The Dean Case.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 87, 9 October 1895, Page 2

The Dean Case.

A TREMENDOUS SENSATION IN SYDNEY. DEAN GUILTY. THE DOWNFALL OF Ji EAGUF.It. (Per Press Association.) Sydney, October 8. In the Legislative Assembly, Mr Crick read a confession by Mr Meagher. The latter confirms the statement Sir Julian Salomons and exonerates Mr Crick from knowledge of the guilt. Mr Meagher has resigned his eeat and expresses his intention to leave the country when he has made reparation to the law, and demands that Dean be arrested for perjury. The excitement over Saturday's arrests received a fresh impulse this evenins by Mr Crick's statement in the Legislative Assembly. In the streets tonight crowds are discussing the latest phase of the case. The House was crowded in anticipation that Crick would make some explanation, but the crowd was hardly prepared to hear such disclosures as took place. In a lengthy speech, Mr Crick detailed the ease from the commencement, showing that, having great faith in Meagher's judgement, ha. accepted his slatement that Dean was innocent, Mr Crick apologised to Sir Julian Salomons for his recent bitter speech against him. It was apparent that Crick was much troubled in mind over what he had said, and he wandered from the narrative at times. As late as Sunday, he said, Meagher reiterated to him Dean's innocense, and he implored Meagher on Monday, if there was any guilt in the matter, not to drag him (Crick), who had been his best friend, down. Meagher then said he had a terrible secret to impart, whereupon Crick implored him to clear the matter up. Continuing, Crick said that Meagher, after consulting his wife, drew up a confession. Meagher's confession is substantially as follows : — That he was determined to endure the mental torture no longer, and had decided to follow the voice of truth. After hearing Dean's confession as related to Sir Julian Salomons, he was torn asunder with doubt whether he would upset the verdict or let things remain as they were. He concealed the terrible tact from all until Sir Julian Salomons became the repository of the secret, which he gave to the Legislative Council. Seeing that others were likely to be arrested and placed in the felon's dock, he was determined that unless he extricated the innocent he would be guilty of great moral cowardice. He had committed errors of judgment which he felt so acutely as almost to unhinge his intellect, and he had brought trouble on those dear to him. The confession concludes by stating that he would endeavour to atone in another clime for what he had done. Mr Crick, during his speech, broke down several times, and the finishing sentences were almost inaudible. He concluded " A young life blighted, sir, and a resignation handed in I" Crick, immediately handed in Meagher's resignation to the Speaker, after which, overcome with emotion, he left the Chamber. On the motion of the Premier, the resignation was accepted.