The Calumet news., 1914-08-27
New Laws Prescribed
by Plus x Viii Simplify
Election of Successor
Absence Of Rival Factions Also will Make Selection Less Difficult
Business of ConcIave Expected to Be Dis.
patched With Brevty

Rome, mug. z.-Ine approaching
conclave for the election of success
or to Pope Plus X. is expected [,
occupy considerably less time than tn,
similar assemblages in the past. II
the first place. the entire absence o
strong rival factions in the Sacred
College, such as existed at the time
Of the election of the late pope, is ex-
pected to make the selection of his
successor a matter of less difficulty
Still more important is the
change In the method of election that
was prescribed by Pope Plus some
six years ago, for the express purpose
Of simplifying the election machinery
and cutting down the time usually oc-
cupied by the conclave in arriving at
a choice.
The rule for many centuries was
as follows: When, after balloting, the
votes were counted and it was found
that no candidate had obtained the
necessary two-thirds majority any
cardinals who wished TO do so were
allowed to change their votes. Many
popcs who failed to obtain the reduis-
ite number OF votes in the ordinary
scrutiny have been elected in this
manner.
Pope Plus decided to abolish this
ancient method of election. At the
same time, however, he took measures
to expedite the election by introduce
ing an important change. Hitherto
cardinals have been allowed to hold
only Two ballots a day, one in the
morning after mass and the other in
the evening. Now the ruling provides
for four ballots, two in the morning
and two in the evening. Thus the COM
ing papal election is expected to take
only half the time occupied during the
last seven centuries.
1t is said that one OF the reasons
Tor this change arose out Of an Incl
dent at the last conclave, at which !
Pope Plus was elected. After the first |
scrutiny, when Cardinal Rampolla OBJ |
tained more votes than any two other |
candidates together, it was expected |
In the conclave that an opportunity |
would be given to the cardinals who |
so desired to change their votes. In
stead OF this, however, the assembly |
Immediately disbanded and voting was
put off until evening, with the result
that the election was protracted three
days longer.
Strict Secrecy Maintained.
On the day of the conclave all the
cardinals are summoned from their
cells by n hell thrice rung, and repair
tn the assembly cboir L,rnr, tbi. mo |
ment until the result of the voting is
they have no communica-
ton save with the vatican officials.
Their clothing and even their food is
searched, lest they should contain cor
respondence from friends outside. If,
by the greatest exercise OF leniency, a
visitor Is admitted, he must speak to
the immured cardinal through a graf
ing or iron and in n tone loud enough
to be heard by the watchers. After
night of this seclusion the conclave is
formally assembled early next after
noon, and all repair to the Sistine
Chapel, where a desk has been pro-
viGed for each cardinal. In the middle
of the hall are six tables and behind
these an altar.
Immediately in front of the altar is
a table on which are two chalices for
holding the ballots. Before proceed
ing further, search is made in the
chapel to assure the conclave of the |
fact that none but those entitled to ,
vote are present. Three inspectors of
The election are then chosen by bal
ot. Should any cardinal be so i'll that ,
he is unable to leave his dormitory, a
and take his vote, which is brought ,
to the conclave sealed and deposited ,
N one OF the chalices. ,
Each cardinal writes on little table ,
IN the corner of the chapel the name OF
he candidate he would elect, in the 1
enter of the voting ticket. This is OF
an oblong form, prepared according to 9
The directions of the bull of Gregory :
yV.
In the center are the words: "Elige 9
n Summum Pentifcem Rm. Dmmeum. .
D. Card" U elect Sovereign Pontiff 4
my Lord Cardinal y, after which y
he voter inscribes the name of the y
he would elect.
Prays Before Casting Ballot.
At the foot of the altar the voter r
TITS up his hand and exhibits the tick
Il between his thumb and finger. He +,
then kneels and prays for a moment, p
after which he takes oath that he is a.
about to elect him whom, according I,
10 God, he thinks ought to be elected.
lie then puts the ticket on the paten T
ana slips 1t from thence into the chal- n
zee, which he covers up again. Then .
ne makes anew a reverence before the n
iltar and returns to his place. +
When all have voted i'm like manner n
me six tellers examine the papers and =
proclaim the result. If no cardinal .
las obtained the required number of Y
'otes-two- thirds of the number of n
'ardinals present-the result Is declar- ,
~ void, and the voting papers, collect :,