Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-08-27
THE CHICAGO CONVENTION.
THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF IRlSHMEN
IN AMERICA.
A Resolution Passed Boycotting English
Manufactures-Mr. Fitzgerald of Ne
braska Elected President-Dele-
gates Wax wrothy.

CHICAGO, Aug. 19.-At 3:45 p. m. Judge
Fitzgerald raped the convention to or
der. Mrs. Parnell soon entered and was
greeted with tremendous applause. w.
p. O'Connor read the report of the com
mittee on the constitution, and announced
it had already been endorsed by Messrs.
Davitt, Redmond and Deasey. The re-
port defined the objects of the league and
the methods of attaining those objects
A clause virtually advising boycott of
English manufactured articles caused
some objection. O'Connor said the clause
was simply a matter of individual
action, the object being to establish boy
colt of British goods. 1t should he under
stood that this convention does not com.
nit itself on either side of one of the
greatest questions in American politics.
A delegate holding aloft a sample of Eng
lish lace, said that III Boston they were
already introducing British woolens
They could strike England nowhere but
in her pocket. There was chorus of
question, and amid the uproar the section
remained in
The enthusiasm that ensued surpassed
any before in the convention. The dele
gates rose en- masse and cheered, shouted
and waved their arms. The section was
as follows
To hurt the enemy wnere ne will feel it the
most, by refusing to purchase an article of
English manufacture, and 10y using a legiti-
mate influences to discourage tradcsmen
from keeping English manufactures on sale.
The report of the committee on finance
was read and showed that $500 2S2 81 had
been collected in the last two years. Only
$4,000 was still in the hands of the treasurer.
Mr.. Brady suggested that the Massachu-
sets system of So collections be extended
all over the United States, as $500 showed
the results of such a system. At this
point the chairman recognized the treas
urer of the league, Father O'Reilley, who
said it was no. every day he was willing
to publish to the English government the
exact status of every five cent piece be
longing to the Irish National league of
America. The treasurer then read the
amount contributed by each State.
Mr.. Brennan of Nebraska nominated
John Fitzgerald of Lincoln, Neb., as pres
ident of the league a Pennsylvania dele
gate nominated Hugh Mccartney of Phila-
delphia. MIR. O'Connor seconded Ftz-
gerald and a Pennsylvania, McCaf-
frey A number of speeches were
made and i'll feeling seemed ito be grow
ing, when McCatfrey moved that Ftzger-
aid be elected by acclamatlon, Speeches
continued and great confusion followed.
John Finnerty finally seconded Fitzger-
AIDS nomination in the interest of har-
mony and moved previous the question.
Then delegate nominated NJ. V. Cannon
of ONO, but the noise was so great that
few heard him. Nearly every man was on
his feet and State delegations We're begin
ming to hold impromptu meetings, when
the chairman declared recess.
At : O'Clock p. m, things seemed to be
at fever heat in the New York, Massa-
chusettS and Pennsylvania delegations.
Finally Fitzgerald had 703 votes and Nc
Catfrey PA McCatfrey congratulated
Mr.. Fitzgerald and moved that the cleo
ton be made unanimous This being done
McCatfrey WAS appointed to conduct the
new president to the chair