Orth to By the President: Hamilton Fish, March 9, 1876

No. 10. Mr. Orth to Mr. Fish.

Sir: In my No. 93, of date January 21, 1876, I advised you of the passage in the upper house of the Reichsrath, with slight amendment, (the same having previously passed the lower house,) of the bill regulating and restraining religious institutions.

These amendments received the subsequent approval of the lower house, and the bill is now, and ever since its passage by both houses has been, in the hands of the ministry awaiting their recommendation for approval by His Majesty the Emperor.

As stated in my No. 93, this measure, during its pendency in the upper house, encountered the united opposition of the spiritual peers, who doubtless represented not only their views but also that of the body of the ultramontane clergy, who oppose, step by step, every innovation upon or change of their established notions or customs.

Pending this bill a most vigorous protest against it has been issued, signed by Cardinal Schwarzenberg and thirty-one archbishops and bishops and ecclesiastics. Presuming that the views thus expressed would be of interest to you in connection with this reformatory movement, I herewith send a copy of the original protest, as published in the New Free Press, with translation thereof.

The final action has not yet been taken by the ministry, but it is understood that a majority favor the measure and that the bill as it passed the Reichsrath will receive imperial approval.

I have, &c.,