Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-09-08

zMgslc 40 1hR AIR.-On last evening, the echoes
far and wide were walked in response to thrill.
ing notes Of music by Esputa's Band, the occa-
sion being complimentary call, by his numer-
Gus friends, principally Pennsylvanians residing
in the Federal City, upon the Hon. J. Clancy
Jones, who arrived here on Monday evening
last and Is the guest Of VIM. Finn, ESQ. NAVY
Agent. Several popular airs were performed by
the band. after which, in response to loud and
prolonged calls for him, Mr.. Jones appeared on
the balcony, and was introduced by Mr. Finn,
as follows
Gentlemen have the pleasure to Introduce to
you the Hon. j Clancy Jones' of Pennsylvania
AS know you have called to congratulate him
ton, by Democratic convention Of his native
county old Berks,' let all unite In sustain
ing nomination that has so ably supported the
administration Of President Buchanan.
After which, In response 10 loud and numerous
calls from the audience. Mr. Jones addressed his
enthusiastic friends, warmly acknowledging
their courtesies In brief speech, in which, after
abiding to his recent nomi nation 10 Congress
by the people Of his district, he said:
We have no national issues at present pending
before the country; there are no questions thai
are az itating the eonntry now Of national char
try are called to pass judgment, or such as II
might be supposed the people Of Washington
would feel any deep interest in. In the year
1856, this country was convulsed from one end TO
the other with questions that did make every
mans heart, who loved his country throb with
anxiety and fear. But that has all passed away
ana We are new In the midst Of peace and pros
Peiity Our country is happy and united and
although, In consequence Of financial revulsions
we are sunering In some parts of the country
and to some extent perhaps Throughout the whole
OF II, vet Providence has blessed us with plenty
Our country Is at peace; the Union is loved and
revered, and Is more strongly cemented together
now, perhaps, than il has ever been during any
period In our history.
nj nm tn
the compliment paid him by his friends aud fell
low -citizens as directed 10 the old and noble
county OF B-Tks, which he had had the honor TO
represent now for nearly eight wears He took
the compliment for her, and accepted II as a
token OF the high regard for her fidelity In stand
ing by himself, and sustaining the administra-
hon oil James Buchanan and the NatRnal De-
mocracy- That old county had been uffsltering
and nnwavering la her fidelity to Ee canse of the
Democracy for hfty-eigLt years, and from the
days OF JEFFERSON down to the present time, nd
never Jailed In a single instance Alludi no rfp
the course Of the Admin stration during the late
session OF Congress, the gentleman sadie felt
II to be my duty to stand by the President -
AIter gong hastily over the history Of his recent
actions In his own district, and the endorsement
OF bis course In Congress by his constituents he
said But felt especially proud that that old
county, which had never faItrred in standing up
Tor the principles Of the DemocI party for more
than half century, came forward to endorse INV
political course In susta the President of the
United States In the patriotic measures which he
had adopted to uphold the constitution and the
UniOn.n
After again thanking his friends for the honor
conferred upon him by the visit, the speaker
bade the company good night. The band after
wards serenaded him, playing number of beau
tlful and popular pieces, to the delight Of the
many hundreds present.
The SCHOOL Tax QUESTION The Corpora.
ton Attorney has given the Committee ON Pub.
lie Schools the following opinion relative to the
authority OF the Corporation Attorney to impose
aspecialtar for the support Of the public schools
oFrIcK OF CORPORATION ATTORNEY,
WASHINGTON, Sept. d, 1855
SIR: The question submitted to me by your
committee understand to be, Whether over and
above the existing taxation Of three-Quarters of
one per cent upon the assessments Of real and
personal property, II is competent for the Corpo-
ration, II IL shall be deemed pedent TO Law and
collect special tax, graduated upon such as
sessments, for the support of the public schools
shall, OF course, abstain from any remarks
upon the expedsncy of the proposed measure,
der tie charter
BY the 9TH section of the charter Of 1so0 n "a
provided that the Corpor alton s.shall have full
power and authority TO lay and collect taxes upon
the real and personal property within the said
city; provided that no tax shall be laid upon real
property al higher rate than three uarters Of
one per centum on the assessment valuation
thereof, excspf for the special purposes hsrsis-
after pTOcided."
o.
ridsd is the following:
The said Corporation shall also have power
ana authority to provide for the establishment
anu superintendent OF public schools, and to
endOw the same"
Under the charter OF 1s2O, therefore, Il seems
beyond question that there was power and au-
tnority TO provide, by special tax, over and
above the ree-Quarters of one per centum for
the establishment, superinte ndence and endow-
ment Of public schools
BY the charter Of Isis the charter of 1870 WAS
continued In force for the term Of twenty years
from the 18th OF May, ls4s, or until Congress by
law, determine otherwise, % with the alterations
additions, explanations. and amendmsntsn sci
forth In the said last dated charter.
Among these " alterations, - &c Is grant Of
power % TO lay and collect a school tax upon
every free white male citizen Of the aye OF TWEEN
~ one years and upwards OF one dollar per an
1.-THE subject Of taxation for the public scbooIs
were not again and otherwise referred 10 In this
new charter, II might well be argued that the
poli-ta1, however nanifestly Inadequate, was
tie only special tax for their support which IL
contemplated. But, proceeding to enumerate
certain special powers, that charter expressly
grants the power " 10 lay and collect tafss for
uhs support Of public schools"
We lave seen that this special power was
granted by the charter of ls2U over and above the
power OF general taxation to the extent Of three
quarters Of one per centum on the assessment.
There was, therefore, no occasion for its repe-
hticn here, except for the reason that a new pro-
vision bad been made in favor Of the public
schoois by authorizing poll tar; and none then
III the poll tar, or that tar aided by the ordinary
general fund, were intended to be the sole means
OF establishing, supporting aud endowiny the
public schools. IL Is evident, therefore, that II
was the Intention Of Congress, notwithstanding
The creation Of the poll tax, TO continue In the
Corporation the powers granted by the charter Of
ls2i, To lay and collect further special tax for
the support Of the public schools over and above
the general taxation Of three-quart-rs Of one per
centum on the assessment
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
nj. CABLI LIE, Corporation Attorney
Lambert Tree Esq Chairman Committee Public
Schools, Common Council
WARRENroN CAMP MEETiss.-The Camp
meeting Of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, began on Friday last, in a very handsome
grove located about four miles north Of Warren
ton, Va. and IL is said TO have been the largest
ever held In that section. Tie tents numbered
near hundred, and on sunday there were seve-
raj thousands OF persons In the congregation.
The grove was we'll adapted 10 the purposes of
camp meeting. Near the ground is a large stone
church which could have be. n used IL tue weather
had been unfayoTablr To tue services in the grove
notwithstanding the immense crowd, excellent