The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-03-28

upon clerical vesmens or other things OF that kind for
every religious society, or every church, because other
religious societies and churches who introduce them may
be rich and competent TO pay the duties, and there
ought 10 be left TO pay them But il 10 me this
Is one that cannot be drawn into precedent and has
such merits as 10 commend il TO the favorable consdera
Mr.. SEWARD was going to propose an amendment
to the amendment OF the honorable senator from Mary
land, Mr.. PRATT,J which would have removed all OBJ
lection to the measure general bill But il is
longer necessary 10 pursue that object the has
Withdrawn his amendment
hnd upon careful perusal that this bill proposes noth
ing more than to remit duties upon donaton--a Euro
pean donation TO an American charity. The articles
which are charged with this duty the gifts of Euro
peans for benevolent, humane, charitable American
purpose. do not think that becomes the United States
TO tax contributions OF foreigners 10 domestic
chaIes Therefore. am free TO say that shall vote
or hs bill as, under similar circumstances shall
Tor any other.
All will recollect that few years ago articles Of great
value were sent present 10 the United States and
came subject to dues and although Of such great value
and OF admitted usefulness, the munfcent gifts
ualy sold under the hammer OF the house officer
to pay dutles and went into the hands OF strangers
hope Congress may always be willing to relnquish dn
ties upon such donations Such charities are not nume-
GUS enough ngh % need need to be discountenanced
Mr.. BORLAND. suppose, from what has been done
in similar cases before, involving the principle that
this bill will be passed and for the same reason that has
governed me IN my vote heretofore in similar cases. |
shall have TO vote against this bill Therefore, as |
think It will pass, feel the greater proprety in stating
the reasons for which shall vote against this bill.
As an appeal TO my feelings it is very strong
and if felt at liberty 10 consult my feelings alone ap
propraiing the public money, would not hesitate a
moment in yielding TO them in this But think this
is not case in which we have the power authority TO
make an appropriation OF money. 1t is small affair, il
is true; but we know very well that that is precisely the
way in which all abuses creep into the administration Of
government or the execution OF its laws. II you bring
forward question involving very large amount Of
money Why il strikes the mind so forciby at that it
would set each one to thinking and considering the
ground they will probably occupy in regard to IT, Under
tP on pvox tn
principles, or to disregard of principles which the next
year, or perhaps the very next day, will be brought up
in judgment against and require Justify in
going for the largest amount OF money, and for the gross
est violation OF princpenot the more gross and obec-
honable on account of the amount, far as the
principle is concerned, but the striking on account
OF ts magnitude. The principle is the whether il
be $5 or $5, ,0000 will vote for propo-
ston to repeal the laws levyng duties upon all imports
into this country and for adopting another system for
raising the taxes necessary TO pay the expenses of this
government. One reason why would do so is because
our tariff laws operate unequally This bill is make
them operate shl more unequaiy not in amount but in
principle, discriminating between different individuals
and different classes OF individuals
Now, am no sectarian regionis do not belong TO
any religious society whatever; tolerate all equally
We cannot help seeing that, in this case, do discrim
nate between religious Institutions and set this govern
meDt up favorer of al the expense of another
We know that religious societies in this country have
different customs in regard TO this matter Some societies
not only do not use these vestmens. but Tepudae Them
and object 10 them They cannot come in for such
advantage is proposed 10 be given by this bill 10 this
institution, because they have such wants; but yet
they the less required pay their proportion Of
the contribution to this particular institution. For this
reason, without regard TO the amount concerned shall
vote against this bill
standing all that has been said. have none OF the scru
pies that gentlemen seem have upon the subject. be-
cause do not consider this as graiuily appropia
ton OF money TO this society or religious institution IL
is but simple exercise OF that power which this and all
governments have right TO exercise and do exercise
every day. in selecting such objects they choose TO ex
fran fuN aItnn ALL la ilet
OF free articles not in many words making these artl
ces free, but it amounts to the thing would have
preferred to have had the amendment OF the senator from
Maryland Mr. PRATT 10 make all these articles for all
these societies free. This bill as understand it, makes
preference for religious denomination anoth
er, Tor would 90 for one denomination as soon as for
another This merely an exercise OF that power which
we have exercised often, and which recorded upon
satuieb books declaring for general purposes that such
and such articles ought 70 be sxsmp'es and inal We are
are taxes and all that say here IS that IN regard 10
these religious institutions and benevolent societies,
inares OF learning and other classes will, in the
ercise OF sound discretion, withhold the taxes upon par
tcular articles therefore hope this bill will pass, and
that other bills OF similar character will be passed also
am very glad that the question il brought up for there
is another in which The committee have reported ad
versely and II this bill is passed shall ask for that bill
10 be passed also.
do not understand that this is as the senator from
Arkansas tMr BoRIANDl says, treating one denomna.
ton better than an0,her do not understand so at all
do not ask conhne this assistance than
hithOukn oluef may MOI use tue
vesments yet they may desire TO bring in monuments,
and siauary and books and twenty other things which
they want just much the Catholics want these ar
icles OF vesure. therefore think that II " very far.
fetched 10 argue in that way. would 60 for this not
only in favor OF this society," but even II applied to
other religious societies, semnaries OF learning &c.
Now The whole question is, whether not, matter
of public expedlency and proprety, the government will
choose TO exact tax upon these objects OF religion and
benevoence. | think II should not The government
has decided heretofore and do not see why Just al
this time, when our treasury IL overfowing-some
S500 0o0 or tbefeabou,s coming In yearywe should
refuse this liue. hope therefore, that this bill will
pass, and will ri for the committee hereafter
when similar matters come before them.
Mr.. BORLAND: have but one remark 10 make.
The senator from Louisiana Mr. Dowssl has suggested
reason why should make an allowance IN this
and in others as s proposed, that have
overlooking treasuTy-some S30,0000D0 or upwards in
the treasury Now, VI that il 10 be admitted as ground
upon which TO make liberal approprationsand donations,
think this government is in a fair ways well started
in which will lead 1t its ruin To my mind, so
of making these appropriations, II raises the conside
ration as TO the proprieiy OF cutting down our expenses,
lowering taxes, and not imposing upon our people
the burden OF raising money than ~ necessary for
the economical expenditure OF the government II the
treasury is oyerowing then should be more careful
IN oar expenses, and Try TO get hack 10 the old demo-
cratic doctrine OF cutting down expensesto wants.
and not waste money Tor purposes OF berallty.
do feel authorized Iegslae upon any such grounds
Mr.. DOWNS. Viewing the subject as the senator
from Arkansas, tMf BoRLASDl does his argument may
be very good one But viewing II as do, il does not
apply 10 this case nj all. think that when we have
full treasury II s why we sh oud not add
taxes. and also why might exempt few that
have. The object of taxation is to raise money
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