The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-25
SECTARIANISM.
How the Public Money is Filched for
DenOminational Purposes.
The Coming Struggle Between
Church and State.
THE BIBLE IN THE SCHOOLS.
The Chief Of a Politieo- Religious and Secret
Organization Dsnounccs the Pope
az q DeSp0t.
THE BAPTIsTs BEGGING.
A Church Corporation Worth Fifty Mil
lions Asking for Aims.

About It-No More Money for Parochial
schoolsin Damp Basemsnts-Ihe Pope's
Encyclical Letter Condemned
Stater ,nts and Statistics.
The publication In Fridays HERALD Of the resolu-
tlOns OF the Union League Club, with the report OF
the Standing Committee on Political Reform OF The
same organization, together with the alleged dona-
tons made 1882 1870 and 1871 by the city govern
ment and Legislature to the various religious
societies, churches schools ana benevolent IN
situations connected with the different religious
this city, caused the most intense excitement
among the i've or six hundred thousand communal
cants OF the conflicting denominations who fill the
churches on each succeeding Sunday in New York
city.
The report OF the committee published solely In
the HERALD, was signed by Mr. Dexter A.
Hawkins, a well-known lawyer of this city. Mr..
Hawkins Is a member OF the Executive Committee
OF the State Council OF Political Reform, an
organization which has for its basis pripci-
pies very similar to those held by the old
Native American party, as VIII be seen by
reference TO the document issued by them TO
the OF the State published in the HERALD
September 8, 1871, few days before the grand
rally OF the adherents of the Committee OF Seventy
at Cooper Institute. This document was signed by
w. +. Havemeyer, George G. Barrett, Hooper G.
Van V0orsr Jackson s. Schultz, Isaac II. Bailey,
Thomas q. Acton. @. G. Colgate, Richard Kelley,
John Hecker, A. r. Wetmore, s. s. Constant Alfred
q. Post, M. D.. George p. Putnam, Allan Hav, 8. d.
Moulton, John G. Crosby, Elisha Harris, Robert Hoe.
J. II. Ockershau5en, A. s. Hatch. r. Fl. McCurdy,
Zophar NILS and many other well known citizens.
After ascending two flights OF stairs ut 10 Wall
street the HERALD reporter found himself in the
Dexter A. Hawkins, who is, by the way, cousin OF
Colonel Rush c. Hawkins who is at present making
stir in the Assembly at Albany There were on
the shelves large number OF standard works OF
law, and when the reporter entered and asked for
Mr.. Hawkins the latter gentleman-who Is a man
with dark complexion, with slight inclination to
gray hair and whiskers, and OF 1tne personal APP
pearance, having large, piercing dark eyes, and
polite expression--arose and welcomed him cour-
teOusly, stating at the same time that the ere
formersn OF which no claimed TO be part and
parcel were mucn obliged TO the HERALD for the
publication OF the very important figures in regard
to donations OF land and money and remission Of
assessments granted by the city during the past
three years 10 the various religious denominations
of this city.
Mr.. Hawkins having seated himself and the
HERALD reporter having taken q chair, the latter
began to ask questions.
kEPORTEk-lnere Is COuHlueraple curiosity eX.
cited among tine readers OF the HERALD III re-
gard to some of the items which appear in your
statistical report OF donations OF land and money to
religious corporations.
Mr.. HAwKINs--In what wayG
Regeneration instance, there is one item which
has puzzled great many to-day. 1t is donation
of $4,317 IS to one Sister Helena, granted by the
city In the year 1862 under the head OF Roman
Catholic donations. Can you tell me who Sister
Helena isP
Mr.. HAwKlNs-I am sure / cannot The money
grants were made out In the uame Of the manager
manageress, priest or minister VINO had control Of
the religious Institution to which the money
was granted.
REPoRrER-Where did you obtain the figures and
Information upon which you base your report9
MIR. HAwKMs-From the Comptroller's books, by
order OF the Comptroller. The books were searched
by my clerks.
REPoRTER-what Comptroller9
Mr.. HAwKINs-Comptroller Andrew H. Green
REPoRTER-When did you obtain these figures
Mr.. HAwKINs-Slnce the 1st OF January, or since
Mr.. Green has taken office. "You see,n SAID Mr.
Hawkins, taxing up copy OF the HERALD, 'that
these donations and gifts are contrary to the con.
Ditutoa of the United States ana the constitution
of the state OF New YORK. shall read to you two
extracts, one from the first amendment OF the con-
march 4, 1889. 1t says:-'Congress shall make no
law respecting an establishment Of religion or pro-
nipting the free exercise thereof The constitu.
ton OF the State Of New York goes still further 1t
says article /, section 3):--The free exercise
and enjoyment Of religious profession ana wor
snip, without discrimination or preference, shall
nS pc aSsa TINS Sass to al
Alexander Hamilton one OF the great statesmen
VINO framed our constitution, was very deslrous Of
Nh tnnfh nf 10 fftttrfs
more plain and more explicit In regard TO religious
matters; but the states rights party OF that day
subject, consequently that clause in the constitution
was toned down to Its present state to suit them.
Long ago told leaders OF the republican party that
IL was unjust and outrageous that these donations
or grants OF money and land should be made by a
ilon. But they said, In alarm, Keep quiet, Haw.
klns, or the republican party will lose the entire
Roman Catholic vOte.' answered, Il do not care
one penny II we lose every vote in the country: let
NJ DC right and we need not lear
REP0RrER-But, MT; Hawkins, does not the first
line In the section the constitution oil the State Of
New YORK which you have read cover the entire
argument ! quote, 'Ihe Tree exercise and enjoy
ment OF religious professional worship 2" II the
trainers OF that constitution required that no d0na
uous should be made to rehgious sects why did
they not say soY As q lawyer, do You not stick TO
the letter rather than TO the spirit or the tree inter-
MI. HAwKINs-Ah, yes; you are right there but
spirit as well as letter. The letter OF the law Is not
Sufficiently explicit.
Sare illegal and contrary 10 law2
Mr.. HAwKINs-Most certainly do, and II brought
lSefore Court, the Court, In my opinion, would en-
vim ali such claims Besides, do not believe that
a.vy Legislature can tax me 10 support Church or
IA VIII In which do not believe or which Is repug-
na.ut 10 my conscience. have been boring at the
Coluptrollers Office Tor thirteen years and have all
the reports. Twenty years ago was IN Europe ana
studied all the systems OF education west OF Tur-
Skey. was rnen a student at the Ec0e-de-droit IN
1aris and found time to investigate the foundation
Al ID management OF these several systems
4HEPOBTEh-l IN.
your report that after You nave specified the Roman
Catnohc, Protestant Episcopal, Hebrew, Reformed
Duhn, presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist Episcopal
anu herman Evangelical churches, with the sums
RttacL eu nat have been donated to them, you then
give taple headed ''Miscellaneous,r In which the
sums aie mentioned that have been granted to these
"miscelNncous' churches, corporations and instl-
S1y4, GA OF
Mr.. HAwKlNs-Yes, Ihave so stated.