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

church establishments, in any style most
gratifying to their ambition, these are al
most exclusively benefited by the exemp-
tions. The poorer societies, who are una
bic TO raise any permanent fund, derive lt-
tIe or no benefit from the law. On the
contrary. their members are subjected 10
heavier taxes IN consequence oil the exemp-
tions enjoyed by the wealthy corporations,
and in this way, they are IN fact made TO
contribute towards the support OF the great
er church establishments. And this lne-
quality must continually increase, for as
wealth accumulates, and the distribution of
il becomes (as it will more and more, une-
gual, the wealthy societies will emulate
zach other in th- grandeur OF their church
odifces, the lottiness and beauty of>thelr
spires and domes, the richness and spen-
dor Of their pulpits and sltars, their plate,
furniture, ornaments and regalla, IN short
in he ponp and state OF their respective
enurch establishments. All this may pro-
eeed from laudable emulation, but all the
property so expended cannot be considered
as appropriated to religious uses. These
societies have il in their power, by making
long leases of their lands, to double the a
mount of the exemptions--the estates lea
sed flor 999 years generally remaining,
money becoming so, IN the hands Of the
company. Many such conveyances have
already been made, and though without any
Improper design, still the effect is the same.
Upon the whole, we can see no good
cause for continuing these exemptions
any Of them. They are, We think, an evil
<and growing one) which ought to be
looked to; for these privileged corpora
tons are constantly and rapidly multiply
ing, and as they are all of them to exist IN
perpetuty, there is no calculating what a.
mount of property may ultimately be en-
crossed by them. But the loss which the
state may sustain in the dimlnutlon Of the
rateable property is not the greatest evil to
be apprehended. In older countries, where
the mischief has had more time TO develOpe
itself and come to a head. consequences
most serious have been experienced, from
the accumulation of property (real estates
more espec lally) in the possession ot inter
minable corporations. And 1t has been
found absolutely necessary, 10 enact laws
disabling such corporations from holding
more real estates than they already pos
aess, and annulling ali grants and donations
10 them an mortn,ain, phrase made tor the
occasion, and meaning, that estates IN the
possession Of such corporations are never
again TO be restored to tho common mass
Of disposable property. 1t is evident, that
some such provision must ultimately be-
come necessary in every State.
The committee submit the following re.
solution viz. Resolved, That a committee
be appointed to bring in bill repeating the
9Th section ofthe I" act regulating the as
sessing and collecting of taxes" except so
far as II eXempts from taxes, property ap
propriated to the support Of public free
schools and for schooling poor children, al
go an act to limit the amount OF real estate
which may be held by corporation. ...
By order.of the Committee.
b. HAZARD.
House Of Representatives., June 2S.--
Report read and received, and postponed
% next session.
LAUNCH.--.A new Steam boat called
The " Rushhgh!" and built by Mr.. South
wick, was launched from the Ship yard,
above the Battery, on Monday last She is
owned, we understand, by S. II. Northam.
Esq. Her machinery is constructed on the
eBAscocK" principle.
A Virginia paper calculates that there
are 5000 useless dogs in that state,
which consume provisions sufficient to sup
port as many hogs, which would be worth
at S. each S94OUO0.- Each useless dog,
he adds, would probably kill one sheep per
year, on an average, which at S3 each
would be S564 900. Thus making the
maintenance Of useless dogs in that state
amount TO 81 ,50i 900 more than three times
the amount of the tax Of thar state. The
estimate may be exaggerated but there
3s doubtless much truth in il.
Wdnt of .Nose.-A gentleman without
nose was followed by an unfortunate
old beggar woman, who wound up oil her
speeches with" Heaven preserve your eye.
sight :" "Why so, good woman Z" said
he" Because yonr honor has no place TO
hang pair ofspectacles."
Sentence has been pronounced at New
Orleans on the officers and crow of the Co.
lombian sloop Bolivar, for firing on an A.
merican vessel with intent TO plunder.
The commander, Cbicot, was sentenced to
four years Imprisonment the lieutenant.
Charles Cbitty, aud the marine officer,
Goudre, to three years; the other officers
20 two years; and the crew to one year,
excepting one sailor, who on account of
some mitigating circumstances was sen.
fenced 10 three months.
The steam boat Henry Clay departed
Srom Detroit on the 18th inst. on her trip
- Green Bay, Machinaw, &c. Among the
passengers were Gov. Csss, Generals Scott,
and Brady, Col M'Kensie in the In