The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-10
CHURCH AND STATE.

MR.. ERAsTUs BROOKS ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENTS RELATING TO LOCAL CHARITIES.
There seems to be a great deatof difference or
opinion even among the members OF the last Leg
islature AS to the real meaning OF that particular
amendment 20 the constitution adopted by the
people at the last election which relates to tue
question Of Estate aid" 1t seems that there
many who believe that the amendment prohibits
the donation by counties, cities or villages, OF
moneys to any .assOclatlon," no matter OF what
character. MIR. Erastus BROOKS, who was one OF
the leading members OF the late Constitutional
Commission, and who had great deal to say and
do with this very amendment, does no. agree
with those who believe that 1t entirely abrdges
the right OF countless towns and cities to the dis
pensation OF relief to the poor. In conversation
with HERALD reporter on the subject he said:-
'.rhIs very question was thoroughly discussed in
the Commission. The amendment originally
reported by Mr.. LeavenwOrth, the Chairman OF
the Committee on Charities, 1t is true, Was a very
sweeping one Iopposed
THE ORIGINAL AMENDMENT
strenuously, as did several other members OF the
Commission. /. was the last week OF the session,
ana the words | used on the occasion show clearly
what the intent Of the amendment was as re-
por ed from the committee. stated that 1t pro-
posed to strike down every incorporated charity
and private benevoience TO the extent OF refusing
to the Commonwealth, and to every county, city,
town and village in 1t, all aid either from the
Legislature or from any municipal or other local
authority"
"That was the scope of the amendment in its
original iormy"
ait was In my opinion ana in the opinion OF
several other OF the members of the Commission,
who TOOK part in the debate that ensued upon 1T.
1 studied the amendment thoroughly, and de-
clared, in my remarks before the Commission,
that If the amendment prevailed only what are
caled our State charities, and as the provision
reads, not ali OF them. could come to the state Tor
the smallest possible support; that ii would, II
adopted, cripple the hands vi all private DenevO-
ence and III 4 way most offensive to thousands OF
people l argued that the Amendment originated
III great preJuoice thaI there had been Tor years
clause Ia the state constitution against wnat are
called
sECTARIAN CHARITIES
which deemed wholly unJustaole. ! said lit
asserted and believed, and IS perhaps true, that
those OF the Roman Catholic allh get more than
tneir snare OF the pubic money. But TINS Is not
true, think II you consider Numbers well as
sects, with regard TO appropriations and claims.
But IN this case the wrong Is tnat because there
more poverty aud misfortune sect tnan IN
another, you to act not III eference ~ what Is
right ia iIseii but as TO VINO may oe reviewed. -
''You referred IN your speech 10 the amounts &C
tually donated NY tue state Tor CHARITIES for
twenty years previous TO 1851 2"
IL showed that we were to expend from
I SlO,OOOO0O 10 sl3UCO,OOO upon state CapitOi,
when, Tor twenty.one years. All the State had ex.
amounted 10 but O,3J4 20; That in tnis time the
prva.e charities Rad received from The state
81 $50, 2T5 that Tor twenty years previous 10 1861
all the state paid Tor private Charities was one
sixteenth o! mil. and Tor pubic and private
charities One-.ourtn OF 1 mill; that one tniru ol
mill would iay Tor all our Charities iol twenty.
one years, ana one sixth OF mil Tor all the
taxes PAID BY the state for private Charities"
.iOur ldel Is tnat the amendment prohibiting
the giving Wy the state VI It's money or circuit -
or IA aid OF any individual, ASSOCIATION or col pora
ton does not pronibit county or city from max
ing provision lor Its poor ~
ayes, that Is my dea and It IS the only Just inter-
probation that eau Ue put on tue amendment.
There are certain charities winch by law are en-
Titled to donations oy the State. The amendment
was not meant 10 aUrogate THESE Jaws or deny tue
rigut local cnal ttles IN the state to denote their
money the leliel OF the poor; Tor the last seu-
tence o! sec5lon H. article 5. expressly states:-
TINS section shall not prevent such county, city.
town or village rom making such provision Tor
tue ALT or support OF It's Door as may be authorized
DJ aw;' and MT. Leayenwortn, Ia his report to tue
commission, remarked that the Boards VI super.
vsors o. tile various counties ana the Common
COUNCILS OF tue different cities have all the power
they nave heretofore had 10 pay 70 eacl CLASS OF
sad INSTITUTIONS
THE MOST LIBERAL COMPENSATION
lot the care and support or the different classes OF
uniortuhates lor whom they were Designed
Commission TO be regarded rs u prohibition
against local charities authorized by awf''
"lt wAs not. state AID as have said on Drovl.