St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-05-09
PARNELL CLOSES.
Neither Rebellion Nor Fenianism
in HiS'n,

LONDON, May S.-Mr Paruell's exam
lnatiOn was finished before the special
commission to-day. He testified that
the reception committee in America
comprised the leading merchants OF
New York, representative citizens and
many ministers of religion. In his
speeches in New York witness had de-
clared that not farthing contributed to
the Irish cause would go toward organ
iZing rebellion in Ireland. Throughout
his tour of the United States he had
never swerved hands breadth from
that declaration. 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
misrepreSent his words. All the names
the attorney general had mentioned as
those of persons who were associated
with the meetings were only a small
fraction of those who had attended.
Men OF prominent position and OF un-
doubted responsibility attended those
meetings. In no sense could the Ameri-
can receptions be identified with the
proceedings of the physical force party.
Witness firmly believed that none of his
colleagues usince joining ths Irish par
liamentary party had had anything to
do with the Fenians. Only casually did
the Fenians come within the orbit of the
constitutional movement. Here Mr.. Par
nell scored by remarking that the Tories
were more certainly associated with the
movement, for instance, when they CO.
operated with the ParnelliteS to OBJ
struct the criminal bill to the death.
Referring to some letters of his, Mr..
Parnell said he had copies made from
his Secretary'S shorthand notes. At
this point Attorney General Webster
said: sit seems that there exists a
book of copies of Mr.. Parnell'S letters.
l 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.
MIR. Parnell-Your lordships are well
come to see any letter ever wrote or
received.
Attorney General Webster. recur-
Parnell'S private bank account,
wanted to trace number of checks,
and warm discussion ensued, Sir
Charles Russell declaring that such
action would be unfair. Justice Han
men suggested poStpOnement OF the
inquiry into this matter until further
documents were before the court. Arch
bishop Walsh here took the stand. He
testified that he came to the conclusion
before 1879 that there was need of de-
fenSive land organization, and was pro-
ceeding to give his opinion of the neceS-
Sity for such an organization, when
Justice Hammer interposed, saying the
inquiry must be limited to whether or
not the land league was necessary. At
torney General Webster submitted that
matters of opinion were not admissible.
Mr.. Bigger urged that opinion evidence
had been given over and over again
by ',hirelingS of the government" JUS
tice Hannen warned Mr.. Bigger that he
must not make use of such expressions.
Mr.. Bigger then said that unless such
evidence was admitted the whole in
quiry would end in farce. The judges
here retired to consider the matter
privately. On their return Justice Han
nan announced that they had decided
that it was not permissible to ask auy
witness, however, distinguished, alb
Stract questions OF opinions. The facts
known to the witness ought to be laid
thereon were mentioned. The mere eX-
preston of Archbishop Walsh's opiu-
ion, the Justice said, was inadmisSible.
The archbishop, continuing, said that
i'll the course of his visits through the
diocese he had abundant means of
knowing that the league denounced out
RACES. 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 organization.