Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-27

To the Editor OF The Evening Star:
The discussion now going on among our
people with respect to taxation is one Of the
best things that could happen at this time, the
near approach Of the new assessment. Col.
Boyds suggestion Of a single tax will draw out
some taxpayers in its favor. well as some
against it, no doubt. But there is another
phase Of the question which has not received
the attention which its Importance demands, for
it turns on what is dear to every true American
heart-justice. fair play. And lest what have
to say on this delicate subject may appear as the
new-fangied vagary OF some crank, let one of
the greatest and best loved of the citizens of The
republic, at time when he spoke as of
authority, moved by deep sense OF the duty
imposed on him by the Constitution. speak IA
from the grave-Gen. Grant. In his annual
message to Congress he used the following
memorable and never e-forgotteu words:
"In connection with this important question
I would also call your attention to the import
ance OF correcting mn evil that if permitted to
continue, will probably lead to great trouble in
our land before the close of the nineteenth con-
fury. 1t is tho acquisition of vast amounts of
untaxed church property. In 1850, l believe,
the church property of the United States which
paid no tax, municipal or state. amounted to
sS7 900 900. In 1860 the amount had doubled.
In 1870 it was 1854, Asa, 5s7. BY 1900. without
a check it is safe TO say this property will reach
a sum exceeding s., DOC. 900, 900. SO vast sum,
receiving all the protection and benefits of gov
eminent. without bearing its proportion of the
burdens and expenses of the same, will not be
looked upon acquiescently by those who have to
pay the taxes. In a growing country, where
real estate enhances so rapidly with time as in
the United States, there is scarcely limit to
the wealth that may be acquired by corpora
tions, religious or otherwise, IL allowed to re-
tain real estate without taxation. The contem-
platiOn Of so vast property as here alluded to
n frati
without constitutional authority, and through
blood. l would suggest the taxation Of all
property equally
Now, / need not add another word on that
subject except to express my wonder that we
have permitted those true and brave words to
pass UNDECIDED during all these years. But there
is another thing which has impressed itself on
my mind as something strange and paradoxical,
and which have been totally unable to account
for. 1t is this:
Our churches are recognized as the authori-
tative teachers Of pure religion and morality.
All Of them claim such authority from one who
taught the following principle: "Render unto
Caesar the things which are Caesars, and unto
God the things which are Gods" One of the
things which unquestionably belong to Cesar
Is that in return for protection afforded by
our police and fire departments, comfort and
convenience afforded by water mains, sewer
age. pavements, &c, &C.. each piece Of property
shall return yearly tax to discharge the neces-
sary expenses incurred thereby. Now, what has
always appeared inexplicable to me is this:
That the churches, with this doctrine Of the
head of the church in mind, could be willing to
avoid this moral duty of paying for what they
get. That they should be willing to have the
enemies of the church point ont the strange
anomaly Of the teacher of morality actually
practicing immortality. 1t does not touch the
question that Caesar" be willing to suspend
the operation of this moral duty 80 far as the
chr ia he oh 10
the teacher of morality, to perform its moral
duty-i.e., to pay for what it gets. There are
doubtless, many good church members who are
not willing their churches should receive what
they do not pay for. The question is, why
don't they make themselves heard? If the
church is wise it will take the initiative i'm this
matter and not be forced. as it will inevitably
be forced some day. TO do its duty. TRUTH.