The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-10-12
TO lNCORP ORA {"
CHURCH PROPE {. /, 7.
Mr.. Robertson Wants Committee Re-
port So Amended.
I'VE DEBATE ON THE SUBJECT
Mcssrs. Moore, Dunaway and Mc!lwaine OPP
pose il Vigorously, and il is Defended
By Messrs. Robertson and 1hom.
VIII Vote To-Day.

most OF its SESSION yesterday 70 d ~
Their consideration OF the report OF tiie
! legislative Committee, having Inier de-
bate that section relating TO the moor
porat.on of church property
There We're seveaty-eisht members
present and the attendance OIL Fistlois
was fully up to the average.
Handsome women occupied seats with
members. and following are the names OF
some of the Democratic ieacers VINO We're
present: Hon S. NJ. Robinson, OF Car
roll: Hon Thomas n. Jones of Isle
OF Wight; Judge J. ". G. Blackstone, OF
Acconlac; Hon. l.. p S.eaTIls, of Newport
News and Hon. Pembroke fetut, of flu-
wanna
The resolution offered by Mr. With
ars, aboisshins the Committee OF me
Whole, went over Tor another day. 1t no
having been read on Thursday, accord
ing to Tie rules.
Leaves of absence were granted a num-
ber including Gov. Cameron, who is con-
fineG 10 his home by sickness
There were no new resolutions and only
a few memorials, most Of which related
to the Quarles-Barbour liquor ordinance.
The convention resolved itse.I into a
Committee of the Whole shortly after
converting and Mir. Walker. Of sNorthum-
berland. called To the chair. On
motion Of Mr.. lore the consideration
of the report of the Comm,ttee on the
Legislative Department was resumed, and
Judge Robertson was recognized to
speak for his amendment. having for its
object the incorporation of church prop
erty.
He made a clear and f5rceful argument,
as he usually does. and took occasion dur
ing his remarks to - a hanaserne ti4b-
ute to- the Catholic Church. though he
himself as of Protestant persuasion.
lie was followed by DR.. Dunaway. who
spoke eloquently against the resolution.
Mr. Moore Of Fairfax. spoke briefly aiong
Tire some line and Mr.. Thomsargued for
the resolution. The debate of the day
was closed IN an able effort ~ Dr. Nc
Ilwaine, and he and DR.. Dunaway en-
gagged in q brief. hui pleasant colloquy
about the Prcsbvtcrians and the Bap-
lists. which was much enjoyed by their
colleagues. They both cOntended for the
committee report. Mr. Stebbins viii be
among the speakers To-day. f4e viii OPP
pose the resolution. and vote will prob
abby be taken to-day. The report OF the
committee VIII probably be adopted.
THE DAY in DETAIL.
The convention met at 1880 O'Clock,
President Goode presiding. Prayer was
had by Rev. W. 3. Beauchamp, of the
Methodist church.
Seventy-eight members We're present.
Memorials endorsing the Barbour liquor
license resolution Were presented by
many members.
Leave OF absence was granted ex-Gov-
ernor Cameron on account Of sick ess
Leaves CT absence were granted several
other members.
The president announced that tie first
question to be disposed of was the r1so-
luton to abolish the Committee Of the
Whole.
Mr.. Walker raised The point of order
that the rules required: a resolution to
change the rules to be printed ana when
printed to lie on the table for two DAYS.
lie said the resolution was only printed
Thursday, and could not be called up
before tomorrow. The president ruled
the point well taken and the resolution
was passed by.
rnittee of the Whole to consider the re-
port of the Legislative Committee
Judge Robertson offered as n sub
stitute for section twentv-one prohibit
ing the Incorporating of church properly
resolution that the General Assembly
should limit by law the property to be
acquired b. a church corporation. He
said this was the law prior TO the con-
stitution of 1851. He said it was pro-
posed to give the legislature a free haaG
in granting charters OF incorpora ton to
churches, but TO limit the amount of
property they should have He said he
approached the discussion of this uues-
ton with unfeignod mndesty
He knew members who We're better ac-
nuainted with church organizations than
he. some of them representing the minis
try. II was the argument of some of tbs
latter that convinced him in the commit
tee that his prohibition on the Legislature
should be taken cut OF the Constitution.
CHURCH OF THE COLONY.
He said when Virginia was colony the
Episcopal Church was the established
church and remained so until 1899. Its
disestabishInent Was a natural result of
the revolution. A recent book claims
the credit for the Baptist Church the
whole credt for this, while history will
give credit to Presbyterian as well as
Baptists. In 1876 the Episcopal Church
came before the Legislature and asked
10 be allowed TO be incorporated so as to
be able TO establish a theological seminary
in Alexandria That application created
a very able debate. One side contended
that charters should be granted and the
others opposed.
I'h argument had such an effect that
when the convention of 1851 met this
prohibition to grant a charter was pu, in
the Constitution.
Judge ROBERTSON said in the argument
before the Legislature the Rev. DR. Plum
ner, a Presbyterian divine. OF Richmond,
in opposing the granting Of a charter beat
The other side out boot and baggage
in MS master:ul speech, which influenced
the convention which followed in 1851 10
pass The prohibition ordinance.
The speaker then said the time had
gone by when the argument made then
should have any force now. This Was
day of corporations and the object sought
was not for the benefit of any one
church or denomination, but simply and
solely to permit all organizations to con-
duct their financial affairs on a modern
business basis
CAN'T COMPEL PERFORMANCE
The preacher Of church to-day is un-
der contract with his church for his sal
AIRY. and yet, after performing his con-
tract. there is now no legal means pro-