Evening star., 1896-10-20
THE NEW RECTOR
Hope That Bishop Keane's Successor
May Be an American.
SHOULD Be OF high CHURCH RANK
Future Prosperity Of the University
Depends on the Selection.
SATOLLI SHOULD NOT DECIDE

In all Of the speculation heard in town
about the selection of a successor to Bishop
Keane the note Of good will is sounded to-
ward the Catholic University. Protestants
Join with Catholics in this, and are very
hearty IN what they say. The desire Is
general that the institution may thrive.
This was publicly expressed by men of emf
nence at the Carroll Institute meeting, and
the sentiment is constantly echoed in pri-
vate conversation among representative
citizehs Of the District, regardless of creed
or party. The university enters into the
equipment Of Washington as a growing
center Of education, and as such, with all
other such institutions, hac q claim upon
the friendly interest of the whole commun-
ity.
Should Be nm American.
Another wish quite as generally heard is
that the new rector may be an American,
In the large and comprehensive sense of
that word. Not simply an American by
birth, but an American by education, by in
stinct. by thorough acquaintance with and
affection for the institutions Of the coun-
try. The Catholic University, 1t is held,
Is. and should remain, an American insti-
tuition. The young men prepared for their
life work there are to administer charges
IN this country, under the country's laws.
and with all of the opportunities the coun-
try affords. Their parishioners will be
american citizeEs. Their whole training,
therefore, should be of a nature to bring
pom them and those who will look to them
ier guidance and instruction into close
touch with their country and it's progress
Bishop Keane's Americanism, it Is pointed
out, Is one of the qualities contributing to
one OF the most highly respected characters
IN the Catholic Church on this side Of the
water. If his successor should not be his
equal IN that regard, it would necessarily.
10 degree. 1t is thought. initiate against
poth MIN and the university.
High Rank in the Church.
There are Catholics as well as Protes-
tants who do not accept as altogether
SOUND the reasons given for the report that
the new rector Is not to be a bishop They
hoid rather that he should he a man of
eminence both In the church and in the
world. the equal in rank at least of the
eminent man he is to succeed The office
Is one calling not only for learning in the
scnoiastlc sense, but for large executive
aninty and for experience in the manage
ment or large affairs. His name should
stand for as much before the country as n
does within the church. 1t will stand In a
measure for the university itself. There
are are many priests of learning and excel
renee, put, as is suggested. if they have not
come TO eminence in office in the church
work proper, why should the pick for this
ber? ~ ,''ei "oii
Any Bishop Would Take 1t.
1t is said that no bishop would care to
surrender a life office for one which ac-
cordlng to the announcement in Bishop
keane's case may have a new Incumbent
every few years. 1t is doubted IL any
bishop would lose anything by giving up
the o-.e Office for the other Church pro
AoeiohS are regulated On lines not unlike
tnose obtaining in political affairs. No
man nan roses aEything by obliging the Presi-
ueht, ne late Judge Gresham gave up a
me me )udgeship to go into Mr. Arthur's cab
met served there for less than two wears
ana aa then was appointed to another life
ONCE of higher grade than the one he had
surrendered. He then, again. after eight
years, gave that office up to go into Mr.
Seveiands cabinet and had he lived he
No rraia.. nave received another promotion.
pope. Inc bishop who would at the none,s
request accept the rectorship of the Cam.
o.N University would serve with no anxiety
on,v tn,o re iu.ure. a II he held the rectorship
onl oly Two years, a better office would he
certain TO follow that. His prosnects in
stead or being blue, might be red. A cardi-
mars hat might await him.
The Decision Tomorrow.
Inc opinion has been expressed that to-
morrow's action by the board at tb. nm;
Verslty In the picking out of three names
10 De forwarded to Rome will be onlv :.
1orm; that Cardinal Satclli will really nam.
tne new rector: Many friends of the uni
versity hope that this may prove to he
erroneous. Cardinal Satolli, however sue
cessful In his mission over here. will no,
again De resident Of the United States.
MS 1uture work will be in Europe and
VIII relate largely to the affairs on thai
SIDE. But the prelates who will pass on
this question tomorrow are citizens of the
United States, whose work is here, and
whose knowledge Of the needs of their
church in America must far exceed thai
OF any one in authority abroad The de-
cision properly is theirs, and it ought NOT
to be rejected or tampered with. and it is
the result acting adversely on the fortmnes
Of the university.