Minter, William Robert | Day 6

Witness Type: Briber, Publican, Beerhouse Keeper

Party: Liberal

Witness Testimony:

  • 5918.

    Those BILLS you say are destroyed ? — I have got one which I found this morning (handing account).

  • 5919.

    This is a bill for 6L. 10s., for writing FLAGS, painting poles, colour and labour. What did he do really ? — He done what the bill represents, writing and painting.

  • 5920.

    How many FLAGS did he write or paint ? — I cannot remember exactly. It might have been about 10 or 11, perhaps, FLAGS. It does not state the number there.

  • 5921.

    About 10s. or 12s. a flag ? — He done other painting, POLES and different things, besides that. Then there is the colour and the time separate.

  • 5922.

    Is he a voter ? — Yes.

  • 5923.

    Three check clerks, lOs. each ? — That was the polling day.

  • 5924.

    Were they sons of voters or voters ? —Yes, all in the borough but one, and I think he lives at a mill which is just out of Walmer, but in the parish of DeaL

  • 5925.

    They are all voters and sons of voters ? — Yes, all sons of voters.

  • 5926.

    Then there are 21 boards at 2s. 6d. each for the 21 sandwich boys. Who supplied them ? — Several ; some two or three each.

  • 5927.

    Distributed them amongst different people ? — Amongst the different voters.

  • 5928.

    (Mr Jeune.) Were the sandwich boys boys who made a sandwich of themselves, or boys who lived at Sandwich ? — Boys that carried boards.

  • 5929.

    Boys who made a sandwich of themselves ? — Yes.

  • 5930.

    (Mr Holl.) Then I see there is, canvassing outvoters 1L. 10s. What is that ? — Some men who live away from Walmer. Since the last election two or three on the list moved away to Ashford, Margate, and there happened to be one at Canterbury, and it was to pay the railway fares to and fro, the expenses incurred.

  • 5931.

    Expenses incurred to go over to canvass these voters ? — Just so.

  • 5932.

    You made all these various payments ? — Paid them all myself, sir.

  • 5933.

    Did you pay these before you got the money or after you got it from Mr. Rose ? — I paid 17L. or I8L. before I had a farthing.

  • 5934.

    Do you keep a house at Upper Walmer ? — I am a fly proprietor and licensed victualler.

  • 5935.

    What house do you keep at Upper Walmer ? — The “Drum Inn.”

  • 5936.

    I see you seem to have paid 20 people, whose Christian and surnames you have given here, and the numbers on the register ? — Yes.

  • 5937.

    You paid them 3L. a piece ? — Quite true.

  • 5938.

    Did you receive this money also from Mr. Rose ? —Yes.

  • 5939.

    All that was to pay voters 3L. a piece for voting for your side ? — That is it.

  • 5940.

    Did you promise them this money before the election ? — No, I did not promise them that ; I promised I would do my best for them.

  • 5941.

    You told them you would give them something ? — Yes ; I told them, I dare say I could do as well as they did on the other side, and if they would only stick to their colour I would do my best for them.

  • 5942.

    And your best was that you found 3L. a piece ? — Yes.

  • 5943.

    You paid it to them ? — I paid it to them.

  • 5944.

    Can we have the addresses of the people mentioned in this list ? — I can give them to you if you call the names.

  • 5945.

    You can add the addresses, and then hand it in ? — Yes.

  • 5946.

    Did you receive, besides this 129L., 71L 12s. 6d. of which I think you paid away to the different persons I have mentioned, the board boys, canvassers, watchmen, messengers, and so forth, and 60L. to 20 others, any other money at all in connexion with the election ? — Yes.

  • 5947.

    What was that ? — Here is a list (handing same).