The Parnell Commission.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 211, 20 October 1888, Page 3

The Parnell Commission.

[rm mail steamer.] Tbx Special Judicial Commission for the investigation of the Times charges against Parnell and other leaders of the Irish party met on 17th September in London. Judge Hannen presided. The small and gloomy courtroom was erowded to suffocation. There were upward) of 200 reporters present. Judge Hannon announced that the enquiry would be confined to the persons accused and the charges and allegations made in the O'Donnell trial. It was decided that the proceedings should begin with an enquiry into the authenticity of the Parnell letters. The gist of the journal’s ease is given in a conversation with Mr Graham (one of the counsel) and Judge Hannen. 11 Do you propose," said the Judge, to substantiate any of the charges?”

“We propose,” answered the lawyer, “to give you all the information we can.” The judge repeated the same question, and got the same answer. He asked it a third time, and Mr Graham said, y I propose to lay before yon all the information we have, which wo believe will lead to substantiate the charges and aliegaticns that have been made.” Judge Hannen : What charges?

Mr Graham: That I cannot tell. lam not in a position to tell your lordship, but I shall the day before you sum up the evidence. We do not make charges against any particular person, but we say the entire Irish organisation has been acting in thia way. Sir Charles Russell, who acted for Parnell, made application for the photographs of the letters alleged to have been written by his client, and it was granted.

Sir Charles Russell further asked the Commissioners to send a commission to America to take evidence. He next requested Dillon’s release, that he might be enabled to prepare his evidence. Referring to the documents ■aid to be in the hands of The Times, he said he particularly desired to see the EganHarris letter, which he pronounced a forgery. The Times’ attorneys said they were willing to produce all letters in their possession, but objected to an order for the discovery of the documents. Sir C. Russell insisted that the case should not proceed until the Commission decided the question as to the production of all documents in possession of The Times. Judge Hannen said: Assuming that the Commission thought they had jurisdiction to order the discovery of the documents, what Nstrictions would Sir C. Russell claim? Sir Charles stated he wanted to know if The Times charged Parnell or his associates complicity in the Phoenix Park murMr Graham replied that The Times would produce evidence to substantiate all the charges made in the articles on “ Rarnellism and Crime.” The order of the discovery asked for by Sir C- Russell was granted. The Court thought that the details against the persons accused by The Times ought to be given. The enquiry by the Court would be thorough and followed to the end. Sir C. Russell’s application for a commission to examine Patrick Egan in the United States was refused, but if he testified in England he would receive a certificate of idemnity. Dillon was released on 18th September, but will not appear at the public sitting of the Court. An order was given for the inspection of the banker's books belonging to the National League, after which the Commission decided to adjourn to 22nd October. The Irish party profess much satisfaction with the situation. The Commission is made up of Judges Hannen, Smith and Day. Startling evidence is expected before the Parnell Commission. Several Irish conspirators undergoing imprisonment in England have offered to make disclosures, with the hope of obtaining a remission of their sentences. These disclosures will relate to the dynamite conspiracy in Ameiica. It is believed these witnesses will be called in Parnell’s action against the Times.