The Savannah morning news., 1903-04-17
FOR The LAND BILL
IRISH CONVENTION VOTED AL
MOST UNANIMOUSLY.
WAS WILD WITH DELIGHT
OVER THE PROSPECT WYNDHAM'S
BILL OFFERS.

John Redmond Presided Over the
Necting-IndOrsed the Land Bill.
Patrick White Moved Its Rejec-
ton, but LOst-Entire Convention
RnIIied to One View and Is
pledged to stand United.
Dublin, April 16.-By a unanimous
vote the Irish National convention,
which met here to-day, accepted in
principle the Irish land bill introduced
in the House of Commons by Mr..
7Nvndham, chief secretary for Ire
land. and entrusted to John Redmond
and his party the task of securing in
the House of Commons that serious
amendment in various points of vital
jmportance' which the national con-
cress may consider essential.
The convention tomorrow will OUT
line the shape the amendments should
take and on Saturday Lord Dunraven,
Lord Mayo, Capt. Shawe-Taylor, John
Redmond, William O'Brien and T. w.
Russell are likely to meet at a round
conference table to discuss the land
lords and tenants opinions on the
lana bill and try to arrive at COM
mon basis of parliamentary action.
To-day's proceedings at the conven-
ton revealed discomfort with various
features of the bill, but nothing so
serious as to indicate a danger of it's
Ultimate rejection. Even Michael Da-
witt, who had an opportunity of divid-
int fXUn
POSING camps, and who amidst dra-
matte excitement subordinated his own
views, pledged himself to abide by the
verdict. John Redmond and William
O.B1ien triumphed over all objections;
indeed, the DIRECTORS, save Michael
Davitt, were scarcely given a hearing
by the delegates.
In the Historic Round Room.
Convention met in the historic Round
room of the mansion house.
About 1000 delegates assembled In
the crowded rotunda. which was in
capable of holding all who had come
from every part of Ireland to discuss
the Irish land bill. On the platform
sat almost@every Nationalist member
of Parliament, with scattering of
prelates.
In the body of the rotunda was a
gathering seldom equalled in repre-
sentative capacity. Farmers from
Clare, in top boots; 1aborers from
Dublin county, landlords from Cork,
and priests from all parts. the latter's
fol Lot c
ing pleasantly with the bright home
spun apparel of the majority. 1t was
essentially a convention of the soil,
though lighter touch was given by
the presence of the we1l-dressed wo-
men who filled the galleries.
Lord Mayor Harrington and Michael
Dayitt indicted John Redmond into
III the chalr and the delegates rose to
thelr feet, cheered and waved their
mats. Mr.. Redmond opened the pro-
ceedlnSs with an impressive speech.
solemn and Momentous.
This convention" he declared, sis
Inc most solemn, the most momentous
event IN the history of living Irish
men, with the exception of the intro
uuctlon of the home rule bill. There
are in the lives of nations, as there
are IN the lives of individuals, oppor-
lonittes which once lost can never be
Iegalned. Such an occasion 1 believe
the present to be-
Mr. Redmond begged his hearers to
ieinemoer their tremendous RESPONSE
bility. If they rejected the bill it was
Gead forever, and the greatest pros
poet of freedom since the Infamous
act OF union was passed" would disap-
pear. Continuing, he said:
Whatever defects Mr.. Wyndham's
Dill has, and 1 am inclined to mini
Hllze them, its object is the complete
and final abolition of landlordism in
aII It's essentials. ireland is united
as she never was before. Each man
must we'll weigh his words and re-
member that the whole future of his
country and the welfare of his chill
ufen and that of unborn generations
may depend upon the conventions de-
cslon | hope no man will advocate
renewing the struggle of the land war
without knowing what that renewal
means-the indefinite delay of indus
tflal and economic welfare and even of
political freedom"
Redmond Plead for Peace.
Mr.. Redmond deprecated carping
criticism and advocated a friendly IS
CQssion of the suggested amendments.
ne hoped the convention would pass
Mr. OBrien's motion welcoming the
OH and amending it in various partic-
uiars and entrusting the amendments
10 the decision of the Irish Parliamen-
tary party.
And" concluded Mr.. Redmond, "let
us give the world which is watching
US by our orderhness, wisdom and re-
etialht, proof of our capacity for self
government"
Lengthy addenda had been provided
LOT to-day's proceedings. These con-
sisted of many proposed amendments
70 the details of Secretary Wynd-
mans proposals. The chief movers
We're William O'Brien and Michael
DaVltt. The former, while congratu-
I1tlng Ireland on the fact that the
british ministry had introduced a bill
accepting in principle, after centuries
VI struggle, that the land should be
,estored to the people of Ireland,
Urged the delegates to press amend
tents enlarging the financial scope of
~. .ne Dill Mr.. O'Brien, however, asked
, Iile convention to entrust to the Par
-iaIl entary party the power and re-
spohslbility of eventually dealing in
N'iiiinlttee stage with the amendments.
oBrien Scored the Landlords.
o, while begging the delegates to let
s"eT parliamentary representatives
stue the matter Mr.. O'Brien attack
Ss G the landlords, Irish judges and Brit
4Su rule with fha aarY7a xyfy