The Brecon County Times Neath Gazette and General Advertiser for the Counties of Brecon Carmarthen Radnor Monmouth Glamorgan Cardigan Montgomery Hereford

BRECON BOROUGH ELECTION ALLEGED CONSPIRACY TO BRIBE VOTERS. COMMITTAL FOR TRIAL OF THE PRISONERS. At the conclusion of the above case it was about four o'clock, the magistrates having sat since eleven. It was first of all determined to take sufficient evidence in the bribery case to remand the two pri- soners, James Morgan and George Thomas, upon, but ultimately it was arranged to commence the case and go as far as possible up to six o'clock. Mr. Bodenham, with Mr. Cobb and Mr. Games, were for the prosecution and Mr. Cheese, with Mr. D. W. J. Thomas, and Mr. Morgan (Cardiff), for the defence. Mr. Bodenham then said that at the last hearing of the case, on Monday last, the man Thomas was brought before them on a charge of bribery. On behalf of the prosecution he would say that they had no antagonistic feeling against the parties, and it was not their intention to multiply cases against them. The only case he intended to bring before them was that of James Morgan and George Thomas; but the charge would be somewhat altered from that with which Thomas was charged when he was here last. At that time he was charged with bribing a man named New. In the course of the case a diffi- culty arose in consequence of Mr. Cheese objecting, and properly, to questions put by him (Mr. Boden- ham) to the witnesses, and the case was remanded in order to give the prosecution time to bring the case before them in a better form. The way he now proposed to deal with it was to charge Morgan and Thomas with conspiracy to bribe, and committing an offence punishable by law. He would lay the foundation of that before them, and then he would be able to bring the evidence before them which before had been shut out. Morgan had already been committed to take his trial at the next Breconshire Assizes on the charge of offering to obtain money to bribe New, and that day he intended to bring before them evidence which would show clearly that Morgan spoke to New and induced him to go to a certain place to receive the money. He intended to carry it further than that. The charge he made against these men was conspiracy to bribe persons, to induce them to vote for Mr. Howel Gwyn at the last election for the borough of Brecon. Mr. Cheese said it was necessary that they should consider the position they were in. On the part of the persons charged he would say that he cared not what charges were brought, or how they were multiplied. Whatever form they took he was pre- pared to meet them. But he had no power whatever, —nor had the prosecution-to alter the criminal proceedings as laid down in the various Acts under which they were proceeding. They had already com- mitted James Morgan for ha vin g on the 18th N ovem ber committed an offence which was entirely the same as that with which he was now charged-that is, it would be supported by the same evidence, and applied to the same time. They had gone even further than that. They had charged George Thomas with an offence in bribing John New, who had been examined, and the evidence completed, and he (Mr. Cheese) had proceeded with the cross-examination to a certain extent; but at Mr. Bodenham's request the cases were adjourned. They were here upon that adjourned case and he did not think it was right he should allow them to go on without putting their relative position before them. He only wanted their position thoroughly understood and if there was to be a joint offence he asked that it be put into shape, and read over to them before any evidence be taken. Mr. Bodenham said bis answer was simply this He had not said that it was the same offence with which either prisoner was about to be charged. Morgan had been committed for bribery, but the conspiracy to bribe was a very different offence, and one which he could not take into the court above without a criminal indictment. He had the power to do that, and there could be no doubt about it. The case was already before them to a certain extent, but when they had prisoners before them it was in their power to charge them with any offence. If a man were brought before them for murder they could charge him with burglary. Mr. Cheese: I do not object to anything. The Magistrates' Clerk said of course they had a right to charge the prisoner with anything they liked, but he would ask what they intended to do with reference to the former proceedings, upon which both prisoners were under bail to appear. Was it intended to abandon those proceedings? Mr. Bodenham I am now going to charge them jointly and separately with a conspiracy to bribe. After further discussion as to the method of pro- cedure, James Morgan and George Thomas were jointly charged that they did, on the 18th November, in the borough of Brecon, unlawfully and wickedly conspire, combine, confederate, and agree together to commit the crime or misdemeanour of bribery, by promising to procure, procuring, and giving money to certain voters, to wit, one John New, for the purpose of corrupting them and inducing them to vote for the election of Howel Gwyn, Esq., at the last borough election. John New deposed: At the time of the late Brecon election I was a railway fitter in the employ of the Brecon and Merthyr Railway Company, and resided at John-street; I remember the evening of the day of the nomination; I was on the railway platform at five minutes to five I saw the prisoner Morgan there, and a man by the name of Farrington Far- rington called me to him, and introduced me to Morgan Farrington said I was on the wrong scent, that Golden had nothing to do with it, and could not get anything for me he also said, Here's the man to do it;" Morgan was present Thomas was not. Mr. Cheese here objected to any evidence bting given affecting Thomas, if he was not present. It had not been shown that they conspired together. Mr. Bodenham then dropped that part upon which he had been questioning the witness, and elicited from him the following :—I had some conversation with Morgan about the election he made arrange- ments for me to meet him at half-past nine, at the station I met him there he asked me where all the other fellows were, and I said he was half an hour before time; he said, "Never mind, go up there, there is someone who wishes to speak to you. Mr. Cheese: A gentleman. Mr. Bodenham Yes; all your clients are gentle- men, you know. (Laughter.) Mr. Cheese And yours are not? (Renewed laughter.) Witness continued I went up about 60 yards from the gate where Morgan was-up the loop line I saw a man getting up who had been lying against the bank I went up to him immediately the man said to me Are you a railway man ?" the man up the loop line was Thomas; I said î es, and he said I I Herep" and dropped a parcel into my hand after that I returned out of the cutting, and saw Morgan in the same place where I had met him before; Morgan told me to go away and get the other fellows, as he had a deal more business to do, and he was in a hurry. Mr. Bodenham I will now take you back to the conversation with Farrington on the platform. What took place further there ? Witness After I was introduced by Farrington, Morganfsaid he could give me a fiver if I would vote for Mr. Gwyn, and he would send for a hundred down he did not say a hundred what. Cross-examined by Mr. Cheese I have already given evidence against James Morgan upon a charge of having offered me money for my vote for Mr. Howel Gwyn; I believe James Morgan was com- mitted for trial upon my evidence for that offence I have also preferred a charge against George Thomas for giving me money at the same election, for the same purpose I have given evidence upon that charge. Did you say in your evidence I do not think I had ever seen him (Thomas) before?"—I did not. Did you not say I see a person in this court that resembles him?"—I did not. Those were the words of the question. What I said was I thought I had seen him before. Could you positively swear to him thEn ?-Yei!. When you gave your evidence?—Yes. Why did you not then?—I was not asked to swear to him. Mr. Bodenham He did swear to him in reality. Mr. Cheese Could you have sworn positively to him ?—I could. But you did not ?—I did not, because I was not asked. How soon, when you saw the man in the railway cutting, did you know the man to be George Thomas?—It was half-past nine when I saw him, and I met him between twelve and one in the kitchen at Mr. David Thomas' house and Morgan was in company with him. Was that the first time you knew him as George Thomas?—I have known George Thomas years ago. Then why did you say, "I think I have seen George Thomas?"—I did not; I said I thought I had seen him before. When did you say so ?-I knew he worked in the same place I was working. Why did you say you thought you knew him?—Because I was asked that question; I was asked if 1 thought I had seen him before, and I said I thought I had. You did not recognise the man who gave you the money until you saw him in Mr. David Thomas'house?—Yes, that's about it. About it Is that it?—I knew it was the same man as gave me the money. You did not know the man who gave you the money to be George Thomas until you saw him in Mr. David Thomas' house ?—No, I did not. Mr. Cheese said he could not have foreseen that a statement would have been made respecting Mr. David Thomas. As it was made he would ask him to leave, as soon as may be, during the further hearing of the case. Mr. Bodenham said he would not ask Mr. David Thomas to walk out of court. Mr. Thomas, jun., accordingly remained. Mr. Cheese How soon did you communicate to anyone that you knew the man to be George Thomas: whom did you first tell?—Witness (after a pause) I told so many I can hardly tell. The Mayor Did you tell it to a body of persons? Witness I did. Ivlr., Cheese Did you tell it at the Wellington?— I did. Who to?-To Mr. Tudor, Mr. Boness, Mr. Wright, and others I did not mention the name of George Thomas. Did you know his name at that time ?-No, I could not recollect his name at that time. When you mentioned it to Mr. Tudor, was that before or after you bad seen him at Mr. David Thomas'?—That was b: fore, Then you must have known the man at first ?—I spoke to them before I went to Mr. David Thomas's; I was told the man had gone in there. Whea you were at the Wellington you told them you knew the man ?—Yes, Then you knew him before you went to Mr, David Thomas'"?— I could have described the man to anyone; I looked in his face, and saw him. Did you know the man there?—I could have given a fair description of him; I recognised the man, that I had seen him before I knew I had worked with him, but I could not recollect his name. Did you recollect his name when you saw him at Mr. David Thomas'?—No, 1 did not; he was not a fellow workman. How soon did you know his name after?—I knew his name the next day. Did you know his name the day you gave the information?—No, I did not. How did you after- wards find out his name?—I recollected him when I saw him I heard his name called over. Where did you hear his name called over?—Here. On the day after?—On the day he appeared here. Did you know his name the day after he gave you the money? —It would be the second day after. Was your evidence on the first day read over to you?—No, it was not. Mr. Powell It was read over on the second examination. Mr. Cheese: Do you know a man named Felix Golden ?-I do. Did you go into his shop on the 16th ?-I believe I had my hair cut-I think it was on that day. Did you tell him you were in needy circumstances ?—I did not. Did you say you owed X4 for rent and a doctor's bill?—He said if I would vote for Mr. Gwyn he could put these little matters straight for me. What matters ?-Some money to make matters straight. Did you tell him you owed S4 for rent and a doctor's bill ?-I did not tell him ao then. Did you tell him at any time ?—Yes, it was policy to tell him; it might have been a month before that I told him. Why was it policy to tell him ?-I wanted to detect him in the work he was at. Was it before you saw the reward ?—Yes, a long time I never did see the reward I was told of it. You knew of the reward ?-I had heard of it. Had you been asked to detect him ?-No, I proposed it. To whom ?-To a body of gentlemen in the committee room of the Wellington Hotel. Now, tell us who was the open body of gentlemen-do you see any one present ?-It was the second meeting I think they had. Was it a private meeting ?-No, it was an open meeting; any one could go there the Liberals had no hole and corner meetings. Had any one present asked you to do this ?-No. Eve. ? —No. Or even spoken to you about it?—No; I mentioned it first to my fellow-workman, Mr. Boness. Did you never talk it over with the gentlemen of the party ?—Who do you mean-what party. Did you talk it over with Mr. Games ?-No. With Mr. Cobb ?—Yes. When did you do so ?—Immediately after I found it was going on immediately after Mr. Golden told me he could get me some money to vote for Mr. Gwyn he said I could not get it till after the election. (Laughter.) Did you tell that to Mr. Cobb ?-I might have done. But did you ?—I think I did. Was it arranged that you should endeavour to get him to give it you before the election ?—No. By this tim,e it was half-past six o'clock, and it was decided to adjourn the further hearing till the next day. Some conversation took place in reference to the abandonment of the other charges against the prisoners, and Mr. Bodenham said he would abandon the separate charge of New v. Thomas, but that they would proceed with that of Adams v. Morgan. The court then adjourned till ten o'clock on the following morning. On Tuesday morning the same magistrates took their seats at ten o'clock, and the court, though not full at the commencement, became so as the case proceeded. The evidence in the case taken on the preceding day was read over, for the purpose of refreshing the memory of the Court generally, and the cross-examination of John New by Mr. Cheese was then proceeded with. The witness said There were five sove- reigns in the parcel I had from George Thomas I have not the money now I gave it to Mr. Wilson, the station master; I have not received five sovereigns as an equivalent; I went to Mr. David Thomas's house that night; I was told on the Watton pitch that two men had gone there, and that was why I went; Mr. D. W. J. Thomas answered the door.—Did you say you had come for Mr. Golden ?-Yes. And you were told he was not there? Yes. How did you go in then?—Mr. Thomas asked me to come in. Did not you say you had been hunted about the street, and were come to take refuge ?—No, I was asked to come in and have something to drink. You did not say anything about being hunted?—I do not recollect saying any- thing of the sort; I might have said so. Did you see Mr. David Thomas, the elder?—No, it was Mr. David Thomas, jun. You went there in consequence of something you had heard?—I heard two men had gone there. Were you told what two men?—They mentioned Morgan, the Farmer's Arms, and another man. Now, what was the reason you went there?- I wanted to see what was going on. Did vou not go to see whether the man with Morgan was the man who gave you the money ?-I went to see what was going on. Question repeated.—No, I wanted to see what was going on m the house I thought I should get some more information by going there than what I had already gleaned I had a glass of brandy and water and a cigar there (laughter). Then you did not go to see who the man was with Morgan ?-No But you had heard a man had gone there with Morgan ?—Yes. Who told you?—James Williaris. I believe he is a mason. As to the description of the man when you saw him, how was he dressed P- He had a pilot coat, or a monkey jacket, whichever you please to call it. Did you notice his trousers? -1 did not take particular notice of his trousers. What hat bad he ?—He had a round bowler hat, a billycock. As far as his dress was concerned, there was nothing particular about ic for you to speak to afterwards ? No. Were you able to see the hair of his head?—When he gave me the L5 he appeared to be a dark man. Did you see his hair?—I could see some of his hair I looked him close in the face; his hair was black; he had some whiskers. Were his whiskers black?—No, they were whitened. What seemed to be the process ?-I think they were lathered with soap there is a composition you can get to tidivate them up (laughter). That would have interfered partly with your recognising the man, would it not ?-I knew the man chiefly by the top part of his face. This was nightP-Yes, but there was a light thrown upon him the lamp might have been 60 yards away, but there was a carriage, and the light reflected upon this carriage. By the Mayor It was a fine night, but the moon was not up. Witness continued I know Davies, the Plough and Harrow I did not ask him to give me money for my vote I did not offer him any money for his vote I voted for Mr. Powel Price I had promised to vote for him I communicated from time to time what I had seen and heard to Mr. Cobb; he did not know about going to Mr. David Thomas' bouse before I had been there he knew of my appointment to receive the Y,5 I cannot say whether he was present when I received it; as far as I know there was no one looking on at the time I received the money; there was no one with me; I did tell Golden the barber that I owed X4 and a doctor's bill; I did not tell Mr. Thomas, jun., that I owed X4 and a doctor's bill, nor anything of the kind Richard Walker, an engine driver, told me it would be a good hit to tell Golden so, as he told him he owed a large bill to Dr. Lucas; he said .£10 would be of use to him. Did you tell him this because you thought it would be a good hit to induce him to give you money?-He thought I was a spy from the Liberal party. He was not far out, was be? (Laugh- ter.) Did you not tell him that to induce him to give you money?—My object was to see what he was doing my object was to see whether he would give it to me or anybody else. Why did you tell him that?—I thought I should be thrown aside out of their flock. Why did you tell him that ?-I have answered the question. Why did you tell the barber this ?—Because I fancied if I did not do so he would have thrown me off his hands, and would not have taken me into his confidence. Was what you told him true or false?—It happened to be true at that time. Has it been paid since?-No. Nor the doctor's bill?—No. Then it is true now?—Yes. (Laughter.) You left your work as engine fitter on Monday, the 16th. Have you worked since?-No. For the three or four years you have been in the service you have not absented yourself?—I* have several times bad a holiday. Do you look upon this as a holiday?—Yes I do; and a very good holiday, too. (Laughter.) Do you receive money now to remunerate you?—No, I have been living with my friends at Hereford I can go there without money. Where was it you had worked with George Thomas ? —When I came here he was working on the line. Was it in Brecon?—I believe he has been working on the line ever since I came here, and before I came here. Did you make any attempt to find out his name on the following day, after receiving the £ 5?—No Thomas has worked on the line at the station; I have been in the habit of seeing him, and I have seen him at Brecon several times I saw Walker at Mr. David Thomas' that night; I did not say in his presence that I came there for refuge, nor did I say anything in that house about my doctor's bill and rent; Mr. David Thomas, jun., let me out of the house, but not by the same door that I went in, though it was by a side door I did not see any crowd there; I told them I did not wish to be seen coming out of there. By Mr. Bodenham: I acted as detective at the last election it was late at night-ten o'clock— when the depositions were taken in Morgan's case the depositions were not read over to me that night; they were read over on a subsequent day, and I objected to certain portions as being incorrectly taken it is about four years ago since I saw Thomas working here; I only know that he was working at a different part of the line; he was no friend or acquaintance of mine when I saw him in the cutting I knew the man, but not his name I knew his name before as George Thomas I have in no way used the five sovereigns as my own I handed them to the station-master the next morning after receiving them. Mr. John Wilson, station-master at the Brecon and Merthyr Railway, deposed I remember the morning of the last Brecon election; on that morn- ing I received five sovereigns from John New, which I produce. By the Mayor I marked them. By Mr. Morgan They were not in this envelope when I received them I put them in it; New came about half-past nine Mr. Boness came with him— no one else. William Fryer, living in Free-street, said I am a mason, and know George Thomas I recollect the nomination day I saw George Thomas that day at the Farmer's Arms-an inn kept by James Morgan it was a little before five when I saw him. By Mr. Morgan There were about half-a. dozen other persons there; I had known Thomas before that. Mr. Thomas Edwards Trew, butcher, deposed I recollect the day of the nomination for the borough from something I had heard I went along the loop line of the Brecon and Merthyr Railway in company with Mr. Charles Gibson; this was about from nine o'clock to half-past, I should think; there were carriages standing in the cutting; I saw one man standing four or five yards below the carriages, and four or five men lower down I got up on the ballast close to the man there was a gas-light at the turn- table, which threw a light on the end of the carriages; I saw the man standing by himself there I walked by him, and looked him in the face he was a tall, dark man, and had a billycock hat on I saw him again that night it was the prisoner, George Thomas, but in different clothes about twelve o'clock the same night I was near St. Mary's church —the east end-in company with a Mr. Brace I again met George Thomas and James Alorgan; Morgan was about five yards in front of Thomas; I I followed them up in company with Mr. Brace and Mr. Games I saw them go into Mr. David Thomas'; I did not hear them knock at the door before going in they did not wait for any one to open the door they walked in as if they knew their way; a little time after I again saw the two men coming up the Watton pItch; Mr. Games had some conversation with them in my presence. Mr. Cheese: Had you seen this man before?.-No. Then when you saw him you did not know him to be aeorge Thomas?—No. You saw a man there?— Yes. Where ? -We were both inside the rails. Had he black whiskers ?-Yes. Not lathered?—No. Had you seen New that night ?-Not then. How soon after did you see him ?—New came to the Wellington before I saw George Thomas. Did you go into the cutting in consequence of being told to do so ?—Yes, I was asked to go by Mr. Gibson, to assist in taking men doing some dirty work (laughter); I saw other men there, but they ran away when they saw me coming George Thomas stood still; from there I went first of all to the station, and then to the Wellington; I said in the presence of New I had seen a man there; I do not know that I described the man to anybody. Did New say anything as to who the man was ?—He said something about James Morgan, of the Farmer's Arms, and said about the other man that he was a tall man, with a great deal of hair about his face, and dark he was not telling me particularly, but I heard him tell somebody that that was the man who gave him the money; I heard him describe the man to the company. Did he say he knew the man ?-No, he said he did not know him. Then you came up and gave your description? —Yes. Did you find it to correspond pretty well ? —Yes; from what New said it seemed to be about the same man. How long were you there talking ? —About half an hour. And none of you knew the man at this time ?-No, sir. Were you there when it was arranged New should go to Mr. Thomas's, and find out the man he did not know?-No, I heard nothing of that plan. When did you see the man again that you saw in the cutting?—About twelve o'clock, as I was by the town church. Did you recognise him at once ?—Yes. You did not know his name then ? No. Had anybody told you they had recognised him before?—No. How long did you see him in the cutting ?—Only during the time I was walking past him. How long was the time ? —Not above two or three seconds, I should think. He was by himself ?-He was. Mr. Bodenham: Have you any doubt whatever as to the man? Witness To the best of my belief it is the man, but I would not positively swear to him. Mr. Charles Gibson was then called, and Mr. Cheese said he had been in court all the time, observing it was agreed for all witnesses to be out of court. [On the previous day there had been some talk about the witnesses being out of court, and the soli- cit"rs were asked to name the witnesses- Mr. Cheese read uut several names, and then stopped and refused to gi V(e the D" in es of his witnesses, saying that the asking for th. in v as often a fishing for information. He, however, stood up, and directed all witnesses for the CpfeLC t, leave the court, without mention- ing any mnrws, Nothing more was said at the time, and on resum1; g the case on Tuesday morning no remark wns on the subject.] The ex-Mayor I distinctly say there was no agreement, ,f* the kind. You were applied to for the names of jour witnesses, and refused to give them. It is perfect iv cb. urd to say one thing one minute, and another the n xt. Mr. Cheese I requested every witness in the case, without giving the names, to leave the court; but it was agreed that Mr. Games should stop in court. Mr. Bodenham You cannot object to his being called, in any case. Mr. Charles Gibson, wine merchant, was then sworn and deposed I remember the evening of the nomination; from information received I went into the cutting a little after nine o'clock; I took Mr. Trew with me; I saw somebody in the cutting he was a tall man, had on a pilot coat, a Jim Crow hat, and he was dark be was about the size of the pri- soner, but I was not sufficiently near to recognise him. By Mr. Cheese I knew George Thomas some years ago when he was at work on the line I think it was four years ago I was about two yards from him, as near as I can judge I returned to the Wel- lington Hotel about twelve o'clock do not recollect seeing either Trew or New there then. James Williams deposed I am a mason living at Llanvaes I recollect Wednesday, the 18th Novem- ber, the nomination day I was in town about twelve o'clock, at the bottom of the Watton pitch, in view of Mr. David Thomas' house I could see the door of the house very well from where I was standing I saw New go into the house, and I saw three per- sons come out, but cannot say who they were I believe New did not go in without knocking, but I cannot say for certain; I was at Mr. Maund's, the butcher they went into Matthews', the basket- maker's about a quarter of an hour afterwards they came up the Watton, and I saw it was Morgan and the man I now know as Thomas; they came up to the mouth of Glamorgan-street, and Morgan then said to the other, This is our way I walked up Glamorgan-street with Mr. Games. Mr. W. M. Brien deposed I am an ironmonger, and live in the Watton between twelve and one o'clock I was near Dr. Lucas' house, in company with Mr. Games, Mr. Trew, and others, on the Watton pitch I met and saw two men near the Shire-ball; they were Morgan, and the man I since know as Thomas Mr. Games was talking with Morgan I walked along with the two men and Mr. Games from the Shire-hall to the top of St. Michael- street. Mr. W. Games, solicitor, deposed: I remember the night of the nomination; I was in the town about twelve o'clock; about that hour I saw two men near Mr. David Williams', the printer; I could not tell who they were first of all we followed them down as far as Mr. David Thomas', and they both went in there; I and others went down the Watton some distance to see if we could see them again we waited about half an hour, and then we saw some men that answered the same description, who went into Matthews', the basket-maker's; we remained there some short time, but the parties did not come out, and we went back to the Wellington Hotel; we remained there for a short time, and I went to the Watton pitch with Mr. Trew and several others we were five or six together my companions were in front of me and Mr. Brien, and they had passed down by the Savings' Bank, leaving Mr. Brien and myself a few yards behind; I then observed two men walk- ing close to the wall of the New Inn I turned back, and followed the mne to the bottom of Glamorgan- street, and identified James Morgan as being one of the men; I said, "Is that you, Morgan," and he said, "Yes, Mr. Games I next asked him how the rabbit trade got on (laughter), and he said, Very badly I then asked him how the election got on, and he said, Very badly-they made a good deal of noise about it I asked him if nothing could be made out of it, and he said, "No;" I told him I understood there was X4 paid in Llanvaes for votes, and that £5 was the price, and that £1 seemed to have dropped somewhere, and that £5 was paid in the Watton he said nothing. Mr. Cheese That is most important. (Laughter.) Mr. Games: I said, "By-the-bye, is that your friend with you;" he said, "It is my cousin," (laughter); I looked at Thomas minutely ;• at this time Mr. Trew, Mr. Brien, and others were walking close by us we walked along Glamorgan-street till we came to St. Michael-street, and we then parted the prisoner, George Thomas, was the person who was with Morgan I next saw George Thomas the following morning, and recognised him. Mr. Bodenham said that was his case, and upon that he asked the Bench to commit the prisoners for trial. Mr; Cheese, in addressing the Bench for the pri- soners, said he thought it was his duty to himself and the prisoners that he should refer for one moment to the part he took as to the magistrates presiding in this case who had in any way taken part in the election. In doing so he only did what he conceived to be his duty. He quoted to them the words of Mr. Justice Wightman and others, who said that when a magistrate-however disinterested he might be, and although he felt he was able to do his duty-was mixed up with a case, it was better for public justice that he should not preside. They knew their position better than he did, and they con- sidered there was nothing in the quotation he made to prevent them presiding, and he withdrew his objection. He merely alluded to it now for the pur- pose of saying that he did not intend any personal objection whatever, and he certainly did feel that the magistrates would, as far as possible, get rid of any bias. He was quite satisfied that-beyond any matter of political strife the position that they were in, and bound as they were by .their oath to administer the law impartially in every case-was a sufficient guarantee that they would rid themselves of any feeling or prejudice. They had had put before them four or five charges, supported entirely by the same evidence, and reflect- ing entirely upon the same persons. However many years of experience either of the magistrates had had they had never heard a charge of the same nature as that. They were there to try a case of conspiracy. Whether they had individually given time and study to see what might be a conspiracy he knew not. It took him somewhat by surprise, and notwithstanding he had had considerable experience in priminal law, he had had to put to himself the same question that he put to them-" What is con- spiracy?" If they could not answer that question they would not be in a proper position to say whether they had had sufficient evidence of a conspiracy to justify them in sending the prisoners for trial. A conspiracy was an agreement between two or more persons to commit an offence punishable by law. Now he put it to them that they must have evidence of the agreement between the parties. He put it to them as a matter of law that it was not sufficient for them to find one person committing an offence, and another person committing an offence, and that both these put together showed there was a breach of the law-from which they could rightly conclude there was conspiracy? He hoped he was followed, and that the magistrates would see that he was talking sense—in this way Suppose two or three men com- mitted an offence-the one broke hedges, and the other was brought before them on a charge of committing malicious injury. They could not have those two men before them for conspiracy. That was not the meaning of conspiracy. A conspiracy depended upon there being an agreement between two or more persons to lay a plan and carry out an illegal act. Apply that here, and see what evidence they had connecting Morgan and Thomas. The only person who spoke to anything of the sort was New-as to Morgan having a conversation with him, and making an appointment. That was the evidence upon which they were asked to conclude there was a conspiracy. Were they to believe that Morgan, who only kept a small public-house, could find money to bribe voters? They could not as reasonable men believe that. Or could they believe that George Thomas was going to find the money. There was no proof at all that Morgan and Thomas had con- spired to do an illegal act. It had not been shown that they were together-and the first time was at eleven or twelve o'clock at night. Mr. Bodenham One of the witnesses spoke to their being together at five o'clock. Mr. Cheese then proceeded to explain that Morgan kept an inn in Llanvaes, and George Thomas was employed to come to Brecon and bring a number of people with him to act as private constables. He arrived with twenty or thirty persons, and went to lodge at the inn kept by Morgan. These men could be called, and would swpar it was impossible George Thomas could have been at the place at the time when the £5 was given. They could swear that up to eleven o'clock George Thomas was never from them, and that he could not possibly have been seen in the cutting. He asked the magistrates, as reasonable men, if there were any case upon which they could send the case for trial. When New was before them on the first occasion he did not attempt to swear to Thomas. He said now that it was a man he bad seen before, but he could not tell who it was. And when be signed the information he said it was A.B., a person he did not know. The witness Trew said he did not know the man, that he met New at the Wellington, and they both described the man. Mr. Gibson was the only witness who ever knew Thomas before. He went within two yards of him—there was no lather about his face then-no attempt at disguise-and yet he said be could not say it was George Thomas, although, too, he went there for the purpose of detection. Could they therefore believe the evidence of identity, and did they believe there was evidence of a conspiracy; It seemed to him it would be useless to make observations when they would have to be re- made in another case, and if the man were to be committed for trial it was useless taking up their time. But he put it to them as reasonable men whether there was sufficient evidence to justify them in sending the case for trial at the Assizes. They were also asked to send Morgan for trial upon the very same charge, and the very same evidence as he had already been committed upon. How would the Judge deal with it ? Was Morgan to be tried first, and then, if fouud guilty, Morgan and Thomas put up together, and Morgan to be a person condemning Thomas because he had been found guilty. It would be one of the most extra- ordinary legal proceedings lie ever met with, and he did not think it could take place. Mr. Cheese then came back to his statement that Thomas brought in 20 or 30 men to act as private constables, and said that he and Morgan went to Mr. David Thomas' for the purpose of receiving orders as to how he should place the men. They were for the purpose of keep- ing order, and that was the whole of the mystery of their going there. Mr. Cheese concluded by saying that he thought the magistrates ought to be rightly advised as to whether there was any evidence of a conspiracy. Mr. Bodenham: If there is a prima facie case it is the duty of the magistrates to commit. You cannot say they were here as special constables; you must prove it. Mr. Davies: They were in a position to assist. Mr. Bodenham No doubt they were in a position to assist. Mr. James Williams I would ask—supposing the magistrates considered one prisoner had committed an offence, and the other not? Mr. Bodenham There is no offence then. A conspiracy must be by more than one person. It is a joint offence. The prisoners were then committed to take their trial upon the charge of conspiracy, bail being accepted as before-themselves in Y,200 each, and two sureties each in a similar amount.

THE REMANDED CHARGE OF BRIBERY. James Morgan, of the Farmer's Arms, was then charged that he, on the 18th November, in the parish of St. David, did promise to procure William Adams a certain sum of money to vote for Howel Gwyn, Esq., at the last borough election and did procure a certain sum of money, to wit, 24, to induce him so to vote. Mr. Bodenham being obliged to leave, Mr. Games conducted the prosecution, Mr. Cheese defending. The evidence of William Adams on the last occasion was read over, and he further deposed as follows William Adams I was in the Farmer's Arms from two till half-past on the 18th November my brother was with me; we were taking bread and cheese and beer a farmer named Davies came in; I know him by sight very well; I went into the kitchen, and there Morgan's wife said to her husband "Here's Mr. Davies;" Morgan said, the fellow, I do not want to see him, I owe him money;" in the meantime Thomas came in, and went upstairs; Mrs. Morgan asked Davies to come in and sit down where we were he came in, and Morgan ordered him a glass of beer I heard Mrs. Morgan say You can get the money of Mr. Thomas;" Morgan went upstairs, and came down in the course of a couple of minutes or so he said I'll settle with you now, Mr. Davies," and put down a sove- reign on the table he then said when the election was over he would call on him "and buy all the timber he had, and give him ready money for it. By Mr. Cheese I did not know Thomas before; I might have seen him before, but to my knowledge I had not; I saw him after in the field leading to the union on the nomination night, when be gave me the money I did not know him at the time he gave me the money I knew him when I saw him again; that was in the hall; he was not disguised when he gave me the money it was rather dark at the time; he was not dressed as he is now; he had a pilot jacket on, and a muffler round his neck when he gave me the money in the field I cannot say that I recognised him as any man I had seen before I gave the money to Mr. Cobb; I have not had them back, nor had anything for them I have received no money from Mr. Cobb since I gave them to him. By Mr. Games The man I saw in the field is the same as the one I saw at two o'clock in the day, and altogether answered his description the man I saw in the hall and the one I saw at Morgan's was the, same man I produced the money at Mr. Cobb's office to several persons I met Mr. Overton and Mr. Prothero on the bridge; I shook the money in my hand, and said" I've got the money." (Laughter.) William Fryer deposed I am a mason, and live in Heolrhydd with my father I recollect the nomi- nation day I saw George Thomas in the Barracks about half-past three I was looking at the soldiers kicking football; I had worked with him 21 years I afterwards went with Thomas's son up to the Farmer's Arms; I sat by George Thomas's side I came away, and left him there. James Adams, labourer, of Crickhowell, said I eame up to Brecon on the fair day (the 17th), and remained here over the night; I saw my brother on the following morning, and we went about dinner time to the Farmer's Arms it was at night we went to the Farmer's Arms I forget whether it was light or dark I know we went there; while there an old man, a farmer, came there for some money for some timber; this was between eight and nine o'clock he got the money Mr. Morgan followed a man upstairs, and brought it down; I saw the man go up before Morgan I was sitting in the kitchen he was a stoutish man-I did not take much notice of him; I should not know the man again; Morgan paid the farmer a sovereign I was having a pint of drink I paid for two pints for my brother and me; we had some bread and cheese; I did not pay for that; the lamps were lighted we sat there till we had orders to go out Morgan told us to follow them he did not say where we were to follow him to, or for what purpose; we followed him to the field leading to the union at the back of the workhouse I went over the stile, and went a little distance my brother told me to 1 stay there, and my brother and Morgan went down the field they went out of my sight; my brother came back to me and told me to go down the field, and I should see a man there Morgan and my brother were together-like-about sthirty or forty yards away I went down the field, and could not see anything it was very dark I came back, and saw a man I went up to him and he said, I suppose you're the man;" I said, My name's James Adams;" he reached out his hand, and put some money in my hand I did not exactly know what it was given for I wished the man good night, and came back to my brother, and we went to the stile my brother and Morgan were talking, but I did not hear what it was I left Morgan and the other man in the field we looked to see what we had when we came to the first lamp, and I found I had four sovereigns I went with my brother to Mr. Cobb's office the four sovereigns were marked and left with Mr. Cobb I cannot speak to the man I saw in the field it was too dark. By Mr, Cheese I have had none of the money back. This was the conclusion of the case for the prose- cution, and Mr. Cheese addressed the Bench on behalf of the I accused. He said he could find nothing in the evi- dence to show that Morgan had made any promise to give Adams money. Morgan and Adams had been old fellow workmen, and Morgan had told him that if he got any money he would let him know. It appeared that in consequence Morgan and the two Adamses went into a field and met a mysterious stranger, and that they each received £ 4. The elder Adams was very clear in his evidence that he did not know what he was going into the field for, and there was no promise on the part of Adams that they would vote for Mr. Howel Gwyn. Suppose some very clever agent of Mr. Powel Price bad wished to get up a case of bribery against Mr. Howel Gwyn. They go and send in a mysterious agent to Morgan's to say that if they and their friends would meet him in a field behind Mr. Mathews' they should have money. Morgan is ready to go and take the money, however he may vote after. He tells his two fellow-workmen, the Adamses, and they are ready to go and have the money, however they may vote. The mysterious stranger comes up and gives them the money, and they go away. Were they not in that position? It was the case with Adams, only he was acting the part of a spy,—and Morgan, it was not suggested he was doing anything of the kind. But suppose that to be the case. What finer trap could they have laid for the purpose of bringing this ease on. There was no imagination in this. It was as likely that these men might have gone to receive money to vote for Mr. Powel Price as for Mr. Gwyn. The trap was kid, a reward of .1!100 was offered, and every inducement to get up a case of bribery and that they did. He would now call Thomas, who would tell them he never gave any man any money on that night. He was a man who had always borne an irreproachable character, and against him not a werd could be said. They must also remember that Adams, the elder, had as much opportunity of reeogniting the man as Adams, the younger,—he saw him go up stairs, and also in the field. George Thomas was then called, and said: I am a mason, and live at Tavarnabach, in this county; I came to Brecon about twelve o'clock on the 18th of November, bringing with me nine men; I had engaged them to act with me as private constables; we all went to the Farmer's Arms, Llanvaes, and got there about half-past twelve we remained there till about two, at which time we all went out together, with the exception of one man we returned about four I did not leave the premises again until eleven o'clock at night; I was never in my life in a field at the back of Matthews'; I never gave the man William Adams any money I never saw him in my life till I was brought into court; I did not give James Adams any money, and never saw him tiU now. Mr. Cheese asked the witness if he bad given any one any money in the railway cutting; but this ques- tion was objected to as irrelevant. By Mr. Cheese I did not give any money to any person. r By Mr. Games: I walked over here; I am a mason I was last engaged as a mason three weeks last Thursday all the men except one walked with me from Tavarnabach; they were David Jenkins, William Jenkins, my son, David Thomas, David Herbert, and David Jones we came by the old tramway; a carriage passed us by Talybont; Morgan, of the Farmer's Arms, did not come in a trap I and my son did not ride in the trap I did not see Morgan at all before I started. Mr. Games: Who employed you?—I was employed. A difficulty about that, eh?—Nobody employed me in fact-I was asked to come. Who asked you?- Morgan. When and where?-A week before, in Tredegar. You saw him there?—I met him on the Cross. By appointment?—No, quite by accident. Oh, quite by accident! Did he employ you to come here ?—Yes. What were the terms of the contract ? —5s. per day. Work or play 1-Yes, I s'pose. For how many?—Each man I was to bring 20 or 30 men if I could, to keep the peace. You were to bring strangers here to keep the peace -Th.y might have been in Brecon; but I did not ask that. Mr. Joseph: You were not required to bring strangers to the town? Witness No; they were to be respectable men that is alL • Mr. Games Were you desired to bring 8C the Man in the Moon" along? (Laughter.) Witness No such word was mentioned. Mr. Games Was it part of the contract that yon were to perform that office? Witness: What office ? Mr. Games: The office of "the Man in the Moon?" Witness: I did not hear the name. Mr. Games Did you all go to Morgan's? Witness Yes; David Jenkins and I went first, and the others after we did not exactly come into the town altogether I sleep at the Farmer's Arms; we were not sworn in by anybody we were to perform the duties of constables, and keep the peace; if we saw any row we were to quell it; we did not make our position known to any of the magis- trates of the town did not tell anybody particular our mission; Morgan did not tell me who said he was to employ me; I was paid for two days only Morgan paid me; I saw Morgan pay a part of the otbers-I believe he paid them all they were paid at Morgan's there was no agreement as to the night; I only got 10s. I was in the lock-up part of the time, and I was not paid for that (laughter) Morgan did not tell me where he got the money from I did not ask him my colours were yellow and blue; the other men wore colours} at two o'clock we went up the street, and down to the Barracks do not know Mr. Thomas' office; never saw Mr. David Thomas, the elder, to my knowledge; I was not on several occasions on the 18th in Mr. Thomas' office; I do not think I could find Mr. Thomas' house in the Watton; I went there, with Morgan a little after eleven that night Morgan did not say where he was going; he asked me to go for a walk; he stopped at a house in the Watton, and said "I want to go in here;" he rapped at the door, and said You may as well come in along I do not know who let us in Morgan went first, and I followed; we went straight to the kitchen; I did not hear him enquire for anybody I sat down, and Morgan went into another room by himself I did not see what room it was he said something to one of the servants, and walked into the room of his own accord; we remained there about half an hour Morgan was absent from me about a quarter of an hoar; I had a glass of beer, and when Morgan came back a servant brought a glass of brandy and water each I don't think I smoked in the house; I would not swear I did not; I saw nobody but the two servants and Morgan I did not see Mr. David Thomas, jun., there that night; we came away about half-past eleven o'clock, or something like that; we went straight up the street, and back to Morgan's house I saw you and several other persons; I did not hear Morgan say I was his cousin; heard you say something about the rabbit trade, but don't recollect anything else it would be about twelve o'olock when we got back to Morgan's; I was not out again that night when I first came I did not go upstairs at the Farmer's Arms; I did not wear a pilot coat; I left Brecon on the Saturday I did not, about seven o'clock on the following day, go up Llanvaes with Morgan dressed in a smock frock; I do not know where the Drover's Arms are I did net go up through the turnpike gate; I do not know whether Morgan did or did not go out the same night after I saw you. Upon this charge also the prisoner was committed for trial, bail to the same amount as in the last case being taken.

COXHILL AGRICULTURAL SociETy. -The ploughing match of this society took place on Friday last, at Thornton, Lincolnshire. The champion Prize (a silver cup) open to All England, was won, for the fourth time in succession, by Messrs. Ransomes and Sims; whilst the Farmers' Sons Cup was also won by Mr. Hookham, with one of the same makers' ploughs.Daily Telegraph. MUSICAL.—Mr. and Mrs. Richard Blagrove (Miss Freeth) had the honour of giving their Concertina and Pianoforte Recital before their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince and Princess of Prussia (Pria. cess Royal), Princess Louise, his Serene Highness the Prince and her Royal Highness the Princess of Teck, and the Ladies and Gentlemen in Wait. ing, in the Red Drawing Room at Windsor Castle on Monday evening, November 23rd. The follow- ing pieces were performed:—Duet Pamt," Gou- nod; Concerto (1st Movement), Concertina, De Beriot: Solos Pianoforte, Berceuse, D flat, Study, G flat, on black keys only, Chopin; Fantasia Con- certina, "Scotch Airs," R. Blagrove; Duet on Welsh Airs, "Watching the Wheat," "The Camp," "The Blackbird," "The Bells of Aberdovey. Orchestra.