GUTTER LITERATURE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3128, 2 August 1892, Page 2

GUTTER LITERATURE.

y " Gutter literature, says a Sydney writer, had its "day out" last week. Mr G. Black, M.P., sued Truth for libel, and claimed heavy damage*. He had beeu assailed by the paper named in the vilest terms, and had virtually been held up to public; scoru and contempt as a very a Parian and outcast of society. If I were to use in the public street, within hearing s of a constable, such " language "as that e which appeared week after week in the columns of Truih, I should expect to be incontinently " ruu in." When Mr Black's character, however, came to be inquired into, with a view to ascertain what damage it bad suffered, the jury assessed it at the smallest coin of the r«alm, expressing at the same time their disgust at the whole proceedings. The ■ verdict does not carry costs, so that " the lawyers on both sides will ' have to put their hands into 0 the pockets of their own olients. A few short months ago Mr Black was the spokesman of the»then triumphant Labour party. Swollen with arrogance and presumption, he told the Premier how he and his party would " squeeze" him. A veritable waif and stray of 1 society, pitchforked by an unlucky 3 chance into a position for which he had r hardly any qualihcations, he might even 3 then by resolute application and self- ' control, have held his own with the other 1 professional politicians among whom he [ had gained a footing. He seemed bent, however, upon fulfilling the truth of the • old adage, " Set a beggar on horseback • and he will ride to the d The 1 same thiDg, however, may almost be said » of the section of the House for which he ! assumed to speak—the Labour party, j Where is that party now ? as Hans Breitman would ask. After all has been said, I however, even Mr Black appears iu a , favourable light, iis compared with the r guttersnipe Sunday papers which are the reproach of t.his city. I