Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-08-14


HE THINKS THE DECISION OF THE HOLY SEE
APPLIES ONLY TO CANADA.
A STAR reporter called upon prominent
Catholic clegyman to-day, who read in the
papers the pope's decision in regard to the
knights of Labor organization. He said:
There has been nothing addressed to any OF
our bishops (of the United States) yet that am
aware OF, and think would know If there
was anything Of that kind" He agrees with
the archbishop Of Milwaukee In the opinion
that the decision applies only to the labor
organization Of Canada and does not include
this country. He had understood that there
was some difference between the :labor organi-
cations Ofth Dominion and the United States,
but had not examined the respective consti-
tutionS and therefore could not speak posi-
lively. He said the church recognizes the right
OF labOrlng people to organize Tor their pro
lection; that 1t is perfectly legitimate for them
to do SO, and the church has no objection pro
those features of secrecy which come under
the ban of the church: that their right to a
secrecy which would preserve to them
selves the business affairs of the organization
is legitimate, provided there is nothing in the
the obligations which would come between the
individual and his spiritual adviser. So
in the organizations of the laboring people Oh
this country and he was OF the impression that
there would be no interference by the church.
lie said the field OF work OF the Catholic church
in this country is particularly among the Door
people-the laboring peOpie-and where they
Unite to protect their interests and confine
themselves to the bounds OF law and com mon
sense and fairness, the church was Inclined to
approve. He also spoke OF the great difference
between the condition Of laboring people in
Europe, especially on the continent, and those
OF this country, and said that is il matter which
the church authorities at Rome take into con-
siderAtiOn in dealing with such questions as
that under consideration. The poor people of
the continent do not enjoy the liberty which is
the privilege OF every man of the United States.
,k,,r ct t.<,,
tect them. He spoke Of the French Canadians
as people requiring the watchful care of TN.
church in order to shield them, and suggested
tions might be deemed essential there Without
having any reference to the United States He
further said that he had been very much grati-
fed at the moderation and good sense that had
as a rule, governed the Interchangeable of this
country in their controversies. He said the
church had not yet found anything objection
able in the labor organizations OF the union, and
so far as he knew 1t had never been suggested
that any of these organizations came under
the ban of the church.
WHAT PRoMINENT WASHINGTON KNIGHT OF
LABOR sAYs-THE ORDER MADE UP MOSTLY
OF CATHOLICS.
Paul T. Bowen, who is prominent among the
Knights of Labor here, was questioned by q
STAR reporter to-day as to the probable effect
OF the decree of the Pope against the knights.
He said he did not know whether it was in
tended to apply to the United States as well as
Canada, but he presumed it did, as there was
no difference In the constitution Of the order in
the two countries. The Knights in the Unite d
States, he said, had not paid any attention to
the controversy in Canada, as they did not con-
template any result that would effect them.
He says the Knights are made up largely of
Catholics. The priests have, he says, been
friendly to the order. Before joining the order
Catholics generally consulted their priests and
were informed that there would be no objection
to the organization. It would be serious
thing If an effort were made to force Catholics
and the cardidal would probably present the
case to the Holy See in different way, with
order made. Many ofthe officers Of the Knights,
he says, are Catholics.