Evening star., 1901-11-13
The Gaelic Chair at the Catholic
University Its Theme
| DR.. HENEBRY'S DISMISSAL
Vigorous Protests to Cardinal Glib
bons and Rector Conaty.
CONDITIONS OF THE CASE

II DOsSfDIS, tHe SXpSStSd W tAC
Rev. DIR. Richard Henebry, the eminent
! Irish scholar, from the Gaelic chair at the
Catholic University of America. This chair
was endowed a couple of years ago by the
Ancient Order of Hibernians with fund
of $4,000, subscribed by Irish Catholics
generally throughout the country.
! Mr. John T Heating of Chicago, presi-
| dent of the A. o. H, has addressed the
| following letter to Monsignor Conaty, rec
tor of the university:
"A conviction has prevailed for a long
time in our association that the funds
arising from the A. o. H. endowment were
not being used for the purpose for which
the grant was made to the university.
"I was requested to ask the national
president at the time the money was paid
the university what guarantee had been
given that the fund would be applied solely
to the teaching of Gaelic. 1t was then dis
covered that no pledge whatever had been
given by the university. II was then de-
termined to inquire into the working of the
chair and the disposal of its funds.
Breach of Trust Alleged.
The case was kept under observation
since and it was found on overwhelming
evidence that the university had not been
true to its trust. Quite recently it has
come to the knowledge of the A. o. H.
body that DIR. Henebry, the eminent Gaelic
scholar at present occupying the chair, was
about to be dismissed on some pretext in
order TO make way for another. His sue
cessor. We understand, having little or no
knowledge of Gaelic, is about to go to Eu-
rope for study. When he returns with a
smattering of acquired Gaelic scholarship
we discover that he is to teach some other
subject and make pretense Of filling the
Gaelic chair.
I'm this condition of affairs I am author
lied to request you to furnish me with
detailed account of all mOuevS accruinP
from the A o. H. fund since the date of
our gift to the university, together 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 dtsmissing DR.. Hene-
bry IN the manner already stated, the A.
D. H body will institute legal proceed
ings for the recovery of the whole fund"
Protest of the Gaelic League.
A letter has also been sent to Cardinal
Gibbons by the national officers of the
Gaelic League, of which Dr. Henebry is
national president. 1t was signed by E. T
McCrystaI of New York, vice president;
P. F. Holden Of Chicago, secretary; S. J.
Richardson of New York, treasurer; Rev.
l. ]. Carroll of Chicago, librarian and
Rev. ]. K Fielding of Chicago, chaplain,
and was as follows
THE Gaelic League of America hears
with profound surprise and dismay of the
intention of the authorities of the Catholic
University to dismiss our national presi-
dent DR.. Henebry, from the chair of Gaelic
at that institution.
Knowing as we do that this action is
unwarrantable, unwise and most unjust
that ii Is fraught with menace to the
standing of the Gaelic League in America
that IT BODIES i'll to the university itself
and Is an insult to the Irish race at both
sides of the Atlantic, the national officers
of the Gaelic League In America beg leave
humbly to utter vigorous protest against
'Dr. Henebry is scholar of world
fame who shed luster on the land of his
birth In the great schools of Germany. He
Is the greatest Celtic philologist within the
pale of the Catholic Church, and the only
man living who joins to native knowledge
of Irish the rich fruit Of the highest philo-
logical training.
His name worth and dignity should be
beyond the reach of nearsighted malice or
pettifoggtng intrigue, and the Gaelic League
In America looks confidently to the good
sense and honesty of the trustees for his
rehabilitation in his office and a vindica-
tion Of his character"
Cooperation Urged.
Coincidentally with the preparation and
transmission of the above communications
circulars were sent out from the Chicago
headquarters of the Gaelic League and the
A. o. H. to the various branches of the So
cieties throughout the United States, call
shape of resolutions against DR.. Henebry's
dismissal.
Premature Publication
Copies of the letters printed above were
given out to the press In Chicago and re-
ceived publicity before they reached the
persons to whom they were addressed. As
| they were written in relation to subjects
entirely Of moment to the Catholic Untver-
sity OF America affecting matters which
may De termed domestic, so far as the
latter institution Is concerned, ii was not
regarded as appropriate at the university
| today TO discuss the issue publicly. The
board of trustees Will consider the matter
and act according to the facts governing
the situation.
Those in a position to speak on the sub
Ject are Of the opinion that the officers of
the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the
Gaelic League have acted rather hastily
in the matter and without a full knowledge
| of the conditions The Gaelic chair was
founded by the Ancient order of Hiber-
| mans about five years ago, with an endow-
ment of $4,000.
Henebry's Selection and Sickness.
After considerable inquiry and scrutiny
of the very few scholars who were familiar
enough with the Gaelic language to enable
| them to effectively fill a professorship and
conduct it according to the high standard Of
| the university, the governing body selected
I
! had given deep attention to original Irish
! and hao gone deeply into its literature DR..
I Henebry was sent abroad for two years to
| further perfect himself for his important
responsibilities, and upon his return was
appointed to fill the Gaelic chair for three
years, eligible to reappointment at the ex-
| piration of that term, which was reached
| last June.
| Toward the end of his first year, in the
J spring of 1898, Dr. Henebry's health failed
| him. His arduous devotion to study
! for so long period, covering the
| time from his early college days to his
| later achievements, had undermined his
] constitution During the university term
| of 1S9S-1S99 he was able to conduct his
| classes only at intervals and during the
| last term, ending in June of this year his
| physical condition was such that he was
] given vacation and did not teach at all.
Action of the Authorities.
| Confronted by such condition, the
faculty of philosophy, which has supervi-
sion of the Gaelic chair, and of which the
occupant of the latter Is necessarily a
member, decided that 1t was necessary to
| select a successor to DR.. Henebry. Dr.
| Joseph Dunn. who received the degree of
doctor of philosophy from Yale of which