The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-12-09
THE ACCUMULATION OF VAST AMOUNTS o.
UNTAxED CHURCH PROPERTY.

THE ACCUMULATION. OF VAST AMOUNTS o
UNTAxED CHURCH PROPERTY.
In 1850, 1 believe, the church propert
of the United States, which paid no tax
municipal or State, amounted to abou
$89,000,900. In 1860 the amount ha,
doubled. In 1875 it is about 81 ,000,0O
900. By 1900, without check, it is safe +
say this property will reach sum ex
ceeding $3,O00,000,000. So vast sun
receiving all the protection and benefit
OF the government, without bearing it
proportion of the burdens and expense
Of the same, will not be looked upon &C
quiescently by those who have pal,
taxes. In growing country, where rea
estate enhances 80 rapidly with time a
in the United States, there is scarcely
limit to the wealth that may be acquired
by corporations, religious or otherwise
ifallowed to retain real estate withou
taxation. The contemplation of so vas
property as here alluded to withou
taxation may lead to sequestration with
out constitutional authority, and through
blood. l would suggest the taxation o
all property equally, whether church o
corporation, exemping only the last rest
ing places of the dead, and possibly, will
proper restrictions, church edifices.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS ENTIRELY sATls
FACTORY. 4
Our relations with most of the foreign
powers continue on satisfactory anC
friendly footing. Increased intercourse
the extension of commerce and cultiva
tiOn of mutual interests have steadily
improved our relations with the largt
majority of the powers ofthe world, rem
dering practicable the peaceful solution
of questions which from time to tint
necessarily arise, leaving few which de
mand extended orparticular notice. Tht
correspondence Of the Department o
State with our diplomatic representative
abroad is transmitted herewith. l an
happy to announce the passage of an act
by the General Cortes Of Portugal, pro-
claimed since the adjournment of Con
gress, for the abolition of servitude in
the Portuguese colonies. 1t is to be
hoped that such legislation may be an,
other step toward the great consumma'
tion to be rea, he'd when no man shall be
permitted 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 ol
the age in which we live, to provide by
suitable legislation that no citizen of the
United States shall hold slaves as prop.
erty in any other country, or be inter.
ested therein.
Chill has made reparation in the case
of the whale ship Good Return, seized
without sufficient cause upward of forty
years ago. Though she had Hitherto de.
MED her Accountability, the denial was
never ac9uiesced in by this Government
and the justice of the claim has been SO
earnestly Contended for that it has been
gratifying that she should have at last
acknowledged it.
The arbitration in the case of the
United States steamer Montigo, for the
seizure and detention of which the Gov
ernment of the United States of Columbia
was held accountable, has decided in fa-
vor of the claim. This decision has set
tied a question which has been pending
for several years, and which, while it
open, might more or less dis
turb the good understanding which it is
desirable should be maintained between
the Republics. ~
A reciprocity treaty with the King of
the Hawaiin Islands was concluded the
same month. AS it contains stipula-
ton that it shall not go into effect until
Congress shall enact the proper legisla-
tion for the purpose, copies of the instru-
ment are herewith submitted, in order
that if such should be the pleasure of
Congress, the necessary legislation upon
the subject may be adopted.
q In March last an arrangement was
made through Mr.. Gushing, our Minister
IA Madrid, with the Spanish Government
for the payment of the latter to the
United States Of the sum of $4,000 in
coin for the purpose of the relief of the
families of persons of the ships company
and certain passengers of the Virginius.
This sum was to have been paid in three
nstallments at two months each. 1t is
due to the Spanish Government that I
should state that the payments were
fully and speedily anticipated by that
and that the whole amount
was paid within but a few days more
han two months from the date of the
a copy of which is herewith
transmitted. In pursuance of the terms
of the adjustment, / have directed the
distribution of the amount among the
parties entitled thereto, including the
hips company and such of the passen-
yers as were American citizens. Pay
nents are made accordingly on applica-
ion of the parties entitled thereto.
ioME PLAIN TALK ON THE CUBAN QUESTION,
The past year has furnished no evil
lence of an approaching end of the ruin.
JUS conflict which has been raging for
'even years in the neighboring Island of
Cuba. The same disregard of the laws
If civilized warfare and of the just de-
nands of humanity which have hereto
ore called forth expressions of condem-
nation from the nations of Christendom,
lave continued to blacken the sad scene.
ruin and pillage are per-
,ading the rich fields of one of the most
ertile and productive regions of the
Earth, and the incendiary's torch firing
and valuable factories and
is the agent marking the alter
late advance or retreat of the contend
ng parties. The protracted continuance
u the strife seriously affects the inter-
,sts of all commercial nations, but those
If the United States more than others,
~ reason of its close proximity, its larger
rade and intercourse with Cuba, and fire.
luent and intimate personal and social
which have grown up between
is citizens and those of the Island
Moreover, the property of our citizens in
Iuba, is large, and is rendered insecure
nd deprecated, in value and in capacity
# production by the continuation of the
trife, and the unnatural mode of its con-
Iuct. The same is true, differing only
n degree, with respect to the interests
nd people of other nations; and the abb
ence of any reasonable assurance of a