The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1912-09-26

Crowley; and public enemies they
tacitly confess themselves to be.
Mr.. Crowley's exposure of the
paroehial school system and the
character of many Of the shepherds
~Of the people In Chicago, written
in 1904, while the author was a
fully accredited member of the
priesthood, reveals a state of facts
almost beyond belief He does not
deal in mere rhetoric, but supplies
instance after instance in almost
sickening succession His naivete at
the time appears from the fact that
one Of the first copies of the book
was sent in all good faith to the
Pope, whose perfunctory utterance
in favor Of the revelation of all
truth was actually taken in earnest
by him. In strong letter, he
pleaded with the Holy Father to
take steps to clear the church from
scandal, and to rid it of those
whose infaEay brought reproaeh
upon it. OF course the pope paid no
attention to so inconyeaient a re-
quest; and his representatives in
this country proceeded to lavish
special honors on some of the most
guilty among those whose vices and
crimes had been so unsparingly ex-
posed by Mr.. (then "Father")
Crowley.
The author did not stand alone in
seeking to bring about reforms in
the church, and gives credit to the
ReEs. eastman and Hodnett, two
Chicago priests, for joining him in
seeking to cleanse the Augean
stables. The subsequent history of
these priests is unfortunately not
given as it would be of interest to
know whether they have also left
the Roman Catholic Church. In
January, 1901, Mr.. Crowley relates,
Revs. eastman and HodRett went to
washington as representatives of
the reforming element to lay before
Papal Delegate Martinelli serious
charges Of immortality against the
Rev. Peter J. Muldoon, then in line
for bishopric, and others. Copies
OF these charges had already been
sent by registered mail to the Vati-
can. Mr. Crowley's account of the
interview is worth quoting.
'sThe Rev. eastman called to the
attention of the delegate several
grave charges Of clerical immortality.
The Pope's representative shrugged
~A0 HAOAINOAOp NAA4ACA3 dAN 0dAO.
The Vatican pays no attention
whatever to such charges Rev.
Hodnett staggered back in blank
aHaaZement, and, making the sign of
the cross: Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
protect US! Mother Of God, save the
church, Rev. eastman then asked:
Should not the standard for a Chris
tian bishop be at least the equal of
that for Caesars wife-above sus-
picion?' His Excellency MartinelIi
replied, with a cynical shrug: Not
necessarily no means Rev.
Hodnett then fairly screamed:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, protect
us! Mother of Purity, save the
church! Tom Grew. Cashman) get
your hat; let us get out of here!
They are going to burst the Roman
Catholic Church in America!"
The, papal delegate, however,
knew better than the naive priest
lings, who innocently imagined that
the Holy Roman Catholic Church"
would make haste to purge herself
from corruption the moment the
truth was brought to the attention
of the higher authorities. 1t is not
for nothing that Rome has through
the many centuries of her existence
formed the habit of winkiBg at the
gravest crimes, if committed by
those capable of being of service to
her. Martinelli proceeded with the