Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-08-25
A NEW PARLIAMENTARY POINT.
Colonel O'Keefe Creates u Laugh at the
Eenian Convention.

AT the Philadelphia Fenian convention
In 1865 violeu5 discussion between the
two factions was interrupted by the an
nounctncnt that An envoy from Ireland"
had just arrived with important informa
ton from the men in the gap" The zen
vuy" entered the hall amid a look of ex-
pectancy and advanced to the platform
with "a iashhg, military stride. He was
about 20, fresh faced, with IA huge blond
mustache and pair of azure eyes that
fairly blazeG.
This WAS Captain James Murphy, an he
role officer of the Army of the Potomac,
who had risked liberty and even life to
accomplish his mission He was received
with loud cheers rs O'Mahony took the
packet of the Irish executive from his
hands and introduced him in feeling words.
The colonel then asked: is everything
secure' Are the spies guarded against'"
NO" responded a voice; there is no
sentinel in the gallery"
will some member volunteer for the
duty" inquired the head center.
Il will" shouted wiry little merchant
tailor from Cairo, Ills, whom our delega
lion had dubbed Colonel O'keefe.'
Let the gentleman into the loft" said
O'Mahony, land let him remain there IN
til this reading is finished"
OKeefe left for his post Of duty with the
air of Macdonald when he was ordered to
charge and break the Austrian center at
Wagram.
After order was restored O'Mahony pro-
ceeded with the reading. The document
painted the situation in Ireland in hues the
most roseate
AS the reading was drawing to close
and while the convention was hushed in
rapt attention a voice from the gallery
broke the spell and startled the multitude.
"Mr. Speaker-Mr. Speaker. sir!'
What is it-what does the gentleman
wish" inquired O'Mahony, rather aston
ished at the vociferous interruption.
Now, Colonel O'Keefe, like some of his
re,hren, had been ont the previous night
eating oysters and drinking bottled ale, and
he was hardly in physical condition for a
prolonged vigil. His mind WAS filled with
fragments of parliamentary lore which had
been hurled around the convention cham
Der during the preceding two days,
"Mr Speaker sir want to get down
out of this"
THE gentleman" said O'Mahony in his
most sepulchral tones, must remain where
he is until this document is read through
The men at home must not be exposed to
danger. The gentleman will please not in
terrupt any more"
Colonel keefe subsidized for the time be
ing, and the reading was again proceeded
with. In the middle of a most important
and exciting paragraph the voice from the
gallery again made itself heard.
Mr. Speaker-Mr Speaker, STRIP
what is it now2" growled out O'Maho-
ny, knitting his brows, brushing back his
thick brown hair from his white forehead
and looking decidedly savage,
MIR Speaker, sirl'' yelled Colonel
O'keefe. "Begorra, sir, rise to point of
necessity"
The convention Immediately shook with
a very earthquake Of prolonged merriment,
O'Mahony himself going almost into con-
WILSON'S of laughter. After he had some
what recovered his composure he said, Let
the gentleman ont, and the episode ended,
John f. Finerty in Donahoe's Magazine,