Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-07-17
COUNSEL WITHDRAW
FROM REPRESENTING PARTIES BE-
FORE THE PARNELL COMMISSION.
This Action Does Not Alter the scope of tho
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Interesting
Letters Produced.
lBy AngIo-American cable % tho DIspatcb.l

LoNDoS, July 16.-Upon the opening Of
the Parnell Commission this morning Sir
Charles Russell, counsel for Mr.. Parnell,
arose. and addressing the court stated that
after full consideration of the situation
Mr.. Parnell had instructed him and Mr..
Asquith. also Of the counsel. to no longer
represent him before the commission.
In reply 10 Sir Charles's statement, which
virtually was a notification that Mr.. Par
nell declined 20 make any further presen-
tation of his case before the commission,
Presiding-Justice Hammer said Mr.. Par
nell will, Of course. remain subject 10 the
jurisdiction of this court"
Mcssrs. Reid and Lockwood. counsel for
the other members Of Parliament against
whom charges were made by the TiU'oS,
then also withdrew from the case.
Mr.. Parnell made personal application 10
the court asking that If there was any de
sign 90 further examine MIN that such eN-
animation bee proceeded with without de-
lay. lie complained Of Att0rney-General
Webster's action in postponing. for three
months his examination. On the subject
Of the checks drawn by Mr.. Parnell the
court MIR. Paruell declared, ought TO ap-
point a dav for his denomination or else
discharge HIM from further attendance.
Presiding Hammer promised to
try 10 meet the convenience Of Mr.. Parnell
by recalling him on Thursday.
After counsel for Mr.. Parnel and other
members Of Parliament had retired Pre-
siding-lusiice Hammer said that the scope
of inquiry would not be altered 10y their
action. Persons hitherto represented 10y
counsel could appear IN their own defence
II they desired. The taking Of the testl-
mony was then resumed.
Mr. james O'kelley, member of the
House Of Commons for North Rosc0m-
mon, was called, and he declared that he
Lad no statement 10 make. On Cross
examination he admitted that he was %
member of the Irish Republican Brother
hood from 1866 10 1870 In 1871 au attempt
o. arrest him was made when he was
leaving ireland under the name of John
Smith. Letters were found in his baggage
from an agent who was shipping arms 20
Ireland. Sir Henry James. of counsel for
the TiDes produced several letters written
by Mr. O'kelley, partly In invisible ink, nm
which reference was made % the ship
meut Of arms and the doinSs OF the te-
mans.
One Of the letters referring To the remit
lance of S2l.500 from America contained
pa sage reading: We are ready o. take
the field when the proper orders are issued
to the regimeutal commanders
The witness admitted that the letters
were authentic This organization sent
him 10 ireland rs q military officer o. re-
organize the men.
re received - 900 towards his expenses.
he did not effect the object of MS mission
finding that the agents i'm ireland declined
to cooperate With him. He therefore con-
sidrrcd his mission ended and went 10
France He sent his resignation 20 Amerl-
ca and returned $500. Since that time hc
bad had no connection with the Gamma
Gael or Fenaus During his career I'M
Parliament he had received nomoney from
America. lie denied spending $4,000
which had been iutru,tcd 10 Lim tor clcc-
ton purposes.
Matthew Harris, member Of Parliament
for last Galway. testified that he I-ined
the feuiaus IN 1865. The death penalty
20 traitors was not au essential feature oi
the Fouian constitution. Nr. Harris in-
stancc1 the case of informer kickham. and
said that the society after discussion de-
ciicd that be- should not be- shot
Pre~.d.ug-Iustice Haunen. The fact
thar there was such % discussion implies
much.'
Continuing. witness said that the Fenian
council Of 1881 was hell in Paris for the
sake of security. Mr. Davitt had been ar
rested. and they did not know whose turn
would be next. il was therefore thought
better 10 meet out of Ireland. lie admitted
saying IN speech that hc did not go about
from platform to platform Caterwaullne
over the death of Lord Cayeudl,h. His
language was used iu the heat of conirD-
yersy, and was not meant % Justify muir
der. He had qualified tine speech made 10y
him i'm which ne said he would not mind
seeing landlords shot down like partridses
WHY DoTHEY EErRE2
LoyDov, July 1.-THE Times in a leading
article to-day sincerely thanks Sir Charles
Russell and others for their assistance m
ti, Commission Court II saws 10 Is hearth