THE DEAN EPISODE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXI, Issue 230, 2 October 1895, Page 2

THE DEAN EPISODE.

+ MR MEAGHER'S STATEMENT. SALOMON'S " MENTAL AFFLICTION." [DSITED PBEBS ABBOOIATION.] | Sydney, October 1. The Legislative Assembly was densely packed to«day, to he*r Mr Meagher's reply to Sir J. Salomon's statements. He said he had not spoken before because he desired to answer fully, explicitly, and dispassionately. Dean never m his life made any confession to Salomon's (? Meagher). He denied the statements categorically, as a false and wicked fabrication. He did not believe Bir J. Salomon's would wilfully, calmly and sanely endeavor to set up a fabrication, and therefore he could only say the statement was that of a man who was a creature of uncontrollable mental impulse, the outcome of a mental affliction which it was well-known periodically took j possession of Salomon's prolific brain. He thoroughly believed Dean was innocent, and always had done so. What he had done for him he was prepared to do again, m the interests of justice and humanity. The At-torney-General had stated that he beLeved, from other information he had received, that Sir J. Salomon's statements were true, and Dean was guilty. It was the AttorneyGeneral's duty to produce this evidence, and (said Mr Meagher) if he did not do so he would denounce him as an arch-conspiiator. Sydney, October 1. In reference to his interview with Salomons m the latter's office, during which the alleged confession was made, Mr Meagher read a written statement to the effect that he went to consult him about the prpposed action for libel arising out of the Dean case. Afer discussing tbis, Salomons asked how Dean was getting on, adding he was an archscoundrel, and fortunate m getting off before the Commission. Meagher asked if an innocent man was not entitled to get off. Salomons replied if all the angels m Heaven came down and swore he was innocent he would not believe them, and suggested to Meagher that he had purposely omitted asking one of the chemists examined m court whether he had supplied Dean with poison. Meagher denied this, and Salomon then pressed him to tell the truth, saving he had the solution of the case. He also enlarged on the terrible issues involved, and said that Judge Windeyer would have the stigma of judicial murder upon him. Meagher reasserted Dean's innocence. Salomons said it was sheer nonsense, and then asked for a second interview. At this he again pressed Meagher to clear up the mystery. He was very excited, and iv a dramatic manner went into a long dissertation upon conscience, and soul destiny. He pointed out the great possibilities awaiting Moagher if he would speak out, but threatened if he would not reveal the terrible secret and do justice to those concerned that he would be buried under mountains of remorse. It made his blood run cold to see the unthinking public giving Dean re j ceptions, and otherwise showing their sympathy. Salomons addtd that if Dean would leave the Colony for ever and go to South America, or elsewhere, he would give him £500, and another £500 would be forthcoming after he had been away awhile. He asked Meagher if he would try and induce Dean to leave the country. Meagher replied he saw no reason why he should leave, and would not make any such suggestion. He throughout spoke to Salomon with full belief m Dean's innocence, and did not give him the least ground for his allegation. In view of the fact that af cer long estrangement Windeyer and Salomons had become as thick as thieves over Dean's case, and were always consulting together, while the Attorney - General, who had made every effort to injure Meagher, was m daily communication with them and shrieked for Dean's blood, Meagher considered he would have been an idiotic, jabbering lunatic had he placed himself m the hands of this triple alliance by making a confession. In a subsequent statement, Meagher supplemented this statement by saying that if he had any confession to make he would have gives it to Mr Pilcher, who defended Dean, and with whom he had friendly relations. Salomon's close intimacy with Windeyer, made it impossible for him (Meagher) to communicate the least information of importance to him.