The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1827-07-04


Usher Robbins, Jeffrey Heard, John 3.
Francis, Zaehariah Allen, and Darid Ha-
kinson. John B. Francis and Zachariah
Allen having stated that they should be
pointmeuis, John Farnum and James
Rhodes were elected in their places.
The following resolution was then adopt,
ed.
4" ResOlu'd, That the delegates appointed
by this meeting be requested to use their
influence to have laid, an additional duty
on all imported Wool, and that said duty
take place at the same time that the addit-
ional duty upon imported woollens shall
take place."
In consequence of our arrangements 10
issue this number one day earlier than US
ual, we are necessarily deprived the use
of such papers, as would enable us TO make
our selections probably more interesting.
We hope, therefore, our readers will re-
ceive this as a sufficient apology for the
| in the present instance.
--..sNs---
The following very able Report, is from
the pen of BENZ. HAZARD, Esq. and viii
be found on perusal to be interesting, par
ticularly to those Institutions whose inter-
ests it is calculated more Immediately to
affect,
The Committee 10 whom was referred
the consideration of the 9th section the
act, regulating the. assessing and collect
ing Of taxes, by which section estates real
and personal, appropriated to certain uses
are exempted from taxes--Repor,
That exemptions from the taxes required
for public purposes can seldom be eXpedi-
ent or just, unless they are generally, II not
To exempt from taxes property approprl-
ated to local or practical objects, because
those objects are meritorious, is the same,
IN effect, as taxing the whole for the beDe-
fit OF part. There are many useful insI-
tutio and undertakings which merit and
receive the appreciation and good wishes
Of the public; but beyond this, must and
ought to be left TO the support, as they are
to the management ofthe particular indi-
viduals more nearly interested in them.
We cannot ascertain the amount OF pro-
perty in the state exempted from taxes by
operation of the law in question, and by
special provisions in particular private char
ters; but that it is very great cannot be
doubted; since in only one town the a.
mount is understood to be nearly million
Of dollars.
| The money thus bestowed 1--WE might say,
lavished) BY the state-upon private compa-
mics, Jimmy ofthem composed ofthe wealth.
lest individuals in the community had 1t
been saved and managed to advantage,
would, at this time, have. amounted to .
fund sufficient for the establishment and
support of public schools throughout the
state an object beyond all comparison,
more important and valuable than any Of
those which have been more favored.
BY singular clause in the charter grant
ed in l164, for a college at Providence.
(now Brown University not only the COL
Iege estates, but the estates, persons and
families of the President and professors
however wealthy with the persons Of the
tutors and students are freed and exempted
from all taxes, &C." provision doing very
little good 10 the institution itself. at very
considerable expense or loss to the public.
This institution is attached 10 or is under
the control of a particular religious sect:
Its charter providing that il shaf be the
unalterable constitution ofthe college, that
Of tho two branches, which constitute the
Corporation twenty two out oft the twenty
six. trustees, and eight out of the twelve
Fellows, shall forever be elected out Of the
denomination called baptists or antpaedo
baptists, and of the remaining fourteen
trustees, eve to be quakers, four congrega-
tionaists and five epscopalians. The Pre-
sdent also TO be forever baptist. Anothc-
Seminary, instituted by the Society Of
, Friends, is already very richly endowed,
and promises to become one Of the wealth-
lest in this country.
With regard TO that portion Of the proper.
, ty supposed to be appropriated TO religious
{ uses, we do not readily discover the reason
, why property set apart by a number OF IN
dviduals, and by them vested in a corpora
ton composed Of themselves, and still 10
: be employed for their own individual use
y and benefit. though in manner pointed
out in the trust, should be exempted from
taxes. any more than if it had not been so
: invested. but had renamed in the hands Of
: those individuals, and been by themselves
o pu, 10 the same use. Ifa set of men choose
/, TO support church establishment upon a.
ny platform best suitipg their notions Of
platforms, they must do it either by assess
: ments, or by voluntary periodical contrbu-
: tons, as occasion may require, or by rais-
). ing permanent fund, the proceeds Of
which may take place Of further contribl-
tions. In tho two first insianc es, the indi-
y yiduals keep the fund in their ow hands
r, and contribute the interest, or what a.