The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1904-03-05
EvICTED IRISH TENANTS.
Many Residing In the United states
Will Try to Recover Their
Old Farms.

Irish question which has ever presented
itself to the people of America is the
movement now on foot in various parts
of the United States among the people
who were evicted from their former
homes in ireland in the course of the
land struggle of the last twenty-five
years, to get back their former places
and return to the old country to live, says
the Boston Globe.
The passage of the new Irish land act
has proved that there are hundreds OF
such people scattered all over America,
most of whom are anxious to secure re-
instatement in their old homes. Some
desire it as matter of poetic justice and
for the satisfaction they would feel at
returning to the homes from which
they were driven ruthlessly forth by
irish landlordism.
Others believe that under the altered
condition of affairs life in the old coun-
try would be more pleasant for them
than that which they have been expert
encing here. Others still think they are
entitled to some compensation for the
loss of their property in Ireland, and
reinstatements to their farms being the
only means of securing it, they are de-
sirous of trying that method.
The new land act empowers the newly
formed land commission to take meas
ures for the reinstatement OF people
thus evicted where the eviction has TAX
en- place since August. 1878. or the be-
ginning of the Land league agitation.
This can only be done. however, in cases
where the landlords property is put up
for sale under the act But the national
leaders believe that within few years
the entire land of Ireland will have
been thus disposed of by the landlords
The land commission is authorized by
the act to advance to the evicted tenants
money for the purchase of their former
holdings with the consent of the present
occupier. where the landis occupied, and
provide compensation for those who now
occupy it. Where the land is still or
| the landlords hands the process of re-
instatement will be much simpler.
In practically every instance where
| negotiations have been going on for tht
purchase of their holdings by the Irisf
farmers since the passage of the act. they
| have demanded wherever evictions hat
taken place on their landlords propert,
| that the evicted tenants must be re
stored to their former holdings befor'
any purchase is effected Some of tn
landlords at the outset held out agains
this proposition, but as in the case of tn
Knight of Gin. son-in-law of Lord Dun
raven, they later on acceded to the de
mand of the tenants.
The officials of the United Irish Leagu
of America and the officers of 1t
branches all over the country have TO
several months past been actively en-
gagged in bringing the cases of thes
evicted tenants to the attention Of tn
organization in Ireland. and since tn
land bill went into operation on Noven
Der /, to the attention of the land com
mission itself, with the promise of exec
lent results.
The United Irish League in Irelan
has taken steps to secure the best legs
assistance in behalf of all the evicte
tenants as part of the programme of tn
national organization. Should th
movement toward reinstatement prov
a success it will not be the least of III
revolutionary steps which have bee
taken in regard to the Irish Land leagr
and carried on to-day by the United Iris
league.
Some so cases have already bee
brought before the land commission
the officials of the United Irish Leagl
of America, and of that number abo'
. one-half of those affected are at presel
. residents of Massachusetts,. particula
.. ly In the vicinity of Boston.