The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-21
MGR. SCHROEDER DEFIANT.
HE REFUSES TO BE REMOVED FRoM
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY.

a Letter and CnbleErnm from Homo Produced
saJinE That the Pope DID Not wish Him
RcmoVcd-The Faculty Presents ITS ChnrEes,
Including One Against His Moral Character.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2o.-Mgr. Schroeder, Pro-
fcssor OF Dogmatic Theology at tho Catholic
University, whose removal seemed to be as
surcd to-day. detled the faculty, rector, ane the
board OF Directors TO remove him. When his
case came up before the Board Of Directors no
played q trump card that created n sensation.
lilo produced a letter from Rome, saying
that the Popo did not want tho directors
TO remove him.. The letter camo from
Cardinal Stcinhubcr, s. J. A cableRrom
from Rome, signed ~"Rampolla," the Papal
Secretary of State, certifying that the letter
represented tho views OF the Holy Father, was
also presented. 1t was reported that the cable.
gram was addressed to Mgr. Martinclli,
the Pnpal delegate in Washington, and
later that 1t was received by n member of
tho Board OF Directors in answer to n
question concerning the authenticity OF the
Steinhuber letter. No member OF the board
would admit that no had sent an inquiry to
Rome or received such q message, and the d.
rectors determined to proceed with the investi-
cation of the charges against Mgr. Schroeder,
pending vcrincation. Mgr. Schroeder may be
suspended until the mystery of tho cablegram
has been cleared.
Cardinal Stcinhuber. from whom tho letter
came, Ia q German Jesuit and was rector Of the
German College in Rome from which Mgr.
Schroeder was graduated. He has as allies
Cardinal Mazzella md other Jesuits of influ-
ence. and it is supposed that they worked with
Cardinal Satolli to secure Mgr. Schroeder's
retention.
When the Board OF Directors met this morn.
ing everything was in readiness TO press tho
charge against Mgr. Schroeder. There is one
charges which has never been touched upon in
the newspapers. and which the faculty decided
to use only in case the other charges should fail.
This was the charge against the moral charac-
ter of Mgr. Schroeder. 1t is alleged that he
frequcnted drinking saloons in the city OF
Washington, and otherwise conducted himself
In a manner calculated to bring scandal and
disrepute on the university and on the priest
hood. A number Of times were s%peciied in the
charges, names and dates being given, and wit
nesses we're to be produced to prove them. In
deed, Mgr. Schroeder has not h~esitated to say
that he went into saloons and that he proposed
to regulate his personal conduct as he pleased,
e esssrf1siS or ls SSm Msp. S SF SssSsk' could nad Se
tried on these charges by the Cardinal-Arch-
bishop Of Baltimore and disciplined, as the de.
crces OF the third Plenary Council of Baltimore
expressly forbid priests or Bishops from enter:
ing saloons for drinking purposes, and II found
guilty they are liable to severe punishment
Nj the directors were present. except Mr..
Thomas Bannigan of Rhode Island. at to-day's
bishops Keane, Ireland, Corrigan. Chappeilo,
Williams, and Riordan, Bishops Foley. Farley,
s Mns'' , fed h a%1r'} FasRei P Rse. cS ana Ill., DF rS G%aai,
Waggaman; The meeting was protracted; and al
though the discussion kept up until Wit was
to- meet again at $3.50 tomorrow morning,
when tinai action will be taken. In spite OF the
cablegram, the faculty did not hesitate 10 pre-.
sent its charges against Mgr. Schroeder. having
determined to lay the case before the hoard
| and permit them to be the Judges, III is
understood that Mgr. Conaty. the rector,
l aa.e 0 ss S,e the board SS ,bs a t s,a,HmeD! The of m 'no
ter was then debated pro and con for four
hours, during which no one left the room. At
the conclusion OF the meeting the prclates went
in a body to Mcmahon Hall, where they had
dinner. The letter and the caolcerHm, were
rectors discussed at length the ACCESSIBILITY OF
taking some action in the face Of these com-
inclined to be favorable to Mgr. Schroeder arc
represented as being surprised and hurt at the
seeming interference or Rome.
H~orstmann is regarded as Mgr. Schrocdcr'so only
it is reported that he does not approve such .
method of dcpriving the Board OF Directors of
their constitutional functions. Archbishop
tory policy in dealing with such matters.
while he does not wish any harm to Mgr.
Schroeder. recognizes the fact that his presence
at the university is no longer desirable. and. it
is said. will side with the attempt to remove
him. Cardinal Gibbons will support Archbishop
keane and Archbishop Ireland. Bishop Horst
mann is arrayed against the others, and this
afternoon pleaded earnestly for them 10 take no
summary action, as 1t might anger the German
Catholics, whom he represents.
The Rnmpolla message said that the Steinhu-
Der letter represented the Pope's views, and
that the Pope thought it inatvisable for the
board to take any action in the matter at the
present time. This cRblcgram was received on
Sunday and Immediately sent to Mgr: Schroeder
by the recipient. In the light OF this it is con-
sidered a remarkable thing that Archbishop
Keane went ahead with his speech yesterday. in
which he referred so bitterly to his enemies,
whom ne said the Pope had termed "refrac-
taires."
The controversy is to be settled ut the meeting
Tomorrow. when 1t is expected that the charges
will be acted upon. 1t j. believed that the di-
rectors will most probably send the charges to
Rome to be acted on by the Pope. explaining To
him that they. were under the impression that
he must have been wholly misinformed regard
ing Mgr. Schrocdcr's position. and asking him
to look into the matter personally. The faculty
is determined that Mgr. Schroeder shall go. and
DR.. Conaty's friends say he will not DO ms lcni-
cnt with Mgr. Schroeder, AS was Archbishop
kcane, who relinqui- cd his place as rector Of
The university AS a consequence.
80 rn