The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-10-02
IRISHMEN CONFER.
Convention Of the National League
Begun at Chicago.
0'NEILL RYAN FOB CHAIRMAN.

A Breeze in Cno Credentials Com
mittee Over Privileges Granted to
6ubscribers-Sovent States and
Canada Represented by 500 Dele
cgatcs--The Resolutions Committee
CHICAGO, Oct. 2.-Possibly the most
important public gathering Of the Irish
race ever held this side of the Atlantic
began in Central Music hall yesterday.
1t was the convention of the Irish Ma
tional League Of America and of So
cieties and individuals throughout the
United States and Canada in sympathy
with that organization. The assem-
bling Of the delegates here simultaneously
with the great conference of Gladstone's
adherents at New Castle, England, pre-
paratory to general election in Great
Britain, was regarded by many as some-
thing more than coincidence.
Secretary John p. Sutton caused a
sensation at the very outset. He had
called the convention to order, and
when the cheering greeting his appear
ance subsided proceeded to read the call,
expressing regret at the absence through
illness Of President John Fitzgerald and
Vice President Patrick Martin, of Bal
timore. Secretary Sutton said the dele
gates had come at their own expense in
spite of hostile public opinion created
by men he was sorry from his heart to
say were Irishmen, but he urged them
to think only of their holy cause, and
put it at once, as 1t should be, on busi-
ness basis.
O'Neili Ryan for Chairman.
ONeil Ryan, of st. Louis, was intro
duced as temporary chairman of the
convention, and he promptly launched
into ringing address foreshadowing
the policy of the gathering.
1t was not until 8 o'clock that the del
egates got down to business. The delay
was due to the fact that a pretty warm
debate had taken place in the committee
on credentials. the delegates from the
regularly organized league by branches
entering protest against equal repre-
sentation being offered to those who
were present by virtue of having sub
scribed $s5 to the funds Of the league.
As it was distinctly stated. however,
that payment would entitle the donors
to full privileges, the objectors were
forced to give way.
Seventeen States Represented.
lho OutIullJI60b b TcpOTb luLOTHlPu Inc
$50 delegates in attendance, and fully
one half of whom were Chicagoans, that
the credentials for 500 people had been
handed in and that the states of Illinois,
Nebraska, Connecticut, Massachusetts,,
Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Missouri.
Michigan, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Tennessee, Maryland, New York, Geor-
gia, Kansas, Louisiana, as we'll as the
District of Columbia and Canada, were
legally represented. This report was
accepted with roar OF applause. The
temporary organization was made perma-
nent after M. B. Cannon, of Iowa, had
declined nomination for the chairman
ship, and then there was a lengthy de-
bate regarding the appointment of COM
mittees on resolutions, finance and con-
stitution. Some of the delegates wanted
the committees appointed by the chair,
but against this an earnest protest was
raised.
Delegates to Name tho Committees.
Delegate Sharon, of Iowa, who led the
objectors, declared that the actions of
the convention would have to be above
suspicion. The very existence of the
organization was involved, and the
committees should not only be selected
by the delegates themselves, but should
represent every conflicting opinion re-
garding the present condition of affairs
in Ireland. Finally, after several votes,
this view prevailed, and the state dele
cations went into caucus to name their
committeeman. This process consumed
the balance of the afternoon, and re-
cess was taken until today.
The committee on resolutions is COM
posed as follows: Daniel Cookery, IL
hnois; 4. H. O'Brien, District of Column
bia; William Tinan, New York; NJ. H.
O'Byrne, Georgia; P. Fl. Mcfarland,
Pennsylvania; NJ. V. Cannon, Nebraska;
]. G. Donnelly, Wisconsin; Dr. O'Reilly,
Missouri. j. q. Duggan, Colorado; Ed
Reynolds, Canada; D. G. O'Brien, Kan
sas; J. I. Morris, Maryland; G. j. Tyne,
Tennessee: T. T9omey, Michigan; Ed
Sweeney, Ohio; E. NJ. Sharon, Iowa;
Hugh $. Carroll, Rhode Island; Dennis
O'Neill, Connecticut; P. s. Curry, Massa-
chusetts; NJ. j. Beirne, Indiana.