The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-23
Proceedings of the Court Opened
by Sir Charles Russell.
Mr.. Webster Makes Little Progress
on His Side OF the Case.
An Utter Absence of Points In His
Statement in the Great Trial.
An Attempt Made to Destroy Fon-
tainebloau Forrest by Fire-The
Petral Income Tax Scheme
Approved-Fl Flashes.

hou W ihNtblibttc llt CIirRcS iuuue Dy
the Times against Irish members of Parlia-
ment opened court at llo'clock this morn
ing. Sir Charles Russell as leading coun-
sci for Mr.. Pernell, opened the proceed
ings by applying for the release from WEEK
ford prison OF Mr.. VIM. Redmond. Justice
Hammer, president OF the commission,
said the same course would be adopted
with Mr.. Redmond as in the case OF Mr..
John Dillon. His release must not be
so construed TO mean that he had been
granted immunity from imprisonment.
He would be set free only under strict
conditions. These would not allow OF his
taking any part in public life, and would
compel him to hold himself strictly q
prisoner on parole. Sir Charles Russell
intimated that for the present he would
not insist upon his application for Mr..
Redmond's release. Discussion then en-
sued upon the length Of time the court
should sit weekly. Counsel for both sides
concurred in a proposal to hold sessions
upon four days OF each week. bat the
court decided 10 meet every week day ex-
copt Saturday and asked counsel 10 ex-
pedite the proceedings.
Acknowledgement Webster opened the
case for the Times. lie promised to give
the court the fullest information in the
Times power regarding the source OF the
evidence against the Irish party which the
Timcs had published. He would not treat
the case as having anything to do with the
merits or dement's OF home rule, or OF any
supposed burning Irish question. The in
quiry was strictly into the charges in the
O'Donnell action against the 7uies, and he
would be careful not TO introduce ques.
tons beyond the charges. The attorney
general then proceeded TO review the Tunes
articles on "Pamellism and Crime" going
over the old ground. The courtroom was
well filed, but was not oyercrowded, per-
feet order prevailing. The general public
was not admitted. Mr.. Parnell and nu-
merous other Nationalist members OF Par
Lament were present.
II would be shown, said Mr.. Webster,
that many Of the men mentioned in the
TiBo particular should personally take
part in crimes Of the worst kind, while,
with scarcely any exception, the persons
mentioned had never denounced outragcs
or crimes. Owing 10 the failure Of the
officers Of the National league 10 comply
with the commissions order regarding the
discovery OF bank books, the 7iuoi coun-
sci had been unable 10 shape their case n
they had expected 10. still, even with
out the bank books, iheywould prove that
money had been paid by the league to
men appointed for tho actual commssion
OF acts OF violence and crimes. Some OF
the men thus appointed were connected
provided with money from funds Obtained
In Ireland From the outset Of the Land
leagues existence, and since the iorma-
ton OF the National league, Mr.. Parncll
aud his colleagues had been intimately
associated with lrish-Americans who were
advocates Of dynamite. Remarkable cvi-
dcncc had been produced 10 prove this
connection, and 10 show also that AN cx-
traordinay number Of untuccd crimes
wcrc due TO the Indictment Of the league
Referring TO Letters alleged a. impliclic
Mr.. Parnel and Others in crimes, Mr.
Webster promised 20 produce before the
commission nll the letters which hal been
mentioned in the trial Of the ODonncll
case. Ilo then recountcd the history Of
the leagues connection with the agraran
agiations, aud showed how they were
related 10 Fcnianism. lie rccitcl in
stances where Daviu. Dewey, Walsh,
Egan. Brennan and Matthew Harris had
held communications with the Parncliic
party, and declared that they were linked
;. 10 that party by common aims and in
tcrcsia
The alloncygoncral quoted from
speeches OF Nationalist leaders made from
the year so onwufds.
Whom the court adjourned Tor the day
Mr.. Webster was apparently only a small
way advanced IN the presentation OF his
case. Tho yagucncss and general character
oi his statement lcltan impression that the
Tnas las no absolute legal proof Of the
truth Of ~ charges. Instead OF producing
evidence that Mr. Parncll aud his msO-
ciaics were uccomplcos, before OF after the
fact. with the phwnix park murders, be- will
attempt 10 justify the iitio' accusations by
mling up 0utfagcs attributed 10 members
OF the league aud trying 10 connect them
with lho Pafncliics Mr. Webster seemed
10 be hlmpcrcl by o. dread Of committing
himself beyond the most cautious slate.
mcnt 10 spoke In his worst form, pros
ing along In q dreamy monotone, without
the least display d rhetoric. There was an
utter absence Of points IN his statement,
and bis cxpostuation 81 the IuuS ease
Was a generally disconnected one.