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

PRATrl that it 10 me his amendment II adopted,
VIII deisat tle bli os have unlocked for effect, be-
cause when rs adopted il will be public bl and we
cannot consider II today. II is private bill now--for
ihe feei OF one single corporation but il adopt the
senator's amendment il becomes public bill of course,
and our jurisdiction ousled For that reason il would
De InJudiclous, think, 10 adopt the amendment
think there Is great deal OF force in the suggestions
o. me honorable senator from Virginia, Mr. HUNTER
II u Is true that there be religion without cere-
mony, and no ceremony without yesnents, would sug-
gest that there things besides ceremonies and
mens That belong TO religion and the priests cannot
live without food any more than they can without vest
meets perhaps we ought then 10 relieve them from duties
on articles OF provision which intended in good faith
to be eaten BY The holy and in this way shall be doing
by iegslaiing for yesments think the amendment
should be carried still further than the honorable senator
from Maryland proposes, and should extend TO all pro-
visions and am moi certain that il should include
all ne quors that are really intended for religious nse
and that the principle-if it be prncp!e-should be
carried to its whole extent and in all its ramfcations
and should not stop where il does.
thnk, with leave, unless somebody else wants to
make speech upon it, will lay the bill on the
table.
Mr.. PRATT hope the senator will withdraw il.
Mr.. HALE will do So
MIR; PRATT. certainly have but seldom been in.
debled to the honorable senator from New Hampshire
lr EALE either Tor advice for commseation for The
course have thought proper pnrsue and as il is sug
gested BY my friend from Michigan [M CAss no advice
be has given me will be likely TO profit daughter
lie says that the attaching Of my Amendment 10 this bill
which is now private bill. will make il public BILL
and II cannot consequently be considered to-day The
amendment does not refer TO the Carmelte Nunnery at
ALL This is private bill for the relief OF the Carmelite
Nunnery in Baltimore The amendment is TO make
similar provision for all which may arise hereafter
coming within the principle Of this special private act
as assumes public character is prospective in its
action. Its private character still remains applicable ex
clusively to this Carmelite Nunnery.
Now Mr.. President certainly do not see the force
Of the remarks Of the senator from New Hampshire II
they were intended in pleasantly do not think the sub
ec IS one which should have occasioned them But, no
matter how they intended really cannot see their
applicability TO The case before The Senate This sir is
religious institution in the city oil Baltimore, formed
by an association OF ladies' for religious purposes They
are engaged assduousy in educating the females OF that
ciiy-prooably the poorer class OF emaleswho sent
to hls nunnery TO be educaied-and one of the vows
which they have taken is perpetual poverty They have
money, and their vow is that they will have none
Their services in educating the poor are free of all charge
chapel has been built adjoining this nunnery for the
purpose OF enabling these ladies, without being exposed
70 the public gaze, TO the worship of their church
Now the idea which intended 10 be expressed by the
senator from Florida IS entirely right, but not in the
sense given 10 BY the senator from New Hampshire
These vesments have been used from time mmemorial-
from the commencement OF the Christian religion down
TO the present me-by Catholic clergy daily and habiu
ally IN the exercise OF their religion Now, the
tor says we may differ with them in regard the
sity OF these ormaes but that their creedhat these
vesments TO be used and that religious exercises
cannot be carried on without the OF such vesmens
they here ask to remit the duties upon. Ii their
gon and the religion Of the Catholic church and these
ladies having associated themselves together for this be-
nevolent purpose, the simple question is, whether in
case like this ought impose duty upon them or
not.
Now, the senator from Virginia tMr. HUSrER.l il he
had been on the other side, being strict consuconist
OF the constitution, might nave introduced the constu
uon for the purpose OF showing perhaps, that the mpo
silon OF these duties would be in accordance with The
spirit a, any rae, OF that instrument We prohibited
by one article OF the constitution from passing any law
establishing religion interfering with the exercise OF
religion Now, here are set of ladies whose religious
vow is poverty who are, therefore, unable to pay the
duties these yesments which have been sent do
nation 10 them 10 be used by the clergyman the chapel
in which they worship. According to the worship OF
their church, these are essentials in The exercise OF that
religion. therefore think the ingenuity OF the learned
senator from Virginia, II he had been the other side
would have brought this case within the con-
stulional provisions.
But, Mr. President, there are a number OF cases. in.
dependent OF this, which have been introduced TO
notice by the senator from Florida, bearing upon this
question In the first place, II has been usual TO remit du.
lies upon everything which has been brought into the
country imported by semnares OF learning and OF The
acts which have before 10 act passed in 1926,
which remitted the duties marble capitals bases sc ),
which were imported for The OF the University OF
Virginia. And 30 find that in many other OF Con.
gress those articles which have been introduced by semi
nacs o learning have been exempted from duty. This,
then, is schoo-a seminary OF learning do not say
that they do not teach religions but il is part of the
creed OF the persons engaged in this seminary thN they
should worship the Almighty in the mannef 10 which their
church prescfbes and thai only be done by the
ask ed 10 be remtted
think therefore, looking at il as seminary OF learn
ing, that these duties ought to be remed But sir look
ing at u as II really sas importation OF articles ior this
religious instuon-tbere many cases, besides those
referred to by the senator from Florida, entirely 10 point
and doubt whether the senator from Virginia, any
who opposed TO this BILL lay his finger upon
single case in which application has been made TO the
Congress OF the United States for relief OF duties OF
this kind where relief has not been granted
By an act approved March 2, 1919, there was relief
granted 10 the Bible Society of Philadelphia, making
books which imported by that society free of duty
And So by act OF April TO- the Bible Societies OF Balt
more and Massachusetts were allowed 10 import Bibles
Tor the OF those societies free OF duty have in the
hook before many that have been referred 10 by the
senator from Florida, but is not aecessary for to
refer 10 them again There some twenty cases pre-
cisely similar the one before the Senaie, which
The Congress OF the United States RENTED duties do
hope therefore, that in which certainly addresses
ITSELF al is admitted on all hands, with as much feeling
this body any that could be presented this Senate
viii make distinction between those poor ladies and
every other class Of people similarly situated who have
applied and obtained reliefthst they will not make this
the first case in which that relief IS denied.
Mr.. CASS MIR President, | do not want 10 obtrude
myself 10 this conroversy but the honorable senator
from Maryland IMf PaATTl has given rather an inge.
NOUS turn TO expression OF mine, wish 10 disayow
the meaning he gives 10 IT, ! did not mean 10 say that
the honorable senator from New Hampshire had never
given the senator from Maryland any good adyce;
could not say that What did say was, that had never
the senator from Maryland TO profit IT, Laugh
teri
MIR BADGER It's unfortunate 10 have TO say any
thing gravely, upon grave subject Immediately alter so
happy HIT am entirely in favor OF the passage Of the
bill aording relief to this religions association OF ladies'
but think II the senator from Maryland VIII hear me
a moment, he will perhaps see the propnety oil with
drawing his amendment There are several reasons Tor