The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-11-11

Lucius Letter infers that as the present
pope, then Camerlengo Pecci, assisted
Pope Plus TX in framing the rules and
regulations of the last conclave he him
self is not likely to modify the rules which
are to be observed by the conclave which
is to elect his successor. One of the GU
rious and not generally known fundamen-
tai rules of a papal election is that the
choice of the sacred college is not neces-
sarily limited TO a cleric and that any
faithful Catholic, even though he be a
layman is eligible. 1t IL true that this rule
is more honored In the breach than in the
observance, as the last layman was elect
ed in the year 1924, when Crescentlus, be-
Ing raised to the pontficate, was imme
diately ordained and became John XIX.
Several attempts have been made to re-
strict the choice of the cardinals to cler-
les, but they have invariably failed.
Neither does there exist any law or re-
gulation to render compulsory the choice
of an Italian. Therefore, the future con-
clave has the whole Catholic world to
choose from. The only rules that are in
dispensabe are the following A two
thirds majority, and the presence Of one
half plus one OF the cardinals living at
the time. Thus, supposing the sacred coll
lege to be at It's full complement OF sew
enty cardinals, the number in the con-
clave must not be less than thirty-six, and
twenty-five votes would be necessary for
the election Of the pope II may DO men
toned that fifty cardinals were present
at The conclave which elected Plus TX
and there were sixty at that which placed
Leo XIII in the pspal chair.
one Of the reasons Of the advances
made Of late by the French government to
the clergy is said TO be desire to Increase
the number OF French cardinals. As
things now stand. France would be greatly
outnumbered in the conclave by the repre-
sentatves Of the triple alliance, whose aim
II will necessarily be 10 elect a pontiff Of
Gallo procliWtles. French diplomacy
however, is even now very active. 1t leaves
no effort untrled to keep up, and II possi-
Bile widen, the breach between the Quirinal
and the vatican, and even the deceptive
mirage OF the possibility OF n partial re-
storation OF the temporal power is held
out as a contingency that might possibly
be realized II a French prelate were raised
to the chair OF St. Peter IL Is only fair
however 20 the Italian cardinals 10 say
that their sense OF patriotism renders Il
more than doubtful that they will ever
allow such confederation 10 prevail.
Tho regulations for the next conclave
are specified IN the last bull. which sums
up all previous regulations as follows:
Article I confirms 70 the sacred college
the exclusive right Of electing the pope,
20 the absolute exclusion Of any inter-
vontion on the part OF the secular power
Article provides that, with a view
20 accelerate the election, the cardinals
may dispense with the accessory ceremo-
malls OF the conclaYe, as set forth by pre-
vious enactmenta. They are empowered
20 take what measures they think proper
as regards the safety ana the interna-
tional organization Of the conclave. tho
meals, and the reduction Of the number
OF the members Of tho couclaye.
Article 3 annuis an previous rules con-
corning the duties of the civil and municl-
pal magistrates IN connection with the
conclaFe.