The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-10
TAXING CHURCH PROPERTY.
Facts Regarding Income of Trinity
Church, New York.

From the New York Journal
The question whether church property
should be taxed is asked in a destii,ory
sort of way because of certain published
figures concerning the wealth Of the Old
Protestant corporation of Trinity
This dignihed religious company pos
sesses what was formerly called 1.-THE
Church Farm This farm used to pay
the pastor of the church about $500 a year.
The land is now worth more than SO, 10000.
and pays to Trinity 100000 annually.
This vast real estate fortune is entirely
free from taxation.
Owners of other real estate must pay
more because this land pays nothing.
Large families pay heavy rents to the
church, but the church is not taxed to
help the schools, the parks. Or to clean
the streets which it owns on both sides
If the $500 600 of annual churchly reve-
nue. were devoted to religious purposes
strictly to moral purposes, or to public
spirited purposes, no one would see
penny cut off in taxation.
Each land owner would say: BY all
means tax me a more and let Trinity cor
poration go free to spend its money So
beautifully"
But in The published accounts of Trim
ity's spendings we notice CERTAIN sIa'e-
ments that do not remind US OF tnat Stern
Christian religion underlying the lounoa-
ton of Trinity. MI.
We observe that a Rev. Mr.. Morgan Dix
receives $4,000 for being the religious
head of the Trinity corporation, Great
and good. undoubtedly, is Mr.. DIX Dus
we feel that S25, 900 is a good deal to ara"
from taxation annually for his sake -
The Rev. Mr.. Dix is assisted by esn,
wears and sixteen curates. we W.
not suggest that one of these be dlspeHset
with. Each labors to save SOUS anu a.,
should remain. But their salaries IaAss
from 81 900 to $4,000 a year. We kno"
personally of capable Wears ana cGI"'5s
thai could be hired for much less. we ~
not feel sure that such large 9"i-' ,o
should be withheld from taXauoh u''N0i
the circumstances. T., sront
sixty thousand dollars year - ~ -
bv Trinity for music. we thlnh -
music and believe that its soothlHs -
zies have turned many sous
things. 80 buv A
Great deal of music. We do not Iee' suso 1
maj such a sum should be free ron aS.
otion merely to maintain here pe4o" ~
pensive and spirited competition WIN
seraphim and cherubim .,. Trinity
Out of $4,000 annual reNeiiue ,,or ~
spends $4,000 yearly for the SIN declare
lie neiehborhood. Heartily we ,,,,id
that the lands Whlch yleiu
not be taxed ,.,l,l,aeners
Pnt we feel that the eternal bookKeel -,
WHO watch even the accounts OF chuiN" -
must be dissatisfied with the siI'l.-+t "a
that item. It seems 10 us-uhWoi ". cI3,r1
we are. and unfit to judge-that 'ne ,iIlion
err of Christianity with nan " .ta lick
yearly would have given more TO W IN
poor and less to music. LESS P'--
the Rev M. Dix. -, Trin-
The tenements-untaXed-o ~ ,ition
itv are kept in VIGOROUSLY poor coiI,.'' ,or-
Health laws are violated by nm , y,,onld
noratiop as no private individual so-
dare violate them. Election OF tie pYS escrr-
non-payment of rent is coiIiiiio"
renee with Trinity. o., with
MANY of those dollars which pay ID M IN,
Of chorus boys, soloists, $l5,0OO-a-yeai
IONS and other religious features I'm
If dollar of revenue is TO De 81" "a bs
free of taxation in republic u su"u,ya,,d
a dollar drawn only to do good. II the
help the poor, help the SICK, eduea,5 orlar
ignorant feed the hungry. Such
should do Christs work ,h,rch
Failing that il would seem tha'
revenues should be taxed. ,,dye
But that which is profane cahhot 70
rightly of things sacred Our moo' 30
of inquiry not of assertion ,.,~.b
Is there any desirable limit 70 'ebr
property? Free OF taxation Trinity ~ ar.
soon own half this city. Could the nav
poration then avoid taxes? In Wha ,,,. az.
would the population manage lis clts
fairs? Could one-half the city plo he
manage to pay taxes enough 10 Keep
whole thing going? ps.
An Interesting question. II seems ~ a..
one. as remarked, that must receive
tention. 90 ,,,r.h-
The state Of California taxes 81 c-u ,.aa
property. well knowing that the put FarS
Of Providence cannot be thWaflei ,ay.
that church wealth win grow deali'F
alton II Providence 80 wills IT, i,ne
Perhaps that Western state has ia
well and wisely. IL may have af'''
ftss..-.. - ..,..,.r.sla