Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-28
THE TIPPERARY TRIAL.
EVIDENT EFFORTS OF THE GOVERNMENT
TO PRoLoNe IT.

One Point Gained by the Defendants-A
Formal Protest Against the Magistrate.
Causes n Seusation-The Opening of the
Testimony.
DUBLIN, September 27.-There is no
abatement of interest in the trial of the
conspiracy cases against the Nationalist
leaders, now In progress at Tipperary. The
proceedings yesterday created very gen.
eral impression that the Government was
deliberately trying to prolong the trial as
far as possible. The adjournment took
place yesterday afternoon before Mr. Roman,
the Grown Prosecutor, had finished his
opening speech. At the session this morn
ing the speech was concluded
1t was the desire of the Crown Prosecutor
that the cases should be tried separately.
and that the magistrates were inclined al
first to consider that the proper course. To
this the defendants unitedly objected, urg-
ing the Court to hear all the cases at once.
The magistrates at last yielded to the per-
sistence of the defendants, and decided in
favor OF the collective hearing. Mr.. Roman
was evidently disappointed at this decision,
and was reluctant to accept it. He declared
that he bowed to the decision of the magis-
trates because be must, and said he would
refrain from expressing in any fairness.
Tho Nntionalists EIatcd.
The Nationalists were considerably
elated at scoring in this point The sensa-
tional feature OF the morning was renewed
attack of the defendants on Magistrate
Shannon. 1t will be remembered that on
Thursday both John Dillon and William
o'Brien protested against Shannon's sitting
in the case and gave reasons why they
thought he might be biased in his judg-
ments when they weee concerned.
The peremptory manner in which these
protests were decided of no weight was very
eIasperating 10 the Nationalist. They de-
cided after careful consultation to bring be-
fore the court their objections to Mr.. Shan.
non in more formal way. They prepared
with much care statement of the reasons
why the defendants severallv and collec-
lively objected to being brought before that
Magistrate.
This statement was made in the form of an
affidavit to which, each of the defendants
affixed his signature and took oath. This
affidavit the defendants took into court this
morning, and when a favorable moment
came, attempted to present it to the bench.
II Caused seusntiou.
The Nationalist who were in the secret
were on the alert to see what the effect of
their bombshell would be. The magistrates.
who had received no intimation of the de-
fendants' purpose, were taken completely
BY surprise. AS soon as they understood
the nature Of the document they perempto-
rily declined to receive it.
Instantly, Mr.. Roman, counsel for the
Crown, was on his feet denouncirg the
action oil the defendants. 1t was difficult
he declared, to find language strong enough
fttingly to characterize il. The document
thev had soug ht to present to the lnacis-
trates was al infamous libel on Mr.. Shan
non.
Mr.. Shannon himself pronounced the affi-
davit ian attempt to make a scandal of
Justice." This expression was greeted by
the defendants with roars Of hilarious lauph-
ter, which was not easily checked, despite
the rebuke Of the Bench. Then the taking
Of testimony was commenced.