The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-11-24
Church Speculation, Church SpolintiOn-
Where arc the Revenues!

Where arc the Revenues!
We found it necessary, few days since, to
give publication to few simple and undenlabe
truths concerning {" his lordship,' as he re-
Gently called in Halifax, John, Bishop OF New
York, or, in common parlance, our old friend,
Bishop Hughes. We doubt not that those truths
were unpalatabe to him, and we would not be
much surprised If he were OF opinion that mine
was sprung under his feet when we gave to the
public the sententious expressions which he used
TO the assembled clergy of his diocese, when
was intimated to him that they desired him to lay
before the Convocatlon of the Catholic Church,
which is to assemble in Baltimore soon, their wish
that canon law, the only safeguard of the lnfe-
ror clergy from The persecution OF the bishop,
would be introduced into the diocese OF New
York. We do not mean, on this occasion, to re
cur TO that particular matter, although we may do
so at an early day, In order TO show, more con
clusively, the tyrannlcs despotlc, arbitrary, and
we might say, barbarous, manner IN which the
pious, amlable, and eloquent John. Bishop of
New York, exercises his spiritual author ty IN his
diocese Our object, at the present time, IS to
seek information on one or two points connected
with the administration of the Catholic religion IN
this diocese, especially in the city Of New York,
and TO a Jew matters connected herewith
In the first place, we would like to know in
what manner the income arising from St Patrlck's
Cathedral, in Prince street in this city, Is disposed
of? Report says, and, we believe, with good
deal of truth, that 1t exceeds the large sum of
thirty thousand dollars per annum. This Is certain
" very handsome revenue, and we have no doubt
1t might be increased a few thousand more, 1t the
numerous shilings and sixpences that are show
cred into the collecting boxes on each Sab
bath were added. What becomes of this vast an
nual Offering of the faithful! The other Catholic
Churches In the city do not receive cent OF 1t, by
way of donation, loan, or otherwise. Many II
not most of them up to their heads In debt ;
indeed, we are credibly Informed that poor people
who, on the faith of the Catholic Church In this
diocese, have lent every dollar they possessed in
the world to churches in this city, have IN conse-
quence of not being repaid, been obliged to seek
shelter IN the almshouse and become amonees OF
the county for their daily bread and this, too,
WI lie the revenue of ST. Patrcks Cathedral Is
upwards of thirty thousand dollars per annum, ex-
elusive of the pckngs thrown in the collection
boxes on the Sabbath. We have no doubt that
many of those poor people would like John,
Bishop of New York, TO inform them, in his wis
dom, when they are to be paid back the earnings
of years Of hard toll and deprivation which they
have invested IN this manner. Will he not be as
explicit with them as he was with the sixty as
sembled inferior clergy of the diocese OF New
York, when he informed them that he was entire
ly independent of any man for the commlssl on
which he holds that he derived it directly from
God; that he would have no canon law, and tina,
he would weed his diocese of all W no wished to
have il introduced"
There is another point on which we, and no
doubt the public likwise, desire little informa-
ton. 1t Is In respect TO the burial ground in
Eleventh street A large plot of land was purchased
by Bishop Hughes In that section OF the city as a
burial place for the dead OF his church. 1t was
purchased al a time when property in that reg on
was far less valuable than it is now, say about ten
years since. We.will not be particular as 10 q
year or so, but 1t appears TO US that II was at OF
about that time that that piece of land was pur
Chased as cemetery. A trend Of ours buried {
relative IN that ground, and as It was consecraiec
by his holiness, Bishop Hughes, the trhrng sun
Of eleven dollars was demanded Tor the privilege
Of intement. SO far good. About three years
afterwards he returned from distant part OF the
country, and desired 10 erect tombstone TO the
memory of his departed relative On visiting the
Place again, mighty changes and revolutions had
evidently taken place during his absence AL
though he had particularly taken the marks aud
bearings Of the particular grave, he could not find
II. At length he inquired OF the grave. digger.
" Lord bless your honor" said he, In reply TO the
inquiry addressed to him, " sure there have been
three or four more bodies buried over him since
then y and away lac went, probing the ground.
here and there, with long ron rod, 20 fad 4