The Express.
London, England, 1853-04-15 00:00:00

RYE.

Yesterday this committee re-assembled to institute
farther ioquiry into the corrupt practices alleged to have
been prevalent at the last election for Rye. The chairman
was Sir J. Pokington, and the other members Mr. Mon-
ericff, Colonel Knox, Mr. Corhally, and Mr. Tudway.
An application was made by counsel to be permitted to
represent a gentleman of the name of Ilrockett, who had
attended the public meeting at Rye, and signed the peti.
tion agreed to at that meeting, and which had been pre-
sented to the house. The request having been conceded,
Counsel instructed for the prosecution of the incpairy then
stated that since the committee had last assembled an in-
quiry had been instituted at Rye by the agent appointed by the
Speaker to conduct the investigation. The said agent obtained
lists of all who had bees bribed, or alleged to have been
bribed, on both sides; and the inquiry resulted is the
discovery of a system of corrupt practices that appeared
to hare prevailed in the borough from the passing of the
Reform Bill in 1832 up to the last election in 1862. The
system of corruption carried out was rather a novel one,
and was based upon a system of loans of mosey to the
more needy electors as well as to those who were
to better eircumstaina. These loans were coati-
named from time to time, and gave Mr. Jere-
miah Smith, the creditor and chief agent in these matters,
a controlling influence over his debtors in the way of induc-
ing them as voters to support the candidate he was agent
for since the election of 1832. At the election in 1832
Major Caul* and Colonel Evans were the candidata, and
on that occasion Major Curteis was returned at the large
expense of 4,0001., considering that the constituency of Rye
consisted only of 600 voters, Mr. Jeremiah Smith being hie
agent. Major Curteis had acted with great openness and
candour, and was willing to come forward and assist the
Inquiry by every mesas in his power. This system had
pre.raled fur the lest 20 years, and the counsel then pro-
needed to read various letters that had passed
between Major Canna and Mr. Jeremiah Smith
in confirmation of his statement, and which are
particularised in the evidence of Major Curteis.
It would be found from Smith's ledgers that as early as the
election of 1832 and 1833 loans were made to no fewer than
47 voters, in amounts varying from 61. to 101. and 251., and
to the more needy Totem in shillings, the total amount so
loaned by Smith amounting to 1,8811. At the election in
1837, a question arose as to this 1,8811., for loans which was
claimed by Smith from Captain Curteis, Major Curteis'
brother, who stood as a candidate at that election, and who
stated at a public meeting at Rye that if he was willing to
pay the price of the seat he could have it, and Smith offered
to take 1,0001. is discharge, but Captain Cartels refused. A
man named Thomas Clarke, it would be found, was em-
ployed by Smith at 11. per week to conduct the loan system.
Mr. Smith never extended his benevolence in loans to those
who were not voters. Smith, it would be found, had also
a number of houses In the borough, and asked some
of the friends of Mr. Pomfret wby they did not purchase
his houses, u they would give their party influence as long
as they held them. This was another species of influence
he held, and it would be found that a large umber of
voters at the last election, in 1862, recipients of these loans,
voted in the interest of Mr. Mackinnon, to whom Smith was
agent. In this way the votes were sold. The mosey spent
by the party whom Smith represented at the last election
was 1,6001., and it was paid to the account of the Rye
branch of the London and County Rank to Mr. Mackiunon's
credit, between 18th June, when the canvass began, and
9th July. In addition to this, treating prevailed to a con-
siderable extent, and in consequence of the active exertions
of Mr. Smith and Mr. Thomas, his agents, out of 34 public-
houses in Rye 29 were secured in the interest of Mr.
Jere.eiab Smith. Some of these publicans hail promised
Mr. Pomfret, the other candidate, but on treats being
ordered they voted for Mackinnon, the treats consisting of
" pig aid punch," and " lamb and pea" entertainments.
There had been the greatest difficulty in arriving at these
facts, as they had to be obtained from hostile witnesses;
but it would be for the committee to say whether the de-
velopment of these delinquencies would not render further

prociredings expedient. s
In reply to Mr. Moscrieff, as to whether there were any
direct cases of bribery, it was stated that the ammo( bribery
were more inferential than direct, and that what were more
direct had reference to Mr. Pomfret. There were fire or
'six macs of voters influenced by loans. It had not been
ascertained that there were any direct eases of bribery by
the Mackinnon party, apart from those eases that rested on
the loan sod house property influence of Smith. Difficulty
had been experienced in getting at the facts. Parties had
said, I can tail you nothing now, but I will tell the truth
when I get to the House of Commons."
Major Edward B t Cartels was then examined at great
length. He deposed that he was formerly a major in the
army. Resided near Rye, and was a magistrate for the
counties of Kent and Sussex. Remembered the eke.
tins of 1832. Colonel Evans was the candidate op-
posing him, and Mr. Jeremiah Smith was witness's
agent. Smith was a eminent of the Cartes family, and a con-
siderable holder of land. The management of witness's
election was entrusted to Smith. The cast to witness of
that ooutested election was 4,e00!. or 4,2001. The account
produced was an account rendered of the expenses of the
election by Jeremiah Smith, with which Smith sent a letter,
in which he stated
The expenses of the election were all paid by me on your
account. No one has any demand on you, as I have before
staled, to my knowledge. • • • Agreeable to your
wish, I have herewith forwarded you a copy of my ledger,
via., election account, 3,8271. 14s. 50.; dioser account,
1161.194. Ild.; inayoring account, 481. 13s. &I.; making a
total of 3,9931. 84. Old. On which I have received a cheque
on Messrs. Willis and Co. for 2,7001.; the value of my
rent, Ac., due at Michaelmas, 1832, is 1.0211. 51.
making altogether the sum of 3,7211. ss. 814.; leaving a
a balance in my favour of 2721. 2s. 4e1."
Mr. Jeremiah Smith was called and examined. Was
a tenant of the Curteis family, and lived at Springfield
near Rye. Remembered the election of 1832, and was then
a large tenant of the Curtail family, and election agent for
Major Cartels. All the money expended at the election in
1832 passed through witness's hands. The account put in
was from witness, but it was aot in his handwriting. Had
nut brought with him his various ledgers containing the
entries of these election accounts, but would produce them
to-day. Was a farmers' manufacturer, and kept two clerks.
Could not say what W. 301.," in the account meant with-
out his ledger ; it was so many years ago. Could not say
what " G. T. 251." meant without his ledgers. He (witness)
should have touched the election anima he had been
pres-ed by Major Curtais and his family five or six timer,
being a large tenant of theirs, and compelled to take up
th, election much against his will, inclination, and dia-
position.
Alter considerable diecu,.ion it was resolved to postpone
the examination of Mr. Smith until this day, when he is to
be iu attendance with his ledgers and all necessary docu-
ment'.
George Smith, clerk in the Rye branch of the London
and County Bank, was then examined at great length
upon the pecuniary transactions that had taken place be-
tween the parties conducting the election for Mr. Mackin-
non, in 1852, and the bank. He deposed that 1,6001. was
paid into Mr. Mackinnon's credit between 16th June and
11th August, in five separate payments. Of this sum,
Butler, the recognised legal agent of Mr. Mackinnon, re-
ceived 9651. in various sums, sad Mr. Mackinnon, in gold
and notes, 2301., on the 3rd of July, the day after the cele-
brated dinner at:Peasmanh, and which cost 2261. Witness
then gave a minute account of the number of the notes
which were Bank of England notes, with the view of
tracing them into the possession of other parties, and of the
return of a portion of them to the bank. He also enume-
rated from the books of the bank the names of persons to
whom various payments were made. There was a transfer
account to Butler, who had paid altogether 1,5221.
At four o'clock the committee adjourned to this day at
one.