The new era. (Walden, Colo.) 1906-19??, 1907-07-04
PRINcELY TITLE FOR MORGAN.
Rumor That He Is to Join Roman
Catholic Church.


Rome.-The recent rumor that ]. p.
Morgan intends to leave the Episco-
pal church and become Roman
Catholic has this much of founda-
ton, just leaked out from Vatican cir
Giles: The Pope wished to gle him
some conspicuous token of recognition
and appreciation, and the Vatican au-
thorities had sounded Morgans per-
sonal friends as to whether he would
accept the title of Prince of the Holy
Roman Empire.
1t is said that Morgan signified his
Willingness to accept the title, which
in past ages has been conferred only
on sovereigns, and is now held by the
Emperor of Germany. 1t was, how
ever, observed by some Vatican prel-
ates that papal titles cannot be con
ferred on private persons unless they
are Catholics, and an intimation of
this was conveyed to Morgan's
friends.
American prelates who have recent
ly been in Rome have informed the
Pope that since the resignation of DIR.
Rainsford from the rectorship of st.
Georges Church in New York, Nor
gan has not been as active in the
work of his church as formerly. In
view of this, there is hope at the Nati-
can that Morgan may in time become
a Roman Catholic, in which event one
of the greatest honors the church can
confer will be given to him, making
him equal in dignity to a cardinal.
Morgan is personally acquainted
with Plus ", whom he greatly ad-
mires, and two years ago, when he
visited the Vatican, the Pope person
| ally escorted him, arm in arm, through
the Vatican museums and galleries,
No such honor has ever been done by
pope to a private person, and very
seldom even to a sovereign.
A prominent prelate here, when
| asked what merits Morgan possessed
in the eyes of the church authorities
to be considered worthy of the great
honor proposed r-him, said that in
the first place he had done much to-
ward rescuing ecclesiastical artistic
objects from the hands of iconoclasts
who would have let them perish. Be
sides, two years ago, when the Pope
was in financial difficulties. he was
relieved by a check for large sum
from Morgan.
Some, whose Judgment in the mat
ter is of value, think that If Morgan
Holy See will honor him by comforting
decoration which will not necessa-
rily require his conversion to the
church.
The Duke of Loubat of New York,
on receiving his title, made present
to the Vatican authorities under the
late Pope amounting to 100000, and
Marquis Maloney of New Jersey, VINO
is now in Rome, gave as much to the
Vatican when he was made noble
man. and much more subsequently
when Cardinal Satolli went over to
perform the marriage ceremony for
the marquis daughter.
1t is customary for any one receiv-
ing a papal title to pay the fees
claimed by the dataria, which are de-
termined by special tariff. which
has been in existence for centuries.
The title of a prince would involve
fees amounting to $150,00O; those con
nected with dukes title would be
100000; a marquis would be required
to pay 100000, and a count 100000.
These fees go to the support of the
central administration of the church,
and are one of the most important
items of income in the Vatican bud
get.
1t has been determined to confer a
title on J. j. Hill, who contributed 50
much toward the building of the new
Cathedral of ST. Paul in Minnesota.