The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-12
PUBLIC AID FOR SECTARIAN
INSTITUTIONS.

Tho Congressional Record shows that in
the final conference on the District of Co.
lumbia appropriation billsthe following APP
preparations were left out: 81, 200 for the AS
ISOLATION for Works of Mercy; $500 for the
House of the Good Shepherd; $4,000 for St.
Rose Industrial School, and $3.50 for St.
Joseph's School. These are Catholic insti-
tutions in Washington and Georgetown, all
excellent institutions but not state institu-
lions, and therefore not entitled TO public
aid The separation of church and state and
the principle Of denying public appropria-
tions for sectarian institutions of any kind
are so well established that it is surpris-
ing such items in an appropriation bill
should have passed the committees and both
branches of Congress. 1t is interesting
fact, by the way, that two of the earliest
presidential vetoes were made in the enforce
ment OF this doctrine. These were by Pres
ident Madison and were dated, respectively,
Jan. q and Feb. IS, 1911. One vetoed bill
TO incorporate a Protestant Episcopal
Church in Alexandria, District of Columbia,
and the other bill granting piece of pub
lie land to a Baptist church in Mississippi.
These vetoes are interesting as the first con-
struction of the Constitution on this point.
In the first one, that Incorporating and es-
tablishing rules for the government of an
Episcopal Church, Mr.. Madison gave as his
reasons:
First-Because the bill exceeds the right
full authority TO which governments are linn
tied by the essential distinction between
civil and religious functions, and violates in
particular the article of the Constitution OF
the United States which declares that Con-
greSs shall makes no law respecting re-
ligious establishment"
Second-Because the bill vests In the SAID
incorporated church authority to provide for
the support of the poor and the education
OF poor children of the same an authority
which, being altogether superfiuous II the
provision is TO be the result of pious charity,
would be precedent for giving TO religious
societies, as such. a legal agency in carrying
into effect a public and civil duty.
The second veto message was even shorter.
the only reason assigned being that 1.-THE bill
in reserving a certain parcel of land of the
United States for the use OF said Baptist
church, comprises principle and precedent
for the appropriation of funds Of the United
States for the use and support of religious
societies, contrary to the article of the Con-
stitution which declares that Congress shall
make no law respecting a religious estab-
lishment'" Both of these related to church
establishments, but the same principle
should be applied to all sectarian institu-
lions, schools, hospitals or otherwise. The
principle embodied in the clause of the Con-
stitution is so clearly just and necessary In
a republican government that its application
and enforcement should be insisted upon
with infiexible determination and absolute
impartiality against all religious denomina-
tons. 1t may become necessary for the gov
eminent to assert the principle very hrmly
in its dealings with our new island posses
sions. but It is so well established that the
country will not tolerate any departure
Ire