The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-24
THonNToN's ENTERPRISE.
He Asked the Pope to Appoint Him
Trustee of Church Property In the
phfIIppfnes.

From the Chicago Record.
The most audacious enterprise for many
years is that of Amasa Thornton, who
went to Rome a few weeks ago and asked
the Pope TO appoint him trustee of all the
church property in the Philippine Islands,
which amounts to more than $2OO,OOO,O00.
He has been exposed as an impostor, but
not until he gave the church authorities
in this country a severe nervous shock
and hurried Archbishop Keane back to
Rome from much needed and much rel.
lshed vacation Thornton Is not even
Catholic. He is ward politician of New
York, with reputation for originality
and thirst for fame. He has made poll
tics his buslness for several years, and
until recently was an active member OF
MIR. Platts machine. but he had falling
out with the easy boss" and is no long
er admitted to his confidence Mr.. Thorn
ton advertises himself as a lawyer, but
no one has seen him IN court for many
years. He has had considerable expert
ence as lobbyist around the New York
city hail and capitol az Albany, and has
occasionally appeared in Washington in
the interest of Legislation before Congress
or contracts in the departments. One OF
the new York congressman remark
ed that Thornton was "a man Of
mysterious habits and no visible means
of support" and suggested his mission
to Rome as a speculative enterprise. If he
failed TO be appointed trustee he would
at least have the satisfaction Of getting
his name in the newspapers.
A few weeks ago Mr.. Thornton called
at the White House and was given an
audience on the supposition that he was
a genuine agent of the Catholic church.
He went to the state department., where at
the request OF Senator Murphy, he was
given the ordinary letter OF Introduction
10 ministers and consus abroad which Is
furnished 10 American travellers upon ap-
plication from senators and representa-
tives He appears to have used this let
ter TO secure an Interview with Archbish-
op Corrigan, who gave him credentials 10
Cardinal Rampolla upon the supposition
that he was an agent of the government
Thus he shrewdly played both ends
against the middle" as sportsmen say. He
also called at the apostolic legation IN this
city, but did not obtain any encourage
ment. on the contrary he excited sus-
picion but was not considered person Of
sufficient consequence to be mentioned in
communications to the authorities at
Rome. He appears. however through
the aid of his letters from Archbishop
Corrigan and the Secretary OF state. to
have convinced the vatican that ne was
an authorized representative OF our gov
eminent and IN that character obtained a
private audience with the holy father, to
whom he disclosed his plans He was
also in conference with several Of the car
dinals and was getting on swimmingly
when Archbishop Keana arrived In Rome
and exposed him as an impostor He has
not vet returned 10 New York but ne has
had the benefit of a most interesting ex-
perience If he was unable TO accomplish
HIS purpose.
Archbishop Ireland called upon the
President 10 make an explanation, and
found that while he recollected that some
one had been there representing himself
ri a semi-ohicial agent of the church. with
a scheme to place its property IN the Phil
ippines IN the hands of a trustee very lit
tie attention was paid to him and the mat
ter passed out Of the Presidents mind He
was naturally annoyed at Mr. Tnornton's
misrepresentation. and promptly d.savow~
ed any interest of sympathy for his mis-
sion.