Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-02-02

Gil Monday night was business like and with
out any unnecessary discussion, the members
proceeded to work.
The first matter that attracted attention was an
EXPLANATORY LETTER
nom Justice VIM. Thompson, in explanation of
his course as Magistrate. in the trial Of John
Van Skiver, who was fined for certain violations
OF law, and petitiOned for a remission of the
mes, and In the memorial used lang rare reflect
ing upon the mag istrate's course
Justice Thompson denies that the petitioner
had been convicted upon his own TESTIMONY; or
that be d been tried twice for the same offence
and cited the evidence given the trial. The
petitioner had styled the proceedings in the case
strange :; the Justice stvIes the petition itself
stranger" IL was filed with the papers in the
case.
THE AsYLUMs' PROPERTY
Mr.. Jones, from the ways and means commit
tee, reported a bill exempting certain property
Of the Washington City and ST Vincent's Or
plan Asylums from taxation, upon which an in
tcTestiBg discussion ensued.
Mr. Jones stated that the property occupied by
those, Institutions Were exempt by standing
las but certain lots belonging 10 them had
hitherto been exempted by special acts He was
1ufavor OF refunding the taxes alTeady due and
thought II would be proper to pass the Dill fx-
rmPtins them from those taxes But as to tie
pTcPriety Of passing the second section which
a"uc paies taxes IN future, he had serious doubts
He moved TO strike out that section.
Mr. Lloyd said be was In favor Of eIempt'ng
such property as Is in actual use by the instItu-
tons, but not the city lots which had been our.
chased BY them, or has been given them by
legacy, and are not used. He said on one occa-
sion he was called TO look into this subject ard
examined the Collectors books and there dis
covered that property Was ssed in the namys
OF the asylums, which was properly owned py
private PERSONS who were subject TO taxes and
ought to have paid them. 1t had also been said
That money which the asylums had obtained nv
legacy had been invested in city property MI
Lloyd thought that the property used by all re-
Hgious and benevolent associations IN the actual
attainment Of religious benevolent objects
ought TO be exempt, but he was opposed to en-
general veal.
MIR. Wallace said that the proposition was TO
exempt property from taxation which was de-
voted TO the support and comfort of the Door or
Phan. Gentlemen objected to the exemption of
that which had been purchased with the money
OF legacies. Ii did not matter bow the property
was attained If 1t Is devoted to that purpose
bod forbid he should vote against Il bill to ex-
tmpt It from taxation. AS for the exemption of
church and other property, that was another
question.
MIR. Lloyd said he was in favor Of exemn,ino
churches, the asylum building and grounds at
fached, cemeteries, and like p:operty hut NOT
property purchased for investment. The taxes
oao rot oeen paid on this property; and further
persons have purchased property of these asy-
lums. and, knowing that their titles are GOOD
fail to record tho deeds in order to escape the pay
Inent of taxes and so the property stands on the
books as the prOperty Of the aSyiums when i'm
fact, Ii is private property, subject TO taxation
Mr. Wallace stated, Oh the authority Of the col
itCln1, thtt the taxes had been paid up 10 1851.
The amendment OF Mr.. Jones was agreed to;
and the bill, amended, passed
BOsCHkE's MAPS
A joint resolution authorizing the Mayor to
purchase twelve copies of BoscEke'S map OF
Washington, 70 be distributed among those cities
which had compiiInented the city with similar
presents, was reported by the ways aad means
Mr. Lloyd said he saw no necessity for such
an appropriation We have no evidence that the
Mayor desires il, and certainly IL he thought
suCh an appropriation proper, he would not fail
to let the Council know it In the present en-
barTassed condition of The city finances he thouyLt
such appropriations altogether improper.
lheGesoIuton was rejected on its thi I'd reading
IHEHA BILL.
motion having been made by Mr. bones 20
discharge the committee Of conference on the
blil TO establish Corporation hay scale and ap-
point new committee
MI Mulloy SAID he understood the committee
on the part Of the Aldermen had reported at one
time mat they were refused a conference by the
committee Of this board This was not the case
Tne committee Of this board had sought 10 per
form Its duty faithfully; had endeavored to meet
snd consult with the committee of the upper
board and when they did meet 10 perfect such
a bill as both boards would b. willing 10 sdoD,
ny yielding to the wishes of the Aldermen in
some Particulars, if they would do the same by
thls board In others Bat the AldeTnen's com
ml.tre stuck 10 the bill as they had passed il
ana would concede nothing. The CONSEQUENCE
vas they decided to report to the espvctive
boards that they agreed to disagree
Mr.. MullOy.
UNANIMOUS VOTE
lie Claims committee reported a bill remiftlnU
me Tor shooting in the street The case as
stated by the petitioner, Mr.. Janps Mdn<fgId
was as follows: A neighbOr owned d very fierce
dng, which greatly annoyed the children p
quentlY a'tlC king them. He had been warned
to keep his dog confined which he refused to do
feunoneT shot the dog, as he though he ought
TO DO In defence Of his children, thereby doing
service to the ighborhood For friny in the
streets he was rned, and under the circum-
stances, notwithstanding the violation OF law he
thought the Council would be justified in re-
uniting the fine for which be PRAYED Tn, p+Ii
ton was endorsed by several other citizens, who
ceiuned TO the service Mr. Mansfield had done
TO the neighborhood.
The Council, without a dissenting voice
agreed TO remit the fine; some even 90 ng so far
az TO desire the costs to be remitted also though
the petitioner did not ask IL.
The PROPOSED HACK LAW
was reported by the police committee ard or
dered to be printed in bill form IL will prob.
aoiy come up at the next meeting. Al outline
Star.
The CENTRE MARKET BILL
MI. Jones SAID he had given reason for men,
oefs 10 expect report from the committee on this
bill at this meeting. He would lax that the com
mittee are obliged to have another consultation
after which the bill may be tx pected al the next
subsequent meeting.
The RAILROAD REVOLUTIONS
Mr.. OrIne said lac would like TO know II GER
tain TesolUtioDs passed I'm December and pub
llsh'd In the lnteIligencer of last MONDAY had
gress.
MI Jones replied that the resolutions referred
10 Were not required TO be sent 10 the District
committee But hr would say to the gentleman
that every Senator had seen copy, for they were
laid upon the table of each
Mr. Orme described visit he made to the
senate, and related what be saw there of the
committee charged with the interests of the CITY
before Congress, AID concluded Nv saving that
from the Proceedings Of the senate hr Judge if
tue resolutions were known II the S-n.tor, they
appeared to have no great weight
MI Jones said he must correct his colIeapue
Inc resolutions were not useless; on the contra
~ they had great weight, and this will be mani
Isl 10 The gentleman If ne will properly consd
ths ecuoh 81 Congress on the day referred
Tnls conversational discussion was stoned
by return to the regular order Of business
A numoer CT relief bills were PASSED during the
was disposed Of finally.
SBOcKING DEATH.-About O'Clock last night
a. old colOred woman named achpI Jones' who