Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 July 1903 — THE ELECTION OF THE POPE. [ARTICLE]

THE ELECTION OF THE POPE.

We often hear the question, “How is the Pope elected ?” and all sorts of answers are given. Even a reporter to one of our dailies thought not long ago that the Cardinals are divided into parties, such as the Liberals and Conservatives, and that after the death of the Pope or even before that time each party nominates candidatesrand then these candidates begin to work themselves into the favor of the other Cardinals by speeches and banquets, just as is done in the case of our Presidential elections. Nonsensical ideas have never been wanting. That the ohoioe of the Pope is quite different from that of a president or govornor you may conclude from the following: On the tenth, or at least on the twelfth day, after the death of the Pope the Cardinals, with solemn chant of the “Veni Creator Spiritus,” enter the Conclave, which is held in a building especially re- \ served for the election of the 'Pope. In the morning of that day a solemn Mass is celebrated in honor of the Holy Ghost that he may enlighten the electors. With prayer and chant in honor of the Divine Guide and Protector of the Church, the Holy Ghost, the cardinals enter their cells, resolved to choose him whom they consider to be the most able servant and priest of God. During the time of election all intercourse with the outer world is denied them, that the cardinals may not be influenced by any wordly rulers or other prelates of the church. As circumstances require the choice is made in different ways; by majority vote, by general agreement or by enlightenment. The latter manner of election is seldom employed, namely, that a certain cardinal is acknowledged Pope by acclamation and homage paid to him as such without further ado. The usual proceeding is by majority vote. Each cardinal writes the name of that cardinal, whom he thinkß the most able and worthy, on an especially prepared ballott and seals it. The form of the ballot is, “I, Cardinal N. choose for chief pastor, etc., the most eminent and most reverend N. N.” These ballots are placed into a chalice on the altar, and the publishing of the result takes place by reading each ballot aloud. If one of the Cardinals present has received two-thirds vote he is declared elected supreme head of the Catholic Church. But if the vote happens to be more scattered and there is no two-thirds vote, then they resort to ' 'accession or agreement.” In this proceeding the ballott is also made use of. But the form is slightly changed, reading, “I, Cardinal N. acceea to N.” During the entire time of the Conclave the Cardinals are only allowed to partake of a frugal meal, no delicacies being permitted. This meal is prepared in the conclave building and is given to each Cardinal in his cell. When after any ballot a cardinal receives a two-thirds vote, then the cardi-nal-dean declares him elected and going to his throne in the chapel he asks him if he will accept the office. If he accepts, he must mention the name which he wishes to have as Pope. With acceptance of the office he accepts the entire responsibility and jurisdiction of the successor of St. Peter and the Vicar of Jesus Christ on earth. Then the Cardinal-dean announces from the balcony: “I proclaim a great joy unto you. We have a Pope, the most eminent and most reverend Cardinal N., who has assumed the name of N ” Thereupon follows the solemn homage of cardinals, during which the “Te Deum” is sung, and then the newly elected blesses the peofile for the first time. On the folowing Sunday or Holy-day, the Pope is solemnly crowned. The election of the Pope, therefore, is a sacred proceeding and has nothing in common with the election of the President.

REV. V. H. KRULL.

The glamour of a title has lured many an Americrn girl to life of misery, and yet the farce is kept op.

It costs WOO to call a neighbor a Jackass in Kansas. In some states it depends upon whether the oharge is true.

We arise to remark that the President is not a very howling success as a twister of royal tails. The Czar handed him one better

Based on adjustments before the strike, the coal trust is taking from the people $20,000,000 a year more than it is entitled to. This is the trust of playing even.

The Aigicultural Department is that bamboos can be frown in the United States. Anyow, the people of the United States have often been “bamboozled.”

A Pennsylvania man who discovered that he was illegally appointed to a position by the Governor has returned slsl in salary drawn. It’s a dead cinch he*s no politician.

Of the seed that is sown shall be the crop. This administration sent T. Thomas Fortune, a negro, to® the Philippines to look into conditions and report on the feasibility of settling a large number of negroes on the public lands, and now T. Thomas wants to be governor of the islands. Some people are unkind enough to suggest that the race question would be materially improved by sending T. Thomas to the cannibal Islands, or any other jumping off place.