The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-17
MGR. S%CHROEnER'S CASE.
TO CONF BEFORE THE DIRECTORS
OF THE CATuoLLC UNIVERSITY.
me Conflict HetWeen u,c German Catholics
ara the irish Catholics Likely TO Be DC
cided In washington This Wesk-Laberal-
lam and Conservatism In tho Church.

ara the IrI-h Catholics Likely TO Be de-
cidrd In Washington This Week-biberal-
lam and conservation In the Church.
wAsmSGroN, Oct. l6.-Tho Catholic Church
throughout the country is looking forward to
the coming meeting of tho Board of Directors of
the Catholic University with a great deal OF
interest. The meeting will take place here on
Oct. 20 at the university, and oil tho following
DAY the annual meeting of the Board OF Arch
bishops of the United States will be held. Those.
annual gatherings bring together the members
OF the hierarchy from all parts OF the country,
and this year they will have with them Arch
bishop Kenne. formerly rector of the university,
now consultor to the Congregation OF the Propa-
ganda and OF Studies. ut Rome, and canon OF
st. John Latcran. Many important matters VIII
come before the two assemblies, and II Is on ac-
count OF the docp.root ell conviction that steps
will be taken by them affecting the church, both
in this country and in its relations abroad, that
30 much interest attaches to the meetings.
1t is an open secret that the Board OF Direc-
tors will be called upon to consider tho cas9 OF
Mgr. Joseph Schroeder, D.. d., professor OF cog
matte theology in the uniVersity, and both his
friends and opponents are looking forward to
the meeting as q test of his strength. 1t Is felt
that II he IL permitted to remain after this
meeting all efforts to dislodgc him will be as
futile in the future as they have been In the
past. 1t is understood that charges against tho
monsignor have been prepared, and that, II
necessary, they will lie presented to the Board
of Directors. Mgr. Schroeder has been abroad
all summer. and 1t is reported that he has been
engaged in strengthening his position with the
powers in Rome.
The history of Mgr. Schroedcr's association
with the university and his career in this coun-
try il All interesting one. He is AZ years
of age, OF large and somewhat portly figure.
heavy and powerful countenance. and one
whose vigorous speech and actions can be
inferred readily from his sonorous voice. He is
In many respects a typical German, and this
characterization is the one above all others which
he prefers. At present he 10 known as the
leader of the German Catholics in this coun.
try, and as such he was entitled by Bishops
Horstmann and Messnler at n recent convention
of the German Catholics. The title Is a well.
earned one, as for years Mgr. Schroeder has
fought for the cause OF the German Catholics
and maintained single-handed an opposition to
the liberal element in tho Church which drew
upon him the attention of all and the dislike OF
every one opposed to him. He has been termed a
'hrebrand and a {" disturbing element" at tho
Catholic university, and his path has been
strewn with obstacles. all OF which he has sur
mounted, so far, successfully. There is some
thing dignided and formidable in the manner in
which MGR. Schroeder has COPIED with obstacles
apparently insurmountable which appeals even
to those who hate him most. The rugged ma
ture OF the man, his indomitable will and cour-
age, which seek not only to overcome the oppo-
sition. but to crush 1t and grind it to atoms; tho
renewed energy with which his tireless dis
position to wage war impels him after each
rebuff to mako renewed efforts; the place of
pow err and influence which he has made for
himself in this country and among his people,
all go to prove that the Liberals have an enemy
rs resourceful az it u relentless, a. determined
as it is powerful.
Mgr. Schroeder came to the university from
the seminary at Cologne, where he occupied the
came chair as at the university here. In max.
ing his selections for the chairs at the university
Archbishop Keane, then rector, made the mis-
take, as he now regards 1t, of selecting foreign
ers for the places at his disposal. Later he real
ized his error and formulated the policy, which
will be continued by the university a. long as it
stands, OF taking young American priests and
sending them abroad to complete their educa-
tions and then filing the vacant chairs at tho
university from their ranks. Among tho pro-
feasors who constituted the first faculty of tho
university was Mgr. Schroeder. Archbishop
Keane had been warned against him before
he offered him a professorship; that he
had the reputation OF being q disturber, and
that there would be no peace in the university
as long as he remained there. Still the Arch
bishop selected him and brought him to Wash
ington. Here no met DR.. Messmer, now Bishop
of Green Bay, and DR.. Pohle. Both left the uni.
versity in course OF time and DR.. Peries, who
was another ally of the doughty Schroeder. also
went after . stay Of several years. Since then
Mgr. Schroeder has been alone. and he occupies
O position at the university at once unique and
undesirable. The place has been termed the" hot
bed of liberalism and, while this Is a strong
phrase, 1t is undeniable that the tendencies of
the university are toward liberalism. AS a re-
suit Mgr. Schroeder stands aloof from the others
and, having no feelings in common with them.
he has little OF the life which makes these places
attractive. The trouble began when he and DR..
Bouquillon became involved in the famous
school controversy, Bouquillon taking tho liberal
and Schroeder the conservative side. This dif1-
Guilty widened the breach which had opened bo-
tween the professor and the rector of the uni
versity, and continued until Bishop Keane was
warned that he would leave the university be-
fore Mgr. Schroeder would. The warning came
from Schroeder. and no was prophetic in his ut
terances. Later the German newspapers began
Gmovement for The deposition Of Bishop Keane
from his place, and the movement was popularity
ascribed to the influence of Mgr. Schroeder. IL
succeeded. and Bishop Keane left tho universal
ty, while Mgr. Schroeder remained.
This occurred just previous TO the meeting of
the Board of Directors of the university. 1t was
no time then to press the case against Mgr.
Schroeder. No one knew the policy of Rome To-
ward tho Liberal party or tho university, and
each ono was waiting for the next move. This
move was to have been the removal of four pro
fessors at the university who are we'll known
for their liberal tendencies. but 1t was prevented
by the great storm of protest which arose over
Bishop Keane's removal and further steps In
tho direction OF wedding out the professors at
tho university were ~foregone. for tho time at
least. But since the last meeting of the board
additional troubles have broken out, until Il
In now imperative for tho board either
TO remove Prot. Schroeder or indorse his course
Since he first went to the university he has
opposed, openly and secretly. every movement
in which the university has been interested
Tho climax has come in the contest over the
chair Of Germanic literature. When tho An
cient Order of Hibernians announced It's inten
ton of eLdowing a chair of Celtic lsnguagei
and literature. the Central Verein was 70