New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-17
SURPRISE AT UNIVERSITY
No Action on Mmquise des Mon
stiers's Remuneration of Catholicism.

Washington. Nov. 16-The semi-annua meeting
of the board of directors Of the Catholic University
Of America was held at the university to-day, and
matters of Importance connected with the future
of the institution were considered. Chief of these
were the renunciation of the Catholic creed by
the Marquise des Monsters, formerly Miss Mary
Gwendolin Caldwell. whose generosity founded the
university. and the bankruptcy case of Thomas f.
WaSSaman, treasurer of the university, whose
failure may seriously embarrass the board in pro-
viding finances for immediate use The statement
OF the marquse. made public yesterday came
a complete surprise officials of the university.
They did not know she was contemplating such a
step nor that she had gone to Rome from New
York. where she spent the summer AS no formal
communication has been made to the university
concerning the Withdrawal! of the marquise. it is
announced that action of any kind will be
taken by the board of trustees without the most
careful deibera ton
"hen the meeting was called order to-day
Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishops Williams of Bos-
ton; Ryan, of Philadelphia Farley. of New-York
ana heane, OF Dubuque; Bishops Spaldng, of Peo-
ria; Foley of Detroit Macs of Covngton KY
and Harkins. of Providence r. L. and Charles j.
Bonaparte. of Baltimore, were present. The Wag
gaman case was the principal subject considered,
but 1t was not decided to give statement to the
public at this time The statement from the Mar
quise des Monsters taken up, but not as a
part of the business OF the board. One of the
members said that the board unwilling
consider the now and Is particularly opposed
is not understood by US" he said, land until a for
NAL communication should not like to
talk about 1t. The entire matter came a
prise. and especially those of who ia
miar with the marquise's physical condition. But
please do not msunuerstand in that regard
do not imply that she in any way
incapacitated to think and act for herself. She is
her mistress Knowing nothing of what
prompted her take the course she did, must
wait until 1t is made clear.
The bull, in which the board built
with the original contribution from Miss Caldwell
Carved in stone over the door is Miss Caldwells
with the announcement tbst she Is the
founder of tho university. In the main reception
room is a portrait of Miss Caldwell, painted in
1889 which bears the inscription: "Universitatis
Fundatrix." Neither the painting the
of the marquise the door will be removed by
the board until formal consideration has been
given to the
At session in the afternoon, extending well into
the evening the Marquise des Monsters affair and
the Waggaman failure continued 10 occupy the at
tention Of the directors in the latter the dis
cussion relating the effect Of the failure the
university and the means to be taken to protect,
far as possible the institutions interest in the
bankruptcy proceedings.
OF the Marquise des Monsters the dignitaries
OF the Church, when tonight at the uni
versity. cared to say little, If anything. Cardinal
Gibbons asked to be excused from saying anything.
but Archbishop Ryan authorized the statement
that reply from Rome yet has been received
the cable dispatches of Monsignor O'ConneIl.
the rector of the university. asking for information.
The Archbishop placed little credenCe in pub
lished statement that. because of the prO-govern-
ment feelings of the marquse,s husband in regard
France; he had induced her to rsnounce the Cath
expected tonight will end with to-morrow's fore
session, when. in accordance with the usual
It not said. however that this statement would
contain any reference to the marquise's action.