Arizona weekly citizen., 1895-03-09
Fair Play on Chnrch Exemptions


 ED. CITIzEN:-Of late have noticed some comments upon the policy or pro- priety of taxing church property. Per, init me, therefore. through your paper to submit few thoughts that suggest themselves 10 my mird.
 Article of amendments to the U. s. Constitution, provides "that congress shall pass DO law respecting the estab- lishment of religion"
 Is not the passage of law exemptlng church property from taxation, an act indirectly respecting the establishment of relieion," and can a state or territory pass an act which the general govern ment is prohibited to do?
 If state can so legislate indirect aid to religion, then cannot the same au- thority grant direct aid from the state treasury ID the support and maintain snce of religion. It certainly seems to be clearly logical conclusion that the state could SO do. If one stste can 90 do. cannot each and every other act likewise and thus reu der void the quot ed provision of the U. s. con. tltutioD, by legisiating iu favor of a particular church to the exclusion of all otbers, and thus constitute such church the state church. My church friend will say that there is DO danger of any such extremes ss I have depicted ever occur. ring. to which I reply that it is not 8 question whether such 8 condition of things may ever occur, but is principle right which renders such contingency possible. If the principle is wrong, which to my mind this certainly seems % be, then the practice should be dis continued.
 It Is iusieted that church in @ sense, is public institution, and exists for the public sood. ihe development of the morals of mankind, that they are SUD- ported by voluntary contributions, etc. true, but it n ust be remembered that a very considerable portion of those con- trlbut ons are from non-eectsrians, who do not, for those reasons, think that churches shr u!d be exempt from taxa tion. Besides it must be remembered that there are other institutions which are in a sense public, Rynssiums. f I physical development; art associations, for the development of 8 taste for the beautiful and refined; private schools and colleges fir mutual development, benevole associations for the develop ment of the attributes of charity, etc all supported by the voluntary contri- buttons of the active members. without receiving or asking outside aid, and in tho meantime relieve their sick and dis tressed, provide for destitute widows and orphans, and educate the latter, yet they are not exempted from taxation.
 Every necessary and useful employ ment in life is in a sense public insti tution and exists for tEe pubic go d.
 The vegetable gardner. grocer, etc gre in sense public institutions. and exist for the good of the public. and un dorbtedly if exempted from taxation could supply their customers at reduced rates.
 But thIs cannot be. revenue must be provided ID order that the authorities may be able to afford the requisite pro- tection to all branches and classes of society.
 If any property is exempted, the ag- gresate value of the assessment roll IS diminished to that extent, and Bs a con- sequenc the tax rate must be increased in proportion in order to raise the amount of revenue required.
 If the property of Odd FelloHs, Ma. sons, etc., is exempted. the citizens rho do not believe n secret societis must contribute hIs proportion to make uI the detclt thus unjustly created.
 al owned by, controlled by, and used ex clusively by the public, then no mar will be compelled to contribute indirect ly to a purpose ag8.ust which his judg ment and conscience rebels.
 Let the wstchword be heralded from every house top. Equal Justice to All and Special Privileges to Noue." FAIRFIELD.