TIMES-PARNELL COMMISSION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1842, 19 January 1889, Page 4

TIMES-PARNELL COMMISSION.

London, Jan. 15. The Times-Parnell Commission, which adjourned on the 14f;h. December for tho Christmas and New Year holidavg, resumed its sittings to-duy, Sir Charles Russell, counsel for the P&rnellites, directed the attention of the commission to an article which appeared in tho Worcester Daily Times, reflecting on the proceedings before tho commission. Tho learned counsel contended that tho remarks of the journal were highly improper, and urged that tho publishers of tho paper should bo punished for contempt. After some discussion the matter was postponed for further consideration. Mr Wm. O’Brien, member for Cork County, N,E„ and editor of United Ireland, tho Homo Rule paper, who was arrested on the iSsh December by the order of Sir Jamea Hannen, President of tho TinaosP.unoll Commission, for publishing an article in the paper above named, stated to have been couched in outrageous language, grossly insulting to the commission, was first dealt with. Upon being asked to explain hie conduct, Mr O’Brien burst into a passionate harranguo, and in the course of his speech claimed tho right, as a public journalist, to criticise the proceedings as well as tho decision of the commission, so far as they

referred to political matters. He contended that if the right to comment on the proceed* inge of the commission were denied public journalists in Ireland, it would involve the suspension of all political discussion in that countr j . Sir James Hannen intimated that the commission would take time to consider the question, and would deliver judgment on a future day. The next esse dealt with was that of the Hon. GK Broderick, Warden of Merton College, Oxford, against whom a complaint was made that, at the inauguration of the Liberal Unionist League at Oxford, he had compared Michael Davitt tothoWhitcchaped murderer, Mr Broderick when called upon immediately tendered to the commission a complete and graceful apology for having made the allusion referred to, and was thanked by Sit James Hannon for thus at once making the amende honorable. Sir P.. Ei Webster, counsel for the Times, made a statement as to the course of business. He said that the evidence as to the cause and effect of crime in Ireland was nearly concluded, and that in all probability he would bo able to proceed with the evidence relating to the letters, alleged to have been written by Mr Parnell, next week. A witness named Jago, a member of Committeo of the Killoe brunch of the League, swore that be and another murdered a grazier named Hooligan by order of the League, and that the president of the local branch paid thorn money for the committal of the crime. He also s wore that the Killoe branch received money for this purpose from the Central League at Dublin. ; , Jan. 16. The Parnell Commission has accepted an ’ apologetic statement from Mr W. O’Brien in 1 reference to the disparaging article on the Commission in United Ireland. Patrick Delaney, a convict connected with 1 the Pixeaix Park murders, in giving evidence 1 before the Commission, swore that the ! laviuoiblos received enormous sums of money > from the Land League, besides expansive ■ arms. He .was personally sworn to mnrder s Earl Spencer, the Viceroy of Ireland, Lord > Cavendish, and all obnoxious officials. This , witness stated that during two fruitless * attempts to murder Mr W. E. Foster, and also during the Phoenix Park tragedy, his special orders wore to shoot all intruders who, might interfere with the assassins at their work. At another time ho was ordered to murder Judge Lawson, who would have been killed if witness bad not warned a detective. Frank Bryne told the murderer* that they 3 need not be afraid of having to stop work for 1 want of money. r Jan. 17.

Evidence was yesterday adduced before the Times-fV-rnell Oammiimon to show the complicity of the Irish members in tha Phoenix Park murders, Patrick Delaney stated that in 1879 he several times attended joint meetings of members of the Land League and Fenian organisttions, which were held at Dublin, and that Messrs Michael Davitt, Parnell, Daniel Egan, Joseph Biggar, John Dillon, Brennan, and Harris, were present on those occasions. The witness named seventeen Invinoibles, including Brennan, Egan, Sheridan, Tynan (the alleged mysterious Number Oce), and Byrne, who were regarded as loaders by the Fenians, to which party witness nfhwarda belonged. Tho control administration of the Fenian party isatmsd orders that members of tho organisations were not to oppose tho wishes and decisions of the Land League, Egan and Bjrne supplied them with money at diffsrint limes. Tha Fenians sometimes received as much S 3 £4OO at one done, and Mrs Byrne provided them with the knives ond revolver intended to be used in the murder of Castle officials. The plan of murders was discussed by tho Invincible Council, who ordered Joseph Brady and Timothy Kelly to shoot Buckshot ” Forster. Witness, Delauoy, on the occasion of the Pfcoonix Park murders was posted at a certain spot with instructions to kill anybody proceeding over King’s bridge while the murder was on. Repeated efforts were made to kill Mr Foster, who had several very narrow escapes, but they all missoarried, Toe Inviaoibles’ Council also gave orders to murder Mr Burke and others. Several times the officials were ehadowed with a view of carrying out this intention, but something turned up each time which caused a failure of the plans, until at last Lord Frederick Cavendish and Mr Burke fell victims in the Phoenix Park. Immediately after the murders a committee meeting of Invinoibles was held, at which Byrne produced hush money, more daggers, and revolvers. Brady suggested at this meeting that tho Dublin detectives should alao be killed, but Byrne objected to thh proposal unless they had the authority of Egan. Byrne said that he preferred that B*rl Spanoer should be killed. The witness identified the handwriting of a number of letters) as that of Egan. Several of tho?.o letters show that Mr Parnell was being consulted. Liter., At tho Timoa-Parnell Commission Patrick Dolanoy, member of the Dublin branch of Fenians till the year 1882, said that Tynan was tho real " No. One." Witness) took an oath to murder the Dublin Executive, and received orders to shoot Judge Lawson and Mr Burse after Mr Forster had been disposed of. It was arranged to shoot Mr Forster in Brunswick street on one ocoosion, but tho plan failed owing to that gentleman proceeding lo bis homo by another route, Molloy was deputed to murder Mr Anderson, tho Crown Solicitors. Witness stated that he was present when Lord Frederick Cavendish and Mr Burke were murdered, but he did not anrst tho murderers beyond keeping watch. He oonfo?sed, and was sentenced to death by ths Special Commission which tried the Park murderer*, but his sentence had since been commuted. In the course of hia evidence before the Timei-Farnell Commission, the witness Delaney said that he undertook to murder Judge Lawson, but his movements excited tho attention of tho detectives, who waro protecting tho Judge, He was arrested and Bontenosd to 10 years’ penal servitude. The witness swore that Michael Davitt was on the moat intimate terms with Sheridan and Egan, with whom he had important relations. Tho Times characterises the proposed visit of Mr John Dillon, M.P., to the Australian colonies as,» begging mission, and says that he is trading on tho ignorance and prejudice of Irishmen in tho colonies to obtain money for the Parnollite cause.