The New York herald., 1876-01-18
SECTARIAN LEGISLATION.
THE METHODIST MINISTER'S DIVIDED IN oPIN-
IoN-THE MATTER NOT THOROUGHLY PRoBED-
ANOTHER CHANCE FOR THE COMMITTEE.

THE METHODIST MINISTER'S DIVIDED IN OPIN-
IoN-THR MATTER NOT THOROUGHLY PRoBED-
ANOTHER CHANCE FOB THE COMMITTEE.
few weeks ago, after more less discussion on
the topics indicated the Methodist Minister'S Associa-
ton appointed committee to consider the several
matters carefully and to report to the meeting for such
action as might be proper for that body to take Three
distinct acts OF legislation before that committee
namely The Gray Nun act the Randallis Island
School and the proposition Of the Catholic priest
hood OF this city 70 place their schools and
children under the Jurisdiction OF the Board OF Edu
action, subject to certain conditions Yesterday
therefore, the committee, through its chairman, Dr.
wheatey whom has devolved most If not all, the
clerical and other labor presented report The FIRST
matter considered is
GRAY
But the committee appeared by the subsequent dis
cussion did not deep enough into this They touched
only the amendment to the passed last year, but
did not so back to the ITSELF which passed in
1871, and which gave the Gray Nuns the right
to found their schools anywhere on the
soil Of this State and left them without limit to the
amount OF property they may hold II gave them the
right also to sell their property in any place and
the proceeds to the bishop Of the diocese This clause
was, however modified by subsequent legislation so
that the proceeds Of such sale OF property revert to
the corporation The subject matter as involved in the
amendment OF 1875 this act been previously con
sidered by the preachers meeting, and a committee
was appointed TO go to Albany and press the repeal Of
the act OF the present Legislature. According to
Governor Tilden's late Message this act has been
nullihed by moro recent legislation, that 1t
is now harmless, and the question before
the commitee-Why touch this at all if it be a dead
letter. But DR.. Wheatley and DR. Crooks explained
IL is still on the statute books of the State dead
but sleeping; and at some favorable opportunity
1t can be resusctated. Besides long Il remains
tha( Graz Nm IL
modified or nulihed at ALL and day the courts will
be called upon to adjudge its constitutionalty The
committee express thanks 10 Senator Woodn and AS
semblyman Campbell for their vigorous action looking
toward the repeal of this insdious and unpatriotic
enactment
RASDALL's ISLAND SCHOOL,
Tho legislation act Of April "a. lS75) by which the
school no 81 on Randalps Island-one or the best in
the county, according this reporhas been depleted
and left with only 100 crippled, idioc or diseased
children TO be cared for, next considered II al
legged that it was not the intention OF the trainers OF
this act TO apply II 10 the county OF New York IL
designed TO remedy certain grave abuses in the major
ity Of county poor houses to which vagran truant
dsorderly children" were sent and where they were
often associated, under roof with diseased vicious
and ignorant adults. There, surrounded by vile and
corrupting influences, they grew up into pauper and
criminal adult age TO remedy this sad state of affairs
the act under consideration was passed. The Commis-
sioners Of Charities OF this county did understand
that the law applicable here until they received the
legal opinion Of the Corporation Counsel Then they
took measures TO carry into effect by first notifying
relatives, guardians and friends of the children Ran
l. 1876.
The first and most obvious effect of the law has been
the great personal action OF widows and poor par
ens who previously enjoyed the privilege OF sending
their children to the nursery Randall's Island
cost to themselves Of So per month. Elsewhere they
obliged to pay about so per month, and at that
sum find II extremely difficult If not impossible to
make satisfactory arrangements for their helpless of
spring
on the unconstitutionaty OF the law the report is
very clear and explicit IL quotes from article Sec
ton and article section 10, of the State constitu
ton to show that this law violates the spirit and letter
OF that instrument II also shows that the last clause
OF section article referred to- neutrazes and stul
tines the first But nevertheless, the law under
sderation Is unconstitutional because IL clearly dis
eliminates IN favor OF and prefers those denominations
which have charitable Of reiormaory institutions TO
those which have not As the law stands the
effect OF Its operation is to increase the revenues and
political power of the Roman Catholic Church. The
whole of education, criminal reform and charitable
benehcence should be under the exclusive Jurisdiction
OF the State in all where supplies the pecuniary
to give effect to the several connected
with them Not until unequvocal constitutional pro-
visions and concordant legislative enactments prohibit
any preference OF one ecclesiastical body another
will the grievances under which Church and State
groan altogether cease.
The Roman Catholic propositions to the Board OF
Education relative TO the Papa parochal schools is the
third matter referred to this committee. The report
goes very fully over ground previous discussion
OF this specific cause of complaint.
The final conclusions OF the committee embodied
l. That tho law Of May l5 1879, commonly known
and that SUCH and for the that nvidous
illegal and mischievous, IL ought TO be Immediately abro
gated and thai respectfully the Legislature OF
the OF New York repeal during the
sion, as they may end ii practicable
That the provisions OF the OF State of
New York. and all OF the Legislature the
of New York. relative tho public schools
charitable reiomatory institutions sustained by public
moneys by funds derived from taxation should expressly
unequivoealy prohibit all ecclesiastical ntererencs
with such public schools with such charitable retora
tory nstons and that they should less expressly
unequyocaly prohibit the appropriation Of public
funds derived from taxation by the State, by
county city village the aid Of any
stituton of private undertaking in any way shape
That amendment the constitution OF the United
States covering the ground Of demonstrated necessity
podient and Desirable
That the Legislature OF the State OF New York
spectiuly peoned 70 modify tho enactment Of April "a
1875 establish the Chdren's Nursery Randals
Island under conditions that will insure efficiency
provide the evils OF indiscin herdng
children and adults in the county poorhonses in such
will conflict with the spirit and intent Of the
constitutional amendment prohibiting Sectaran sppropra-
ON the passage OF these resolutions separately tho
first blocked all the res and the was
likely 10 be protracted the entire matter
mitted 10 the committee, enlarged by the addition OF
nr They re- a