Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1895-02-22
THE OTHER SIDE.
The Catholic Fair Trustees Publish
an Open Letter Concerning
the Matter.
Tell Why They Took the Action They
Did in the Matter of Raising
Funds.
Object to Being Called Rebels, Which
Appellation They Distinctly and
Clearly Dispute.
Explanation by the Rebels.

clearly dispute.
Explanation by the Rebels.
EDITOR TRIBUNE: Your issue of Wed
EeSday contains a communication from
Father Martin Schmitt, which, in the main,
consists Of Two letters received by him
from Rt. Rev. John Stanley, Catholic
bishop OF this diocese, the publication OF
which seems to us not only vecy inoppor-
tune, inasmuch as the fair-the bone of
Notwithstanding over, but it is very un-
wise and unjust to attempt to keep alive
the unfortunate differences which were
forced into existence on account of it by
publicly parading them in a daily news
paper. Whether it was done for the pur-
pose of attempting to manufacture public
sentiment, to punish faithful men and
women who have simply respectfully asked
that their rights be recognized, or for any
other purpose, we cannot help but feel
that the bishop has taken action in this
matter from an eX-parte statement, and
that great injustice has been done to Cath
very large majority Of those who have
borne the burdens Of church fairs and
church work in the Catholic society in Bis
marck, and we challenge truthful contra
diction.
We regret that the unwise publication
of these letters has compelled us to say
anything in a public way of this unneces-
sary, yet sad, church quarrel. But we
should be unjust to ourselves, to our chill
dren and friends, and to the rights which
we believe church laymen possess and
possess unquestiOned, did we permit
the publication of those letters to 20 un-
answered. Consequently, we propose to
submit facts which ara inPnnfrnvarfihlo
and let the people judge for themselves as
to who is acting in good faith and for the
interest Of the Catholic society Of Bis
marck.
In the first place, neither the Catholic
church, in Bismarck, or the ground upon
in the slightest degree, by the parish.
Large amounts of money have been raised
by church fairs and otherwise for many
years, and still we have the same old
primitive building, which is scarcely better
than a barn, for the accommodation of the
communicates and congregation, who as
semble here to worship, and we had hoped
to gradually improve our condition
until able to build something worthy
the name of church, and we
desired that money contributed for
that purpose be kept sacred and intact, and
directed to no other purpose, whatever.
When the late fair was first talked of it
AAeSNA ono RPAoS vi uUllC
Martin. He appointed the committee, the
same committee whose action he now con-
dennis. They started in the work, the
same faithful women workers and Catho-
lies they had always been, and so we'll was
their work mapped out and such extensive
results assured, that in justice to those
contributing and in the interest of the so
ciety in obtaining further aid and assist
ance in the future, they sought to avoid the
slightest ground for adverse criticism by
suggesting proper business methods and
have a committee or board OF trustees ap-
pointed who should be custodians of this
fund; should receive and disburse all
monies received for the church building
fund, and be responsible to the parish for
the They waited upon Father Mar
tin and suggested that this be done, and
here the trouble commenced. There was
no discord previous to this, and there has
been none since except the difference of
committee as to the proposition of the COM
mittee to have said board of trustees ap-
pointed to take charge of the funds.
Whether they were justified in this or not,
let other facts determine.
When Father Martin took charge of the
Bismarck parish we had nearly $500 in the
Capital National bank to the credit of the
church. Since that time Father Martin has
performed the work of collector, finance
committee, (or trustees) and disburser of
all funds. and new we are told that we
owe him 1850 for personal service, and the
moneyin bank has long since been used.
We, therefore, felt that the money col
lected for the fair, much of which was
from non-C Catholics and upon the assurance
that it was only to be used in building a
church, should be placed in the hands Of a
board of trustees for that purpose-sup-
posing, of course, that the suggestion
would be all-sut1icient, as Father Martin
was nf nOnrSn t0 Qnnn1nf fha hnorl pDf
it seems that. under the representations
made, we are published to the world as
rebels, by our bishop, to whom was sent a
respectful prayer, signed by sixty five
members of the church. to come to Bis.
marck and investigate the matter and de-
eide who was in the right.
To this respectful petition no answer has
ever been received. 1t may be interesting
to notice that it we are rebels, the rebel
liOus portion includes a very large majority
Of the church, and the sentiments Of the
people may be somewhat understood when
it is now that in these terrible times we
EeIted over $500 at this fair, which was
finally placed under the ban of Father
Martin, while the fair under his immediate
supervision two years ago netted only a
little over $500.
Now we regret to be compelled to say
these things, but they are TRUE, and we
desire to be distinctly understood when we
IVY oAo W. ~ wv NASOSAS5 Out JILL
churchmen and women, who have proved
it by long and faithful service; neither are
we slaves, who have no rights except to
obey. All we ask is our rights under the
laws Of our beloved church, and we fully
believe we have not exceeded our duty in
taking the course we have; but, on the
other hand, have followed it according to
our cOnsciences and in the fear and
love of God and the church.
j. D. MCDONALD,
MATHEW CUNARD,
PATRICK MORAN,
JACOB HORNER,
-" CHAs. KUPITZ,
VIM. BREEN.
Bismarck, February IA, 1896. .
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