Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-05-15
Largest Circulation in the. District
Reading Matter on Every Page
WASHINGTON CITY:
HI RSDAY......... May II, 1878.
Robbing Tax-payers,

4 move in the right direction was made in the
District Legislature yesterday, by Mr.. Shep-
herd. who introduced a series of resolutions
looking to the repeal by Congress of cali laws,
and parts of laws, relating to the exemption
from taxation of all church property and prop
Rrty belonging TO humane institutions and
modifying the exemption plan so as only to
Exempt from general taxation such church
property as is used directly for church and pas
fOrsi purposes and such property of humane
Institutions as Is used for their purposes exclu-
siyely, and to render all such property of every
description liable to special taxation for i'm
lrovements done in front of such property the
fame as Is now assessed upon the property of
rivate citizens"
This is a step in the right direction, but 1T does
rot go far enough. perfect administration of
government can only be had when all prop
Srty-whether belonging to churches, beveno-
lent institutions, corporations. societies or pri-
yate individuals is taxed equally, both for gem
trai and special purposes. And IL should make
10 difference whether property owned by
churches and humane institutions be used for
then purposes exclusively or held merely as IN
TeStmeLts. All organizations are interested
equally with the Individual citizen in the main
fainanee Of the laws, the preservation of peace
aud order, the enforcement of proper sanitary
gRlatiOns, etc, etc, and the property belong
Special improvements as that owned by private
Individuals. Why. therefore, should not all or
CARNATIONS and their possessions pay their Just
proportion OF the expense necessary to secure
these ends? They should, indeed; and any law
which provides otherwise has its foundation,
lot IN principles of justice sound govern
nent. but in desire on the part of partisan ma
jorities to make favor with strong religious
denominations OF other organizations or socie-
ties.
All such distinctions are false in theory and
unjust in practice. They are, moreover, directly
IN conflict with both the spirit and form of re-
publican institutions, and the sooner they are
wiped out the better. As the blessings of gov
GTnment are enjoyed by all, so should its bur
dens be borne by all in exact proportion they
are Interested IN the enjoyment of its blessings.
Making every tub stand on its own bottom is as
sound in political as in domestic economy
- Considering the stand taken by Mr.. Shop
herd, as indicated above, We are both surprised
md sorry TO see that he has introduced bill
IurpOrting TO promote the construction of the
Washington and Point Lookout railroad, by
s'eNempting all property of the company its
stOcks and bonds, from taxation by the District
q Columbia forever" We trust this bill will
not pass. We need railroads here, and to secure
fhsm II is doubtless necessary to aid and
Encourage them But not in this way, nor by
any such dangerous device. Should such a
measure pTevailin any case the people Of Wash
sngton would never cease to regret IL. Besides
Tie district treasury is not, and probably never
II be, IN condition to justify the remissi ON
a. aIIy taxes whatever.