The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-12-25

From the y. o. Timei-pvmocltl
The Presidents message touches in no
uncertain vein question which sooner
or later is destined TO take its place among
the leading isueS Of the day. The abuses
which have crept into the custom OF OK.
empting church property from taxation
are already attracting the attentive con-
sideration OF statesmen and political
economists, and President Grant, on tax.
ing the sharply defined attitude he has,
only expresses the popular sentiment.
Nobody, we assume, objects to or would
disturb the arrangement By which charit-
able and religious institutions are foster
ed under the Law. 1t Is, and properly so,
an accepted theory in this free country
that all religions are entitled to Protec-
ton, and all churches worthy OF encour-
agement. But the President points out
the notorious fact that this theory is be-
ing Systematically abused, and that the
accumulation Of property by religious
bodies has attained proportions that
affect injuriously the rights and interests
OF citizens.
We need not go beyond the limits Of
New Orleans in search Of illustrations,
On every hand we have specimens Of the
extent to which the evil has gone and the
injustice which it has entailed upon the
general public. Long rows OF buildings
devoted to every form Of traffic are to be
seen in different localities Of the city
and the fact that these enjoy immunity
from taxation sufficiently explains the
attendant fact that taI.paying property
holders in the vicinity are left without
tenants and deprived Of the income which
otherwise they would in all probability
obtain. The tax.paying landlord has
been brought into competition with
the non.lax.paying landlord, and
the result is that the citizens
prospect Of acquiring property
l. being steadily diminished while the
church's facilities are being as steadily
increased. Under existing circumstance
il is only a question Of time as TO when
the religious societies will absorb all the
real estate Of any value in the nation. II
is more profitable to rent from the church.
which pays no taxes, than to pay taxes on
property which cannot 10 made source
Of income; and the history Of the accu'
mutation Of church property in this city
and elsewhere is the most eloquent posi-
bic commentary on the proposition thai
all, whether church, corporation, or in
dividual, should be made 10 share alike
the burden Of maintaining the govern
ment, whose protection all enjoy in COM
mon. Ia
This Is no new question here. The
facts have been conspicuous for yery
long time, and the thoughts Of patriotic
and intelligent men have been given viii
gradually increasing eaInestRess to the
discovery aud adoption Of some effeCtua
remedy. We have reaSOntO believe tina
the subject will be brought up before tht
next session OF the Legislature, and havI
no hesitation in saying that the Lax.pay
ing masses Of the people will expec
prompt and lasting relief from an injuS
lice which has already been suffered Il
reach too formidable limit. 1t WOulI
starLle and offend the public to learn ex.
actly what proportion Of the City's rea
estate is now exempt from participation
in the common responsibilities senti
ment very apt to be Intensified by the re
Election that every dollar RENTED to tn
church must be added to the burden o
the people.