The Express.
London, England, 1866-09-18 00:00:00

E 4

THE ELECTION CO3IMISSION&

REIGATE.
The inquiry wait resumed yesterday.
John Shepherd, examined by Mr. Allen—lam •
flatterer.
At the last election I lived lit Redhill, and toted
Monson. I was on his committee, and took an active part
in the election. I interested myself amongrt the railway
voters, the number of whom is about thirty. I perrnaded
about eighteen of them to vote for Mr. Monson. Some of
therailway men voted for Mr. Gower. I paid Tilden Bar-
ham 41.105. He returned me the money. I paid David
Bereeswee 4/. 10a. ; also Edward Burlton, George Cheney,
and George Carter. I received the money which I paid at
Issgridge's. It was left there by Nichols. The amount
I received altogether was 991. I received it all before the
elereica to pay away. I received it at three different
times. After the election was over, I received 51. from
Niahols. In addition to these sums I received 21. before
the election to go down into Berkshire to fetch a voter
waned William Smith, currier, of Redhill. The fol. was for
personal expen The 991. consisted of three weekly pay-
ments of M. each. The whole of the sums were paid in gold.
I received nothing for myself except the 5/. which Nichols
said was for my trouble and expenses. That included my
hue of time. I think I expended 161. out of the 991. for
various charges. The names of the persons I paid money
to are J. Compton, Robert Young, James Nye, Joseph
Goldeack, John M'Millan, W. H. Smith W. Bone,
Hayward, W. Belcher, Peter Wornham, John Lamber,
Benj. Hewitt, John Towse, Tylden Barham, J. Donaldson,
Henry Taylor, G. Cheney, Banton, John Whittier, T.
=, T. Bates, George Carter, and David Basemen. I
I these men 41.10 e. each, and I kept 41. 10s. for
myself. There is one receipt I had forgotten. I received
91. the day before the election from Nichols to pay Burl-
ton and Whittier. There were 24 voters altogether who
received 41. 10s. each. The 41. 10s. which Tylden Barham
returned I kept for myself. I did not receive a fraction
alter the election beyond the 51. Nichols arranged with
as to go to work. I told him there were sonny men who
wanted their expenses, and the 331. was advanced to pay
them 30s. each. The men wanted the money for
the election week, but Nichols said he could not pay
them. It was at that time that be gave me the 51. I told
him the men were dissatisfied, and he said he could not
help it. This took place after the election. I took a part
in the election of 1863, and voted for Mr. Wilkinson. I
received nothing for myself on that occasion, and nothing
to ppaay away. Yea, I believe I received 30s. from John
Wilkinson. He put me on his list to watch • certain

person.
By Mr. Smith—l can't tell bow it was that BOIKSWOII
voted for Mr. Gower. Peter Wornham could not tell me
why he bad changed his mind. grumbled about the
41. 10s., and said the other party were paying more. Be-
fore the polling week the men had a meeting, and I believe
Nichols had promised that they should be paid for that
week. I believe Hayward went to see some of the Cower
party, but I don't know that he was deputed to go by the
other men. When Barham gave the money back to me he
. .

was negotiating for more money.
By Mr. Serjeant O'Brien—l gave to Nichols the names
of the railway men who had promised to vote for Mr.

_
Monson.
Do von think the railway managers would have kept you
In their employ if they had known you were corrupting
their servants ?—I beg pardon, I was not corrupting them

st all.
You were giving them money for immoral and dishonest
purposes. Do you suppose if the authorities had known
tkat they would have allowed you to work on their pre-
'

maims !—I cannot say.
Mr. Smith—Was not the money paid for the purpose of
buying the votes of the men !—I believe it amounts to that.
Yon think it amounts to positive bribery?—l believe so.
Mr. Curtis Burt, examined by Mr. Smith—l am a solici-
tor in Reigate. I was not on any committee at the last
election. At the election of 1863 I took an active part for
Mr. Wilkinson. I believe there was a great deal of bribery
and intimidation, and everything there ought not to have
been at that election. There was treating to a very great
extent—equally on both aides. There was a com-
mon rumour respecting intimidation—that parties
were canvassed severally by their masters and supenors.
I believe that was the case from the highest to the lowest.
With regard to the treating, I believe it was universal. I
saw more of treating in 1863 than in 1865. My opinion
respecting bribery has been confirmed by what has passed
here. I believe that out of 840 voters 400 were bribed.
I am sorry to say that I believe that a gross system of
bribery and corruption has existed in Reigate for a very
long time, and that it begun with Mr. Rackblock.
At the election when he was returned, Major Parrot's
expenses were only 641., while those of Mr. lfackblock
me reported to have ben over 2,0001.
By Mr. Allen—l never saw any money pass at the
election of 1863, but I have no doubt that it did pass. I
merely signed a receipt for my fee as an agent in 1863.
The amount had been agreed upon beforehand.
Thos. Pentad recalled, and further examined by Mr.
Serjesnt O'Brien—My account, which I hand in, shows
that I expended 921. out of the 1001. 10e. which I received.
1 paid 11. each to nearly fifty " roughs." I cannot account
exactly for every shilling of the balance of St. between the
payments and receipts. I don't believe that any part of
the money 1 received went into my own pocket. I begun
to receive money to distribute about a month before the

election.
Charles Smith, examined by Mr. Serjeant O'Brien—l am
a draper. At the last election I voted for Mr. Gower. I
came from Little Hampton to vote, and received about
11. lie. and some few pence for my railway and other
expenses and loss of time on the polling day. I should not
have come if I had not been sent for. I did not know at the
time I polled that I had lost my vote in consequence of
removal
William Clark recalled, and examined by Mr. Smith—
I produce a list of twenty-two persons whom I requested
to go to Nichols. I did not pay any money to any of
then. The 351. that I received from Nichols was paid in
5/.lbotes. He knew I should not go to work unless I
bad the money. (Laughter.) I received 251. for my
services at the election of 1863. I gave up my time and
neglected my business for ten weeks. The 251. which I got
in 1863 came through Nichols and Apted. Ten pounds of
the money was given to ins to hand over to two men
named Dale, and I kept it. I told Nichols
I should keep the money until the settling day,
which has never come till now. (Laughter.) Ni-
chols said I might do whet I liked with it, and I did.
There was 10/. due to me for tho election in 1863, and that
101. I got from Nichols at the last election out of the
Monson money. I had been promised payment by Henry
Green, and said I would take his word for 1001. in business,
but not in electioneering matters. (Laughter.) At the
election in 18(1.3 I used to get tit. a week. I was employed
about thirteen weeks. I took what I could get.
Mr. Smith—lt seems that very little money that came
into your hands ever went back again.
#Mr. Serjeant O'Brien—When I got the money from
oh it was expected I should vote for Mr. Monson.
• reason I did not vote fur him was that he did not
want my vote, as he was more than 100 behind at
3o'olock. I did not receive any money from the Gower
party not to vote for Mr. blouson.
By Mr. Allen—l did not receive a cheque or any money
from Smith in 1865 to my knowledge. I received some-
thing, but don't know where it came from. I mean by
" something " the money I received from Nichols. I did
not tell Nichols why I did not vote.
David Thorpe, examined by Mr. Allen—l aim a brick-
layer. At the last election I voted for Mr. Cower. I was
(summed by Mr. Featherstone, and placed on the com-
mittee. I received 2!. 10s. from Green previous to the
election, and 30s. after all was over. I was promised 71.
by Corderoy if I would vote for Mr. Monson. He said he
would pay me on the polling morning. Peters was with
we at the time. We said we would think about it. We
received no money from him or any person on the Monson
side. I think it was 111. that Corduroy promised between
us.
By Mr. Serjeant O'Brien—l didn't take the 111. be•
cause I didn't like to. There was not much chance on
the polling morning. I voted at eight o'clock. There were
placards out, " Monson, and money down "—(laughter)—
and " Gower, and no bribery." (Renewed laughter.)
John Newman, examined by Mr. Allen—l sin a carrier.
I vcted at the last election for Mr. Monson. I received no
money at all, either for myself or for any other person. I
drove a fly on the election day, and on some other days
previously. I was engaged by Nichols, and was to receive
eleven guineas for any election that might take place. The
agreement was made in January. The election came on in
July. I have received nothing yet, but shall take off the
eleven guineas from an account which I owe him. After
the election was over, I sent Nichols a bill for the eleven
guineas. I have not seen him since. I owe him nearly
eleven guineas for rent, and there is a running account
between us for other matters. The only other election at
which I voted was when Sir H. Rawiinson was a can-
didate.
Jesse Houlden, examined by Mr. Smith—l am a brick-
layer. I voted for Mr. Cower at the last election. I pro-
mised him in the brat instance, and was not canvassed by
any other person. I never received a farthing at any elec-
tion, and never wanted anything, either for expenses or
anything else. I don't know much about the Doulton
election, but I believe there was a good deal of bribery
going on.
Henry Bicknell, examined by Mr. Serjeant O'Brien—l
am a shoemaker. At the last election 'I voted for Mr.
Gower, and was put on his committee by Mulley. I re-
ceived 11. from him after the election. I expected to get
somewhere about 61. ; at the rate of 30s. a week. It was
understood that all the committee men were to be paid.
Samuel Johnson, examined by Mr. Allen—l am a brick-
layer. I voted for Mr. Gower, and was pat on his corn-
matted by Muiley, who paid me 31. I was canvassed for
Mr. Monson a day or two before the election by Ephraim
8010, who offered me U. I got 21. 10e., but afterwards
retained it.
George Alberry recalled, and examined by Mr. Allen—l
mat in a billet about 191. to Smith for posting bills. The
account contains a charge for attending the election for two
days. I did not recollect that item when I was examined
Before.
Mr. Smith—By keeping back that fact you have de-
ceived the commissioners.
Ralph Legg, examined by Mr. Serleant O'Brien—l am a
bricklayer, and keep a beerbouse. I voted for Mr. Gower.
I received 1t.19.. from Joy./ for refreshments and the use
—of a bone and cart. There is owing at present 11. Bs. 10d.
I received 101. 19s. from Mr. Smith for 19 men watching
in different pares of the town toe two nights. I believe
that all the mac were voters. I have applied for pay-