The Express.
London, England, 1866-09-19 00:00:00

THE ELECTION COMMISSIONS.

REIGATE.

The inquiry was resumed yesterday.
Wm. Hines, examined by Mr. Smith—l am under-guard
to geodeisaineratheßouth &dem Railway. I votedfor Mr.
Gower at the last election, but received nothing. I was
51. by Cook if I would vote for Mr. Monson, but
I would not take it, se lilted premised Ilr.Govrer. A day or
two after the election Cook brought use 51., wheel I told
him I had voted for Mr. Gower. Cook said, " Well, we
will divided it between us," and we did so. (Laughter.)
Augustus Frederick • mainlined by Mr Smith
—I am an =to titter en on the South 'Eastern
Railway. I "ad not vote at the last election. In 1963 I
voted for Mr. Gower. At the Ina election I was 011111-
'word by both parties. Richardson canvassed me on
behalf of Mr. Monson. Shephied told me I could go nu
the committee at 30 s. per weelti but I declined. I war
cenvereed by Mr. Gorr and Mr. Dann, but refused to
give them any promise. In 18661 received nothing. In
1863 I voted for Mr. Gower, but received nothg.l
declined voting in 1886 bombs* I Wham ill used in 18N.
I wee in a sick club at the time, and was turned out by my
fellow-workmen for voting for Mr. Gower.
Mr. Smith—There is not a more effectual way of
exesvisieg intimidation than the boaducei of these work-
men towards you. If your statement is correct, their
conduct is perfectly disgraceful.
Henry Green, ermined by Mr. fierjeant O'Brien—l am
a builder. I voted for Mr. Gower at the last election, and
took an active part in it. In 1863 I aim took an active
part for Mr. Gower. In 1859 I voted for Mr. Monson. In
October, 1.858, I also voted for Mapes& In Fek,lBsB,
I voted for Mr. Doulton, and at the previous on for
Mr. Hackblock. At the tuition of 1863 money
through my hands. I received from Smith 2101. lErsad
at different times. I received 40/. as my own fee.
For the election in 1865 I received 2001. from Smith, and
of that I kept 501. for myself.
Thomas Hobson, examined by Mr. Allen—l am a shoe-
maker. I did not vote at the laid election. I promised
the Monson party on conditions.. They promised me 51.,
but as I could not get it before the election I would not
trust them, and they would not trust me, and so I did not
vote.

was under exa.muaa Ilan
whenthe H.
Apted, ih",
Inquiry was adjourned
John
ake
till today.

LANCASTER.

The inquiry into the existence of bribery and
corrupt practices at elections for this borough was resumed
yesterday, before Commissioners Barstow. Newton, and A.
Staveley Hill.
Robert Aldren, master, of Skertcm, and a conservative,
said he received 51. from a stranger for assisting in looking
after the voters, and getting them together. Had voted.
when he got the money, but it was not for his vote. Per-
haps he might not have received it if he had not voted.
(Laughter.) Was a well-to-do-man.
John Bond, fisherman, and a liberal, received IL from
Jame" Bell, 10s. from Mrs. Willacy, which he spent in
treating himself and others, 31. from Mr. Shackleton, and
151. for his services.
It is bard work drinking, I suppose!—Well, it is hard
work sometimes. (Laughter.) I got 191. 10s. altogether,
but spent a deal of it in treating.
William Armistead, fisherman, said he was a " yellow "
(liberal) in his own mind, but once voted " blue " for Mr.
Saunders, having very good reasons for doing so.
(laughter.) He farmed some land under Mr. C. T.
Clark, and sooner than lose both his land and his living
he voted against his principles. Voted for his conscience
last time, and got 151. for it. (Laughter.) Also received
2/. 10s. to treat the freemen with.

Yon received altogether 17/. 10s. for conscience money?
Yes—(laughter)—but I also got 1/. from the blues.
John Erimonson, fisherman, said that to tell the truth
he could not exactly say bow much money ho received
during the election. Believed that he received from
Shackleton about 25/. altogether and 7s. from she other side.
Put about 131. into his own pocket, and spent the rest in
treating.
William Atkinson, surveyor, of Morocambe, and a con-
servative, said he received 2/. from Mr. Conpiand, and
251. from Mr. Bakewell. Paid 15/. to Martin Ireland for
his vote ; U. to D. Irvine ; 151. to Henry Huntingdon,
farmer ; also paid IW. or 121. for refreshments, and owed
James Walker 10/. for his vote. (Laughter.) Walker sold
his vote on credit, hut was not likely to get paid now.
(Laughter.) Witness received 271., and spent 471.
Mr. Win. Jackson, manufacturer, said-1 took an active I
part in the election for the borough up to 1859 and 1800,1
whoa 14Illed the office of mayor. About 10 years ago I
became a director of the Lancaster bank. Mr. Coniston '
took a more active part in the management of the
affairs of the bank than I did, and it was not until
September that I heard anything with regard to opening
an account with Mr. Schneider. About a week or a fort- i
night after the election Mr. Coniston told me that he hail
advanced Mr. Schneider either 2,000/. or 2,500/., but the
sum stood against Mr. Coniston in the book, of the bank.
Mr. Schneider had an account with the lilverston branch
of the bank, and of course it was a very valuable account.
When Dlr. Coniston told me of the advance to Mr.
Schneider he acid that Mr. Schneider had given or was to
give a promissory note for it. I did not understand that'
the money was advanced for the ordinary purposes of
trade, but I supposed that it had some connection with
the election. I did not know then, nor until long after,
that there had been an advance of more than 2,5001.
Francis Miller, cabinetmaker, examined—l assisted Mr.
Staunton on behalf of the conservatives at the last election,
and received 22/. se. for the purposes of the election.
Beginning with the biggest lump, I pocketed 101. for my
own vote. (Laughter.) I gave John Dobson 10/., anal I
spent the rest in treating. I dial not give it all away, but
spent aortion on myself. (Laughter.)
Mr. Tapmes L. Milner, proprietor of the Lancaster Guar-
dial', the liberal paper, was next examined—He said,
about ten days before the election I received from Mr.
Smith, of Barrow, one of the managers of the Hematite
Steel Company (Schneider, Hannay and Co.), a parcel of
money. It was left at any house for Mr.Welch, the liberal
cashier. Except from common rumour I know nothing
of the bribery that went on, but it was re-
ported to be chiefly among the freemen who had
been petted anal pampered for years past, and had
grown into the habit of receiving money. I thought it
was indiscreet on the part of Mr. Schneider to send money
into the town in that way, but it did not occur to me
that this was an illegal transaction.
The inquiry was proceeding when our parcel left.

TOTNES.
The commissioners met again yesterday, Mr.
Bore in the chair.
John Ackrell, a mason, was examined.—He and he was
offered 200/. to vote for Baldwin, but being a liberal he
refused the money. Robert }Janis had offered him 1501.
to vote for Dent, and witness ordered Harris out. Never
had a penny for his vote.
William Cole said be rented land from Mr. Champer.
nowne, and also from the Duke of Somerset Voted upon
an open linhay for settle. Was told how he was to vote
when he took the land he held under the duke. Voted for
Fender and Seymour in 1863, but got nothing for his vote.
In 1862 John Heath offered witness 150!. to vote for Dent,
but witness refused it.
Swan Kinsman stated that she went to the Seven Stars
last election and received 181. from Frederick Evens. Had
previously received 171. from Evens. Her husband was
taken away before the election. Had beard her husband
say that he bad 101. in 1862.
William Smale, agent to the railway company, stated
that he had not voted either in 1862 or 1863. In 1865 Mr.
Heath offered Smale 5001. Witness said be was not to be
bought, and Heath said he would double the sum if wit-
rem would vote for Dent. In 1865 Robert Harris offered
witness • station-master's situation of 2001. a year, but
witness would hrve nothing to do with Harris.
The inquiry was proceeding when our parcel was de.
spatched.