The Washington times., 1901-11-15
HIS RETENTION DEMANDED
Ancient Order of Hibernians Object
TO Removal of DR.. Henebry.

Chair of Gaelic at Catholic Uuivcr-
sity a Subject of Bitter Dispute
John =. Heating Charges MisnppIi-
cation of Endowment Funds
Mousignor Conaty, rector Of the Catho-
lie University, recently received letter
from John r. Keating, Of Chicago, Ma
tional President Of the Ancient Order
Of Hibcrnians, protesting against the re-
mOval OF the Rev. Dr. Richard HenebTy
from the chair of Gaelic literature and
language at the University. In this move
mont for the retention OF DR.. Henebry,
the Ancient order of Hibernians is ably
seconded by the Gaelic League of Amer
lea in a letter directed to Cardinal Glib
bons, informing him Of the Intentions of
the league to take measures to prevent
she removal Of DIR. Honebry.
In his letter to Monsignor ConatY, Mr..
Keating says that the conviction has
prevailed for a long time among men,
bers Of the order he represents that the
endowment flnds contributed by the An
cient order of Hibernlans for the support
OF the chair of Gaelic literature and
languages is not being Used for the pur-
pose for which they are intended. Upon
enquiry it was learned that no guarantee
had been given by the recipient of the
endowment fund-the Catholic University
in regard to the expenditure of the
funds, which apparently caused those di-
rectly interested to enquire inyo the work
ing OF the chair and the disposal OF the
funds.
The case was kept under observation
since. says Mr.. Keating, and it was
found. on overwhelming evidence. that
h. be,I haa 10
trust. Quite recently It has come to the
knowledge of the Ancient order of Hiher-
mans that DR.. Henebry. the eminent Gae-
lie scholar at present occupying the chair.
was about TO be dismissed on some pre-
text in order to make way for another.
His successor. We understand, having
little or no knowledge of Gaelic, is about
to 90 to Europe Tor study. When he re-
turns with "a smatteTing of acquired Gae-
lie scholars h.D, we discover that he is TO
teach some other subject. and make pre-
tence of filing the Gaelic chair.
.'In this condition OF affairs l an au-
thorized to request YOU to furnish me
with deta.'gd account of all moneys ac-
cruing from the Ancient Order Of Hiber-
mans fund. since the date of our gift to
the university, toge ther with particulars
of the objects for which such moneys were
distributed. Also, To announce TO you
that in case the university persists in its
intention of dismissing DR. HeHebry, in
the manner already stated, the Ancient
Order Of Hibernians will institute legal
proceedings for the recovery Of the whole
fund
IN discussing the matter last night. an
official Of the State Board of the Ancient
Order of HiLernians stated that the order
had given to the Catholic University the
fund for certain purpose, TO be admin
is,ered by the authorities Of the uniyer
sity as they deem best, and without re-
strictions. In view Of these terms cf the
endowmer.' he justifies the action Of Mon
signor DR.. Conaty in not renewing the
contract Of Dr. Henobry as perfectly
proper and within the bounds of legiti-
mate prerogativc. Speaking further Of
the matter. This official said:
4 nave noticed recently in the daily
press considerab discussion II regard
to this affair. II Is unfortunate that there
should be any difference Of opinion about
d matter 50 vital 10 cur Organization.
Bat, inasnuch as ii has, through some i'll
advertence, gotten into the press, the 81
beraians OF his city deem it advisable
that something shouId be said to the M
De-niaIs Ut large. with a view TO allayinG
anxiety : nd preventing any Iurshcr pub
lie discussion, further Jnan statement Of
81. ."-a--.E settled.
here rg.1 the ~~o'lnd. and
L A-t Ht. more .-.
lh. 1. ..a-t. it-
u. Il-.HE rr s-EIi-
eHal-
H-av-ug and u-I"sa..H.
wouIu ...- .t.-a ... - -Ir.-.. ... .......
mental the AHl-,Et isEau.
mans the Gaelic chair, or the ..--
eric HIn.4r.F r.#as. -.HaFr
as opinion as to the merits of the c0nlrU- .
sersy. He beg that ali true diDcrniaus
VIII Withhold judgment until the national .
olfectory has passed upon the question, E
a special meeting Of which has been r.
quested to be called By the national pFesi-
dent
In further commenting on the contro-
Yersy tae oticta! deprecated The iuea Of
prey citing 4IonsiglOr COnaJy from carry
ing out what hc thinks is Tor the inter-
esls Of the chair and the university. lie
said that ii the university mad known,
when The endowment was made. that the !
actions Of its authorities in gard to the
administration Of the fund would be die |
tated by one person, they would nave de-
Clined me acceptance Of the fund.
If DR.. Henebry is found wanting by I
the university authorities he, ike any /
other professor employed by the Catholic |
University, is subject to dismissal con- !
tinued the official Il think it Is very |
poor business 10 dictate 10 the university /
what II should do or not do IN the matter. /
AS long as the Ancient order OF Hiber- |
mans cannot conciusiyely prove that the I
fund has been misappropriated / think il /
is presuInptuous on their part TO mind |
business v hich is not theirs
Ine directors Of the Catholic University, :
at their next annual meeting. which wil |
be held on next Wednesday, viii select |
succe ssor TO DR.. HCnebry.
Gaelic scholars are scarce and profes- /
sors Of the Gaelic language are scarc'r in {
this country The Catholic University, !
after considerable correspondence abroad, |
selected Dr. Richard II, nebTy. i young
llish curate who had paid special atteu- |
ti0n to the original irish language, to oc-
Cupy the newly established chair. in or
der TO perfect himself in his chosen stud
les Or. Henebry proceeded to Germany. /