The Sun.
London, England, 1870-05-30 00:00:00

THE TIPPERARY ELECTION PETITION.

Some witnesses examined at Nenagh on Saturday,
deposed that after voting they got 10s, each from Mr.
Heron's canvassers, their expenses going to booths having '
been previously paid. A man named Garrett Stack stated
that he was offered ten pounds to vote for Mr. Heron, and
his son the same amount to personate the father. One
voter was proved to have been paid twenty-five shillings
for bringing another two miles to a Railway-station. The
Rev. Father Hayes was also stated to have offered
money. Several Catholic priests inculpated in Mr. Pur-
cell's opening statement, but not called as witnesses
by the petitioners, came forward on their own account to
protest against the charges made, and challenged investi-
gation. The judge expressed a strong opinion several
times during the progress of the case upon the reckless
manner in which the petitioners had made charges, which
afterwards were not attempted to be substantiated. Mr.
Sergeant Armstrong reminded the Court that after the
withdrawal of charges against a number of clergymen
on Friday evening four cases remained which the
petitioners undertook to prove. Mr. Purcell, in re-
plying to the Court, said witnesses in these
cases were not in court, and Mr. Baron Hughes re-
peated his censure of the petitioners' conduct. Mr.
Purcell then withdrew the charges, as he had no evidence
to support them, and Mr. Baron Hughes said it was most
unfortunate they should have been made. The Rev. Mr.
Hayes being examined on the question of agency, the
Court reminded Mr. Purcell that the witness was charged
with attempting to bribe a voter named Payne, and inti-
mated that he ought to be examined on the point. Mr.
Purcell declined to examine him, and the Court allowed
Mr. Hayes to make a statement denying the charge,
Laffern contradicted the evidence of Gleeson as to
his having offered Gleeson money for his vote.
Several witnesses were called to prove treatment and ille-
gal payment to voters, and petitioners' case was closed.
The respondent's witnesses were then examined to rebut
the charges of treating and illegal payments. They stated
that the only money disbursed was for the conveyance of
voters to the poll, and for the payment of mobs organised
to protect Mr. Heron's supporters. Fathers Hayes and
Ryan denied having threatened from the altar to excom-
municate Mr. Kickham's supporters. They acknowledged
having warned their congregations against being deluded
by Fenian emissaries, having read the Pope's bull against
► Fenian, and stated that those who supported Kickham
would seem to be supporting Fenianism. Mr. Sergeant
Armstrong summed up for the respondent. The Court
having heard a reply, the proceedings were adjourned.
Judgment will probably be given on Monday.

SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.

AFFAIRS IN PORTUGAL.

The Times remarks that Marshal Saldanha has been
contemplating a breach of the peace ever since he aban-
doned his diplomatic post in Paris, without leave or notice,
sis months ago. This is what they call politics in the Iberian
Peninsula. Bullying a King and slaughtering the King's
Guards will be accounted heroism in Salda,nha, if he can
but insure success to the end. Already, indeed, the
Court, the Parliament, and the whole country seem to
acquiesce in his easy victory. As it is, the King and his
late Ministry have only themselves to thank—their own
leniency and improvidence—if Portugal once more finds
itself under the Government of the sword. Such seems for
ever to be the fate of those unhappy countries. It matters
little whether it be Bourbon, or Braganza, or any other
dynasty that is called to the throne. The sabre is the
only sceptre south of the Pyrenees—a sceptre all-power-
ful even when the arm that wields it trembles with age,
and its achievements date so far back in the past as to be
almost a myth to the living gene.ation.