The New York herald., 1870-03-10
TIE FENIAN IMBROGLIO.

Tho Antecedcnts Of DIR. keenan,, the Assns-
sin-His Connection With the brotherhood
The Troubles In the Senate-The Feud
with Mcehan.
1t may not be uninteresting to the public to learn
that Dr. keenan,, who Is now in prison here, charged
with the attempted assassination OF Mr.. P. J.
Meenan, has been both tried and trusted official Of
the O'Neili branch Of the Fenian organization. He
Is the OF respectable north OF Ireland business
man, and had been sent to this country by the
..Brotherhood" on the other side Of the
Atlantic as special envoy on o highly impor-
tant mission. So well had he performed this
service that he was taken into high favor here and
commissioned to recross the ocean and undertake
an infinitely more difficult and dangerous job. This
also he performed with great nerve and judgment
although often at the risk OF his life and liberty.
At last, however Ireland became too hot for him,
and ike Stephens, he mad TO fly to France. From
this latter country he sailed few months ago, ar
rvng here just at the time there was break up Of
the officers at No. 10 West Fourth street, and when
General O'Nelll, In consequence Of the action OF
the Senate and the Executive Committee
OF the organization was left almost alone at head
quarters-Cooncl Byron, Major OLeary, Mr.. James
Brophy and Mr.. F. b. Rennehan having resigned
their various posts In this dilemma President ONen
prevailed on the doctor to ACCEPT pro te the secre
taryship OF Civil Affairs with the assurance that
should be confirmed IN the post by the Senate.
The General however, had made one or two appoint-
ments previously rather against the wishes OF that
body which circumstance had widened the breach
between them ana, combined with other antagon-
isms led to their determination not to ratly the ap-
polntmcnt In question. The doctor had an
assembling OF the Senate and being well assured
to who were his friends IN that direction and
who were not, he began to show his temper TO tho
latter in manner far from wise under the crcum-
stances. For example . few days before the recent
meeting Of the Senate he refused 10 snow the books
OF the Treasurer, which he keptln addition to those
OF his own ONCE to the Secretary oil the treasury.
who wanted to look over them; whie, to make the
matter worse II that were possible, on the very day
the Senate met ne took friend OF the leading SEM
ator (Mr. Meehan) by the collar and put him out OF
the office without any very cogent pr0vocatlon.
This brought Mr. Meehan to the rescue, when some
words ensued, OF course.
Meenan, ana for o considerable period before II.
boarded and lodged with the family ol the house
keeper Of 10 West Fourth street and u - alleged
tnat he was very much addicted to drink. Those
who pretend to know something OF THIS say that ne
seldom went sober to bed. However, let the reason
be what may he nad but few IN ysv tne co
merchant, ior having sent up MS OIL lour or hVo
times in one DAY for coal furnished headquarters.
Although Il Is believed tnat ne did nfe shat nst
singular tnat just before the Senate assemoeu @ mo
was most particular In cleaning his revolver as was
noticed by more tnan one IN MS once ne ,s
known TO have been under sne 80 inhnS haenrs ~ ~
liquor. About couple OF hours usione rnoa .an =,
throw mo- himself on his bed requested That he snoud
be awakened in an hour or SO. Az Jug eApiiation @
OF that time he was called by the housekeeper, anu
de escended to the NALL Just In time TO see Tue oen1
tors adonrn ft heing close on midnight. When TIC
last OF them had disappeared tnrouSn te iols uVot
he followed them into the street, immediately alpf-
wards Mr. Meehan rell, and he was arrested While
IN inc net of running from the scene OF blood, wan
q revolver IN ms possesslons smo parreis VI 'ne"
were einpty