Simmons, Daniel George Frederick | Day 17
Questioned at very great length about his expenses. He was somewhat ‘forgetful’ and ‘careless’ in his record keeping. Although he had previously lived in the area and knew many of the people involved in the election, he was rather vague about who he had dealings with!
Witness Type: Briber, Freeman, Treater
Party: Conservative
Witness Testimony:
- 18860.
The sitting member perhaps, but did not you think it was rather a risky thing to do for Mr Crompton Roberts, who was the candidate ? — Undoubtedly it was, but they do run risks at those times.
- 18861.
Was not the object really to ingratiate Mr Crompton Roberts with the voters of Deal ? — The public generally.
- 18862.
Was this done without any instructions, or by Mr Crompton Roberts’ instructions ? — Not explicit instructions; general instructions to relieve any real case of necessity.
- 18863.
General instructions to relieve any real case of necessity among the constituency ? — Yes.
- 18864.
Now, there is an item “Hotel expenses of self, 16 days, £12.” ? — Yes. That is put down at the average rate that I am allowed by Mr Spofforth. Mr Spofforth always allows me, on an average, about 15s a day when I am away from home, and that is calculated at that rate.
- 18865.
Does that include travelling expenses ? — No, it is quite outside all out-of-pocket expenses. That is merely the hotel expenses.
- 18866.
How long did you stay in Deal or Sandwich ? — I think straight off about 16 days.
- 18867.
Did you stay for the election ? — Yes, I returned the next day; the next afternoon.
- 18868.
After the election ? — Yes.
- 18869.
We have heard from Mr Crompton Roberts that you applied to him for payment of this account ? — About midway it was.
- 18870.
During the election ? — Yes, about midway. I told Mr Crompton Roberts I was out of pocket to a certain extent, and he said, how much did I require and I told him I did not know, about £50 I thought, and then he gave me £60.
- 18871.
At that time you had not incurred the whole of the expenditure ? — No.
- 18872.
Did you think £60 would have covered the whole of this account ? — Yes.
- 18873.
Is it in your handwriting ? — Yes.
- 18874.
This account shows £72 3s 6d ? — Yes.
- 18875.
Had Mr Spofforth any other clerks down there besides you ? — No.
- 18876.
Had you anything to do with the election petition at all; in defending it I mean ? — No, I was away ill at the time.
- 18877.
And when you returned to London on the 19th of May, was that the end of your connection with the matter ? — Entirely; that is why I returned that account immediately after. I think it was sent in within two days after the election.
- 18878.
Then it appears that you first of all went about with Mr Olds to these public-houses ? — Yes.
- 18879.
And then you acted as a sort of secretary to Mr Crompton Roberts while you were there ? — Yes.
- 18880.
And distributed these charities ? — Yes.
- 18881.
Or rather you gave money to Dr Hulke to do so ? — Yes.
- 18882.
But some you did yourself, I think ? — Yes.
- 18883.
There was not one charitable institution, they were all private cases ? — Yes.
- 18884.
What were the sums in amount that you distributed on an average ? — A sovereign at times.
- 18885.
Sovereigns, shall I say ? —Yes, about that.
- 18886.
Cannot you remember anybody now to whom you distributed money ? — No. I made memoranda, but I have lost them.
- 18887.
You have said they were lost during your illness, but can you call to mind the names of any person who had a sovereign, or any part of the £18 ? — No, I cannot tell now, I was so much occupied altogether that I really cannot tell you that.
- 18888.
Were you ever engaged in an election before ? — Yes.
- 18889.
At Deal ? — Yes, at Deal.