Omaha daily bee., 1889-10-01
DEFEND THE LEAGUE.
Rev. Charles O'Reiiley Sees Nothing &c

Rev. Charles O'Reiiley Sees Nothing to
Fear in the Cronin Case.
CHICAGO, Sept. 30.-[Special Telegram to
The BEE. THE Rev. DR.. Charles O'Reilley,
of Detroit, treasurer of the American branch
of the Irish National league, is in this city
to-day.
Dr. OReilley was willing to discuss the
National league and its prospects and wished
to deny that the Cronin murderers and the
Clan-na-Gael disruption would in any way
affect the league
"The Clan-na-Gael,n ~ he said, lis not con-
nected in any way with the league nor with
the Parnell home rule movement Quarrels
in the Clan-naGae do not affect the league"
"Was not the fund raised at the Clan-na-
Gael picnic ut Ogden's grove sent TO you as
treasurer of the league!"
''Yes, and handsome fund it was, too.
But | did not understand that to be
Clan-na-Gael demonstration. 1t was,
as I understood it to be, the usual 18TH of
August picnic of the Irish societies. l was
invited to speak there and l would have
spoken had not previous engagements pre-
vented me, and l most certainly would not
have spoken under the auspices nor by the
| invitation OF the Clan-na- Gaeln
How about the charge made that the
| league funds are being used for the defense
of the Cronin suspects Z"
| "Ihere is no truth in it. The very system
| of the National league Drecludes any misuse
| of its funds. At the national convention of
| the league each local and state brancn is en-
! titled to representation solely IN proportion
\ to the amount of money it may have con-
| trihuted. So You see what watchful and
jealous eye will be kept upon my reports of
| receipts by each branch of the league in
| order that each may be allowed
proper representation. Some time ago $l0,-
| 0N0 was raised here in Chicago and forwarded
| direct to MIR. Parnell. When the convention
met the local branches tried to claim repre-
| sentation for this amount, but of course it
| dld not appear in my books. AS TO my dis
| bursements show receipts for every cent
received by me- The money is sent to Mr..
| Parnell and all accounted for"
| "When will the next convention be held?"
SIT has not been called Yet. 1t will be held
whenever Mr.. Parnell thinks proper. We
| defer to his wishes l imagine a convention
will soon le called"
"What do you think Of Mr.. Parnell's stua-
| tionr
| 81 think it very good He certainly has
not lost anything in prestige and he has
| probably gained. No matter what the find
| ing OF the commission may be now, it
| cannot affect Mr.. Parnell. | think Mr. Par
| nell and the cause of home rule stronger than
evern
"Wnat effect will the Cronin murder have
| on the Irish movement in America"
mot particle. 1t will be mere Incl
| dent like the Molly Maguire' murders in
| Pennsylvania some years ago. This murder
| IS the outcome of secret societies. 1t is not
| the act in any way Of the Irish people. The
| spirit of the Irish people is opposed to muir
| der. l know an attempt will be
| throw some odium on the Irish
| race, but it will fail. 1t makes no difference
| either, whether the murder was the result of
| local personal enmity or the action of Camp
| 90, or of the Clan-naGael The Irish race
| can not be held responsible for it, The Clan
| na-Gael is a small fraction OF the Irish peo
| pie and the quarrels within il are not the
| concern of the Irish IL race nor of the
| home rule movement"
Father OReilley said that he would not
| confer with any of the Irishmen of local
prominence and would leave on the noon
| train.