davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
, 1874-12-24
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD.


THE Ials1pEScr.
=, Lno 5onaie ~na caltca 10 oruer ny Chfef-Clnrfz
Msnnnnlu, 1, wno feau eon1au!lieaiion from Vice.
r.esinen1 mAAont Ataung tlat ne Wonu 30 al'settt
ltun Ine cy unn the nleetlng o. the senate to-day,
ahn Ie1"ssnS nlsn 70 losnl shn sm1atp u the fact
~. M nMtuoes ne!Ga Tesn!nl'ou netE!fhg ttiat IN
tan hnseneS .! tho Eice.iresldst,tt Matthew H. Chr
per ~ a. ne wnsss Eatauct pfn 'en,. o. Tug sonatc
As,eeu M ~: ,,u.., >,.,,,. ,..,
~, r g. .nnny nonihtca Atatfhcw H. Carpenter, and
ni1 IT, s,et'A9m ret ma,4 moniata" nin e. a: lnnrmAa
tHG WHY peuB taKeh, AIR. Carpe4sHr Aad W votes
apH t,n, ala' ,a,,.,, .i,n - a1., ~,
ssuon,t"s. ,iansa, t, 1'. - IL y, lomgs lT nM ~!
s ronsea.sep. @ y i.,a renhWotl
& ~, " p,n iuur .,Ii i @ iae oh!y ro-
it; . .t, ilS y, MI III us an o'ecAasse Ut NY
""''1'' "n'e" r. n.s'' o et."ot'o. ~ @ 10.
~, inE hoL1D"9 NEcESA'
Hlf Nes. ehlh tnat ffsefday ~ "na constrained 70
ao seIy nnRraeoas nnR ny on,ecslhg 10 thu lFnagn
.! tho iasoiu'on tor no!aifE fftess lia mado htA
oocciioh IN clerence 10 t!o Wishes Of Ills colleagues
from Tue sonthcfn otaes Wno Md socd 10 opI'oao my
u 'Gu ~ t'at aue s'eua'e ~" Irocaea ~
T ~ rnsott., ~ w., sIat tso ,sso; % AArnsa H.
,,sn,,s,in, ''34 " t1o Ae-e A'l' "stsoa - "iao"'
o''ses"o"s ,,.,, r,,,,,,.,,., .,,,,,
49,, TIE MEslHEn srAruTEAs
HtF. Eamuhus easle!! up blll 10 provide fnr
ne ~ tho reVihc statutes Of tho uuitea
Statos anu TO preserve tue Originals Of all awg III TIC
oMstaft.sent M o. sl4te. Iasscu.
~. "1o.t!n !.eHG!Nea HauuioF1a! OF ftRK Atft's.
,s, T. ""ng ~ ~ auiat'1:otasu ~ aor .1phnses ~
~ ttr, i n,r. etnr~a a'i 'no s'I"esf'aa s'atae
, 1874-12-24

ForetEH NlnrkctH.
L1vEnroot, Dec. Fill q m.-llour, eaaGa2as Gl.
MieatwWints1 ~ oaSos %; aprIng e atS9s I'll !;
SLY 3d@a9a I'd. Pork, 85a. Lard. G4s vi.
ltvEMroo1, Dec 21-9:ao y. na.-Iircalstuf1a auiet.
Lard, G4a. aofd, 111h. HEST unchanged.
LIsERrooI,. Dec. 22S y. n1.-corn. 3ys :td93aa 3D.
Reat unchanged. 49,. ..
LoNpoN, doc. a3.-rhojrato Of discount in the open
market for three 1onths' bills Ii 5S per cent be-
low Tie Bank os England rates.
LONDON, DEC: 2a.-.OoAso1s-Money. 0lEca9l;N; !;
lut; nov e., i0a; New YORK Central, a3; Erto, II
preferred, IL,
Rcfned petroleum, 9Ntaolts.
:sdt@l9s ad Lard G4s. Bacon, 5os ol for loug clear
lnidcs; 63s for Fllort clear nddleB; shoulders, uaT
3i6; long cut ha1rla, 25a.
, 1874-12-24
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,

TASK YTATE,fpxr nEqJuEn
,,n c.x cT.,'s - ~ na1ast"n ,irn.,., H., c.n.,,,S
~ ~, r,S ~ H. a,. rt ~ t,t at
c.iio ' ~ III y - N',n. 1,k ~ 1 y W, ~ ni
nrt 'Ia =" la ~. f, With ~, a. iss ~" - t'h H. 10y
nnt,t ~ H., rn ra"tiac,te Wy ,; ~ tts % vsaet
raln ~ - ini1ssn1s GlI 10 s,, % tu W ~ " 'n y,
Ms. - ~ @ ~ 1,ti - I,. -. ne @ ~ s..n ss9sg VI
. ~ ~ ~ ti. o 19h - ssc aAo ~ s1aas" sho
'"'''' ~ '4o 41,"ns' .x". ~, 81 ~. r, u
A'nA'oAn AasN iaoa oAsh.
mr. harrison, ifola tna Ieetoh Committee n1atsn
report ~ te Araas"as contested election caHs with !
ItAout'on ta1 e tus was 5ok duly tlrct-
Gu. but TINT sny'ser. 1ha sitsng nen'bsr was. Tho
fesol'itlona "efe aaop1tN "HAoat dseusslon.
LAND HILLS. ... -..-
Mr. Bradloy, fronl-tAe Committee on Public Tands,
reporte back, with an,cntlnpnt, tls Senate hin to
amend the act Of tho lat of June. 1872 for the re.torn-
teM to homestead entry OF certain lands In Michigan,
Tho amendment VIII Rgreod 10, a,1 tho bill was
NiEsctl. ....
, 1874-12-24

nnrflna at. 11e G.l0 # Of Ietlcn nv, VT, 1it
1871 IT, tlaul Dec. 1.Tc0
1an It, dated Dee. 81. 2.1ou
lUs,E II, ttaei Dec. :3...... .............. 1f1o
NoNri cirY LtM[IE, WITHIN RADIUS OF M1tEa
PROM CoGHT-tGuRE.
Tot H. nfock D lsavc1lsWonta, dated Dec 29...s sou
spUrIt or CRY Lf3trR. WITHIN MArIuA OF NILES
FRnM TIEE CnunT.,IpUHE.
Lot on street hctwcrr noart!nian aMt Wright
str, and 14t IT v Of KiNcaid 1t, I. II 3-l0x
Lots to \, III FIeth1nan ct al. part Q KAsJf
Bco /, 3S il, dated oc!. i.................. 1900
, 1874-12-24

FOREIGN C01NHs
II. J. Chtistorh IL TO-, bankers, is South
Clark street. quots foreign coins iu gold:
GoI.n--Ectorfa soycrelgns, SaS5; 20 frnncs
sa5; thalera, 7s5: X gnlders, 700; 20 marks
s11vEn-n1cxican tlollars, 100; SPANISH dol
crusns, lu0; Gosmau eroHus, lo0; prassian
tl,aters, 10; Gornun guilders 3d.; Eng1isli sil-
vor, i7B; species. 1D2; American laif-lollarH,
ol11; American qnarter.do'lars, o4i5.
LATFBT.
New yonK, Dec. 23.-aionoy it, good domand
ut 3N@A. Prime mercantile paper, 0@7.
Sterling firm aud unchanged.
doltl dill but firm Mt llil5GD11155. Borrow
ing intc, I, 2. ., n1.tl 1. and tlut.
spcro shipments. 950,UD Tho engagements
for terInorI ow al,casly rouch $1,O00.0uD. About
$l0UaG00 IN gold col', arrived to-day from CAL
iforni,, wlaicl, IL regarded US new and import
INT nnv1neNt.
C!e1rings. 2a3.00O,000. ..
Treasury disbursements, 9i50,0G
Customs receipts. Sl91, 900.
Go,o'1'nlcnts etrong. naroaaa firm and
ellsht.y adsatead in SONIC caaea State bondg
quiet ut nominal prices.
doro, with lucitlc Aall, Lako Shore, Northwest-
cru. Western unio,. Gniou Pacific, and Wabash
IH hefcntuves. Market geuc.nily weak and
lower, tlo decline ranging from K to Il percont.
Pacific Mail way exceptionally strong in early
dealings, ind advanced fruln 90 to 37l15, Th,a
was followed by y reaetion to scl5, ind aiiIl
later by MI auYanco to 375S. After n,d-tlny tho
narl;us rallied Il to a por eeut Oh tho rlso in
Pacific Mail. During the last hour htoeER wcro
weak, anl boforo Tho cloao Hl!owod II decline of
Waa In Nort,sestarn common, anl Lake Shore.
PRcitc Mail reacted from 1925 to ~. III
flal dsallngs tho general marhot recovered n
fraction from the lowest quotations Of tho day.
"Seliers' op,ion ~ in Western Union wore ~
much feature to-day AZ yesterday, being gen.
esa5!y x to par cent below tho rcgu|ar price.
Tho transactions aggregated 19G,000 shares, OF
which ", 900 vero laciilo Mail, 1000 Western
Union. 2G000 Norlwestorn, l3,010 ERIC. M,Dnt)
Lake Shole. 9,e03 Ohio Il AliHsiRaippi, 1000
Wabash and ,Dno Union raciiic.
Tho dry goods failure reported this afternoon
Is Rice, Goodwin l. Walker. lilo ,irm is.tondol
to 30 ont of bnsineAs Mt tho ciope of the ybar,
but went to protest yesterday. They now ubls
AL nxitusinn
, 1874-12-24

New foRK, Due. 31.-131snexs continues light with
manufacturers nnl agants and tabblnE anst importing
cottan lannes III ateady demand ut unchanged rrieos
Park fancy pslnta 1et except at toh prices, bnt
improved request. Worsed coatlgs fairly hctiye but
other WOODEN goods asa sluggish III n1at hnn1s.
, 1874-12-24


DosToH, Dec. 23.-poMeatlc wool ir steady demand.
Tlo supply Of 1eecea ia fpst d1aappenring There Is
ilrn feeling and fair prospect Of higher prires at a
easy day. Medium y aud Xxx Ohio aud Pennsylvania
fleeeos s3GS58c Michigan aud Wisconsin, 40ds5an;
common to good Western tlccces, 15taIOc cumhin
doaino aeecca scarce and wanted at 55G14c; pulled
woods IN fair lplnand and prcea unchanged superilue
mud extra, 31{D5ac.
, 1874-12-24

1fo1S-The rnar1tct npcnctl very quiet. anil coi,.
tnle No during lie Ettnter nart Of tho day. with
aaifs were ut lily "on }" hit lilo averago DECLINE WAS
about 1on. Doth locsla an outside l,yvra ake hold
cautiously te inGseaaiug receipts apparently lcadng
rpw ut lower prices t1nn havo prevailed Tins fir
dnr'nR tle week.. gond unity drovrH remain III Tho
pela uHqld. and thu ,unrkat cloaed easy at tho TO-
clHQ. -
, 1874-12-24

Tho following woro tho receipts and shipments
OF tito lending artlclsy of produce III this city
during Tho twonty-four honrs ending ut o'clock
OIL Wednesday, morning, an1 for tho correspond
ing tlnto ono year ago:
, 1874-12-24
THE i.{yE.SraCK MARKETS.


oATTLE1t was fortunate for fclle,s that the Hnl'-
ply VIVA snail. Iud 1t bcen egusl oven to tho recent
aspraGo tho oloct upon values mlst lave bern to Do
urcBB then III thcru II very 6cany aasctnbag1 VI
buyer. ud thu few III attendance wnre ut hest, hut
Indifferent operators. Noilhrr local outside btsy
acelued taclued to nyral beyond tho l!ng 1f tho
most prcsatny ortess, and. Notwithstanding tho limit
ampio iloitcrs were ,Irtn III tlc!r siews, snd tho
prizes current casllor IN thu week wcro nnforlnly
wel! sustained. TIlo ogsrga co1xdisag nrlnclpsly
wie range, tho extrenFe b1E $3ihGsh wtltlo tho
majnr 1'ortiou cEangel lantlA at $3o0Gs5.25. The
,iurket cluscd gllel and atratly
QUOTATIONS.
Extra lieoycs-Graloa steera, averaging ], ,3i0 -
10 ltbI0 Ill.,, Se.-lGgu.ao
Choice HcuypH-Flnu, fat, well formed year
to s year ald stuera. averaging Leu to
Goul ycs-Wtl-ftto1ed, finely furlnod
slenrT, ayeraSing .1hO to 800 lM: 376Gs5.ho
i ugIng 1i9a 10 l,2;o ill., - 49, 4o0@4.so
1i,clIarx' H.ock-poor to fair stcsrH, ald
common 10 c1Iaca COWS, for city slaughter,
averaging H1U 10 ll00 lbs.... a.75Ri.2s
Stock Cattla-Ua.nnlon cnttlu, iu lccent
flesh, averaging 600 TO $50 h#.......... 9.GQ@360
1uferor-light aud THU cows hoifors.
stays, bulls, aud Bralawag stecrs. 1.769a2s
Cattlg-TexaH corI.fod od....,*..,....... 4.uNet 4hU
Oattie--Te14s, through roycR.....,,..... A0UdSa15
n SH
, 1874-12-24
REAL ESTATE,

Tue f0ll0WllIG 1nAtlltnentB Wor0 fllou for ro0-
ORD Wednesday, Ues. %;
CITY PROPERTY.
Clinton vt, Il wco OF Weat Ms'ltHnn ut, VT,
.fs4xlsU IT, dated Dec. =! tEa;Is Ntrlss Msu,i-
featuring Company 10 rhlesns ". Ga.ss). .s283,haa
Morgan at, 243 IL O of Folk 1t. Of .'4i0BE II,
win oilasr property .ate bee. 1s,ooo
Aul;. ,.,....... 5000
B1sk il, 3ll II of SlnacuL]l al, " /, III rear,
261B7N II. dated Dec. ~. ......... ......... 0a0
Iuul,nN It, Gu It q of North La8ala vt, g !, lux
100 Il, dated Dec. 99...: .".:.....:,... 2a0o
li...ttd IL. $685. 49, 5000
, 1874-12-24

Intal+ uGu.tlu
Tho county has also cut-- arA shipped 28V, ,0a0,-
000 pcs lAth. 1H,GOD, QUO shinE!es, u,d lArGe
quantity OF Hqtlaro tiubeg, pokctg, rairoad tieA,
Wond. Asll bark.
Tho quantity OF logs and lumber left oynr il
small and wall not excend 20. .0V0 D!JD It fur MuK-
kagoll, n1ul B.010nu0 for tho relan!ntlor of tile
eoauty. AiarYs portion Of tl,ss viii probably be
shipped by rail during the winter.
Tho AIMAhogon Boom Company havo raftol
, 1874-12-24

solect Committee on Alabama Affairs m foltoHa:
Jdlttr01l.
1EesolltionR frproptatlg 600 for lilo rAr,ncu. Of
mo EXPENSES Q! each Of &ll1 gslcct Committees 10
Lonittsiia, h!!nasslptf, and Alabama adopted
, 1874-12-24

chicago, BURLINGTON 4 QtltcY RAILROAD.
7epots ou ef kase.sf., Inauna.ar and Siri.enft.st
H, fnt and Stzstnssss. Tieet Qstest, 63 C!4rkst.s
a,tA Ut .ierofs.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-08-28

Just as we had hoped and believed that
we were nearing the end of the great scan
dial, the whole subject was opened aIrosh
by the publication, on Saturday last, OF
Mr.. mutual" Moulton's full statement,
which occupied twenty-five columns in the
daily papers. This statement, In the main,
simply covers points which were already
well known. It's chief interest lies in the
broad and unqualified assei ton, which,
however, lacks specifications, that both Mr.
Beecher and Mrs Tilton confessed their
sexual relations in his presence, and that
his whole connection with the case was
based upon their crime-his office being
that of a "mutual' friend to aid them in
their policy of concealment. lie also de-
clares that he saw and kept for months
Mrs Tilton's written confession of adultery
and that she confessed to him personally.
He reproduces a mass OF letters, some with
and some without signatures and dates, to
substantiate his statement. He offers an eX
PLANTATION, too, of all the money transac-
tons between himself and Beechtr-though
an explanation Numerically opposite to
that given by Mr. Beecher. What is very
remarkable is the fact that he shows that
Mr. Beecher maintained relations of friend
ship with him, and addressed him in terms
of cordial intercourse as recently as the 18th
OF July ult.
Mr. Moulton's statement raises no new
issue in the controversy, except question
of veracty between himself aud Mr. Beech
err. Mr. Beecher in his statement unequiv-
ocally denies the charges of his adultery
with Mrs Tilton, and has, in fact dellber-
ately sworn to the falsity Of these charges.
As proving Mr. Beecher liar and villain
Moulton has nothing to show in his whole
broadsde except his own observation. The
scandal mongers have added numerous
tid-bits to the sickening story during the
past week, but nothing of any real impor-
lance. 1t is said that the investigating
committee will report finally at the Plym-
| outh Church meeting on Friday evening of
| this week.
Mr. Beecher is at the White Mountains,
with his family. On Sunday he preached
| to an immense audience at the Twin Noun
| tans House, but made no allusion to the
scandal. On Monday he went to Littleton,
N. H., and signed and made oath to the
answer prepared'by his counsel to theSl00-
| 600 libel suit brought against him on Fri
day by Theodore Tilton. The answer ex-
| plicitly denies all the charges made in Til
tons complaint except the specification re-
ferring to the marriage OF Theodore Tiltor
and Elizabeth NJ. Richards. The matter
has reached such point that nothing shor
| Of q Striof local Investigation will now sat
isfy the public mind, and ii is to be HOPED
that this will be speedily reached by means
of Tilton's suit.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-08-28

During its four days session, matters
pertaining to the ssbject of equal cation
were thoroughly discussed, and the claims
and grievances of the several sections duly
considered. Windham county was well
represented by Gen. VIM. w. Lynde of
Marlboro, who gave lengthy report Of his
county, which was shown up as depreriat-
ing in value and decreasing in population
and thrift. Each town was taken up and
thoroughly examined.
A report from the listers of the different
towns was read, from which the following
statistics are gathered: Nottingham
Thirteen farms had been abandoned in the
last five years and thirty farm houses were
now vacant, being considered at twenty
per cont. fthe town. Wilmington was con-
sidered rs good town, while "Haystack"
mountain was referred TO as containing
many thousand acres of worthless land !;
twenty-seven farms abandoned and twenty
five farm houses vacant. Dover had ten
farm houses vacant. Stratton was apprais-
ed at $500 per acre-being at its full value,
thirty-fve miles from any railroad. Som
erset was a small town of nineteen voters.
Jamaica had twenty-three farms abandon
ed which are appraised at $500 per acre, its
full cash value. Athens had six farms a.
bandoned; appraised at $500 per acre.
Halifax had thirty three farm houses va
cant. Marlboro hac ten farms abandoned.
and twenty-three farm houses vacant APP
| praised for all it would sell for. Newlane
| had sixteen farms abandoned. Towns
bend, twenty abandoned and vacant. Lon
| donderry had ten vacant farm houses and
| one thousand acres of mountain land not
i worth ten cents per acre. Grafton had
thirteen farm houses vacant. Windham
had ten farms abandoned; appraised al
81. 32 per acre. Brookline had no houses
built in the last i've years, no stores, hote
or doctor. Guillord was appraised at SlO9,
more than it could be sold for; Dunn
merston at $3.50 per acre; Putney had tel
farms abandoned; Rockingham was ap
praised at Sl676 per acre Westminster a
1881; Brattleboro at Sl9.6l-a thriving
village and the only toWR in the county
1t has 100000 property in the Vernon
asylum which isnot taxed also about tn
same property in the Estey organ factory
which was not taxed for five years unde
the law. The population Of the county hat
decreased in the last ten years 9I6, Will
the asylum inmates, numbering 4s0, wer
comprised in the census of 1870 and not il
1860. He then compared his county witt
others of the State, and as the result, al
though he would make no motion, h
would ask OF the board a reduction of fl
teen per cent.
Mr.. Huling of Bennington moved tina
the valuation of Windham county, as re
turned by the county convention, be re
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-08-28
DrOOktine.

Several families in town have sum
mer visitors.
Rev. J. II, Hsskins will preach at the
Baptist church next Sunday.
Last Sunday morning frost was WISH
BILE on the bridges which cross grassy
brook, and in some places vines were de-
stroyed.
The Methodist held their quarterly
meeting last sabbath. Rev. Mr.. Gurnsey
was present and preached both tho morn
ing aud afternoon sermons.
We lately learned a strange story of
DgAosc which strayed from the flock of II.
W. Crane. When first M Used, diligent
search was made, and for days a continued
watch kept for her without success, and
finally she was given mp for lost. About
six weeks after, n boy living with Mr..
Crane, vas passing 10y an old well, and
something attracted him to turn aud look
down. Floating ON the surface Of the wa
ter he behcld the lost and almost forgotten
goose. Mr.. Crane on hearing OF this,
drought n ladder and placed ii into the
well, Mrs. Crane suggesting careful treat
ment, rs "thc poor creature mus, he ne ar
u exhausted :" but much to their surprise,
Shcr once placed upon the ground they
were unable To catch II, aud none of tue
flock seemed in better flesh or health than
this one. II.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-08-28

The President and directors of tha
Westminster Agricultural Association viii
meet at the town hall on Thursday, Sen.
tembor 81, at 3 o'clock =. NJ, for the pur.
pose of fixing the time for holding the
town fair, and appointing the officers and
managers of the different departments
With Prof. l.. Y. Ward ~ President, sun.
ported by an able BOARD Of Directors, sue
cess is guaranteed.
Mr.. Edward A. Brown began cutting
and hanging tobacco on Tuesday last. lie
is said to have the best field Of tobacco in
town.
The hum Of the thrsshing machine /,
again heard in our barns. The yield of
oats will be a full average, with bounli.
iul growth Of straw.
In political matters, dciiCHy is the or.
der OF the day. 'Freeman's Meeting,
next Tuesday, bids fair to be the largest
held in this town for many years. Per.
sonal preferences and local differences ap.
pear 10 enter largely into the contest.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-08-28

Noxt Tuesday will occur our State and
Congressional election, a fact Of which the
voters of Vermont will hardly need to be
reminded, since the issues of that event
have been pretty thoroughly discussed
within the past few weeks, aud all have
doubtless made up their minds as to what
action they will take. That the regular
Republican nominees are in all cases men
entitled TO the support of the intelligent and
conscientious voter, is hardly TO be expect
ed or claimed, and we counsel no man TO
violate his conscience by supporting an I'M
tit candidate because of mere party consid-
erations but we do insist that ii is the du-
~ of every Republican voter to attend the
polls on Tuesday next, and cast his ballot
IN support of those candidates for State,
Congressional, county and town offices,
who in their principles and characters most
truly ombody, not only the wisdom and
virtue of the people, but the principles Of
economy, equality and political purity
which it is yet the mission Of the Republic
can party to carry out. Let the people
speak
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-08-28

1t is an old adage that woman can
not keep secret. This might have been
true saying in ancient times, but every
thing has changed so much that from act
ual demonstration, in the present decade
the saying will not hold good. Now for
the proof of our statement. The ladies of
this place have had secret organization
for the last month, that they would give
s. s. Wilson and wife, on the 10th anniver-
sary of their marriage, surprise, which
they did in good earnest on Thursday eve
ming, August Goth, by the coming in of
their friends from the surrounding region
to the number of 81, bringing their good
things, and took possession of the house.
The good couple did not al first under
stand, but soon leaned the secret. The
ladies furnished the table in fine style, aud
all seemed 10 enjoy the surprises aud be-
fore they left, they presented the worthy
couple with money aud other valuable ar
ticles To the amount OF $3.50, which was
thankfully received.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-08-28
TAXA TION or CHURCH PROPERTY.

Mr.. EDIToR:-It appears from the CEN
sus of 1870 (see page 500 of the volume en-
titled "PopulaIion and Social Statsjic-,"
that the value of the church properly in ,,e
United States in 1870 was S35i, Asa, ISL, all Of
which, excepting that in California, is now
exempt from taxation. From the same
source we learn that in 1850, the church
only had $S7 ,32S, sol. In our own State the
church property in 1870, amounted to 3d.
1850. In 1850, to sl,2lG, l25. Treblcd in
value since 1850, it now constitutes about
one twenty-sixth of our total real estate
valuation. On every side we find mag
ficent church edifces, with their lofty spires
and luxurious appliances; convenient and
commodiOus residences are erected for the
accommodation of pastors, denominations
vie with one another to surpass in the dis
play of wealth and taste no pains or eX-
pense is spared, and yet none Of this
property is taxed.
This seems to me TO he an unjust condi-
ton of affairs. Why should not this prop
erty help pay the expenses which are in
Cured as much for its protection as for any
olherP What earthly reason is there why
| the parsonage should not pay its tax as
| well as the humble cottage of the mechanic
\ opposlte2 If it is said that it is because
they are conducive TO the good and morali-
| ty OF the people, the same logic will apply
to almost all public and private property.
Hence II would follow that nothing but our
rum holes, gambling houses, and brothes
should be subject TO taxation. Or If 1t is
said that, because it is unproductive, il
should be exempt, have we not a right tC
ask why a similar privilege is not accord
ed TO the different kinds of Improbable
business in which men are engaged, as vel
as to our many society and benevolent in
stitutions which have to bear their share o
the burden7 We have large amount o
personal property and real estate which
yields no returns, hut who will say ii ough
not to be taxedf Suppose / should main
tain that my sisters piano. my father
library, my mothers pony, and last, bu
not least, my own dog, should be exempted
because not profitable in money point o
view, would you, Mr.. Editor, deem the ar
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-08-28

gument worthy of an answer Property,
1 believe, is not taxed because productive,
but because 1t is protected.
Now is the present system just to the
great mass of good moral people who are
not connected with any church. Inas-
much as, in exempting ecclesiastical proper
ty, we must oUer-tax all other property by
Just the amount exempted, they are COM
PEELED to contribute 10 the support OF re-
ligions in which, perhaps, they do not be-
lieve or take any interest. This was not
the idea of our foielathors in framing the
constitution. They meant TO Keep the
church and State entirely separate. They
meant to assume jurisdiction Of no mans
conscience. Not that they felt hostility TO
the Christian religion, but that they believ-
ed on ~ the fullest scope of religion views
to he consistent with true liberty. And
this is the church's true position. We
need not in this land of thrilt and intelli-
gcnce fear that the power of the church will
attain such enormous and injurious pro-
portions as il did in England in the four
teenih century, or in Fran 20 In tho last /;
still we have right TO exact that which Is
lust from her. II cannot iniure her IN the
end; 1t will not lose her good members,
for the picly which will bubble ut paying
fair dues, is not worth the having.
Equality.