Mr. SUMNER. When the Senfrom Maryland made his proposition, it did not seem to me as much open to objection as it does now. I have listened to my friend, the chairman of the committee, and I feel that his argument cannot be answered. The proposition of the Senfrom Maryland will call upon our courts to enter into an inquiry with regard to the religious belief or denomination of the parents of a child. I do not think it expedient to call upon our courts to do any such thing; I hope therefore that the Senfrom Maryland will not Press his amendment. I feel that if he does Press it it may interfere with the bill. He knows very well that the object of the bill is a thoroughly correct one, and that this charity is in the hands of compe petent and benevolent persons. There is another remark I will make. It seems to me that the children the Senator has in view and that would be provided for by his amendment would hardly be brought before the court for commitment to the custody of this society. If there are children of a denomination that has such a society as this, having such purposes, such objects, and competent to take care of the children, there will be no occasion then for the interference of this society. The children would not be brought before the court; they would already be provided for, because the object of this society is not to go forward and find children, to pick them up even, it is not to volunteer charity where charity is dispensed from other quarters or where there are parents who can take care of the children. It is to meet a positive want, where the parents fire unable to provide for the children or where there are no other natural guardians to the children. It strikes me that a religious denomination, having such a society as is contemplated by the amendment of the Senfrom Maryland, would be to a certain extent a guardian of these children, so that those children would be in a measure provided for. They would not be candidates for the charity of this society. I hope, therefore, the Senator will not Press his amendment.