The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1919-03-15
Good Work in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pa, Feb. II, 1919.
Editor of THE MENACE,
Dear SIR
As an item Of news, which may
be of interest to you and your read
ers, we herein enclose a copy of a
letter, which has been sent by this
association to every member Of the
legislature, at Harrisburg, Pa.
Respectfully yours, ANTI-SEC-
TARTAN APPROPRIATION AS
ISOLATION.
LUTHER s. KAUFF, President.
A. J. KINKADE, Secretary.
Philadelphia, Pa, Feb. 8, 1919.
Hon. James A. Walker,
House Of Representatives,
Harrisburg, Pa.
Dear Sir:--
Permit us to call your attention
TO the following clauses in the con-
stitution of Pennsylvania:
"No preference shall ever be given
to any religious establishments or
modes Of worship" (Section 8 of
Article 1.)S
"No appropriation, except for
pensions or gratuities for military
services, shall be made for chari-
table, educational or benevolent pur-
poses to any person or community,
nor to any UNCONVENTIONAL or Sec
tartan institution, corporation or as
sociation." (Section IS of Article
! 81.
"No money raised for the support
of the public schools Of the common
wealth, shall be appropriated to, or
used for, the support of any sectar-
ian school," (section 2 of Article
Every member of the legislature
when he enters upon his official
duties takes an oath to. Support and
defend the constitution Of the COM
monwealth."
Since the year 1881, there have
been appropriated by preceding leg
islatures to sectarian institutions
more than ten million dollars; al
Of which was illegally drawn from
the state treasury because such ap
preparations were clearly unconsti
tutional.
Every member Of the Legislature
who knowingly voted for such illega
and unconstitutional appropriations
violated his oath Of office.
It is amazing that Legislators
should so openly violate the plaii
language of the constitution. If tn
constitution can be violated in on
particular, it can be violated il
others; and the result would b.
chaos and anarchy.
On January 7th, 1919, Leutenan
Governor McClain in his address Il
the senate, in speaking Of the rela
) ton Of the legislative and executive
|, departments we'll said: "And II
this connection let me say it is up u
/, YOU and through the incoming stat
administration to reinTgorate prin
ciples in Pennsylvania government
that have become enfeebled througl
neglect and almost forgotten throug
| disuse. Bring our state gov
: ernment back to the constitution an
uphold and maintain the distinction
l. which should exist between the legis
lative and executive departments o
state government"
And so in this matter, we urg
! that you as legislators bring legis
, lation in appropriations, "back t
the constitution"
This association proposes to scrut
inize every appropriation bill whic
may be presented at this session an
will call your attention in the future
= to such Of them as are for the bent
4. At Of sectarian institutions: 80 tha
when these bills come before 20
. for your action, YOU may know tn
character Of the bills for which yo
!: are asked to vote.
!: We trust that when any such bill
!. come up for legislative action, 70
: will vote AGAINST them.
!: Respectfully yours,
!. LUTHER 8. KAUFMAN,
Z A. J. KINKADE, Secretary.
81 Presiden