The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-20
TIE BILL TO ABOLISH cHAPLAINs.

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
Strenuous opposition is being made by the man
ayers OF the House oil Refuge to bill which pro-
poses, II is said, abolish chaplains IN State in
sttutions and the House oil Refuge. viii you
permit me TO say lew words OF explanation and
defence OF the bill in question in order that the
opposition from the quarters named may not be
received by the community without the 'sgraln OF
salts' The bill Is not Trojan horse filed with
explosive compounds, intended to destroy our
public institutions in general and the House
oil Refuge III particular 1t is almost an exact
copy OF a law which has been in quiet and bene-
fcal operation In the State Of Minnesota for some
years. similar act has also lately been adopted
in Ohio. The public institutions oil those States
ana their Houses OF Refuge nave not suffered q
jot by the law, nor has anarchy been introduced
into the community. On the contrary they operate
in the int est or greater peace ana harmony and
the Improvement OF morals, But what Is the billS
II is too long to publish IN full here, though its
own language would be the best refutauon OF the
charges MADE.
The state constitution provides that ''the Tree
exercise and enjoyment OF religious profession
and worship. without discrimination or prefer
ence snail forever De allowed IN this State TO ali
mankInd.u Tnis evidently applies to the inmates
or prisons and institutions well as to the COM
manly outside. The right here guaranteed ito
all mankindu is not forfeited by entrance into
State institution be It prison or a house
no inmate OF puollc institution suall
be Obliged 10 attend any form OF religious
worship but MS own, and shall be allowed at
stated times and with certain precautions the
privilege OF minlstrauon by a designated minister
oil his own belief. | 10 well tnat the ruollc should
understand tnat the managers OF the House OF
Refu &c form very close corporation. Year alter
year for nifty years they nave reelected themselves
They nave in their little tuzdom almost unllm-
tied power. Even the Governor cannot re-
move from their grasp, oy pardon, q chilli once
committed TO tnsir tender care. Inc CHI dren in
tue House or Refuge are (probaoly tnree-fourI ms
OF their numberl OF Catholic parenta2e. The
managers compel them 10 attend Protestant SER
vices, forbid their instruction IN their own faith
except TO merely nominal extent, proniblt
Catholic priests from eufering 10 administer toe
saeraments, wnlch Catholics believe to be the
heayen-appointed CHANNELS OF grace to the sinner
anu the most effectual means oil reforming
fallen, ana generally by their system OF govern
ment and instruction exercise so anti-CatnolIc an
influence that, as the testimony taken by the
state Commissions In 1872 proves, a very large
proportion OF the children leave the institution. IL
PrOtestanis at least antICath0lics or vii aout
any religion a. all. TINS II reformation. 1t is
SAID that DILL Will open the doors TO ministers
OF al denominations. Inis Is certainly the spirit
OF liberty and UI the State constitution. however.
IL saws Jnat will make disorder nut It answers
its own objection by proceeding 10 say that IL
does hot anticipate that any out the Catholics Will
avail themselves OF the privilege UndouOIe dly
sucn VIII De the case.
In CONCLUSION, NOT only is TINS bin precisely SIM
liar 10 the law long existing IN Minnesota and 10
the law recently enacted Ia OHIO, out II is simply
In accordance with me law and practice IN pubic
Institutions In almost every other civilized c0un-
tryIn canada, IN Great Britain, In France, In Ger
mans, 10 Begun, IN Russia In switzerland, &C.
should the law nos WORK wen lt can and will
be uuIcKly repealed. But the testimony OF the
couatties and states waicn have named proves
tue IN erests Of true and not nomInall liberty re-
qulre its adoption. CITIZEN.