Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-16
FAIR PLAY FOR IRISH
Traders Protest Against British Bias
in Letting Contracts.
OLD RULE BENEFITS BRITISH
Emerald Merchants Must Ship Goods
to England and Back.
QUEER RELIGIOUS SECT MEETS
Plain Dress and Poverty Are Tenets
of Their Faith.
QUEER RELIGIOUS SECT MEETS
PILGRIMS TO CRoAGH PATRIcI
twenty Thousand Persons Make Jour-
ney in Honor of Patron saint
Postal Authorities strike mt
Sim Fein Movement.

DUBLIN, Aug. -NSpeclall-AnoNntI
effort is being made to secure fairer treat
nent for Ireland in the matter Of contracts
for the supply Of materials to the various
departments Of the Irish government.
deputation from the Dublin Industrial De-
velopment association waited few days
ago on Mr. +. II. Russell M. p, the vice
president OF the Department Of Agricul-
turc to ask him to use his Influence with
the postofflce, the War office and the ad-
mlralty with that end in view.
Although, as the result OF prolonged agi-
tation, a sample office was established In
Ireland few years ago at which Irish
bidders may display samples of their goods,
the amazing rule is still maintained that
the successful bidder must send all his
goods to England for inspection and ac-
ceptanee and must then bring them back
to Ireland and deliver them to the de-
partments by which they are to be used,
paying carriage on them both ways This,
OF course. puts the Irish manufacturer at
once out Of the bidding in competition with
his English rival. The position of Ireland
is the more anomalous from the fact that
in Scotland there are separate inspection
and receiving offices and the Scottish man.
ufacturers are thus enabled to supply all
the goods used by the government depart
ments in their country.
An amazing instance of the discrimina-
tion against Ireland was quoted by MEM
ber of the deputation. 1t Is the custom Of
the Postoffice department to send all It's
old books and papers to London, laying
$3.50 ton freight on them, where they are
sold as waste paper to Jewish firms at
$64 a ton. When 1t was pointed out that
they could be sold profitably in Dublin
and that such sale would provide work for
a large number OF Dublin people the post
office authorities refused to consider the
matter because of the necessity OF setting
up an inspecting staff in Dublin, although
the profit on the sale OF the old material
would pay the wages of the staff and
leave substantial margin.
Cooneyites In Convention.
The little vIllage of crooknacrieve, near
Enniskillen. is the scene OF the convention
OF one of the most remarkable religious
sects OF modern times. The convention,
i which is to continue all summer. Is at
tended by about 1000 persons from all parts
Of the world. including America. and is be-
ing held at the birthplace of the sect. The
members of the sect call themselves pill
grims, but they are familarly known as
Cooneyites, from the name of Mr.. Edward
Cooney OF Enniskillen, their founder.
The sect, which is only four years old
bases it's belief on a literal Interpretation
OF the scripturai injunctions to poverty.
The Cooneyites are, in fact practical COM
munists, something like the American
ghakers They live in communities of their
own and they own all things in common,
and produce everything that they use them
selves. Both men and women affect the
plairyest dress. the women wearing black
skirts and blouses and sailor hats, while
the men wear no collars or ties and neither
men nor women are permitted TO possess a
change OF garments. Immersion in a rum
nir.g stream is their form of baptism,
The persons in attendance at the conven-
tion are living in tents on Mr.. Cooneys
farm and the old farm house has been
turred into central catering establishment
for the great multitude. The Cooneyites are
respected by the country people about En-
niskillen, who say that they ~are honest
people and good neighbors
Pay Homage 10 st. Patrick.
The great pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick,
the sacred mountain near Westport, County
Mayo. to which It is said ST. Patrick re-
tired for prayer and rest after his labors In
Ireland, was attended this year by more
than 20.O00 persons including pilgrims from
America, France, England, Scotland and
italy. From dawn until dark there was a
continuous stream of people climbing the
preeipitous mountain to attend the services,
which were held without a break through
out the day In the oratory on the summit.
The pilgrimage Is OF very ancient origin.
references to II in the sixth century having
recently been discovered in the Vatican
records. The pilgrimage, which has never
been totally abandoned, was revived on a
large scale a few years ago.
The agitation over the wearing of the
Irish kilt In the House OF Lords has drawn
attention to an interesting organization
which II is hoped will soon visit America.
A few years ago a band OF young Gaelic
enthusiasts Of Armagh organized the
"o'Nenl Pipers," and as a result of their
efforts the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland
now possesses a band OF pipers who wear
the ancient Irish dress and produce the
ancient Irish music on the instrument of
the Gael. The OMEN pipers are in great
demand at all national festivals In Ireland
and experts from Germany. where the
study of Gaelic dialects and customs is
very far advanced declare that they have
succeeded in reproducing the ancient dress
ohd music TO perfection.
The British pcstoffice has evidently be-
come alarmed at the growth Of the Sim
Fein movement and has issued an order
directed at the Sim Fein stamp. This
stamp was issued a few months ago to
assist In raising funds for the Sim Fen
daily paper which Is 10 appear early next
year and was used by all sinn> Feiners on
their letters In addition 10 the regular
postoffice stamp. The postmaster general
has now issued an order that no letters
which bear any stamps other than those
issued by the govern ment shall be de-
liyered.
A nrkin containing 900 pounds OF butter
which had lain buried In a bog al Fal-
Iagherane. County Tyrone. has just been
dug up by farmer named William Neely.
The frkin was twelve feet under ground
and the butter, which was OF pale yellow
color. vas perfectly fresh and as good sp-
l.ArantlI a. the DAY Il was buried.