The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-06
EXEMPTION FROM TAXATION.
A CORES pondent Thinks Churches Give
an Equivalent in Good Works.

oEAiIIE, GO. 4, lsya
To THE EDITOR: petition has recently
been addressed TO the members o! the senate
and house o! representatives OF the legislature
OF the state of Washington asking that honor
able body to strike from the present laws OF
Washington certain exemptions relating to
church and charitable organizations. The par
ticular language which the petitioner desire,
expunged from the statute book IL found in
section s. chapter lao. OF the laws OF 1891, and
-eads rs follows: "Al church property used
exclusively for public worship to an amount
not exceeding 5000; hospitals for the care OF
the sick. whether SUPP orted III whole or in part
by charity: orphansge anu orphan asylums in
situations for the reformation OF fallen women
and homes Tor the aged and infrw."
These exemptions from taxation of church
and charitable organizations are, in the opinion
OF the petition rs expressed in the exac: Ian
gnaEe OF the petition, ain violation OF justice
and equal rights. and most pceiudicial TO the
interest of society and the state" With these
assumptions We cannot agree, believing them 70
BE- at variance with the truth The principle
underlying the exemption OF church anu char
liable organ cations from taxation is purely
economic. Ii is IN the nature OF u recompeuse
for value received. legislative wisdom cannot
be better employed than in the direct encour.
agement o. those agencies devoted 70 the eleva-
ton Of the human race. The ultimate goal or
Christianity embodies the highest conceptions
OF citizenship.
The progress of American civ iization is q liv-
ing testimonial of the beneiccnt influence OF
religious thought upon the affairs of men. We
are essentially a Christian nation The very in
cention of our national life was Graded in re-
ligtous convictions, and now, after more than
century of national life, we find the best results
of our civilization in harmony with the teach
ings OF Christianity. The popular conviction
snstalns this view Of the relation of church
and state and while from a political stand point
thew are separate and apart, yet between them,
as conservators of the public veal. exists a CON-
mon bond OF sympathy. In every village and
hamlet throughout the length and breadth Of
this glorious republic we find the church and
the p-bIic school standing side by side, the
nsyerful exponeuts OF the educated conscience
of society Legislative sanction Of the utility of
church and religious organizations devoted 10
the csuss Of humanity, in the shape of certain
limited exemptions from TAXATION, i in accord
with the best interests OF society aud the state.
The opposition of the petitioner appears rather
a. a pretext for carpiug AZ the shortcomings OF
the church and its kindred associations. a favor
lie occupation with certain critics. The correct
estimate of the character OF a msu is based upon
the general trend of his lie The same
principle is applicable 10 the church.
That IL il an agency for good of the
highest order we cannot doubt. and
iuasmuch as its mission is uaaiioyed with mer.
ceruarv gain as an END in itseli the violation Of
equal rights, by exemption from taxation
within certain limits, Is no, apparent as equal
rights Imply equal conditions We think that
tae energies of the petitioner cond be EN-
ployei 10 better advantage in suggesting p.aeii-
cable remedies for che actual evils OF society
than in hunting arguments 20 support techni-
cal objections 20 state exemptions froll taxation
OF rellgiou and chagitabtS organisations,
q. W. s0NERlSpyKx