J. J. Gurney, Esq., said, “I believe that there are many most laborious and useful magistrates in the city, and no persons would be so fit as many of those who have already been accustomed to the business. I do not find the slightest fault with the application of the magisterial power. It is my most decided opinion that the magisterial authority has been impartially exercised.”
W. Simpson, Esq., said, “Whatever money may have been spent, it certainly has not been the money of the corporation.”
Alderman Bolingbroke said, “I have been an alderman near twenty years; I do not know of any corrupt application of the corporate funds to elections or any other purposes. I do not think any misapplication of the corporate funds could have taken place without my knowing it.”
As the inquiry proceeded, however, evidence was given of the influence of party spirit in the distribution of patronage, appointments, and employments, and also in admissions to freedom. It was proved that the police were very inefficient, and often refused to act in cases of riot, and when the mob were pulling down polling booths. As to the expenditure of money at local elections,
The Mayor, S. Bignold, Esq., said, “I am quite sure that if respectable persons were to offer themselves at local elections, it would repress the excesses which sometimes take place. The local elections are attended with considerable expense. I am not aware that the aldermen interfere in these elections. I am not aware of anything which would prevent the aldermen interfering in the promotion of sheriffs. They consider the oath as debarring in the one case and not in the other. Committees are formed on the occasion of elections in the different wards. I cannot say whether the aldermen are frequently members of those committees. I have not had any opportunity of witnessing unfair exertions. I cannot say whether any subscriptions are made on those occasions. I have never subscribed a shilling. I cannot say whether notes are given by the aldermen or others. I never saw such a note as the one produced before. I have heard of notes purporting to get certain persons into the hospitals, being given by aldermen on the occasions of municipal elections. I have never seen any such notes. My knowledge of them has arisen in this way. I have been asked myself and told that A and B have given them, but never fulfilled their promise.”
“Question. Do you think that the mode in which the local elections are carried on tends to keep out respectable and intelligent persons from filling the various offices?
Answer. I am sorry to say that those respectable and intelligent persons have contributed to the system.
Q. Has that been the case generally?
A. I should say, generally, with the leading persons in this city on both sides, connected and unconnected with the corporation.
Q. Have the members of the court of aldermen contributed to your knowledge?