Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-09-18
THE PARNELL INQUIRY
The Tribunal Begin Their
Grave Deliberations.
PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS.
The Times" Charges to be Sifted
to the B0ttOm-Great In
terest Manifested.

LONDON, September 1.-THE Commis-
sion appointed by Parliament to examine
into the charges made by the Times
against Parnell and other Irish members
of the House of Commons, opened the
investigation this morning Represen.
tatives of the press occupied the bulk of
the space; 200 reporters, representing
provincial, London and American news
papers were present. Judges Hannen,
Smith and Day compose the Commits
sion. Sir Charles Russell and Herbert
Henry Asqueth, Liberal member of
Parliament, appeared for the Parnellites,
and Ruegg for O'Donnell, while Graham
and AttorneyG General Webster appeared
for the Times. Judge Hannen said the
Commission was directed to inquire into
the charges against certain members of
the House and other persons in connec-
ton with the O'Donnell- Times action.
The Commission held that the inquiry
should be restricted to the charges made
in the cause of that action. Parliament
also gave them, in addition to their pow
ers, all the powers vested in the judges
of the high courts of justice. They pro-
posed, in the first instance, to make the
inquiry as though it were an issue be-
tween O'Donnell and the Times, reserv-
| ing to themselves the power to call any
body who might be able to throw light
on the issues involved. The inquiry
would be carried or in accordance with
the rules of ordinary courts.
Application was made for permission
| for the representation of Scotland Yard
by counsel. Judge Hannen said he
would decide upon the application if it
were found that the injury involved that
policy.
Sir Charles Russell demanded that he
be allowed to inspect the letters and
photographs bearing on the case, and
that the Commission issue an order for
the discovery of the documents, upon the
authority of which the Times charges
were made. He asked Commission to
be appointed to take evidence in the
United States, and that an Or
der be issued releasing Dill
lon from jail, so he may
give testimony before the Commission.
He wanted especially to see the Egan-
Hassis letter which he claimed was a
forgery.
Counsel for the Times agreed to pro-
duce certain letters but objected to the
Commission issuing an order for the dis
covery of the documents.
Parnell entered the Court room while
the discussion concerning the production
of the letters was proceeding.
Sir Charles Russell said he did not
care to confne his application to two let
ters; he wanted to inspect all the letters
and documents referred to in the articles
on Parnellism and Crime.
Judge Hannen stated that he had not
read them, and said counsel must inform
the court what were necessary SO as to
guide the Judges.
Sir Charles stated to the Court that
one Of the many charges published in the
Times was that certain .Parnellite mem
bers of the House were connected with
an illegal association and were sharers in
the crime of murder. All the alleged
proof OF this charge was letter in which
Farnell approved OF fund, meaning an
association fund.
Judge Hannen said the Times would
pryduce all the letters and documents
concerning Parnell and others against
whom it had brought charges. If the
parties could not agree as to the produc-
ton of the papers, the Commission would
deal with the disputed points in the
chambers afterwards.
Graham then opened the case for the
Times. After review of the history of
the Parnellism and Crime articles, he
said it was now asked that the Times
should state where it derived its informa-
ton. But if it divulged it's sources of in
formation the object of the Commission
might be defeated, and it's inquisitorial
character lost.
Sir Charles Russell insisted that the
case should not proceed until the Com
mission decided the question as to the
production of all the documents in the
possession of the Times.
The Judges adjourned to their cham
bers to consider the question. In short
time the Commission returned to the
courtroom. Judge Hannen asked, as.
suming that the Commission thought
they had the jurisdiction to order the
discovery of the documents, what restric-
tions Sir Charles Russell would claim.
Sir Charles stated that he wanted it
known in plain language if the Times
charged Parnell or his associates with
complicity in the Phoenix Park muders.
Grahame replied that the Times would
produce evidence to substiantiate all the
charges it made in its article on Parnell-
ism and Crime.
The commission again returned to de.
liberate. On resuming sitting, Judge
Hannen said that the Commission hay
ing considered the question as to whether
it was empowered to order the discovery
of the documents, it was OF the opinion
that it had the power to direct such dis
covery. The Commission would take
upon itself the right to con-
slider what documents it would
be right for Sir Chas. Russells clients to
inspect. The court thought the details
against the persons the Times accused
ought to be given. The court had deter.
mined to enter thoroughly into the in
quiry and follow it out to the end.
Graham, for the Times, made no OBJ
lection to Dillon's release on bail. He
said the persons now in penal servitude
for connection with the Phoenix Park
murders would all have to be brought
before the Commission. 1t would be de-
sirable also to obtain the evidence of
certain persons in the United States.
Judge Hannen said the application re-
garding American evidence, including
that of Patrick Egan, was premature.
In regard to Dillon the Court would order
his attendance when the inquiry pro-
ceeded, ON condition that he abstain
from taking part in public matters and