The Irish standard., 1888-04-21
THE late +. DWYER GRAY.
Outlines of the Career of One Of Mr
Paruells Most Trusted
Colleagues.
He FOREMOST MAN IN DUBLIN.
A Nationalist Of Splendid Quality and
Character Help to the
Grand Cause.

| Grand Cause.
Dublin Freeman.
| Mr.. Gray's first appearance III pub
| lie does not coIncids with his entrance
| into public life. 1t YVES associated with
an incident which marked in striking
way the courage Of his character, and
which in sketches OF his career has be en-
utilized to show that his early years
were not devoid Of romance. The uc-
sasion referred TO Was when a public
presentation, at the Dublin chamber OF
commerce, Of the Tayleur Medal was
made to MIR. Gray, then youth, for
the bravery he had displayed in saving
life from q wreck. during storm, op~
posite the coast near Baiiybrack. Ills
entrance into The arena of actual pub.
lie affairs may be considered to have
| commenced with the leading part he
took in the proceedings OF the O'Con-
nell statue committee. 1t will be re-
membered that some division Of epiu~
ion existed in that committee as TO the
form Of the statue. and then it Was
that Mr.. Gray exhibited those qualities
OF persistent energy anG resolution
which since So peculiarly DISTINGUISHED
him. lie fought his fight and won it,
took pains to secure for their corporate
affairs SO active and ables q guide. Mr.
Gray euterea the corporation some
| time about tha year 1875. He WAS soor
leading a vigorous crusade against
! abuses which ne found to operate in
jnrlousiY upon the masses. Almost
14um tne very outset OF his cOnuecLlon
| with the municipal council he exhibit
cd a rara grasp of local 1AdCters, and
the laws bearing upon them, Mr.
Gray Was unanimously elected lOrd
mayor of Dublin tor 1856, and his year OF
Oti3e is memorable fOr tue prlncely
husplta ities OF the Mansion House.
He WAS high sheriff during !he year
1882. 1t Was Mc. HraY'S faCe III Duth
years to be the central figure Of an ill.,
cident newell i'll Its character, and OF
national significance. The inaugural
banquet at Che Abansion Ho4s Was
fixed to take place early in February,
tue late Duke OF Marlborough having
slgnlhed, as was then the custom, lne
date most convenient for hin to- be
present. Within few days OF the date
Atr. Gray received a communication
from The castle, signed by the lord
lieutenant, decllnlug TO attend The
BANG ueG 20 when he had previously ac-
cepLvd All invitation. The reissun as
signed by the ylceroy Was the passing
OF Certain res0lutlunS at u meeting Of
the lrlsh party III the City Hall, at
Whlcn MI. Gray, being lord mayor as
Tne RESOLUTION msreIy EXPRESSED sym-
patny with the hapiess tenants in the
vest OF Ireland, and promised THEM
support buC the Vlcs-regai cJAmuulca-
liou attributed to THEM IL Split Iii OPP
POSITION to the enforcement u Tue law,
and TO the moasures Wlllcn her ma
]esLy's government have taken for the
relief OF The distress existing III parJs
ot The Country" Mr., Gray immedl-
t,!y upon receipt Of the letter had d
meeting Ut Che corporation summoned,
and the Same evening the meeting Was
held, He made an exhaustive state
meut to the council On the subject, he
showed the erroneOusness OF Che cOu-
strucllon Whlcn the YlcoroY put uDol
she RESOLUTIONS OF the Irlsn party, and
he secured The assent OF tno meeting 70
his Suggestion 5ha5 40 banquet should
be held, and that the money instead
e5Ou-snould Do devoted 10 the relief OF
distress in the city. Tue incluent
caused something of sensation at che
time, anu 1t was generally understood
tnat Lord Bei.consfield, who Was then
prime minister, had a hayer III the
transaction. 1t Certainly is the fact
that SIX days elapsed between the meet
ing OF the Irish party, at which the re-
solutions were passed, and the receipt
of the viceroy's let5er-a delay which,
in itself, ". s suggestive. Mr.. GraY's
promptitude in d situation OF extreme
dellcacy and difficulty, and the use to
which be turned che incident, were the
subject OF general praise. 1t should De
mentioned chat at this time he had Or
ganized fund at the Mansion House
for the relief of the unfortunate people
in the famine districts, whose condi-
tlon had been previously described in
series of Jhrilling letters in the columns
of che Freeman by special commits
sion which MIR. Gray sent out One
member of this commission was Mr..
William 0 Brien, tnen member Of the