Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-02-21
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SATURDAY, February 22nd.
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ness corporation distinct from church
Chairman Stearns interrupted the line
of inquiry pursued by Mr.. Dupre against
Mr.. Booth.
state Auditor Callahan of Lewiston took
exception to statements that mo rights
existed for the people in the Catholic
church and defended the parochial
schools. the standard of studies and said
that he has TWO daughters who had pass
ed through the paroehial schools and
then graduated as valedictorians in the
+ High school of Lewiston. He also in
staneed the fact that he was connected
with bank which had loaned $4,000 to
the Catholic church on its note of the
corporation sole.
Peter Charles Keegan of Van Buren,
made a brief address, saying that he
thought that this was a little family quar-
, rel which would be settled shortly and
that save for small coterie of men there
was no demand among Catholics for a
change from the corporation system.
Mr. Keegan was asked concerning
his thought of the Introduction of the
men who lead the movement against
the corporation sole. last session, and
said that he considered it a very mild
reproof
Repeal of Law Would Be Calamity.
Having lived in six different Cath
Ole parishes in Maine since he was
p years of age Matthew Mccarthy
of Rumford Falls considered that he
had some knowledge of the conditions
and the benefits of the corporation
sole. He knew something of the sit
uation and the sentiment of the French
Americans of Rumford and he took
exceptions to what had been said con-
corning. them. He did not believe that
10 per cent. of then We're in favor
of this proposition. There was much
less sentiment, today than two years
ago for it. In his opinion the repeal of
the law would be a calamity to the
church and the State.
Because of the corporation sole"
he declared, the gospel had been
preached in many a place in Maine
and churches had been erected where
there would have been none had it not
| existed"
In his own town of Rumford the
| French people had a church and a
| school, but would never have been able
to get them had it not been for the
credit of the corporation sole.
A Case of Misrepresentation.
| Rev. FIR. NJ. C. McDonough, Vicar
! General, of Lewiston, felt sorry that
such an example had been made be-
fire the committee of manevolence,
misrepresentation and misunderstand-
ing. He was sirry to see the Legisla-
ture and the committee, dignified
bodies, called upon to pass upon the
affairs of the great Catholic church.
There had been nothing said which
pertained to the corporation sole, il
! all dealt with the management of the
| parishes.
| He then gave a concise statement of
the manner in which the finances of
| the parish were handled. He said that
| If these men had the courage to bring
the highest officials of the Catholic
church there before. as it We're, a bar
of justice, they should have had the
courage to question their pastor.
He was asked by Mr.. Dupre con-
! corning the decree of the congrega-
| ton at Rome issued on Aug. 10, 1911
| il it did not order the Bishops to
dissolve the corporation soles and
| answered that it did not
! You say that this decree was not
| issued"' urged Dupre.
| Il said that there was no such de-
! cree as you suggest, issued,
| Mr.. Dupre then referred to the de-
cree, holding up a paper which he
/ held in his hand and the Rev. Father
asked him to read it. Mr.. Dupre said
he would read the English, whereup-
on the Vicar General said to read ii
| in Latin, that he was not sure he
Dupre) could translate it. The
1 Biddeford lawyer said it was very
/ long and there was a shout of laugh
!, ter.