New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-07-10
TIE WARDS ISLAND CONTROVERSY.

ANOTHER PHASE OF CHURCH AND STATE.
The Wards Island Committee of the Com
missoners of Emigration held meeting yesterday at
Wards Island, where testimony taken relative to
the religious controversy az present existing on the
Island. The Finance Committee of the Commissioners
Of Emigration, at meeting held few days SINCE
brought before the Commissioners the question
whether it would be better to have \ sala-
ried chaplain on the Island have the work
done by tho missionaries; and also whether
it was in public institutions throughout
this country for Protestants and Roman Catholics
10 have separate places Of worship in common edihce
The church on Wards Island ordered TO be built
Nov 23 1871. II is claimed that the Roman Catholics
have taken possession Of the edidce and that Protest
ants are excluded from it, At the meeting, yesterday
Commissioner Stephenson occupied the chair and Com
missioners Starr Quiutard and Lynch were present.
The Rev Mr. Smith, chaplain OF the Island, first testi
fed stating that he was OF the Evangelical Lutheran
faith and had been appointed chaplain Feb l. 1871; he
had never attempted TO make any proselytes while
the island; he knew Of several instances which he
tioned where the Roman Catholic chaplain had at
tempted to convert Protestants The Rev. j. Pruchin
ski the Roman Catholic chaplain, testified that he be-
ouged TO the Society Jesus he said that whenever he
had chance he proselyted; he did not
remember having been demonstrated with
about the matter by the Protestant chaplain !;
he had persuaded Protestant mother to have him bap
tie her child and had baptized Protestants their
deathbeds; lie knew OF no State laws the subject
he had given $40 for the church. which went To pay for
certain decorations peculiar to his faith he claimed that
the same building could not be used BY Roman Catholics
and Protestants in common.
Mrs. salome Krankenleder and Anna Maria Harusler,
both nurses called in turn the latter stated that
when she was SICK the priest had come TO her and given
her book containing a statement OF the Roman Cath
Ole faith the priest came three or four times and
asked her whether she did not wish TO be converted
Henrietta Finks another nurse stated that the priest
had wished 20 bapZe her child but she had refused TO
let him do So as she Protestant she cOrrOb0rated
the story given by others showing that II was common
in Europe as well in this country, at public insttu
oDs for PrOtestants and Roman Catholics TO have
mon place OF worship Leonard r. Wells superintendent
charge OF the waShhOuSe also made statements before
the Commissioners The latter said that he had collected
money monthly, for II months from employees, but not
from inmates for the decoration OF the church. He had
collected from $3.50 10 $3.50 IL appeared also that men
had been at work decorating the church with Roman
Catholic emblemo and pictures, using materials belong
ing to the Commissioners.
The opinion OF William +. Hllyer Counsel TO the Com
mssOners read reference to the object for which
the church had erected He gives 1t his opinion
that the Commissioners have no authority To appropriate
the funds OF the Commission for the erectOnof build
ing for the exclusive OF single church. Again. he
considers within the discretionary powers or me Com
missODers OF Emigration 10 employ saared clergy men,
lie SAWS IL IL sufficient % the forming OF the opinion
give that can nd express authority ana no language
In any OF the acts affecting the Commissioners OF Emil
grafton any kindred association created by statute;
broad enough to imply the authority 10 erect church
for the exclusive OF any sect, There is, III my
opinon no such paralelism between employing chal
authority to employ the one Al implied authority 70
hui other"