The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1885-05-09
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH CONTRO-
VERSY

VERSY.
We doubt If it is generally known, even
among the members of the congregation,
that negotiations were recently conducted
which had in view an amicable adjustment
and settlement of the unfortunate contro-
versy that has so long divided the Catholics
of this parish into two opposing and con-
tending factions. Such is the fact, how
ever, and it is further fact, we regret to
say, that the negotiations failed Of any
favorable result and that each party seems
to lay the blame upon the other.
We heard something of the movement
while it was in progress, but refrained from
making any comment upon it for fear that
something might be said to create new
misunderstanding or revive old ones and
thus interfere with the proposed adjust
ment. Learning that the project had fall
en- through beyond any reasonable hope of
revival, we sought information respecting
what had been done and what insurmount-
able points of difference had been encoun-
tered to check the progress of the compro-
mise plan. The following brief statement
embodies substantially the result of our
inquiry:
Just who instituted the negotiations we
did not ascertain, but that point is imma-
terial. Committees representing the liti-
giants conferred, and it was proposed on the
part Of the Wardens that the Donaldson
vile church should be reopened and Father
Ceuppens reinstated as priest in charge;
that the appeal of defendants in the suit OF
the President and Board of Church War
dens Us. the Bishop ct ais should be aban-
doned and dismissed, thus confirming the
Judgment of the District Court in favor OF
plaintiffs; that the Wardens should have
the administration of the temporal affairs
of tie Congregation, leaving the direction
of all spiritual matters to the priest and ac-
cording him for the support Of himself and
the church the usual liberal allowance from
pew rents, collections in church, marriage
and burial fees, etc. Propositions and
counter propositions we're offered and dis
cussed, and both committees seemed to be
confident that an adjustment would be eff
fected substantially on the basis just de-
scribed. Father Ceuppens. who seemed to
be favorable to the proposed compromise,
went to New Orleans to consult with the
Archbishop, as was understood, and on his
return he declined to accede to the prVet,
announcing that the Supreme Court was
ready to try the suit of the Wardens against
the Bishop, but that counsel for plaintiffs
we're unwilling that the case should be tried
at the present term and had interposed an
obstacle to its consideration. This PROPOSE
ton is denied by the other side, who in turn
charge the delay upon their opponents.
The facts appear to be that, when the
transcript was filed in the Supreme Court.
the defense asked for a delay OF ten days
before assign ing the case for trial; that at
the expiration of this time no action had
been taken, and the suit not being dock
eted, was not ripe for assignment; that it
can only be taken up by consent Of parties
and the court, and on brief, the time for
oral argument having lapsed under the rules
of the Supreme Court; that the plaintiffs
desire oral argument, but the defendants
do not, and thus the matter is dead locked.
This resume maybe crude aud defective
in minor particulars, but we believe the es-
sential facts have been correctly stated. Il
not, the columns of the CHIEF are open t.
correction from either side. The Board
| of Wardens and their adherents claim thai
they have made every concession and ad
| vancement for an amicable and honorable
compromise that could reasonably and just
ly be expected of them, aud that the respon
sibility for a continuance of the deplorable
church controversy, with all its attendant
evil effects upon the interests Of the Catho
lie Congregation and the community a
large, must rest upon the shoulders Of thu
! opposition.
NEW Town GovEnNMENT.-Mayor Mau
rim, Secretary Sullivan, Collector Ramirez
Treasurer Solozano, Assessor johnson
Constable Fernandez, aud Aldermen Va
| riani, Goette and Larock have received
their commissions from the Governor ant
qualified to-day before the Clerk of Cour