The Express.
London, England, 1866-03-22 00:00:00

TOTNES.

Before this committee yesterday
James Edmunds, eludes's, of Miriam:, was auvamed by
Mr. Geoffrey Michelmore foe the liberal'. Mr. Scratch
offered him 1801. to vote for the tories. Was not promised
anything by Michelmore. Had been staying with the
liberals in London. He signed the conservative requisition
benne, be liked a contest. (A laugh.)
John S. Sorvscb, oordwainsr, canuered the previous
willow, who said he had not made up his mind, and that
be bad had some bother about Mr. Michelmore s mortgage
on his house. Witness offered him 2004, but Edmus
said, " liiehelmore says it doss sot matter what that
fellow, Screech, offers you ; I am prepared to give more.'
Orcesmumieed—l did not mean to give him the 2001.,
but only offered it him to see how the market was going.
(Laughter.) I offered many people bribes ; perhaps 40. I
gave information about the cases to a strange gentleman
I don't know. I suer iaquired who he was. I believe I
was actin for the oonservativse, but I had no orders from
Mr. Edmunds, the tort agent. The Mama told me to
offer the money. I don't know whether he intended me to
pay it. I paid the mosey to William Peogelly, and showed
.eioney to others. 1 got it from the stranger ; gave him
so neceipt. [rea wisneas lure asked leave to take some
tesedy.J Received 501. one day, and the next day three
or four fifties; kept none myself.
Re-examined—The men who refused the money told me
they could get more (ran the other side. Pengelly retuned
me the 501. on this ground.
By the Chairman—The figures were fearful on the day of
sominatios, and the stranger commissioned me to offer any
amount. I could give you a splendid &peanut of the liberal
doings from 1852, and I believe they never won an election
without. Money was paid at municipal elections too. I
was coneected with the liberals at previous election'. I
might have expended 3001. or 4001. altogether. I changed
aides because when my father supported the tones the
Duke of Somerset's stewards would not Ist his aervanta eves
call at our public-house fora drop of cider. The servants
have to votes, they are told.
The Chairman informed the witness that be would re-
solve a certificate of indemnity for what he had stated.
Robert MorgriJp, baydesler, saw Mr. Cheater, his land-
' lord, a few days before the Glee ion, and offered to vote
for the liberals for 1001. The day before the elution Mr.
Tessin, of Weston, offered to get him the 1001. at 5 o'clock
if witness would vote at 8, so which he agreed, bat he
voted for the other aide and got nothing.
Robert Harris, land ageet, said he was told by Mr. Pender
that if he would leave Tomes he would get him a situatioe
of 2001. or 3001. a year. He also said be had an adulates*
over the tories, as be could bring up the Duke of Somerset's
tenants without paying them, and that where he bad to
bribe one the other side had to bribe two. He said °or-
replan was going on to an enormous extut, and that what
be same down amongst the Jews, he must do as the Jews
did. (Laughter.) Mr. Pander concluded by saying. " I
hope you won't work ageimit me, and after the election is
over 111 get you the situation." The witness then deposed
to the cotiveriatioe with Green, which he took to be serious.
Cress-examined—Applied to Mr. Peeler for the situ.
ton afterwards, but was refused. Brought an action for
31. in 1861, but does not remember the judge saying that the
Does was obtained by fraud. The vitae." was subjected to
• minute eras-examination as to his being suspeadad by
a Wesleyan ougregaticie which be statedwas conicsn, to
his being made • bankrupt ; adding that he had been
repeatedly invited to rejoin them.
By the Chairman—Did not believe fifty people in the
borough votes without some consideration or other.
Samuel Hurd, ebb-proprietor, said he was offered 1501.
by Farley, but refused it, and voted for the 'Write for
nothing.