The Express.
London, England, 1866-04-19 00:00:00

NOTTINGHAM.

Mr. Edward Grepper was one of the witnesses examined
yesterday.—Was one of the vice.chairmen of the oen
teal committee of Messrs. Morley and Paget. After the
26th Jane, in consequence of the riots, a change was made
in their system of canvassing. They found it impossible
to communicate with the electors in large meetings open
to every one, and therefore issued circulars to those who
were to attend their meetings. There was great danger of
interruption and violence from roughs. The number
of circulars sent out was never lass than 3,000,
and paid canvasser! were employed to distribute them.
The canvassers were instructed to refute the calumnies
that were circulated as to the conduct of Messrs. Paget
and Morley, but nothing was said to them as to their own
votes. There were also handbills used instead of placards,
as the latter were torn down. About 10,000 were printed,
which were sent out by hand. There were three general
meetings held between the Nth June and the polling-day,
attended by large numbers of persons.
By Mr. Russell—Circulars and handbills might have
been sent out by post, and at first were so, but large num-
bers were returned. Had seen large bags of handbills
which had been sent through the post and came back.
Thinks as many as 5,000 circulars were sent out at once by
post, and had seen bags of them returned, with the inti-
mation that the parties to whom they were addressed
could not be found, although they were all voters, and
ought to have been found. Many of them were obscure
persons, not in the habit of getting letters by poet, and the
postmaster complained of his men being overwhelmed by
work. Had subscribed 201. to meet the expenses of the
petition.
Mr. William Vickers, jun., examined by Mr. Stephens,
stated that he had been vice-chairman of the Exchange
ward. He described the arrangements as to the employ-
ment of paid canvassers to the same effect as the previous
witnesses. He had himself addressed ten canvassers. in-
structing them that they were to use their best exertions
to promote the return of Messrs. Paget and Morley,
and that there was plenty of work for them to do, but said
nothing to them about their own votes. Had himself at-
tempted to canvass, and on the second oocasion of his
doing so was grossly insulted, and found himself obliged to
desist. Employed a number of him own men in addition to
the paid canvassers, because there were not sufficient of
the latter to do the work.

By Mr. Pmwell—The paid canvassers were at liberty to
vote as they pleased,y and on two or three occasions he
stated this to them. Believed that some of them voted
for Messrs. Paget and Morley, but had not examined the
poll-books to make out how they voted.
By the t lairmiut—There were aabout 100 voters in the
Exchange ward. About forty paid canvassers were em-
ployed as passengers and otherwise ; some were voters and
some not.

Mr. Edward Newton, ezmuined by Mr. Gifford, stated
that he had been a clerk in thecommittee-room. Knew a
man name.' Edward Claypolo, but had never said to him,
" I have put you on the canvaw•book, and you can come
every morning end show your face.",..

By Mr. IZ.u:sell—Kues; Thomas Selby, one of the paid
canvasser, and thought him one of the hest workers they
had. Paid Selby one sovereign ; cannot say if Selby
threatened him.

By Mr. O'Malley—The list of canvassers wu destroyed
as waste paper. He last saw it wth Sills, who
bad it in hie hand. Witness had to write cir-
culars, attend to the reports of the canvass-books,
and entered them in a ledger. The canvass books were
delivered to Sills by witness ; does not know if they were
destroyed as waste paper. Never asked a man how he was
going to vote ; might hear them say how they were.
Knows a man named Taylor does not recollect the time
when he cene to be put on the canvass list; recollectspay-
ing him, bat not how much he was paid. Knows that
Taylor wa • employed in delivering circulars and similar
work. In t:.e latter part of the election about thirty persons
were so employed; they came to their work in the morning.
Never kept a days pay in hand when the men were paid.
Knows of no book in which the payments so made were
entered. The account of the work done by each man was
on a separate piece of paper, and witness stated it to Mr.
Heath, "to took his word for it.
4tr. William John Ward, examined by Mr. Gaud,
stated that he had taken an active part in favour of Messrs.
Paget and Morley. Had attended sixteen of the ward
meetings. at which paid canvassers attended and received
Instructions as to their duties.

By Mr. Russell Knows nothing as to the employment
of " rougLi." Had attempted to canvass himself. Had
not been subjected to personal violence. Had been
threatened to be shot through the head. Had been fol-
lowed, hooted, and hissed. but not struck. Witness's wife
was in a state of great alarm about him. (Laughter.)
Mr. James Roe, examined by Mr. Stephen, stated that
he had acted as vice-chairman of St. Mary's ward. Many
of the voters at first act 2d as voluntary canvassers, but
ceased to do so from the annoyance and insults to which
they were subjected in the course of their canvass, espe-
cially in thz low parts of the town. Had gone with some
friends to canvass in Pollock-street, but had hardly
when a mob came round them, and they were obligtr,
take refuge in a public-house. They had to fight their
way out. and witness was struck with stones and mod,
knocked down, and chased out of the district. This was
about the :Bth June. Messrs. Paget and Morley's friends
were obliged to employ paid canvassers after the 26th
June, and to send out notices of their meetings. The can-
vassers were sent out with these circulars, not singly, but
in parties of three or four, for protection.
Mr. William Sylvester, examined by Mr. Gifford, stated
that he was an alderman of the borough of Nottingham.
His shop was not open on the polling day. Did not dare
to open it.
Is it true that any man was asked by your son, Mr. John
Sylvester. whether he would go down and pull, and that
your son offered him 30s. to do so. ?—No, nothing of the
sort happened.
Is it the fact that on that morning, behind your counter,
there was a bag of gold 7—No, I wish there had been.
(Great laughter.)
Is it true that people were going in and out during the
day, receiving sums of money for their votes? All that is
pure invention, is it not'—lt is.
By the Chairman—His son was not in his shop between
10 and 2 o'clock. _ _ _

By Mr. Russell—Witness did not leave his shop during
the day, except for dinner.
Mr. Stephen proceeded to sum up the evidence, and in
doing so made an acknowledgment to the committee for
the kindness with which the counsel had been treated, and
the patience with which the inquiry had been conducted.
A great deal had been said on topics which had now become
very trite, but into which he did not consider it neces-
sary to follow his learned friend on the opposite side. The
issue was whether Mr. Morley bribed or not, and this
was attempted to be made out by establishing the
colourable employment of paid C 1111•21111019, and also by
several alleged acts of individual bribery. Not a single
piece of new evidence as to the employment of paid can-
vassers had been adduced since the address of Mr. Mun-
dell, and with that observation he might leave the matter
in the hands of the committee. His friends on the oppo-
aide had laid before them nothing to prove that these per-
sons were not employed in a legitimate capacity, made no-
*pessary by the state of the town of Nottingham. They
had beard of till paid canvassers put on towards the end
of the election on behalf of Sir R. Clifton and Mr.
Martin, but nothing of the kind was suggestedb as
to Messrs. Paget and Morley. It was
the statement of Mr. Mundell**, that Messrs. Paget and
Morley employed their paid canvassers in carrying circulars,
and generally in all the ordinarywork of an slection,which
had to be performed in this way on account of the state of
the town. The ward committees communicated to the
°cutest committee that they were in want of additiosial
assistance, and received authority to put on extra can.