The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-08-29
THE FENIAN CONVENTION.
The Belmont Fund-The stChief Execu
tive" Revived.

The Belmont Fund-The ssChief Execu-
tive' Revived.
The Fenian Convention held its nth days ses.
sion, with closed doors, at the Northern HOTEL in
Cortlandt street. yesterday evening; and the at
tendance OF delegates was as large as on the pre-
ceding days. This being an unusually large Con.
vention, and its sittings prolonged to a greater
length than IN recent years, 1t is evident that
something OF more than ordinary moment is agi-
tatmg the brotherhood. ana HERALD reporter
was not long in discovering the cause.
The gentlemen Of the ''press committee" conde-
scended to inform the HERALD man that every.
thing was going on very well; the different CON-
mirtees were hard at work and business Of great
importance had been transacted. 'sThe commit.
tee on home relations had finished its labors
and was discharged; the committee on the future
of the organization was still busily engaged In
drawing up programme for future opera lions,
and the greatest harmony and unanmity of feeling
prevailed" The committee were very polite and
awlully diplomatic They would like to furnish
more information If they could, but they were
pledged to secrecy and could communicate nothing
more definite to the public for the present The
same stereotyped answer was given to every re-
porter, and there was no getting at the secret
through the regular channel, SO another course
had TO be tried, and it was entirely successful.
From private, but entirely reliable source, the
lOuOWlQR ldcLS nave DeeQ 0OLdlQeQ:-
THE BELMONT MONEY,
to obtain which such persistent efforts have been
made Tor the last lew years by Colonel John
O'Manony is the thing OF all others that has IN
fused new lie and activity into the brotherhood.
The amount seized by the British government was
$4,000, so that the interest must have swelled is
to about 100000. This is large sum and II in the
han DIS Ot honest men and applied to the purpose
for which 1t was subscribed, would create no small
stir IN Irish national circles. Among Fenians and
Irshmen in general Colonel O'MahOny bears very
mgh character. noteven excepting those who ques.
disapprOve OF the policy he advocates None who
know him believe that II he had absolute command
OF that money single dollar of 1t would be mis-
appropriated or spent on any purpose but that OF
bringing about rebellion against British rule in
Ireland But there Is unquestionably great differ
ence OF opinion as to how 1t should be applied
among prominent Fenians and those who were
connected with the movement In the past. For
some time previous to the Convention the subject
had been freely discussed in Fenian circles ana
gradually two parties, advocating two different
lines OF poIcy, were formed. One, ana by lar the
stronger OF the two insists there is no option in
the matter at all. The money was subscribed
Tor, the purpose OF Irish revolution alone,
that 1t shall never be diverted to any other
object. The other party Is composed to a great
extent OF men who have certain theories about
"eievattng the Irish ELEMENT in this country and
elevatlng themselves into snug positions by means
II It,. The patriotism OF these gentlemen is OF Q
peculiarly sentimental and poetic kind, and de-
votes Its energies to the cultivation of patriotic
oratory. newspaper articles and American politics.
To carry out their programme an "organ'' is me-
cessary, and some time ago a newspaper was
started with this object The paper Is not paying
and 1t Is thought desirable to purchase 1t dor the
brothernood,' so that these gentlemen may get
back the money they so periodically risked and
lost.
Thus the two parties were formed, and while not
word has been mentioned as yet on the
subject at the Convention the whole policy Of both
were shaped with q view to the ultimate disposal
OF the money. SO far tho Purltans have had IL all
their own way, though the debates were long and
some very able speeches were made. IL has
already been decided TO return to the old system
or putting the brotherhood under the control Of
"Chtef Executive" and the only man likely to
be elected TO that position Is Colonel O'Mahony
The Chief Executive will also have the appoint
ment OF council to assist and advise him. The
Convention having still many important questions
to discuss it Is hardly possible 1t adjourn be-
fore tomorrow evening.