The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-01-24
BANDED TO RAID FARMS.
NEW LIGHT THROWN ON THE
PLANS OF THE MOONLIGHTERs.

PLANS OF THE MOONLIGHTERS.
Each Squad Commanded by Cap
tain Who Furnished the Arms-The
Cattle of Reut-paying Tenants
Killed Wantonly and not for the
Purpose of Obtaining Food.
LONDON, Jan. 23-Betore the Parnell
commission to-day Dennis Tobin deposed
that he was a member of the Kilconoly
band of moonlighters. He said that when
the members of the band were sworn, the
leader told them that by order of the league
tenants who paid rents were to be raided.
The moonighters were ranged in divisions,
each division receiving orders from cap
tion, who also furnished the men with
arms. The arms were hidden away when
not in use. The moonlighters were paid
for committing outrages The witness
band had received G5 for making a raid on
the cattle of an obnoxious farmer, and at
another time they got settings 6 pence
each for slaughtering cattle on Miss Thomp-
sons farm.
A SERIES OF SIMILAR oUTRAGEs.
Tobin recounted a succession of similar
misdeeds in which he took part, detailing
them without exhibiting the smallest sign
of regret His evidence regarding the
moonlighters differed from that of the
other farmers, who had generally described
the raiders as unrelated groups.
Tobin alleges that the Kerry
moqy lighters we're an organized
body, working under recognized rules and
with a specific constitution. When cross
examined by Mr.. Davitt the witness said
the raids were not made for the purpose of
getting cheap beef. They were moonlight
affairs, under order. He had been in prison
for assault, but had never been convicted
of theft. He was under police protection,
but he denied that his evidence was the re-
suit Of police suggestion.
CHEWING THE CUD OF POLITICS.
Lord Roseberry, i'll a speech at Scar
borough this evening, said that the British
elector liked to chew the cud of politics,
and it seemed likely that at the end of his
rumination he would be in favor of Home
rule. The speaker confirmed from his own
personal knowledge extracts quoted in Lord
Piorrepont's diary of conversations with
Premier Disraeli, in VIII ch the latter
favored giving Ireland something like an
American state legislature.
CHAMBERLAIN ON TWO TOPICS.
Mr.. Chamberlain addressed a meeting at
Birmingham tonight, and met with an en-
t1nsiasuc reception. Mrs. Chamberlain
occupied seat on the platform. A letter
was read from john Bright's son, who
wrote that his fathers health was
steadily improving, and that his ger
eral condition was very much better
than it was a month ago. Mr..
Chamberlain, in the course of his remarks,
referred to the rejected fishery treaty. He
said that his mission to America had been
one of peace and good will, and had resulted
in the treaty being accepted by both gov
ernments as an honorable solution Of the
question at issue. The treaty had been re-
jected in the Senate by a strict party vote,
aud he was not disposed to
overestimate the Importance of that vote,
He was convinced that the feeling of cordial
friendship between the two peoples was 50
great and firm hat nothing would be per-
mitted long to interfere With it. [CheersL
THE IRISH QUESTION.
During his absence on his second for
tunate visit to the United States [Cries
of Hear Hearp1 he had followed
closely the events in parliament.
What struck him most was the most re-
markable diminution in the prominence of
the Irish question. II was evident that the
country felt the importance of other ques-
ti0ns. Doubtless the improved condition Of
Ireland, which was largely due to the wise
and firm administration of Secretary Bal
four, had contributed to keep down the
clamor of the Pafnellites. He (Mr Cham
berlainJ believed that the Gladstonians
we're finding out that home rule by itself
was not a uame to conjure with, and that
hereafter the Gladstonian platform would
give prominence to other questions--ques-
tons upon which the liberals, as formerly
might agree.
AN OVATION TO o'BRIEN.
DUBLIN, Jan. 23-William O'Brien,
whose trial begins tomorrow, arrived al
Clonmel tonight An enormous crowd had
ga hered at the railway station to greet
him, and he was accorded q splendid ova-
ton. One thousand torch bearers, accom-
panied by six bands of music, paraded the
streets in his honor Mr. O'Brien addressed
the crowd from the steps OF the town hall.
In the course Of his eloquent speech he said
that the results of the Govan contest and
the council elections in London showed that
at the next general election the evil brood
Of coercionsts would vanish like unclean
spirits at the dawn of day.
THE GAELIC CONGRESS.
The Gaelic congress met at Thurles to-
day for the purpose OF electing an execu-
tive. During the proceedings tumult
arose, and President DAWN, unable to OBJ
tain hearing for the financial statement,
left the meeting, followed by number Of
priests and delegates. The remaining dele
gates elected a central council, but repudi-
ated responsibility for debts amounting to
$500. President DAWN and other seceders
will start another association. There were
forty detectives on duty in the vicinity of
the meeting place during the proceedings.
D'Aumale to Return.
PARIS Jan. 23.-Premier Flouquet has
informed Senator Renault in confidence Of