The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-10-18
THE aIRISH LEAGUE.
Parnel Explains the Principles of
the National Movement.
LITTLE UNPLEASANTNEss BETWEEN
O'CONNoR AND DAvITT.

DUBLIN, Oct. 17.-At the time fixed for the
opening OF the conference, very few delegates
were present, but in about an hour there were
between 200 and 800 present. On the platform
were Lord Mayor Dawson, and Messrs. Healev
Thomas, Powers, O'Connor, Corbett, Gill,
Sexton, O'Sullivan and Brennan Mr. Egan
in his letter OF resignation, says in view Of the
fact that new national organization is like
ly to spring from the conference and as it is
impossible for me to longer absent myself from
my own business in Dablin. must earpest-
ly beg my friends in the Land League to re-
lieye me of the treasuryship. Egan then sub
msss the financial statement mentioned in a
preceding dispatch.
The report shows that total of e244. 800
sterling has passed through his hands, OF
this sum there was dsbursed, in relieving dis
tress in 1879 and 1880, $4,000; in the defence
at the state trials, over el5,000; and expepdi-
lures through the general Land League and
be Ladies' League, $148, 900, leaving balance
| Of nearly e36, ,000
Mr.. Davitt proposed and Mr. Justin
tin MCCARTHY seconded, a vote OF thanks to,
| and OF continued confidence in Egan which
| was passed.
preston that nothing had been done for eyict-
| cd tenants. He said that since the dissolution
| of the Ladies' League 92,774 had been spent
IN relieving thems and that hundreds of fami-
hes mad neea placed IN position to avail them
selves OF the benefits of the arrears act. Bren-
nan and Sexton were appointed secretaries Of
the conference.
Numbers of letters and kilograms from
America, approving the movement, were read,
and letters were also received from several
Catholic bishops, apologizing for their absence
and expressing confidence in the leaders of the
movement. Parnell then submitted the pro-
gramme OF the conference, and reviewed its
proposals. Mr.. Parnell declared that he
wished to reaftirm his first utterance on pub
lie platform, namely: That until he attained
for the people of Ireland the right to make
their own laws they would never be in accord
with their wishes, and no solution of the land
question could be final that did not secure to
farmers the right OF their being holding own
ers of their land He estimated that fair
amendment to the Heaey clause would result
in an average OF 20 per cent further reduction
in judicial DEGREES and fixing rent. He said
the Irish party required IS to 80 members in
Parliament, but they could not hope for this
until the franchise was placed on basis of
household suffrage. In relation to the asser-
tions OF English papers with regard to their al
legged difference with their kindred in Ameri-
ca, Parnell denied that there had been any
dlctation from that quarter. He, for one,
would have declined to observe any dictation.
On whatever points they might have differed,
they had agreed to love the Irish people
Despite the most tyrannical coercion act the
world had ever seen, they would yet attain the
measures on which they had set their hearts
A scheme for the establishment of an Irish
National League was adopted.
Mr.. Davitt then addressed the convention
he spoke in somewhat more pronounced terms
than Parnell. He declared that until the
land which was stolen from the people was re-
stored to the whole people as national property
there could be no final and satisfactory settle
ment OF the land question. At the same time
he wished 1t to be distinctly understood this
declaration did not separate him from Parneil
on the land question.
Mr. Parnell accepted an amendment to the
proposed laud scheme to the effect that increas-
ed taxes should be placed on grass lands, and
that all covenants against tilling should be de-
clared void
The conference unanimously adopted an
amendment to the programme in favor OF the
payment OF the Irish party in the House Of
Commons
On motion OF Mr.. Davitt it was resolved to
inclnde the establishment of workingmen's
clubs and reading rooms among the objects of
the conference.
All the speakers declared the land act an ut
ter failure. Davitt said he was unable to go
with Parnell in his scheme OF land reform but
would cooperate with him for the abolition of
landlordism. Mr.. Davitt moved an amend
ment to the proposed constitution of the Gem
tral Council OF the New League, that the
council consist of 81 members, one from each
county and the parliamentary party to have
no nomination, but its members to be eligible
I. T, O'Connor said this amendment amount
etS 10 vote or want OF confidence in the par
HameDtary party. He accused Davitt of try
ing 10 injure Parnelps prestige, and reiterated
the charge despite Davitt's repeated denial.
Davitt became greatly excited, and said gem
tleman would not have made such an accusa-
ton. To prove it groundless he withdrew his
amendment. Il was finally decided the coun-
Gil should consist of As members, 80 for cou9-
ties and 16 for the pariamentarysparty.
A resolution thanking Parnell for presiding
over the deliberations, and expressing unabat-
ed confidence in him, was passed. and the con-
ference terminated,