The record-union., 1899-01-25
The LAST HEAT
THIS MORNING.
Continued from Fourth Page.l


continued from Fourth Page1
Dr.. Bovard next claimed the atten-
lion or the committee, but confined
himself almost exclusively. to reading
an argument by President Elliott of
harvard University, upon the question
81 church exemption. In concluding he
said persons who build churches are
taxed three fold first, on what prop
erty they may chance to own; second,
Tor building the church, and, third,
upon the money so expended, which
never gave and was never expected to
give return. Many churches in San
francisco had been driven out of ia
vored localities because they were I'M
able to meet the taxes when due.
Senator Dickinson inquired of Arch
bishop Riordan why he was willing to
exclude chapeqs, and the latter replied
that as chapels We're really only small
churches, there would, in case the Con-
stitution was amended, be no more
chapels.
In defense of his substitute Senator
Cutter said he felt satisfied that the
people of the State would not go SO far
as to exempt all church property. He
said If church property in the State was
assessed at only 81, 0O0, 900 it was
down for much less than it was worth,
of which fact he was glad. If churches
We're exempt from taxation it would
benefit him personally, as in Marysville
there We're six churches, and he went
down in his pockets to help pay the
taxes for each and every one of them.
As matter Of fact, one church would
accommodate every churchgoer, but ev-
cry man who had a dogma different
from that of his fellows must needs
have a different church to worship in.
He felt that the people would decline
to ratify any such proposition, and he
doubted whether it could get a major
ity vote in the two houses, besides, he
Thought it improper to submit to the
people amendments which it was known
before hand that they would not ap-
prove. He said that while he person.
ally opposed the amendment he might
vote to place it before the people if he
thought they would ratify it,
Senators Morehouse and Taylor Wig
orously opposed Cutters substitute. and
1t was lost, Cutter and Mutt voting aye.
Next Bulla offered three several
amendments, making the original to
read as follows:
All buildings used exclusively as
churches and chapels, and so much of
the real property on which they are
situated as may be required for the
use and convenience of the same, shall
De free from taxation; provided, that
no building which may be so used for
religious purposes and for which rental
IS received by the owner, shall be ex-
empt from taxation"
- Senators Davis and Bulla spoke in
Iavor of the amendments
Senator Stratton offered a substitute
which provided that "all churches and
chapels used exclusively for religious
purposes and owned by a corporation, .
ETC., should be exempted 1t was ar
gued at considerable length. but was
finally lost by viva voce vote.
DR.. A. B. Banks of this city inquired
what effect the amendment. If adopted.
would have on the Congregations
Church of this city, which was gener-
ally used as a city concert hall.
The committee and the ministers were
inclined to believe that religious con-
certs conducted in a church would be
classified as religious services, and
would be within the purview of the Sec
tion.
Senator Mutt called attention to one
of the churches in San Diego, which
consisted partly Of church and partly
OF business offices, etc. His own office.
he said, was located in one of its rooms.
and he could testify that its monthly
rent roll amounted to a considerab Bile
sum.
A member of the committee intimated
that if the Assessor would wink in
making up his roll, nobody would be
any wiser.
Mutt also inquired what would be-
come of mortgages held on church
property, but the reply was that the
mortgage and not the mortgagor
would have to pay the tax on that in
strument, and that with no taxes to
pay the, church would have a chance to
cancel its Indebtedness.
In the end Bulla's amendments were
adopted, and the committee agreed to
report the proposed amendment back
with the recommendation that it be
adopted. Mutt and Stratton voting no.
This measure was originated at a
meeting of ministers called by DR.. John
w. Dinsmore, Chairman Of the Synodl-
cal Presbyterian Committee, which met
AT the Episcopal residence of Arch
bishop Riordan in San Francisco, and
was introduced in the Assembly by As
semblyman Mcdonald of Alameda.
Bishop Nichols of the Episcopal
Church was detained by the session of
the Episcopal convention now in prog
ress in San Francisco. but wrote a let
ter saying all the clergymen of that
faith We're unit in support of the
Amendment
q Last evening the same measure was
presented to the Judiciary Committee
OF the Assembly The same clergymen
were present and made their argu-
ments.
In the hearing that was accorded the
proposed constitutional amendment. ex-
empting church property from taxation
had before the Judiciary Committee of
the Assembly last evening. it was
agreed that the following amendment
should be made:
.'All buildings and so much of the real
property on which they are situated
as may be required for the convenient
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