Foley, John Bishop of Detroit: Detroit, Michigan to William J. Onahan: Chicago, Illinois, 1890 October 4

Foley feels hesitant in expressing his views on the organization of the coming Catholic Congress. The committee is perfectly competent. The fitness of delegates is more important than the number. The selection of representatives will be difficult. To prevent the body from becoming too large, all association and society representation will have to be ignored. The number of delegates should be in proportion to the Catholic population in the various dioceses. Those finally chosen should be men of high education and literary prominence, as well as faithful practitioners. Since the Congress can continue for a week at the most, the topics to be discussed should not be many, but limited to three or four questions that have a direct bearing on the Catholic population, and would result in some practical good. As to details of organization, he feels that the committee, with Onahan, will arrange them satisfactorily.