Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-05-14
A LIBERATED SUSPECT.
His Arrival After His lmprisOn.
msnt in ireland.
DANIEL MSWYNY CAST INTO PRISON
For Making Land League Speeches, for
Fourteen Mon!hs His Experience
With His Keepers and American
Authorities.
DANIEL M'sWYNY CAST INTO PRISON

New YORE, May lS.-Daniel McSwyny, a
naturalized American citizen, who was ar
rested in Ireland in 1881, as a suspect, and
kept imprisoned for fourteen months
without having been granted an examina-
tion or trial, has arrived in this city on the
steamship Pennsylvania, OF the State Line.
In conversation with reporter he said:
81 came to this country when was a
young man and became an American citi-
zen, living and doing business here for 25
years. was a resident of San Francisco,
but my health broke down and had to
give up my business.
"On the advice of my physician took
trip to Ireland and finding the change in
climate beneficial, sent for my wife and
family, intending to remain there until
my health should be fully restored. Be-
lieving that l could at any time obtain the
money paid for it, bought small free
hold property and took up temporary
residenCeir Donegal.
Arrested as n Suspect.
When the Land League was formed
took part in the movement and made
mum Der of speeches, but always urged that
We should keep within the Constitution
ana the law. On June >, 1882, / was ar
rested as a suspect under the Coercion act
No crime was charged against me, nor was
/ given an examination or a trial. From
my cell in the DundalE Jail | wrote to
United States Minister Lowell, enclosing
my certificate OF naturalization and asking
him to see that should either be released
or brought to trial. He answered that he
would give his attention 10 the matter.
Four months passed by and l heard no
more from him, when again wrote and be
replied that il would be manifestly futile
for naturalized citizen TO claim exemp-
ton fIom the operation OF the Coercion act.
Only in the case of a native born Ameri-
can citizen could an appeal be made to the
British government, and then only on the
ground OF courtesy.
Solitary Confinement.
"For fourteen months remained pris-
orer III the Jail, spending Is out OF every
2i hours in solitary confinement in my
cell, aid during that time the American
Government never interfered in my behalf.
All asked was that | might know what
crime was alleged against me and that |
should be brought for trial for it and af-
forded an opportunity to prove my inno'
CenCr of any violation of law. During my
imprisonment was offered money to pay
the paSSsge of myself and family to Amer
lea if I would consent TO leave the country.
! refused their eift r and demanded that
should be tried, if guilty of any Otteuse,
or released Internationally. Other at
tenptS were made TO induce me to consent
TO their offer, and when persisted in my
refusal they threatened to eXpel me from
the country. Finally, after II months
imprisonment, | was released on August
10, 1882, without any explanation ever
having been given to me OF the cause OF
NY arrest.
His Property In Danger.
Have you made any speeches since
YOUR reiease?" asked the reporter.
"Nes, and although | tried TO keep with
in the ConStitution-as far as one can
when there is no Constltution-they were
stronger in tone aud language than any l
had made before my arrest.
DO you intend remaining here now?
mo. will only stay here couple OF
months and then | will return te Ireland
again. Of course / intend eventually to
return here with my family, but ! wish
first to sell my little property there, II 1t is
not confscated before | have an opportu-
pity 10 20 so.
rs there danger OF it being confsca-
ted?'
Every danger. Why, Que month before
the passage OF the Crime act neighboring
landlord, after removing everything from
barn, set it on fire and afterward tried to
have my property siezed in payment OF
his exoruitant claim. II he had waited
month longer he would have succeeded.
Very likely he will try the same game
ssain and with better success.
Two Objects I'm View.
what is the object of your visit TO thi,
country now
Il have two objects. One of them is to
obtain relief, il possible, for the many who
sre starving in Donegal, and the other is to
see il any satisfaction can be obtained from
the British Government for their arbitrary
imprisonment of an American citizen, and
to ind out if there is any value in Ameri-
can citizenship.