A further split in the ranks of the Anti-Parnellite faction
has revealed itself this week. A special general meeting of the shareholders of the Freeman was called on Monday to elect directors and ratify the amalgamation of the Freeman. with the National Press ; but so furious was the debating, that it was adjourned from day to day no less than four times. Its subject varied in form, but was always really the same,—viz., whether Mr. Healy or Mr. Dillon was to control the paper, and be regarded as the leader of the National Party. Archbishop Walsh, it appeared, had collected 8,620 proxies, and used them in support of Mr. Healy and Mr. Murphy. Mr. Dillon, on this fact being made known, said that if the affair were to be settled in that way, there would be "an end of the national movement,'Igand that Mr. Sexton had already, in consequence of Mr. Healy's action, ceased to attend committee meetings. Mr. Healy retorted that Mr. Dillon was "babyish," and the chairman of the meeting, Mr. Gray, "an ass," whereupon he was asked to be quiet in the name of decency, a request which the chair- man thought, when addressed to Mr. Healy, rather absurd. Altogether it was a regular Irish "row," though blackthorns were not produced, and leaves the impression that the Anti- Parnellite Party is all at sixes and sevens, with its real chief, Archbishop Walsh, determined that Mr. Healy shall be its Parliamentary leader. The quarrel was at last compromised on Thursday, both Mr. Healy and Mr. Dillon being elected directors ; but the "Board" can hardly be described as a Happy Family.
