New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-31
Regains His Calmness as
Priest Quotes Cardinal
on Return of Religion.
AGAINIS STEELED
TO FATE IN CHAIR
Talks with Wife and Prison
Chaplain, Shows Interest IN
War and Ball Game.

A., u-corsc.ously Charles Becker.
,c-ou-ccr Of 81 religious faith few
! -t-h., ago. is coming around TO Card
ra, Nev--ar's principle that mans
, religion crirs him hardest when he IS
p face 20 fa-o w'-h the biggest crisis %
lts life. He has so FER recovered from
thc passion O. rage or Thursday night
.Aa, 10 hos talked again with Father
tnshla about spiritual matters.
There g 10 use 20 mince matters.
Father Cosh!n told Becker. Whether
he WAS innocent OF not. the courts had
dooreed that re must die, and there
was onlv one n 'ne 20 do-to get ready.
Perhaps I've los. my faith" said
Becker. according 20 n person who
knows tAe exact words % the converse
f.on
"No. you've rot lost your faith re-
rNed Father Cashin You are com
INK 20 Cardinal Newman's distinction
between ro"onsl assent and real as
sent So matters or faith
Becker did not comment or the
priests Interpretation o. his spiritual
need. bus h's friends say that he could
not fail 70 grasp ITS significance
Rcgaius His CalmnesS
'v but steadily he IS regaining
..-rosure ~ IN the death house
FL. -.- ng lie Is recovering from
the effects = that ps-oXysm Of rage
which -nchcd h;s mind and body and
msdo him feel Ike renouncing faith
N God 70 was saner, q more reason
able Becker thai greeted his wife when
She came for he~ Sunday afternoon
visit yesterday
in spite o. occasional references 20
his case AID 90 the adverse decision OF
tho Court % Appeals, the ex-poice
lieutenant Sc approaching gradually
that normal stability which has been
90 strengthening 90 other inmates OF
tho death house in The last TWO years.
Becker has helped others 20 steel
themselves FOR the Chair Now ap-
rarerty lie realizes more deeply than
{. IS possible % appreciate that !, ts
Hecsor himself who must buck up.
And PERSONS who have had an oppor-
..~itv 20 observe him since the vol
c.nic interview with his wife and Mar
IN r. Manton on Thursday night say
lie will continue 70 Disguise his disap-
rointment under sober, rational actions
.a ,tose days that arc left 70 him arc
counted OF
/. is true that no few into o terrible
passion Of rage when ne first heard Of
lis doom. But IN that rage there was
10 element OF fear. II was the over
whclmiug shock % surprise, the cruel
thrust o. reality that 10 Becker had
always seemed Impossible. that IN
cerred the man.
Confidence Got Shock
50 confident WAS he % favorable
decision from the Court Of Appeals
'ra. he had made preparations 20 leave
lis cell lie had given away few
o. his .r!nklets, and had even dis
posed q :he Bible and PRAYER book
That iave comfortod h'm n his con
:r.mcrt.
Becrer's special q ,erests are begin
Irr % appear row shat he Is more
COMPOSED. He Sc O. strong pro-German
l md hos many arguments with Keeper
OToo!e. who is just as strong for the
Allies. Recently Becker has been road
ing q book called The King, the Hal
ser and Irish Freedom written by
James X. Mcclure. former Mayor Of
Syracuse Becker condemns John Red
rord 70. permitting Irish soldiers 10
enlist IN the British army.
YESTERDAY afternoon he became in
.sYes,cd IN the baseball game, IN which
fbc Sing Sing nine defeated Fordhsm
College by a score % 10 20 Q.
Before Mrs. Becker arrived he asked
the keopers several times u they could
geo her coming She. TOO, appeared
calmer. and they had quiet talk dur
ing her hours stay. Mrs. Becker and
Tathor Ceship were his only caller:
.esterday.
Warden Osborne has issued order'
-ra. slghtseers henceforth will be ad
n.ttcd only hy invitation.