Outwin, John Thomas | Day 3
In his testimony he admitted that apart from hiring committee rooms in numerous public houses he also hired rooms in one or two private houses. George Hayward the hairdresser at 123 (now 81) Beach Street was one such although he wasn’t called as a witness.
Party: Liberal
Witness Testimony:
- 2661.
What did you do with it ? — I gave it away to different people as they wanted it.
- 2662.
To what people ? — (After referring to some papers) That is the telegram I sent to Mr. Woodman, and that is the list (handing the same to the Commissioners).
- 2663.
Before going to that subject we were talking about, let me ask you this. Before Sir Julian came down, you had negotiations with other persons as to whether they would stand or not ? — Yes.
- 2664.
I do not know that it is necessary to mention the names, but there were two or three other gentlemen, as I gather from these telegrams, with whom you were in communication ? — Quite so.
- 2665.
None of them were eventually accepted ? — No.
- 2666.
Why were they not ? — It did not seem to suit the party, I suppose ; I do not know exactly why.
- 2667.
Was it not because they were not prepared to spend the money ? — I think one gentleman did come down, but when he went to Sandwich, he found it would be a very strong contest, and he preferred to retire.
- 2668.
That was Sir John Adye, of whom we have heard ? — No, another gentleman.
- 2669.
Was any communication made with them as to what the expenses of the contest would be ? — That I do not know ; of course I did not see them ; it might have been, but not from us ; it very likely would be the case.
- 2670.
I see there is a telegram here (there is no harm in mentioning it) about Mr. Philip Salomons ? — Quite so. I telegraphed myself to him. I telegraphed to Mr. Finnis, at Dover, first, and he sent me his address.
- 2671.
Do you know whether any communication was made to him as to what the necessary expenses of the contest would be ? — I do not know. He came to Sandwich, but I did not see him.
- 2672.
Do you know whether he was or was not accepted as a candidate ? — No, I do not.
- 2673.
Who negotiated with Mr. Philip Salomons, do you know ? — I do not know who met him at Sandwich. I should think Mr. Emmerson, or some of the leading parties at Sandwich ; I do not know ; I could not say.
- 2674.
I see there is a telegram from Jones of Dover to Mr. Hayward of Deal Was Mr. Hayward the person who was communicating with Mr. Stanhope ? — No. I suppose the Dover people were anxious to know whether Mr. Stanhope would stand for Deal I suppose that was the object of it — the proprietors of the Dover papers.
- 2675.
Was Mr. Frank Marshall one of the persons who was proposed to stand ? — No, he was the secretary to Mr. Davis at St. Peter’s, a gentleman who contested the borough at the general election.
- 2676.
What was he coming down about ? — Of course I wrote to him to know if Mr. Davis would stand the contest.
- 2677.
That went off, and Mr. Davis did not come ? — No, he was not invited in fact.
- 2678.
I see there is a telegram here from Woodman, who you ;told me just now you brought down. Woodman lives at Greenwich, does he not ? — I am not quite sure; either Greenwich or Woolwich.
- 2679.
What is Mr. Woodman ? — He is an auctioneer, surveyor, and public-house agent.
- 2680.
What did he come down for ? — To assist generally in the election. I sent for him at the suggestion of Sir Julian. I did not know the man at all until he came down. I telegraphed to him, and that is the reply you have there.
- 2681.
I see he came down on the 14th May ? — Very likely. I do not know the date.
- 2682.
Did he come down on the Friday, do you know ? — I could not say the date.
- 2683.
There is a telegram from him, ” Yours received Will be down this afternoon ” ? — That is the same date.
- 2684.
Why did you telegraph to Woodman to come ? — At the suggestion of Sir Julian.
- 2685.
Sir Julian suggested that you should telegraph to Mr. Woodman to come down ? — Quite so.
- 2686.
Did you telegraph ? — Immediately, and that telegram is the reply to it.
- 2687.
Did you know Mr. Woodman before ? — No, I never heard of him.
- 2688.
You simply telegraphed to an unknown person, and told him to come down ? — Quite so.
- 2689.
Did you tell him that Sir Julian wished it ? — No, not at all I supposed he understood that.
- 2690.
How long did Woodman stay ? — Four or five days. There are two of them.