The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-02-09
TIE PARSONAGE BILL IN THE
ira TCIAT TTRR

the occasion Delng the lntrouuctlon OF OIL
to exempt parsonages from taxation. 1t is TO
be hoped that the debate was a source of
spiritual profit to the gentlemen who par
ticipated in or listened to it, for
il is certain the members of the
Legislature will not be less likely to do their
duty to their constituents il they are called
upon from time to time to seriously bear in
mind that religious matters merit their stten-
zion both as individuals and as legislators.
The debate yesterday indicated very clearly
that the religious ideas of some of our law
makers are decidedly hazy, and if we
thought that the exemption of parsonages
from taxation would have any beneficial effect
upon the morals of the individuals who
are presumed to represent us at Harrisburg,
we might be disposed to advocate it as mea-
sure of reform that would be worth vastly
more than it would cost. AS it is, we are
totally unable to see the propriety of the
proposed exemption; and the members of the
House who advocated it yesterday appeared
to have the religious vote-if we may be
allowed the expression-in their minds eye,
rather than any particular spiritual good that
might accrue to themselves or the
public at large. The bill, as
originally introduced, applied only to the par
sonages in Cumberland county, and it was evil
IDENTIFY intended as an advertisement for Mr.
John D. Leibig, the member from Cumber-
land. Other pious legislators, however were
anxious to make bid for the religious vote,
and Mr. McGowan moved to include Phla-
delphia county, and Mr.. Miller and Mr.
VIM. f. Smith the entire State. If parson-
ages are exempt from taxation other property
will ere long be presenting nearly if not
quite as strong a claim to be excused from
bearing its proper share in supporting the
Government, and thus all the taxes will be
| thrown upon the shoulders of a comparatively
limited number of persons, whereas all who
receive the protection of the laws, whether
| private individu ,Is or religious or other cor
porations, should be obliged TO contribute
towards the cost of benefits that all enjoy
Wedo not pretend to deny the grelt benefit
that society derives from churches, consider
ing them merely as moral agents, and as
valuable aids in securing a respect for the
laws and in promoting public or Ter. Bat it
is opposed to the spirit and the letter of the
National and State Constitutions that reli-
gious corporations should cs;vs support
from the State treasury; for, practically, to
exempt them from taxation is the same thing
as paying them so much money out of the
treasury. The laws of the nation and
of the State guarantee protection
to all descriptions of religious belief,
and this is all that they with propriety can
do. 1t is the duty of the private citizens
who are interested in certain churches to
| &c ,o;r i
the churches, neither Individually nor col
lectively, have any right to demand pecuni-
ary assistance from the public treasury.
Mr.. Marshall yesterday took the proper
view of the case when he protested against
this whole system of exemption as being in
violation of the srtic'e in the
State Constitution which says that mo man
can of right be compelled to attend, erect, or
support any place of worship, or to maintain
any ministry against his consent" There
are thousands of taxpayers in this State who
profess no religious belief, and while we
freely admit that it would be mach better for
themselves individually and for society in
general if they were good Christian ms, it can
not be denied that by the exemption from
taxation of property belonging to certain re-
ligious corporations they are forced, in viola.
ton of the Constitution, to support places OF
worship which would not be able to get a
dollar from them in any other manner, and
to maintain ministers who teach doctrines in
which they do not believe.
In this city there are several million dol
lars worth of church property exempted
from taxation, which, if it were obliged to
contribute proper proportion to the public
expenses, would enable the whole tax rate tc
be reduced and thus relieve the public al
large of portion of its burden. Independ
emily of all this, the exemption of church
property has been and is made the excuse fol-
extending the exemptions almost indefinitely
The cemeteries, which are mere land specula
tions, are exempt without shadow of Justice
chiefly through the advocacy OF Senator
George Connell, who is well known tC
be the chief owner of Mount Moriah, ant
who accordingly is benefited annually to thC
extent of several thousand dollars. Now it il
proposed to exempt parsonages from taxa
ton, and then something else will be pro
posed as having an equal claim, and so tn,
thing will go on until large proportion o
valuable property will pay nothing into tn
State Treasury, while the taxes will be pro
portionally increased in other directions
The whole system of exemption is wrong
and we sincerely hope that MIR. Marshall ant
such other members of the Legislature VIII
have any regard for the public interests vii
earnestly oppose this Parsonage bill and al
| similar measures for increasino tha k,,vao,,