Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-12-10
O'DONNELL'SCASE.
IN INKLUENTIAL DELEGATION
WATTS ON PRESIDENT AKEHUR.
They Present in a Very Striking Manner,
Through Mr.. Cox, Their Views, and the
Reasons why the Executive of the United
States Should Intercede.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9.-The following
members of the house of representatives
and prominent Citizens called on the presi-
dent day, and we're granted an audience
in the cabinet room. Cox and Robinson,
New York; Morrison, Springer and Fin
Ohio; Murphy, Iowa; Maybury, Michigan;
Lamb, Indiana; McAdes, New Jersey Col
Inns, Massachusetts; O'Neil and Burns,
Missouri; also J. B. Irwin, Pekin, (Ill.)
Daily Times, Fritz and Young, Ohio, and
others. After few minutes devoted to
introductions, the president heartily shak-
ing hands with each gentleman, and gave
some interchange of jocular remarks
on political status of the
callers all being Democrats.
Mr.. Cox said: Mr.President: These score or
more of gentlemen have come to speak to
you in behalf of Patrick O'Donnell, a citi-
zen or the United States He has Just
been summary tried, and sentenced to be
executed on the 18th inst. We do not come
as lawyers to criticise the procedure by
which he was convicted, nor do we ask that
the sentence be set aside because he took
the life of an informer, the execration of
mankind and the odium of history; We
simply ask postponement of his execu-
ton, If your intervention as our chief mag
istrate can effect it, but as the cause is
general earnest sentiment of the people
We represent, | may be allowed to say that
certain of the facts have produced
broad and deep seated sympathy
These facts are, the killing was not muir
der, not malice, the presence was not de-
Hberate, and the elements of murder are
lacking in this case. The condemned
man was not member of any secret Or
ganizatiOn when be entered upon the voy-
age-he was not aware that Carey, the in
| former, was fellow passenger-he was
pursuing a bona tide journey with his
| wife TO The cape. The truth If, the killing
was en- affray. II grew out of an occasion
that was sudden aud had no connection
| with the political events in Ireland. Be
sides it is thought by many that the trial
was unfair, rot to sayscruei. The euthoTi
ties at the cape claimed jurisdiction.
1t is the law of the realm that
the FIRST post of the nation whose laws
are broken is ''ioous in quo" for the trial,
aud csstom and iaR unite to condemn the
| proceeding. It is contrary to English
| Jurisprudence. Besides, there was want
ing the old practice, of late abrogated in
| Englan whereby the jury should have
been emDanelled, the one half from the
nation he belongs to and the other half
from the nation by which he was tried. Il
is also certain that the judge decided upon
facts as we'll as law. Thus was there a
mockery in the jury trial and
a scandal of justice. I mention
these matters, not for your representation
of them in diplomatic way. Your ad-
ministration may not consider it proper
to eriticise, much less anathemize the ac-
| ton of the British courts. We would not
allow any reflections upon our judicial &C.
ton from the English government. Still
the facts have produced general and in
eradIcable impression upon the American
people, and as such / recount them, and
this sympathy is intensified by the knowi-
edge that Patrick O'DonneIl is
a Citizen of this country, although
naturalizsd, yet by treaty he Is in ths
same relation as if born on our own soil.
| Gen. Collins said: Il is conceded and it
is well known he ia citizen.
Mr.. Cox SAID: If, Mr.. President. this
hurried execution takes place, tters will q
shudder run through our people.
J Mr.. Foran said: Is 1t not true shat o.
Donnell was Union soldier!
Ar. Finnerty said: II is 30 generally
reported, and understand 1t has not
been contradicted.
Mr.. Cox continuing, said: Let us en-
deavor to do something. 1 would not en-
barrass the executive by undue requests.
Having long served on the committee on
foreign affairs, I had occasion to
| inc }ho
patton by congress of the diplomatic
powers, which is exclusively lodged in
your functions. But, sir, you have inter
fered in another case, that of Lawson. II
was case of personal murder. 1t had
none of the interesting and international
phases of this case. 1t did not evoke the
universal sympathy that this case does,
hence as members of congress, we thus,
though unofieially represent this univer-
sal sympathy. A large vote js' among
them and we are not a little interested all
of us. Laughter.) In fact we represent
twenty millions of people of
Irish descent, among whom we
count such soldiers as General
Sheridan, and you are Mr.. President, are
proud to be reckoned among the decend-
tines of this gallant race. Here the presi-
| uent smiled ana BOWED assent. On behalf
of these sympathetic people, and in view
of the facts We have related we only ask
you to direct the secretary of the state to
open negotiations to carry out our earnest
wishes.
MIR. Finsrty said: AS ordinary diplo-
macy may be too late, may 81 not with
out improperly, suggest that negotiations
for the postponement of the execution be
made by cable, and at once.
The President said: The execution is fix
ed for Monday week, the 18th, and of
course it must be by cable.
Mr.. Cox said: If there should be post
ponement of the execution, in the mean
while, such representations may be made
either to commute the sentence or enlodge
the prisoner under proper conditions, and
we appeal to you for clemency and human
| ity.
The President in reply said: The depart
ment Of state would at once telegraph to
Minister Lowell to make all possible in
quiry regarding O'Donnell's citizenship,
and he, the President, would take whatever
action he could with propriety.
Mr.. Cox before retiring with the delega-
ton, handed the President copy
laf L. ~.