The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-05-23
Communicated.
ASSESSING CHARITY.

The Portland Bee, commenting upon the
Revenue Law of Washington Territory, which
taxes all Church property in excess of Il GER
tain value, and upon the action Of the County
Commissioners in refusing to reduce the as
sessment Of the House of Providence, says:
"Under Oregon laws the property of the
Sisters of Charity would be exempt from tax
alton; and, if it is not so by law in Washing
ton Territory, it is Il shame upon her people.
Many deem that church and school property
should not be burdened by assessments, be-
cause every class and race of the community
ought, and generally do assist in maintaining
"A school of some kind and supports practices
of their own religious rites Then how much
more deserving of exemption is an institution
which is not only an educational and religious
institution, but bears the principle of charity
to all mankind. The suffering and the sick
are not turned away from the Sisters House
of Providence; but are cared for and nursed
by tenderest hands, till returning health takes
them iOyiully on their way, and generous
gratitude sends to heaven fervent PRAYER
for Gods blessing upon those who are in
spirit aud in fact Sisters in Charity to us ALL
Let the Commissioners say that charity is
above estimation, and its earthly abode cX-
empt from assessment in Clarke county"
Without pausing to notice the sclly SEN
N4llt NtIliuilOu Ill INC ubONc CNkTatI.
and the manifest attempt from that quarter
to throw sop to certain class who have
both votes and patronage for newspapers,
will briefly review the law referred to and its
application to the House Of Providence.
Taxation is one Of the most difficult ques-
tions with which any Government has to deal
The law makers of Washington Territory can
not avoid the difficulties any easier than can
New York or Oregon. Space will not permit
an extended examination of these difficulties
at this time. Suffice it for the general prin-
ciple, to assert that any system of taxation is
erroneous and unjust which is not based up.
on perfect equality; void of all discrim!na-
ton for or against any individual, class or
interest in the community. With the single
exception Of such property as belongs to the
people in their public capacity as nation, a
State. county, or district, all property is
therefore rightfully subject TO taxation
When the legislature Of Washington Terri.
tory attempted TO base their revenue law
upon this principle, and the House branch of
that body in 1871 passed bill based upon
such principle, a wise, though a radical step.
was taken in the right direction. But when.
after adopting in separate bills by the two
houses the principle above mentioned, the
Legislature of 1877 on the last day Of the ses-
sion, under the pressure Of lobby, composed
largely of preachers and religious fanatics.
amended their revenue bill SO as to exempt
from taxation houses Of public worship under
$1,000 in value, that body not only stultfed
itself but grossly and unjustly Disseminated
against the only religious institution in the
Territory above that value viz: the House of
Providence Of Vancouver. If it is Just and
expedient that church property should be
taxed, then there should be no exemption Of
such property for such an exemption is a
taeit admission that The principle itself is
wrong.
Its not shame upon the people of the
Territory that the House Of Providence should
be taxed, but it Is unjust that the House Of
Providence should be taxed under a law so
framed as to exempt all other church prop
erty in the Territory. WB.D.