess at it.
- 13248.
As near as you can estimate, what do you think you spent in that way ? — I should think I spent 70L. or 80L. altogether.
- 13249.
In treating ? — No, not in treating.
- 13250.
That is including the 60L ? — Yes.
- 13251.
That would be 20L. over and above the 60L ? — Of course I cannot tell exactly what I did spend, because I did not keep any accounts, and I was very liberal, and treated everyone.
- 13252.
How many do you think you treated ? — 100 or 200.
- 13253.
Did you spend any other money at all in any way connected with the election ? — Not that I know of. I first bought a bow or two, that is all.
- 13254.
Nothing substantial that you can remember beyond this ? — No. I bought a flag.
- 13255.
You gave no more money, directly or indirectly, than you have mentioned to be distributed ? — No, I do not remember any more.
- 13256.
Are those all the persons you think you gave money to ? — I do not think I gave to anyone else.
- 13257.
(Mr. Jeune.) When did you begin to take an interest in this election ? — Directly Sir Julian Goldsmid came down to Sandwich, or to Deal rather.
- 13258.
You began to treat directly ? —Yes.