The Express.
London, England, 1853-04-14 00:00:00

ELECTION EXPOSURES.

TAUNTON.
MR. MILLS UNSEATED.
Yesterday, Cu this committee mbling,
Sir George Grey, in the chair,
The hon. chairman intimated that counsel for the sitting
member, Mr. ISM!, were now at liberty to ca.. any wthssesses they thought fit, in order to rebut the char:, a eigitinat
the sitting member, and it would be satisfactory ti rtii,
com-
mi.tee if the s it:scales John Turk and IL Farmer were
called with this sic w.

Hobert name: was then called, and deposed that he
voted fur Mills and Colebrooke at the last election. Knew
the Arcade, iu 'Taunton, but wai not there with :gr. John
Tarte, on the night before the nomination, as sworn to by
the wi•ness Whetter. Did not know Turie, and was not
under the Arcade at all that night. Did not know James
Whetter, or see ISIr. Turle before the electi. a. Did
not receive the otter of a bribe from any one to vote
for Mills. Nei:l:er Mr. Turle ner any one cis, tuna,—
" You may as well give Mr. Mills your vote;" or, " Is not
that t nouali ;" or, "'That he wanted a gaol deet more."
Was on his own fled carting hay at the time. And never
received ten pounds, or any sum of money,:.o give his Tote
for Mills. Ne one said—" Don't speak a word, Rad I will
be a friend to you, if you vote for Mills."
By the conaniittee—Mr. Mills canvassed him, and asked
witness himself for his vote a week before the pinging day,
bat witness had out promised Mills, but told him he would
give his word on the following day. Was a cow-keeper.
Had no gold is Li, possession on the night of the nomina-
tion or following day, nor auythiug like 101., ur gold in his
paession.
Cross-examined—Tliere were two wings to the arcade.
Mr. Tonle kept agrocer's shop hard by. Did no: know •
man named Hawkins. ,Ileru Iliewkios was called is, .and
witness recaghised him as living near bleu), mot was not
with him on thy following slay when they ini t Turk.
Hawkins might have come into his shop on an errmd.
Jahn Turle, grocer, of Fore-street, Taunton, near the
Market. piece —tie id he lived with his father, I tich a.l Turle.
Did not know Hobert Farmer, and was not in lice Arcade
with Farmer, as alleged by Whetter, on the night of
the nomination, but might have been in the
Areaalu during the evening. Did not keorr the
man named Whelkr, and never_.,olfered Farmer

or any etho.r person mousy to vote fur Mills. No conversa-
tion such us thAt described as having taken place under the
Arcade ever uccurr.,l lo,tween himself and the pro i nts
,Aitnvsi ; and no one came to witness about taking 401310
clothes out of {man during, the election.__

Cross-examincd by the Committee—Might h:.te asked
fur votes fir Mr. Mills. Weld to both the hienk casts given
on the day of piling, hut did not know wit • pai for t!wm.
Had never heard of tLere being a finance comet& es fur Mr.
Mills.

John Hawkins was then called for the petitioners, and
deposed that he had seen Turk and Farmer soca!: and
shake hands together. Was appointed to watch Farmer's
house, and knew him mad his wife. Ri miiued watching
about the house, and on the day before the veil went in to
make u purchase in Farmer's shop. Mr. John Turk earns
to the door and asked if Mr. Farmer was in, and his wife
said he was. Turk then went into an adjoining maul with
Farmer. Ile hati known Joha Turlo fur year'. Saw Farmer
on the morning of the pon, and went up into the town on
that day with him, and they met Mr. John Turk, and
Turle asked Farmer how ho was and they shook hands,
and witness went on.

Crow-examined—Was a brickmaker. Knew Mr. J.
Tunle, but bud not seen him in the gallery biIACC the ems-
mittce met.

Mr. Mills, the sitting member, was then examined.—He
stated that the total expense incurred by him at the last
election was 3751., and he believed that all the bills had
been paid. Had been told that there was • balance of 101.
or 121. due to him. Gave positive instructions that nothing
improper should be done, and all the 3751. was exponded on
the legitimate objects of the election. The breakfasts that
had been given were not paid out of this money, and he
believed there was no outstanding claim amoutr nig to one
shilling out against hint. Mr. Trenchard was 11.6 agent,
and the money passed through his hands. Mr. Mills then
went on to narrate his connexion with the borough since
18.11. Had declined in his canvass to have euppo.t in con-
sideration of giving place or office. Had no committee, but
considered that Mr. Trordiard and Mr. Itailcock co-ope-
rated with him. The gentlemen who formed the committee
were a body in Taunton betorc witness became a candi-
date, and he had no recollection of canvassing with any
of them.
Mr. Trenchard, agent for Mr. Mills, was then examined,
and also Mr. Sutton, in corroboration of Mr. Mills' state-
ment.—Mr. Mills gave instructions that nothing should be
done he could not approve of. The latter witnec• dated he
had kept no account of the 2001. he expended eat of the
3601., the total cost of the election, but it was devoted to
payment of expenses. They had neither of them anything
to do with the breakfasts.
The room was then cleared, and the committee having
been in deliberation an hour and a half,
The lion. Chairman said the committee have come to the
following resolutions:
"That Arthur Mills, Esq., is not duly elected to nerve as
a burgess in this present parliament, for the borough of
Taunton."
" net the said Arthur Mills wax, by his agents, guilty
of bribery at tho lest election ; but it was prove d to the
satisfaction of the committee, that such bribery was without
the concurrence or privity of the said Arthur Mills."
The committee then intimated that on their reassembling
this day they would proceed with the recriminatory cast
against Sir E. Colebrouke, who is also petitioned against.