METHOD OF ELECTION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 57, 4 September 1914, Page 2

METHOD OF ELECTION

ABSOLUTELY SECRET. Each Cardinal at the Electoral Conclave is accompanied -by a clerk or 1 secretary, known for this* reason as a Conclavist, and by one servaont only. With the officials of the Conclave, this makes 250 persons who enter the Conclave, a.nd have no further communication with the i outer world save by means of turning boxes. A crowd still collects morning and evening in the great square of St. Peter's, towards the time of the completion of the vote, to look for the smoke which rises from the burning of the voting papers after each session. When the election, has not been effected, alittle straw is burnt with, the papers, and the column of smoke then apprises th© spectators that they have still no Popo. Within the Conclave, the Cardinals, alone in the common hall, usually the Sistine Chapel, proceed morning and evening to their double vote, the direct vote, and the "accessit" (next in merit). Sometimes these sessions have been very numerous; for example, in 1740, Benedict XIV. was only elected after 255 scrutinies. On other occasions, however, and notably in the case of the last few Popes, a well-defined majority has soon been evident, aaid there have been but few scrutinies. Each vote is immediately counted by three scrutators, appointed in rotation, the most minute precautions being taken to ensure that the voting shall be secret and sincere. When one Cardinal has at last obtained twothirds of the votee, the Dean of the Cardinals formally asks him whether he accepts liis election, and what name lie wishes to assume. As soon as lie has accepted, the first "obedience" takes place, and immediately after the first Cardinal Deacon goes to the Loggia, of St. Peter's, and announces the great ne\vs to the assembled people. The Conclave is then dissolved. On the following day take place the two other "obediences," and the election is officially announced to the various Governments. THE OLD RIGHT OF VETO. During the 19th century Austria exorcised, or tried to exercise, the right of veto at all the conclaves^ except that which elected Leo XIH. (1878) ; it did so again at the Conclave of 1903. At the end of July, Cardinal Rampolla had received 29 votes, when Cardinal Kolzielsko Puzuia, Bishop of Cracow, declared that the Austrian Government opposed the election of Cardinal Rampolla. The Sacred College considered that it ought to yield, and on the 4th August elected Cardinal Sarto, who took the name of Pius X. By a Bull of 20th January. 1904, i?ius X. suppressed all right of "veto" or "exclusion" on the part of th© secular GoveriMnents, and forbade, under pain of excommunication reserved to the Aiture Pope, any Cardinal or Conclavist to accept from his Government the charge of proposing a "veto," or to exhibit it to the Conclave under any form.

"That in view of the apparent determination of the General Manager of N«w Zealand Railways to abo^jph the Te Aro railway station, the City Council tnke immediate steps to nogotisite to secure &amo for a. market site, and that an ciTort be made to retain the railroad to Te Aro, it being essential to the pucccsti of a metropolitan municipal market." Text of a motion which Councillor Fuller intends to move at the next meeting of the City'Cquucil.