The Express.
London, England, 1853-05-17 00:00:00

EXTRAORDINARY ASSACLT OY A LADY.

A case of a very singular nature occurred on the
Stour Valley railway on the 31st of March last, but owing
to various circumstances it did not come before the public
until yesterday (Friday). On the day ia question, Miss
Prii.ce, a young lady art most respectable family connexions
in Dudley, got into a first-class carriage at the New Street
Stetion, to proceed bye train about to start for Dudley.
Before starting, however, she asked the guard, named John
Hayes, whether the train went straight to Dudley, and he
told her that it only went to Dudley Port, where eh* would
have to wait half an hour for • train to take leer on.
Shortly alter the train started, and immediately on its
entering the tunnel, the door of the carriage in which
Miss Prince was sitting quite alone was opened, and
some one entered and took hold of her arm. She
screamed out, and the person said he did not want to
hurt her, and told her not to be alarmed. The man then
mixed hold of her, and, after a struggle, kissed ker. A
knocking was then heard in the other partition of the car-
riage, and the man got out, but not until Miss Prince
had felt that he had on a belt, and that his coat buttons
were very large. In a few moments after this flagrant as-
sault the train emerged from the tunnel, and, on reaching
Dudley Port, Miss Prince made a complaint of the treat-
ment she had received. The company instituted an in-
quiry into the circumstance, in consequence of which the
guard Hayes was discharged from their service; and the
relatives of Miss Prince having made a representation to
the North Western Railway Company, it was determined to
prosecute him for the offence. The ease was ultimately
brought before the magistrates at the public office, Moor-
street, yesterday, When Mr. Kennedy, instructed by Mr.
Carter, solicitor, appeared for the prosecution. Hayes,
who had been apprehended the previous day, at his resi-
dence in Wolverhampton, by Sub-inspector Tandy, was
Brought up in custody, and was defended by Mr. Powell.
The foregoing facts having been elicited in evidence and
Isaac
Prince, prisoner having previously admitted to Mr.
Prince, the brother of the young lady, that he bad com-
mitted the offence, the bench inflicted a penalty of M.,
which was immediately paid, and the prisoner left the
court.—Birmingham Journal.

ELECTION EXPOSURES.
CANTERBCRY BRIBERY COMMISSION.

CANTERBURY, MoNbat.
Tiro commissioners, Messrs. blade, Anstey, and
Burnham, reusembied yesterday. The Guildhall was
crowded.
The following among other witnesses were examined
Mr. Alderman Brent was recalled: Ile said, in answer to
the Chief Commissioner, he could not produce any of the
colour tickets (or any election, except some which were
given at the election for 1847. He handed in a book con-
taining a copy of the disbursements made on behalf of
the Liberal candidates at the election of 1847, which had
been transcribed from a book in the pos. eee ion of a Mr.
Rutter. lie was sever concerned himself in any personal
bribery ; but he hail heard that such bribery had taken place.
Ile never saw a sixpence pus in the way of bribery. He bad
always taken a part for the liberal candidates at elections
for this city. He had had good appointments given to him
for four of his sons, and he himself had been appointed
deputy-lieutenant of the county. The first appointment was
given to one of his suns about seventeen years ago; the
second about fourteen years ago ; the third about three years
ago; and the fourth, just as the whig government went
out, and before Lord Derby's government came in. He
knew Thomas Admans, of Broad•street, a baker. He he•
Heved he never gave Admans any money. Two of his sons
were landing-waiters in the Customhouse, at advancing
salaries, beginning with 1,101. a year; there were two
other of his eons in Somerset-house, at salaries of from 901.
to 1001 , also advancing. Some of hie daughters were
married, but his sons-in-lew had never participated in any
patronage at his disposal in consequence of any services
rendered by hint at elections. One of his sons-in-law was
Mr. Miall, brother to the member of Parliament of that
name, who held a place in the Customs at Liverpool, which
was given him by Sir Denis Le Merchant, quit pectice
of any influence he (witness) possessed. He (witness) had
sometimes endeavoured to obtain appointments for the
political friends of the Liberal interest in this city from the
Liberal members of the time being. He got a place in the
Excise for the son of James Baldock, a voter in the Blue
intense. He might have given James Busher a shilling to
get drink occasionally, but he never gave him anything for
his vote. Busher was a person of loose, irregu.ar habits,
and witness might have given him a shilling or sixpence to
drink, in order to get rid of him.
Mr. Jonathan John Rutter said, in reply to the Chief
Commissioner—l am a liberal. I have always been on the
liberal side since 1847. At the election in that year I kept
the accounts on behalf of the liberal interest. Our candi-
dates at that clecticn were Lord Albert Conyngham and
Mr. Smythe, and they were opposed by Mr. John Vance
and Lord Thomas Clinton. The money passed through my
hands. I acted for Conyngham and Smythe. I received
1,8001. on that occasion, POW. from each of the candidates,
all of which I spent in the election except 141. 81. 10d.,
which was expended in 1848 for registration purposes.
I have got my vouchers here for that election (pro-
, (luting them.) A part of the money supplied by the
liberal candidates was given to a person named Goodwin,
who distributed it among about thirty of the voters. I know
a man named Cullen. lie came to me during that election,
and said he had some voters under his care, aid must have
some money. I gave him 16/. or 20/., and he distributed
that sum, partly in bribery and partly in treating, at one
tavern and another. Cullen is now in France. A Mr.
Jacobs and a Mr. Cobb were similarly employed, and they
have both left the town—Jacobs about four years ago, and
Cobb about three or four months since. I think Jacobs is
now at Yarmouth, and Cobb at Dover. Jacobs is a broker.
I never bribed a single voter myself, but 1 gave other men
money, and I knew they were going to bribe with that
money perfectly well. (Sensation.) I know William Beare.
51. was given for his vote, but not by me. 61. was also given I
to J. 11. Roberts for his vote, and perhaps for bringing up
voters. William Delos had been an active agent (or the
liberal interest, and he paid away some of the money, I
myself not being able to trot about the town. I may say
1,6001. was expended at the election for Conyogham and
Smythe, about 1001. of which was spent at the Fountain, in
good things. (A. laugh.) I paid the money for the colour
tickets on that occasion, and a very tedious job I had, I
amuse you. (A laugh.) At the election previous to 1847 1
think Mr. Pilcher was treasurer, and the same system of
colour-tickets obtained on that occasion. I don't believe,
however, there was any money bribery then. There was
no poll. Lord Albert Conyngham was returned, Mr. Gipps
(his opponent) declining to go to a poll. The only occasion
of meney bribery that I know of was at the second election
in 1847.
By Mr. Anstey—Deloe received 12/. at that election, 71.
for himself and W. for his son. Deloe, the elder, was a can-
vassing clerk, and the money was given to him in considera-
tion of his services in that capacity, and not for his vote.
Colonel Romilly was next called.
By the Chief Commissioner—l was a candidate in the
liberal interest for this city in 1850 and 1852. I have no
connection by family or otherwise with Canterbury. I was
first introduced to the city by Alderman Brent. He came
to London to see me on the subject There was then some
conversation between us about the expense of an election
for the city, but no specific sum was named. I made no
payment to anybody in reference to the election of 1850.
When Mr. Vanes came into the field a discussion took
place between Mr. Brent or, the one hand, and, 1 believe,
Mr. Paget on the other, with reference to colour
tickets ; and when we ascertained that they were pay-
ments without any service being rendered for them, we
gave strong injunctions that none should be issued. Previous
to the nomination Mr. Vance withdrew. That gentleman
intimated his intention to me in a letter which was delivered
to me late at night when I was in bed at the Fountain, and
which I read by the light of the lamp of the porter, who
brought it to me in my bed-room. The reason he gave for
withdrawing was that success was not certain without
bribery. Ido not know who supplied the funds to Alder-
man Brent to carry on that election; but I can conjecture.
I should suppose the money came from a source which is
notorious as supplying funds of that kind for carrying on
elections.
By Mr. Anstey—l do not mean that it came from the Re-
form Club ; nor do I mean that it came from Downing-
street, or the Treasury. (A laugh.)
By the Chief Commissioner—When I saw Mr. Alderman
Brent in London no sum was mentioned as the probable
most of the election. But there was an understanding that I
should have to bear my expenses in the contest whatever
they might be. Mr. Brent never told me what the expense
of that election was, and I do not know now. When I
speak of money being provided for election purposes, I
mean a fund which is known to all the world to be sub-
scribed to with that view privately.
The Chief Commissioner : To what fund do you allude ?
—Colonel Romilly : 1 mean a fund supposed to be privately
subscribed to for election purposes. It is known to all the
world, but I cannot give you what you may call strict legal
pee/of its existence.
Dm Chief Commissioner : Had Mr. Coppock anything
to do with it ?—Colonel Ronny : Nothing whatever.
Chief Commissioner: Had any body connected with the
Reform Club anything to do with it ?—Colonel Romilly :
I have no knowledge on that subject ; it depends upon
what you mean hy anybody connected 'with the Reform
Club.
Chief Commissioner : Have you not a suspicion where this
money comes from ?—Colonel : I have told you it
is a mere suspicion on my part that it came out of a fund
which I suppose to exist.
Chief Commissioner : Were you ever a subscriber to that
fund yourself ?—Colonel Ronny : I was a subscriber to a
feud of a similar nature in 1841.
Chief Commissioner : Perhaps that was the same fund ?
—Colonel RorniUy : I subscribed then to a private fund for
a similar purpose with reference to Ireland.
Chief Comanisam : Was that fund raised at the instance
of the liberal party /--Caleael Romilly : Yes.
Chief Conuninease : sob was the treasurer to that fund?
—Colonel Romilly lam not quite sure who it was ; there
was a emenlears who managed that fund, but it is a
len lime ego, sad I cannot remember who the treasurer
waves. The fund in Ireland has not the slightest relation
be any fund that lam supposing the existence of at pre
be in England, except that it may be • fund of • similar
mann.
Chief Commissioner : Do yon think you can inquire
mem your friends where the money came fro" for. your
alai*. in 1850 ?—Colonel Romilly : I maid inquire of
Ns. Brent.
Chief Commissioner : Well, we must know the whole
' truth in reference to this matter, whoever the witnessarg
be, whether he be a peer of the realm or a man in a im
frock. Mr. Brent said he returned you 2101., and that yen
were much surprised that your election had cost so little. IS
that so 3—Colonel Remaly : No ; it is not so.
Chief Commissioner : Did you ever offer yourself for any
other place besides Canterbury at which you had your ex.
pewee paid ?—Colonel Hominy : No.
Chief Commissioner : Did it net strike you as very odd
that your expenses should be paid, and that no demand
should be afterwards made upon you ?—Colonel Romilly
Under the circumstances it did not. I should have been
prepared, if a demand had been made upon me, to pay the

expenses.
Chief Commissioner : Did you communicate with any
one betides Mr. Brent, before standing for Canterbury ?
Colonel Bomilly: I had communications with my friends,
but none of them intimated that my expenses would be de-
fraed out of the fund. I gave Alderman Brent to under-
stanyd that I should be rcsponaible for the enema of the

election.
Chief Commissioner: Did you subscribe to any fund
which bad beau lodged to anybody's credit for you ?
Colonel Romill' y : I did not.
Chief Commissioner : Then no conversation passed be-
tween you and anybody connected with Canterbury in
reference to the expenses of your election in 18601—Colonel
Romilly : I have mentioned a conversation:which took pines
between me and Mr. Brent; but I have no recollection of
any other conversation on the subject of the funds.
Chief Commissioner: Then we are to understand that,
tkis being only three years ago, you have no recollection on
the subject I—Colonel Romilly : I have always supposed tke
money came out of the fund to ',Mehl have referred.
Chief Commissioner : If yyoou and I were sitting at the
dinner table, Colonel Romilly, you would sty immediately
what that fund was? Colonel Romilly : I cannot tell you
more than I have done.
Chief Commissioner: Do you think the money came out
of a fund at the Carlton Club I—Colonel Romilly : No, I do
not suppose that.
Chief Commissioner : Mid do you not think it came from
the Reform Club I—Colonel : I do not think so.
Chief Cecamissir,ner : Do you think it came from
Brookes's I—Colonel Romilly : I do not know that it did.
Chief Commissioner : Where did it come from (A.
laugh.)—Colonel Romilly : Nowhere, that I have any
knowledge of whatever. (Laughter.) You have examined