The morning times., 1896-02-04
FIGHTING THE CHARITIES
House Refuses Money for Sec.
tartan Institutions.
EACH ITEM HOLLY DEBATED
81. Johns Orphanage Appropriation
Struck Out-warm Speeches Made
for and Against Government Aid
for Hospitals and Kindred Works.
Progress of the District Bill.


House. the overwhelming preponderance of
sentiment being adverse to the apptopria-
tion OF public money for the benefit OF
private institutions.
But the climax OF the debate developed
the existence of "A wheel within wheel.
Mr.. Haner and his followers, who might
bc designated as the extremists in this
matter. seek TO withhold governmental as
Sistance from all hospitals and asylums,
whether Sectarian or non-sectarian.
Another faction, headed by Mr. Grout,
desire to eliminate only pronouncedly sec
tartan institutions from the District APP
preparation bill. What they regard as
non-Sectarian. although private estab-
lishmcnts, according TO their arguments,
should Ice retained.
But the temper of the House was found
10 be such as TO ma Ike but little difference
on the ground OF sectarlanism. This was
evidenced 10y the fact that while but
thirly-three members voted TO continue
the appropriation 10 st. Johns orplanage
Association, a sectarian organization, but
a dozen more, or forty-five members voted
TO retain that for the German orphan
Asylum, q non-Sectarian institution.
Stn another phase was brought forward
when the third motion to strike out inn
periled the sum OF So, 800 for the National
Association for the Relief of Destitute
Colored Women and Children. This was
admitted 10 he private. but held to be nom
secJarlan For the retention OF This item
the cry Of sentiment was raised, the charter
having been approx ed by Lincoln.
The controversy has not yet reached that
point where fight has been precipitated,
either FOR or against the A. T. A. Although
that organization has been Incidentally
mentioned, ii has not yet become feature
iii the debate. Those heretofore recog-
nized as champions OF that order have
carefully rcfrained from participating in
the discuss ion.
While the motion To strike Out the sum
carried for st. Johns Orphanage Associa-
ton was under discussion, Mr.. Cannon took
charge or the bill for the committee.
Toward the conclusion OF the debate on
that proposition Mr.. Grout took the floor
and explained that in the committee he
had favored the same proposition as that of
Mr.. Hainer, but majority had considered
il best To bring in the bill as reported. He
had then reserved the right 10 oppose the
sums given private institutions in the House
as he had in committee.
MIR CIRCUITS REASONS.
Heis opposed, Mr.. Grout said, because they
are private, Congress has no right TO visit
or inspect these Institutions. The super
intendent OF charities is permitted to do this,
but il is a question of suffirance ana not
legal right They have the privilege Of clos
ing their doors in the face of the superin-
tendent OF charities.
In the second place Mr.. Grout opposed
the appropriations because the beneficiaries
are not compelled To render an accounting
OF expenditures. He took an entirely diff
ferent view from that entertained by Mr.
Cannon. There was no intimation OF what
sums are expended for beads or crucifixes
OF in what manner the sums are diSbursed.
Mr.. Morse suggested that according to
the report of one institution 81, 200 of gov
ernment money wasspent for rum.
Mr. Grout said he was not a member OF
| the A. /. A, and knew nothing of that
organiza tion, but he did favor a complete
divorce Of church and state. He said a
proposition similar TO that carried in the
bill, if brought before the legislature Of his
own State, Vermont, would be viewed with
mingled feelings of disfayor and alarm.
/ IC would be construed as being initiative
OF the downfall of liberty.
A distinction existed, Mr.. Grout said,
| between the institutions which are ad-
mitted by private and those which are both
private and sectarian. Under no circum-
stances could he vote for the st. Johns
! orphan Association, st. AIMS Infant
| Asylum. Association of Workers of Mercy,
| Home of the Good Shepherd, Saint Rose In.
| dustrial School. and ST. Josephs Asylum. as
they are admittedly sectarian. At the
| conclusion OF the bill he would offer a
paragraph, directing that before any private
institution, whether sectarian or not, can
become benericiaries under its provisions,
| they shall so amend their charters as to
| permit the District Commissioners TO have
knowledge and supervision of the expcndi
tuge made from governmental funds.
CHAMPIoNED BY ROBERTSON.
Mr. Robertson defended the charita bic in
| stitutions involved and referred to the seven
hour session of the committee, when, as he
said. the representation of the A. P. A
| first raised the cry of sectarianism. He
| financial reports to be made to a proper
officer OF the government, but did not con
slider it necessary.
Mr.. Morse expressed himself in favor OF
all charities, pubic or private, except those
Of a purely sectarian character. To thest
latter he was unallerably opposed.
Mr Wheeler spoke in explanation of hi
former criticisms upon the Board of Chill
dr-n's Guardians. and said that his com
parisons were not intended to reflect upoI
the board.
Mr. Bowers declared himself TO be in favol
| of liberal appropriations for charities. bu
was opposed 10 those for sectarian institu
riuns, over which Congress had no control
| He warned members that there is not
cents reduction in the amendment Offered
by Mr. Hainer but the sums would be dis
tributed under government control.
Mr.. Washington thought there should b'
no union or even partnership between churcl
and state. but aid should not he withheld
until suitable provision is made for tn,
children affected. He did not believe tn,
Board Of Children's Guardians had authority
under law TO take care of children unles
they were in some manner recommended
by the court He would support Mr.. Grout.
amendment.
A vote was then taken on Mr. Hainer'
amendment TO strike out the appropriation
Of 81 500 for the Church Orphanage AS
sociation of st. Johns parish. A division
was demanded, the result being i 20 yeas
33 nays.
The motion TO strike out prevailed.
GERMAN ORPHAN ASYTITM