The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-10-07
THE IRISH TENANTRY.
Agitation of the Anti-Rent Cues
ton Increasing.
Serious Outbreaks Imminent.


New York, Oct. Especial cable despatch
es state that the land question is spreading.
Four county meetings have been held, one at
Cork where nearly twenty thousand people
assembled, one at marlborough in Queens
county. which attracted fourteen thousand
one at Dunmore in Galway, that was attended
by fifteen thousand persons, and the fourth at
Ballnrobe in Mayo. This geographical divis-
ion shows that the South, Centre and West of
the country are impregnated with the views
that anti-rent agitatorS have been preaching.
The most noteworthy features Of all the meet
ings were general absence OF priests, except
at Marlborough, where speeches were made by
two of their number At marlborough Rich
ard Labor, an extreme partisan, presided. Rev.
DIR. Magee, a parish priest, made "a strong
speech. Dwelling on the great distress from
bad seasons and the general hard times, DR..
Magee insisted ON the duties of landlords to
their tenants, arguing that capital and labor
were as the blades of scissors, each being use
less without the other. "What the tenants
wanted" he said, twas the landlords sympa-
thy. If things We're going ill with the tenant,
the landlord must abate his demands, Magee
avoided saying directly "dont pay your rents, =
but his forbearance was considered all the
more significant
There were occasional outbursts at all the
meetings of 'Shoot the landlords" and GIVE
them an ounce of lead.' Two tenants of the
Meath estate of the Marquis of Herefort, whose
on Tuesday threatening death unless rents
were reduced, have been privately cautioned
against attending meeting of tenants which
is this week to be held for the purpose of SYM
pathizing with the Marquis and expressing
loyalty to his family.
The largest gathering was at Cork. Here
Messrs. Parnell, Shaw, Smith and Colhurst,
the members Of Parliament were speakers.
Mr.. VIM. Shaw took q more moderate view OF
the question. He spoke in favor OF Gladstone S
land act, which gave compensation to evicted
tenants and declared those who worked the
soil should own it, and landlords should be
fairly bought out. AT the same time he warn
ed farmers not to commit any acts which
should place them within the grasp OF the law.
Mr.. Parnell, leader of the movement and
Home Rule member for Meath, was greatly
cheered He said the farmers had no intention
of placing themselves within the power OF the
law. Landlords, however, were determined to
get them there. What should be done with
such landlords? ca voice, ''Shoot them.o Ii
farmers stood together and refused to pay UNI
just rent the game was theirs. They should
not and would not allow themselves to be. eX-
terminated as they were in 1913. They had
the right spirit and they had physical strength
to back it. 81 do not Think said Parnell,
"that physical strength will be necessary
adopt policy of passive resistance; that is the
line counsel you to follow, and SO long as Ire
land is ruled by Englishmen the question can
not and shall not be laid to rest"
The speech was received with enthusiasm,
and afterward series of resolutions passed
demanding an abatement Of rent and fixity of
tenure. The proceedings were orderly. Pla-
cards were posted over the city bidding the
Nationalist to avoid the meeting and reserve
themselves for action on day not far distant.
A deputation from the Central Council of
Home Rule League attended a meeting at
Dunmore. This LED to serious differences. A
local farmer named Sheridan called upon the
meeting not to listen to the deputation.
''Home Rule he cried exeitedly, sis a bub-
ble it is an empty sham. 1t is the greatest
delusion ever dangled before the eyes of the
Irish poor" The chairman tried to obtain a
hearing for the deputation amid the widest
excitement. Resolutions were passed declar-
ing that as the people saw nohelp coming from
other sources they must save themselves.
AT Balinrobe, Mr.. Davitt, an ex-Fenian
prisoner, stated that the late outrage at Castle
bar was not agrarian. He said its object was
manifestly robbery, and denounced the young
er Smith as a murderer. Mr.. O'Connor Power
and Mr. Ferguson, the Glasgow Home Rnle
agitator, also addressed the meeting.
American Sympathizers.
BOSTON, Oct. GA meeting, principally of
Irish citizens, was held tonight in Faneull
Hall tor the purpose of sympathizing with the
farmers of Ireland. Speeches were made and
resolutions adopted expressive of sympathy
with the people of Ireland struggling for local
self-government, and pledging substantial
support to tenant farmers.