Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-06-17
CT A r X 8 VILE.
Friday, June II, 1859.


This is not true. We have not an unkind feeling
towards Dr. Menees-on the contrary, report has
greatly prepossessed us in his favor as heightened
gentleman. IL is not however, with him as a man
that we have to DEAL but as a statesman, and his
legislative record is legitimate subject for criticism
and that record we have correctly given Had the
comments of the Union and American been resric-
ted to invectives mere generalities, we should
have passed them by in silence, but on the subject
of the exemption of universities, Colleges, and
Churches from taxation question of fact is raised
which demands attention. And that the reader
may fully understand the point in controversy, we
give the remarks of the Union and American upon
which it relics for refutation of the record itself
ain part first of the Code, page l72, there is
section exempting from taxation "al property of any
literary scientific benevolent institutions actual
ly used for the purposes for which such institution
was created, unless it is employed in any other than
the regular business of such institutions" and also
exempting from taxation ''al houses of religious
worship and their appearances
For this section Dr. Menees voted, and it became
part of the law Of the State at early period of
the session Of the last Legislature. On the goth
day of March, Just two days before the adjournment
of the Legislature proposition was introduced
into the Senate to exempt from taxation all incor-
porated universities colleges, and churches. Senate
Journal, page S32.
The section of the Code which provided for the
exemption of these institutions from taxation had
been passed four months before and was at that
time law. DR.. Menees had voted for this law, and
was not so foolish and ignorant q legislator as to
vote for the re-Rnactment of statnte which had
been already enacted at the same Legislature.
Mark the language of the extractl 1t says that
two days before the close of the session, PROPOSE
ton was introduced into the Senate, to exempt the
aforesaid property, which proposition had become
law four months before and that Dr. Menees was
so foolish rs to vote twice for the same law
Now LET us go back to the record and see whether
we have made ''unjust and illiberap assault up
on DR.. Menees, or whether the charge that we have
is the gratutous and unfounded assumption of the
Union and American. On page s23 of Senate
Journal is the following
blouse message, returning with amendment,
Senate Bill No 23l, to incorporate an auxiliary
Board, to publish books for the blind,
"Was taken up.
"The question being on motion to concur in
House amendment to exempt all incorporated Uni
vcrsities Colleges, and Churches from taxation,
"Mr. Walker moved to insert "Convents and
Monasteries,"
(which was adopted:
"And the amendment amended was concur
red in.
ayes 0
"Noes g.
DR.. Senccs voted in the negative And now
with the record before us let us compare it with
the assertions of the Union and American and see
how far that paper is sustained Senate Bill No.
"a. T.. e
Board to publish books for the blind The Union
and American says this bill became a law fou
months before it was introduced into the Senate
and that DIR. Menecs voted for it, Isn't that rich ?
1t beats anything in the way of law-makng that
we ever read OF before. But look at the simple
history of the bill, as shown by the record, and
then put your own construction upon the idle
tions of the Union and American. The Senate
passed the Nforc mentioned bill and sent it to tho
House for concurrence, The House amended tho
bill ms above the Senate amended the amendment
by adding, Converts and Monastarics' to the ex
cmpted list, and then sent it back to the House.
And what became of it then? Look ON page s47
Senate Journal and the very last day Of the session
and you will find the following record:
has signed an enrolled act TO incorporate m Bux
Hilary Board, Ia publish books for the blind
So you see reader this Senate Bill, amended b,
the House so rs to exempt 'all Incorporated Unvcr
stiles, Colleges, Churches, Converts, and Monas
teries, from taxation was passed on the last day
Nthc session. and yet the Union and American rs
scrts that it became law four months before, am
that DIR. Mcnces having voted for it at the opening
Of the session. was not foolish enough to vote ia
II a second time. Is the Metropolitan organ so har
run that it eau excuse DR.. Mcnccs for voting again,
the exemption of these institutions from taxation
only 10y pcrycring the record, and then chargin
us with vindictvc assaults upon him We are to
charitable To impute any improper motive to Il,
editors Of that paper and therefore give it MS on
honest conviction that ignorance of the record is III
sole cause Of the injustice 10 rs, and the vioato
Of the truth of history Could we hope for justiC
from that quarter, we would nSk the Union an
American tn correct lis oundcr, and let lis reader
know that W have not been guilty of unjust an
vindictive assaults upon Dr. Mcnees and "
would advise the locor not 10 avail himself of Il
deiense made by his organ until he has revised h
record aud when docs 50, he viii find, on page Al
Senate journal, that me introduced the Bin viii,
has 80 strangely been cuntouudcd with another Ia,
We know not why DIR. Nonccs voted against Il
House amendment to his hin, unless il was hecau
Walkers amendment to that amendment add,
E'Covents and Monasteries Ia the list of cXenpt,
slnstituiions Bat with his motives We have nou
Hug to dove arr dealing withttR 8ssonl, and tn
we have dealt filry with IL, every onr cam -s,..
hnirelf hy ry',lcnee 10 the pages given.