National Republican., 1874-05-21
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
THE COUNCIL.

THE COUNCIL
The Council met at 0 o'clock, Mr.. William
Stiekney (president) in the chair, K
Council bill No. q to establish pounds to pre-
vent domestic animals from running at large In
the highways Of the county Of Washingtea, was
reeonsidered, amended, read q third tine, and
then laid over.
Mr. Buker, from the COMMITTEES on National
Relations, reported back Council bin No. s, for
the equalization Of general and special taxes In
the District OF Columbia, with an amendment.
| Dir. Buker stated that the generosity OF the act
q Congress exempting churches from taxation
include that properly actually used for religious
purposes. but other which was dealt IN for specu-
After one half OF the property in this District
had been exempted from taxation by Congress one
tenth OF the other one half had also been ex-
expenses Of the District government, and meet a
In the city Of Washington there is exempted,
for Schools. sssS, ISL and miscellaneous, sSSs7ss
Total, &3, ,9Ss, 900.
In Georgetown the total amount of property
In the county for churches SIS, ISIS; for schools,
es9s, $50; miscellaneous, g, ,4Ss, TS2
Grand total, $.643,4S7.
Tho last class 10 the county Is rendered larger
than elsewhere on account OF the many public in
stitutions within its precincts exempt from taxa
tlUn. He had been informed by the assessors that
this was not correct statement, but IL complete
the amount OF property exempted would be found
This District being the capital Of the nation,
many institstions had been founded here, and he
ielt confident that the government would soon be,
&c 1t was not now, retarded in its workings by tnis
wholesale exempting Of property from taxation.
He could not see any good reason for the bill not
passing.s The committee had done its duty and
expected Congress to do the same.
Mr.. Brooks thought rs the merits OF the-bill
would be largely discussed, It was but proper
passage. The large amount OF property exempted
prompted him to look at the institutions and see
what Was their nature, requiring that this gov
ernment should contribute 50 largely to their
support Congress exempts it own property from
taxation and other property that Is thrown upon
the District on account Of being the scat OF
Government. He felt that the District could not
stand this heavy burden. and believed that they
were right in asking redress He also thought
they were both anti-republiean and antI-Christian
in building these splendid editices, costing thou
sands of dollars. The different appropriations
made to them under the call OF charity would
support the paupers of the District. He did not
heliese it was right to encourage these immense
corporations.
between Church and State, but by these tiae
churches aud extensive purchas OF grounds, they
were secruing wealth that was creating jeal:
ousies that could not result In good. Some Of
these churches owned property to the amount of
a, ,000.0ol, and Eere making IL the impetus Of
power and inhueBce. He fe1t that he was being
taxed to support churches that he had no faith,
part or lot IN. He was willing to allow them
their iorms OF worship, but did not think it was
NJ W LA MIN 1OE suppOTt II
tenance was HTung from the oyerburdened, un-
willing taxpayer, as was the case, then 1t was un-
Just to allow this state Of things to continue. If
aid was needed for charity, give IL direct and not
by eXempting churches and charitable institu-
tions from taxation. The poor cid not visit the
rich churches. because they cannot pay the large
pc|-rent, and have 10 fiud their way somewhere
else.
Mr.. Riley did not deny the right of Congress TO
take the action that had been taken, but wished
TO Oiier an amendment to include the United
states property in the tax list
The amendment was then eoncurred in, and the
bill passed.
The president, previous to voting, spoke as fol
lows: take great pleasure in voting for this bill
because consider its essential principles In full
accord with the spirit and genius OF our free re-
publican institutions, and do so the more cheer
fully as believe II in harmony with the senti-
ments and traditions Of the religious denomlna-
tion to which l belong; and should do so with
tion was to be conclusive, aud not liable to the
delay and uncertainty OF Congressional ratiflca-
tiOn. The only plan Tor exeInpting real property
from taxation Is that it is used for religious,
charitable or educational purposes. The same
argument would apply TO individuals with equal
force as to corporations and societies. If that
was the principle, 1t will he readily perceived, in
community so eninently vlrtuous, charitable and
religious as the one In which We havs the good
not only become small by degrees and beautifully
less, but very soon cease altogcther No; the only
safe, true and equitable plan is for all property,
without distinction, to bear its fair and Just pro-
portion OF the necessary expense for its security,
and for the protection OF the rights OF the citizen.
On motion Of Mr.. Brooks, at 7:l0 o'clock, the
Council adjourned