The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-02-20
"PARYELLIsM AND CRIME"
Times People Testify to the Manner In
which Certain Letters Were Obtained.

Times People Testify to the Manner In
which Certain Letters Were Obtained.
LONDON, Feb. l9.-The court room was
crowded TO day when the Parnell commits
sion resumed It's sitting, Labouchere, John
Morley, George Shaw, LaFevre and other
prominent persons being present Mac
Donald, manager OF the Times, was the
first witness. He declined TO say whether
he regarded the letters OF Jan. 9and May IS
as the only important ones among the FIRST
five which the secretary OF the Irish Loyal
and Patriotic Union handed TO him. JUS
tice Harmon sharply rebuked the witness
for his refusal. Macdonald continued and
said the letters had been taken AS n whole,
and as whole they were compromising.
Witness said he forgot whether, when he
submitted the Egan letters 20 the expert he
also submitted other specimens OF Egan's
writing. He could not be positive
whether he then had actual speci-
mems OF Egan's writing. He said he was
convinced that the Egan and Parnell let
ters were genuine before the first article
on "Parnellism and Crime" was published
by the Times. Witness paid Houston 1850
for the Parnell letter Of June 10 and EgAn's
letter 10 Coney. The total payments made
TO Houston amounted 10 1850. He par
ticularly avoided asking from what source
the letters came because Houston said he
was bound 10 secrecy. Witness first knew
Plgott, the former editor OF the Irishman
supplied them at about the time
OF the publication OF the articles on "Par-
nellism and Crime" begun. Macdonald
said the Times statement that knives and
firearms were kept in the league Office In
London was based upon information sup
piled 10 the writer OF the article In which
the statement was made. lie did not know
directly who wrote the article, and was not
bound 10 tell II he did know. The editor
OF the Times was responsible for the state
ments made In the paper, and therefore
counsel was not entitled 20 demand by
force the names OF contributors.
The counsel for Parnell and Egan said
he was entitled 20 demand the name of the
author OF the articles because he was
bound TO test the truth OF such grave
statement.
The court ruled that the counsel for Par
nell was entitled 10 investigate the matter,
In order TO ascertain the foundation OF the
statement. Witness said he could not name
the writer without making inquiries. The
"Parnellism and Crime" series Of articles
was not all written by one author.
Counsel for Parnell asked witness 10 in
Quire who the author was. The court ex-
not remember whether he could be required
to seek information on the subject.
Counsel for Parnell: "Witness could be
forced 10 do so."
Finally the court ruled that the counsel
was not entitled 10 ask the witness 10 make
inquiries, but might question him ~ 70
anything within his know ledge connected
with the specific charge.
Mcdonald finally said that Flanagan
wrote the articles that appeared March
| and 10. 1887. He had forgotten who wrote
the others. Parnell's alleged letter 10 Pig.
gott was then produced. Presiding jus
tice llannen asked whether II was admit
ted that the letter was genuine, and Sir
Charles Russell replied, "No, no." Attor.
ney-General Webster then called an Eng
lish writing expert 10 the stand, whereupon
there was sharp encounter, Sir Charles
Russell contending that justice demanded
the source OF the letter should be revealed
before he was called upon 10 cross-examine
the experts. Presiding Justice Hannen
thought that the inquiry should now be-
made as 10 the source OF the letters.
| Houston, secretary OF the Loyal and
Patriotic League, testified that the pan,
was based upon Piggotrs information re
garding Dewey. In Dec. 1885 witness
asked Piggott TO supply further infcrma
Piggott went 70 Paris and elsewhere
| He visited Eugene Davis al
Lausanne, and wrote 10 wit
ness that he found him yer,
bitter against the Parnellites. Piggott sup
piled the copies OF i've Parnell and si,
Egan letters. Pigott returned from Americi
with sealed letter. which he said he has
obtained from Breslin. and which con
tained instructions 10 n person in Paris ;,
| give up letters ON certain conditions
Piggott went 10 Paris repeatedly before b,
obtained the letters, Witness showed IN,
letters 10 Buckle, editor OF the Tunes, wb,
advised him 10 see Mcdonald. Up 10 III,
tune OF their publication he had not bar
gained for payment for the letters. but h,
made II conditional that the Times alon,
should be responsible for their publication
| Witness had nothing 10 do with the testinJ
Of the signatures, and was completell
Ignorant OF the process by which they wer'
| tested.