The Washington times., 1894-07-04
STOCKHOLDERSDON'T AGREE
Meeting of the Washington Grove
Camp Association.
REV. MR.. RICE RAISES A RON
All About New Form Of Property Lease
Taxing All Lots-Creatsd Quite Good
Deal Of Unpleasant Feeling Talk About
Gudgeons caught by Bait.

Questions Of vital importance to the Wash
lngton Grove Camp Meeting Association were
considered at meeting of the stockholders
OF the association held in the Grove taber-
nacle last evening. About 100 ladies and
gentlemen were present.
One OF the questions which had recently
been brought to the attention OF the trustees
was that of preparing new form OF property
lease. The old form was deemed too long
and was sborteded'by about 300 words. In
this new form there is a provision for taxing
all the lots at the rate Of 81 for every ten
front feet, regardless of the market value.
This clause was discussed for nearly three
hours, and during the debate several gentle
men made remarks rejecting on the credit
and honor Of other gentlemen present, and
created quite a good deal OF unpleasant feel
ing during the meeting.
| The board Of trustees did not recommend
the adoption Of this provision, but simply
submitted it to the stockholders for their
action. Under the associations charter after
a lot owner has had lease for ten years he
Is entitled to deed, and when this is exc
cuted the association loses control OF the
ground, and thus the object of the organiza-
tion is lost.
Mr. W. R. Woodward said he thought
action on this question OF form OF lease
could be postponed to some future. meeting.
He thought the rate Of taxation and ASSESS
ment OF more Importance and entitled to i'm
mediate consideration.
Rev. NJ. T. B. kice who has been a regular
attendant at the camp meetings for a number
OF years. said il there had been more gospel
and less discussion of legal ques-
hu af thn ion,
there would not be SO many personal
differences which always work TO the
detrIment OF the organization. He wanted
to know whether or not the association was
compelled to give a lease and IL certificate
Of title was sufficient. The chairman said
that under the bylaws any person who owns
one share may demand lease
REV. Mr.. RICE WAS EXCITED.
But Mr.. Rice did not care about the by
laws. He desired to know what the statutes
Of Maryland said on the subject, and If the
association had made anyS mistakes they
should be corrected and future errors avoided,
The chairman answered that the statute is
silent on that subject. and tie matter is under
the associations conirjl.
Continuing, DR.. Rice said the ground
was first bought and tie a ,ciation formed
for religious purposes and hotiy declared
that ali the present trouble was due to the ac-
ton of a few gentlemen reel estate specula-
tors, who wan. to b ly as many lots as pos l.
Bile and clear rs mucn profit as possible
The chairman reminded the doctor that no
change had been made in the form of lease,
and there was no real estate speculation, but
this did not stop the reverend gentleman.
He went on to say that as the matter was
explained now, after lot owner has had
lease Tor ten years he is ZEN dee l ard the
ground Is no longer controlled by the asso-
citation.
"So,'' he declared. becoming excited. "any
man or body OF men can come here, buy up
all the ground, wait ten years. and then the
properly passes from the control of the Wash
ington Grove Camp m .eting Association and
into the hands OF iew individuals and they
may make it what they choose"
Mr.. Woodward said when he heard DIR.
Rice make such statement. inferring that
this camp meeting grounds would become a
place ofill-repute and dance halls would pre-
vail, he was ashamed of the minister As
lawyer he was glad that the law and the
gospel go hand in hard. and believed the
grounds would remain to be used for camp
meeting purposes.
EQUITABLE TAXATION DESIRED.
Mr.. Talbot thought it would be a breach of
contract by the association if lot owners were
not given lease, and they could also de-
mand a deed after having lease ten years.
He did not fear any trouble. such as DR..
Rice predicted, and knew the officers of the |
county would see that the grove was properly |
protected.
DR.. NJ. D. Peck, who drew the new form OF |
lease. said that equitable taxation was de- |
sired, and for that reason this dollar clause |
was inserted. The trustees had tried three |
or four other methods. but each had failed
Mr.. Tracy said leases were essential, and |
the question to be considered was the rate Of |
assessment Referring to this special provi- |
sion he said: This is a scheme Of one MEM
ber of the board of trustees, and the result
will be that small lots in the tent
department wiIr have to pay 66 q
per cent. more taxes, and taxes
on the larger lots will be reduced
1873 per cent. at the expense OF the smaller
owners. / defy any mar to deny tha. this is
not mathematically correct doubt whether
the people in the tent department are
gudgeons to be caught by silver bait. The
selfshness of one man who framed this form
will not overhaIance the demand OF the peo-
pie. l can back up every word say
Mr.. Woodward said the insinuation was
false, and moved that the form OF lease be
adopted, but this WAS defeated.
Mr.. Rice thought few men should not
control the association. and moved to Law the
matter on the table. This was defeated by
vote of 10 to II.
On motion Of Mr.. Choate. the question was
to the board of judges for a fur
ther report. to be submitted at special
meeting on July "a.
On motion of Mr.. W. Fl. H. Smith, the
trustees were instructed to continue the
present rate of assessment until otherwise
ordered, and at 10 o'clock the meeting ad-
journed.