The Dewsbury Chronicle, and West Riding Advertiser. — 1873-06-28 (Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England)

THE CHARGE OF LIBEL AGAINST SIR JOHN GRAY, M.P.  At the Dublin Police Court, on Saturday last, Sir John Gray and Mr. William Kelly, of the Freeman's Journal, were summoned for having published a libel on Sir Arthur Guinness, Bart. On June 4th a paragraph appeared in the Freeman's Journal headed "Reported Social Scandal,' stating that a rumour was current that Dublin would shortly be startled by the reyelation of a domestic scandal of a sadly painful character, the principal person concerned having hitherto been considered as a model of decorum. It was afterwards stated that the gentleman in question would be obliged to leave the country and seek refuge fron a charge of a bigamous nature. Sir Arthur Guinness heard in London that the rumourreferred to him, and he brought the present proceedings. He positively denied that he had ever married any woman other than the present Lady Guinness, or seduced any woman under promise of marriage. He also denied that he ever went through what purported to be a ceremony of marriage. Sir John Gray said he knew nothing about the paragraph, and expressed his disgust at seeing-it in print. An unsuccessful attempt was made to settle the affair by a compromise, and the case was adjourned till Tuesday.  On Tuesday morning when the case came up for hearing Mr. Ryan, Q.C., said: I have to tell your worships that Mr. Edmund Dwyer Gray, the son of Sir John Gray, has been summoned here to be examined touching this case that is, the son of Sir John Gray is directed to come here to criminate his father. Rather than such a distressing thing should occur in a court of justice, I, on the part of Sir John Gray, avow the proprietorship of The Freeman's Journal.—Formal evidence was then taken, and in the result the Chief Magistrate said that it was his duty to commit Sir John Gray and Mr. Kelly for trial at the next Commission. He would accept their recognisances in £5OO each. Mr. Macdonogh, Q.C., for Sir A. Guinness, said: Gentlemen of the Bench,—l am now about to do an act which is altogether the emanation of the mind of my most kind and generous client. In the discharge of my duty I have brought these proceedings to a close. The defendants arc now finally committed. Sir Arthur Guinness, though I forbear to say anything that would appear to be the eulogy of counsel, has not made vindictiveness a part of his character. He has never injured a citizen of Dublin, and he would not begin to do so now. (Loud applause.) He instruct l Lie—and I am bound to follow his instructions, but let him have the sole merit of it—(God forbid that I should stand in the way of anything kind or generous)—he has directed me to inform you that he would deeply regret to see Sir John Gray placed in such a position as would be the necessary result of this proceeding. (Applause.) Having now achieved every desirable purpose, having had it decided that the case should proceed to trial, I, on the part of Sir Arthur Guinness, absolutely and unconditionally, mad not requiring any further apology, liberate Sir John Gray and William Kelly from their recognisauces. (Prolonged applause.) Mr. Ryan-1 am quite sure that my client, Sir John Gray, does feel, as he ought, gratified at the course Sir Arthur Guinness has adopted. I believe Sir John Gray never in his life contemplated .the slightest injury to Sir Arthur Guinness, who was perfectly justified in taking the course he has for the vindication of his character. But now I hope, and am sure, that the whole matter will be fargotten on all sides, and that we shall never more hear anything of this unfeatunate topic. The parties then retired, Sir Arthur Guinness reeeiving a great ovation as he left the court.  The Gotoss of Vicnna asscsts that the Turkish Government will send a man-of-war to Sumatra with a proposal of. mediation betwocn the Atchine:e nnd the Dutch. At the Liverpool Police Court on Wedncs(lay, Patrick Duffy was charged, on his own confession, with the, murder of Constable Talbot in Dublin. The prisoner was remanded. A telegram from Biarritz, published in the Hour, says that it is reported that General Nouvilas, with six or seven companiea, have been taken prisoner, C,W Pampaion by the o:4lista.