New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-02-19
Henry JAMES, JK.
4 ycw PHASE or cHURcH AND STATE.

cAyDrrsTICKs ROBES, STATUES. IMPORTED FOR
DFIJGfors PURPOSES. ADMITTED fkEE OF DUTY.
TO the EditOr o. me Irtb"ne.
SIR: The recent bold and significant utter
ances of President Grant eX-spcaker Baino ana o''f
leading representatives Of the hatoIGl Cove hm'h'
respecting church property ana h"hHeeth"h Sch"'S'
have been very justly appreciated ana approved 10y inc
intelligent unbiased portion OF the public IL mas beeh
rather generally conceded however, that these are re
forms cling more properly TO tie state than to the
National Government. While II may be use ana behe-
fetal Therefore 10 create national sentiment I'D ia'or
n, sucb measures respectfully submit the question ~
10 whether 1t would not seem more proper ana lFfhai"
proye more cacctua for those rces ntn6 the Gcnea
Government 10 teach the states these st principles by
example rather tEan by gratdltous advice.
Hinder Section sos Of the csiscd Statutes Of the
limited States Congress- with the approval OF the EN-
ecut!yo greatly 10 the annoyance OF customs ohcers IL
well IA who approve OF c sentiments 81 'he lI'Si
dent and Nr Blaine has provided III one clause ioT lh
free entry Of books maps and charts" and in another
for All manner ~ "rcgaa and gems end statues and
specimens OF sculpture. where specially imported IN
GOOD faith for the az society incorporated or cs-
tahlished for religious purposes In the
limited States thus aoriDg TO The state Legislatures
positive and potent example Ia this principle and
practice OF discrimination In accordance with The PRIV
ege here granted all descriptions Of Theological rumpery
statues Of the saints pictures OF the Holy Virgin sacred
fountains ornaments, pre,lly robes, brass cnnestcks,
and many other things are constantly unoaded AT the
crion-housos the larger ports. claiming free entry
und.r ticse and other regulations established 10y
the General Government. In inns way The Ie"-
ole at large are, pcrforce, mao" coH'llnu'orh ]"
me church. 10 the extent OF thousands anni-
aIly while legitimate importers are forced 10 pay
heavily for every uoc.ui article uiey import II Is
true that under Ire present prdfich ana cfncirht
management Of the customs division oil the treasury
these pfoVisuns have cc,IFCa tnc most mario" ana
limited construction Os.blf but Win all the pItchd-
lions and within the reach ~ the service t"A
necessarily operate with Era injustice Ia tlc puui"'
b.sdcs opcni. the door fraud of the worst en- ifici
the aud rcscrted 10 hy those
taking advantage oil tr pri ilcSc being no ioss ahuhihb
| than annoying.
Thus the Labor and expense o. the service arr largely
Augmented, tine pubic revenues often deiIiIdcd AL
OlOA Oas discrimination is sanctioned and the beneficial
results The public very slight and Sgnncnt. Tue
principle involved being precisely identical with the
one represented the church property question II Is
remarkable tlat such Leg Station should hayc ccp; into
ton OF Mr. Blaine aud the President; anl IL these oig
tonsble provisions have been overlooked n resnna
b!. AZ viii be ighy gratifying 10 ind the influence OF
these worthy officials cNcricd l. favor OF tcir im IMMEDIATE
alrnyatinu Having ALREADY assam enYiablr att
,nde In their ouspoken opposition TO sectarian In1v
leg,. II will In diticui. OI c biun undiso rlni mating
iulb ic 10 perceive why churches s1Oud DC taxed Will
brass candestcks i'm Orted free whN the r"br Of
pricst should he excluded ir IA uls while the ncclarics
apu and tools of trade heavily basdcued; why TIA,
General Government shuu call upon inc STATES 10 deal
Justly and alike al their CILz"nr-iiiuis, Jews
PagiIs, aud C.ri.tu~whe uo1 IT, own staLuie-D0ok
rc,aus odOus discrimination Yours !or consistent
reform, d NJ ADAhs
Washington, d. O., Jan. 26. 1876.