Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-04

LONDON, May 3.-The cross-examination
of Mr.. Parnell was continued before the
Parnell Commission to-day. Mr.. Parnell
testified that he had often reproVed Mr..
William O'Brien, editor of United Ireland,
for the violent articles that appeared in
that paper. He had not publicly repudi-
ated the articles because he did not consider
that the way to effect the alterations he de-
sired in the tone of the articles. Mr.. Par
nell said he considered Mr.. O'Briep's teach
ings to be in advance of his own.
Mr.. Parnell denied that he knew Number
One either under the name of lyman or any
other name, and said that he had never
heard of Mr.. Egan's being associated with
"The Martyrs Fund" for the benefit of the
families of the Phoenix Park murderers.
He saw nothing criminal in the fund and
rather thought it was right to assist the in
nocent victims.
SOME ANCIENT HISTORY.
"The Martyrs Fund" might not, how
ever, have been the most appropriate name
for such fund. He could not, he said, rec
ollect denouncing ourrages between 1878
and 1881. He believed the outrages perpe-
trated to have been the work of small secret
societies.
Witness was then asked whether if secret
societies adverse to the League had existed,
and if vast majority of the people had
belonged TO the League there would not
have been ample evidence obtained to con-
vict the perpetrators of outrages, but par
ried the question, saying that that might or
might NOT have been the case
Here occurred the most remarkable incl
dent in the witness cross examination.
Attorney General Webster quoted a state
ment made by Mr.. Parnell in the House Of
Commons during the debate on Mr.. For
ster's bill in 1881, suspending the writ Of
habeas corpus, to the effect that secret So
cieties had then ceased to exist in Ireland.
SOME CANDID QUESTIONS.
''Did you believe that when you said it?"
asked the Attorney General.
NO." replied Mr.. Parnell. "At any
rate it was a grossly exaggerated state
ment."
There was buzz of surprise throughout
the court room at this response.
"Did or did you not" continued the At
tornev General, ''intend to misstate the
fact when you made that statement"
II have no doubt did," was the reply.
The Attorney General-Deliberately?
Mr.. Parnell-Yes, deliberately.
The Attorney General-You deliberately
made the statement knowing it to be un-
true2 ~ j, .
Mr.. ParheIl-Yes, or if not untrue, very
extravagant and boastful.
The Attorney General-And you have
never since Withdrawn it?
Mr.. Parne,l-No, l have not,
The nonchalance with which the witness
made these admissions astonished the audi
ence and ELECTED some misses.
IT DID NOT WORK.
Probably" added Mr.. Parnell, "the
statement was made to mislead the House.
1 am afraid it did not for the bill was
passed. Ny purpose was to exaggerate the
effect the League had in reducing the num-
Der of secret societies. The League un-
doubtedly diminished the number of secret
societies, though it had not swept them
away as stated"
Mr.. Parnell was next asked what had be-
come of the Land Leagues books. Heck
planned that some were brought to London
and were before the Commission. The cash
books and ledgers had disappeared, he did
not know where. Neither was Treasurer
Kenny, Mr.. Egan nor any other of the
League officials able to tell what had be-
come of them. The letter books and files Of
letters had also vanished.
Presiding Justice Hannen here impressed
upon the witness the fact that the Court at
tacned great Importance to the missing
documents, and Mr.. Parnell promised to try
To find them