The Express.
London, England, 1853-04-11 00:00:00

TAUNTON.

The committee, cuOsi;itingOf Sir George Grey,
chairman, Mr. Montague Chambers, Mr. Coles, and Mr.
l'iikington, met again on Saturday, when Mr. Ffookes DrO-
duced a statement of the witness Bartlett, examined on Fri-
day, and made to Mr. Baker, the parliamentary agent; the
object in-producing it being to show that that statement
and the evidence given by Bartlett were completely contra-
dictory.
Mr. Cox objected to its reception, and
The Hon. Chairman said that any statement the witness
had made elsewhere could not affect the issue of the cue. If
it should hereafter be found that he had committed perjury,
proceedings could be taken against him.
William Finn stated that shortly before the election he
mw Hermman, but he did not then ask him for his vote.
On the Monday before the election he was going to Willing-
ton, and was overtaken by Wbitwham, one of the agents of
the sitting member. Whitwhena said to witness he had a
couple of sovereigns for him if he would absent himself
from Taunton on the day of polling. Witness said be had
promised his vote, and should not do any such thing, but
Whitwham, giving it, said there are two sovereigns for
you, and IN. for your vehicle, and left witness, who how-
ever went on to Crowecombe, where he slept at the Lamb
and l':ough. The next morning he had some conversation
with Purley, the landlord, and told him that if Whitwham
hal oilseed him 51. he did not know but he might have
done what Whitwham asked. Purity then said, if I get
you 5/. will you stop from home? Witness answered he
did not know. The next morning witness went to Taun-
ton with Purley, and dined with him at the " Old Angel"
and had plenty to eat and drink without paying. He was
given to understand that if he left home on the following
day he was to have 51. and Purley IL for taking hint away.
Pursey said he would guarantee the witness 51. Witness
went out of town, did not vote, and afterwuds Miss Purvey
gam him 21. and Purely himself 21.
James Weller, a tailor, deposed to having overheard a
conversation in the Arcade at Taunton between Farmer
and Tads. Turle asked Farmer if he would vote for
Mills, and Farmer said he would not. Tune said. " Why
not ? Is it not enough, what do you want more ?" And
Farmer replied, " A great deal Min." After some hesi-
tation Tussle said he would double it, and make it 101., and
Farmer said, " That's better, I don't care if I do." Wit-
ness then heard a jingling of money, and saw Turle's band
go across to Farmer's. Tussle said, "Do not speak a word,
and I will be a friend to you." They then went across to
Mills'. committee room, and witness went to Farmer and
ss,d, " You've mad* it all right, have you ?" Farmer
looked at him rather suspiciously, and witness said, " All
tight," and Farmer, winking at him, said, " Yea," and
showed him gold in his hand. Farmer told him it was 101.
Cross examined—Had formerly been a policeman on the
railway, but was reported and dismissed for stopping •
train. Hail alwsys voted liberal. All he had was to. for
two days.
Stephen Hemming', a stoneaesoe, voted for Labouchere
and Mills. One tioodlarn asked him how he was going to
Tote, and told bsm that House wanted to speak to him.
House, the day before the election, risme to witness, and
told him that be could get his 51. if he would vote for
Mills. Ile went and slept at House's the day before the
election, and next day House gave him 51., and he went
and voted for Mills.
Jane Sibley's husband kept the Ship Inn. Henry
Tittle, one of the agents of the sitting member, was their
landlord. They owed 101. rent, and one Matto: gave her
husband 71. for the repair of • rood, and her husband voted
for Mills.
The committee here adjourned to this day.