The Sun.
London, England, 1859-11-14 00:00:00

WAKEFIELD ELECTION COMMISSION.

secret has been so well kept that it would be a pity
to disclose it before it is necessary. (Laughter.)
Mr. Sergeant Pigott—Can you produce him to-
day ?
Mr, Moore—Oh, yes, he is hard by. I can bring
him in at once.

WAKEFIELD, Nov. 12.
The Commissioners resumed their inquiry at the
Sessions-house this morning. The four missing
witnesses, Mr. J. B. Charlesworth, Mr. Fernandez,
Mr. Serle, and Mr. Moore were forthcoming at last,
and one of the much-talked-of "strangers" also
made his appearance, but at present their evidence
has not added much to the information already laid
before the Commissioners.
The first witness called was
Mr. John Barft Charlesworth, the cousin of Mr.
J. D. Charlesworth, the defeated candidate, who
said—Previous to the last election I had a conver-
sation with my cousin, in the course of which I pro-
posed I should act as paymaster for the expenses
of the election. I asked him to give me an intro-
duction to Messrs. Beckett, of Leeds, as my own
bankers are Messrs. Leathern, and I did not wish
them to know what we were spending. He said it
would not be much use giving me an introduction
without accompanying it with some security, and
that he had none of less amount than a railway
bond for £5,000. I said I should not want a quar-
ter of that ; certainly-not more than £1,500, and
that I would return him the residue when the elec-
tion was ever. He told me he would consider of it
and next morning he gave it me with a letter ofin-
troduction. I took it to Messrs. Beckett, telling
them that I should want to draw about £1,200 on it.
I drew £l,OOO on the 16th April, of which I gave £5OO
to Mr. Fernandez, and with the other £5OO I repaid
Mr. IL Brown, solicitor, a sum of £4OO which he
had lent in the previous year. On the 23d April
I drew out another £l,OOO, which I gave to Mr.
Fernandez. He had told me the day before that
though we had a majority in the town the other side
were bribing se hard that unless we took means to
keep our majority together we should lose it. On
the 23d of April he told me that things were going
on at a great pace, and that if we meant to win we
must do the same. I said I was very anxious that my
cousin should w!n, and that I would find the money.
I went to Messrs. Beckett's, and drew out £1,500,
which I handed to him. On the 29th of April I got
a note from Mr. Fernandez with these words in it—
"£soo will be wanted," and I went to Beckett's
and drew £5OO. On the 3d of May I drew out £250,
which I sent to Mr. Fernandez at his request, and
on the sth of May £5OO more, which is not yet, spent.
That makes £4,730, so that there is £250 left in
Messrs. Beckett's hands. I took very little share in
the election. I don't think I canvassed more than
two people. Shortly before the election my cousin
gave- a dinner party, at which his principal sup-
porters were present. The eloction was discussed,
and my cousin-cautioned every one very anxiously
to have nothing to do with bribery. I don't know
whether this was after the bond was given or before,
I never gave any account to my cousin of the man-
ner in which I had applied the money. I told him
one day that a great deal of money had been spent,
but he turned away and said he wanted to know no-
thing about it. It was Mr. Fernandez who first
suggested that money would be wanted for preli-
minary expenses. I generally gave the money to
him alone, in the room which he occupied in the
Strafford Arms. It was in notes mostly, except one
sum of £5OO, which was in-sovereigns. I have
never had any account from him as to the mode in
which the money was spent. I heard it rumoured in
the town that bribery was going on freely, but .of
ceurse I never dropped a hint that I knew anything
about it. My cue was to keep my mouth shut. I knew
nothing, in fact, of individual cases of bribery until
this commission opened, for I was very little in
Wakefield during the election, and except finding
the money as I have describe 1, I took no part in it.
I never heard anything of " strangers" being in the
town daring the bribery. I never mentioned to
my cousin that I was furnishing money to Mr.
Fernandez ; for lam sure that if he had known Yesterday the disturbances at this now notorious
that bribery was going on he would have stopped the place of worship were worse than ever. The clergy
election at once. manifested no disposition to abate one jet or tittle
Mr. Jose Luis Fernandez said—l acted as pay- of their ceremonial, and the people were fully deter=
master for Mr. Charles worth's party during the last mined to put an end at least to some of the present
election. I have heard Mr. Charlesworth's eviden;e, practices, especially the intoning and the turning
and he has given a correct statement of the sums to the East.
which passed through my hands. I believe these In the morning the Rev. C. F. Lowder took the
sums, with the election auditor's expenses, repro- service, which was conducted in the usual way.
sent the whole cost of the election. The arrange- The congregation was =usually large, and the
ment between myself and Mr. J. B. Charlesworth effect of the mass of the people " saying " the re-
that he should find the money was my own sugges- spouses while the choir chanted them was exceed-
tion; for having had experience is former elections ingly painful. In fact the whole affair was a bur-
-1 knew that money would be required for paying lesque on public worship—an utter violation of all
watchers, messengers, &c., and for securing the those ideas of decorum which even the pro-
show of hands on the nomination day. When I fane will generally allow to restrain them in a
first applied for money to Mr. J. B. Charlesworth place publicly and regulerly set apart for Divine
the canvassing had begun on both sides, and I had worship, andeparticeiaely- while that \V orship is go-
a pretty good idea that the other side had begun to -meg on. It is remarkable that the-audience )-ester-
bribe. I knew they said they could not win with- day was mainly composed of men and boys, and
out bribery, and I had little doubt that they would scarcely a bonnet was to be seen in the place. Many,
win if they bribed hard enough. The whole of the strangers, too, were present; for the services at St.
£3,750 which I received has been expended with George's nay now fairly be placed in the category
the exception of about £l7B which I have in hand. of those things which must be " done "by the sight
I gave Brcar altogether £1,400. To Mr. Thomas seeing multitude. The principal methods of ex-
Alder I gave £1,035 for the watchers and similar pressing disapprobation were yesterday indulged in
exp'er ses, to Mr. Shaw £4O, to Mr. Stephenson to an extent which exceeds the disturbances of any
£22'e for bringing in colliers on the nomination day, previous occasion. A host of powerful voices in all,
to Mr. Cuttle £l6 for stationery, to Mr. Bayldon parts of the church " said " the responses, and thus
£6l, to Mr. Serle £lOO, to Mr. George Moore £530 produced a degree of confusion and profane disor-
in different sums, and to John stead £25. I paid der which can hardly be conceived, except by those
the Strafford Arms' account, which came to £l3. I. who have witnessed it for themselves. Every now
have £l7B in hand, and that loaves a " leakage" of and then some one coughed rather loudly, and the
£ll3, which I can't account for. This with the whole congregation was instantly affected, and
election auditor's accounts represents the whole ex- such a cough was at once set up as was probably
penses of the election. The first time that bribery never heard before, certainly not in a church.
was mentioned was by Brear. He came into my People were incessantly leaving their seats
room one day about a week before the election, in a and slamming the pew doors in the most
great state of excitement, to tell me that the other violent manner. Once or twice the cough-
side were buying our voters over, and that unless ing was very protracted, and so violent
as
something was done the election was lost. I then completely to drown Mr. Lowder's voice. The
got £l,OOO from Mr. J. B. Charlesworth, and police were scattered in every part of the church,
next morning gave Brcar £5OO. I knew he was a and we are told that a large reserve was at
very zealous partisan of Mr. Charlesworth, and hand, and could ha-ve been brought to the spot, if
would expend the money judiciously. I did not needed, at a moment's notice. The superintendent
tell him to keep any account of how he spent it took up his position in the churchwardenst pew, by
—nor did I ever ask him—in fact, I carefully the principal entrance.
avoided knowing anything about it. He came again The sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Low-
ell the 29th to ask for more money, and I gave him der, who exhibited the greatest calmness and pre-
£soo more, and I subsequently gave him another sence of mind throughout the whole of the dis-
sum, which he says was £3OO, but which I believe course, in spite of an audience in the presence of
to be £4OO. I know not hiirg personal of individual which the boldest preacher might well have
cases of bribery. I never offered a bribe myself. I quailed. He ascended the pulpit in jiis surplice
-never heard during the election what the price of and hood, with a black stole, on the back of which
votes was. I did not ask—and I have no means of a red cross was embroidered, and this, on his turn-
knowing how much was paid for votes—except by ing round to invoke the Trinity, was visible to the
rumour. I don't know at all whether £5O was the audience. This turning to the East at the begin
largest sum paid on our side. I attended the meet- nihg and close of the sermon, is one of those prac-
ing which was held after the election to discuss the tices which are regarded by the congregation with
expediency of petitioning against Mr. Leatham's the utmost disapprobation ; but the clergy, in their
return, and I have subscribed £5O towards the ex- deplorable obstinacy; will not give it up, and hence
penses of it. About £5OO was promised by the these hisses. In fact, the church is desecrated by
persons present. I hare paid mine, and I know zoological noises of divers kinds. He took for his
that Mr. J. B. Charlesworth has paid his subscrip- text John xiv. 27. Peace I leave with you, my
tion of £loo—but I don't know whether anybody peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth
else has paid. I have no idea whether the costs of give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled,
the petition have been paid. I never heard that they neither let it be afraid." On this he based an
were to be paid out of a fund in London. Of course earnest, eloquent, and practical discourse, in which
I had a very good idea why the petition did not he avoided all those points of doctrinal difference
pray for the seat. I was concerned in the election which might have provoked dissension ; but his
of 1857, and lam aware;that Mr. Joe Charlesworth, most pathetic passages were, nevertheless, drowned
-who has since died, found what money was wanted by the awful and universal cough which was now
on that occasion. I received about £l5O from him, and then set up, and which- was varied by a little
oat of which I paid £lO to Mr. Serle for his ser- hissing and floating, and the violent slamming of
vices. I paid the account at the George Hotel, the pew doors. The uproar burst forth now and
which was about £3O. I paid £5O or £6O to Mr. then, spparently at the caprice of some unseen
Brooke Naylor, which he said he was out of pocket fugleman, and without the remotest connexion
for rejoicings—" tea drinkings," and the like. All with what the preacher was saying. He remarked
the old women in the borough were at the " tea that we all needed peace, and especially the Church,
drinking," I believe. (Laughter.) I know nothing which had been sorely troubled in various periods
about the " strangers" being in the town. I never of her history, particularly in the times of the
saw them, nor had I any notion that they were here. Apostles, when Christians were obliged to go
Mr. George Moore said—l formerly kept a into caverns and secret places to worship God
draper's shop in Wakefield, and now keep one at in quietness, and were not even safe then,
Bishop Auckland. lam frequently engaged in elec- for traitors and spies got in amongst them
tion matters, and was engaged in the last election at ami betrayed them. Whether or not, the congre-
Wakefield. It was by the invitation of Mr. Shaw, gallon considered this an uncomplimentary obser-
the spirit dealer, that I came. I had the manage- vation reflecting on themselves, certain it is that
anent of the Northgate ward, and my committee- they resented it most fiercely. A terrific. groan as-
room was at the Borough-market Arms. I had no- sailed the rev, gentleman before the words were
thing to do with bribery. I never offered a bribe scarcely out of his mouth, and men stamped vio-
to any man, but confined myself entirely to can- lently on the floor, the scene being precisely that
va-ssing and keeping a strict watch over the voters which one sornetimos witnesses ata theatre when
and bringing them np to the poll, I paid some the audience isaproves of an actor or a piece.
£6O for watchers, and all the innkeepers' accounts When the passion of thecongregation had subsided;
passed through my hands. The first batch was paid Mr. Lowder proceeded to say that out of all the
by a stranger. I happened to go into the commer- troubles with which the Church had been assailed,
cial room at the Strafford Arms, and I saw there a she had been graciously, delivered, and peace had
gentleman whom I had met some years aeo casually come at a
gain ,
pr
storm had p d away, and God
at the Turk's Head in Newcastle. Thinking that became present with hisasse Church; speaking
I might have to be examined before an election corn-
mittee, wor o comfort an of eace. Each one amongst
mittee, I thought it better to have nothing to do
them should recollectd , at p
the same time, that there
with paying the accounts, and I asked the stranger could be no peace without pardon. Peace was friend-
to pay them for me. I gave him from £4OO to £5OO ship with God, and how were they to become friends
for this purpose, and sent Dodgson, the sheriff's of God ? In the
first place they must obtain par-
officer, round with him to point out the houses to don of their sins, for it
their sins alone which
him. I have no idea who he is er what his name separated them from God. How was it that they
is. I believe he is a commercial traveller, that is had not rest and peace in their hearts ? Why were I know of him. I had never seen him but once they restless, disturbed, troubled, excited? Simply
before, and I have only seen him once since. That because they had not in their hearts the love of God.
is the only mystery about the election so far as I If they secured this peace they would care nothing
am concerned. The second batch of accounts was for the troubles, the trials, and temptations of the
paid by Mr.' Roberts, a commercial traveller of world, and all evil passions and tempera would pass
Bradford, who travels for Mr. Shaw, the spirit mer- away like a morning cloud. At the close of his
chant here, sermon, the rev, gentleman turned round to the
Mr. Sergeant Pigott—Do you mean to say that altar and invoked the Trinity, and the congregae.
you don't know that there were strangers in the tion yelled again.
town during the bribery ? A vast and excited mob filled the churchyard e ndMr. Moore—Well, to tell the truth, it was I who street immediately after the sermon. Mrs. Kin;
engaged one "stranger." was hissed on her way to the Rectory House, the
Mr. Sergeant Pigott—Wlio is he ? What is choristers wore mobbed. and Mr. Lowder Was as-
his name ? saile 1 with a variety of exclamations, the pi in-
Mr. Moore—Well, I'd rather not disclose his cipal one being " Rotten eggs," in allusion ti,
name yet, but I can produce him if necessary. The i case in which he was concerned while curato of

Mr. Sergeant Pigott—We shall be delighted to
see him.

Mr. Moore then left the court, and in about five
minutes returned with the mysterious " Man in the
Moon," who tallied pretty correctly with the de-
scription given by many witnesses—middle height,
light beard and moustache, with a scar over his eye.
Mr. Moore's examination then proceeded—This
gentleman's name is Whitehead, he lives at Brad-
ford, and he came over to Wakefield by my invita-
tion. When I got here I found that Gilbert was
at work, and having been engaged with him in
former election matters I thought it necessary to
keep a watch on what he was doing. I sent for
Whitehead and told him to go and live at Wain-
wright's Hotel, and bring me all the intelligence
he could pick up. After a time he came and told
me that both sides were bribing hard, that Brear
was bribing for the Conservative side, and that it
was no longer a secret. I said, if that were the
case he might be of some use to Brear, and I
directed him to go to Brear. What he did in con-
junction with Brear he will tell you himself. After
the election he brought me £l4O, which he had not
expended. I was engaged in 1857, but I know
nothing of any corrupt 'practices during that elec-
tion. In fact I don't believe that there were any.
Mr. J. Whitehead the " Mysterious Stranger,"
was next examined. He said—l am an uphol-
sterer at Bradford, and have always been in the
habit of taking part in electioneering affairs. I
came to Wakefield at the last election, and my first
employment was to watch what the other side was
doing. ',Moore then recommended me to go to
Brear's and see whether I could make myself useful
to him. I met Mr. Alder in the street, and he
showed me the way. I went in and had some con-
versation with Brear, and we made an appoint-
ment for next morning. We met behind the
Corn Exchange, and he gave me £4O to buy the
vote of a licensed victualler named Johnson. I
went with him there,- and after asking him for
his vote I put the £4O down on the table, and
covered it over with a newspaper for him to take it
away, but he shook his head and would have
nothing to do with it. I saw Brear again next
day, and got £460 from him in two sums. £2OO of
this I gave to a friend of mine named Dan Robin-
son, whom I brought over from Bradford to assist
me, and directed him to" operate" on Pickard, Gos-
ney, and Mead. I offered bribes myself to various
persons—to the Hallidaya, father and son; I offered
£lBO for the two votes, but they refused it. I can-
vassed Blackburn's wife for his vote. He is a grocer,
and I bought a ham at his shop for £25. his wife
promised he should vote for Charlesworth, but he
did not. I gave Jacob Wood, the tailor, £45 for
his vote. (This man swore that he had not received
a farthing for his vote.) To David Turner I gave
£3O after the election. I also gave Matthews, the
umbrella maker, something, but I don't know how
much. I did not ask him directly to vote for
Charlesworth, but I made him understand that if
he would vote for us he should have money for it,
and he made no objection, so I put the money down
on the-counter where he would see it. I also can-
vassed various other voters, but I think I have men-
tiened al4 that I actually bribed.
Mr. Sergeant Pigott—l suppose you know that
you went by the name of the " Man in the Moon"
while you were here ?
Mr. Whitehead—Well, I believe that was my
de,ignation.

Mr. Sergeant Pigott—And there is no doubt
about your identitf?
Witness—Oh, dear no; I'm the man, sure
enough. (Laughter.)
At the conclusion of this witness's examination
the court adjourned until this day at 10 o'clock.

ST. GEOBGES-IN-TIIE-EAST-DIS-