New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-02-06
THE PEOPLES COLUMN.

THE PEOPLES COLUMN.
| iBy-ief Communications Publtshed-Long
Ones Lnrariably Rejected-Ihe Lditor mol
Responsible for the Sentiments LZprssse"
~ the CommunicGtionsi
| s Case in Point.
| EDIfoR REPUBLICAN:
.For lease for term Of fifty years" is
| Che announcement on a slgn-bOard IN ffont
Of huge building in the very heart OF the
business part Of the upper city" as the
space within a radius of half dozen
blocks. having Magazine Market for its
centre. is now called. The building referred
TO bears on marble slab let into its lofty
front. which towers grandly above the busy
bee hive stores and shops surrounding it,
the legend, st. Elizabeth's Asylum but
notwithstanding its magniticence. it pre-
sents but gloomy and unfavorable con-
trast to its less pretentious neighbors. for
EST. Elizabeth" appears to be its only &C.
cupant. and she makes no sign of life.
Here is presented potent argument why
property belonging to even charitable asso-
Citations, or which is used for charitable
purposes by others than the State. should
not be exempted from taxation. space
large enough for the site Of a score or two
of stores and workshops, in the most valu-
able and convenient and touiishing locality
in the district. is rendered absolutely val.
ueless-for all useful or practical purposes
is really wiped out of existence. Vast sum.
mus. have been expended 10 erect the
really imposing structures intended as
home for the orphans: but it is now too Tate
discovered that the stock Of orphans falls
so Tar below tie supply Of asyiums. that all
til. capital has been needless!y withdrawn
from the people whom il was assisting into
prosperity; ana it. TOO. has became dead
waste.
Had this property been taxable. now DIFF.
!eren: would have been the result; and st.
Elizabeth's Asylum is not the only iEstltu'
ton of the sort in this city against which
The same arguments lie. Had this property
been taxable, a less costly site. where no
obstruction 10 trade could have resulted.
would most probably have been selected.
and an ediice commensurate with the char.
table necessities of the section been built
provided, which is very likely. the prGjec.
tors had not realized that there were asy.
iums sufficient already in existence. and
thus been induced to save and utilize their
money. AS i: is. the community is greatly
nconveniencei and much poorer, while not
q single individual is be.te,ed IN the
s.ightes: degree.
i: is not even probable that lease can
be effected, for the building is no: adapted
T. any business or occupation. or any com.
bnation OF them. at al! likely to be estab-
ished there. II il could be sold and re.
modelled into homes and shops for the class
o.: tradesmen who make its vicinity SO
prosperous. !: wonid be a positive blessing;
bu, this can hardly be expected from the
conservative customs Of the sccety which
owns It.
There seems 20 be no remedy for this
state o: affairs. excep: in legislation. Ii
this property paid taxes necessity would
compel its utilization in some manner. Why
no: then. pass a law taxing all property own
ed by church or charitable societies. which
may "ls W .''SA. 10
now owned by snch associations after the
lapse OF given time, say in three or five
years. The evil Of exemption from shac.
ing the genera! burden grows continually.
and is 200 oppressive to be borne much
longer. Every year sees'some new comb- 1
nation sp:ing into chartered life, authorized
TO acquire property, thcnce!orward 20 re.
main Un:axed, and while levy is thus
made upon the whole people :or i:s main.
tenance, only its comparatively few
members benefit by its existence. Costly
churches are now being erected ia various
parts of the city despite the notorious fact
tina: each Sunday shows in nearly al! OF
those now open for worship but :. ''bssgA ally
accouI: Ct empty benches
have no feeling in this matter other
than tie general veal, and therefore hope a
bill will be introduced at an early day in
order that its provisions may bc carefully
scanned by the public az well as by the
legislators. desire it simply as q measure
Of reform. and wish all interests 10 be heard
or :he subject. JUSTICE.