People's Pilot, Volume 4, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 February 1895 — AIMED AT CATHOLICS. [ARTICLE]

AIMED AT CATHOLICS.

BUI to Prevent. ArotilbluJion J roin HoldIn g Property. Springfield, 111., Peh. 21.—A body blow was aimed at the Catholic church of this State in the shape of r bill introduced in the House ' x y Mr. Merriam of Tazewell county this morning. It 's srid to have been prepared at the request of American-Protective Association leaders. It repeals the p-t of 1! 15 and the amendatory act of 1861. T' e first of these acts authorizes certem persons holding property of the Cat iolic church in trust to convey the sail a. The amendatory act of IS6I incorporates the Catholic Bishop of Chicago and enables him to act c.s a co'-poi 1tlon. He may acquire, hold and convey property, personal, real or mixed, and borrow money on said property. Mr. Merriam said the purpose of his bill was to force the Catholic church to do buciness in the same manner as other religious denominations. "This measure,” he said, “does not require the Catholic church to dispose of property acquired by the Bishop of Chicago, but it v/ll prevo: t h s m from inquiring any more. I believe the Catholic should do business in the same manner as other churches, and should not bee pecially favored.” Tills bill is said to be the result of a fight of the American Protective associations of and Peoria against Catholics of Rockford and Chicago. Not long ago a bill was lntioduced in the House mukin-- it a misdemeanor to belong to the A terican Protective association, and t; is is areturn blow.