The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-09-01
MEETING OF IRISH LEAGUE Will Raise Money For English Campaign. PLATFORM IS ADOPTED Renews Allegiance to Cause
 of Independence. Warm Trisue is Paid to the Services of Redmond, O'Brsen, Davttt,
 O'Connsr, Lake and Their
 Colleagues.

of the United Irish League of Ameri- ca there was no program for the pro- ceedings. but most of the morning ses- sion was taken up by the reports of the various committees which were ap- ponted yesterday and the secretary's report. Secretary John Buckingham read 0 resolution adopted at a meeting of Slavic American citizens in the city last night. expressing sympathy for the Irish people in their struggle for and wishing that their efforts may be crowned with success in the near future.
 Secretary Buckingham also read letter of regret from President Roose- welt. Letters of regret also were read from Judge Parker, the Democratic Presidential nominee. Cardinal Gibbons and Archbishop Ryan.
 Secretary O'Callaghan said that while the league had added materially to its strength. influence and numbers dur ing the past year, he believed that still greater progress could be made in the future. To accomplish this he be- lieved that in the selection of the new national committee only such persons should be chosen as declare their will ingness to work energetically in the cause. One-sixth of the membership of the national committee appointed at Boston last year have never once responded to an official communication addressed to them. He recommended that the new national committee be clothed with the power to replace members of the committee who show themselves to be indifferent to the suc- cess of the cause.
 Warm Debate Arises.
 There was a warm debate over the question of increasing the national committee from fifty to 100 members.
 John F. Ryan of Philadelphia, speak ing for the Pennsylvania delegation, argued that New York should not have any more representation on the nation- al coufnfttee thaasany other State. He said the New York branch of the league had not contributed as much ts the common fund as 1t ought to have done, considering its size. there being more Irishmen in New York than in the city of Dublin.
 ously resented MT. Ryan's attack on the Irishmen of New York State. de- claring it to be unjust.
 Coloonel Sullivan of Louisanna made a plea for increasing the national com mittee to 100, insisting that the South had no proper representation in the executive committee of the League.
 During the discussion the convention was in an uproar and 1t was some time before Chairman Finnerty was able to restore orues.
 The amendment that tho executive committee be increased from fifty to 100 was defeated by four votes. Those voting against 1t numbered 134 and fbOsa for fl 120 TbiS nlosad the storm v scene.
 The platform adopted by the conven- tion. after renewing the pledge of the Leagues alliance to the cause of Irish national independence, the right of Ireland to have a parliament of her own, say.
 Work for Independence.
 We assert the right of the Irish people to procure thei~ independence by any honorable method, by work or by word, by voice or sword, as circum- stances may dictate. or opportunities may offer, but we fully admit the right to choose their weapons in the battle for liberty untrammelcd by dictation from any outside source, realizing that the people on the firing line of tho fight for nationhood are the best judg- es of the policy to be adopted in their struggle with the wealth and power of England"
 The convention recognizes the "In- calculable services rendered by John F. Redmond. William OBrien, Michael Davitt, T. P. OConror. Edward Lake and theiV able colleagues. services which no material value can represent or recompense, and earnestly appeal to Irishnen in America to sustain them in their struggle with a generosity yun nv nT ha arIO of ha Irish race and of the cause to which they are unalterably devoted"
 A member of the committee of ways and means read a report from the com mittee in which it was stated that 1t Is the intention of this committee to raise $50,000 before the first of next year for the general election fund to be used in England and Ireland.
 Michael J. Currey, the New York member of the committee, told the con vention that New York will contribute $10.0O0 toward the fund.
 Chairman Finnerty announced that Charles F. Murphy. the Tammany lead CT. had promised to give $1,O00 to the fund.
 Letters Are Read.
 The letters from Secretary Loeb, for the president, and Judge AL ton B. Parker were as follows
 White House.
 Washington, D. C., Aug. 24.
 My Dear Sir'--Your letter of the 23rd instant with enclosuFe has been re- celved and the President very much ap- preciates tho kind invitation extended to him by the United Irish League of America. He regrets. however, that 1t will be out of the question for him to be present on the occasion to which you refer. He has been compelled to decline all invitations for the present and to make an exception in q particu. lar case would cause dissatisfaction and embarrassment Thanking you in the Presidents behalf for your courtesy, am,
 Very truly yours.
 William Loeb.
 Secretary to the President. Judge Parker's letter was as fol- lows:,
 Esopus, N. Y., Aug. 24. 1904 My Dear Sir:-Please accept my thanks for the invitation of the Uni ted Irish League of America to be