The Express.
London, England, 1851-10-31 00:00:00

ST. ALBANS BRIBERY COMMISSION.

Yesterday, the commissioners, F. W. Slade. W.
Forsyth, anit I. rhino, Esqrs., contiiiuvil their ,ittin.; i at
the court-house, St. Albans. An immense crowd was .in
in attendance in and about the court-house ; unit in the ex-
citement of these unusual proceedings business seems to
have been temporarily suspended in the endangered
,borough.
The court having been formally evened,
Mr. Slade said that the eoinmi-Tuner, desired Viat it
should be made known that it had come to their knowledge
that most improper language, amounting to intifridativo
and threat, had hem used to one of ti.e otheers empl lycel
under this commission. It was necessary that it should be
known that the court was determined to protect to el, ut-
most of its power, not only its own officers, but al! wit-
nesses who be examined under thecompulsory powerx
of the commis,: . If after this warning may interruption
from any person was officred to the proeeediugs of the cons-
-1111.011011, the pasty so interrupting would be dealt with in
the most severe manner the law allowed. The learned
commissioner then directed that Mr. Edwards should take
his plat,' in the witness. box.
Mr. Edwards resumed his chair in the witness-box. lie
begged, before continuing his evidence, to be allowed to
state a circumstance w hich had occurred that evening. A
party (the name was mentioned) whom he had employed at
the tatter end at 1850 on his farm as a painter, heti !bat
evening scut in a hill to him for 5/. Si. 6d. This party was
oue of those to whom he had given 41. or upwards on the
uecubiun of the late election; and on the bill now sent io
was marked '• Received dl. Ss. on account." Itc slid not re-
member that this man had ever sent in a bill to limo torturc,
nut he did not doubt that work hid be-en done, for it.
Certainly, however, the U. given at the election was rot
given towards the settlement of that bill. The out'. do-
I shiners would put whatever construction they liked on this
circumstance.

The ethatiniesinnent asked some queetions in reference to
this matter ; but the conversatimi ceme to nothing.
The alphabetical reading of the register, the °pewees of
Edwards Ming taaen iu respect to each name, was then
resumed ; and we shall again follow the course which we
took yesteril ty, not giving the names, soul eteting the re-
sults. let the lint place there woo a re-reading of the
register for St. Alhatie parish, the wrong list having been
given to the commissiontre un the preceding day. 'iho
omissions were corrected, and Edwards made his com-
ments un ceeli. Ills manner indicated lest con-
straiut than on the previous occasion ; that is to
say, he now nut only gave the indispensable feets ;
but, with un easy nareserve, he goseippu d abous his
friends and neighbour., and mentioned stories, either in
extenuation or indirect censure, which were quits super-
fluous. The novelty of his extraordinary poeition s. curd
to have wore away ; and his remarkable rev, banns were
tendered with a elietty air which indicated rather te pica-
sant ituderstunding with his examiners. At the same time
lie affect, ii nn candour. lie was clear, open, awl trir
but he conenuttly made it apparent that couipubsion only
could have induced hint to make these diseloeures, yet net
king compelled, he found that tile beet way was to narrate
all his election anecdotes with the newt react or .eiracy.
The St. Allem>, peribli register having been gone C:ritigh
the lists fur St. :Michael's, and St. l'eter'e parishes, and the
list of freemen, were called over end slowly can el out.
Tee witness scented to have the comments ready malreil uip-
teethe each nal., end he did not hesitate for a menent.
It was very seldom that he was ant positive iu lie state-
ments ; and when he delivered Ids emphatic " by my-
eelf , to himself, fur his vote," no doubt could rest on the
mint: of any man who heard him that he wets telling the
truth. But °veleta:tally he was at fault. Of on: teen he
said, " the tact is he is one of the very few men in St.
Albans I don't know by sight. I can't sweat I eeve it
him. But I think I did." Of :neither, lie said, "My Sin-
premien is he got 161. But I won't swear ; and yen had
better call him, iiimster." On which Mr. Shun hint (and
the intimation flew quickly through the town), " Don't
be afraid of committing an injustice. Be assured fled we
will call before u', to make his own statement, every per-
son charged Icy you with having received money." There
was an angry scene between the witness and Mr. Gre-
ener)), solicitor, when the name of Mr. Otteltant was
arzived at. Damaging evidence aettimit Mr. Gresham lied
been given by the witness the pre ViIMSI dey; and it was
now partly repsated. Witness said Mr. Gresham hail milked
10 guineas a 'eay fur his eseistance in the canvassing, hut be
would not glee more than 5 gunnies, and the resets was
that Mr. tire Aeon turned TOUOIL and stood by Mr. fee-den.
Mr. Ureshum mutely interrupted, and there was some con-
[cajun, and in the end Mr. Gresham put into court a rot-
nation of squibs issued by the elll%lll party again n Ed-
wards, against Mr. Gresham, and some others of the weal-
thier class of electors. Edwards spoke with an 'lidera
minims, speaking of them, toweringly, as the " eurity
principle turn." '1 he audience in the court consisted chiefly
of the poorer chase of the townspeople, and th y obviously
enjoyed all Eilwards's references to Mete parties where eir-
eweetancee in Lie made their proved acceptance 01 Mans
the more peculiarly reprelumible. Of one watt tho
witness said, " lie got 101. ; he was rather a r. epeet-
able man." Mr. Slade hero interpeilated " The more
respectable the man the higher the bribe, I eupposees At
winch the crowd laughed, anti to which the witness, increas-
ing the laughter, replied, " Well, not exactly." There was
great tittering when some name being called speeally oh-
sox; ins to the populace, the witness's reply was, "Nothing
_nothing, that is to say, this election." Another unmet
which seemed equally amusing, was, "I am nut quite sting
he gut the money from we. Hui I know he always got
money at firmer elections; and t think it very likely
ho did this." Ouc man had got :71. a his announcement
excited astonishment; but it was eeplaine'd by the state-
[tient that the person who had received this suds had been
employed to hire a band, &c., null that he oedy took
6/. for himself--not voting for Mr. Bell after /Oh On/
man bad get only 21. Being asked to explain this,
witness said that it was gives Le:fuse the
indivi-
deal represented that he had not been paid at the
lest elmtem. "It was understood, of course, that 1:c was
to give me his vote this electien." A relation et* the
mess bad received 131. But witness insisted Met this was
only payment for services—the luau of it horse and chaise,
writing letters, and "reporting" for Eulwerde the speeches
of opponents at the meeting which woo get up to cell on
Mr. eeriest. " I would have eiven the LI/. for one job ho
did—giving me puticulars of that one speech. lie was
very clever that way; and it was of great use to me." One
of the freemen got only 31. "I don't know bow that was;
but I thMk it we, because he inked fur money whea I met
him in the street, and at the time I had no more in my
pocket." Another comment on another was, "1 should
have given him as much if he hadn't had a vote." Mr.
Slade then &seed, "Supposing the services of two men
were of equal value to you, stet one was a voter and the
other was not, would you pay them equally ?" No; I
suppose I would give most to the vuter. lie would two-
Leidy be the more respectable man." An Gem:shinel state-
meta was, " Ile got 5/. from me, but lie didn't vote tor Mr.
Bell." And it a uuld be mentioned that the feelings of the
audience seemed to be most excited, not when a man was
found to have taken a bribe, but when he was found to
have taken the bribe, and vet not voted fir the briber.
On one name, Mr. F. 3. Searatike, there was a long
pause, awl considerable discus-ion. The witness said that
as he had to tell of the poor, he would like to nil of the
rich too : and he wished to tell all he knew of Mr. Sea-
nuke. Mr. Searanke hail been the propue.ir of Mr.
Carden, and on professed " purity principles." But
Mr. Searanke had had negotietione with witness
before Met. his came to witness, before witness had
heard the name of Mr. Bell, and asked witness if be
was engaged. Witness said he was, and so he was to Mr.
Coppoek and Mr. Searanke requested that if lie should
become disengaged, be would communicate with ben (Mr.
Searanke). That gentleman gave witness the nelson why
he asked if witness was engaged. lie said that he had a
friend reedy with the "required sum," and it sear under-
stood thut the "required sum" ascent 2,600/. lti fact,
money WAS always understood in creinexion with witness;
he knew that, and everybody knew it. Mr. Searanke had
also negotiated with witness at the previous election, in
, 1817. The circumstances then had been very p.culier. It
was always dreaded in St. Albans, at election Mateo, that
there would be a want of' candidate., and that
alfeirs would go of quietly. In 1817 there were
Mr. Reptnn, Mr. Wilk.s, and the Hoe. Mr. Craven
in the field. Witness had kept his eaudidate
in view; but he had been waiting for the right time to
bring Lim on. Ile was then uctine with tho "third
party," and he did not communicate his intentions to his
party. It was feared that he wouldn't bring a man. In-
deed, he haul not intended to do so. lie had agreed with
Mr. Coppoek, and with others, that he would tot be a
party to a contest if the comport entered iutn in the town
had been adhered to. But the compact had been lessen by
ri
T
party,
tyty.g t o.i n gbTri'ioinr. Wi
gg fl
ive hokiusi
flint
l.fras
raleinc'a
thi on: ti tnna'ats stwo • t;'.cou innvisd
401
ur it his
de

gentleman to come forward, teiZa requisition to himself
aimed. One of the names at to that requisition was
that of Mr. Searanke, the proposer of Alderman Carden on
" purity principles." (The document was handed in. It
said, "B. e, the undenigoed electors, undertake to give
to any gentleman of independent principles that you may
invite to become a candidate at the approaching election,
our wannest support.")
A few more names only remained to be read after that at
Mr. Sesranke. Of the whole list it may be reported, as the
result, that two opt of thee* were found to have taken
bribes from or fur Edwards.
The genera eaarainstion was now roamed.
Mr. Edwards, again, in aoswen to questions, said : The I
L.. men at the last election noted both for Mr. Bell and Mr '
Carden. There were GI freemen ; 7 did not vote at all ;
,aced for Bell ; 26 voted for Carden. There was a com-
mittee to conduct the election of Mr Bell. They called
th. ;natives • committee. But all they had to do Wag to
U. 44 about with Mr. Bell. They and Mr. Bell left all the
h.toness to witness. Witness reporter! progress always to
Itlr. Bell and the committee Mr. Bell often went to ask
the vote of a man who had aheaily got money from wits
no se, and who wouldn't promise Mr. Bell. These things
ha I to b- set right, and witness gave information when
reeked. Was aware of come election squibs which had been
Landed about. Recollected them all. (A collection of
sled's, Mooed by the Carden party, were here handed to
w.tneec.) Mr. hell would not allow any aquae to be issued
on his side, or witness would have had On many. AU the
Carden squibs spoke openly of the bribery going on.
Sovi'osigt. Ally" was referred to in them. All that wan
will undetstood. People knew what it no ant. Bad seen
the squib adAreeed "to the electors of the borough of St.
Alban," (Tne was read ; it referred to "Califor-
nian l)ost" and " nVetureign Ally.") Knew also the squib
heeded " St. Albans." (This was reed. It was • notice
to the pubic loon the " Ilark-y-ological Society" of •
"valuable deposit of Bell metal" having been touted in
"Sovereien Ally." Mr. Dell was npo'...-n of us • " learned
chianin," vase would analyse the " .1. punt," and Ed-
wards was celled "Edward the Confessor"—this lacing
prOmbly in anticimati..n.) The names of Mr. com-
mittee --there King no formal coin:Mute, only canneesers—
were Mr. John Kinder and Mr. 'I booms kinder, magis-
trates; Mr. T. ltichard.son, • sungierate ; Mr. lies.-
man, gentleman; the lb v. Mr. Itediao,
Betleuliate, Edwards himself, one of Edwards's sons,
Mr. 11. Martin, and others. It woo known to
these gentlemen and to Mr. Bell that witness had the
conduct of the eh Clinn. These gentlemen ki.ew of the
aquehe. Witness had wren Mr. Bell reading them. Mr. 11.41
h.d adverted to thi Node; but ',kn.'s, had always sue-
ceed..l in keeping Mr. Bell in complete ignorance, anal in
satisfying him that the &monitions were untrue. When
witness used the phrase"reporting progress," he did not
la, .n that he to:11 Mr. Bell what was going on. Wien(.,
only told Mr. Bell what voters witness had secured. Wit-
ness wou'd not have had Mr. Dell three dais in the field if
Mr. Dell laid known what was going on. The other gentle-
men were ignorant of the facts oleo, but they knew more
than Mr. 11 01, perhaps. 'Viol knew that a atuce, was not in
the same posie,on as a noble lord in the neighleoplanial, who
c odd earamand votes. Ilad not got more than:MO/. from
Mr. Bond at his elettion. The gentlemen who
w. re Mr. Itelfs canvassers must have known that the
usual custom of ;tieing head-money was Walla on on both
WM,. 1 hew fiend. Well b.ul been getter illy Lail( aenitlellta
in the borough. They hied lived long enough iu St. Albans
h. know the custom at eh-nous. I,...rybody understood
at sort of thing. The Moors. Coder had lineal in the
horough all their his e. Hut they had never been +acces-
s 'ries to the ce-tom. Witio.re had reeeie. al line packets of
rummy, but had unl counted the find packet. bid nut
believe his sun. had counted them. Was satisfied that
there had been 400 sows. in each. With the exception of
the money in the packets lead received non:had money. Ilia
ten had told him that the last packet was tWO pockets,
lint he believed they only amounted together to 41.101.
tee it pounds was the highest nun. paid to any one
individual for a vote. Three pou...L. was the mini-
mum ; but only one man got three pounds.
All the otle-rs got .",/. and upwards. flail stated the names
of all those to alum he hail given money. Could not say
c-i•etiy the amount expended in direct bribery, exclusive
ot services." Iles opinion wan, that in round numbers, the
sum distinctly spent in bribery was 1,71.10/. or I,:dalf. This
lee:oiled many ripen.... This also included the money
paid for " Supposing that cotauste tuners, and
bee Mg received there was a balance to acemnt. for.
Th. tr weto bands, clerk+, connuitter-woons, clerks at the
litis..ings, and cl. rke at the committee.ruums. There were
(Imo:repro, refreshments dUriar live weeks; there were
sm. s, ruiner,, slag bearers, expenses of the
husbaes the hiring of the ladies' issons, printin.t, painting,
posting, horte•hire, horw-keep, wine and liqoors,
al. -a dinner. fur Mr. Dell and hie committee. .then
maid be put down for all these item..
'f bat wualk: he about the sum. Coui.l nut sp... precisely.
llama nig spent 1,7,10/. or I,SIM/f. in lathery, and Scot for the
e:. uses meat' sl, the whole *was accounted for.
Fe.weol that the commissioners would mat believe him when
de said that he appropriated only perhaps WI. to himself.
'I het was a delicate question ; but that was Ins •nower. lie
t bad other Widow mews laside. the money inilueements.
Idol tarn offend iIUUI. by Simpson to retire Irons the agency
at t ' election. Il.ul never seen the money, however. Ilad
loft olcelimil the offer, leceause he had not seen the money.
Sleetlel have declined if lota land been offered as many
t. 41/ leands. _

Mr. Fortyth—lirow was it that at the beginning you
relog-ed 300 and at the end took only Wt. ?
Mr. Edward, -Th.st rallitl he emily answered ; hut you
will out ask me when l tell you that it would be • serious
injury to my inter to r. illy to it.
Mr. Made- -Then wr won't ask you. it ii not neeLmary.
Witness —lt has nothisi.; to du with Mr. 11111. Ile has
only Irately !mud it through me. It has ilothiug to du with
the election.
Mr. l'hion—You are not a Outer?
Mr. Edwards—No; 1 uni nut a voter.

11 he eununi•sioners here consulted together.]
r. 81.tde Answer this. W 414 your object in In acting
to obtain WI uniary advantage, or to retain your influence
in the borough 7
Mr. l'etuniary advantage. Not ouly that,
how see. I kid other inducements. _ . .

Mr. Matle--Wita the inducement a matter affecting the
iutcri,m of any one belonging to you?
;NI r. Yea.

M. Slade—Was what you bad in view n mere expecta-
tion ermine advantage to some enio belouging to you, and
nut an agreement
:dr. haw:ads-1 can't say it was an agreement. It was
an cage: station hum some words that fell. It was an iu-
due-ment.
Mr. Slade—From whom did those words fall?
Mr. Edwards (after some hesitation)—From Mr. Cop-
p°. t
Mr. Slade—Our duty compels us to ask you what the
nature of the words were ?
Mr. Edwards—This matter is only in reference to my
own immediate pecuniary interests. It dues not area this
ini,uiry.
Mr. Slade—We are hound to ask you. It does affect
the inquiry. You arc the instrument by which others '
were corrupted. But we must know if you too were only a
puppet in other people's hands. We are bound to
ask you.
Mr. Edwards— You are not hound to destroy me. I
rani: here to tell everything lied this. My only anchor was
in this. If I toll this lam ruined I have given you the
rue. What more do you want ? Ask Coppock the rest.
It ie very hard to deprive me of all 1 trusted to. It only
alter is myself.
Mr. Minn—The commissioners do not wish to do you as
ivory hut it is our duty to ask you what Cuppock said.
Mr. Edwards— I have given yon the cue. So that isey
no more, it is no harm.
-.he eager remonstrance of the witness conquered the
MinitlainnerS. After they hail conseilereel a few minutes,
Mr. Chitin said --This see.ns to be a personal scruple on
your p.ort. You any Mr. Cuppock can give us the answer,
we will therefore not now parse you. We will examine
Mr. Coppoek ; but understand that we reserve to ourselves
the right of putting the question again to you if we find it
necessary.
Mr. Edwards—Yes, you can ask Coppnek. Of course I
must answer every question you choose to put. But I have
rased you nut to ask me that One. Mr. Coppock is now
at home, and you con examine him,
Th. ciantaiation sill again resumed. Witnese—There
was uu communication to any person by him of what was
going on, except to Blagg. It was unknown to Com:reek,
so far as witness was cemented. Was quite sure, however,
Coppock und-rstood it all. Had received letters from Cup-
pock. (Witness handed in letters.) Had destroyed no letters
receive from Coppock during the contest. But they could have
Cuppoet's letter-book. Cuppock was a very cautious fellow.
Witness had been engaged au elections since the election in
BOO; altogether in ten elections. An organisation of par-
ties was kept up from election to election. No organisation
was kept up between the election in 1847 and the last clee.
tion. Everything was left to witness. Ilad not paid much
money in the last integral. Sometimes, out of his owl
means, he had assisted indigent electors in order to keep
up his influence. Ilad not touch attended to the register.
Had generally acted with the "Spencer party." (In the
oi.e.ision of the last election after the vacancy he had eon-
stilted his party, us to what was to be done. Mr. Kinder,
Mr. Itichiurdson, and others had submitted Mr Bell's name
to them before he had engaged with Mr. Bell. Would,
not have brought • candidate down if they bad not sans-
%Limed hint. The agreement between witness and his party
was clin4y an agreement us to political principles.
The party knew nothing of witness's agreement with Mr.
Bel; as to money. Told his party that he had receised a
letter from Mr. Coppock before lie had seen Brace.. Knew
that kis party would he satisfied when witness told them
that he was engaged for Coppoek. After the petition was
presented, saw Coppoek frequently. Also saw Mr. Bell.
Never disclosed to Mr. Bell until Mr. Bell Cline to
Albans this time to give his evidence. Mr. Boil had an
time slightest idea of witnem's plans and tactics. Had an
toutomplsted that the 2,59a1.11.0 to secure the candidate
even against a petition. Expenses subsequent to the new
test were to be paid by the member elected. The=
(Witiltals.s) would liar, had the head-money eves t
Inc,.. bat Nett no cost -st. Witness kept faith with them ;
and they g..neridly kept faith with him. In rase the re was
contest„. perhaps 1,0001. or 5110/. only. would bare been ex-
',ended. iVitness only got the money by instalments, and the as
wou'al, therefore, have been no surplus hail there been no
contest. Mr. Coppoek kept the cheek on witness. Coppock
was the only person who knew anything about it. He was
a very sharp fellow and very cautious.
The witness was then informed that he was not required
to answer further questions that day. The tominissumem
weight robably, however, require him on • future day to
state wbst he knew of prroeient elections.
Mr. Rawer& said he would be ready to state what be
Law of Casiaa'a voter at previous onetime. Ha la/

The e.!iger

PLI VOITIE

I.F.SWICII
Swismow
Luerrai ........
CANLIIII.OII
Plinlllloll.lol