Bribery at Wateringbury fete is national issue (1892)

Post date: Dec 10, 2011 6:51:35 PM

In 1892 Horatio Davies, owner of Wateringbury Place, stood to become M.P. for Rochester in the Parliamentary elections and gained a majority of the votes. His election was contested on the grounds of bribery by the Liberals who won the election overall with a small majority enabling Gladstone to become Prime Minister for the fourth time at the age of 82. The question of Home Rule for Ireland was the fractious issue of the time. His trial was extensively reported in newspapers throughout the UK and the following is just one example.

Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser - Monday 12 December 1892

ELECTION PETITIONS. ROCHESTER: THE JUDGMENT.

In proceeding to delivor [sic] judgment on Saturday morning Mr. Justice Care said that 10 charges of bribery were made in the particulars, but only one was persisted in. and the court found that that case was not made out. Coming to the alleged treating at the conversaziones his lordship said that those who had the management, of it went considerably beyond what Alderman Davies intended, and what was advertised. It was obvious the refreshments could not be supplied for the sum charged, and this amounted to corrupt treating. He was unable to come to the conclusion, however, that Alderman Davies knew of it at the time or assented to it. The Constitutional Association, which organised the conversazione, however, were agents of Alderman Davies, and he must bear the responsibility of their illegal acts. His lordship spoke in terms of deprecation of the smoking concerts and the Birth Night Club festivities in connection with politics, and went on to say that in this case the object was to influence voters. The financial affairs of the Constitutional Association were conducted in a very lax way, which was calculated to give rise to suspicion, for there was a considerable sum unaccounted for. He acquitted Alderman Davies of any corrupt intent.

With respect to the Wateringbury fete, the court found an agent of Alderman Davies, Mr. Boucher, guilty of corrupt treating at the Steam Packet Inn when he tried to counteract the influence of the Liberal candidate's meeting. With respect to the return there were items which ought to have been included in it which had been omitted. The court came to the final result that it was their duty to find Alderman Davies guilty of corrupt treating and also of corrupt practices by his agent, but he was absolved personally from any corrupt or illegal practice. Messrs. Boucher and Constable were guilty of corrupt practices. Mr. Walter, the agent, must be returned as guilty of illegal practices, and would receive a punishment commensurate with the offence.

He suspected that corrupt and illegal practices extensively prevailed at the election, and he should have to report to the Speaker accordingly that the election was nullified by the action of Alderman Davies's agent. Mr. Justice Williams added that the lesson to be learnt from the election was the same as that taught by the Hexham inquiry. Alderman Davies had been, guilty of very considerable carelessness when he entrusted the Constitutional Association with the work of the agency on his behalf. Alderman Davies personally was exonerated from, blame, and certificates of indemnity were granted in the other cases.

The petitioners were granted their general costs, but not the costs in respect to the charge of bribery which was not sustained. The petitioners were also ordered to bear the costs in two cases of alleged treating. The court directed Messrs. Boncher and Constable to pay so much of the Public Prosecutor's costs as related to acts of which they were guilty.