The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-10-03
Strange Conditions Under Which
the American Branch Seems to
Have Existed.
Il Convention Prevented From
Across the Sea and Factions
Encouraged.
Remarkable Letter FROM John Dillon
lhe Platform Observes Neutrality To-
ward Parnell-Live1y Times.

bMMbA league OL hubEICh 8HOuAu Nd HI OI-
genization formally repudiate and con-
denim Parnell, no session Of the conven-
tion was held till two this afternoon. The
report OF John r. Sutton, secretary, re-
5yealsd a strange condition under which tho
league would appear to have existed, and
caused considerable surprise. 1t opened
with the declaration that President Fitz-
gerald, when elected year ago, believed
that the whole organization backed him.
bua he found out his mistake whom efforts
were made to demoralize and disrupt tho
lenRue. Tho report outlinesa startling mar
rative, with ledgers and kilograms to show
that time and time again convention
Of tho American league was prevented from
acress the water, while the officers Of the
league for not holding one were abused BY
faetionists in this country, encouraged by
Parnell and his colleagues, who are exhi-
bited as ssedulously.ignoring league official
whenever an opportunity offered. Prssi-
dent Fitzgerald is stated to have headed
the anti-eviction fund with q personal sub
scrirtion Of $4,000, and to have raised q
total Of nearly 100000 in his first effort
for struggling families in Ireland. Par
nell'a neglect short time later, in March,
1887, 10 acknowledge receipt, of the coer-
cion resolutions adopted by tho Nebraska
Legislature, are alluded to in contrast with
GlndAtope's prompt reply.
One PECULIAR disclosure made by Score
tary Sutton, to tho effect that during Octo-
bsr, 1883, Parnell, finding himself bound by
the agreement ro turn over to his lawyers
the fssil amount Of tho Times defense fund.
bsggsa Of President Fitzgerald. through
Jan.s j. O'Kelly. that while pushing coll
lections fund be obtained in America.
The wishes of Parnsl were complied with.
says the report, ''and very coon there was 9
howl from handful of factionists who
ensrgstioally in behalf of the London
Times saade the statement that Rev. DR..
O'ltss.45y was retaining money for improper
purpeysys.n' The climax Of Sutton's docu-
ment ID q letter dated from the house OF
commons, London, May q, 1890, from John
Dillon TO President Fitzgerald, marked
'' ''str;ssss st Nj fconfidential.o ItBays that Par
nell snEoests that the executive committees
should address Communication to him
(ParnelD recognizing the difficulties Great
cd by American party complications and
advising that he (PalnelD should
take steps to reconstruct the present organ
izaton in such manner az would allow the
various branches to communicate direct
with Dublin. ''IfNthe executive committee
can see their way to act upon the sugges-
tion Parnell authorizes me to say in reply
to communication from them, i will
writs thanking them for their great services
for the Irish cause, strongly disappearing
of the attacks that have been made upon
them, and stating that having inquired in
to the charges made against the executive
committee Of the league, I am satisfied that
they are utterly without foundation"
11rnri1npt N;fzoaralH rarlvinr g0i1 khG
members Of the executive committee could
not conceal their astonishment at the tenor
Of the communication to them, adding:
"We cannot but dissent from the suppo-
ation that American politics have in any
way interfered with or complicated
The record shows that while
members Of the executive committee were
of different political affiliations, they were
unanimous in their resolve to prevent any
such interference with the government Of
the league. As to the undesitability of a
central organization in America, that is
question which pertains exclusively to our
addressing q letter to Parnell recognizing
the difficulties created by American party
com mplications, and advising that he should
take steps to reconstruct the present organ
ization in such manner as would allow varl-
GUS branches to communicate cirec5 with
dublin, lG Is OuS WHICH tUo COltSClcuCo Ol
the executive committee cannot conform
to. We are not now, nor have we ever
been, unmindful Of the fact that we took
Office under pledges to conduct the
league as q body auxiliary to the
national party i'll Ireland. and as such we
have always been. guided by their advice
and directions. So we do not propose at
this late date to adopt Il different policy,
but we are not seaking 4 certificate OF char
aoter from any one for having acted i'll every
instanoe in conformity with Parnells OK
pressed desires.''
The contest over the platform developed
into an open split Of the committee and at
two p. M. Sharon. of Iowa. Donnelly, OF
Wisconsin, O'lsyrne, of Georgia were franz
ing a minority report against neutrality
toward Parnel. The majority report, it
was understood prior to its presentation III
the convention mentioned neither
Parnell nor Mccarthy, but demand
cd a firm, united front on the part OF the
people of Ireland.