Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1903-07-30
WHO WILL Be NEXTP()PE !?
The Sacred College Drifting Into
Cliques as the Time For the
Conclave Approaches.
RAMpoLLA A PROMINENT PERSONALITY.
1t Is Hardly Thought, However,
That He Can Command Sufficient
Strength to EIcct-The Opposition
May Present OrcgIfa, Nannutelii,
SatolIi or Agliardi.

Rome, July 25.-The nearer the con-
elave approaches the more two dis
| tinct tendencies are shown in the sa-
cred college, especially among the
cardinals of the curia, that is to say
those living in Rome, but in which
the cardinals from the provinces, as
we'll as the foreign cardinals can not
help participating. These two ten
denotes spring from the personality
of Cardinal Rampolla, as the great
struggle continues to be in his favor
or against him. If Rampolla finds
| that, in the first ballot. he has con-
siderable number of votes, he viii try
again. If he has few votes, and one of
his opponents has many, he will re-
nounce his chance and he and all his
friends will support, first, Cardinal
Gotti, with whom he now has come to
some such agreement, and attempt to
raise Gotti to the supreme office with
Rampolla as an ally. This would
mean the maintenance of Pope Leo's
DOIlCN On eAdCtiy tnC SdAhN AiNiSS "hNN
intrusted to the same men.
Gotti Inspires Distrust.
But Gotti inspires great distrust, be
cause as he belongs to the religious or
ders he would render the situation of
the papacy extremely difficult at the
present moment, t,consideringthe condi-
tions prevailing in France, Spain and
the Philippines. 1t seems therefore
almost sure that if, at the first bal
lot, it is not probable that Gotti can
be successful, this section of the sa-
cred college will decide on Cardinal
Di Petro, one of Rampolla's most
faithful adherents. Rampolla, being
Sicilian, can count on the two Sicil-
ians. One of them, however, Cardinal
Celesia, bishop of Palermo, is so old,
(almost 90) that his relations strong
ly oppose his going to Rome. For po-
litical reasons all Spanish cardinals
are favorable to Rampolla besides a
dozen Itlians, thus making a total of
25. But to be elected pope it is neces-
sary to get altogether over 40 votes,
as of the present Ga cardinals not
more than two or three will be abb
sent from the conclave.
The Anti-RnmpoIln Clique.
The nti-Rampolla tendency has
more prominent candidates, such as
Cardinals Oreglia Vannutelli, Satolli
and Agliardi, which will cause diff
Guilty in arriving at an agreement on
any one of them. 1t is already fore
shadowed that, should the success of
their opponents be probable. this
group will center all their votes on
Cardinal Capecelatro, bishop of Ca
pua.
A cardinal who seemed to have con-
siderable chance of success was Car
dinaI Sarto, the patriarch of Venice,
but now he is scarcely thought of,
because he does not know French
and it not likely to learn it at 20
years of age. 1t is understood that the
Prussian minister accredited to the
vatican has received instructions to
favor the election of Cardinal Serafino
Vannutelli or Agliardi. Cardinal kopp,
bishop of Breslau who arrived Thurs
day, has been approached to the same
effect.
An Energetic Pontif Needed.
Cardinal Celesia, in an interview on
the spirit which should inspire the
conclaye in the election of newpope,
said:
"Now more than ever we need an
energetic pontiff, but at the same
time he must be prudent. With ex-
freme measures one can not rule.
With a middle course there is al
ways something to gain. have
never juggIed with my conscience or
the duties of my Office, but 1 have
maintained most pleasant personal
relations and also cordial official re-
lations with all the laymen and au-
thorities with whom / came in CON
tact. This is the secret of success.
This was the glory of Pope Leo. With
the help of God it will be that of his
successor"
Much comment was excited at tie
vatican by a drive which Cardinal,
Oreglia took through the vatican gar
dens this morning.
The workers in the more quiet pre-
cincts of the gardens were startled
when they saw the wellknown papal
carriage approaching, surrounded by
Swiss and noble guards. Their hearts
jumped as they saw the face OF the
cardinal looking out at them. The
Camerlinga did not appear to be satis-
fed with what he saw. He shook his
ba,d ayelairuinu diemally:
"What decay; what neglect. could
not remain shut up in this melan-
choly place. / should die within
year"