Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-05-13
TAFT LEAVES FOR OHIO.
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| the attempt to arouse religious preJu'
ldice on the charge that / am in SOM
| manner unduly favoring the Roman
catholic church. 1t has been my officia
purpose first, as the governor genera
of the Philippines; second, as secre.
tary of war. and third, as President, {
encourage every church as far as pos
sibie, where this does not involve in
siduous distinctions and does not de-
part from the rule which separates ouI
state from official relations to al
churches I have unduly favored nc
church, but have treated them all witt
absolute impartiality.
ar 1902. | visited Rome and con.
ferred with Pope Leo VIII in an at
tempt to settle the friar line contro-
versy which had arisen in the Phil
ippines while | was governor genera
and after a time / succeeded in doing
So. When. last March, my aide, Major
Butt, set out on a "trip solely for his
kealth and proposed to visit Rome, he
asked me for letter of Introduction
10 the present Pope that he might have
the privilege Of an audience. and / CAV,
him such letter.
'yThe letter contained nothing but !.
statement of who Mai Butt was, and
an expression of the hope that he
might have the honor of being receiv
ed The only note or letter from this
Pope or any representative of his il
answer to this letter of Introduction
which | have received. is cablegran
of coincidence for all concerned, sent
BY Cardinal Merry Del Val by direc-
ton of the Pope at the time of the
Titanic disaster and making an inquiry
as to the fate of Maj. Butt, to which
replied expressing my thanks an6
giving the fact fhe letter introduce
ing Maj Butt contained no reference
to the recent appointment of Ameri-
can cardinals and no comment OH oil
reference to, the Catholic church or
any matter relating to it. The stories
circulated that I have made any in
quiry or have taken anywhere at any
time any part or manifested any inter-
sst in questions of social precedence
Of the recently appointed cardinal
are wholly without foundation.
The evidence that there is con
spiracy for the purpose of arousine
religious prejudice against me, Is
shown by the fact that at the instance
# some one unknown to me, IL was
reported in a great many very respect
able newspapers, that / sent a message
of welcome and congratulation to the
newly appointed Apostolic delegate by
wireless to the incoming steamer
which was bearing him to New York
No such message was sent by me or
| by anyone by my authority. A denial
Of the published report was issued
from the State House. but the denial
has obtained no publicity.
THE statement that | suspended an
order made by the Indian commissions
err affecting the garb of the teachers
in certain Indian schools, which have
been transferred from the Catholic
| church to the government is true.
| lid this for the reason that the com
missioner had issued the order after
consulting with the secretary of the
interior and without awaiting his con-
! illusions. The propriety of the order
has now been made the subject of ar
open, free discussion by all the parties
N Interest and the decision of the sec.
rotary of the interior will soon bt
handed down. i say nothing of tn,
merits Of the controversy except tina
the order reversed condition Which
has existed for years and affected 81
or 40 teachers who as nuns have beer
'ong before my time incorporated in tn
service OF the government and wh'