The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1903-08-08

gossip and the prophesies concerning
his successor. The people about him
were ever on the alert for some hint
indicating his own private opinion on
the subject. A story is told of the
Able Perosi, whose oratorios Lag
arus" and the Resurrection of Christ"
have made such an impression on the
musical world of Europe. Perosi was
offered the post of director of the choir
of the Sistine chapel. At that time he
felt that he could serve his art better
by remaining in Venice, where he
directed the choir of st. Marks, and
frankly told the pope this. Instead of
being annoyed by so young mans
refusal of the highest musical post in
the gift of the Church, Leo XIII said
spontaneously. Go back to Venice
and st. Marks, but you will return
to Rome with your cardinal one day.
This is construed as Indicating the
pope's belief in Cardinal Sarto's sue
ceetling him."
In reference to Cardinal Sarto, the
writer said: ''The candidate of the
Italian party will doubtless be Cardin-
al Sarto. patriarch of Venice. Sarto
was born in Treviso on the I'd day of
June. 1885. He studied at the college
of Castelfranco and ut the seminary
OF Padua. His first cure was in the
parish of TombOlo, from which in 1867
he was transferred to Salzano. The
bishop of Treviso noticing his talent
appointed him canon of the cathedral
of Treviso. He next became bishop of
A1antua. In 1898 he was elected to
the office he now holds. He is one
OF the most popular of the cardinals,
and is much beloved by the Venetians.
He is prudent, correct. well-balanced
man. While never directly opposing
the policy of Leo NH, he is noted
for his abstinence from all aggressive
action, and his influence is always ex.
erted to keep the peace between the
opposing factions. When King I'M
herto went to Venice to meet the en-
peror of Germany Cardinal Sarto an
nounced his intention of making
state visit to the king. A hint was
sent him from the vatican that his
course might not be wise one, and
that he had best be absent from Venice
at the time Of the l,ing's visit. The
decision was left, however, with Sar-
to. who carried out his original plan,
made his state visit to the king, and,
it is said. mentioned the fact that the
vatican had advised against it. Per-
sonally. he is perhaps the most SYM
pathetic of the papabile cardinals. He
is a handsome man, CARRYING his sixty
eight years lightly. Strong, modest,
disliking the intrigues and the cere-
monies of the papal court. he rarely
comes to Rome. and is content to re-
main in his beloved Venice. the friend
of the people and of the clerics alike.
For Italy his election would be for
tunate; he has many well wishers in
'iiS Aeoiii'h WITH, where. HIS IflenQS
hold, he is too little SEEM
In speaking of Cardinal Rampolla,
the article continues: cardinal RAM
polla is spoken Of by many outsiders
as having the best chance for election.
but to those who know most he is held
to have less chance than the three can
didates already referred to. The pope's
secretary of state is known to he a
republicans: he is too young to be ac-
ceptable to most churcllmen. who look
With distrrSt upon Il man who is rs
likely to have as long IL reign as Leo
NH or Plus M
The three candidates spoken of
above. as already referred to. were
Cardinal SartO, the choice of the Ital-
ian party. meaning by that those car
dinals friendly to the Italian govern
ment. Seratino Vamutelli the candi-
date of the so-called progressive car
dinals. and Cardinal Gotti. the can
didate of the so-called reactionary car
dllEals. In view of the fact that these
views were written before the car
dinalS entered the cOnclave. the article
becomes interesting and worthy of per-
usal.