davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-06
Taxing Church Property.

In the May No. OF the Forum Hev'
Madison c. Peters. pastor Of the Kiooh-
ingdale Reformed church, OF New horh
city. has an article on the subject OF
Taxing Church Property In "hieh IN
argues the questions Involved afier Inc
usual manner OF persons VINO eah"o'
percoive the difference between taxing
property and taxing minus quantity
Taxes ought 10 be levied upon properly
having a value as property. church
building has 10 value whatever as pro
pcrty 50 long as IL Is used as "A church
and only as a church. II the assessor
were asked 20 fix the value OF church
or a church lot as property, and ne were
20 assess taxes upon the same In proper
lion 10 the eum Of money which 1T yielded
annually to It's owners, he would have to
Set down the lot or the church as having
no money value whatever. and. therefore,
not n proper subject Of taxation.
Mr.. Peters seems TO be in favor OF
taxing poor churches out OF existence
lie says:
"Tax churchs. and only those churches
that are able 10 pay taxes would dare
90 be oxtrayacant with so much poverty
ard want in the community, our magni-
ncent church edidces and massive build
ir,,s Tor alleged charitable purposes. on
our most valuable sites. are a buriesque
on both religion and charity
These magnificent church-ediiccs" are
The very best places in New York or In
any other large city TO visit on an erIand
al mercy or To- raise money to be eX-
pended i'm feeding the hungry clothing
tn naked. administering to the sick, and
hurylng the dead. Mn are what they
nre. and cannot play successfully any
other role than one which consists with
their natural inclinations. Some rich men,
WHO are always ready 10 aid in building
fnc church. are never ready 10 contribute
- the relief oc the poor There are
other men who are always ready 10 con-
tribute money TO the relief of the poor
who are never willing to assist in the
erection OF "magnincent church-edifces."
Mr.. Peters is one Of the latter class.
Mr.. Peters says that the census of 1880
states the value of church property at
s6sU.GS7.ll6. But. as we have shown. this
T. q fictitious valuation. Mr.. Peters him
self would not accept this property as Il
gift If he had to pay taxes upon 1t, ana
keep up the several churches whose nomi-
nnI value s. thus stated at so many hun,
dreds Of millions OF dollars. Somehow,
We are reminded here OF General Buffers
famous declaration--"We have gained
groat loss" Yes. the man who should
step into the shoes Of the owners of all
that church property would find that he
had gained great loss"
Mr. Peters argues that the exemption OF
churcn-property from taxation adds TO
tho taxes OF persons who have no inte-
rest In churches. This argument Is based
upon the assumption that church-property
has a real value. But. as we have al
ready seen, this Is nothing but an as
sumption So long as the church-pro-
perty Is used as IA church 1t has no value
whatever. The moment 1t ceases to be
church-property 1t acquires a value. and
Is taxed. as other property, according
20 that value Would Mr. Peters destroy
the churches in order to impart value TO
their property?
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-06
The stanton Case.
Norfolk Ledger.)

The Judges at Manassas and stanton
have set an example Of promptness IN
the trial of cases which, IL followed VIII
have the effect OF extirpating Lynch law
from Our State. If. when women are
violated, and other horrible crimes are
committed. the people are satisfied that
summary justice will be meted out to
offenders by the courts, they Will repress
their desire to act outside OF the law;
but when they see such offenders, after
lapse OF time, escape with slight punish
ment, or turned loose upon the COM
munity, they lose faith in the courts.
and take matters into their own hands.
The courts of the State have II In their
power, by following the example in
Manassas and Stanton. 10 remove po-
tent cause for the exercise Of lynch
law"
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-06

rhe papers throughout the country
are giving liberal space to the auutupce-
ment Of the programme Of ceremonies
at Fredericksburg On The 10th Instant
and we foreses - consequence that
the good old burg will be called upon
to provide accommodation Tor tho big
rest crowd Of visitors II has had since
Il was vacated BY Lees army.
We hear that preparations for the en-
tertainment Of these visitors are pro-
crossing upon grand scale. 30 whether
one goes to Fredericksburg to leave in
tho afternoon after the dedication cere-
monies are over. or TO stay one or more
days. he will ind good accommodations
and cordial welcome.
Hospitality In something more than
name In rredericksburg-it IL q beau
,iful reality. which. once experienced. Is
never to be forgotten.
BY the way, for sight-seers Frede-
ricksburg has the most eligible battle
fields in the world. They are In the
town. You don't have to travel through
woods or ploughed fields to see them.
And they are great fields Upon them
were fought some Of the most sangui-
nary contests Of the war; some Of the
most desperate that the world has ever
known.
The President and his Cabinet, the Gov
ernor and his staff. the military. and the
military and naval bands. tho Mary
Washington monument ceremonies. the
Masonic banquet, the ball, and the battle
fields will combine to make that fine old
city the centre Of attraction on the 10th.
Nor Is this all the visitor to Fredericks-
burg will find TO interest him. The COM
munity Is one In which the utilita-rianism
OF the present age has not worn off the
social conservatism Of the older regime.
In and around the city are some Of the
most elegant old mansions In Virginia.
While Fredericksburg Is progressive in a
business and Industrial sense. she has
chung To the better part Of her pest, and
her landmarks are object-lessons to this
generation. Around these cluster memo
iitS VI scfnc ol tHe uOsl liluStrlOuS names
that have figured In Virginia annals since
the early colonial period.
TO study the history of Fredericksburg
Is to imbibe deeper reverence for the
days agone. and the institutions they
enfold. and experience n stronger faith
in the future for no other community in
the Commonwealth affords more incontro-
vertible evidence OF the fact that the
same Inspirations are at work in pushing
Virginia To the front that have always
obtained.
One Of the most Interesting features Of
Thursdays programme will be the holding
by President Cleveland OF a public recep-
ton In the Mary Washington house. The
word public" is used advisedly. for It
is fully understood that the President ex-
poets to receive and shake hands with
all who may visit the building during the
Time allotted to the reception.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-06
A Conaressman's Pay and Duties.

The absence of members Of either mousse
OF Congress from their seats Is too often
spoken of as If all the absentees were
engaged on business Of their own, ana
neglecting that OF their constituents; and
we constantly read what are intended
10 be sharp reproofs of our representa-
tlves, based upon the assumption that
when they are not in their seats they
are neglecting their public duties. The
usual remedy proposed is deduction
from every congressman's pay for all
the time that he neglects to devote TO
his countrys service.
We have not been remiss in urging
upon Congress to hurry up tariff legisla-
ton. Indeed we believe that the Dis
patch was one OF the first papers in the
land 10 dwell upon the importance Of
an early settlement of that question. But
II must not be forgotten that our Vir-
ginia representatives, spend a great deal
of time in waiting personally upon their
constituents who visit Washington city
for one purpose ana another. Indeed. we
suspect that they firmly hold 10 the
opinion that they would earn all the pay
they get if they did nothing but second
the Efforts of people from their several
districts 10 secure employment in the
government service. Day after day our
telegrapfic columns testify that Mr.
Jones. of the First District, or Mr.. Tyler,
of the Second. or Mr.. Wise, of the Third,
or some other Virginia congressman, has
been pressing upon the head of some
department the claims of certain OF his
constituents to places under the National
Government. In like manner. these same
CONGRESSMAN have to attend to the re-
quest of delegations of their constituents
sent to Washington 10 see that peanuts,
Irish potatoes oil. sumac, tobacco. IRON
ore. coal, and what not APE not put
upon the free list.
Again, congressman's duties are not
confined to the work Of legislation. or
TO that of seeing his constituents when
these happen to visit Washington. 1t is
just as important part OF his duties
TO prevent bad legislation as IL is to pro-
mote good legislation. Much of the time
which congressman spends out of his
seat IL devoted TO committee duties. II he
happens 10 be on committee empowered
to sit during the sitting Of Congress.
Much more of his time is spent in APP
| pearing before committees of which he is
not member 10 prevent legislation
which would be Injurious TO business in
| teiests IN his own district.
| In a word. IA congressman's place Is not
a sinecure. lie has no time to spare from
his duties. though these duties may not
| always keep him In his seat Let us not
overwork him, nor censure him for not
| being at one and the same moment In
the hall of the House OF Representatives
and In one Of the departments.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-06

The Jamsa but nons - cloesIy associated
with our history from the time Of the
landing Of the English u Jamestown to
the day when tho Confederatcs blew UP
their James.river iron-clad feet, withdrew
their army from Ns banks, evacuated
Richmond. and left General Grant free
to enter.
And. by the way, soon after the war
was over. jamestown. which had escaped
the general massacre by the Indians when
hundreds Of other colonial virginians were
savagely put 10 death, was the scene OF
bloody massacre, whereof whites were
the victims and negroes the asssilants
This occurred at q time whom from the
confusion incident 20 the upheaval we
had lately suffered. after the surrender
OF Lee. little attention was paid to II;
yet II added another chapter Of interest
10 what Is undoubtedly the most hlstori-
caliy rich little piece Of lard In America
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-06
The Ninth District
fC,ade Spring Citizen.)

(Glade Spring Citizen)
This Is rather early, perhaps, for the
papers and the people Of this section to
express themselves, but Marshall Will
have some Sharp contestants for his seat
in Congress from Democratic ranks. And
although 1t may be said that Abingdon
has been fully represented in Congress,
no man can say but what she has been
ably represented. For our part, we put
Democratic success above and before
everything else, and we are Wiling 10
have a representative from any section
If he can call out the Democratic voters
OF the district and lead them to victory
next fall. We believe Hon. Daniei Irigg
combines those very qualities; he would
make q strong canvass. an able repre-
sentative In the committee-rooms ana on
the floor of the National House. II he
consents to become candidate al ths
solicitation OF his friends. he is natural
leader whom the people Will follow Win
strong hopes OF success.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-06
Mosby and His NE,

Though Colonel John a. Mosby has in
dulged In some political eccentricities
since the close OF the war, we always
think OF him as one OF the most heroic
and romantic figures OF that mighty
struggle. which made his name famous.
He was q terror to the enemy, and life
In his corps Of Partisan Rangers was the
acme Of happiness-also of risk, for ad-
venturous Soldiers.
In this Issue of the Dispatch. on page II.
the Colonel tells how he came to raise
that corps: also how great a service he
was able 10 render General Lee from In
formation he acquired while prisoner OF
war on a United States vessel In James
river.
The Colonel also speaks OF service with
Stuart In the raid around McClellans
army ~ Il lay before Richmond In the
early summer OF 1869. He says that on
that raid Stuart was guided by two
New Kent men" Their names he doesn't
seem TO know. one. we believe. was Cap.
tain n. II. Frayser. now OF this city.
II II an interesting story which Colonel
Nosby tells. and thousands viii read Il
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-06
fuckers District.
Qynchburg News.)

Colonel II. c. Parsons, OF Rockoridge
county, is in Washington. and IN an IN
terview with the Post makes some
strange revelations regarding the politi-
cal complexion OF tho Tenth Congress
slonal District Of Virginia. There ID
great discomfort" says that gentleman
"in the Tenth District Of my State over
the course of Hon II. st. George Tucker
on the Wilson bill"
Colonel Parsons was never prophet,
nor even the SON of a prophet. especially
In politics. He was never known 10 pre-
dict anything that came true. either IN
his district or his State. II Mr.. Tucker
is nominated again. there Will be no DAN
ger or difficulty about his reelection pc
cause of his vote for the Wilson Dill.
Those who vote against that bill. whether
az the South or the North, VIII stand IN
far more imminent danger of dereat than
those who vote for 1t. No VirB MIA mem
Der will vote against II. for in great
question of tariff reform the people OF
this state don't stand on trifies and
abandon their party or their principles
because they may not get everything 70
emit themselves
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-06

Jamestown, Past and Present.

The Jamcs-Riyer Steamboat Line is now
faciliurs for accommodating travel than
II has lad at any other time since the
war. il las two good steamers. one of
which viii be- always available for excur-
Zion partils, and we may therefore hope
that jamestown will soon become place
known 10 an Richmonders and TO the
people Of tbs country generally. In time
We hope t. So It visited by as many
peoplc Us visit plymouth.
one 81 the reasons why plymouth
Eoch' SIS in the mouths OF SO many per-
ton' WI Tie early history Of this coun-
iry IS spoken OF. 81 that It has been
N's.te4 - 50 many excursionists. II Is
within easy distance Of Boston by steamer.
Ini throughout the year-in the summer
IafuEuarly-it IS the Mecca for thousands
a. rop'c who are interested in American
iist0r'' or who wish 10 be so considered.
Jamestown Is almost as accessible to
"ichmoni and Norfolk as Plymouth is TO
b'a'on' yet IL Is well-nig' unknown TO
'Ne vase majority Of our people. This
ought not 90 hc Hereafter there will be
~ s"ii a. excuse for its being so. James
'o"n antciaics plymouth as a settlement
hy lhiieen years. At jamestown the
''"-ish made their first permanent lodg
"''t IN What is now the United States.
mere Captain John Smith and Pocahon-
" "'-e history and romance. There the
IT. I.tsI4tye assembly f.. America sat
H." Was laid the foundation for English
supremacy on this continent. and for the
i"1' .-cuce Of the colonies which fol-
loWel
4iu'. few vestiges OF this. our Virginia
.Spi'al' r,main. for It was burned during
i'e"ns ao-called rebellion" and there
.i''f The capital was removed TO Will
hsmSburg hut the old. ruined. ivy-clad,
''''n-''wcr remains. and round about II
''e graveyard ia which many WORTHLESS
'Ae colonial period lie buried. There
"i'' az jamestown now plantation.
nv oliy,. a fine brick mansion OF
s"''a' date. MIR. u. A. Barney, the
"""eF OF jamestown. has just
"i4''ed splendid boat-iand!ng. and
~" boring an artesian-well on the
"" IN iront % the mansion. What Ii
.''''' ne and HIS wife--it was Mrs. Bar
uoinS-have made deed conveying
"e virginia Society for the Prcserva-
"'" OF Virginia Antiquities twenty-t three
"e'ys OF land enclosing the church-tower
and graveyard.
% al hings now combine to make
'"'''S'own a more attractive end more
SS'h'e SPOT than for years and years
70" AM whoever takes steamboat
"'p Gown the James u bound TO learn
"ueh OF American history that he did
Eo' Nspy tsfore There are In this coun-
= many rivers more picturssQus Than
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-06

Trade. ana Bsakins." by Joseph n.
THOMAS Nelson Pages tales in Haspers
have been gsthered in . volume o "Fee-
time Stores." illustrations WIN p SUD
Piled by Mr. A. b. Frost.
A London suburban street when once
bore the name Of the great Admnsi Nel J.
son has been renamed sises .S ~
KipIing. '.rhe pen Is m'snsss 'nan ''s
The latest addition 70 Harpsrs Black
and White series II . comedy ~ ntanoe,
Matthew. entitled This Picture and
That" II Is q story OF the war. ana OF
Glove imperilied but finally triumphant
Moncure %. Conway has returned 10
Tnndon after \ two-monthS search IN
the paris archives, where, It 10 said. ne
has unearthed several interesting oocu-
ments.
Among the Americana sold BY Bangs
4 Co. on April I'D. says tns New ao on
Critic. was copy OF tne .s'1 Indsr"rdent
Company OF volunteers. raised IN Han
over county. Va, August II. ITO, contain
ing the famous allusion TO "tnat neroic
youth. Colonel washington. whom Prov.
denrs has preserved" etc. 1t brought
D.0. as against SIS paid for another copy
of this sermon some time ago.
McClure's Magazine for May IS Grant
number, COMMUNICATING the birthday Q,
General Grant, with "reminiscences anu
anecdotes by his son and his old COM
rades, and with a complete series OF por-
traits from youth to age. A STUDY OF tne
life and habits Of captive WHO oeas.s
and their trainers Is anotne. ,n.er.s.,as
feature of one Of the best OF the month
lies. .
Harper's for May Is peculiarly strong IN
short stories, but there Is no lack OF
other interesting matter: such az - al
WAYS to be found in this most popular
MAGAZINE.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-06
"Too Previous. "

The International BimetalIic Conference
now in session in London ought, like the
House Of Commons, to "sit down" upon
Mr.. Samuel Smith, who on Friday last
moved in the latter body resolution In
structing the government chat Is. the
administrator. to attempt to secure a
stable par for standard gold and silver
money by international agreement The
House counted the motion out" so the
cable tells US; but this fact does not In
dictate what the House Of Commons would
do under other circumstances. That body
feared. no doubt, that the international
R,,oeta,Iic Conference Wild regard the
adoption of Mr.. Smiths resolution as
bad politics"
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-06
Fleotric Gtrost- Railroads.

Street-railroads make their own business
In city as large as Richmond. What
ever the companies may do In improving
the service will be sure to turn out to
have been done In their own interests.
We mean that though the companies
may sometimes engage In rather I'M
promising experiments, yet they are
very apt 10 have the good luck TO find
In the end that what threatened to be
an Improbable venture proved to be
all that It's advocates had predicted 1t
would be-
For this reason we repeat what we
said the other day, that our excellent
strcet-railrond companies do not run cars
enough on special occasions. such as hot
Sunday afternoons. The cars that do run
are crowded, and we are always
reminded that they transport all the pas
sepgers who offer themselves for trans
portation. But without testing the mat
ter by actual experiment, nobody can tell
how many more passengers would offer
themselves for transportation II they
could always be accommodated with
seats. No place for recreation Is to be
found In a street-car crowded with not
only seated passengers but standing pas
sengers. IL would need but n few Sun
days experience 10 induce three times
as many persons 10 betake themselves to
the street-cars on every suitable occa-
sion as now are found upon them. Re
member. though. that II IL just as I'M
portant to let the people know and feel
that they will be accommodated as 1t Is
to provide accommodations for them, and
so the public ought TO he notified through
the papers or by circulating hand-bills
that every person desiring a pleasant
ride will be furnished with one. This no.
tincation need not be repeated after the
public shall have become satisfied that
they Will never seek In vain seat upon
the strect-cars nor be crowded by ne
groes after they find seats.
From the beginning. we have had I'M
bounded confidence In ''the trolley" We
have always kept our eyes upon 1t, and
have called our readers attention TO IL
whenever occasion demanded a reference
to strcet-rallroads. We began this article
only to direct attention to the following
llttle paragraph from the Hartford Comm
Courant:
The electric street railroad is grow
ing convenience. The people demand Ii.
Stage coaches and canal boats had to
give way 10 steam-cars; hOrs"-cars must
Weld 10 electricity, and, for that matter,
steam-cars must 90 through an expert
ence which may develop either dangerous
rivalry or material assistance. Only time
can tell as to that"
Yes, even the steam-cars viii In due
time yield the right of way TO the cleo
tric-cars. When the time comes which
shall see electric-lights and eiectric-motors
run by rivers. creeks, pring-brahches'
rivulets, etc, etc, etc, we shall also see
electricity supersede steam.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-06
|. seleMplp eNrearAiNmeNr.
Thurman Club Gave Lsrgeiy-Attsnded
Banquet rbursdsy Night.


Banquss rhursdsy Night
Tho Thurman Democratic Club gave .
delightful reception and banquet at 10
club-rooms, No. t1o east Main street.
Friday night. Fully 600 psrSons, IncISd-
ing many Of the most prominent citizens,
we're In attendance. Tbs hall was very
tastefuily arranged. Two long tables
laden with the most toothsomc vianus
and smaller tables containing huge bowls
Of punch engaged the attention OF mos
present for couple OF hours. when there
was some good speaking.
Mr.. John ". Epps prss'ded.' and among
those to address the club were; HON. ~.
N. TAYLOR. the Democra.ic nominee for
MAYOR: Hon. John S. HARDWOOD. II. NJ.
smith. Jr., tho nominee for Common
wcalth's Attorney; Justice Crutchneid.
Marion l.. Dawson, and <thers.
In the assemblage were the following
weu-known gentlemen: Messrs. j. ii.
Redford w. +. Epps, Joseph thinner
NJ. J. Byron, John Wilkes, +. J. Campl-
donica. n. J.. Hilbert. Sergeant i. H.
Matthews. Il. II. Davis. j. j. ryan
James Gibbons, Spark Lawrence, l.. ~.
Haakc. James Mccarthy. H. NJ. smith,
Jr.. II. ]. Enright, NJ. Balm. Joseph shell
ton, NJ. Ramos. James Fournoy. john
Grimes. n. J. McGiiiin. William {. Adams
+. ]. Parater. Harvey c. Davis. Jonn j.
Hughes, John Doyle. Writ Hogan. u. y
Fagan. James Flanagan, j. Il. Moi'oy
Jr., q. b. Davis, Il. b. White, James
Botto. Joseph Soluri. Nick Bailey. X. ~
Kennedy. Eugene Walton. John friscn'
korn. II. Il. Lynch. George Bannister
Alex Dorsun, III. A. Jarvis, VI. j. Crahn
N IL Gibson. A. l.. Bouier.