Spears, William Frost | Day 5

Volunteer to Mr Hughes, erected poles. Received £250 for erecting and removing poles and three payments of £9 some of which was paid to James Axon.

Witness Type: Briber

Party: Conservative

Witness Testimony:

  • 4471.

    Did he say anything ? — I do not know what he did say ; he might say something, but I forget.

  • 4472.

    Did you tell him what to do with it ? — I told him there was the 9L.

  • 4473.

    Did he seem to know what it was for ? — I daresay he did.

  • 4474.

    Did you tell him anything about what it was for ? — No.

  • 4475.

    Are you quite certain of that ? — Quite certain.

  • 4476.

    Did he tell you what it was for ? — No.

  • 4477.

    You said, “ Here is the 9L,” Do you mean to say he did not give you any idea what it was for ? — We did not tell one another any secrets.

  • 4478.

    Were there any secrets ? — No.

  • 4479.

    Then why did you say you did not tell each other any secrets ? — A man when he receives money takes it home ; if I had had any business along with him.

  • 4480.

    Never mind that — that is not what I asked you. When you told him, “ Here is the 9L.” did he seem as if he expected it, or was he at all surprised ? — Oh dear, no, he was not at all surprised.

  • 4481.

    Did he say anything to you about what it was for ? — If he did I do not recollect it.

  • 4482.

    You must do ? — Ah, but I do not. If I say a thing I abide by it. I assure you, gentlemen, I would tell you in a moment if I recollected it. I would not mince matters.

  • 4483.

    (Mr. Turner.) It is not usual for a man to receive 9L. without something being said about it ? — He might have said something ; but if he did I forget. I tell you the truth, and I am not going to run away from anything — he might have said something.

  • 4484.

    (Mr. Holl.) Do you really mean to tell us positively — and remember you are upon your oath — that you do not recollect whether you said anything to him or whether he said anything to you at the time as to what was to be done with the money ? — No, I do not recollect it indeed. I will tell you the truth. I had too much to drink very often during the election. I do not want to see any more elections.

  • 4485.

    (Mr. Jeune.) Where did you give him this money ? — In the streets.

  • 4486.

    You met him in the street ; did you simply take the money out of your pocket; what was it, nine sovereigns ? — Yes, I do not know whether there were any half-sovereigns.

  • 4487.

    It was gold at any rate ? — Yes.

  • 4488.

    Did you simply take the money out of your pocket and say, ” Here are nine sovereigns ” ? — Yes.

  • 4489.

    Is that what you said ? — Yes.

  • 4490.

    You are sure of it ? — Yes.

  • 4491.

    Did you meet him casually in the street, or did you expect to meet him ? — I do not know whether I expected to meet him ; it was given to me to give to him, and I done so.

  • 4492.

    What did you say to him when you saw him ? — I said, “ Here is nine sovereigns.”

  • 4493.

    What did he say ? — He said, “Thank you.”

  • 4494.

    Nothing else ? — No, nothing else that I am aware of ; as I said before, he might have said something, but I tell you I forget if he did.

  • 4495.

    You cannot be in the habit of giving 9L to people very often ? — No, and he would not have got the 9L. d it had not been given to me to give to him.

  • 4496.

    It is a thing that cannot have happened to you very often ; you must remember what took place ? — I tell you I do not ; if you ask Mr. Hughes he might tell you more about it. Very often I got a little too much to drink, and I got bothered several days.

  • 4497.

    That is not quite it. I do not think you are treating us quite fairly. You meet a man in the street, and take out nine sovereigns, or 9L in gold, and hand it to him ; do you represent that you do not remember what he said, or what took place ? — Mr. Hughes gave me the cheque, and I went to the bank and got the money, and gave it to him.

  • 4498.

    What took place when you gave it to him ? — Nothing that I am aware of.

  • 4499.

    You are sure of that ? — Yes, quite sure ; there might have been some words passed, or there might not ; if there was I should tell you, because why should I mince anything — what for ? I have got nothing to care about.

  • 4500.

    Have you given any other money to anybody else in the same way during this election ? — No.