At the meeting of the Association already alluded to, Mr.O'Brien made a most noble speech, inculcating education, self-reliance, organisation and progress, without stooping to refer to the perplexed question, which filled his audience with angry passions, and supplied the other speakers with intemperate enthusiasm.
The whole endeavours of the Seceders were at this time devoted to the organisation of clubs or reading rooms on an educational basis.
Connected with this object was the augmentation of the Repeal revenue, which was anticipated from the extended action of these political and social schools.

The funds were greatly diminished, and the weekly collections had fallen to an average of about L150.

It became necessary, as much as possible, to curtail the expenses, and a reduction of a very serious amount was effected during Mr.O'Connell's absence at Derrynane.
The effort was continued after his arrival in town, which led to differences of opinion with him, in committee.

Sinecure situations, created by him, were abolished, and inquiries were instituted which gave him great annoyance.

He particularly resented and resisted the removal from one of those offices of Doctor Nagle.