The Sun.
London, England, 1842-08-06 00:00:00

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

HOME ClRCUlT—Guildford, August 5.
(Before Lord ABINGER and a Common Jury.)
HOLDSWORTH V. Kill°.

The plaintiff in this action was the executor of a person
named Parker, and this action was brought to recover the sum
of 701., being, the balance of an account alleged to be due for
refreshment and other election expenses on behalf of the de-
fendant, the Hon. Locke King, on the occasion of his contest
for East Surrey in 1837.
Mr. Thesiger and another were for the plaintiff, and Mr.
Platt and Mr. Peacock for the defendant.
Mr. THESIGE a said this action was brought by the plaintiff
as the executor of a person named Parker, who formerly kept
the Swan Inn at Reigate, and he sought to recover the sum
mentioned in the decfaration, which was part of a larger sum,
in respect of election expenses incurred on behalf of Mr. Locke
King in 1837. In that year Mr. King and Mr. Angerstein
were the candidates on what was called the Liberal interest,
against Captain Alsager and Mr. Kemble. Mr. Coppock,
whose name the jury had probably heard of before, was the ge-
neral agent on the Liberal interest, but a gentleman named 13irt
acted as the agent at Reigate. Rooms were hired
at the Swan, and various expenses were gone to, which
amounted to a considerable sum, and the present action was
brought to recover that amount. Mr. Thesiger then said that,
on the 19th July Mr. Locke King came to the town, and after
making a speech, and having, what he could not help thinking
was rather a premature procession, considering that the election
terminated in the defeat of the Liberal candidates, Mr. King
ordered a barrel of ale to be distributed among the people, and
this formed one of the items in the account. There were also
ribbands purchased to a very considerable amount ; and Mr.
Parker paid 101. for men to form a procession about the town.
There was no doubt that Mr. Locke King was well aware of
all these proceedings, anJ that Ise was liable for the balance of
the :account, the remainder being paid by Mr. Coppock and
the local agent. The Learned Counsel then called his witnesses.
Mr.: Sergeant proved that he resided at Reigate, and re-
membered , the election in 1:37, when Mr. Locke King and
Angerstein were the candidates for the county. Witness
was a member of the Committee which sat at the Swan. On
the 25th of July Mr. Locke King came to Reigate, and car-
riages were brought from the Swan, and Mr. King addressed
the persons who assembled, and he afterwards went to the
Swan, and some of the Committee men and others had souse
refreshment. The election took place on the last day of July
and the first of August. After the electors had voted colours
were given to them, and also tickets to enable them to obtain
refreshment. A baud was also provided. The refreshment
provided consisted of cold beef, tongue, and such things, and
this vi as all found by Mr. Parker. He likewise provided car-
riages for the voters. The numbers that polled for the Reform
candidates in that district was 9.68, arid of this number only
twelve resided in Reigate.
Joseph Basel!, a brazier at Reigate, remembered the elec..
tion, and heard Mr. King make his speech from a kind of open
carriage. He ordered abarrel of ale for the people, and Mr.
King sent for Malcolm, the chimney-sweeper, and told him he
was to do tie same for him that he used to do for Major Beau-
clerk, that is, he was to head the. procession of the flag and
bough men, and he did so. After this Mr. Birt gave' orders,
on behalf of Mr. King, for Mr. Parker to pay the chimney-
sweeper for his men, and 191. was given him for that purpose.
Malcolm, the person referred to, proved that he was em-
ployed to get the procession of bough men as he had done for
Major Beauclerk. They had refreshments at the Swan gene-
rally bread and cheese and ale for breakfast, and something for
supper' and a little liquor between whiles.
Mr. Bit t was then placed in the box, and in answer to ques-
tions put to him he denied that Mr. Locke King had ever
made himself responsible for these payments.
Lord A BINGER then intimated his opinion that the evidence
was not sufficient to fix the liability upon Mr. King, and the
plaintiff was accordingly nonsuited.