The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-31
IRISH CONVENTION 4
REPRESENT ALIVE ONE
Men from All the Local Councils
Were at the National
Meeting.
Journal Special Service.
= BY Timothy J. O,Connor.

tional convention is over and gone
there should be in the aftermath no
Of either the representative
character or the political Importance
Of the great assembly of representative
Irishmen that met in the Dublin man
sion house to deliberate on the national
policy. And probably never was there
a more representative gathering Of
Irishmen. Abstracting altogether from
the branches Of the national organiza-
ton which selected delegates num-
Der that bears fattering testimony to
the efficiency of the Officer Of the
organization, if one takes merely the
county and borough councils, it is safe
to say that the convention represented
the overwhelming majority Of the coun-
ellis charged with the local govern
ment of the country. The men who
have on, the whole made excellent use
Of their recently won liberty in local
affairs and justified the capacity of
Irishmen for self government were rep
resented by the hundred.
r. :. Never in Better Trim,
But it is in the fighting political
organization that the energy and the
force Of the movement depends, and
the convention demonstrated that the
national organization never was in bet
ter trim. 1t welcomes to it's delibera-
tions the delegates Of such organiza-
tons as the Ancient Order of Hiber-
mans, the Land and Labor association,
the National Foresters, all having other
objects, it is true, but all having an
interest in the nationalist cause. The
Irish clergy are practically ex-officio
members Of the body, and they were
present in sufficient numbers to
demonstrate the interest that they are
still taking in the struggles for wider
political and economic freedom for
ireland. .. ~ +... 49,.
Full Scope for Discussion.
The Interesting thing about the con
vention was that it offered the fullest
alone will go long ways towards pre-
venting the growth Of any faction
which was afraid to appeal to the tri
bunal set up by the national conven
ton. ..... 49,.
/ eff those who think they are wise
than all Of the representatives O.
Nationalist Ireland rolled into one,
said leading Irish authority, "hav
had an opportunity Of stating thei
case as they had at this convention
why should they complain. Here wa
an open court and a fair field for an,
nationalist who believes that he ha
a better policy than the Irish leader
have been pursuing and if he is no
willing to submit the subject matter t.
such a convention then there must b
something the matter with the man
his cause.
/ Heart of Problem.
AS for the discussions now going O.
!, regarding the ultimate effects of tn
movement, the proposals Of John Fitz
gibbon undoubtedly go to the hear
Of the problem. Abolition Of the zones
restoration Of inspection, priority TO
the claims Of the congested district
and the evicted tenants and the in
mediate withdrawal Of Mr.. Wyndham
instructions to the estates commission
ers are the leading points of his pr
posals. He also favors compulsory sail
But until fair and proper standar
Of price is restored by the abolitio
1 of the zones and the restoration OF
system of businesslike inspection, con
, pulsory sale at a fair price will +
impossible. The establishment Of ia
: standard Of price would seem to be tt
need Of the hour in agrarian' legisl'
! ton. And after the land question til
home rule question, judging from tt
:. discussions that went on in connectic
with the holding Of the national CO.
vention, the national administration
Irish education would appear to be
question that goes to the root Of man
!. annthar Irish question.