Inconsistent by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 8, 1899

Inconsistent

By Editor

Inconsistent.—From a press correspondent at Sacramento we learn that "a host of divines," Protestant and Catholic, including the archbishop of the diocese, are at the capital urging upon the Legislature the propriety of a constitutional amendment exempting church property from taxation. They claim that California is the only place in the world where church property is taxed. It is said that the sentiment of the Judiciary Committee is favorable to the proposition, with the proviso that a limitation be placed upon the amount of property the churches can hold. But it seems rather inconsistent to see Protestants who oppose government aid to church Indian schools and other church purposes on the one hand, asking the State to exempt their church property from taxation on the other hand. Wherein is the difference in principle between Federal aid and State aid? Another inconsistent feature is in asking the State to enforce the Sunday dogma of the churches, and other measures which they specially demand, while shirking their part of State expenses. If they would make of the State a beast of burden, logically they should help to feed it. However, people who insist on the unequal yoking of Church and State must necessarily be inconsistent.