Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-10-14
Bishop MAierney Refutes Charges Againat Gov
ernor Cleveland

| eTU0r ClefeldAu.
among the documents which the friends
of MIR. Blaine have been industriously circu-
lating is one entitled Gov. Cleveland and
the Catholic Protectory," which has been
sent exclusively to Roman Catholic priests
| throughout the country. In addition to a
statement of the circumstances attending
| the Governors veto Of the appropriation for
the Protectory the document charges Mr.
! Cleveland with bgotry and intolerance to
ward the people of the Roman Catholic
faith, and winds up with this challenge
| Write to any Catholic bishop in the State
of New York, or to any priest in New York
| city, for the truth of the matters herein
Accepting this invitation, several Roman
| Catholic gentlemen of New York city wrote
| to the Right Rev. Francis M'Nierney, Bish-
| up of Albany, under the date of October 8,
| the following letter
| Right Reverend and Dear Sir: rumor is wide
y circulated in this vicinity that Gov. Cleveland
is tainted with bigotry and has exhibited spirit
Of hostility aud intolerance in religious matters
during his dministration as Governor OF this
state. On the one hand and the othcr are asser-
tions and denias of this report, It'll many cti-
| zens with the best intentions and with sincere
desire to know the truth and follow it are found
at variance in regard to the matter, and confusion
anu cO0Slu6ThOle III leellDR are Inc
of this uncertainty. Under these circumstances
| and in view of the grave Importance of the ques-
tcp at this particular juncture and to set mems
IN inds at rest, if possible, take the liberty of
addressing you. By your residence at the capital,
aud in the neiehborhocd of the Executive Man
sion, tho official residence of the Governor, and
by your acquaintance with him, you possess pecu
liar facilities for observ alton to his We
therefore would ask you if the charge of bgotry
against Gov. Cleveland be true, and whether or
not he has exhibited it or anything akin to it
during his administration or shown that he was
ininlical or unfriendly to the religious denomina-
tion of which you are respectable prelate or to
lis institutions.
This letter is signed by Tnhn E. Develn JAS
II. Coleman, F. R. Coudert, William ]. Tanning,
Eugene S. Ives. James A. &. Beales, Edward c.
Donnelly, jeremiah J. Campion. William and John
O'Brien John Mullaly, and Morgaa J. O'Brien.
The following is the Bishops reply:
DIOCESE OF ALBANY,
Bishops HOUSE, ALBANY.
John percLin F. r. Coudert, DC:
Gentlemen have to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter of October 8, in which you refer to
tho rumor prevalent in your vicinity to the effect
that Gov. Cleveland is tainted with bigotry, and
has exhibited spirit of hostility and intolerance
in religious matters during his administration as
Governor of the State aud you suggest the pecu-
lisr facilities afforded me for observation by my
residence at the capital and near the Executive
Mansion and my acquaintance with the Governor
asking me to inform you whether or not the Gov
erDor has exhibited it or shown that he was mimi
csl or unfriendly to the religious body of which
ain a prelate or to its institutions.
In answer would beg leave to say that 1 have
followed with some interest the course of the
Governor since his assumption Of the duties Of the
Chief Executive of the State, and relying solely
on my resources of personal knowledge, 1 am
aware of no such act of his administration which
would argue narrow, tolerant spirit or hostility
to the Catholic Church or her institutions On
the contrary from what has come under my own
observation am led to believe that he is free from
bias and enmity against Catholics and actuated
by spirit of fair dealing toward the Catholic
Church and her interests
Your obedient servant,
+ FRANCIS, Bishop of Albany.
October 10, 1884.