Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1895-03-14
CHURCH TAXATION.
Wow % clereymen o. Laneastcr

The Herald man interviewed the
clergymen of the city of Lancaster on
the question of taxing church proper.
ty and ELECTED from them the follow
ing expressions of opinion.
DR.. f. +. Edwards of the Episcopal
church; am in favor Of exemptino
from taxation church property used
strictly for church purposes below a
certain value. just where the line
should be drawn is not easy to saw
but il would seem that limit could
be liked and that property having a
value above that limit should pay tax
and that below be exempt
On the question Of whether church
organizations should hold revenue
producing property free from taxes |
have very decided views. All such
property should be taxed The church
has no right to abuse the privilege ac-
corded it as a benevolent institution
TO enter into competition with bust
ness that pays taxes. | belieye too
that church property that for long
time remains idle should be taxed. An
organization that does not use its
property and that is unable to do any
thing for the public good forfeits its
right TO exemption from taxation.
Rev Mason OF the Congregational
chureh What is your view of the
taxatio NOT church property?n That is
the question Of the editor of the Her
aid. am expected to answer it. NV
view has undergone some modiiica-
lions in recent months. Am in
favor of it? Yes, and no. Church
property that is devoted exclusively
to charitable purposes and that does
not exceed a certain maximum of
value should be exempt from taxa
ton The limit of value should be
different for large city, small city and
country The tax line should be
drawn high enough to enable churches
to prosecute their work effectually
without being hampered by taxation
The reasons for this exemption are
plain. A comparatively few men in
the community build the church; ii
Is for the benefit OF the whole people:
the Investment brings no returns; il
taxed these same few would have il to
pay: il would entail treble tax upon
the few and reduce the tax of the
many who are benefited by the
church organizations. Church prop
erty which is not used for charitable
purposes but for bringing in a rev
enue can well afford to bear its
share of the tax burden.
Rev. Albers of the Roman Catholic
church: On the question Of taxing
church property in general have not
deliberated sufficiently to express a
decided opinion. With the bill be-
fore the present legislature | am not
very familiar, but it seems to me to
discriminate against city congrega-
tions whose real estate is of necessity
very valuable and in favor OF country
churches that may have equally as
commodious and elegant buildings
and furnishings but whose property
is of less value on account of cheap
land on which il is located.
Rev. 4. Nabholz Of the Evangelical
Bethlehem church: 1t is my opinion
that church property above certain
value should be taxed, but below that
it should be exempt Churches exist
/ for the betterment Of mankind and
! should be encouraged to the extent ol
being relieved for reasonable values
from the burdens of taxation.
Rev. Ringold of the German Pres.
byterian church, | am in accord
with the main features Of the bill be.
fore the legislature as understand
it. believe ID the complete separa.
I tion Of church and state a church
or dignitary OF IA church isentitled &c
no more aud no different protection
from the law when engaged in husi-
ness than any other firm, corporation
or individual Ia all such eases il
the property is exempt from taxation
the rest Of the community is Indirect.
ly compelled 70 pay the tax that equi.
tably should fall to the church and
thereby compelled to help support it
But property that is used exclusively
for religious purposes OF moderat,
value should he free from taxation a,
the present bill provides
Rev H. d. Smith OF the NJ. T.
church ! am opposed TO this meas
ure. The motives of those favorinl
it may be good but the effect of III
passage would be disastrous.
Churches are benevolent and mora
institutions. They exist for religious
and charitable purposes They arr
public institutions. Church enter
prise has built up system Of higher
education that has trained the hes
minds Of the century. To tax it il
to discourage benevolence.
When however churches leave theil
proper sphere and enter the domain
Of business there is no objection Il
their being taxed like any other bust
ness enterprise.