Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-17
INQUIRY TO Be MADE
Remuneration of Catholic Faith
by Marquise de Monsters
INFORMALLY DEBATED
TRUSTEES OF CATHOLIC UNIvER
SITY RETICENT.
The Waggaman Failure and Its Effects
Upon the Finances of the
Institution.
INFORMALLY DEBATED

sued her statement renouncing the Catho-
lie faith. No formal communication con-
corning the action of the marQuise. who. as
Miss Mary Gwendoiin Caldwell. the Amert-
can heiress, founded the Catholic Univer-
sity, has been received by the board OF
trustees. At the sessions of the board.
which have been held since converting yes
terday for the semi-annual meeting, the
sensational announcement of the marquise
has been discussed Informally and the de-
cision reached that the board could not
take recognition of the Monsters state
ment as business before the board until 1t
had been presented through official chan
nels. At the morning session today it was
suggested that Cardinal Gibbons, as the
presiding officer of the board. might with
propriety, make inquiry from Rome, and
this will be done.
Will Not Embarrass Trustees.
The statement is made on good authority
that the university authorities will do Moth
ing to conflict with the program of George
Truesdell, who, November II, was elected
trustee of the Waggaman estate. The uni
versity is Mr.. Waggaman's largest secured
creditor. and its officials feel that the in
debtedness is amply secured.
IN this connection the attorneys looking
after the interests Of the university in the
Waggaman failure made report which Is
said to be encouraging.
Finances Considered.
The trustees of the university. at their
session at the university this forenoon gave
earnest consideration, 1t was stated to the
financial condition of the institution. It
has been stated that the effect of the Wag-
gaman failure has been keenly felt by the
university, and has caused some embar-
rassment. which, 1t Is believed, can be tided
over until the annual collection for the
benefit of the institution is taken up in all
the Catholic churches in this country.
AS was stated recently to Star reporter
by prominent Catholic divine in this city
the collections will be taken up in a snort
time, and the money so collected will be re-
Christmas. In view of the Waggaman
failure, 1t Is said. efforts will be made to
make the collection the largest that has
yet been subscribed for the institution with
the view OF relieving any embarrassment
that may exist
At the recess following the forenoon
session taken to allow the prelates to have
lunch, about IL: 30 o'clock TODAY. the state
ment was made that the finances of the
university was the principal matter con-
sidered; that the Waggaman case was
touched upon, and that there was no for
NAL discussion of the remuneration of the
Catholic faith by the Marquise des Mon
stiers.
1t is the expectation of the officials Of
the trustee will be taken this evening,
and that a statement covering the sessions
will be given to the public. Whether this
statement viii contain any reference to
the action Of the Marquise des Monsters
could not be learned.
Paris Dispatch Discussed
special dispatch from Paris. received
by the New York Times, was shown to
Rev. Father Dougherty. Under a Paris
date 1t states:
THE Marquise des Monsters Merinville,
nee Caldwell, who founded the Catholic
University at Washington, but has re-
nounced the Roman Catholic faith, former
ly rented handsome apartment at 1Oa
Avenue des Champs Elysees, but has not
lived there since three years ago. when she
went to Rome.
The caretaker Of the house says that at
that time she was very deaf, almost blind
and generally quite Ill. 1t was with the ut
most difficulty, he says, that she was able
to scribble few words on a sheet of paper
to make known her wishes to him..
Father Dougherty. who Is secretary to
Mgr. O'Connell, rector of the university,
after reading the dispatch. said the au-
thorities had learned that the marquise was
i'll. but did not know her physical condi-
ton was such as described in the cable
message from Paris.
Leading Topic Today.
The action of the marquise continues to
be the leading topic of conversation in this
city as it is also reported to be throughout
the country, and many "reminiscences Of the
noted woman are related. One of the prel-
ates who is attending the meeting of trus-
tees voiced the feelings of the other trus-
tees, 1t was stated, when he said:
Our feeling In the matter of the cabled
remuneration of the Catholic faith by the
beneficent MarquiSe de Monsters is one of
sadness and sympathy"
Bishop Spalding of Peoria, former guar
dian of Miss Caldwell and administrator of
Der fathers vast estate, declared that he
knew nothing of the action of his former
ward until he read of her recantation In the
newspapers. The bishop said he was at a
loss to understand the action of the mar
cuise.
The repeatedly made statement that Mgr.
O'Connell had cabled to Rome for the
confirmation or REORGANIZATION of the
denied today by Father Dougherty, secre-
tary to the monsignor. 1t was added that
If such a cablegram had been sent to
Rome. 1t was done by an individual trustee
on his own initiative after leaving the
university.
1t was also stated that no official action
could be taken in regard to the matter until
1t comes before the board officially. Should
it develop. as 1t Is believed by some. that
one of the archbishops or bishops has ca
bled to Rome, and receives affirmation of
the reported renunciation. action may be
taken by the trustees at their late session
today.
I'VE only know of the reputed action of
this lady through the newspaper press -
said one official of the church. land there
fore there appears no reason why we
should act upon 1t collectively If the re-
port be true, an individual loved and re-
vered has forsaken the faith but the
church remains. and it's works will endure
forever"
Possibly Sent by Mgr. Falconio.
Another statement was too the effect that
Monsignor Falconio. the papal delegate,
may have sent a query to Rome about the
matter, In order that it may be brought
before the trustees before their final ad-
journment.
Father Stafford. an old friend of Miss
Caldwell said he would only refer to the
well-known fact that for several years the
marquise had been in ill-health and this
he must infer, had not a little to do W. i.
her change of faith. He expressed the be-
lief and hope that better health would
eventually lead her to again change her
mind and return to the Catholic fold
Archbishop Ryan Is reported to have said
that whatever action may be taken In re-
gard to Miss Caldwell. there will be no re-
turn of the money donated by her.
THE funds she presented" he added,
have been spent. They are now repre-
sented by stone and mortar. Whether Miss
Caldwell's name will be removed from Cald-
we'll Hall Will have to be decided later"
Miss Caldwell. 1t is said, was famed all
over the land as a liberal philanthropist