Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1875-12-13


he general diffusion of education and
of thought and action. AS
be primary step, therefore, to our adj
ancement in all that has marked our
rogress in the past century, | suggest
or your earnest consideration. and most
recommend that a constitution
i amendment be submitted to the Leg
slatures of the several states for ratif-
,ation, making it the duty of each of the
several states to establish and forever
free public schools, adequate
to the education Of all the children in
the rudimentary branches within their
limits. irrespective of sex,
color. birthplace or religion forbidding |
the teaching in said schools of religious,
atheistic or pagan tenets, and prohibit
ing the granting of any school funds, or
school taxes, or any part thereof, either |
by legislative, municipal, or other au-
thority, for the benefit or in aid, direct
ly or indirectly, of any religious sect or
denomination, or in aid OF for the bene-
fit of any other object Of any nature or
kind whatever.
AS TO UNTAXRp CHURCH PROPERTY.
In connection with this important
question would also call your attention
to the Importance of correcting an evil,
that, if permitted to continue, will prob
ably lead to great trouble in our land
before the close of the 10Th century. 1t
is the accumulation of vast amounts of
untaxed church property. In 1880, l
believe, the church property of the Uni
ted States. which paid no tax. munich
pal or state, amounted to about $685.
100000. In 1860, the amount had dou-
bled. In 1875, it is about s 100000
600. By 1900, without check, it is safe
to say, this property will reach sum
exceeding S3,000,000,000. So vast a
sum, receiving all the protection and
benefits of government, without bearing
its proportion of the burdens and ex-
penses of the same, will not be looked
upon acquiescently by those who have
to pay taxes. In a growing country,
where real estate enhances SO rapidly
with time as in the United States, there
| is scarcely limit to the wealth that
may be acquired by corporations, relig-
ious or otherwise. If allowed to retain
real estate without taxation, the conteu-
plation of SO vast a property as here al
luded to, without taxation, may lead TO
sequestration, without constitutional au-
thority, and through blood. ! would
suggest the taxation of all property
equally, whether church or corporation,
exempting only the last resting place Of
the dead, and possibly, with proper re.
strietions, church edi6ces. ... -.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS. tr
Our relations with most of the foreign
powers continue on a satisfactory ant
friendly footing. Increased intercourse
the extension of commerce and the cul
tivation of mutual interests have steadi
lily improved our relations with larg
majority of the powers of the world, rem
dering practicable the peaceful solution
of questions which from time to time
necessarily arise, leaving few which de
mand extended or particular notice.
: In March last, an arrangement wa
e made through Mr. Cushing, our ministe
J. IN Madrid. with the Spanish govern
:, ment, for the payment by the latter
the United States of the sum of SS0,00
in coin. for the purpose of relief of fan
q lilies or persons of the ships compan
lie and certain passengers of the Virginia
A. This sum was to have been paid in thrt
m installments at two months each. 1t
r due to the Spanish government that
'e should state that the payments we're flu
r. ly and spontaneously anticipated by tn
" government, and that the whole amou
as was paid within but few days mo
\ than two months from the date of 4
:. agreement, copy of which is herewi
III transmitted. In pursuance of the teri
al of the adjustment, | have directed t
. distribution of the amount among {
parties entitled thereto, including t
If ships company and such of the passe
gers as were American citizens. Pa
-" meuts are made accordingly on the q
IRE plication of the parties entitled there
IT. THE CUBAN QUESTION.
ne The past year has furnished no e
De- dence of an approaching termination
ed the ruinous conflict which has been r;
No ing for seven years in the neighbori
, island Of Cuba. The same disregard
lne the laws Of civilized warfare and of
the just demands Of humanity, which hi
ld- heretofore called forth expressions
.rv condemnation from the nations of Chr
endom, have continued to blacken
- sad scene. The protracted continual
ne Of this strife seriously affects the int
diff ests OF all commercial nations, but tn
red. of the United States more than 9th,
orv by reason of its close proximity. its
ger trade and intercourse with Cuba
Jul the frequent and intimate personal
OF social relations which have grown up
we'd tween its citizens and those of the
land. Moreover, the property of
citizens IN Cuba is large and is rendt
ised insecure and deprecated in value
er's in capacity Of production by the con
- uance Of the strife and the unnat
~ mode Of its conduct.
the have hoped that Spain would be
web, abled to establish peace in her coll
lace. to afford security to the property anC
aid. terests of our citizens and allow le
-. innate scope 10 trade and commerce.
~ the natural productions of the islam
have patiently and anxiOusly waited