The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-15

support he could count. But the cardinals
opposed to the secretary saw through the
scheme. and to counteract it put up Merry.
calculating that Rampolla could not afford
to go against his former friend. And thus
Merry became secretary of the conclave
and acting secretary of state by "A against
votes.
BECAME FRIENDS AGAIN.
''Rampolla is a noble character and
knows when he is beaten. Soon after
Merry's elevation he offered him the hand
of friendship again and they are on the
best of terms now. 1t was due to the
friendship between the former and the
acting secretary of state, it is said, that
Merry persuaded the new Pope not to in
sist upon going to the outer loggia to bless
the people, as he had originally intended.
Such, at least, is Vatican gossip; whether
true or not. the Pope, Merry and, perhaps,
Rampolla alone know.
LAS acting secretary of state. the young
Spaniard displayed great tact, political in
sight, modesty and capacity for work;
even his enemies, and he has number OF
them among the Italian cardinals, admit
that. His relations to Plus were the
best from the start and the Pope openly
admitted his fondness for Merry. 1t is
likewise acknowledged that the monsignor
did not raise finger to secure the
permanency of his appointment. Indeed.
his ambitions were In another direction. He
hoped to secure the post of nuncius with
Catholic great power. If he succeeded In
this he. hoped to become cardinal at the
age of forty-five, or whereabouts, for Pope
Piux had said shortly after his election, on
Aug 4, that Merry was too young for the
red hat.
ct know from an authoritative source
that the Vatican sounded the Austrian
court as to the acceptability of Merry as
nuncius The answer was that the En-
peror rather desired an Italian. Meanwhile
Pope Plus was still looking for a successor
to Rampolla He offered the post to Agli-
ardi, but, holding less troublesome posi-
ton as vice chancellor of the Catholic
Church, the Italian pleaded lack of political
insight and ill-health Next Satolli was
proposed-the man who used to be Leo
Kills personal friend and confidant, but
as his selection would have been sure to
make trouble with the anti-American party,
| Plus decided to drop him as possibility.
| Certain courts then urged that Vannutelli
be named, who represented the Holy See
| at the Cars coronation and is credited
| with being a diplomat of the highest order,
| but in the end his candidacy proved I'M
| available like that of the rest.
| During all tina, sime Merry did so well
as acting secretary. showed such splendid
| capacity for business and so much political
wisdom that the Pontiff left his coworker S
youth out of consideration, and without
| preliminaries invited him to accept the
| highest position within the gift Of the Holy
| See.
1T was done in a most fiatering letter,
| personally indicted by Plus. after q night
| Of hard thinking, afterward admitted.
| The message was handed to Merry at a.
m, as he was setting out for the papal
| apartments, and he said to his secretary: 4
| am almost sure that the Holy Father has
| found a successor for Rampolla and that
we will enter upon a season of comparative
| LEISURE
| "Merry's people testify to his utmost as