Church and Stateism in the Navy Department.
COMPLAINT having been made to the Navy Department at Washington by Chaplain Charles M. Charlton of the new battle-ship Georgia that the commander of that vessel, Capt. Richard G. Davenport, had “repeatedly refused to allow him to hold religious services aboard the ship in conformity with the navy regulation providing that there shall be religious services every Sunday unless unusual circumstances prevent,” the department called on Captain Davenport for an “explanation as to why he had refused to permit services,” and following his explanation that in one instance the ship was coaling and at other times there were other causes which interfered to prevent services, the department “has decided that his reasons were not sufficient, and has sent him a sharp letter upon the subject, telling him that hereafter he must comply with the Navy regulations in this respect.” This matter became public April 7, and at its regular weekly meeting on that date the Washington Secular League by the unanimous adoption of the several resolutions offered by Dr. W. A. Croffut, and which resolutions were the next day published in full in Washington newspapers, administered a very proper rebuke to the disregard of the principle of separation of Church and State which this case strikingly illustrates and brings to public notice, by demanding that future services be held only by permission of the commander, and that the salary of the chaplain be paid out of the treasury of the religious body to which he belongs. And this is very proper. What right has the government to appoint chaplains?