The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-09-20
PARNEI>L.
Meeting of the Parliament Com
mission to Investigate the
Times Charges.
Rulings of the Commission, Which
Adjourns to Reasonable IN
October.

LONDON, September IA commission,
appointed by parliament to examine into
the charges made by the Times against
Parnell and other Irish members of the
house of commons, opened its first
session this morning in the probate court.
Judges Hannah, Smith and Ray composed
the commission, which entered the court
room precisely at II o'clock. Judge
Hannah said the circumstances under
which the committee met we're novel.
He stated briefly the nature and scope
of the principles on which the committee
propose to conduct the inquiry.
The commission, he said, we're directed
to inquire into and report upon the
charges made against certain members of
the house of commons and other
persons in connection with the O'Donnell-
Times action. The commissioner held
that the inquiry should be restricted to
charges that were made because of that
action. Parliament also gave them, in
addition to their special powers, all pow
ers vested in judges of high courts of
justice.
They proposed in the first instance to
make the inquiry as though it were an
issue between Mr.. O'Donnell and the
times, reserving to themselves the power
to call any body who might be able to
throw light on the issues therein involved.
The inquiry would be carried on in &C.
cordance with the rules of ordinary courts.
Before proceeding Judge Hapnan asked
Sir Charles Russell for whom he appeared.
Sir Charles replied that he represented
eighty four Irish members of parliament.
Mr.. Grafton said he was retained with
Attorney general Webster for the Times.
Sir Charles Russell demanded that he be
allowed to inspect the letters and photo
graphs bearing on the case, and that the
commission issue az order for the dis
covery of the documents upon the au-
thority of which some of the Times
charges were made. He asked that q
commission be appointed to take the
evidence in the United States, and that an
order be issued releasing Dillon from Jail
SO he may give testimony before the
commission. He wanted especially to see
Egau Harris letter which he claimed was
forgery.
Counsel for the Times agreed to pro-
duce certain letters, but objected to the
, commission issuing the order for the
discovery of the documents.
| Mr.. Parnell entered the court room
while the discussion concerning the pro-
duction OF the letters was proceeding.
Sir Charles Russell said he did not con
firm his application to two letters. He
would inspect all the letters and docu-
ments referred to in the articles on
"Parnellism and Crime"
Judge Hannar stated he had rea
them and said counsel must inform the
court what was necessary SO as to guide
them.
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 of commons were con-
nected with an illegal association, and
were sharers in the crime of murder. One
alleged proof of this charge was the letter
in which Mr.. Parnell approved of the
fund, meaning an ASSASSINATION fund.
Judge Hannan said he understood the
Times would produce all the letters ana
documents affecting Mr.. Parnell and
others, against whom it brought charges.
If the parties could not agree as to the
production of the papers, the commission
would deal with disputed points in the
chambers afterwards.
Sir Chas. Russell insisted that the case
should not proceed until the commission
decided the question as TO the production
of all documents in possession of the
| Times. The committee retired to delib-
crate. Upon returning Sitting Judge
Hannah said the commission having con-
sidered tbs question as to whether it was
empowered to order the discovery Of
documents, it was of the opinion that il
had power to direct such discovery. The
commission would take upon itself the
right to consider what documents would
be right for Sir Charles Russell's 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 then follow it out to the bitter
end.
Judge Hannah said the application re-
Itgarding American evidence, including that
of Patrick Eagan, was premature. In
regard to Mr.. Dillon the court would
order his attendance when the enquiry
proceeded, On condition that he abstained
from taking part in public matters and
entered into recognizance in the sum Of
$1,000. After an order had been made
for the inspection of of the bankers
Books containing accounts of the national
league, the commission adjourned
until October %.
HATFIELD MCCOY VENDETTA.