The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-12-16
WI. @. M. A. COURSE.
Lecture by Charles 8. Fobes. Esq.

The third lecture in the Maine Charitable
Mechanics course was delivered last evening at
the hall of Association by Charles s. Fobes,
ESQ. The subject of the lecture was "Church
Taxation 1t showed signs of long and ear
nest thought, and was well appreciated by the
large audience present. 1t was one OF the most
interesting that has been delivered here this
season.
This subject will soon be made one of popu-
lar consideration and while it is free from par
ty bias discussion may be carried on impartially.
In Maine there has been no movement made to
levy taxes upon church property, but in Massa-
chusetts, New York and the West there is
growing feeling in favor of such a practice.
The taxes of the nation, states and cities are
heavy, and justice requires that the burden be
as equitably divided as possible. In pure
democracy there can be in this respect no priv
ileged class, and as the ideal republic is ap-
proached al! such classes must disappear. The
church has ever been prominent because of its
privileges, and the time has now come when it
NAV be well to ask whetherit has not outgrown
some Of them, and whether it ought not to bear
its reasonable share of the public expense, &c.
The early history of the union between
church and state in England was briefly re-
viewed. This union is being gradually dssolv-
eA on the other side the Atlantic; church rates
have been and are being resisted, and disestab-
lishment is the impending question for the
British Parliament.
ON this side we are in part doing the same as
our English friends in supporting by indirect
taxation through exemption not single church
but many.
The early support of the church given by the
state of Maine because of the morals of the
neople was next shown by quoting the order
passed by the court in 1863, for religious 90,
seryances. The occasion which then existed
has ceased, but the exemptions continues. Gem
eteries, charities, schools and churches consti-
tute privileged class. This class is being
gradually reduced. The UNCONVENTIONAL schools
receive little or no aid now, and the tendency
is to make instruction free and compulsory.
The argument for the public support OF the
schools cannot be adduced IN favor OF the ex-
emption of the church. The duty OF govern
ment with reference to the two is different.
The necessity for the taxation of church
nroperty is realized when the claims OF exemp-
tiop are seen and the vast monetary power the
church has acquired is examined. Instances
were given where wholelblocks were claimed as
exempt in Iowa, where several hundred acres
were held by university in Illinois, on which
taxes were never paid, and concerning winch
law suit now impends. In New YORK, under
possessions, and claims have been made IN our
own city for the usurpation of whole block
of stores on one of our principal streets.
The value of property exempted in this city
is estimated at half million. during the last
ten years church property has doubled in this
connfry and during the decade previous the
rate was about the same 1T accumulation goes
on at this rapid rate it will in Twenty-Five years
amount to $4,000, 100000. Al the low rate OF
one per cent. this means gift by the nation 10
L. II, will pf lars H..
ally. r ,.;o .ho
increased value that churches give to ADJOINING
estates-the protection which the church gives
by elevating the manners and opinions OF a
neople-- the INSTRUMENTATION which it imparts---
could with equal force be urged by many citi-
zens in every community for their personal
exemption.
Rack of all this lies another consideration
the duty of government This is not paterna!
but protective. Its purpose is the protection OF
the people in life, liberty and property, and
sometimes from the persecution and tyranny OF
the church itself, as evidenced not long since
by the arrest OF priest on charge OF extortion
by one of his Pensioners. With the rellglon
N it's peopIe government has nothing to do, and
overv argument made for the necessity of taxa
ton of the individual bears with equal force
upon the need there is for taxing the property
of the church.
There will also arise positive good to the
church in that it may tend to check the extrav-
aoance seen in their construction. which makes
tie cost of attendance so great that many are
unable. to attend.
To levy full tax upon churches already
erected under the old law would be violation
of faith. A compromise can be effected by tax
ing all in excess of some sum which may be
agreed upon.
Some suggestions were made that all organi..
zatiens hereafter .ormed shall be deprived OF
this form Of state aid, and that COMMISSION
I fhna al inns nF a
exempted property and ascertain in what way
chan te can be made with the least possible in
iury to the educational and religious interest
of the state.