The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-03
THE WARDS ISLAND TROUBLE.
Mr.. Powell Replies to Father Prachen-
sky's Criticism ON the Scctarian Chapel
Question.

Question:
NEW YORK, June 80 1873.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
In your issue OF the Path INST. noticed
reply from Father Prachensky to my previous
communication which l deem 1t necessary to
answer. l do not propose here to discuss the
question, "Is the Roman Catholic Church sect ?"
although might not OBJECT 20 do even that else
where The church on Wards Island was con-
structed after the manner previously stated-not
for the Romanists or any particular sect-aId
Father Prachensky either misstates or 10 does not
know the Iacts If he asserts the contrary. Mr..
Lynch's printed statement will not sufllce for me
for similar reasons az the resolution was not
passed in the Board to build a Roman Catholic
chapel. But the church was built and against
law, as any fair-minded man may see on reading
the law for himself, and as the official opinion OF
the Counsel to the Board advised. Unofficial
opinions may be obtained anywhere and for any
occasion, and be unsound wnen built on matter
extraneous to the law ITSELF Mr. O'Gorman's let
ter to Mr.. Porter was lawyers plea. Was that
letter written to obtain an opinion which would
fortify General Hllyers or was the purpose the re-
verse Was 1t not
Whatever opinion was had should have been
upon the law alone. and not the plea Did tne
Board authorize or call upon Mr.. Porter Tor his
opinion? II the Father takes the opinion OF Judge
Porter TO be sufficient he is less eXactng than the
Board, for they merely placed 1t on file as the ex-
pressions OF an outsider. The EFFORT which was
made to make 1t equal to the oricial opinion only
shows how far persons will go TO further plan.
But why does the Father not even notice General
Iillyer's opinion Was it bad law Quoting
having special charge OF the institutions on Wards
Island resolved that building should be erected
suitable ior KGa1 such resove aed
when the Board was almost entirely Romanist In
Its composition the form adopted was Tor "a
church" only. The after circumstances show
clearly enough the truth stated above, that 1.-The
committee having special charge" &c, did intend,
by nook or crook, to accomplish what the Board at
first was unwilling to do. The grasplng spirit OF
ecclesiastical intolerance was only hidden at that
time till
CRAFT by SUCCESSIVE STEPS,
could obtain that superior accommodation TO one
sect when 1t denies to another. But to show that
no very alarming innovation Is contemplated
when we demand the use OF this church for all de-
nominations, / Gull from letters receved:-Ihe
Cmartes us sno cnapea ,bs works
weiln Naval Academy, Annapolis All sects may
go to the same church; but the Roman catholics
academy 1.-THE soldiers chapel IL used for
Protestants or Methodists In the afternoon and
Roman Catholics in the morning. The system
can't possibly produce conflict" Boston Depart
ment OF Public Instruction, having charge OF the
House OF Correction and Almshouse :-"rhere Is
hut one chapel. All attend. No trouble. Roman
Catholic priest IL sent when patient desires
oneu Turn again to the reverend Father. Not
TO procure large representation, as stated; and
he had right to DO so, OF course he politely
calls llar, anu tnen ADMITS tell tile truth
when | state he did not pay the carpenter or
painter. The former, when he left the isianc, had
to beg for money to buy his dinner, and stated he
was not paid for his services. II the inmates are
sent TO the island by the Commissioners they only
or the Warden should employ them. The Father
arrogates 10 himself powers equal TO those OF the
Warden or commissioners. What right has
chaplain TO set them to work. Are the rations
hls or may he take state property thus TO further
his own private endsY Truly
HE HAS GOT ROPE ENOUGH
and is hanging himself. That he 'dabbcs In
politics. Is sufficiently shown by his own admts-
slons. He denies my statement and then con-
codes that he did secure certain appointments. II
he not In othersY As to denying so pointedly hay
ing granted passes would ask him II he orgets
the case OF Catherine Mass, whose Protestant Child
he caused to be spirited from its mother ana from
the island on pass procured by his orders2 He
may not have written the pass himself but he Is
certainly responsible for the actions or Ills
creatures who simply obey his mandates.
IL ~ sufficient for the present. In order TO prove
my statement, that Gull from the testimony OF
this case -
Mrs. Kromkleder, the nurse states that 1.-THE
priest wrote q note to Mrs. Hoeger, the matr0n."
Father Prachensky testifes:-"I asked Mrs. Hoe
ger 10 have the child sent over the river TO pre-
vent the mother from getting the child" Mrs:
Hoeger says 1.-THE child was taken from the island
by iwritten) order Of the priest, and wrote the
pass because OF the order OF the priest" Joseph
Hoeger says Mrs. Allen had pass from Mrs. Hoe
ger"
But though more remains behind, will rest here,
thanking YOU Mr.. Editor Tor your impartiality and
iuIly Your1 ANDREW POWELL.