Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1890-02-22


1883. 1t was contended before the com
mission that the causes of crime were
not due to the league but to the chronic
state Of Ireland under distress aggra-
waited by eviction. Comparative statis-
tics showed the dominant cause was
league agitation. During the severe
distress in the years from 1913 to 1853,
inclusive, when So, 423 families were
evicted, the total record OF agrarian
crime was 4,245; whereas for the four
years from 1879 to 1882 with IL ,964 fam
lilies evicted, the total record OF crimes
was IL, 1923.
The commission rejects the sugges-
tions that crime was caused by secret
societies, by compensation for the dis
turbance bill, or that the decrease in
crime after July, 1882, was due to the
arrears of rent act, and adds: 1.-THE
question Is not whether other causes
can be suggested; the fact being that
the increase from 1879 TO 1882, though
not exclusively ascribed to agitation,
was mainly due to the action of the
league and It's founders and leaders.
In the judgment of the court the de-
nunciations of the crimes quoted for
the defense were of little avail, be-
cause contemporaneously with them
the leaders and organizers we're carry
ing on agitation by means OF speeches
and conduct tending TO encourage
crime. The sentiment in Ireland
against aiding the police in
the discovery OF criminals was not
confined to the ignorant, but was spread
by those from whose education juster
views of duty could prevail. Proof has
been given that the league systematic
ally and indiscriminately betrayed the
expenses for the defense of persons
charged with agrarian crimes. Knowl-
edge that such assistance will in all
cases be afforded must have effected to
encourage persons so disposed TO COM
init outrages. The same observation
implies to the support OF their families.
Numerous books and documents, which,
IL produced, might have thrown light
upon the leagues proceedings, were not
produced. Generally we have not re-
ceived from Parnell and the officers of
the land league the assistance we were
entitled TO expect in the investigation
of the league accounts.
The report proceeds 10 trace the
course of the leagues movements in
America and It's connection with the
Clan-na-Gael. Touching the contradic-
tory evidence OF LeCaron and Parnell
over the interview in the corridor of the
commons in 1881, the balance OF proba-
bilities was in favor Of the accuracy OF
LeCaron. 1t was highly probable Par
nell would say TO anyone whom he re-
garded as a member Of the physical
force party in America hat an under
standing ought to be brought about be-
tween that party and the Parnell sup
porters in the league. 1t is also prob
able Parnell would mention Dewey as
the person best able to arrange such an
understanding, for Dewey had been
among the principal agents through
whom the support Of the Fenians had
been obtained. The purpose of such an
alliance may be disputed, but the de-
sire of Parnell and Davitt that the par
ties Of physical force and open political
movement should act in harmony has
been proved by Devoy's letter and cor-
roborated by LeCaron. 1t is not inlpos-
sible that in conversing with q supposed
revolutionist (LeCaron) Parnell eX-
pressed himself so as TO leave tho inn
preston that he agreed with those who
favored revolution.
Touching tho tenth convention OF the
Clan-na-Gael, at which Sullivan pre-
sided, the proceedings proved the dyna-
mite policy was definitely adopted by
the Chicago convention of 1881, at
which T. =. O'Connor was a delegate
from Parnell. The Washington Goa
v~ention of 1882, the Aston house meet
ing and the Philadelphia convention Of
1883, are successfully quoted as proving
the identity and sympathy Of the senti-
ments of the Irish leaguers with the
American physical force party. The
C~lan-na-Gael circular of October, 1882,
clearly pointed to the use OF dynamite.
1t was this Clan-na-Gael whose leaders,
Closely associated with the Irish lead
ers, finally obtained, in April, 1888,
control of the entire movement In
America, henceforward retaining it.
The mass of evidence proved that the
Irish league in America had been since
directed by the Clan-na.Gael and had
been actively engaged in promoting the
use OF dynamite for the destruction OF
life and property in England. It further
proved hat while the CIan-na-Gael con-
trolled the league in America these
organizations concurrently collected
sums amounting to over $500, 900 for a
fund wherefrom payment should be
made TO Irish members OF the commons.
1t has not, however, been proved that
Parnell knew the position Of the Clan
na-Gael. The circulars of that body,
besides the evidence Of LeCaron, show
ing it's operations, were kept secret.