The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1876-02-15
EXEMPTION FURTaER CoNsiD-
Erred.

/ GWhDs
Hon. Geo. H. Andrews has some fur
ther remarks in the New York Time
on the subject Of repeating the churcl
tax-sxemption provisions. from whicl
We copy the following:
UNWILLING TAXPAYERS.
Another objection 10 TO be consider.
ed, to-wit: That the exemption OF
church property imposes burden up.
on those who do not believe in religion
or churches, and that the State has nc
right to tan man for that which hs
does not approve, and which his con-
science may even condemn. Howlong
since has this doctrine been accepted.
by the State? The State now taxes the
infidsl for prayers in Congress and the
Lsgislaturs; the blind man for public
museums; the deaf man for public mu-
sic; Ithe temperance man for exhilara-
ting beverages at public dinners to the
King of the Cannibal Islands; the Qua
ksr for the support OF the armies; the
Baptists to pay for the picture Of the
Baptism OF Pocahontas;" the Hebrew
fer the picture of "De Sofa Discover
ing the Mississippi" the bachelor to
educate children, and the secsssionist
to pay for his defeat. The last might
be indefinitely extended, and it resolves
itself into this, that the citizen has sur
rendered portion OF his natural rights
to the State, and must abide the con-
sequences or deport himself to some
land where he may enjey all his natu-
raj rights, provided always he can de-
fend them with his own right hand; for
assuredly no State. civilized or savage,
will protect him unless, as condition,
he surrsnders some Of his rights.
EXEMPTION OF OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
1t il asked, Why not exempt other
organizations calculated to advance
the value OF property and promote the
public good? The answer is that the
State has done moro than allow exemp-
tion to some such organizations; it has
even granted in their aid large sums
many millions-of money. As, for in
stance, to the Eric Railroad, the Alba
nv and Susquehanna Railroad, and
several others, and in no instance
where the enterprise has been carried
to completion, has the State been los
or, although every dollar so advanced
had been suak. The increased value OF
property, resulting from the e1pendi-
ture, has more than reimbursed the
State by an increased tar for the mon
sy so expended. Congress has also
acted upon the same principle, as in
tho ease of the Union Railrnsd and
others. There is. however, about these
grants or subsidiss, the method OF OBJ
tanning them and the manner Of dis
pensing them, Q taint and odor OF cor
ruption which has created q we'll found
ed hospitality in the public mind to
such forms Of benefaotion to similar
enterprises. Nevertheless, in materi
al point OF view, the country at large
has probably been the gamer because
Of the grants. Such enterprises, how
ever, have always within them the
germ OF individual profit. The owners
or the stockholders always look for the
the ultimate dividend in dollars, as the
rscompsnse for their sacrifices. No
such motive operates upon the mind
of the contributor toward the erection
OF building for public worship. II is
the stern conviction Of duty, or an un-
selfish desire for the public welfare,
which is the motor in that undertak.
ing.
EXEMPT INSTITUTIONS SOUGHT FOR.
The ayidity with which counties, cit.
les and towns press their claims az
sites for public buildings or institu-
tions, which are by law exempt from
taxation, and are TO take ont Of the as
sessment roll valuale taxable property
is very we'll known. Why is this p
Because there is no community so be.
nighted as not to appreciate the fact
that the reflected benefit to property
will more than compensate for the abb
sorption Of the taxable property by ex.
emption. Is il an academy, college,
q State Capitol, q house of refuge, q
lunatic asylum, an asylum for idiots, q
court house, or even State prison that
that is to be located? Towns and
prize. Lands, and even money, are
freely offered to secure the coveted
establishment. Long and bitter feuds
arise out OF the question. Self inter
est is not blind in these contesting
communities. They know very well
what they are about, and the fact for
exemption has no terrors for them
After the building or institution is Sc
cured, anchored, fixed, doubtless the
same community would be glad to tar
il they could. II there were not q
church edifice in New York, how cor
dial would be the invitations to select
the choicest lots, the most eligible
sites, for the erection OF buildings fol
public Worship but having them now
all unsought, there are those who de-
plore the loss Of the ground such
buildings occupy, the absorption OF
taxable property by properly exempt
from taxation; and the law must be re.
pealsd and the Constitution amended
to prevent the continuance OF such an
outrage