National Republican., 1886-08-19
BISHOP j. l.. sPALDING.
The Distinguished Prelate Who VIII
Probably Be Elected President OF the
Catholic JIniyersIty.

The Distinguished PreIate Who VIII
Probably Be Elected President OF the
Catholic University.
Bishop John Lancaster spalding, of Peoria,
ILL.,, who will probably be president Of the
new Catholic university, was in the city yes
terday in consultation with other members
Of the board Of trustees. lie is quite q
young mana little over forty-aud GER
tainly one Of the handsomost Of the Catholic
bishops. He has been called the "American
Capel,n and any one who has been in his
company a half an hour will readily concede
that he deserves the title. While lacking in
some degree the bodllyattractiveness OF Mgr.
Capel, he has all those graces OF mind aud
manner which have made the English pre-
late famous AS result Bishop Spalding
has effected more conversions in high life
than any Of his associates. lie is a great
favorlte In the exclusive circles Of New
York society, and while in Washington
usually stays with Senator Vance or Secro-
tary Bayard. In manner he is as polished
as the highest type of society beau, though
without the latter's affoctation, while In
the matter Of conversation he is pronounced,
at least by women, as the most charming OF
cburchmen. AS an aiterdinner talker
he has few equals and his skillful way
OF mingling worldly talk with rell-
gious references accompllshes more than
all thief earnest evangelizing In the world.
Moreover, he is one OF the most learned
men OF the church. Educated at Rome, he
took the title Of ID. D. at 25, and began his
priestly career as assistant pastor In New
York city. After few years he was
elevated to the see OF Peoria, being then
the youngest bishop In the United States.
Besides attending TO his episcopal duties,
he has done an immense amount OF literary
labor. HIS first extensive work was "Life
Of Archbishop Spalding,n his uncle, which
was not only biography, but discussion
Of the leading religious questions Of the day.
Soon after there appeared from his pen
volume OF critical essays, mostly In mat
ters relating to art, which met with high
commendation from the press. Turning
his hand then to more practical, IL lower,
matters, he got out an edition of Catholic
school books, which were adopted by most
Catholic schools. AZ the late plenary coun-
Gil Of Baltimore he was delegated to COM
pile a catechism to take the place of all
those now used, and he fulfilled his task
admirably. For the last two or three years
Bishop Spaldlng's literary efforts have been
confined chiefly to contributions to the
magazines. Nearly every month there is au
article from his pen In the Catholic World,
and occasionally In the North american
RcUioiU and tho Nineteenth CGntU'y His
ItNNhb NhhNibNblsl "iNh iShAuubbu Suul
Stanton, in the North american Rcuie,G,
will be remembered. He is a graceful
writer and a very close reasoner. For three
months past the bishop has been travelling
about raising funds for the university aud
interesting Catholics in its development.
Speaking to a reporter for the REPUBLICAN,
about the results Of his work he said ~
have found our people everywhere euthu-
siastic over the project. A national uni
versity was something the church has long
needed, and now that the idea is In a fair
way Of being realized Catholics in all parts
OF the country are contributing their mites.
have collected quite large amount Of
money indeed, but the figures cannot be
made public till the next meeting of the
board Of trustees. There is no doubt that
building operations will be begun before
another year has passed.
"And the presidency of the university ?"
queried the reporter.
"Of that later" replied the prelate,
smiling. "When the place is ready the
right man will be found to ill it, you may
be sure.n