Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-04-26
Taxation Of Church Property.

in the religious aud secular journals, and by
members Of church and state. The general
drift Of opinion, so far rs we can judge from
surface indications, seems to he against any
taxation. There is evident wisdom and
propriety in exempting churches, colleges
school-houses, hospitals asylums, cemeteries,
and all property used for religious, educa-
tional and charitable purposes, from the bur
den of taxation. Such property is entirely
unproductive Of interest or rents. 1t has no
revenue. These institutions are sustained
by public benefaetions, or by general taxa
tion as in the case of school buildings and
university cdifces built and endowed by
the state and asylums, in whole, or in part,
supported by government
But while we should most strenuously re-
sist taxation of church property-that is, OF
property in cdifces for the religious worship
Of the various deuominations-ther ought to
be some limit fixed beyond which property
cannot be sequestered from taxation. When
colleges and universities, in addition to their
mproductive estates, in libraries, buildings,
and public grounds, own large estates that
are productive of revenue, these, it seems TO
us only wise and just, should bear their
proportion Of the public burdens. This
productive property is made so by the care
Of the state, and it should pay for its protec-
ton. So with productive church property
that furnishes revenues TO religions corpora
tons. II ought not to escape its share of
taxation. Converts, and religious houses
that are occupied 10y men and women who
are unproductvc and regardless of the pri-
mary obligations Of human society, ought
TO be unscrupulously taxed. In some coun-
tries the government finds it difficult to ex-
ist on the revenue that is raised from the
taxation Of the limited property that is not
exempt. Italy has been obliged 10 confs-
cate the immense territorial estates Of the
Roman church and put them into the market
in order to get the benefit Of the taxes. But
in this country there is little or no danger
that the amount of exempt property will
ever seriously affect the rate of taxation.
In Massachusetts, the total valuation of prop
erty is one billion eight hundred forty mil
lions seven hundred ninety-two thousand
seven hundred and twenty-eight dollars. In
the state fifteen millions four hundred ten
thousand three hundred and thirtynine dol
lars worth of literary institutions are exempt
from taxation four millions one hundred
five thousand five hundred and twenty-five
dollars, benevolent institutions; six mil
lions five hundred ninety-two thousand one
hundred and thirty dollars, charitable two
millions one hundred forty-two thousand and
fifty dollars, scientific thirty millions nine
hundred one thousand nine hundred and
twelve dollars, houses Of religious worship !;
five hundred twenty-six thousand two hun
dred and ninety dollars, agricultural societies .
a total Of fifty-nine millions six hundred sew
enty-eigbt thousand two hundred and forty
six dollars are exempt from taxation,
little over three per cent. Of the entire
amount. And this is much the largest rate
in any of the states. And when it is known
that more than fifty per cent of the taxable
property of the country escapes taxation, it
would seem q needless cruelty and wrong
to put the churches of the country, whose
property is but thirty-two thousandth Of one
per cent. of the entire property of the whole
country, into the tax list. 1t would give an
inappreciable increase of revenue to the gov
eminent, and it would result in adding bur
dens to the feebler churches of the country,
under which they could hardly survive. The
state might kill many churches without any
appreciable advantage to itself. 1t is for
reasons of public welfare, then, that we OPP
pose the taxation of church property. The
state would rob the churches Of what would
do it no good, aud might in multitudes of
cases do them irremediabe injury.
Governor Dix has recently written q let
ter on this subject to one of the members of
the Albany Legislature, which does him great
credit. 1t discusses the question both senti-
mentally and politically. It is worthy of the
consideration of all men who may have any
thing to do or say in the determination Of
this question.
lie says: "The scheme should be repu.
dated and denounced in all its parts One
can hardly debate it without feeling OF
abasement, 1t is not a subject of human
logic 1t is not problem of profit and loss
to be argued by religious obligation on one
side and financial cupidity ON the other II
is a matter of instinct, of Unborn reverence
of the consciousness which every mind moi
perverted by the sophistications of worldly
science has of its own Unreasonable nfcri
GRITTY to the Sovereign Ruler OF the universe
and of the homage it owes Him as its Creator
and Redeemer There is something revolt
ing TO the moral sense in its moral state, in
the idea of making mercenaiy profit out OF
an edihce consecrated TO His service. When
this inner sense is wanting, argument i,
fruitlcss.
" do not believe that any community
which seeks to throw its secular expenses on
the worship of God, by leyying contribution,
on the ediices consecrated to His service
can long escape the chastisement it proyokes
1t is not necessary to look for special vista
tons Of i'll as manifestations of His dis
pleasure. Cupidity, selfshness, rapacity, tn,
proclamation Of things which should be helC
sacred, carry with them, by the force of i'm
mutable laws, the retrbution denounced b,
the codes they violate.
"All religious denominations have TIA,
same interest in preventing their houses O
worship from being desecrated and secular
lied by taxation As was beautifully ex
pressed by Madame de Stael Their cere
monies are strongly eontrasted; but tn,
same sigh of distress, the same petition 70
support, ascends TO heaven from all. |
seems TO me that this whole movement i
calculated to create in the breasts of reflect
ing persons a feeling Of profound sorrow anc
unmitigated disgust. The only proper mod,
OF treating it is to scout it out of the com
mittee rooms, legislative halls and socia
circles, which it has deiled by its presence
To give il any eountenanee would be to fur
nish new ground for the national reproacl
too often cast upon us, that the almighty dol
lar is the chief object of our alteration"
TROUBLE IN THE DEMOCRATIC CAMp.--
The recent Indiana democratic convention