The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-17
ABLE ADDRESSES
BY MINISTER'S
The Penitentiary Chap
lairlcy Was Discussed.
MANY WERE HEARD
Drs. Hawthorne, Pitt, Pollard and
Battle in Opposition.
THE FIGHT FOR THE MEASURE.
MANY WERE HEARD
THE FIGHT FOR THE MEASURE.
Iscvs. Landon II. Mason. Goodwin,
Kerr. Beauchamp and Sncad, and
Nicssis. Wise, 5lassie and Nor
ton Tor tho BiIl-The Bapiists
Colltended 1t Was 4 Blow
10 Religious Liberty.

10 Religious Liberty.
Tnc Committee on Public INSTITUTIONS
of the Senate enjoyed an lnlehee'Gai
treat yesterday afternoon. Preachers ana
lawyers were on hand to speak lor ci
against the act to create the oiAca oi
chaplain at the penitentiary.
The committee met at 5 oclock- t1ach
was given half an hour, but the depate
grew so Interesting Chairman MOTIFS
who was several times addressed as
Mr.. Moderator by one OF the bapiist
r,reacEers. dia not cali time on any one,
and ii wast $50 O'Clock before Ile coiii-
,nittee rose without taking vote
The Baptisls argued that to pass TINS
aliil would be blow at the very louiioa-
1;ons of the principle that the Church
and State should be kept separated.
Ministers OF the other determinations
represented. coGtended that tbelf 6ai.tis. |.
brethren were wrong, and that ie.isiJus ,I
freedom would be i'll no wise afectSu ny
having some one authorized 10 III. ii.e'S-
To the spiritual wants of the conVlcts.
The Raptists claimed that tbs religious
,vdrl, at the pcntentiary should be en-
1irelv voluntary, and the taE-fasers
ought not to he forced, against me WIN
OF any one of them; to contribute 10
this purpose. % 's.a
Rev. Landcn r. Mason, rector OF Grace
Enisconal church, opened the debate he
first read the petition calling upon ln'.
Legislature TO appoint a chaplain. ~
This petition 1t was set form that 'itie Z
ColIld he no foundation to the chaTso
49, "a ,,royide for a chaplain would be
n blow DO religious liberty. when Con
rress i;self appoints q minister to opsn
lis proceedings daily with prayer. anu
chanlains are appointed in the army ana
navy.
-e,irious training at the neniteatlafE- 11e
taid only eighteen per cent OIL 9ne Gun
y,cts who come out Of the penitsntiary
have been reformed or professed. con-
version. Tie large number who go out
without having Eecn morally relorneo
is distressingty large
Mr. Eugene c. Massie was introduced.
and told of the large number Of States
that proyide chaplains for convicts. Mr.
a,.ssie went on tc quote from decisions
of courts and TO argue therefTom 'hot
this proposed law would In no way De
in conflict with the constitutional pro-
vision for religious lbertv-
DIR. HAWTHORNE.
Rev. DR.. ]. B. Hawthorne said the ap-
s,ointn1ent Of a chaplain for the peniten-
tiary, and appropriation OF S1,coD annually
ont of the public treasury, would be a
very small matter were 1t not for the
fact that such action would violate q
sacred principle. He did not appear as
a representative of the great denomina-
ton 10 which he belonged. but as a
citizen of Virginia and OF the United
States. and in opposition to measure
that would establish 4 dangerous pre-
cehent.
During the delivery of a very able argu-
7nent In opposition to anything tha- might
have a tendency toward the d-:ion OF
Church and State, DR.. Hawthorne said
he needed no higher authority to sus
tain his position Than that Of the Sa-
S'iuur -.fio never took any steTt looking 10
Bringing His Kingdom into close rela-
ton with the State
DIR. Hawthorne argued that the bill
before the committee was in violation OF
the Virginia idea of religious liberty. 10
pass 1t would be ar outrage upon the con-
science of grea. majority Of the people
of this State. This would be an appro-
prlation for religious purpose, and any
political party that would endorse such
a proposition IN its platform would be
buried beyond resurrection, and X would
De cpitaphed.
DR. Hawthorne .han went .n.o dis
cussion of constitutional objections Of
the bill He believed that this bill was
+
for religious liberty. To enact such a law
would be TO compel taxpayers. against
tlrair will, TO pay the salary Of The chap
lain.
OF DIFFDRElNT~ FAITHS.
The doctor said there We're many Jews
In Virginia: people patriotic as any in
the Commonwealth. and peopie who pay
much in taxes. lie said not one of these
citizens would voluntarily pay a cent
IL doCt IN NJ, {her n nor
believe. And the Catholics. Disciples.
Lutherans. and others would not be VIII
ling 10 pay the salary OF q man 10 teach
Baptist doctrines, and vice versa Yet.
it was proposed TO forcs those psop.e
against thar Will to do what they would
not Holuntaril.. do
The Doctor took up the provision In the
bill, that The chaplain shall be subject to
Fucn regulations as the Board OF Drec-
tors Of the penitentiary may prescribe
He said ii these Directors should happen
to be Christian Scientists, q Methodist
chaplain would have hard time of 1t.
DR.. Hawthorne spoke of the provision
IN the bin that tho chaplain should be
recommended TO the Governor by n board
composed OF one representative of each
denomination represented in Richmond.
Ile said there were eighteen religions
represented in this city. For one he was
unwilling TO believe that Jew would
against his conscience recommend the
appointment of a Christian minister, nor
would Christian consent to the an-
roiniment Of u Jew. Yet these people of
different Views on religion have equal
rights In our land.
The Doctor warned the committee that
II this bill we're passed the principle 1t
efnbodses would be made the issue In the
next campaign. and the verdict could be
safelys predicted. The religious denomi-
nations are living in peace and harmony,
and he begged the committee to do no
act that would disturb these peaceful re-
Z latsons. He contended that the good
people OF Richmond and vicinity are
carefully looidnE after the spiritual COM
fort OF the conricts
DIR. KERR HEARD. 3
Eev. DR.. II. P. Kerr. or The Presbyte-
& rfan Church. faid DR.. Hawthorne had
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