New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-13

RESULTS OF "GR4FT."
Pius 4 Looking to America for the
Replenishnent Of His Treasury.
Rome. October 2e-


cisi situation OF the Vatican, its assured in
come barely covering half the expenses. It
would not bs fair 10 say that the business ahil-
sty OF Plus y is not good; for the man who. when
Patriarch CO Venice, planned and put into prac-
tice IN the Northern Italian provinces the sys-
ten OF parochisl banks has given ample proofs
that e be was not handicapped by the dignity
~ h:s lefty place he could, If necessary, handle
rnorey matters according TO sound business prin-
cjpiez- II Cardinal sRrto had been the fnan-
oisl adviser OF Leo XIII, Plus X would not
lave been obliged. at the moment of his cleo
tson. 10 reduce by half or cut entirely down all
bouuties and largesses which for centuries the
Popes when raised 10 the dignity Of the tiara,
,sea 10 shower on their courtiers. All legends
abc;,t hidden treasures discovered in the most
,-eposte-ous hooks of the Vatican library. Of
p-ceess rings dropped behind wainscoted walls.
Of millions offered TO the new Pops by cardi-
uals who had received them from the late
pupe 70 be held in trust for his successor,
sprsrg one and all from the heated fantasy Of
reporters whose knowledge OF the real Vatican
LIE was limited 70 the view Of the Swiss sem
.-y at the bronze gate.
n. fac: is that Plus x quite appalled, by
the balance sheets OF the administration OF the
sacred palaces which were submitted TO him for
inspection. An apparently unimportant fact
Vatican at that time. a century old custom
had fixed the amount OF the gift to be bestowed
or the cardinal charged with the announcement
20 the public Of the election OF the new Pope.
TIE SUI, OF $4,000 was due TO him simply TO
accomplish that ceremony from the lofty bal
oory the FACADE OF St. Peters Church Car
c!nAi AiRcchi performed his role TO perfection.
Ills strong. clear voice was heard to the turthest
end OF the wide piazza. But If he had known
that he had TO wait at least six months to cash
his check perhaps his voice would not have been
strung TO so enthusiastic q key.
Il was impossible even before the death OF
Leo XIII, 10 keep from public notice some Of
the losses suffered by the Vatican. When the
robbery in the special apartment Of the bureaus
% the administration Of St. Peters Pence was
slown eonjectures ran high about the amount
; the loss and the name of the defauiters. but
&c whole affair was hushed Up. though only for
short time for soon after the news spread
nat one OF the head clerks in the cash depart
bent of the Propaganda Eide had thought 1T 10
withdraw from business, pocketing small trife
OF $4,000. This employe went after all, scot
free out Of his little adventure. for his retreat
ing for thirty days into g convent can hardly
be called an adequate punishment for his sin.
He repented. indeed. but naturally the $4,000
never found it's way back to the Propaganda's
strong box
But those were small details compared with
what came 10 light at the first inspection of the
st Peters Pence administration Leo XIII
had appointed committee OF cardinals TO han
6Ie that money. The trustees were honest, but
they forget that speculation not only often
means failure, but that even when successful II
may cast a shadow, light indeed, on the Shout
oers OF hnsnoisr, bat which may look like d
stain on the red robes OF cardinals holding trust
fv,ss AZ <or 6s6n aIizrior
and the world is not TO be expected to Judge
rightly In questions in which the details cannot
BE made clear 10 the public at Large. Many mill
ions were lent to several families OF the Roman
srstocrscy. 20 retrieve their shaken fortunes.
with the p-siseworthy end, perhaps. to keep
them loyal 10 the political views Of the Vatican.
Tie exiIed French religious congregations were
elso largely helped. and proofs are not want
ing that ~ least OF the trustees dabbIed
In Etocks through agents who proved far from
trustworthy. The practical common sense
which character1zes Plus X told him tmmedi-
Rtsly that hope was to be entertained on the
recovery OF those sums They had TO be con-
Eldere6 as lost, not only because It was quite
out Of question for the Vatican to raise a scan
Gal IN openly coufess!ng how the intentions of
the donors had been frustrated, but also for the
tmpossibility Of resorting TO law against the
debtors in case they turned defaulters, for legal
proceedings must be taken through Italian
courts Of Justice. which the Vatican will never
consent TO do.
The first thing 70 do was TO clear the field
and Plus x went TO work with will The
committee for the management of the 81. Peters
Pence fund was dissolved. high empoves wera
cashiered. ana only clerks for the daily routine
we're kept ii their places Many cardinal
who during The last years OF the late Pope's
poatlacate was accustomed 10 see his ante
chamber thronged with courtiers and hatterers
g now reduced 70 the role OF platonio fault
finder OF a systern which does not any more
require his cooperation. It is customary to
oescant on the fabulous sums of money flowing
INTO the Vatican strong boxes from all parts
o. the world. but IL IS not known that even
what ought 20 be considered as the generous
BIT Of believers 70 their Pontir is not some
Times free from greediness and exactton. France
- pre-eIntnent IN asking for more than II gives
re Bishops q Laval and Dion, who have
fs!sed such an uproar on the Concordat cues
l'oh' were wont TO boast about the large sums
'.es Drought 70 Rome but they were prudently
h44e-L as 10 what they asked; for. what with
4i-'|sses OF concessions. they always secured
more man they had offered to the Holy Father.
me nrst answer Of the Bishop ot Laval TO tn.
luminous Of the Holy See to come TO
Ncfhe for trial proves that he had a
hope mat MS merits as one OF the most
feAlous collectors OF ST. Peters Pence would
Win Tor him the indulgence OF his Judges
WI come wner have collected the Offer
'Agi Of my diocese" he dared to write to the
rope The pererptcry order to come immedI-
tt@ly or be accommodated was mainly due 20
Els hint az money ularter-
~, as things stand now The Pope wants $4,000