The Irish standard., 1902-05-17
TIE GAELIC CHAIR.
The Fund Donated BY the A. o. H.
Is Still Intact.

Mr.. John L. Keating, National Presi-
dent of the Ancient Order of Hiber-
mans, and Mr.. Stephen J. Richardson,
National Treasurer of the Gaelic
League i'll America, visited the Cath
olic University, at Washington, ID. c.,
on April %, and called on the rector.
Right Rev. DR.. Conaty, says the Gael
for May.
Mr.. Heating represented the great
a. o. H. organization which donated
the magnificent sum of $4,000 to
found the Chair of Celtic ut the Uni
versity. Mr.. Richardson represented
the Gaelic League, the active force
which is now reviving the language,
literature and industries of Ireland.
Rev. DR.. Conaty represented the Uni
versity, which is the recipient and
custodian Of the donation.
The visitors intimated that they
were in search of definite and authori-
tative information regarding the pres
ent status Of the Gaelic Char, which
information DR.. Conaty courteously
and voluntarily furnished. He pro-
; duced books and accounts and showed
j to the satisfaction of the visitors that
the fund is intact and that no part of
it has been diverted to any other chan
nels or applied to any purpose other
than it's donors intended. 1t is true
that the donation was placed in the
hands Of the University trustees unre-
servedly and absolutely without con-
ditions of any sort, but they feel new
ertheless that the donors have right
to inquire into its disposition, and
recognizing that right, cheerfully af-
forded the visitors the information
sought.
An examination of the books showed
that absolutely nothing had been paid
from the fund and it's earnings ex-
cept the allowances made to DIR. Hene-
bry while studying in Germany and
the salary paid him while connected
with the university in this country.
together with some modest amounts
paid to Professor Robinson. of Har-
ward, for lectures delivered on Celtic
subjects.
DR.. Conaty would not speak for pub
lication regarding the non-reappoint-
ment Of Rev. DR.. Henebry. He ac-
knowledged that DR.. Henebry is a
great and learned philologist, but con-
veyed the impression that the con-
tinued inactivity and lack of inilia-
tive displayed by him during the years
he was connected with the university
left them no hope of fulfilment of the
great things that had been expected
from him. The fact that the trustees
of the university, men who have the
best interests of the institution at
heart, unanimously agreed not to re-
elect him is considered sufficient reply
to all inquirers.
The trustees have not yet selected /;
man to fill the position. They want
the best man that can be found in
Europe OF America. While waiting
for him they have in training DR..
Dunn, a graduate of Yale. He studied
under DIR. Henebry, at Washington,
for two years, and is at present at
Harvard studying under Profess
Robinson. He will spend this summer
and autumn in the west of Ireland.
Where Irish is spoken exclusively. and
later will take course in EARLY Irish
i'll Germany. When he takes the chair
in Washington two years hence he
will probably be one of the best equip-
ped professors of Celtic of the present
day.
MIR. Richardson admitted to DR.. Con-
atty that the campaign in the Eastern
states i'll favor OF the restoration Of
Dr. Henebry had been carried on
largely from the Office of The Gael,
mainly because lie (Ir. Richardson
believed an injustice had been done
DR.. Henebry by dispensing with his
services without notice. In reply to
this DIR. Conaty stated that DIR. Hene-
bry was notified when in Colorado six
months before. that he would not be
reappointed. Had he displayed one
tenth of the energy in holding his DO
sition that he had exerted in trying
to get back. there would be no occa-
sion to remove him.
Several hours later. in conversation
with some members of the Gaelic
League in Washington, the statement
was made. and can be authenticated,
that DR.. Henebry never took an ac-
tive part in Gaelic League matters in
that city. He never tried to organize
Il branch CT the league and never at
tended one of its meetings in Wash
ington after it had been organized. He
occupied the Gaelic Chair. founded by
the n. O. H.. yet refused to become
member of that organization when i'll
vited to do so.
In printing the foregoing it must be
understood that The Gael is not I'M
friendly towards DR. Henebry. but it
loves the cause of the Gaelic League
more than any individual and believes
that its readers should be made ac-
quainted with the facts in the case.