The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-06

Although no public mention has been
made of the fact, IL has now bccom Q
known that on the very evening on
which the death OF Cardinal Rampolla
took place. Plus y. had signed the
patent OF his appointment as Gamer
/ lingo of the Holy Scat. an Office of
the utmost Importance, since its holder
exercises supreme power throughout
the interregnum that takes place he
tween the demise of Pontin and tho
election OF his successor ii Is he,
too, who has charge of the organiza-
ton and of the management of the
Conclave, and who Is called upon To
certify and officially establish the de-
misc CT the Pope. by tapping on the
hammer. summcning him thrice by
name. after which he prociaims the
fact that the Holy Father is really
dead" All this in accordance with
custom and tradition of 100 years.
Leo Kill, who was we'll aware that
| the late Cardinal Oreglia. the Gamer
| lingo OF his reign. disliked him. and
that lie was OF an irascible disposi-
| tion. was wont to joke about this
ceremony, expressing a humorous APP
! prehension lest Oreglia should when
! the hour came, give vent to his feel
I ings by striking unduly hard blows
| with the hammer.
4 IL Plus y. is delaying the appoint
ment OF a successor to Cardinals Greg
! liza and Rampolla In this connection
I il is because IL Is necessary that the
] camerlingo should be an italian, i'm
view of his being in charge of the af-
/ fairs OF the papacy during the inter
regnum. The fulfilment of these duties
/ by foreign prince of the church
might give rise TO complications with
/ the Italian government. The latter, II
is well known. would not relish the
/ presence OF 4 foreign Pope in til,
! Eternal City, the native of a country
| with which italy might find itself IL
political or even armed conflict. TIL,
objection would apply equally TO III
acting Pope, that Is to say, to Gamer,
| lingo.
Were it not for this, there is nc
doubt that Plus X would have ap-
pointed his secretary of state. and
most trusted confidant. Cardinal Merry
del Val. who Is n Spaniard Az il is
the choice Will probably fall upon Car.
| dinal Ferrata, who Is on fairly friend
~ terms with the italian government
and who is generally regarded as des-
tined to be tho choice OF tho next Con
clave as successor TO the present
! Pontiff
Leo Mi. was n wonderfully far.
sighted mnn, so much so that many
regard him as having been gifted with
| secohu siSht. ihus, he dcmurred al
| tho elevation of Archbishop Jean
Puzyna, OF Cracow. to the Sacred Col
lege. This appointment was repeat ed
~ pressed upon him by Rampolla. then
! his secretary of state. Finally. Lee
NIL gave way. remarklnG: II will dc
what you desire, but l hope that you
| VIII never have occasion TO repent
| having forced my hand in this natter
At the Conciave which followed Lee
Mills death, REmpoiia, having n ma.
jority of tho votes, would have been
elected Pope, had not Cardinal Puzynn
risen from his place and communicate
ed 10 his fellow members OF the Sa
cred College the veto. by his sovereign
| Emperor Francis Joseph. OF tho cleo
| ton OF Rampolla. 1t was In conse.
aucnce of this veto that Cardinal Sarto
Patriarch or Venice, was raised to the
chair of st. Peter.
/ Copyright 1914. by tho Brentwood
| Company