The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-06-28
RIO CATHOLICS AND POLITICS.
Expressions Of Opinions From Several Core.
spOndents.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sr: Permit
me TO thank you for your editorial in to-day's
issue entitled Roman Catholics and Politics"
| hope that YOU rightly interpret the position
of the Bishop OF Trenton. as no sane man in
side the Church. be he priest or layman, could
ever advocate the formation of a distinctively
Catholic party In the politics of our country.
II is true that there are twelve million Catho-
lies in America, and It is equally true that this
vast number of people have not impressed
themselves on the history Of the country as
much as they might have done. and have not
as much influence in America as they might
have; and it Is not out of place TO ask the reason
why. You win pardon me II ! say that | think
the reason for this is simply because they are
nominal Catholics, and that very many of them
like to he known as Irish Catholics or German
Catholics and seem to glory in this distinction.
II would be very we'll for the Catholics If they
would take a few leaves out of the life Of the
late Father Isaac Hecker and model their exist
ence accordingly. II this were done in a very
short while there would be a very different
story to tell,
Now there ia no reason why we can't be Just
as good Americans as We are Catholics. II
We Catholics would make II clear TO the Amer
lean people that we owe no dual allegiance,
that in matters relating 20 religion only are
we governed by what the Church has TO say.
that in the realm of political activities We are
free to think and act lust as we feel disposed
.hen would the prejudice which exists against
us soon be a thing OF the past.
A n member Of the Catholic Church I offer
my most earnest protest against the men who
in this city force themselves TO the front. claim
ing 10 represent the Church, being its friends,
defenders and protectors. They are simply
nominal Catholics Of the dress parade kind
and are in religion for revenue only. Many
OF them are sponsors for the dens and dives
Of the city where crimes are committed. Would
10 God that We had n few more Heckers and
McGlynns among our priests and John 7. Me-
Donoughs among our laymen,
NEW YORK. June 20. JON J. BEAYLN.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SrS-Sir: Your
editorial on Bishop McFnul's proposition hardly
does Justice to the intelligence of your readers,
the majority Of whom know by observation
why the Roman Catholics vote the Democratic
ticket.
The Bishop says there are II. OOO. ono Catholics
out Of a total population Of 10, 900. 900. The
tb~hIbl'N VI iIllillk u ' Nv Iblltltti DdTtN
while in this minority is plain on its face-more
ice can be cut. more benefit 10 the Church re-
ceived by allyInR themselves with the party
which offers them the largest Inducements.
An examination Of the payroll Of Greater
New York, including the employees of the
City Works. Police. Fire. Charities and Cor
rection-all the city departments without
exception. will show that a majority Of the
employees and heads Of departments are Roman
Catholics and ont Of proportion to their num-
hers in tho population. The City Works De-
partment and Charities Department are no.
~tor'ouslv so,
II Won will step across the park from THE
SIN Office into the City Hall Won can readily
convince yourself Of the facts.
NEW YORK. June 20 JAMES HAEsLooP.
To THE EDITOR OF TIE SuN-Sir: have
read the communications in your paper on
Bishop McFaul's proposition for a Catholic
party and also your editorial In to-day's paper.
and ! think that 10 this, the city Of his bishopric
residence, the Protestants should do the kicking
and not the Catholics. In this city the Catholics
have a representative on each Of the Boards
Of Assessors, Fire and Police Commissioners.
they have one-th'rd OF the members Of the Fire
Department. ore-half Of the members OF the
police force. orc-third Of the deputies in the
State Prison and a full representation in the
State House. They have four members OF the
Common Council. out Of twenty-eight. At the
late city election the American Mechanics
came out publicly and Endorsed and voted for
Patrick J. Berry, a Republican Catholic, against
James J, Wilson, a Democratic Protestant,
and Berry was elected by 1877 majority.
II the Protestants would stick to their religion
and 10 people Of their own faith rs well as the
Catholics do we should have a mode, conn
munity, PAUL POTTER
TRENTON. June 20.
To THE EDITOR OF III SrN-cir: Your
article In to-day's issue on Roman Catholics
and Politics" raised the question among a marty
who saw and read your article as 10 WHY
according n general impression which seems
TO prevail "A Roman Catholic cannot become
President of the United States? BY answering
this ] think you will settle a question which ia
often asked WILLIAM c. HARE.
New YORK. June 20.
There Is nothing In the Constitution OF IN. r,n,,.6
States TO prevent a Roman Catholic becoming
President, provided the majority choose TO elect him
He Is no less eligible to the once than Il A Protestant,
or an agnostic. The provision OF the Con st,tutlon
concerning the eligibility for President Article II.
section p IL that no per son except a natural. horn
citizen, or a citizen OF the United States at the time OF
the adoption OF this Constitution. shall be eligible to
the once OF President. neither shall any person be
eligible TO that ONCE who shall not have attained the
age OF thirty-hve years and been fourteen years A
resident within the United States" That i. on,v
. natursl-born citizen Ia nov eligible: but there 1, ma
sou Of religious disqualification