The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-02
RIGHTS OF sPIRITUALIsTs.
The COmmi srioners Asked to Recon.
slider a Recent Decision.

The Commissioners are in receipt OF a
communication from the National Spirit
ualists,. Association, with headquarters a.
eco Pennsylvania Avenue. in reply to let
| ter recently sent to them relative to hold
| ing seances and charging price of ad-
| mission to the same. The letter of the
| Commissioners to the association sets forth
the fact that the matter of charging a fee
| to spiritualistic seances had been declared
| by the Attorney OF the District as coming
under the license laws and that s:ieh charge
| hereafter would subject those responsible
| for such searces 10 the payment of regu-
lar show licenses. The Commissioners in
Dictated. however in their letter that spir-
itual seances might be held and collections
taken when the money paid would be con-
sidered voluntary offering for religious
worship and would be treated as the col
lections in the several churches Of the Dis
;iict
The reply to this letter of the Commits
sioners is signed by F. A. Wood, president:
Mary Longley. secretary, and Theodore
Mayer. treasurer. They say their atten-
ton has been called to the classifying of
the work of various opponents of the phi
losophy and phenomena Of spirituaiism-
which constitute the religion OF hundreds
of thousands of intelligent and respectable
citizens of the United States-es ''exhibi-
tions FOR gain They say that the con-
sequent taxing OF the same at eXOrbitant
rates renders 1t impossible for these ex-
poaents and demonstrators Of Spiritualism
TO follow their legitimate calling, because
of this heavy burden laid upon them
Therefore the officers of the association
named above have deemed il incumbent
upon them. in the name of the Spiritualists
OF the United States and the Dominion of
Canada, TO ask the Commissioners to re-
consider their decision against the medi-
ums and TO extend to them the same gen.
erous treatment which is extended to 9TH
or religious bodies in the discharge OF their
eocred calling. Continuing. the letter says:
Should the objection be urged that
these mediums toward whom the measure
is directed charge admission to their
seanccs. we beg to reply that we fail to
find any exponent OF religious doctrine
or cult devoting time, strength, and per-
sonal attention to the same, who does not
derive means of support from the same,
whether 1t be by contributions from fol-
lowers or by the proceeds of fairs, con-
certs and other forms OF exhibition for
gain that our friends the church people
are devising for the maintenance of their
pastors and their missionaries. There
fore We trust that in justice you will no
longer impose upon the mediums and mis-
sionarics OF Spiritualism tax that Grip
pies their usefulness and abridges their
rights. 1: may be, gentlemen, that you
feel Just latitude is given in permitting
our opponents to hold their seances II they
take up a voluntary collection, instead of
asking an admittance fee, but you will
readily perceive that the one is as volun-
tary as the other, since no one is COM
PEELED TO attend these seances. and If one
does so, IL is with voluntary intention of
giving an equivalent, as far as he can, for
what he receives.
'Spiritualism is our religion. America
was founded by good people who came to
its shores as refugees from intolerant
persecution. They desired to free their
teachers from oppression, and it is only
just that we should ask the same. There
fore. we ask you to reconsider your late
decision concerning the tax upon mediums
in this District