Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-05

was the first to testify in the Cronin tria
to-day. He contradicted his stimony pre-
viously given before the grand jury, there
by disappointing the prosecution. He ad
mitted being q member of the United Broth
erhood. but knew nothing about the Clan.
na-Gael. He was District officer of Dis.
| trict 16, embracing Illinois and Michigan.
Asked who constituted the executive body
now, he said he knew few of its members,
and named Mortimer Scanlan, Lawrence
Buckley and Ronaqne, of New York.
Mr.. Spellman identified certain CORE
! spondence that had PASSED between himself
and Beggs relating to business of the order.
He said he met Beggs April 29 and the
matter referred to in their correspondence,
viz, that the proceedings of the trial COM
mittee had been read in a certain camp in
violation of the rules, had been amicably
settled. He knew Dan Coughlin; who had
visited him with Kunze, but had had no
talk with him about Cronin. This was
IN DIRECT CONTRADICTION
of Spellman's testimony previously taken,
and the witness was asked if he had not
sworn that Coughlin spoke to him of Cronin
and said that Cronin ought to be killed. He
admitted having so stated before the grand
jury, but said he had afterward sent his at
torney to Chicago to notify the District At
torney that he was mistaken. His attorney
being unable to find Judge Longenecker he
(Spellman) went to Chicago and personally
notified him and the other counsel that if
they asked him that question he should have
to deny it in order to do justice to himself.
The following is the correspondence be-
tween Beggs and Spellman in full:
BEGGS' LETTER AND THE REPLY.
CHICAGO, February Is, 1889.
My Dear Sir and Brother:
1 am directed to call your attention to the
following subjects: First, it is charged that the
s. G. of the Columbus Club at a recent meet
ing, read to the assembled members the pro-
ceediDgs of the Trial Committee. Second, I
am directed to enter the protest of D. 20 against
the DIS in Chicago electing or initiating men
until their names are presented to d. 20 and
the other DIS for their consideration. The
Oldest of communication has become a dead
letter, and since the formation of the central
has not held legal meeting since its formation.
Good discipline calls for an investigation of
the foregoing, which feel you will attend to.
Fraternally yours, J.F. BEGGs, s. G. D!2O.
Don't forget our reunion February %
PEORIA. ILL, February IL. 1889.
FRIEND BEGGS-Yours of yesterday to hand.
Contents carefully noted. Will you kindly
refer me to what section of our law where am
empowered to inf1ict a penalty on A s. g. for
disclosing the proceedings of trial COM
the s. g. and ]. G. together for the pur-
pose of forming council If they fail to per-
form their duty would like to know how can
remedy the evil you complain of. While 1
admit that no person should be admitted in
Chicago unless his proposition should come
before the coucil or the DIS in your city on
would be able in my own way to affect
reconciliation of our own people in
Chicago, but 1 must confess to you
that I am greatly disappointed. Ny posi-
Who is member violated the law he should
be tried as provided by our constitution. What
is the fact? Members who know a wrong go
and talk about such offense. Then they
report to Y, and the D. o. is figure head. I
will take no notice of any complaint unless
made to me, and If have authority under our
laws, you may depend Will be on hand.
thank you for your kindness. And discipline il
our only safeguard. If you can see where I
can act, / am at your command. My term of
Office will expire the end of this month, and
God knows 1 am glad. am disgusted with the
conduct of men who think they should lead the
Irish people; but l think it is dangerous in
decent men to associate with such scamps,
Thank God proxies no longer prevail.
FraterDally yours, d. Q. l6."
BEGGS' ANSWER TO SPELLMAN.
CHICAGO, February Is, 1889.
DEAR SIR AND BRoTHER-Yours of the 18th
received. have not the constitution before
me, and therefore cannot point ont the action
that would cover the matter complained of;
nor am 1 prepared to say that the act men,
toned was a violation of any written law, but
that it was very unwise, and such conduct is
prejudicial to the good of the order, and no
man in his right senses will deny it is Just such
acts that keep us continually in hot water
Why, in Gods name, if men are sincere, they
will be always doing it. The majority of our
men here believed the parties charged
to be innocent of any criminal wrong,
and to have the charges made continually
that they are guilty creates bitterness
and ill-feeling, and the man or men who con- |
tinue to sing the charges are not the friends of
Irish unity. What good is done in continuing |
the old fight? l confess can give no answer. |
rather conciliate than keep up. q war which |
can only lead to further discussions. The rank |
and file are sincere: they want peace, and the |
time is not far distant when they will have it |
even if it has to come through war. am |
anxious for better understanding among our |
people and will do anything in my power to OBJ |
tain unity.
The matter I wrote of 1 would let pass if I |
could, but was ordered to notice it. Person |
ally. think it better not to notice such things,
but 1 am only one. The men who have the |
power WILL in time, realize the motives of those |
who are continually breeding disorder in their |
am very much discouraged at the present out |
look, but hope no trouble will result. Frater-
nally yours J. F. BEGGs."
HIS MEMORY VERY POOR.
Mr.. Spellman was then cross-examined
by Mr.. Forrest. He was not positive
whether he and Coughlin had talked about
DR.. Cronin or not, but thought not. At
one time he had thought they did talk of
him, but on reflection he now thought they
did not. During the cross-examination Mr..
Spellman was asked: Ibid Beggs ever
speak with you about any charges against
Cronin In any case?"
"a great deal was said about Cronin, but
to place it upon any one man, or at any one
period, L could not do at this time"
WAS it not because of his organization of
other camps?"
mo, because he was always anxious to
prefer charges. He was a kind of an
agitator. He was an honest man, but he
was not bad fellow, If he could have his
,wn way. I! not"
Mr., Hines-I object to making any such
as that DR.. Cronin is dead and
'annot respond to any such charges against
lin.
Were any charges made by Beggs against
my individual in his official position as
enior guardian?"
mo, sir, answered Spellman.
A MOTION TO EXCLUDE TESTIMONY.
The witness went on to say, in response to
questions, that st the request OF Beggs at the
District Convention in this city in February
ast, Spellman read these letters to the as
embed guardians. The defense moved to