The Express.
London, England, 1866-04-26 00:00:00

WAKEFTICLD.

The committee appointed to try the petition
against the return of Mr. W. H. Leatham, as member for
the borough of Wakefield, re-assembled this morning.
Mr. Gregory in the chair.
Mr. Giffard, Q.C., in opening the case on behalf of the
'thing member, said he should be in a position to prove
that the election was conducted by the agents of the sit-
ting members on principles of the strictest purity, and
with a strong desire to get rid of the evil notoriety which
had attended the borough in consequence of the rnroceed-
ings in connexion with the election of 1859. Their main
efforts were directed to keep the election itself pure,
and to prevent anything that could be likely to
give rise to an impury of this sort. Mr. Leathern was
applied to stand in April, and at first he was reluctant to
do so, but after considerable negotiation, and the register
showing that there would be a large liberal majority, he at
last consented to be nominated, but it was only on the ex-
press understanding that there should be no expendi-
ture of money except for the legitimate purposes
of the election. There could be no doubt that
bribery had taken place, but he (Mr. Giffard)
would show that it had been instigated by a Mr. Henry
Barrett, the clerk to some assignees, who had nothing to
do with the sitting member, but who, looking upon the
election as a sporting event, had many heavy bets on it,
and no doubt bribed to win his money. Mr. Barrett
helped himself considerably to the money placed in his
h, in the course of his professional liminess, in order
to carry out his design, and had since absconded.
Mr. Samuel Bruce, practising barrister living at Wake.
field, said he was a rider, and took some interest in the
election. Was a member of the Liberal Registration
Association. A meeting of that association was called in
March, 18115, and certain gentlemen were formed into a
committee for the purpose of conducting the elec•
tion, if there should be a dissolution of parlia-
ment. The committee consisted of nine gentle-
men, and a gentleman named Mender was afterwards
added. The register was examined by four of the commit-
tee in concert, and by each other separately, and a meeting
of the committee was then called. They came to the con-
clusion that there was a large liberal majority upon the re-
gister, and they decided to invite Mr. Leatham to stand
for the borough. He was invited upon the understanding
thathe should take no part whateverin the election, an d that
the whole of the expenses should be paid by a subscription.
Mr. Leatham waa at first reluctant to stand but ultimately
he consented, on the understanding that the election
should be conducted upon pure principles. The expenses
of the election on Mr. Lestlurn, s part amounted to about
8001. The committee who conducted the election wished
to avoid everything that was illegal and they in no we
sanctioned any bribery or any improper proceed-
ings of any description. Mr. Kenworthy was not
a member of the committee, and had no authority what-
ever from them. Mr. Henry Barrett was not a member
of the committee, and also was altogether without autho-
rity.from them. Mr. Crawahaw was in the same position,
having no authority, and it was the same with Mr. Jesse
Barkinehaw, Mr. Joseph Fletcher Shaw, Mr. William T.
Lamb, Mr.Gosney,l and Mr. Armstrong. Mr. Lamb did sonic
printing for the committee, but he was not connected with
them in any other way. Mr. Wm. Hall was not a mem-
ber of the committee, and had no authority, though like
Mr. Lamb, he did some printing for the committee. A day
or two before the election some ward secretaries were
appointed to tick off the voters at the poll. They were
furnished with lists and poll-books from the committee
and they had to get outthestateof the pollevery half-hour.
They were furnished with messengers, and had a room in
each ward to perform their duties in. The payments in
the list of accounts to ward secretaries were on this
account. . . . .

In cross-examination witness said he took some part in
the election of 1859 on behalf of Mr. Leathrun. The
requisition to Mr. Leatham was not got up by
the committee of the Liberal Registration Association.
Witness suggested the requisition first. Mr. Hall
assisted in getting up the requisition. Had never seen Mr.
Henry. Witness himself was there every day. Mr. Rose
was not treasurer of the central committee. There was
no treasurer. [The cross-examination of this witness was
continued at some length with the view of trying to elicit
from him some admissions which should connect some of
the persons accused of illegal practices with the committee,
and to attach some responsibility to them as agents fur
the sitting member. The witness's evidence in chief, how-
ever, remained unshaken in all its important particulars.
H ]
Mr. all's name was attached to one of the circulars issued
by the counnittee as secretary to one of the ward com-
mittees, and the name of Mr. Rose was printed on a placard
as treasurer to the central committee.
. .

[Left rifting.]

HUDDERSFIELD.

The committee selected to try the merits of the
petition against the return of Mr. Crosland met again
this morning, Lord Naas in the chair.
Counsel for the petitioners, Mr. Temple, Q.C., Serjeant
Tindal Atkinson, and Mr. Mscnamars.; for the sitting
member, Mr. RodweU, Q.C., Mr. Hannen, and Mr. Waddy.
Mr. Temple said he proposed to call Mr. Clayton to
state the conversation which passed between himself and
David Teakcr, who had stated that he was offered 201. for
the story which he had told.
Mr. RodweU objected to his learned friend calling a
witness to discredit his own witness, as being contrary to
every principle of law..
After some discussion,

The Chairman said the committee were of opinionthat
such a course of examination was not admissible.

Thomas Dean, examined by Mr. Serjeant Atkinson—l
know a person named Thomas Lee. I had a conversation
with Mr. Thomas Learoyd respecting him at the
George Inn. Mr. Learoyd said he wished me to
see Thomas Lee. I found him, and took him
tothe Imperial. On my way I met Joe Cliff. Lee went
into the ImperiaL I saw Clayton, and told him that Lee
was badly off and wanted something. When Lee came out
of the inn Clayton gave me a sovereign, and said I was to
take Lee to his house, and that his wife was to give Lee a
bottle of wine. Clayton keeps the Queen's Head. We went and
Lee got a bottle of wine, and I had some whisky and
water. I did not pay for anything. Clayton did not say
who the sovereign was to be given to. Lee took the wine
home to his wife. _ _

Cross-examined by Mr. Rodwell—l was employed at the
last election by Mr. Learoyd. I made a statement to Mr.
Clough's clerk about three months after the election. I
told it all at once. I did not like it at first, and did not make
up my mind. I made up my mind when they came to me at
Rochdale. I cannot say why I changed my mind. I had
heard that other people had been giving evidence. I
understood that I might be well paid. I expect to be paid
the same as the other witnessee. I believe they are to
have a guinea a day. I have received 54 up to the pre-
sent time. I was paid half a sovereign after I had given
Mr. Clough's clerk my evidence. I may have had more
and forgotten it. The clerk said the half sovereign was to
get something to drink with.
Re-examined—l have paid my expenses out of the 51.
Joseph Wilson gave corroborative evidence.
Sarah Brook, examined by Serjeant Atkinson—l lately
kept the Bath Hotel tap, at Huddersfield. My late hus-
band was a voter, and was canvassed by both sides. He did
not promise to vote for either. I remember Mr. Joseph
Hellewell calling on my husband when he was very ill in
bed, and saying he would order some wine to be sent.
Nothing was said at that time about voting. A bottle of
port wine was brought the next day. Mr. Hellewell
I told her that the wine came from Mr. Toulson,
and that I was to go there for more. I sent
for wine about every other day. I went once my-
self and got a bottle. I never paid anything. Mr. Hells.
well frequently called to see my husband. On one occasion
Mr. Hellewell asked him how he was going to vote. He re-
plied that he should not tell anyone until the day of elec-
tion, and that he hadsignedtherequisition to Mr. Crosland.
, On the polling day I went with my husband to the George.
IHe had a little wine and some whisky. It was not paid
I for. My husband voted for Mr. Crosland. About two
days after the election I sent my eon to Mr. Toulson's for
more wine, and he brought a bottle back. I had wine sent
at intervals after my husband's death. I have never paid
for any of the wine.
Cross-examined by Mr. Hannen—Dr. Wilson told my
husband he ought to have some port wine. Mr. Hellewell
I and my husband were old friends. I told Mr. Hellewell
1 that my husband had been ordered to take port wine.
Frederick Killner examined by Mr. Macnamara—l had •
vote at the lest election. I and my brother had been in
the habit of buying cloth of Mr. Hellewell. Hs came to
me about • fortnight before the election. I had •
bill of about 701. coming due. He asked me to vote
for Mr. Crosland. I said, yea. Mr. Hellewell promised
I to assist me in taking cap the bill, and let roe have 70L for
that purpose. I went to the tzlih:deeening before
the day. I saw Mr, and he said he
should hie me to poll early. After I polled I saw