Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-23
sECTARTAN APPROPRIATIONS.
Committee of Ministers Address n
Letter 10 Members of Council.

Committee of Ministers Address
Letter TO Members of Council.
A CODY of the appended letter has been
sent to each member Of the Council:
Richmond Va, March 20, 1891
Member of the Common Council Of the
City Of Richmond:
My Dear Sir--As representing a large
and loyal part of the people of our city,
we beg to address you, as one of our
representatives. the following paper to
which we respectfully beg your careful
consideration About one year ago, when
the annual budget Of appropriations ioI
1886 was under discussion, the Bapusl
Pastors Conference Of this city, through
their committee. addressed the Board OF
Aldermen i'm the following memorial:
"To the Honorable Board Of Aldermen oil
the City Council Of Richmond:
honorable Gentlemen,-Whe our
attention Is attracted by newspaper an
nouncement to the fact that our CITY
Council has been in the haDll oil appio %
priating public money TO the support OF
several distinctly denominauOual lnstllu-
lions in the city; and
whereas, in the budget OF appropila-
tions for the ensuing year. which mas just
been passed by the Common Council the
sum of $500 is thus appropriated-$loJJ
to Catholic and $1,000 to Protestant chart
table institutions; ana,
whereas the Ministerial Union OF
Richmond and Manchester comprising all
of the Protestant ministers Of these TWO
cities, has passed upon the principle IN
yolyed. in recently unanimously declaring
itself opposed TO the appropriation by
Congress OF public funds Tor the support
Of eectarian schools among the Indians
and,
"Whereas. our national Congress has
recognized the justice Of the plea IN With
holding such appropriations Tor the lu-
turc: be a
"Kesolved by the Baptist Pastors Con-
ference Of Richmond and Manchester,
That we hereby kindly but firmly pro-
test against this action OF our Common
Council, and urgently petition your hon
orable body not TO concur IN TINS UNJUST
and unwise use of the city's revenues.
And this for the following reasons:
Il. We recognize in such appropriation
the continuation, through our city gov
eminent, OF the unhoy alliance between
Church and State, against which Baptlsis
have everywhere ana always contended
and a violation Of the principle OF separa-
uon Of Church and State-a principle
I'll is recognized i'm American Institutions
-. We believe IL to involve the prlncl-
pie Of taxation without representation,
masmuch as these UNCONVENTIONAL lnsu-
tutions are in no way open TO the dlrec-
ton or inspection of the public, and tha'
such action by our Council Is, therefore
illegal and unconstitutional.
80. We recognize in such action many
unjust determinations. 1t discriminates
against the colored taxpayers Of our
city. who are not represented in these
benefits, il discriminates against the jews,
"A most worthy taX-paying part OF our
population; il IS an unjust discrimination
i'm that the Roman Catholics, who, though
not so numerous, and presumably not
such large contributors 20 the income Vi
the city. receive the larger part OF the
appropriations-$ ,JO0-while two Of the
Protestant denominations combined re-
ceive only $50 And, further, the dis
elimination is In favor Of such denomina-
lions as are abundantly able 10 provide
for their own unfortunate. and against
such as for principles sake Will not ac-
cept such aid, or az have no such insti-
tutions TO be aided.
"a We believe IT to be q sentimental
and wholly unnecessary expenditure OF
the funds Of the city, already quito sufli-
ciently taxed 10 meet such demands as
are legitimate and of absolute necessity.
III A BAGBY,
"W. l.. WRIGHT.
ar. j. WILLiNGHAM,
"Committee."
The Christian Ministers Conference
subsequently, gave their hearty approval
10 this paper, and appointed "a committee
to further promote the object for which