The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-04
WARDS ISLAND WAR.
What Is To BE Done About the
Catholic Church
Interview with COmmlS-
sioner Stephenson.
He Has Not "Taken Possession
of tEae Building
What He Don't Understand He Magnanimously
Leaves the Question for the Board
Of Emigration to Decide

Of Emigration to Decide
The statement OF the Roman Catholic chaplain to
the Emigrant Department OF Wards Island, pub
lished in Yesterday HERALD, caused good deal OF
excitement and was the subject of much comment
Ihroug the entire city, especially at the upper
end OF Manhattan Island, where what occurs in any
se the institutions under the charge OF the COmmls
,sioDers OF Charities and Correction or the Com
.mssioners OF Emigration forms no small part OF
the daily gossip. The reverend gentleman's state
ment rs to the proposed action of the new Com
'nissoners OF Emigration with regard to the
Roman Catholic church recently erected on
Wards Island, and the erection OF which was
made the subject fespecial comment in the recent
report OF the old Commissioners OF Emigration to
the Legislature, was very positive, and, coming
from such source, was naturally the subject OF
discussion among persons Of all persuasions.
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY.
Every story has its own peculiar side, and az the
HERALD yesterday published the statement OF the
chaplain and the senior resident surgeon OF the
Emigrant Department OF Wards Island, together
with an Official statement Of the maximum num-
Der OF Protestants who have attended divine
service tor along period Of years, reporter called
yesterday on Commissioner Stephenson, who was
recently appointed member Of the Emigration
Board, and who was subsequently appointed
chairman OF the Wards Island Committee. Ac
cerding TO the statement Of the Reverend Father
Prahensky published yesterday. 1t was Commits
sioner Stephenson who first ntimated to HIM on
Sunday last that he was about to Recommend to
the Beard or Commissioners a change with re-
gard 10
THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT OF THE CATHOLICS
on the island to hold divine service in the church
which they claim as their own. Commissioner
tavh0 go oviD falln If thn Mott
Bank in this city, and is said to be OF the most
active members OF the new Board OF Emigration
Commissioners. As chairman of the Wards Island
Committee he, OF course was the person most di-
Tectly concerned in this connection
The HERALD reporter called yesterday afternoon
At Castle Garden, and at the conclusion OF the pr-
waite executive session OF the Board met Commits
siOner Quntard, who visited Wards Island on
sunday last with Commissioner Stephenson, and
who was supposed to be aware ofthe latters inten-
tons with regard TO the church. The reporter re-
.What is all this story with regard to the new
church on Wards Island, Mr.. Quintards What is
Commissioner Quintard smiled and said:-"I
don't know but there may be something in it. |
read all about 1t this morning in the HERALD
is the man who knows all about 1t. You had better
10 in and see him. He is right IN there pointing
10 the Board room and he will tell you every
thing" and Commissioner Quintard sailed
sMilingy away.
INTERVIEW WITH COMMISSIONER STEPHENSON.
The reporter subsequently called on Commissioner
Stephenson, by whom he was courteously received.
After he had introduced himself he asked Mr..
Stephenson II he had seen report concerning
Wards Island in the HERALD Of yesterday. The
Commissioner replied
ayes, did. and read IL through cannot under
stand how Your people got hold OF this. suppose
they mnst have wanted HERALD reporter to get
Tie story and publish 1t. The report, sir, is one
TISSUE OF ialsehoods 1t is untrue in every par
ticular."
visited Wards Island last sunday
COMhIssIOEER-les, sir, dld. am chairman
OF the Wards Island Committee.
pupn MuvI Ia ~ frnp ics
that you had had a conversation with the chaplain,
the Rev. Mr.. Prahensky, l believe, in the new
church,
COMhlssIoNER-Yes, sir. II is but cannot under
stand how this conversation which occurred be-
tween myself and this clergyman should have got
into the puplic prints Nobody was present but
himself and myself and the four walls OF that church
get out cannot understand this. do not know
the source tins came from, but am trying to find
ont, and think ] will. Al all events will do my
hest 10 discover where IL originated. / did not
seize this church. have no power to do SO,
and the whole report is false.
RErORTER-You had conversation with the
clergyman believe, Mr.. Commissioner
GOEMISsIONER-Yes, sir; had.
THE CONVERSATION IN THE CHURCH.
REPoRTER-May ask the subject matters
CoMMIssnoNER-Well, went into the church and
found the clergyman there. said, "Can we not
make some arrangement by which the Professionals
the island hold divine service IN this build
fng well the Roman Catholics ~ He said
'.No'' in such way that saw well there was no
nse In going any further. then said, Has not
tDIh CDuTcU Iseen pdlu lot by the CuIlulduOn TAX
that IS by emigrant head money ~ He said s.Yes,
II had been paid for in that way,' and then he
spoke about the feelings OF the Catholics on the
subject. This was about the tender OF our CONVEX
satien but not soul was present, and / do not
know how the matter got out have not taken
possession OF the church, nor has this Board, nor
has anybody else that know Of The whole thing
u false.
REroRTER-Might I ask, Mr.. Commissioner Is it
under contemplation to take such action that the
Protestant divine service should be held in this
church,
Two or three members or the Board we're sitting
IN the ONCE at this time. and Commissioner Ste
phensOn replied, in a loud voice.
''That sir, is for the Board to determined
PROBABLE ACTION OF THE BOARD.
REroRTER-Excuse me for asking you one more
question, Mr.. Commissioner. Has the Wards
Island Committee determined to recommend such
action to the Board OF Commissioners?
THAT, sir II 1t he So is matter which will come
mp for the consideration Of this Board the proper
time.n
Here the Commissioner became monosyllabic and
The reporter withdrew.
The report in the HERALD caused a good deal OF
excitement on Wards Island YESTERDAY and was
the sole topic or discussion Father Prahpnsky is
positive that not only had Commissioner Stephen
son the conversation with him about the propriety
OF holding the double service in the same church
TO: that he Commissioner Stephenson positively
stated that for the future the commissioners would
have 0niy one place OF worship on the island and
suggested the propriety OF drawing curtain across
the sanctuary OF the Catholics during the perform
ance Of divine worship according the Protestant
rites, TO which he replied that the commissioners
could not oner greater indignity TO the Catholics
ON the island; but for himself az the commission
ers had the power, he supposed they would use IL
and I've should have to submit.
TIE ANNEXATION OF MEXIC0-WHAT A LOB
BYIsT SAYS
lIrn,n tit. Nn.,