The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-11-21
GIBBONS TO CLERGY
cAunrNAI,s LETTER REGARDING
 CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY.
Ia of the OpiniOn that Despite the Re- cent EHas9ortunes, the Institu- tiom W'fIl he Able to Con-
 tinue its Work.

UN0M tinue It's Work.
 o
 Washington, Nov. 20.--In accor- dance with an understanding reached at the recent meeting of the board of trustees of the Catholic University. Cardinal Gibbons today gave the press the following ofEicial letter addressed to the Catholic clergy:
 "Cardinals Residence.
 ''BaItimore, Md. Nov. 2, 1904. Right Reverend, Dear sir:--The bosrd of trustees of the Catholic Uni- yersity of America at their meeting April 14. 1904. unanimously adopted the following resolutions:
 es' Resolved. that. nls eminence, the chancellor of the Catholic University of America, be requested to write, and to send to the hierarchy of the United States, one month before the first Sum day of Advent. 1904, letter of thanks for the interest taken in the collection for the University in 1903, and asking them to kindly keep up their generous solicitude for this worthy object by recommending 1t to the reverend cler- gy and the laiety of their respective jnrisdiction.'
 Tn pursuance of this action of the trustees, desire to state that the con- tributions received from the seventy six diocese amounted to S10B.051. This generous response of our clergy and people to the expressed wish of the sovereign pontif Is an evidence both of the cheerful obedience to the Holy See and of the generous devotion to their pastors. It is also gratify- Ing and encouraging to the trustees that so widespread a ninterest should thus be manifested in the welfare of the University, which. as it embodies the highest form of Catholic learning, is the most important undertaking of the hierarchy in view of the general creed. In the name of the trustees, and in my own. I tender you. your clergy and your people grateful &C., taken in the furfherRnce of this great work.
 with the collection and with dona- tions from various sources the re- ceipts of the University for the last year. apart from it's regular income. amounted to s1Be s09. Of these funds S6s,74s was employed in the payment of debts; s5o,000 was invested, and the remainder was used to meet current sxnenses. As d reassit. there was r, deficit last year, nor is there ct pres ent any floating debts.
 "The amount donated by the Knights l. of Columbus and not included in tho receipts mentioned above. was S50,000. This was also invested. making a total investment of S100.000 'The funds were placed for invest ment in the hands Of the finance com mittee appointed last year d90s). and 1 composed of gentlemen who enjoy the highest reputation for integrity and business ability. The entire amount. therefore. resulting from the collection iE absolutely free fFom complications and risks to which. as you doubtless have learned. through the press. the | general endowment of the university has recently been exposed.
 Regarding the actual situation, I deem it my duty to inform you that 1 the funds hitherto handled by the treas urer of the university aggregate $ss1.- 900. The disposal of these funds in no way involves the property of, the university. its lands. buildings or equip ment. The funds themselves are pro- tected by securities which 1t is confi- dently believed will. in any equitable settlement. insure the university against serious loss
 Pending the final adjustment of all claims now in litigation. the university Is in large measure deprived of the revenues which have heretofore been avatlable for its work. This is more re- grettable at the present time when the university should be so strengthened and developed as to attract our catholic gentlemen and draw them from non. catholic institutions. With the utmoRt economy as now proposed in the uni VeTsity department. the amount is not sumcient for the necessary expenses,
 The foregoing statement will nat urally suggest variety of reflections. but what is really needed just nov, Is practical sympathy and generous CO., operation. This, I am happy to eav has been shown by the friends of the university. The amounts which thev nave guaranteed together with the next annual collection, which, ft ia boned will equal If not exceed that of T.St year. will enable us to invest a copaI6- erable sum after all current expensAs are paid.
 Moreover, a system of hnancia, sa rnlnistration has already been adopted that for the future will render the man agement of the funds absolutely sacura With the assistance of the Hierarchy tn the matter and called by the Holy Fs : ther, we feel confident that fha mai versity will be placed on n sound final. eial basis. In justice to those who as individuals O. as associations. have en- dowed the university, we must see that "uAA ID CoHtluueu. We Catholic DAO- pie, sincerely believe will aid IIber- ally in supporting an institution found . ed by the American people. for fine common good Of the clergy and Iaffv in all or dioceses. Our united efforts in behalf of the university under the existing circumstances will plainly show that we have at heart the best intents of education. and that we arc not to be thwarted by dinculties.
 'As I am prepared to do all in my power to build up the university and am determined to guarantee 1t against all loss. even at the sacrifice of all I possess. feel assured that you and your clergy will aid this sacred cause by an earnest appeal to the generosity of the people under your charge, and by personal sympathy for the work to which this collection is applied.
 The Holy Father, in his letter on the subject last year, directed that this annual collection be taken up on tho first Sunday of Advent or on the first convenient Sunday thereafter.
 James, Cardinal Gobbons, | Chancellor of the Catholic University of America"