the money given been any benefit to the freemen, but quite the contrary.
The effect has been the same with both the giver and receiver of bribes.
I should be sorry to bring up any of my children in the course which I
have pursued.”
Commissioner Buckle then thanked Mr. Wilde for the very open and candid
manner in which he had given his evidence.
Mr. JOHN RISING STAFF said that on Alderman Angell’s election, for two
days and two nights previous the town was in a state of great disorder,
occasioned by large parties of men employed by each party going about the
streets molesting any persons whom they met of the opposite party,
attacking freemen personally, and by improper intrusions into their
dwelling houses or other places where they were supposed to be concealed.
In some instances where they were in search for a voter, and could not
find him at his own residence, they went into the residence of other
persons, not in the ward where the election was to take place, to search
for individuals. Witness gave several instances of cooping.
ALDERMAN BOLINGBROKE also stated instances of cooping that came under his
notice as a magistrate.
MR. JOHN FRANCIS said, “I have been a manufacturer in Norwich many years,
and I consider the acts of the corporation to have engendered every
species of bribery and strife. Its patronage is invariably exercised in
favour of political adherents. During the last ten years our commercial
interests have materially suffered from it. It creates disunion between
those gentlemen where friendship would otherwise exist. The local
elections are pregnant with evil; they take men from their work, those
who are not free as well as those who are free; and in case of a contest
it is impossible to get any work done for six weeks after; and this in
the spring time of the year when work is brisk and calls for close
attendance. The consequence is that the masters suffer materially. I
never engaged in bribery at elections, except at the late election for
sheriff, when I bought a bunch of four in the market for £8; I also
offered another man £5, but he wanted £10, which I thought too much. The
numbers, however, were running close, and I went to buy him at that
price, but I found that he had been settled for and voted. Therefore I
saved £10.”
Mr. A. BARNARD said, “At the election of Mr. Foster as sheriff, I bought
about forty votes at from 30s. to £4 apiece. I know personally of no
instances of bribery by an alderman. I have known instances of an
alderman saying, ‘You may make use of my turn in the hospital to get a
vote.’ I have known this five or six times. These promises were given
by three aldermen. I decline to give their names. I have no objection
to say they were Whigs. I have acted frequently as paymaster at
elections. Aldermen have often subscribed for ward elections. Both
parties are pretty much alike.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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