Testimonies

Brassey, Henry A | Day 21

Witness Type: Candidate / MP

Party: Liberal

Witness Testimony:

• 21322.

  I see the third item is, “F. J. Mercer, subscriptions for 1874, £115 4s.” Was that a cheque given to Mr. Mercer in respect of subscriptions paid by him ? — Yes, he was my agent in Deal, and Mr. Emmerson in Sandwich.

• 21323.

  Both those items are cheques sent to those gentlemen respectively in respect of subscriptions for which they gave you an account ? — Yes.

• 21324.

  The next item is “Mrs. Griffiths, clothing, £5” ? — Mrs. Griffiths is the rector’s wife of Upper Deal.

• 21325.

  And that is a subscription given to her for the purpose of distributing clothing ? — Yes.

• 21326.

  Then “R. J. Emmerson, coals, £10.” Is that a sum given to Mr. Emmerson for the purpose of enabling him to distribute coals ? — Yes.

• 21327.

  That was in 1875, and was for the purpose, I take it, of distributing coals to the poor of Sandwich ? — Yes.

• 21328.

  Was there any restriction in any way at all as to the class of persons, or voters, that it should be given to; I mean as to whether Liberal or Conservative, or what ? — No. As to coals, I have been in the habit of giving something like £100 a year generally in that way, and I always made it a distinct understanding that any favours distributed should be distributed quite irrespective of politics. In fact, in order that the strictest impartiality might be exercised, I have generally sent what money I have to give away to the Mayor of Sandwich and the Mayor of Deal that they might be impartially distributed.

• 21329.

  In regard to this amount sent to Mr. Emmerson, was there any stipulation, or otherwise, as to the political bearing of the parties to whom it was to be given ? — I cannot quite recollect that particular circumstance of the £10 sent to Mr. Emmerson, but I am quite certain it was to be impartially distributed. I am quite sure there was an understanding of that sort. (Mr. Emmerson) The expression you made use of always was “to the necessitous poor.”

• 21330.

  (Mr. Holl.) I see there is one item, “Edwin Cornwell, subscriptions per list, £20. What is that ? — He paid a few subscriptions for me every year. (Mr. Holl.) Did he furnish you with any list of the subscriptions ? — Yes.

• 21331.

  Have you a list of the subscriptions paid for you by either Mr. Emmerson, Mr. Mercer, or by Mr. Cornwell ? — I have given those of Mr. Mercer to you.

• 21332.

  Have you handed in Mr. Mercer’s ? — Several of Mr. Mercer’s; there is one of Mr. Cornwell’s; there is another of Mr. Emmerson’s; and there is another of Mr. Cornwell’s (handing same to the Commissioners).

• 21333.

  I may take this one as a sample possibly. This account of Mr. Cornwell’s in 1875 would be a fair sample of the others ? — I think so.

• 21334.

  It is “Goldfinch, Wesleyan Day School, 2 guineas; Deal Central School, 4 guineas; Baptist School, 1 guinea; Mrs. Sutton, £2. Do you know what that was for ? — No, I do not. Somebody in distress I rather think.

• 21335.

  Then “Soup kitchen, £5; Boat Owner’s Benevolent Association, 2 guineas; Dispensary, 2 guineas.” Then “T. G. Hayward, £2.” Do you know what that would be ? — I rather think that was a subscription. It was represented to me, I think, that he was in difficulties, and something would be desirable. That is my recollection of it.

• 21336.

  Then “Usher, Horticultural Society, 2 guineas; Archipelago dinner ticket, 3s; Wesleyan Day School, 2 guineas; Baptist School, 2 guineas; soup kitchen, £5; Boatman’s Association, 2 guineas.” Is that a fair sample of what Mr. Cornwell distributed ? — I think so. I think that represents fairly the amounts he used to distribute for me annually.

• 21337.

  Then “March 1874, cash, Barne’s account, £61 4s 6d.” That is part of the £115 you paid to Mr. Mercer in 1875. Do you know what that was for ? — I should think Mr. Mercer would probably be able to explain it.

• 21338.

  You have no recollection what that item is ? — No.

• 21339.

  Then “Ditto, Hilary, for balance bill, £7 5s 5d.” Then the next item is, “Ditto, Working Men’s Association, your moiety, £11 14s 3d” ? — I should think that was probably for the maintenance of the Liberal Association in the borough, the rooms and so forth, and expenses connected with the building.

• 21340.

  Then this item of £l 9s (showing same to witness). I suppose that would be the same thing ? — Yes, that would be the same thing.

• 21341.

  Then “Woodruff, copies of register,” that would be in connexion with registration, I suppose ? — Yes.

• 21342.

  Then, “Further bill. Working Men’s Association, your moiety, £7 2 9d.” That again would be the same ? — Yes.

• 21343.

  Then, “Hope Richmond, as per your letter, 10 guineas.” Have you any recollection what that was for ? — No. I have been applied to in a variety of ways. I cannot just recollect what that was for — sometimes for wrecks and so on. There have been several instances of that character since I have represented the borough. Vessels have been wrecked, and I have been applied to. I think that particular one was in reference to that. One of the luggers went down, I think, and that item was towards the repair of the vessel.

• 21345.

  You cannot remember what this largest item is, “Cash, Barnes’ account, £61 4s 6d.” ? — No. I think I can everything but that.

• 21346.

  The rest of these items are different subscriptions. Subscriptions to the West Kent Harriers, and the Rev. J. Scratton. That was to his church, I suppose ? — Yes.

• 21347.

  Then “Mrs. Lawrence, Work Society, £5; Soup kitchen, £10; Mayor of Deal, coals, £50; ditto, Sandwich, £25.” Do I understand you that it was understood that no distinction whatever should be made as to who they should be distributed to ? — Yes, I was exceedingly careful when I sent my cheque to specially specify that coals should be distributed without political bias at all. Only among the necessitous poor, not among the voters.

• 21348.

  This time, 1875, was, of course, after the election of 1874. There was no immediate prospect of an election then ? — No. I have been in the habit every Christmas of giving £100 for coals.

• 21349.

  Has this been a yearly thing ? — Yes, I have done it every year.

• 21350.

  Irrespective of whether an election was just past or whether an election was likely to come on immediately ? — Yes. I have made a habit of doing it.

• 21351.

  They are very much the same in each year. In the same way there is the same amount for coals in Deal and Walmer, and the subscriptions are pretty much the same. I see there is £100 less in 1876 than in 1875, and in 1877 they are increased again by about £100. In 1877, I see there is ”Emmerson, subscriptions, £36 2s 3d,” and then again, after that, ”R. J. Emmerson, £50,” and below that another item of £25 ? — Mr. Emmerson reminds me that that £50 was a gift towards the restoration of a church in Sandwich.

• 21352.

  And the £25 below, what was that for ? — The same thing, I think. Mr. Emmerson reminds me that was so.