The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-02
THE ONLY PRIEST IN CONGRESS-.
He Was Father Gabriel Richard and Came
Direct from n Prison Cell.

WASHINGTON. July Father George D.
Heldmann's candidacy for Congress- in the Chi
cago district recalls the fact that only one
Catholic priest has ever occupied a seat in the
halls OF Congress-the Row. Gabriel Richard Of
Michigan. Not only was he the only Catholic
priest ever elected to Congress. but he was also
the only member who ever came direct from
prison cell to a seat on the fo6r.
Father Richard was not elected as a Repre-
tentative. but as a delegate representing the
then Territory Of Michigan. This WAS in 1929.
He served with distinction. delivering several
exceptionally ablo speeches on important is
sues. He was a man Of great learning. thor
ough French and English scholar. and CONVEX
SAINT with spanish. German and Italian. and he
had mastered tho language or dialect OF the
the several tribes OF Indians Of Michigan. He
WAS man OF medium size. with sharp features.
and bullying forehead. was slightly bald. had
a wry frame. and was quick I'm speech and
action. A native Of france. Ia received orders
hi a Catholic seminary in Paris in lEW. Eight
ior Time u" was "roessor Of matnematics
in st. Mary's College, Maryland: Atterward
he rDGrsa as In nsI ao, Ha
OF St AIMS Church in that city he began the
pubicat on OF Catholic paper. 1t became his
who mad been divorced from his WE. and this
act, together with articles published in, his
maGn 'Spsa @ !" nS ina
prlsonmen mt Tor a long period was mpO sed. and
being n""r hlmSS ana sn naIoT'y Of m MI
mcdus. he was forced to go to prison. where he
remained, until elected 70 Congress.
Father Richards career was a remarkable
one in many other PARTICULARS. II was he who
visited III" grave Of Father Marluottr. the
Ilantcd a cross over i on which he cut the in.
scrirtlon. , Father Marquette died here May
MeThi'gaan c ; Ii monument on the spot.
Ihr contraction OF Catholic ,GlergImen with
no record Of Catholic priest IN the earac.ty Of
Congressional chaplain prlorto 49, In nat
year tho ReV, Constantine Else, - d.. pastor
OF st. Matthews. Church, Wa-ningtnn, was
elected chaplain Of tho senate at the Instance
OF Henry Clay. Father Piss was = native Of
Maryland. and was ciucared AZ GeurgetOwn
College. On being graduated he entered me
theology, ana there he was mace doctor Of
divinity by the College OF tho Sap.enZa III 1852.
Mott street. New York. and later of st. etrr's.
i barclay street From there I h ne Trnt to
/ Charles Borromeo. where he remained until
fathnr Ridar. 5 j. while President OF George
town College. on two occasions opened the Sem
| ate with prayer in 1870. Records show that
| TINS city, was the last priest who offered prayer
| in the old Senate Chamber, now the Supreme
! ACathonc chaplain was never electe by the
! House OF Representatives. but during one res
| SION, when the House failed 10 elect chaplain,
| Father Boyle a,ternated with two Protestant
( clergymeu in Offering the opening prayer The
sign 81 the cross was made TOR the irst time IN
! the new hall OF the House by q Father Aiken,
| and Of tins tho Gcprgpt0rn college journal Of
! 1863 says:
street. :. j.. pastor of st. Aloysius Church.
! opened the House with prayer. SpenEer Orr
I conducted him to the Speakers desk. Father
Stnnestrret. clothed in his cassock and wear
! ing his bead, mad" u large sign OF the cross
and read tho rrayer OF Archbishop Carroll tor
the authorities. The prayer over b" finished
! with a doyOut sign Of the cross. As Father
Stonestreet loves the repub bile and nrays for It
from the bottom Of his heart, he read tho
prayer with a great deal Of feeling One
! month later the same journal said: To-day
Father St"n"street, vested IN his religious
habit. opensd III" Unitel States Senate with
! prayer Tho President of the Senate nitro
| duccd him into the hall
Father Mathew. the great apostle Of tenn
| peranca addres led the senate in lS4H Unin-
tenlOnay no created a sensation 10y reason Of
| denunclation ~ Shareholders. Southern Srna.
tors opposed admitting him within the bar II
the upper house. but Henry Clay championed
his cnu=c. ~ did william II. Seward. and tho
vote resulted ~ to TX IN favor Of conierYing an
| honor ue,"r EH.prc given to any tokAigusr
except uvu. Lafayette,