Birmingham age-herald., 1895-08-24

canoe to the Catholic church. It was perfunctory and Is visit which we are supposed to make at certain periods.
 twill the pope write supplementary letter on American church affairs? he was asked.
 "There was no necessity of discussing such letter. he replied, and l don't think he will write one. My several visits to the pope gave me much pleas ure. He is really a wonderful man, and his physical condition for a man of S6 years is truly phenomenal. He is trihe more stopped than. he was eight years ago, when l saw him last, but his intellect is bright and strong, and his power of endurance is simply wonderful He is in better health now than he was eight years ago."
 "The pope" continued his eminence, 'has delightful personality and is won derfully entertaining. We talked gen. erally of the American church and polit- teal institutions about which he is decid- edly enthusiastic and for the future of which he is hopeful.
 He wrote me beautiful letter con cerning the future of the Catholic uni verSity in America, and refers to the opening of several new chairs in October next. On this subject and many others of peculiar interest to Americans he is truly and greatly interested in, and his observation on these matters evinces long and thorough study of them"
 Another American institution in which the pope is interested, continued the car dinal, "Is the summer school here, one of which is in New York, and another in Madison, Wis. He approves of the idea and speaks confidently of its future.
 "Americas political institutions have constituted a subject of special refiec- tion by the pope, and for them he has ex- pressed in a letter to me the most pro- found admiration. The American con iception of what constitutes liberty is fully approved by the pope, who thought our idea was the true one"
 Did you discuss the labor question with the pope" he was asked.
 q believe" said the cardinal reflec- lively, that he considers the labor ques- tion-that is generally-you will under stand as settled. We did not discuss it at length
 Regarding the government and the church in France the cardinal was asked if there had not been some friction there about the imposition by the government of a certain tax on ecclesiastical inStitu- tions. After a little hesitation, Cardinal Gibbons answered thoughtfully;
 Well, yes, there has been some dis content manifested, I believe-some in- formal complaint-but no formal com plaint by the church regarding such tax. It will however, adjust itself in time, as such things will. 1 did not spend much time in France and am not thoroughly COnNeTSdul Wlln lllt SuDJcCt, Out ttii sure it will never be a subject of dis cussion by the vatican, although I am free to confess that I have not studied the matter enough yet to have formed an adequate opinion on the subject"
 "How is the church progressing in Germany" he was asked
 "Magnificently," he answered. T was much impressed by its progress there. I like the spirit expressed and can say that in Bavaria and Holland the Sab bath was kept more sacredly than in other countries I visited. I might add that in other countries In Europe l was much distressed by the almost total ab- sence of a proper appreciation of the sanctity of the Sabbath. Men and women worked in the fields, artisans and car penters worked at their trade and store keepers sold their wares It grieved me. I hope there will be a change soon."
 By the way" asked the cardinal, lis there anything new in New York?"
 He was told of the Roosevelterlan era.
 "They are actually enforcing the ex- else law" said a member of the reception committee.
 q am glad of it. said the cardinal. "Every law should be enforced, and of all laws the excise law should receive the attention of the authorities Saloons should be closed on Sunday" said he de- cisvely "First, because it is in the in- terest of humanity; second, because it is good for the law and thirdly, because it is good for the people"