The New York herald., 1879-03-17
THE ARCHBIsHOP'S DEBTS.
FEELING AMONG THE CLERGY AND LAITY OF
cHlcAGo-sTRoNG FEELING AGAINST THE
PRopRIETY OF APPEALING TO THE CATHOLICS
OF THE COUNTRY MANIFESTED BY BUSINESS
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HEnALp.l

BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
CHICAGO. March Is. 1879.
The misfortune which has fallen on Archbishop
Purcell has aroused the sympathy as well the
asonishment of Catholics in this in other do-
AS various schemes for the relief of the Arch
bishop have been proposed. representative of the
HERALD to-day consulted several Catholic clergymen
AMI aymcn to learn how they would regard an ap
peal to the generosity of themselves and their CO.
relgioniss to meet the emergency by general con-
tribution. The Very Rev. DR.. McMullin, admnistra-
tor Of the diocese frst He said he not
informed as to the extent of the Archbishop's
misfortune This diocese being without bishop it
could not take the initiative in any for the
Archbishop's relief. and he not aware that
yet any appeal to Catholics generally had been de-
cided on. DR.. McMullin said he could not express
opinion to the propriety of appealing to the
Catholics of the United States until ho knew more
about the condition Of things in Cincinnati. II the
amount needed to make good tho Archbishop's
losses We're small he had no doubt that
the Catholics would cheerfully contribute
enough to mako it good; but if it were
as large as some accounts had represented it his
impression that it would be Of no use to do any
thing in the matter He awaited full statement Of
the losses and the action OF the bishops. IL they
deemed 1t wise to take any,
Father Conway said he had no idea what steps. If
any, would be taken to meet the emergency at Gin
cinnat. but Is the Bishop fit to appeal to
the Catholics of the country to help the
Archbishop he confident that those of this
diocese would respond literally. Some of the parishes
of this diocese in debt. but the aggregate in
debtedness trifing. and constituted obstacle
in the way of generous contribution to Archbishop
Purcelrs needs. Catholics were astonished that
Father Purcell had gotten himself into this predica-
ment. They were amazed that he had allowed him.
q DeCO
THE AIcHD1sIrop's EXPENSES.
The Archbishop spent almost not thing on himself.
who spent 50 little for his qualification as the
Archbishop did. When his friends presented
sold the equipaso and spent the money money in in
benevolence. The money the Archbishop owed was
spent IN building and maintaining churches and
seminaries, and under these circumstances he was
confident that If appeal for aid made by the
proper authorities it would meet with very gen.
crous response. as the Catholics very numerous
and only small amount would be needed from
each.
VIEWS OF IAYMAN
Mr.. Bernard Calaghan, Of the most prominent
members OF the Church IN Chicago, said he under
stood that Cardinal McCloskoy and Archbishop Will
appeal to Catholics for aid, and If the appeal
was supported by such men undoubtedly good deal
Of money would be raised. At tho same TINA such
measure did not commend itself to his Judgment,
and Catholic would be in conscience bound to
respond to such an appeal. no matter by whom is
sued and he was not favorably disposed to give
anything for such object. The enibarrassments
Of the Archbishop were owing to great mismanage-
ment OF business affairs, and when q lay
man got heavily in debt through. mismanage-
ment he never thought of appealing to
the public for assistance. The present
very unfavorable time for such appeal as that
which had been talked Of; everybody was complain
ing Of hard times and most Of the parishes in
debt. lie felt that he would be doing more good to
put what money he could spare into his own parish
church than to spend 1t in paying Archbishop Pur-
cells debts. He had talked with very few persons
about this matter. but he thought the business
generally looked at the thing as he did. Ho had
talked with some clergymen about it, and their opin
ion that 1t would be rather preposterous to ask
the Catholics of this diocese to help the Archbishop
considering tho nature of his embarrassments and
the very heavy calls made on them by local church
interests.
AID DEPENDENT ON CIRCUMSTANCES.
Mr.. Thomas Moran, another leading Catholic, said
that not having looked Into the matter at oil he had
opinion to express to the troprety Of appeal
ing the Catholics for aid but he confident that
If the appeal made it would be very generally
responded TO. Ho and other laymen had no time to
investigate tho Archbishops affairs and they had
leave that to tho clergy If the Archbshops embar-
easements were the result OF improper management
great carcessncss he presumed that appeal for
help would be made; but il the administrator and
the clergy Of the diocese found that the Archbishop
the victim Of simple misfortune and appealed to
Catholics TO help him he thought they would do it.