Evening journal., 1896-10-05

fore, venerable brother you have now pre-
sided for several years over the university
ut Washington, in the first establishment
and subsequent development of which you
have shown laudable zeal and diligence,
1t has seemed best that the above mon
toned custom should not be departed
nom and that another, whose name Is to
be proposed to US by the bishops, should be
appointed TO succeed you in this honorable
position. In order, however, that, in your
resigning this Office, duo regard may be
had TO your person and your dignity, we
have determined to elevate you to the
rank of archbishop. Being solicitous for
your future welfare, we leave it to your
own free choice either to romaln In your
own country or, if you prefer it, to come
to Rome. If you choose the former. we
will destine for you some archiepiscopal
SEQ, BY vote of the bishops of the United
States. IL you prefer the latter, we shall
welcome you most lovingly and win place
you among the oonsultOrs Of the congre
cation of studies and the congregation OF
the propaganda, in both of which you
could do much for the interests of religion
in the United States. In this latter case
we would also assign you a suitable revo
nue. for your honorable maintenance
Confidently trusting venerable brother,
that you Will accept this, our administra-
tive act with hearty good will, we most
lovingly bestow upon you the apostolic
benediction, as a pledge of our paternal
affection.
Given at Rome, from ST. PETERS, this
9th day Of September, in the nineteenth
year Of our pontiacate
LEO XIII, Pope.
Bishop Keane's Reply.
The next day mailed to the holy father
reply, of which the following is a trans
lation:
MosT HOLY FATHER-His Eminence,
Cardinal Gibbons, handed me the letter In
which your holiness has made known to
mo that my administration of this univer-
sity now comes to an end, that another
rector is to be appointed.
Without q moment of hesitation, l ac-
cept the will of your holiness in the mat
ter as a manifestation of the providence
OF God and from this instant I resign into
the hands Of his eminence, the chancellor,
the Office Of rector, with all rights thereto
attaching.
Thanking your holiness for the freedom
Of choice granted me- ] choose to remain
in my own country, and, moreover, with
out any official position whatsoever, in
tranquility and peace. Your holiness
most humble son in Christ,
JOHN j. KEANE, Bishop Of Ajasso.
Supplomenting the letters, Bishop Keane
says:
II welcome my release from the Office Of
rector Of the university with profound
gratitude both to divine providence and to
the pope. While | always regarded Its du-
ties as q labor Of love, they had grown to
bo far beyond my strength and ability,
and the deliyerance from the burden is a
response to many prayers / was too loyal
a soldier TO ask to be relieved from my
post, no matter what it's difficulties, but
feeling that my nine years of strain and
solioitude in the wcrk had brought me
close to the end Of my brain and nerve
powers, l was fully ready to welcome what
has been done. L shall now enjoy some
months of greatly needed rest on the Pa
ciiic coast, leaving all plans for the future
to a later date
of course no one needs to be assured
that the action of the holy father IS
prompted not only by personal kindness
toward myself, but also by earnest solicit
tude for the best interests of the universi-
". He believes in rotation IN office, .
as ali sensible men must. He knows the
evils OF allowing any official, and especial
ly the head of university, to fossilize at
his post and in this all must acknowledge
his wisdom. His enlightened prudence.
and that Of the trustees who have to pre-
sent the nominations, will be sure to select
rector in every way fitted to guide the
work to full and fuller success From
the peaceful retirement which l trust /
have somewhat earned, / shall over watch
its progress with unabated interest f"
The current belief among some of the
prominent Catholics of Washington IS that
one OF the reasons for Bishop Keane's res
ignation may be found in his cooperation
with Archbishop Ireland In fostering The
liberal spirit rs against the old regime
These same persons say that the German
Catholics Of the country are antagonizing
the archbishop and everybody having any
thing to do with him, for his attitude on
The parish paroohial school question. L