New-York tribune., 1906-05-31

illness. To-day the hospital beseged by
anxious inquirers. John E. Redmond. leader
of the Irish party in Parliament, was frequent
inquirer by telephone from the House Of Com
mons. and gave up his proposed Continental trip
over the Whitsuntide holidays In consequence
of the condition of his friend, the father Of the
Irish Land League. After a rally last night
Mr.. Davitt was able to speak to those at his
bedside. but soon sshowed that he was losing
ground.
Among the last callers at the hospital tonight
was Lord Hemphill. on behalf Of the Earl Of
Aberdeen Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and the
Countess of Aberdeen.
Mr. Davitt retired from the representation or
South Mayo in Parliament in 1899. but TO the
last took a keen interest In the politics OF his
country.
Death was due to blood poisoning which fol-
lowed two operations for necrosis of the Jaw
bone, and spread so rapidly that all efforts TO
stav its course were unavailing. Mr.. Davitts
illness began with an attack of toothache 10
which he Maid no attention until John Dillon
urged him to have recourse TO medical advice
For some time there We're hopes for his re-
co,,er, but the state of his health. which was
undetermined bv exertions at the recent general
elections greatly handicapped his progress
Michael Davitt was in his DAY one oi 'io 49,
striking figures in the Irish Nationalist party ne
rose from obscurity be not only Jourhaiis' oi
,enute but was thought by many the most IN
teIlectuaI force in Irish national poltlcs-- ms
severest critics said that his mind leaned more 10
the quiet of literary pursuits than the NOISE VI
nolitical life He born near Straoe' Couii'S
Mayo Ireland, in 1876 -
HIS father was a tenant farmer. and few years
af,ar his birth Young Davitt felt the sting OF
eviction which left impression on him tnat ue-
veloped later into bitter hatred or the lahuiolu
system The Davitts emigrated TO America set
fling near Scranton. Young Davitt went to Eng
land a few wears after his family moved here, and
got employment in Lancashire cotton MILL where
he lost his right arm.
He was a newsboy for while. then a printer ,
devil and eventually got a position as assistant
letter carrier In 1865 he Joined the Fenian Broth
erhood He had been studying at night, ana on
entering the brotherhood had good command Of
the English language He was tried in London In
1870 for treason felony and sentenced TO fifteen
years penal servitude. He was released in 1871 on
ticket of leave"
In 1879 he helped Charles Stewart ParneH TO or
ganize the Land League. The same year ne was
arrested again on a charge of making seditious
speech, but prosecution was abandoned
In 1880 he made tour of the United States In
the interest of the Land League. organizing branch
bodies in every big city. He arrested again
on his return 10 England in 1881. and back to
penal servtude. He vas released on May o. lSS2'
rearrested the following year. and sentenced 10
three months Imprisonment.
He was first elected to Parliament while he was
in the Portland convict prison in 1882 but was dis
qualified by special vote Of the House of Com
mons for non-expiry of the treason.felony, SEN
tence. He was defeated for member from Water
ford City in 1891 and sent from North Meath
in 1892 On petition ne was removed and the same
year he was returned unopposed from North East
Cork
He resigned in 1893 owing to the bankruptcy pro-
ceedings arising out of the North Meath election
petition; in 1895 he returned unOppoSed from
East Kerry. and South Mayo, while making a tour
of Australia. He resigned in 1893 protest
against the Boer War.
After that he travelled extensively in this country
and Northern Europe In 1856 he married Miss
Mary Yore. OF st Joseph Mich. by whom he had
three sons and daughter. Mr. Davitt was a
writer as we'll a speaker. His latest book was a
history OF the Boer War.