The Express.
London, England, 1866-09-14 00:00:00

THE IMPRESS, FRIDAY VitieNG, SEPTEMBER

TEE ELECTION COMMISSIONS.

REIGATE.
The inquiry was resumed yesterday morning at

eleven o'clock.
James Rees, examined by Mr. Allen—l am a builder and
estate agent. I voted for Mr. Gower at the election
of 180. I was engaged as sub-agent by Mr. Smith. I
received money at various times from Henry Green, a por-
tion of which he said he had received from Smith. The
amount I received was 101. I gave him an account of its
application. I received the 10i. About a fortnight before
the Dolling. It was expended partly in Post-oflioe orders
to electors. I got one for 30s. for James Davis, at Green-

with.
Mr. Smith—That was to bring up a bad vote.
Witness—Dead men sometimes vote. (Laughter.) I
sent 30s. to Henry Turner, and 30s. to Ebenezer Hooper.
The remaining portion of the money was expended in tra-
velling and other expenses of a similar kind. It was under-
stood that I was to be allowed 30s. for canvassing—the
same as at the previous election—and Smith sent me a
cheque for that sum. I saw nothing unusual at the last
election. What has been given in evidence has not sur-
prised me. In 1863 I received perhaps 3001. in addition to
my own 301. The payments which I made extended over
live or six weeks. I sent in my account to Smith. The
sums were paid by both Green and myself, but I kept the
account. The money came from Smith, and the whole of
I is wee distributed amongst the voters for acting as messen-
gore and performing other duties. At the election in 1859
I was with Hart, and received 201. I voted for Mr. Mon-
son. I paid no money away at the.: election. The "busi-
ness " was carried on the same way as at most of the other
elections, and has been increasing at every election since
1852. At Doulton's election I backed up Mr. Monson. I
did not pay out any money or receive anything at that
election. There was a good deal of treating and money
going at that election. I never knew of somuch going before.
Most of the men polled by Doulton were working men,
who had been employed. I recollect a number of "roughs,"
who we-e imported principally from Croydon. (Laughter.)
There were some voters amongst them, but I cannot name

them.
How was it that you did not receive more than 10/. in
1865, teeing that you bad paid larger sums at previous
elections'-I did not feel disposed to go inter the mater as
before, and those who spoke to me I referred to Green, as
having taken the management of that department.
Mr. Green-I deny that altogether.
Henry Thorpe, examined by Mr. Serjeant O'Brien-I am
a bricklayer, when I works, and am commonly called "Bold
Ned Thorpe." ( raughter.) I was on Mr. Gower's com-
mittee, and voted for him. I gave all my services to him.
I received 30s. for some weeks. I received 51. altogether
from Green. I did not go to him. He came to me.
(Laughter.) I had no vote in 1863. In 1859 I voted for
the present Lord Monson, and received nothing. I did tbe
same at the previous election. I voted for Doulton when
he was a candidate. That was the time, sir. (laughter.)
I received all the money I could get, and I can't tell how
much I had. I had more than 30s. a week-something like
21. Truman paid me.
Was there plenty of beer going at that election!-Beer!
God bless your soul, I'm a lover of beer ! (Laughter.) But
I had pone at that election, for I was a teetotaller. (Con-
tinued laughter.)
Mr. Serjesnt O'Brien-I know what beer Is.
Witraa-And so do I. (Laughter.) And now (said
the 'dram, turning to the other commissioners) are you
going to have a turn! (Roars of laughter, in which the
comunkrioners joined.)
George Ecock, examined by Mr. Allen-I am a earpea-
ter. At the election of 1865 I voted for Mr. Gower. I was
mon the committee by Green. I received 2/. 10s. In
et
voted for Mr. Gower, and 'received 7s. 6d. a day. I
was employed for about five weeks, and received about
121.155. altogether.
Thomas Waghorn, examined by Mr. Smith-I am a paper
hanger. I voted for Mr. Gower at the election of 1865,
and received 31. I voted for Mr. Wilkinson in 1863, and
received about 11. 19e. altogether.
Charles Parsons,examined by Mr. Serjesnt O'Brien-I am
a carpenter, and work for Carruthers. I voted for Mr. Gower
at the last election. I was put on the committee by Buck-
land, who said I should be paid for my trouble. I received
1/. from Buckland before the election, and 21. 10a. after-
yards. I lost four days' work. At the election of 1863 I
voted for Mr. Wilkinson, and received 21. from Frederick
Joyes. I did nothing at all at that election.
Wm. Eve, examined by Mr. Allen-I am a gardener. At
the last election I voted for Mr. Gower. Buckland asked
me to go on the committee, but I refused. I assisted in
canvassing and received 31. from Buckland. Corderoy
asked me to vote for Mr. Monson, and said he could do as
much as the other party-that if I would go on the com-
mittee I could have some money in my pocket. I did not
consent, and did not receive anything from the party.
Francis Peters, examined by Mr, Smith-I am a brick-
layer. I voted for Mr. Gower. I lost eiwtit dayslabour.
I was about the town doing nothing particular, and got
paid for it. (Laughter.) I was paid 41. by Henry Green,
who bad put me on the committee, and said he would sa-
tisfy me for what I did.
Dewdney, examined by Mr. Serjeant O'Brien-I
am a baker. At the last election I voted for Mr. Gower.
In 1863 I did not vote at all. I was at home on the poll-
ing day before half-past three. Some persons had previously
called about my vote, but I did not see them. I don't re-
collect any person saying he would call a few minutes be-
fore four. I had declared that I should not vote at all. In
1861 I received nothing for my vote. It was not arranged
that if terms could be come to I and my brother should be
called upon a few minutes before four. I never heard that
..he terms were 201. I have no recollection of hearing that
I and my brother were to have 51. if we refrained from
voting. My brother never told me of any such arrange-
ment,.
George Stanford, examined by Mr. Allen-I am a gar-
dener. I voted fur Mr. Gower at the last election. I was
put on his committee by Job Apted. He did not mention
any terms pasticular, but I was to have 51. I received 17a.
from Darrant for three days' work in hie garden, and •
pair of boots or shoes from Apted, worth 7s.
Mr. Serjeant O'Brien-You are a melancholy spectacle.
We shall have to put you down as having been bribed by •
pair of shoes.
George Croucher, examined by Mr. Smith-I am a gar-
dener. I voted for Mr. Gower. Durraut gave me half-a-
crown before the election to get a " drop of beer." After
the election he gave me 10s. In 1863 I got half-a-crown.
Charles Champion, examined by Mr. Serjeant O'Brien-
lam a blacksmith. I voted for Mr. Cower at the last
election, and was on his committee five or six weeks. The
only man I asked for a vote was a gardener named Thomp-
eon. I received nothing at all for my services. I paid some
money for refreshments, and was repaid that. I got 31.
from Darrant. I was asked to take charge of the voters,
and give them some refreshment, and I did so. I paid
3/. 154. to Hodge. I received 31. from Smith, who asked
me to take charge of a little money, and said he would
send it. I afterwards paid . Hodge another 11., and ex-
pended the remainder in bringing up voters. I have heard
that Durrant has put me down 31. for "work." That is a
mistake, I never did any work. Durrant knew what I
paid the money for at the time, and had no right to put
me down in the manner he has done. Williams told me
that he has been put down in the same way, and that it is
wrong.
George Lucas, ear mined by Mr. Smith-I am a baker.
I voted for Mr. Gower at the last election. I was put on
his committee in consequence of having some conversation
with Rockland about six weeks before the election.
Nothing was said about remuneration, but I received 31.
for my services from Buckland. It was not for my vote-
of course not. (Laughter.) Buckland is secretary to the
building society. A good many of my neighbours have
received money in the same way that I did. In 1863 I
voted for Mr. Wilkinson, and received 21. ss. for nine
days, at ss. • day. It was paid by • stranger at the Swan.
I was employed to deliver circulars, and delivered them
along with my bread. (Laughter.)
Joseph Sawyers, examined by Mr. Serjeant O'Brien-I
am a shoemaker. I voted for Mr. Gower at the last
e'ection, and received I/. from Green. In 1863 I voted
for Mr. Gower, and was paid 7s. 6d. a day for eighteen
days.
Charles Murrell, examined by Mr. Allen-I am a
labourer. I voted for Mr. Gower at the last election.
Apted put me on the committee, and I was paid 30s. by
Rose.
George Parfit, examined by Mr. Smith-I am a gar-
dener. I voted for Mr. Glwar. After the election I re-
ceived 21. from Alexander Rose.
Charles Charles. examined by Mr. Serjeant O'Brien-I
am a gardener, and voted for Mr. Gower. I did not can-
vass or do anything. About six mouths after the election
Penfold presented me with 21. It was a very agreeable
surprise to me. He did not say a word about the election,
I guessed what it was for. (Laughter.) I gave my vote
voluntarily and unconditionally.
Thomas Titchiner, examined by Mr. Allen-I am a
labourer. I voted for Mr. Gower at the last election. I
was pat on the committee by Smith. I paid money to
different people, and handed the bills to Penfold, who re-
paid me. I never reckoned up the total amount, but it
might be about 157. I sent in a bill for 91. to Smith, who
paid it. That was for my own services and some payments
that I had made.
Adjourned to this day.
[The statement by some of our contemporaries that the
Reigate Commission will be shortly adjourned until Oc-
tober is erroneous. The commissioners will continue their
inquiry, and the revision of the voting lista by those who
are revising barristers will be postponed until next month.]