Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-09
THE PARNELL COMMISSION.
The Irish Leaders Examination Con.
cluded-Archbishop Walsh Testifies.

Mr. Parnell's examination before the special
commission was concluded yesterday. He
testified that the reception committee in
America comprised the leading merchants of
New York. representative citizens and ministers
of religion. In his speeches in New York wit
ness had declared that not farthing con-
tributed to the Irish cause would go toward
organizing rebellion in Ireland. Throughout
his tour Of the United States he had never
swerved hands breadth from that declara-
ton. Attorney-General Webster, the witness
said, had quoted from five out of sixty speeches
he had made in the United States, ignoring the
general tenor Of his speeches SO as to msrepre-
sent his words.
All the names the encouragement had
mentioned as those of persons who were as
ISOLATED with the meetings we're only a small
fraction of those who had attended Men Of
prominent position and Of undoubted re-
spectability attended those meetings. In no sense
could the American receptions be identified
with the proceedings Of the physical-force
party. Witness firmly believed that none of
his colleagues since joining the Irish parlia-
mentary party had had anything to do with the
Fenians. Only casually did the Fenians come
within the orbit of the constitutional move
ment. Here Mr.. Parnel scored by remarking
that the tories were more certainly associated
with the movement, for instance, when they CO.
criminal code bill to the death.
Referring to some letters Of his. Mr.. Parnell
said he had copies from his secretary's short
hand notes.
WILLING TO SHOW HIS LETTERS.
At this point Attorney-General Webster said:
at seems that there exists a book of copies
of Mr.. Parnell's letters. 1 would like to see
that book"
Sir Charles Russell-''By all means"
Presiding Justice Hannen-''If these letters
refer to the league they ought to have been
disclosed"
Mr.. Parnell-"Your lordships are welcome to
see any letter ever wrote or received"
Acknowledgement Webster, recurring to the
examination of Mr.. ParnelPs private bank ac-
counts, wanted to trace q number of checks,
and a warm discussion ensued. Sir Charles
Russell declared that such action would be
unfair.
Justice Hammer suggested postponement of
the inquiry into this matter until fuller docu-
ments were before the court.
ARCHBISHOP WALSH HERE TOOK THE STAND.
He testified that he came to the conclusion
before 1879 that there was need Of q defen-
siye land organization, and was proceeding to
give his opinion of the necessity of such an or
when Justice Hammer interposed,
saying the inquiry must be limited to whether
or not the land league was necessary.
Acknowledgement Webster submitted that
matters of opinion were not admissible
Mr.. Biggar urged that opinion evidence had
been given over and over again by .'hirelings
of the government"
Justice Hammer warned Mr.. Biggar that he
must not make use Of such expressions
Mr.. Biggar then said that unless such evil
dence was admitted the whole inquiry would
end in farce.
The judges here retired to consider the mat
ter privately. On their return Justice Hannen
announced that they had decided that it was
not permissible to ask any witness, however
distinguished, abstract questions of opinion.
The facts known to the witness ought to be laid
before the court before opinions based thereon
were mentioned. The mere expression of
Archbishop Walsh's opinion, the Justice said
was inadmissible.
The archbishop. continuing, said that in the
course of his visits through his diocese he had
abundant means of knowing that the league
denounced outrages. Many priests had joined
the league with his full approval He saw
nothing in the action of the members of the
league to forbid the clergy joining the organi-
Zation.