Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-12-06
GEORGETOWN. 0oIK
Correspondence of The Star.

6RoRsRfowN. December 8. 1880
IN me Board OF Common Council, on Tuesday
trance to Trinity Catholic) Church burial ground
enclosed Herewith the frst clause exempt ng said
LOT from taxation and the second from payment
OF the special tar levied for Improvement of High
street, which passed this board at the last sessi
and was amended IN the Board Of Aldermen by
striking out the second clause, came up for con-
sideration. -s-rh srs f-Fy r. = &. I T-.''. -
Mr.. Tenney was In favor Of the amendment
The lot was not yet q graveyard, but he had no
doubt IL was designed or intended for that pur-
pose, and he would vote 20 exempt IL from gen
eta taxation but not nom the special tax S2l6 75
levied for the improvement Of High street The
parties concerned were anxious to have the tax
imposed for the improvement Of High street. and
signed the petition, with other property holders,
for the Improvement. half loaf is better than
no bread, and they ought 10 be satisfied with the
exemption from general taxation after paying the
tar for eleven years, and had better accept that
Mr. Pearson had talked with members of the
other board In relation TO the matter and the case
Of the Presbyterian burial ground and the West
Georgetown NJ. T.. Church, both Of which bad
been relieved from payment Of the front foot tar
for street improvements, being mentioned, the
Aldermen were willing to put this on the same
footing with Others. Don't make lsh Of one and
flesh OF another. Alchurches and ourial-grounds
are exempt from taxation by law.
Mr.. Tenney aid the law exempted " houses Of
public worship and public burial grounds, +" they
being not sources Of revenue. That was the prin-
| n.
to have tax levied for Improvement Of the street
now asks to remit About 81 600 will have 10
come out Of the treasury for the improvement Of
High street, the front foot tar not being sufficient
and now you viii take rs more out Of the
treasury for that 10 the effect Of It, II was wrong
to remit these front foot taxes and IL was done in
the other cases cited probably because the amounts
were so small. IL IL Is done in this case, Bridge
street (Presbyterian) church will have right to
have the front foot tax paid reimbursed to her.
Mr.. Stake asked IL the law Of exemption does
not saw all taxes
Mr. Tenney.-" No, sirn He then itsted that
he had looked into the laws on the subject, and
found law repeating that alluded to by Mr..
Dunlop at the last session, which exempted all
church property. 10 was found that parsonages,
ladies' academies, &c, were exempt, and that the
/ churches might amaa property for revenue, and
| the repeal was passed. Now, only {" houses of
public worship and public burial groundsn were
repeal, took steps to get their property removed
out Of the corporation limits. He had always
thought the action Of Congress in that matter was
tyranieal and oppressive but being no seceder, he
had submitted. He hoped the amendment would
| be adopted. -'~ 49,
Mr.. Pearson had for long time noticed thi,
i feeling against Catholics. he was no Catholic
himself; didn't belong to any Church; but would
like TO see them have equal rights and justice
| The tax on the Convent property was enormous
and thew made mp their minds to slip out, and
did 1t before the wise Ezekiels found II out. III,
knew one thing In the history of the Catholic
here, and that was, they educated about $40 chill
| dren, furnished them books, fuel &c, and didn'
| compel them to say prayers
| Mr.. Tenney.-Nor the Catechism?
MI. Fearson.-No, sir; they are allowed TO lear
| Ii, IL they choose.
Mr.. Tenney again having alluded to the petition
Of the majority Of the property-holders for tn
4 improvement, with the name Of the pastor Of tn
| church on it
Mr. Stake said that point had been made severz
| times. He would ask the gentleman If Ii had no
often happened, I'm his experience here, that prop
| erty- holders were deceived, and petitioned 70
| Improvements, supposing their property would b
| exempt from the tax. He knew the worthy paste
| would not have troubled the Corporation IL b
had known this matter would have consumed o
| much time
| After further discussion, Mr.. Tenney said
| was willing to accord Catholics exactly the sam
| privileges as other denominations; no more
| Other denominations had their schools. Tn
Catholic was large public school, and the
| might have private reasons for 1t. He though
| pupils were pecially taught the catechism.
| Mr.. Stake said they were thoroughly taught a
i the branches of a good English education. III
| catechism was not all
MIR. Tenney thought that was a sine qua non
Mr. Stake.-"No, sir. The children Of Cathol
! parents only are taught the catechism. You
4 would not have to learn il II they went to q
: | school. hope this matter will be postponed
our next meeting, and the gentleman will brir
| that repeating law"
Agreed to- and, on motion Of Mr.. English, Il
Board adjourned.