Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-11-17
THE CATHOLIC CONFERENCE.
Distinguished Attendanis--Tbe Parochiai-
School Questton--secret Societies.

distinguished Attendants--Tbe ParochIai-
School Questfon-Secret Societies.
fBy telegraph TO the Dispa,ch.l
Ngw YORK. November 16.--The conference OF
the chief dignisaries Of the Catholic Church OF
the United statos IL being held to-day at the re-
sldoncc OF Archbishop Corrigan, at Madison ave
nue. and Fifieth street.
At this gather ne OF prelates questions Of the
most vital importance 20 the well-being OF the
Church IN this country are being discussed at
| length. Tho convention OF Roman Catholic
archOshopa has boon held by the desire Of Pope
Leo AIll., 20 that the views OF the heads OF
aIch-dioceses may DO obtained In regard TO the
relations between the Catholic Church ana the
various State governments OF this country that
have been matter OF dispute for many years
The interest which the Supreme Ponun takes In
the matter Is shown by tho fact that Arch bishop
Satoih, Papal Legate, came here from Rome q
month ago TO take part Ia the conference.
Ten o'clock this morning was ths time set for
the conference 10 begin. Among tho earliest 10
reach Archbishop CorrIgans residence was Car
dinal Gibbons and Archbishop Jansen, OF New
Orleans, who are guests OF Major John ID. Kelley,
OF Clermont avenue, Brooklyn. Others Of the
Father Layeile, rector OF tho cathedral
The conference was held IN the library on the
| second 1oon Cardinal Gibbons presided, and
| Archbishop Corrigan acted as secretary. The
ether nrchoishops present were; Most Kew. W.
OF Chicago; Most Rev. w. IL. bross, Of Oregon (;
Most Rev John Ireland, Of ST. Paul; Most Rev.
Francis Jansen, OF New Orleans; Most Rev.
Frederick Xavier KatZcr, of Milwaukee; Most
| Kew. Patrick Riordan, OF San Francisco. and
| Most Rev. 2. j. Ryan, OF Philadelphia Arch
| bishop Salpointe, Of Santa Fe, was represented
/ by Bishop Chepelle, OF New Mexico, and the
venerable Archbishop Keurick. OF St. Louis, by
| Vicar General Brady, OF that diocese.
The proceedings were behind closed doors,
aud no details OF the order IN which subjects
we're 20 be discussed or brought up for conside-
| gtv for UftDlicatiOu. Ono of
| the main topics considered al the conclave, how
ever, IL the relation OF the States 10 the appoint
ment Of teachers in pafochial schools as an In
cidoDt In the general topic OF tn enlargement
Tho practice OF removing all sacred pictures and
| emblems from schoO-roOns under the c0npro-
mise plan OF education will DO another probable
difIicuity 20 be solved by some general rule.
As IN outcome OF this conference, these re-
| suits may be obtained First. The autonomy Of
| UNCONVENTIONAL schools. that is, tho establish
ment Of the right 20 choose their own teachers,
but only among those who have qualihed Defore
| q State or mixed beard. Second. The opening
OF the doors Of school-roons 20 ecclesiastical and
secular inspectors. Third. The establishment
| Of the right OF municipal officers 10 examine
SCHOLARSHIP secular branches Fourth. The sup
port OF schools by the civil power and :he pay
ment OF teachers by II, or at least tho oontrlbu'
| ton for the purpose OF an amount corresponding
| 10 the school tar paid by parents OF the pupils
Only on these conditions, IL IS expected, viii O
majority OF tho archbishOps entertain the pfopo-
sitiOn TO accept State aid. They will simply asS
30 much per capita allowance for children IL
State-assisted schools, and IN return will concode
| the right Of the state 90 examine pupils and
| teachers in secular branches, and will pay fol
| instruction given In purely secular directions
| ArchbshOps Feehan, KatZer, and ireland Will DC
| the principal speakers On this theme.
| The arcnbishops Will also touch upon the sub
| iect OF how pest 10 promote the weilbeing and
| interests OF the Catholic University In Wash
/ inRton.
| The subject Of the two condemned secret so
| cietes, the sons OF Temperance and the odd
| Fellows, will also DO discussed. Archbishop
| KAtzer Is the bearer OF request from the recent
| German Catholic congress that the archbishop
shall strictly cefne Just what Is meant by "se'
| cret societies" -
| The afternoon session closed at $3.50 2. h. Tbt
debate on the parochisl-Schoo' question, 1t Is
| understood, was animated and intensely earnest.
| The matter viii be further discussed tomorrow
soon after the conclusion OF this conference, II
IL expected that the decisions arrived at will be
| given due publicity.
A brilliant reception was given 20 Cardina
| Gibbons and the visiting prelates at the Catho
| lie club this evening. Among the guests were
| Grover Cleveland. Governor Flower. William r.
| Harrity. Baron fava, Oswald Ottendorfer, Gov.
ernor Albeit, Mics Drexel, and Mrs. Richard
| Croker.