New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-02-18

Nbfoeos ano 'cstIyutD. Lev az the same uqle
that they were thus excluded from any 70 ce in the
management of the Trinity Church property, their
interest IN the property seemed to be recognized by
. provi,o that nothing in tie act should "bs
construed to affect or defeat the right OF any
"person or persons, or Of any body corporate to
"tte estate, real or personal" of the Corporation
of Trinity Church. Such were the two frst
sections Of the act. The remaining aud more
voipminous sections were devoted to confirmation
Of the past acts of the Corporation, and to the
conferrDg on it of new powers for the building
setting of and eOdowiog Of new churches by further
subdivisions of Trinity parish.
The past policy of the Corporation in the man
agement and distribution Of its property had been
liberal and satisfactory, and it was to leg ize that
policy for the past and to afford facilities and au-
thorty for future action Of the same sort that the
act OF lsl4 was passed. Yet, speedily upon its
passage, the whole policy and conduct of the Cor.
porafon underwent marked change, till az length
this body which originally embraced all the inbabi-
tants of the City Of New.York belonging to the
Protestant Episcopal Church, has fallen under the
posal of the vast property thus placed under their
control, seem to consult only their own whims.
The paIshisners Of Trinity, as We learn from the
Senate report take so little interest in the Vestry
elections that, in eight out of the ten past years,
hardly one in ten Of the three hundred or there
abOuts entitled TO vote have cared to exercise that
privilege. On one occasion, when twenty two
wardens and vestrymen were to be chosen, only
twenty. three persons voted. Even the vestrymen
seem TO have very little to do Nth the administra-
ton of the property, nearly everything being left to
Standing Committee Of six, with the Controller
and Clerk.
Since 1914 the policy of landed endOwments of
Independent parishes and institutions has been
abandoned, only nineteen lots having been given
away since that time, and none at all in the last
twenty years. The policy has been adopted in
stead, of selling the land, 1857 lots (somewhat
more than half the whole estate) having been dis
posed of in this way for trife over million Of
dolars-leayDg The Corporation at present in pos
session of 69l lots. Of The money realized By these
sales, some 5000 600 has gone to the rebuilding "if
Trinity Church and the erection Of Trinity Chapel,
while upward of $500, 600 has been lent to certain
parishes, some sixty in number, the Corporation
taking mortgages on the churches; and this sum,
now doubled by accumulated interest, serves as
means 10 keep the benefciaries under the thumb of
Trinity Church.
The corporation seem to rest secure upon their
legal rights and submit to answer questions putto
them by the Legislature as to their administration
of Their trust not as matter OF right but rather Of
reluctant courtesy or policy. Yet it would seem
plain that whatever power, if any, the Legislature
bad to pass the act of l-l4, they must possess
similar power to repeal or to modify it. 1t does not
seem possible to contest the right of the Legisla
ture to interfere for the benefit of the eestuy que
trusts that is to cay, the inhabitants of the city in
communion with the Protestan. Episcopal Church,
except upon grounds from which 1t would follow
that the act of 1874 was itself unconstitutional.