The San Francisco call., 1897-02-26
FATHER FADDE the Priest of Gweedor, IN Whose
Honor Farewell Reception Viii Be Given at METROPOLITAN
Temple the Evening of March TO-

experience in his native land, being twice
imprisoned for his fearless championship
of an oppressed people.
On the first occasion, in 1888, he had
made an address in behalf of the poor
ten ants who associated themselves to-
gether to defend themselves against the
rapacity of the landlords. For this he
spent six months in jail. Upon his release
he went over to England and there made
protest against the oppression of the peo-
pie.
Upon his return to his parish he was
welcomed by public demonstration. He
made g speech. A policeman lying in q
ditch at a distance of several rods re-
ported to the authorities what be thought
he had heard. A summons was issued
for the police under law against which
he had protested and he refused to re-
spond TO it. A warrant was issued, which
was served by an inspector of police with
drawn sword at the church door when the
reve rend father came from it on Sunday
morning surrounded by his people. The
peasants rushed to his assistance, believ-
ing, from the rough manner of the officer,
that he was being maItreated. In the
scrimmage the officer was killed. A reign
of terror in Gweedore followed.
Some twenty-five persons were arrested
with the priest, and the number increased
10 100 before the trial. Father McFadde n
was tried not upon the original complaint,
but tor the murder of the policeman.
Every effort was put forth to secure a con-
viction. First the crown secured q change
of venue; then a special jury of persons
having property valued at not less than
E10O. and from these, so careful was the
selection made, forty-two were required to
''stand aside" Still, such was the weight
of public opinion aroused everywhere,
shat tie effort failed, and upon pleading
guilty TO the simple offense OF in terfering
with an officer he was finally dismissed.
Father McFadden has for years stood
between the expressions of the landown-
ers and his peasant people. He has been
a protesting witness to scores OF evictions.
He has collected and distributed among
the people as much as f5C00 TO tide them
over in years when their barren lands
were unequal to the rent despite best
efforts and the strictest economy
"Wh hen l realized that this was simply
levying toll upon the generous for the
benefit of the relentless landlord, is it any
wonder | spoke plainly upon the sub
ject?" said Father McFadden in an inter
all been in vain, for l secured a reduction
OF 30 per cent in the rents as we'll as many
other betterments."
The mission of Father McFaddeu 10
this country is to make an appeal and
quicken interest in behalf OF the on
pressed people among whom he minis
,ers. The hard times ne found prevailing
here has initiated against the success OF
bis mission. Still he has done something
and hopes TO do more. The reception at
Metropolitan Temple, it is expected, will
do much TO advance his cause. 1t will
be an opportunity at least 10 inform the
public upon conditions that are scarcely
understood ana difficult of belief.
THE area OF Gweedore." said Father
McFadden last evening, ''is about A. 600
acres, of which "a 600 are held by the land
lords In Tee, so that about 20 900 are in
actual occupation of the tenants The
population numbers $50 families, with an
average number of five and half. The
gross valuation of the lands and improve
ments in occupation of tenants is fl2S3,
the valuation OF the land alone being but
f949 los. The value of the portion of
each family is thus less than Ell.
The average valuation OF land in
Gweedore is only pence. 1t is poor land.
you see, made up of black bog, brown
heather and gray granite, a.hard unpro-
ductive area but beautiful 10 look upon.
The soil is nearly all of the same type a
shallow surface of wet bog, with the red
dish water lying in the hoiiows resting on
floor of granite. Yet over the poor
product of this land there has been going
on fierce struggle for forty years between
landlord and tenant. In that time the
latter have seen the rise of and
been cursed by the lard specu-
lator-whu has grown rich while the
country is dotted with the heaps of stones
that mark the trail OF the evcting land
lord. In its prairie or natural siate-the
state in which it was handed over
by landlords to the original tenant
in title its value per acre is only
3 cents. One acre OF the rich land OF
Meath is worth forty acres here and the
cultivation of the Gweedore holding, if