New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-19
FREEDOM OF WORSHIP.
THE CUSTOMARY BILL APPEAR: AGAIN.

PROTEST FROM THE LEAGUE FOR THE PkolE0'
TON OF AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS.
Tho Freedom OF Worship bill, which comes up III 'ne
Legislature every year. has again been intioduceo '
time by senator Cantor on February - ~ 10 e",''
An Act to Provide for the Better security o te
dom Of Religious Worship In Certain lhs"tu"o"'
The bill provides that II shall apply 10 every i"'V
porned or unincOIpOrated society iormeo io' 'N
reformation Of It's inmates. as well a. HOUSES Vi
pcnltcnares. proectoeo. reformatones or Quiet 49,
Institutions continuing to receive for their use el'hc'
public moneys or per capita sum Ifoin any "'''"N
palty for the support of Inmates.
section g. the main one, provides that "the iu'e'
and regulations established for the government VI ~"
institutions mentioned In this act snail recoSn'No '
right Of the inmates to the free exercise m u'e''
ligiOus belief and To worship God according " INC
dictates Of their consclences, In accordance WIN vi"
provisions Of the Constitution; and shall allow ana
provide for holding religious services on sunday anu
for private mlhstntion to the inmates in such manner
as NAV best carry into effect the spirit and intent Vi
this act and be consistent with the proper discipe
aud management Of the institution: and the lhhi"'eS
VI such Institutions shall lee allowed snch rehsio"e
services and spiritual udvice and spiritual mlnlsrsooh
from some recognized clergyman Of the denomination
or church which said inmates respectively prefer
to which they may have belonged prior 10 their
being confined in such Institutions but II any OF such
inmates sho be minors under the age Of sixteen years
then such services advice and spiritual ministrauoh
shall be allowed In accordance with the METHODS ana
rites Of the particular denomination or church "hich
the parents or guardians OF such minors may select
such services to BIC had and such advice and mnlstra
ton TO he given within the buildings grounds where
the inmates required by law TO be confined, IN
such manner and at such hours a. will be In harmony
as Aforesaid with the discipline and the rules and regu
atons Of the Institution and secure to such Inmates
free exercise OF their religious beliefs In accordance
with the provisions OF this act.
The rules and regulations under which the privileges
aforesaid shall be allowed to such inmates shall be
prescribed by board consisting OF the superintendent
OF state PRISONS the president Of the state Board OF
Charities and the Attorney General: and no institution
mentioned in this act shall be entitled 10 receive any
public moneys or per capita allowances aforesaid In
the said board shall certify that the free exercise
and enjoyment Of religious profession and worship Is
not permitted In such lrsftutlon In accordance with
the rules and regulations prescribed by such board
A protest and memorial has been addressed to the
two houses OF the Legislature I'm view OF the fact that
tho procpitae action already taken on the measure
In question Indicates predetermined purpose TO deny
the right OF petition and argument before the commit
tees to which such bills appropriately referred by
the following committee Of the National League for
the Protection OF American Institutions: George ;.
Baker William IT, Parsons James McKeen. George 7.
Balch. Peter Donald and James VI. King.
The committee says; It, objects, promoters ana
purposes well known. not only to the politicians,
but also 20 the people OF the state Of New York.
Under the gui,e OF cOntending for Individual religious
freedom. which one challenges It aims to introduce
the ecclesiastical machine Of denomination into
every Institution which receives any financial support
from the state This would and publish
practical league between the eccesiastics OF that
church. who appear, the sole promoters OF this bill
and the civil government I'm this state which t.
directly variance with the letter and spirit OF both
the National and State Constitutions. both Of which
virtually declare the principle that each church should
work out It, destiny without governmental in
reference aid.
AS substitute for this measure. in the interests
VI peace and unity both In Church and state would
suggest the passage OF amendment to the state
Constitution similar TO the proposed XNlth Amgld-
ment 20 the Constitution OF the United States