New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-09
TO PROTECT THE COMMON SCHOOLS.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY
THE LEAGUE FOR THE PROTECTION OF
AMERICAN ELECTROMAGNETIC
TON OF CHURCH AND
pOLITAN HALL THIS WEEK.

Active work has already been begun by the Ma
tonaI League for the Protection OF American lnsti-
tutions in preparation for the coming Constitutional
Convention to meet in May next. The especial Oh
ect toward which the efforts OF the league Will De
directed during the progress Of its campaign VIII
be that Of urging upon the voters OF the state the
necessity for the adoption Of the following amend
ment to Article VIII OF the Constitution as now
in force
Section ~ No law shall be passed respecting an
establishment Of religion. or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof nor shall the state or any county
property or credit or any money raised by taxa
ton. otherwise or authorize either 10 De useu'
for the purpose of founding. maintaining or aiding
by appropriation, payment for services, expenses
or In any other manner. any church. religious de-
society or undertaking which s wholly; or in part.
under sectarian ecclesiastical control
The above addition to the Constitution. as pro-
posed has been prepared by the Law Committee
Of the league, consisting Of William Allen Butter.
Dorman D. Eaton. Wheeler II. I'eckham. Henry
Z. Rowland and Cephas Brainerd. An address 10
the citizens Of the State has just been Issued by
the league explanatory OF the amendment Tor
which the votes OF the people will be asked, which
"New-York state. more than others, has suffered
from politico religious alliances based upon enor,
nous sectarian appropriations TO institutions ana
undertakings under sectar;an control! Ihcse nav
introduced religious questions into politics. nave
debased both religious and civil NE have encouf,
a9i,cal Teorm TRe patroic sentiment Of the cit
zens Of the State seems at last to DE aroused 10
alliances
but it needs be directed into effective and safe
lines.
This IL possible by concentrating this awakened
sentiment upon the amendment to the state con
stituton which the National League has formulated
which makes effective the separation OF Church ana
State at which our Constitution aims by taking re-
gious issues and sectaran competitions for public
money out Of politics il deals imparally with AL
religious sects and crerds, protects the Common
School Fund. and secures the provision that money
be used only for those civil purposes for which II
collected
Continuing the address reci,es:
We believe that the proposed amendment whel
incorporated in the organic law OF IN" State VIII
produce the following results: l. Preserve the in
togrty OF the funds and the fair and impartial
character Of the American free pubhc-.chOol syH-
2 Eliminate religious controversy from polt-
zeal questions and Issues. J. Secure ana perPttuate
essential separatiyn Of Church and state. 4. De-
strOy the ntmidsling power Of ecclesiastcsn over
both citizens and lawmakers.
Neglect to pass this amendment to our organic
law at the present time would result in: l. In
creased and continually increasing arrogance on tAe
advantages by political ORGANIZATION and by the
use Of public money 2. The continued disturbance
OF civil peace of political issues and OF legislative
and executive action by nsatiate claimants OF pub
20 decide questions Of religious faith by political
natorities. T. Continually increasing burdens laid
upon the State for the support OF private eccicsi-
astical scc:aran institutions. o. The gradual dis
rnemberment and destruction or our free common
school system. G. The indirect but dangerous union
OF Church and State in matters pertaining 10 TAXA
ton"
The address concludes with appeal TO all pa
trlotic citizens TO exert all their personal influence
in urging the people TO vote FOR the proposed
dent and the Rev. DR.. James NJ. King. general