The Sun.
London, England, 1859-04-25 00:00:00

ARCHDEACON_DENISON AND HIS
SERVANTS.

At the Western Petty Sessions, on Monday last
(before the Earl of Cavan and Mr. T. T. Knyfton
and Mr. H. F. Emery), Ann Gamlen was charged
by James Hudson and Emma Baker with libel,
calling upon her to appear at the next assizes to
answer for the same. Mr. H. Davies appeared for
the complainants, and Mr. Bailey for the defendant.
It appeared that the two complainants were ser-
vants to the Venerable Archdeacon Denison, and
that the defendant had also lived for a short time
in the same service, but from her bad conduct had
been dismissed ; immediately upon which she wrote
the libel complained of, and which imputed that an
improper intimacy had existed between the com-
plainants. The Venerable Archdeacon was exa-
mined in support of the complainants' case, but
before giving his evidence he stated that his object
was not to punish the defendant, but to protect the
character of two persons whom he looked upon,
from their long and faithful services, as his family,
and even now if Gamlen would withdraw publicly
in court the accusation, he would close the whole
matter. A conference then took place between Mr.
Bailey and his client, in which it was evident Mr.
Bailey wished Gamlen. to retract the imputation,
but which she determinedly refused to do. The
archdeacon's examination was then proceeded with.
He stated that Hudson had been in his service
upwards of thirteen years, and Emma Baker had
been a domestic in his service above three years,
and had given him entire satisfaction in every
respect ; Gamlen also isad been a servant of his
from October last 0- March, but he had
discharged her for foul language, disobedience to
orders, and general bad conduct of the worst de-
scription ; he had discharged her before receiving
the letter containing the libel complained of ; had
no knowledge of that charge until after he had told
her to leave the house in =an hour's time ; she then
said, as she was going out of the room, "I have
seen James Hudson and Emma Baker commit for-
nication." He left home the latter end of January,
and Mrs. Denison a week after ; both returned
early in March ; he had received two letters from
Gamlen during his absence, but neither alluded to
the chary before the Court ; had told Gamlen
several times she would be discharged for foul
language; after leaving the room, on the occasion
referred to, he heard a noise in the kitchen, where.
Gamlen was abusing Emma Baker; he subse-
quently received the letter now produced ; would
swear it was Ann Gamlen's writing, being in the
same handwriting as other letters he had received
from her. In reply to Mr. Bailey, Archdeacon
Denison said that Ann Gamlen brought the letter
to his house herself, and he felt no scruple in saying
that it was her writing. Mr. Bailey, on behalf of
Gamlen, contended that the letter in question was
a privileged communication, which relieved it
entirely from the character of a libel, and dwelt
particularly upon the words, " I.am quite ready to
meet Itmlson and Baker face to face," to show that
the archdeacon's most proper course would have
been to have investigated the matter in his own
house, rather than to have recourse to the pre-
sent proceedings. Mr. Bailey then quoted several
cases, with a view of showing that the letter was
a privileged communication, and asked what ad-
vantage could be gained by bringing the girl
Gamlen before the magistrates, in order to ob-
tain an indictment ? Mr. Davies, in reply, said it
was the most legitimate mode of proceeding, for
the judges held it war cowardly to go to an assize
to obtain upon an ex parte statement an indictment
against a party to be hcard at the following assize ;
every judge would condemn such a course. Mr.
Bailey, with much earnestness, again submitted to
the bench that it was a privileged communication,
consequently not a libel at all, therefore the magis-
trates should dismiss the application. The magis-
trates, after consulting together for a few minutes,
concurred in this opinion, and the application was
refused. Archdeacon •Denison, addressing Mr.
Davies, said, " Then you indict her at the assizes,"
and left the court.--Bristol Times.

IMPORTANT TO MEMBERS OF

BENEFIT SOCIETIES.

On Saturday William Glegg, the seoretary to the
South London Branch of the British Engineers'
Benefit Society, held at the Goldsmiths' Arms
public-house, Southwark-bridge-road, was sum-
moned before Mr. Combo, at Southwark Police-
court, by Mr. William Drage, the general treasurer,
for unlawfully withholding and detaining the books
of the society after receiving due notice to give
them up.
It appeared that the British Engineers' Benefit
Society has been established for some time, for the
purpose of rendering assistance to such members as
might be in need. Branches.were established, and
among them was one at the Goldsmiths' Arms, in
the Southwark-bridge-road, of which the defendant
was the secretary. From the evidence of Mr. Drage,
the general treasurer, it appeared that, owing to
the reduction of the members, and to save the ex-
penditure, a general meeting took place at the Lon-
don Coffee-house on the 20th of September, when
resolutions were passed to amalgamate several of
the branches, among which was that held at the
Goldsmiths' Arms. Notice was then served on the
defendant to hand over the books of his branch to
the general society, so that inquiries might be
entered into respecting its stability, &c., and on his
refusing the present proceedings were taken. De-
fendant denied the power of the general society to
compel them to amalgamate, and in consequence of
that a case was laid before Mr. Tidd Pratt for his
opinion.
Mr. Solomon produced Mr. Tidd Pratt's opinion
on the subject. The learned gentleman said that
on looking over the rules of the society and the
case submitted to him, he was of opinion that, ac-
cording to the 14th clause of the Friendly Societies
Act, any society having branches enrolled under
that act could at any proper and legal general
meeting order an amalgamation. He (Mr. Solo.
mon) contended that such general meeting was
legally held, and the amalgation carried.
Mr. Lewis denied that anything of the kind took
place to their knowledge, and they never received
any notice of it. The fact was, that the Southwark
branch was doing well, and the others being badly
off, wanted to take their money.
Mr. Combo asked whether he denied the authority
of the parent society to amalgamate.
Mr. Lewis replied that he did not, but lie con-
tended that there was nothing to show that such a
meeting took place, and that such resolutions were
carried.

Mr. Combo asked whether Mr. Solomon had the
minute book in which these resolutions were passed
at the general meeting on the 20th of September.
Mr. Solomon replied that he had not. He had,
however, a copy of them, which he produced.
Mr. Combo told him that would not do. It was,
however, such au important case to the working
classes, that he should adjourn it for the produc-
tion of the general secretary's minute book.

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