New-York tribune., 1900-03-25
DR.. SHE4RER ACCUSES 4 PRIEST.
ALLEGES THAT FATHER HENRY DESTROYS
TRACTS DISTRIBUTED AT BARGE
OFFICECHARGES DENIED.

complaint was made yesterday 10 Immigration
Commissioner Fitchie by the Rev Dr.. George
Shearer, secretary or the American Tract Society.
and the Rev. George WeCkbacher its Barge Oflce
missionary that the latter permitted
distribute tracts among the incoming immigrants
al the Barge Office Dr. Shearer particularly
complained against the Rev. Father Michael Henry.
director of the Mission OF our Lady OF the Holy
Rosary. No State-st, where many Irish
immigrant girls make their home temporarily
coming 10 this country. Dr. Shearer declared thar
Mr. weckbacher had placed in the hands Of many
OF the immigrants tracts Of the society. which had
been seized and destroyed by Father Henry and
Patrick McCoOl, agent Of the Irish Emigranr So
ciety and that they also forbidden irish trni-
grants 10 accept these tracts Dr. Shearer said
that the American Tract Society not denorni-
national. and that tracts and pamphlets were dis
tributed which never alluded 70 Creeds. The Rev
Mr. Weckbacher spoke six languages. and he IN
vartably asked an immigrant when ne spoke hls
language If he would accept the tract before orsr
ing IT. Sometimes immigrant refused, and The
offer pressed
Mr. Weckbacher reports 70 20 the Araert-
can Tract Society. continued DR.. Shearer, that
every week Father Henry and Mr. McCool follow
him and take from The irish immigrants all the
literature he gives them and destroy IL We do not
think that Father Henry any other man has
a right do such things, and in my opinion, the
Government should not allow such things 70 be
done this port. II is the right OF Catholic.
Protestant or Hebrew Father Henry perfect
right administer people OF his own creed. but
should interfere with others"
A tract entitled Our New Home and How
Fsegtn Right Good Word for Immigrants was
shown by Dr.. shearer 10 Commissioner FTtchie-
He said this tract had been given by Mr.. Week
bacher 10 an Irish immigrant and had been taken
away from him by Father Henry
Commissioner Fitchie said that Mr. Weckbachsr
should coniine his tracts people who wanted
them. Assistant Commissioner McSWesney said
afterward that the missionary had made himself
obnoxious 70 many immigrants especially the Ele-
brews, by forcing his tracts on them. and in that
way the trouble was prectpttated For some time
there had been considerable rlNdlry IN trtct Cls-
rr!burion between Or. Shearer and Father Henry
Patrick MCCOOl. agent OF the irish EmIgranr
Society denied the truth OF the charges. and de-
clared that ne had never destroyed a Protestant
tract or Bible. But have always considered.
he added THAT Nh Weckbacher did wrong II put
without asking them q they wished them or not.
These girls confused enough with railroad
them tracts 10 muddle Jnerl al ne more Nnen
the trouble began Mr.. Dalton, OF The Protestant
Episcopal Mission. suggested 20 Fataer Henry tnaS
the trouble ne lett 20 Archbishop CorrlSah ana
Bishop Potter for settlement Father Henry told
Mr. Dalton that ne did not care 20 bother he
Archbishop with the SuoJccl ana lllal ne vas
willing 10 take decision OF Bishop Potter alone
The charge that Father Henry destroyed any OF
Mr. Weckbacher's tracts IS absurd
Father Henry said last night that ne was nor
s1irDrtsed al Dr Shearer's complaint and frankly
Acknowledged that had taken the tracts from
were Catholics, and objected 20 having tAese tracts
put under their plates az the eating tables Father
tionai and thus obnoxious 10 ths Catholics
"Swaddlers'' was tAe word used ~ Father Henry
Father Henry affirmed his willingness 20 submit
the whole question 10 Bishop Potter alone. ana
maintained that the oLher mlssiohsLlrs hao no
right distribute tracts 10 Irish GataolcS- ne
said he was glad that the question had come I'd.
and II II decided that he was IN the wrong ns
would desist from taking the tracts from the irui-