Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-12-09
in aid or for the benefit of any other OBJ
iect of any nature or kind whatever.
AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF UNTAXEl
CHURCH PROPERTY.

In connection with this important ques.
ton | would also call your attention tC
the Importance of correcting an evil that
if permitted to continue, will probably lead
to great trouble in our land before the
close of the nineteenth century. 1t is the
accumulation of vast amounts of untaxed
church property. In 1850, l believe, the
church property of the United States,
which paid no tax, municipal or State,
amounted to about $S3,0O0,OO0. In 1850
the amount had doubled. In 1875 it is
about 81, OOO.0 100000. By 1900, without a
check, it is safe to say this property
will reach sum exceeding So. 900, 0O0, 900.
So vast sum, receiving all the protection
and benefits of government without bear
ing its proportion of the burdens and ex-
penses of the same, will not be looked upon
acquiescently by those who have to pay
the taxes. In a growing country, where
real estate enhances so rapidly with time,
as in the United States, there is scarcely q
limit to the wealth that may be acquired
by corporations, religious or otherwise, il
allowed to retain real estate without tax
alton. The contemplation of SO vast a
property as here alluded to without taxa
ton may lead to sequestration without
constitutional authority and through blood.
| would suggest the taxation of all prop
erty equally, whether church or corpora
ton, exempting only the last resting-place
of the dead, and possibly, with proper re-
strictions, church ediices.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with most of the foreign
powers continue on satisfactory and
friendly footing. Increased intercourse,
the extension of commerce and the cultl-
walton Of mutual interests have steadily
improved our relations with the large ma
jority of the powers of the world, render
ing practicable the peaceful solution of
questions which, from time to time, neces-
sarily arise, leaving few which demand ex-
tended or particular notice. The cores
pondence of the Department of State with
our diplomatic representatives abroad is
transmitted herewith. | am happy to an
nounce the passage of an act by the Gen
eral Cortes of Portugal, proclaimed since
the adjournment of Congress, for the abo-
lition of servitude in the Portuguese colo
MES. 1t is to be hoped that such
legislation may be another step to-
ward the great contamination to be
reached when no man shall be per-
mitted, directly or indirectly, under any
guise, excuse or form of law, to hold his
fellow man IN bondage. am Of opinion
also, that it is the duty of the United
States. as contributing toward that end,
and required by the spirit of the age in
which we live, to provide by suitable legs-
lation that no citizen of the United States
shall hold slaves as property in any other
country. or be interested therein.
Chill has made reparation in the case of
the whale ship ssGood Return seized
without sufficient cause upward of forty
years ago. Though she had hitherto de-
MED her Accountability, the denial was
never acquiesced in by this government,
and the justice of the claim has been so
earnestly commended for that it has been
gratifying that she should have at last &C
knowledged it.
The arbitrator in the case of the United
States steamer ''Montijo," for which the
seizure and detention of which the gov
eminent of the United States of Colombia
was held accountable, has decided in favor
of the claim. This has settled question
which had been pending for several years,
and which, while it continued open might
more or less disturb the good understand
ing which it was desirable should be main
tanned between the two republics.
A reciprocity treaty with the King OF
the Hawaiian Islands was concluded some
months since. AS it contains stipula-
ton that it shall not take effect until Con-
gress shall enact the proper legislation for
that purpose, copies of the instrument are
herewith submitted in order that if such
should be the pleasure of Congress the ne
cessary legislation upon the subject may
be adopted.
ArUVr cyYp A Mt A
In March last an arrangement was made
through Mr.. Gushing, our minister in Mad
rid, with the Spanish government for the
by the latter to the United States
of the sum of $4,000 in coin for the pur-
pose of the relief of the families of the
persons of the ships company and certain
of the s'Virginius." This sum
was to have been paid in three instalments
at two months each. 1t is due to the Span
ish government that should state that the
were fully and spontaneously an
by that government and that the
whole amount was paid within few days
more than two months from date of agree
ment, copy of which is herewith trans
mitted. In pursuance of the terms Of the
| have directed the distribu-
ton of the amount among the parties enti-
tied thereto. including the ships company
and such of the passengers as were Amerl-
can citizens. Payments are made accord
ingly on the application of the parties en-
titled thereto.
The past year has furnished no evidence of
an approaching termination of the rulnous
conflict which has been waging for seven
years in the neighboring Island of Cuba.
The same disregard of the laws Of civil
lied warfare and of the just demands Of
humanity, which have heretofore called
forth expressions of condemnation from
The nations of Christendom, have contin-
ued to blacken the sad scene. Desolation,
ruin and piIlage are pervading the rich
fields of one Of the most fertile and pro-
ductive regions of the earth, and the in
cendiaries' torch firing plantations and
factories and buildings, are the
SCENTS, marking the alternate advance OF re-
treat of contending parties. The protracted
continuance of this strife seriously affects
the interests of all commercial nations.
but those of the United States more than
others, by reason of close proximity, its
larger trade and intercourse with Cuba,
and the frequent and intimate personal and
social relations which have grown up be-
tween its citizens and those of the
Island. Moreover, the property of our
citizens in Cuba is large, and is rem
dered insecure and deprecated in
value and in capacity of production
by the continuance of the strife and the
unnatural mode of its conduct, the same
strife differing only in degree with respect
to the interests of other nations, and the
absence Of any reasonable assurance of a
near termination of the conflict must of
necessity soon compel the States thus suf-
fering to consider what the interests of
their own people and their duty toward
themselves may demand.
l have hoped that Spain would be ena-
bled to establish peace in her colony. to
afford security to the property and the in