Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-05-13
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.
CouN0IL-Ihe Council met at 6 O'Clock
the chair. Prayer by Rev. L. G. Muller.
MI. Thompson presented q petition from Mr..
b. f. sherwood, In relation TO an alleged erro-
neous assessment; referred. The Cnair sub
mitted communication from the Sisters in
charge OF the Providence Hospital, inclosing a
report OF the doings Of the institution the past
called the attention Of members to the fact "a At
TINS II the only report received this session from
charltaole institutions Of the District.
communication was received from the Gov
ernor, informing the Council that, in accord
ance with Council resolution, he ad forw aried
the reports OF the various branches of the Dis
tr1ct government, for Information of members.
The report of the financial condition of the
District was referred House concurrent reso-
luton FOR the appointment or q committee to
funds for the current fiscal year and report was
read and referred. Mr.. Thompson asked aud
obtained leave to be absent for the remainder
EXEMPTION OF CHURCH PROPERTY PROM
TAXATION.
Mr. Browne called attention to an important
measure before the Council the subject of ex-
emptlon from taxation of church property. He
hoped TO see the concurrent resolution OF the
House OF Delegates adopted. Some OF the mos {
present laws Il exempt. He thought il was a
fraud upon the tax payers. When the question
comes mp be was prepared to show the fgures
Mr.. Gulick sad there was one feature in the
Dill which the committee are at a loss to uuder-
stand-the word "humsne Institutions" An
acquaintance of his had told him that he con-
s'deTed his dwelling house a hum ana in.titn
ton.
Mr.. Brooks said he was in favor of the rer,rma-
ion, and would go even further than Mr.
Browne. He would ask Congress u repeal ALI
las exempting all church and scho ,! propsrty
pom taxation. He thought IL would be q gres
benefit TO Christianity in this District, as il
soaia tend TO discourage extrayagance aud os
tentatious display of some of our churches, and
BRING back Christian worship to it's original
simplicity.
MIR. Riley expressed himself In favor of tax
ing all property, and the committee having tn q
matter in hand should be instructed to urge
upon Congress the repeal OF the pres ant laws
Mr.. B1ker, chairman of the committee, stated
that such was the understanding of the commit
necessary.
Mr.. Thompson suggested that the committee
should not overlook the fact that nearly one
half OF the children of the District are now ed
ucated in private schools; that most of these
schools barely afforded livelihood to tbs teach
ers, and to tax them would be their extermins a
ton The committee should take into consid-
GRAFTON that the present public school facilities
would have to be largely increased to provide
for the pupils OF the private schools.
Mr. Brown, from the committee on the udi-
cisry, made a verbal report on the cojincation
OF the laws; which was accepted.
Mr.. Brooks submitted a resolution, which WAS
adopted, requesting the Governor to trausmit
TO the Council any reports received previous ID
this date from charitable institutions, a, re-
n
titled an act making appropriation for certain
lumbia.
MIR. Buksr, from the committee on national
relations, reported back House concurrent res
olution to establish an institution for the edu-
cation of the INDECENT blind, with a slight
amendment to the title. He stated that Con-
gress had authorized the establishment of such
an institution In connection with the Deaf and
aud Dumb Asylum, but the conditions of the
bene hclar1es OF the two precluded their educa-
ia NTrC rhzr ~.
persons are sent to an institution near altm 1,e
at cost to the government of about $500 each
per year. At present there are seventy-eight
inmates in that Institution from tn District
The purpose now Is to have an Institution of our
OVID, and prevent the necessity of sending to
Baltimore.
The resolution was adopted.
HOUSE.-The House was opened with praver
by Rev. j. Duey Moore.
Mr.. Wilson presented the petition of d. NJ.
Lawrence for relief; referred
The Speaker laid before the House MESSAGE
from the Governor, forwarding the last annual
reports OF the Board of Public Works, the Board
OF Health, the commissioners of the fire DEPART
ment, the chief engineer Of the fire depsrtment,
the superintendent of the fire alarm telegraph
the public schools of the cities of Washington
ana Georgetown, and the commissioners of the
Washington asylum. Also, copies Of the ans ger
OF the Governors "auswer" TO the interropatO-
rles OF the Joint Committee of Congress- He
says the report OF the schools for colored child
rem and the public schools of the county of
have not been received. With these EXCEPTIONS
the reports and answers herewith submitted
contain the most recently compiled informs alton
regarding the condition of the several depart-
msnts OF the District government"
Mr.. Boswell moved that special committee
OF three be appointed to apportion the several
reports contained IN the Governors mess ACE Tn
the appropriate committees; agreed to- and
Messrs. Boswell, Bursley and Berry were an
pointed as the committee.
ON motion OF Mr.. Carroll, the rules were sus.
PENDED, and House bill No. :, making an an
IrOpTiation to pay the assessors, was taken up
yeas II, nays (Messrs. Berry, Dyer and the
SpeaSer) ). After some debate, on motion of
Mr. Boswell, the bill was recommItted TO the
committee on appropriations.
On motion OF Mr.. Trimble, the House resolved
Itself into committee of the whole for the con-
slderat of the revised code, Mr.. Fleming in
the chair. After reading for several hours the
committee rose, and the House adjourned.