The morning call., 1891-12-14
POLITICAL RIOT.
Fierce Conflict Between Factions
in Ireland.
BldCkthOrnS Freely Used and YolleyS Of
Stones Hurled Through The Air.
Michael DaYitt Seriously Wounded - The
ParHsIite Crowd Bitterly De-
lOllced By 0'Brien.
Special to THE MORNING CALI

DUBLIN. Dec. 13.-Michael Davitt, the
famous irish leader, was seriously wounded
during a riot at Waterford City to-day.
Davitt and William O'Brien had gone to
Waterford in support of the candidature of
Mr.. Keane, the nominee of the Mccarthy
ties for the seat in Parliament made vacant
by the death of Richard Power. Keane's
opponent is Mr.. Redmond, member of the
Parnell wing of the Irish party. Dayitt
was strongly urged by the McCarthyites to
stand for Waterford, but he declined to do
So and in consequence OF his refusal Keane
was made the nominee. No particulars of
the affray in which Davitt was wounded
have as yet been received.
Later reports from Waterford show that
the riot this afternoon was one of the most
sanguinary and vicious of any of the politi-
cal rows that have recently attended the
discussions in Irish towns of rival leaders.
Omnous rumors of an impending row had
been exciting the populace for some time.
and force of 600 police had been drafted
into the town in hopes that their presence
would secure order.
The Parnellite leaders, Redmond, Leamy
and Dalton, had been in Waterford some
days. This afternoon special trains brought
hundreds OF the supporters of the rival can
didates, and series of contingents armed
with blackthorn shillelahs marched through
the streets to the music of brass bands.
DaYltt and others were also attended by a
band OF music and proceeded TO the quarters
OF the National Commercial Club.
En- route mob of Parneilte followers
began of the on hot hos
characterized the prevailing hOstiites.
The opposing crowds fought at very close
quarters and surged to and fro through the
streets. utterly regard less OF the presence of
the police. Nolleys of stones were hurled
through the air and blackthorns moved
with vicious celebrity. A great many of the
rioters were taken to hospitals or to the
police station to receive surgical attention.
In the midst of the fray Davitt received
nasty cut on the forehead, from wh ch blood
flowed freely. Tanner and others We're in
1ured by stones. At last the police formed
q Gordon and divided the opposing mobs
and the Davltt crowd reached the club
rooms.
The police were entirely unable to ouell
the contest. The respective bands had
horns twisted and drums torn into shreds,
Constant skirmishes continued until the
Dayitt crowds reached their rendezvous.
After DavittS wounds were dres Sed he ap-
peared at the window of the clubhouse aud
spoke briefly. Mr.. Redmond upon hearing
of the affair drove to Davitt's hotel and left
note expressing regret for what had Oc-
Cured.
O'BrieD msde the speech of the day,
bitterly denouncing the assault upon his
friends and saying that the crowds who in
jured Davitt had struck glorious blow for
the Irish cause. Daytts answer to that
blow was that now he was candidate for
Waterford. O'Brien in conclusion accused
the police of using their batons more in
favor of the attacking mob than otherwise.
The police, he asserted, protected the
Parnellites while the force of their blows
was devoted to the McCarthyites