The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-02-16
Latest from the state Capital.
GRAND ATTACK ON THE TREASURY BY THE ROCHEsrE
PEOPLE TRINITY CHURCH PROPERTY AGAIN.

PEOPLE TRINITY CHURCH PROPERTY AGAIN.
ALBANY, Feb. Is, 1885.
The Committee on Claims Of the Senate have at length
consented to report q bill allowing nearly . hundred
Rochester applicants to lay their claims before the Canal
Appraisers. We have before presented this combination
Of treasury beggars to our readers. There 10 NO reason
Why their case should not b. kept before the people and
the Legislature. They allsge that the State is largely
indebted to them, in consequence Of using the free
waters Of the Genesee river for canal purposes, by divert
ing II from their mills and hydraulic works. These
modest gentlemen are not content with . small or liberal
amount Of the State funds, but demand damages since
the year 1882, q whole quarter OF o century. For
nearly twenty five years the State has been engaged
in destroying these Rochester beggars, AMI during all
that period the same individuals, and even the whole
city, have increased in wealth almost beyond computA.
ton, solely on nc count Of the canals Rochester was
nothing bu. . wilderness before the canal was construct
cd, and would have contained nothing this moment but
q blacksmith shop ana a ~twopenny ~grOgshop, had it not
been ,or the Erie canal. Ana stil these mo Hest gentry
claim damages from she State on account Of the con-
%struction Of that great artificial water coarse.
~praisers. This involves . very serious and important
matter. The three present Appraisers have NO longer to
serve. Their places are forthwith to be filed. The only
member Of the present board who 10 to be re.appointed
isAr. Cornwall, and he has already examined into the
justice OF these claims He has fearlessly stood by
and protected the treasury against this com
b'natioD, and viii neye! yield to them. The other two
nominated to the senate with any reference 10 this great
Rochester question: When their names are presented
in executive session u may DO hat some kind u in
quiry will be made with reference to this Rochester ap.
p~lcatiop.
Trinity Church was under discussion in the Senate
during nearly the entire se sion, upon the ~propriety Of
the passage Of the following resolution introduced by
Senator Spencer
Resolved, That no proceedings Of the Attorney Gene.
raj, in behalf Of the people OF this State, against the
corporation Of Trinity Church, are required exceptthose
authorized BY the act Of April ID, 1854.
Tho an< a1lufod IN authorfyaa tho Aftnrnav GouaYaI "a
proceed summarily in the case Of Christopher G. kiers-
tead against the Church and the people Of the State.
scope and tenor Of this resolution. Mr.. Spencer was
called upon for an explanation. II appears that some
an inquiry Of the Senate, reported that no proceedings
had been commenced against the corporation OF Trinity
since the adjournment Of the last Legislature, in conse.
quence Of the non compliance Of certain regulations
established by the Commits sioners Of the Land Office. II
now seems that the requisitions OF the Board are about
being complied with, and the Attoruey-General is pre-
pairing to Institute a suit for the recovery Of the proper
~ held by Trinity Church, formerly known as the Kings
furnished Sy Rut,ser B. Miller, OF Utica, Who i to receive
twenty five per cent Of all the property taken from the
Church by the state. The object Of the above re.olu.
ton is TO arrest the Attorney General in the commence
ment and prosecution Of the suit
A history Of this property was given, BY which it ap'
n.nt, was afterwards csdsd to the English government,
and became an appendage TO the income OF the colonial
Governor. One OF tnese British Governors took the re-
sponsibility Of leasing Kings farm to Trinity church for
a long period Of time, which he had no right to do.
The next Governor set up an adverse claim; the ques.
ton was taken to the Home government, and Parita.
mept decided that the Governor could not exec ate q
lease for q longer term than the existence Of his own
life, or his continuance in Office, and tnereupon declared
the lease 10 Trinity church null and void, and the royal
officers here were directed to suspend tboee leases. From
that time to the Revolution the church has been wait
ing for an ider to legaize the leases, but II never came.
Thif is all the title which the church ~pretends TO have.
Alter the Revolution, the State became the successors OF
Great Britain, and consequently legally inherited Kings
farm. Trinity church has NO claim, unless by a deed
without authority.
Senators stated that Trinity Church property has an
immense annual income. Whilst in the hands of honest
applied for legitimate and worthy objects; but should
resources, the most dangerous power might be exercised
biehly detrimental both to religious and temporal az
fairs. II would be better for Trinity Church, better for
its members, and better for the state, to limit It's an
nual income 10 the necessary wants OF the Society. Nearly
all agreed that it was i'm polite TO allow large accumul,-
tons Of church property; that at present there 10 in the
hands OF ecclesiasiics Of this State ffty millions OF the
six hundred and ffty millions Of the real and personal
property. We zee magnificent churches erected In
every direction, without regard 70 expense, extent, Or
nsment or establishment. The church fund is con-
tinuaDy increasing. contributions are taken up daily
from the people. not a dollar Of which Ia ever known TO
return. The opinion was pre- valent that the time was
near al hand when the law Of mortmain should prevail,
and religious denominations be restricted In their accu-
mutations Of wealth.
The resolution was no. adopted, but laid on the table.
In the meantime. Nj. Ru.ser Blocker Miller will be
looking after his twenty five per cent OF the Trinity
Church property.