National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-02-26
TAXATION.
Should Church Property be EXEMPT

To the Editor of the National Republican:
SIR: Judging from the tenor Of many Of our
daily journals there seems to be an Increasing
disposition in the leaders Of public thought to
inculcate ideas adverse to the common sentiments
and feelings of society which have existed for
centuries, and have been crystalized into forms Of
law that have done honor to the statute books of
every civilized nation, viz: The exemption Of
churches from taxation. In this country to tax
property rightfully used for church purposes,
with the knowledge Of what churches have done
and arc still doing for the moral the Intellectual
and the material development of the country,
would be, to say the least, unWise. II not unjust
here refer to property Tightfully used for
church purposes, not that which is bought and
held for future speculation, and thus take advln-
tage OF the exemption law: not to the costly
churches, held and used by rich and exclusive
congregations, as much matter Of self aggran-
dizement and luxury as elegant furniture or
costly equipage.
1awto tax churches in excess OF a given
amount might be Just and alike beneficial to all;
70 church associations in lessenlnE the financial
burdens BY curtaillnR unnecessary expenditures
IN church buildings, and thus increase their num-
generally the recipients Of church benefits.
The objects TO be attained by the use OF church
property as means arc
/. To lneuIcate piety towards God;
i 2 To cultivate virtue or morality among man.
8. To disseminate general Intelligence and 10
educate the minds Of the masses
!. To FustAin and encourage oil benevolent en-
terprses having Tor their object the amellOration
Of the physical and moral condition Of man.
Were churches used exclusively to further the
hTst Of the Objecte viz: TO nculcate piety towards
Geo, we would admit, this being personal mat
ter, one between man and his God, no one should
be taxed either directly or Indirectly by church
exemption, to support such an object. The Chris
tan Church, IN all It's branches, Is willing TO pay
and does pay for this object.
She teaches the sacrifice given to sustain this
must be voluntary and from the oierer's own
flock, and not extorted from snother's, TO be &C.
ceptable TO the God he worships.
But what shall be said for the three remaining
objects, as stated 96Oyei Are they not commu.
deeply interested therein2 Would the uni believer,
Jew or Christian, eliminate anything therefrOm
as not desirable 70 be RttainedP hope not now
assert without the fear Of successful refutation,
that most Of the moral training and at least one
half Of the Intellectual and educational culture OF
schools and other Church appliances and be It re-
membered, these nre voluntary and gratuitous
offerings 10 the community at large.
do not here refer TO religion, creeds or the Wor
ship OF God, but only to those things In which we
all agree. ! would, therefore, say justice de.
mands that o reasonable amount OF church prop
erty, which has been donated TO- and is being used
10 accomplish these ends, should be exempt from
taxation. Tax the churches, and in less than
one year more than half would be sold at tax sales
Tax the churches out Of existence, and ask
would not all property depreclate ffty or more
per cent in leEs than six months? Would not
pers, jails and prisons? Would not our social.
civil and political interests soon become wreck?
We want not the French commune, but an in.
tellectnal and moral commonwealth, OF which
the Churches are the bulWark. skill not the
goose that lays the golden egg"
As tRst and equitable rule for the taxation of
property or its exemption, would suggest the
That class OF property, the use and
Of which inure first and Immediately
10 the owner or owners, and only remotely and
TO the good Of society, should be
taxed. And that claEs, the use and benefits OF
which iDure first and Immediately to the good Of
The community, while the holders or custodlRns
Of such share with the community alike In It's
benefits and immunities, should be exempt.
Apply this rule, and all property rightfully |
used for church purposes would be exempfP |
These thoughts are respectfully submitted.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Is, 1875.