Rothrock.] ^"^ [Nov. 10, 



In 1851 Mr. Price published a brief article upon that memorial 

 of the county commissioners which asked for a repeal of the 

 laws exempting churches, graveyards, colleges, schools, asylums, 

 hospitals and other charitable institutions from taxation. After 

 showing that such a repeal was against the spirit of all previous 

 legislation here, that it was antagonistic to the very spirit under 

 which the Commonwealth was founded, he continued: "The 

 public squares, amounting to $1,670,400, yield no revenue to pay 

 taxes with, and are especially of incalculable advantage to the 

 health and enjoyment of the people of our city and county. 

 There is something better than mammon, and more available for 

 security and human happiness, and therefore within the scope of 

 the considerations that must govern the wise statesman and 

 legislator. It will not be forgotten what is due to a considera- 

 tion of a pledged legislative faith, to objects and enterprises in- 

 tended for the public good, for a small sacrifice is better than 

 that the public faith be broken." 



This evoked a spirited repl} r ; but, as Mr. Price was evidently 

 in the right, he may be said to have won an eas} r victor}'. 



We now approach the period of Mr. Price's greatest activity 

 as a public-spirited citizen. Fifty-six years of age; for thirt)'- 

 eight years a resident of Philadelphia; for thirty-one years a 

 member of the bar engaged in the transfer of property and ad- 

 vising in matters requiring care, judgment and fidelity: we may 

 fairly assume that he was well known by his fellow-citizens. 

 Honors, clients and emoluments came now without his seeking. 

 In 1853 Governor Bigler requested him to prepare a bill for an 

 act entitled, "An Act relating to the sale and conve3 T ance of 

 real estate." Here I quote in full the details of this important 

 measure as given elsewhere by one well qualified to state the 

 case. 



This is the preamble: "Whereas the general welfare requires 

 that real estate should be freely alienable, and be made pro- 

 ductive to the owners thereof; and, whereas, in matters which 



