The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-06-22
A TALK WITH DAvITT.
The Founder and Leader of the Land LeagJ
Says He is in Perfect accord with Mr..
ParneQ.
He Proves That Mr. Gladstone was Defeat
and Shows How the Egyptian Question
May Help Ireland if the Conserv-
atives Get Into Power.
New York Special


Mr.. Michael Davitt the founder of the
Irish Land League, whose arrival on the
Germanic was announced in yesterday S
World, made an early landing and was
driven direct to the Everett House, where
he was visited during the day by large
number of prominent Land Leaguers. The
reception committee which went down the
bay IN the steamer Blackbird On Saturday
afternoon to welcome Mr.. Davitt failed in
their mission, owing to the late arrival of
the steamer. The captain of the Germanic
would not permit the Blackbird to go
alongside, but Messrs. Foley and BrOphy
of the committee went on board and invi-
ted Mr.. Davitt to their vessel. Having
the ladder in the darkness but sent his
secretary, Mr.. Redmond. to meet the com
mittee The Blackbird then returned to
the city and the committee, very much
disappointed, dispersed at $50 o'clock in
the morning.
A reporter of the World met Mr.. Davitt
upon the Germanic while the steamer was
coming up the bay. The most prominent
leader of the Land League is tall, with a
characteristicalIy Celtic face, intensely
black mustache and whiskers, and dark
gray eyes, having kindly EXPRESSION. His
actions eperfectly free. No one can be
five minutes with him without feeling that
he is in the presence of very strong man
"a man of very great mental force. Mr..
DaYitt gives his opinions readily. His
speech has the barest touch of the brogue,
just enough to soften the harsher sylla bles
His voice is strong however, and could be
heard plainly if he was speaking with but
slight emphasis, in large hall. The empty
sleeve hanging. on the right serves to re
mind one of the accident which cost him
so dear Mr.. Davitt said in answer to a
question as to the cause of his trip and its
probable duration 81 came to this coun-
try in consequence of an invitation sent
to me by some of my friends, or rather the
friends of the Land League, in Boston, for
personally know but few of them, and
my objects in coming were twofold First,
to dissipate and contradict the rumors
which are flying around as to their being a
split in the Land League between Mr.. Par
nell and myself. There is no such split at
all. Mr.. Parnell and have different plans
for the settlement of the land question,
but neither one of us would allow the re-
jectiengef his plan TO break up the League.
Mr.. ParnelPs plan is that of peasant pro-
prietorship which has been adopted by the
Conservative party under Lord
Salisbury. This plan is to
get the government to purchase the
land from the landlords and charge five per
cent a year upon the purchase money to
the tenant for fifty years. As the Govern
ment can borrow money at three per cent.
the remaining two will form sinking
fund which will extinguish the principle
in fifty years and the land can then be
given in fee to the tenant. 1t is admitted
that the plan is, so far as the government
is concerned, a feasible one. Now, my
plan is different. I propose that the gov.
eminent shall own the land charging a
perpetual tax of land 1.-THE to represent a
rent upon the value. Ny
Liverpool speech has been greatly mis-
represented. What / said was Mr.. Par
nell advocated peasant proprietary; | am
in favor of the land becoming the national
of Ireland. If peasant proprietary
is conceded either by Lord Salisbury
when he gets into power or by MIR. Glad
stone before he gets out / am perfectly
satisfied that the purchase money that
must be advanced by the state for carrying
out such scheme shall become the title
deed of the state to the land Believing
this to be enevitable from the growing
poverty of Irish agriculture, I am almost
Indifferent as to whether Mr.. PafneiPs plan
or my own be adopted.
Now, in that yon have my whole idea.
do not believe that Irish land win pay