New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-18
FIRST BLOOD FOR PARNELL.
. THE TINES MUST SHOW IT'S EVIDENCE.
OPENING SESSION OF THE CoMMIssIoN-THE
JUDGES DECIDE UPON A SEARCHING In
oUIRY-PROP0SED AMERICAN CON.
MISSIoN-AN ADJOURNMENT UN.

OPENING SESSION VI THE tOMMlSSlON-THE
JUDGES DECIDE UPON A SEARCHING IN
oUIRY-PROPosED AMERICAN CON.
MISSIoN-AN ADJOURNMENT UN.
TIL OCTOBER o.
London, Sept 1.-THE Commission appointed
BY Parliament to examine into the charges made
by THE Times against Mr.. Parnell and other
Parnellite members of the House of Commons
opened its first session at IL O'Clock this morn
ing in the Probate Court. Owing to the limited
size Of the courtroom, it was impossible to admit
more than a select few of the public. Repre-
scntatives Of the press occupied the bulk of the
space, 200 reporters, representing provincial.
London and American newspapers, having OBJ
tanned tickets of admission. Judges Hannen.
Smith and Day, who compose the Commission.
entered the courtroom at precisely III o'clock.
Sir Charles Russell and Herbert Henry Asquith.
Liberal Member OF Parliament for the East Di-
vision Of Fife, appeared for the Parnclhtes and
Mr. Ruegg watched the case for Mr.. O'DonneI
Judge Hanncn said the circumstances under
which the Commission met were novel. He
stated briefly the scope and nature of the princi-
pies on which the Commission proposed to con-
duct the inquiry. The Commission, he said, was
directed to inquire into and report upon charges
made against certain members Of the House of
Commons and other persons in connection with
the O'Donncll-" Tines action. The Commission
Qclu tldb inc inquiry suouiu Dc ANobiO'Su w oi'S
charges that were made the cause of that action.
Parliament also gave them, in addition to their
special powers, all the powers vested in judges
of the high courts of justice. They proposed, IN
the first instance, to make the inquiry as though
Il were an issue between Mr.. O'Donnell and The
Tines reserving to themselves the power to call
ANYBODY who might throw light on the issues
therein involved. The inquiry would be carried
on in accordance with the rules of the ordinary
courts.
Before proceeding, Judge Hannen asked Sir
Charles Russell for whom he appeared Sir
Charles replied that he represented eighty-four
irish members Of Parliament. MIR. Grahamc said
H. was retained, with Acknowledgement Webster.
for /" The Times"
Application was made for permission for the
representation Of Scotland Yard by counsel Judge
Hanren said he would decide upon the application
il it were found that the inquiry involved the
police
pARNELLITEs OPEN THE ATTACK
Sir Charles Russell demanded that he be al
lowed to inspect the letters and photographs bear
ing on the case and that Commission issue
on order for the discovery of the documents upon
the Authority Of which some of " The Timcs's'
charges were made He asked that commission
be appointed to take evidence in the United States,
and that an order be issued releasing Mr.. Dillon
from Jail so that he may give testimony before
the Commission He wanted especially to see
the Egan-Ilarris letter, which, he claimed, was
forgery.
Counsel for The Times" agreed to pioduco
certain letters but objected TO the Commission is
suing an order for the discovery of the documents
Mr. Parncll entered the courtroom while the
discussion concerning the production of the let
tcrs was proceeding.
Sir Charles Russell said he did not confnc his
application TO two letters. He wanted to inspect
all the letters and documents referred to i'll the
articles on Pdrnellism and Crime"
Judge Hanncn stated that he had not read
them, and said that counsel must inform the
court what papers were necessary so as to guide
him.
Sir Charles stated to the court that ono of
the many charges published in The Times was
that certain Parncllitc members OF the House OF
Commons were connected with an Illegal asso-
citation, and were sharers in tho crime OF murder.
One alleged proof of this charge was letter in
which Mr. Parnell approved of fund-meanlng
an assassination fund.
Judge Hannen said he understood that The
Times. would produce all the letters and docu-
mcnts affecting Mr.. Parncll and the Others against
whom it brought charges. If the parties couid
not agree as to the production Of the papers, the
Commission would deal with the disputed pohs
in chambers aftcrward
Mr. Grahamc then opened the case for The
Times" After review OF The history .. oi ne une
parncllism and Crime" article, he said 1t was
now asked that The Times" should state whence
il had derived its information, but If il dlvulged
It's sources of information the object OF the Com,
mission might be defeated ana us 1hqulsitoriai
Sir Charles Russell here insisted that the case
should not proceed until the Commission decided
the question to the production OF all the docu-
in session of he Times"
The Judges adjourned TO Chambcrs TO CONSIDER
the question. In short time the Commission re-
turned to the courtroom and Judge llannen asked,
assuming that the Commission thought II had
jurisdiction to order the discovery OF the docu,
ments, what restriction Sir Charles Russell wouid
claim. !,
plain language if The Times charged M. Par
nell or his associates with completely In the
Mr. Grahamc replied that " The Times would
produce evidence TO suhstantiate al thr chargrs
II had made in its articles on Parnellsm and
Crime
FIRST BLOOD FOR THE IRISH MEMBEDs.
The Commission again retired to deliberate.
Upon resuming the sitting Judge IIannen said that
the Commission having considered the question
as to whether it was empowered TO order the
discovery Of the documents. it was of the opinion
that il had the power TO direct such discovery.
The Commission would take upon itself the
right TO consider what documents 1t would DC
right for Sir Charles Russclls cnents 10 lispect'
The court thought that the details against the
persons The Times accused ought 10 be given.
The court had determined to enter thoroughly
into the inquiry and follow it out to the end
Sir Charles Russell made application for the
release OF Mr.. Dillon bail in order that he
might appear before the Commission.
Mr. Grahamc, for " The Times" made no OBJ
lection 10 the granting of the application. i.e
sajd that two persons now in penal scrvitude
for connection with the Phoenix Park murders
would also have 10 be brought before the Com
mission IL would be desirable also to obtain
the evidence of certain persons in the United
States.
Judge Hanncn said that application regarding
American evidence. including that Of Patrick
Egan was premature. In regard TO Mr. Dillon,
the court Mond order his attendance when the