Ramell, William Henry | Day 5

Born 1831. Brother of John Pettet Ramell. Made flags and raised a concern over the legality of making them. Names a lot of people he paid. Received £25 but claimed to be nearly £20 out of pocket. [Check]

Witness Type: Briber

Party: Liberal

Witness Testimony:

  • 4794.

    He asked for employment ? — Yes, he came in, and I gave him a job.

  • 4795.

    Did you make any arrangement with him about voting for you or your party ? — No ; no doubt he was arranged with by someone else.

  • 4796.

    Did you say he should have anything if he voted for you ? — No, nothing.

  • 4797.

    Did you expect he would vote for you ? — Well, very doubtful; I do not trust anyone now under the Ballot Act.

  • 4798.

    Is there anyone else in this list that you made any arrangement of that kind with, that they should vote in consideration of employment ? — None whatever.

  • 4799.

    And you have told us the five ? — Yes.

  • 4800.

    One of those five that you mentioned is a milkman ? — Yes.

  • 4801.

    Did he do anything in the way of assisting to make the FLAGS ? — Not he ; his wife did.

  • 4802.

    Have you received any money besides the 25L. you told us you had received on account ? — None whatever.

  • 4803.

    Nothing at all ? — Nothing at all.

  • 4804.

    Have you paid any money to anyone excepting the sums you have mentioned in this account ? — Not one penny.

  • 4805.

    Or promised any ? — No, there is none promised.

  • 4806.

    Is your brother here ? — No, I do not expect he is ; it is a busy day on Saturday ; I do not think he is here.

  • 4807.

    I should like him to be sent for at once ? — I have no doubt but that he will come down immediately.

  • 4808.

    We will get you to remain here for a little while till your brother comes ? — Yes ; may I make a little statement ?

  • 4809.

    Certainly ? — I think you have the counter-petition, have you not, of Sandwich ?

  • 4810.

    (Mr. Jeune.) There was no counter-petition ? — The whole of the proceedings on the petition, I mean ?

  • 4811.

    Yes ? — I think you will find a statement made, I do not know whether by Mr. Hughes, or whether it is a statement made by Mr. Matthews, the counsel for Mr. Crompton Roberts, that a painter was paid 50L for blue paint.

  • 4812.

    Yes ? — Well, gentlemen, this is a small place, and when these little things get about one is placed in rather an awkward position among his fellow-townsmen when you have nothing to show. There is an account of that published ; whether it was Mr. Hughes said so, or Mr. Matthews, the counsel, I do not know, but be was summing up how the Liberal party had gone on, and he said, ”There, gentlemen, here is an account of 50L. for blue paint from one painter in Deal.” Mr. Edwards saw me the next morning, and, says he, “ Look out, Ramell, there is something in the paper for you to-day ; they have got your 50L. for blue paint.” Now, of course, when such a statement is made, and people do not know better, they take it for granted it is so. Now, I never supplied one ounce of blue paint to the party the whole time. How it was, was in this manner. I gave you a description of the POLES, and fortunately for me there is a blue painter in Deal (they are like angels’ visits), and this man supplied them with four 14’s of paint to paint these POLES down ; but it was done in this manner. I have no doubt Mr. Hughes or Mr. Matthews says 50L. for blue paint, but he had taken the ” o ” off the 50 lbs. of blue paint, and had twisted it over, and instead of ” o-f ” he had added ” o-r *’ to it.

  • 4813.

    (Mr. Holl.) And you did not supply any paint ? —No.

  • 4814.

    You think it is 50 lbs. weight, and not money ? — Yes.

  • 4815.

    I daresay it is ? — Then be goes all over the town and says, ” Why, 50L. for blue paint.” Now perhaps it will satisfy the gentlemen here I am not what they thought for.

  • 4816.

    (Mr. Jeune.) You are quite right. Did you speak at any of the Liberal meetings, sir ? — No, I am not a speaker.

  • 4817.

    I think you would have spoken very well if you had ? — I only attended one meeting, and that was on the night when Sir Julian Goldsmid came down, and I was perfectly satisfied with his views. You will find, gentlemen, I am about 10L or 12L., or nearly 20L., out of pocket.

  • 4818.

    (Mr. Holl.) You will wait until your brother comes ? — Yes.