At a meeting of the Limerick County Council on Saturday, chaired by Mr Patrick Vaughan, a resolution was proposed by Mr John Coleman. The resolution called for the recognition of the necessity of a pledge-bound party that would act as one unit on National questions in the British House of Commons. It also condemned individuals who claimed to be Nationalists but refused to sit, act, and vote with the trusted leader, John E. Redmond.
Mr Coleman passionately proposed the resolution, expressing his hope that the need for it would soon pass. However, some members, including Lord Emly, dissented from the resolution, seeing it as a potential attack on Mr William O’Brien. Lord Emly supported the idea of a pledge-bound party but was wary of any criticism directed at Mr O’Brien.
Mr Coleman denied any intention of attacking Mr O’Brien and reaffirmed his respect for him. He emphasized that the resolution was meant to address the broader concept of a pledge-bound party and not single out any individual.
During the discussion, Mr Ryan expressed support for a pledge-bound party but questioned the urgency of passing the resolution. He believed that the matter should be decided at a convention of the Irish people rather than by public bodies.
Mr O’Dwyer proposed an amendment suggesting that the Council should not intervene in the matter at all and that both sides were capable of handling the situation themselves.
In an attempt to find common ground, Mr MP.. O’Shaughnessy proposed an amendment that the Council would not accept anyone as their representative in County Limerick who did not agree to act as a member of a pledge-bound party.
Eventually, the resolution, with the amendment, was passed unanimously. It stated that any local member would not be accepted as a representative of the county if they did not sit, act, and vote with the Irish Parliamentary Party.
The discussion highlighted the importance of a unified stance on National issues within the party while also acknowledging the complexities surrounding individual choices and loyalties.
Limerick Echo – Tuesday 18 July 1905
