The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-02-19


In tue matter OF gas consumed by churches al the
expense OF the city have based estimate upon
such information as we were able TO OBTAIN after care
fui inquiry. Eacn church this city allowed by The
Common Couacil two lamps for eacn door. TINS
gives 10 most Of the churches six lamps About
lwrlve hundred lamps are used by churcncs, winch,
a. $50 per year Tor each lamp would aggregate
50, 400 annually
From statistics furnished by the last census OF tho
United States II appears that church property has IN
than nuuared p, cent IN The period
between 1860 and 1870 We should therefore, be lus-
titled in adding at least twenty por cent TO the
amount o! values OF cuurch property returned IN
1875, which would increase The total amount by
The report was signed by MI. William b. hoffman,
Morris X. Jesup and II. J. Newton.
UNDER DISCUSSION.
Tho society also Decided tuat the following resolu-
should be subject for discussion AZ last nishs
meeting:-
Resolved That this society adopt such measures As
may expedient the taxation Of properly
now exsmp. 70 tho extent that may be equitable and just
Mr.. Jackson S. Schultz opened the debate by OK
pressing his desire that the present system OF ex-
smpting church property from taxation should stop.
and that while 1t might DO necessary TO continue the
present exemption, yet II was very important
question to what should be done for the future.
Thirty Millions worth Of church property IN this
city exempt from taxation, and was VI the hrst
Importance Tor The public generally 10 consiaer what
SUCH exemption was likely 70 lead TO. ST. Johns
Catholic College aud the College OF the Sacred Heart
their buildings and $50. acres OF very valuable
nS exempt IRON s @ a. na o oeeS worS
property 10 New York. He mad no hesitation
in saying that the Cathedral on Filth avenue
and the land was worth that amount The Epscopa-
lians had $40, zoe, 900 entered as their amount OF
church property, but that was a very much under
estimated sum. He thought that there was growing
tendency to build churches despite OF Tho fact that
more than one-nalf OF the church organizations were
nsoivent and were only null flied ny congregations,
aud that, therefore, this exemption would become
great evil
VARIETY OPINION.
Mr.. Sinclair Tousey WAS opposed TO the exemption
WhAt0Ver
hospitals and jaila There In the city about
swc and hail per cent would yisla ST. 500 600 Of rev.
enue II II were taxed He argued that this principle
OF exemption was contrary 70 tho provisions OF the
Mr.. George II. Andrews who was nominated last
evening for membership, was asked TO speak, and he
delivered very earnest speech IN favor OF the con-
luuance Of the prnciple OF exemption. He said that
thought that It had not bee sufficiently considered
that church properly was entirely SET apart ,or pur
not be derived IRON 1t by those who had invesled
money IN It. Owners OF stock IN railroads that did
yield any revenue would not be taxed, and there
tore, the exemption had precedent Church prop
er,y too. tor the benefit OF tue people; cnurcnes
were intended to benefit the citizens generally
and thus render necessary tower jais The that
exemption OF taxes on church property threw
burden upon other property was mis-
take. He would venture to say that the churches
this city had benefited real estate far more than
the amount OF the exemptions. The people VINO sup
Did mot regard this exemption az burden. He con-
cuded by urging that the support OF religion was
principle anu bnat u WAS III CnuIcneS tudt
In Revolutionary times and the days OF the civil war
loyal gathered to gh tho battles OF the country.
Mr. John Sherwood, IN reply TO suggestion that
purchasers Of lots In the boucvaras had made tho in
vestment for profit, said that he knew something
those lots and that he was quite sure that not
any vi lots would sell Tor the taxes that had
been PAID upon them during the last ten years
After further discussion the following resolution
was offered by Mr. George N. Butler, and It was or
dered TO be considered by the Executive Committee
on Monday next
Resolved. That limit ought to be fixed in the law
the state the quantity of lots in cities or
Of land outside Of them. which may be used
free taxation for church purposes for any church build
ing and that in should more than 4OOD square
Cities than i've acres outside OF them
be thus exempt tor any single place OF worship.
ROOSEVELT.
Mr. Dorman b. Eaton moved resolution in REFER
ence TO the death OF Mr. Roosevelt, VINO was u men,
Der OF the society, which adopted and ordered ia
DO the family. Tho resolution after referring
10 the character OF the late Mr. Roosevelt concluded
as foilows-
"His career. in every respect, was one worthy the
imitation OF all, ana especially Of young men aud
men OF wealth; and such Is our conception OF The
power OF noble example that we venture to think
that II the period shall evor arrive when In the CITY
OF New York there shall be- at one time, ten men who
shall live the lie oil Theodore Roosevelt there Will bt
a vast Improvement IN our moral and political con
dltion.v