The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-18
Opening Session of the EXtrajudicial
Tribunal Selected by Parliament.
The Three Judges Begin Their Difficult and
Delicate Work, and Promise Full and
Strictly Impartial Investigation.
The ParneIlites Have Reason To Be Sat-
isfied with Yesterdays Proceedings.
Details Of the Recent Cyclone That Spread
Devastation Throughout Cuba-The Loss Of
Life Likely to Reach Twelve Hundred.
THE PARLIAMENTARY TRIBUNAL.

THE PARLIAMENTARY TRIBUNAL.
Opening Session OF What Promises to Be-
come q Famous Case I'm History.
LONDON, Sept. 1.-THE commission appointed
by Parliament to examine into the charges made
by the Times against Mr.. Parnell and other Irish
membsrs Of the House Of Commons opened its
first session at IL o'clock this morning in tho
Probate Court Owing to the limited size of the
courtroom, it was impossible to admit more than
select few Of the public. Representatives Of
the press occupied the bulk of the space, 200 re-
porters, representing provincial. London and
American newspapers, having obtained tickeis
Of admission. Judges Hannen, Smith and Day,
who compose the commission, entered the court
room at IL o'clock. Sir Charles S. Russell and
Herbert Henry Asquith (Libsral) member of
Parliament for the East division of Fife, sp-
pesred for tho Parnef9ites, and Mr.. Ruegg
watched the case for Mr.. O'Donnell. Judge
Hannen eaid tho circumstances under
which the commission met were novel.
He stated briefly the scope and
nature of the principles on which the commits
sion proposed to conduct the inquiry. The COM.
mission. he said. was directed 20 inqAirs into
and report upon charges made against certain
members of the House Of Commons and other
persons in connection with the ODonnell- Times
action. The commission held that the inquiry
should be restricted to the 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 propose, in the frat in-
stance, TO make the inquiry rs though it were
an issue between Mr.. ODounell and tho Times,
reservipg to themselves the power to call any
body VINO might be able to throw light on tho
issues there involved. The inquiry would DO
carried on in accordance with the rules Of tho
ordinary courts. Before proceeding, Judge
Hannsn asked Sir Charles Russell. for whom he
appeared. Sir Charles replied that he repre-
sented eighty-four Irish members of Parlia-
meat, Mr.. Graham said be was retained with
Attorney-gsneral Webster for the Times. Ap-
plicston was made for permission for the repre-
sentation OF Scotland Yard by counsel Judge
Hammer said he would decide upon the spplica-
tion II it were found that the inquiry involved
the police.
Sir Charles Russell demanded that he be al
lowed to inspect the letters and photographs
bearing on the case, and that the commission
issue al order for the discovery OF the docu-
rpenis rrnn the authority OF which some OF the
diuvs SNarges xere made. lie asked taAs
commission be sppuiuted TO take evidence in the
United States. and that an order be issued re-
leasing Mr. Dillon from jail so he could give
testimony before the commission. He wanted
specially to see the Eean-HArri letter, which,
he claimed, was . forgery.
Counsel for the Times agreed to produce cer
tain letters but objected to the commission
issuing an order for the discovery of tho doeu-
ments.
Mr. Parnell entered the court room while the
discussion concerning the produesion OF the
letters was proceeding.
Sir Charles Russell said he did not conf his
application to two letters. He wanted TO in
spest ell the letters and documents referred to
in the articles on "Parnslism and Crime"
Judge Hammer stated that he had not read
them, and said that counsel must inform the
court what were necessary, so as 10 guide them.
Sir Charles stated to the court that one OF the
many charges published in the Times was that
certain Psrnelite members OF the House OF
Commons were connected with illegal
citation, and were sharers in the crime Of mur-
der. One alleged proof Of this charge Was . let
ter in which Mr.. Parnell approved Of o fund
meaning an assassination fund.
Judge Hsnnsn said he understood that the
Times would produce all the letters and docu-
meuts affecting Mr.. Parnsll and the others
against whom il brought charges. If the parties
could kot agree as TO the production OF the pa
pers, the commission would deal with the dis
putsd points in chambers afterwards.
Mr. Graham then opened the case for the
Times After . review of the history
Of the "Parnellism and Crime articles,
he said il was now asked that the Times
should state whence 1t had derived its IN
formation, but IL it divuleed its sources Of iE
formation the object of the commission might
be defeated, and its inQuisitorial character lost
Sir Charles Russell here insisted that the case
should not proceed until the commission decided
the question as to the production OF oil the docu
ments in possession Of the Times.
The judges adjourned to chambers to con-
slider the question Ia short time the COM
mission returned TO the courtroom. and Judge
Hannen asked, assuming that the commission
thought they had jurisdiction to order the dis
covery of the documents, what restrictions Sir
Charles Russell would claim.
Sir Charles stated that he wanted to know, in
plain language, If the Times charged Mr.. Par
nell or his associates with completely in the
Mr.. Graham replied that the Times would
produce evidence to substantiate ell the charges
it bad made in its articles on "Parnellism and
Crime.
The commission again retired to deliberate.
Upon resuming the sitting, Judge Hsnnen said
that the commission, having considered the
question as to whether it was empowered 10 or
der the discovery of the doc uments, it WAS of
the opinion that it had the power TO direct such
discovery. The commission would take upon
itsef the right 10 consider what documents it
would be right for Sir Charles Russellis clients
to inspect. The court thought that the details
against the persons the Times accused ought to
be given. The rourt had determined to enter
thorouehly into the inquiry and follow it out to
the end
Sir Charles Russell made applic alton for the
release of Mr.. Dillon on bail, in order that he
might appear before the commission.
Nj. Graham. for the Times, made no objec-
ton 10 granting Of the application. Hesaid that
twofpersons now in penal servitude for connec-
ti0a with the Phenlx Park murders would also
have to be brought before the commission. 1t
would be desirable, also, to obtain the evidence
OF certain persons IN the United States.
Judge Hannen said that the application re-
gardinc American evidence. including that Of
Patrick Egan, was premature. In regard to
Mr.. Dillon the court would order his attendance
when the inquiry proceeded, on condition that
he abstained from taking part in public matters
and entered into q recognizance in the sum OF
f1 900.
After an order had been made for an iuspec
ton of the bankers books containing the account
or the National League, the commission ad-
journsd until Oct. %.
Botn sides profess TO be satisfied with the pre-
liminary tussle before the commission. The
Parnellites are able to claim an important sue
cess IN enforcing the production OF the Times
letters, including those of Parpell and Egan
and one written by Campbell, Mr.. Parnells Sec
retary. Sir Charles Russell demands the pro-
duction OF all other letters connected with the
inquiry that are In possession OF the Times.
This wide demand has been met by arranging
for the INSPECTION of only those letters that may
be specified by the Parnellitss' counsel The
Parnsllites again scored by getting the court to
instruct the Times TO formulate the definite
charges it is prepared to prove, as we'll as ale-
cations falling short of definite charges. The