The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-03-11
A TAXATION CASE,

TAXATION CASE,
The Supreme Court Decides a Case i'm
Favor of she Maine Baptist Convention.
The lions Advocate this week contains a
very interesting article in regard to the decision
OF the Supreme Court in favor of the Maine
Baptist Missionary Convention 10 the case of the
taxation of the property of the Convention sit
uated in the heater between Middle and Free
streets in this city. The late Deacon Byron
Greenough devised this property to the Conven.
ton and it is now occupied by Fl. III. Hay.
Upon this property taxes have been assessed
which have been paid under protest, but which
were sought to be recovered on the ground that
the property so owned is exempt from taxation.
The question involved is one Of interest to all
denominations.
The grounds on which exemption was claim
ed were, first, That the Convention being an
Institution incorporated by the state for "the
sole use and purpose of diffusng Christian
knowledge is within the exemption clause of
the Revised Statutes, chap. g. sect. 6, spe cifca-
both real and personal property of literary, be-
nevolent, charitable and scientific institu-
tioDs.
The assessors did not deny that the work 10
which the Convention is committed is benevo-
lent and charitable. But they insisted that
this, within the meaning of the statue, is sre-
ligious socety,'-that inasmuch as the statute
exempts any houses of worship, pews, furni-
ture, tombs and parsonage of religious socie-
ties, BY the rule, '1eapressio untus est enclusto
olterius," all other property was intended to
be left liable to taxation. To this it was re-
piled,
Secondly, The provision last cited relates to
local societies and paTochlal property, not to an
incorporated institution which, as to individual
churches, sustains relation analogous to that
of diocese to parish.
Thirdly, But if the city invokes the bene fits
of the rule of exclusion above cited, the doc
trine is fatal to them as regards this particular
tax when applied to another provision of the
Tax act. which.subjects personal property of
religious societies. to taxation in the towns
where situated, but is silent as regards real
property.
The Supreme Court has sustaiLe ed the views
of the convention and pronounced the tax
illegal. 1t should be added, however, that the
Maine statute differs in scope from that other
states, being more liberal in its exemptions.
The decisions of the other state courts are
Therefore inapplcable.
"RoME AND LIBERTY. The body of City
Hall was about half filed last evening on the
occasion of the lecture by Rev. Mr.. Chiniquy
on Rome and Liberty" Mr. Chiniquy spoke
ia somewhat broken English, and gave SIM
pie account of life and his contests with the
Citholic clergy,a narrative full of hair breadths
escapes from his Infatuated foes and wonderful
courage on his own part. We can hardly con.
ceve that men could be wrought up to such de
gree of religious frenzy as that which Rev. Mr.
Chiniquy portrayed last night; but his story
seemed simple and straightforward. In 1857
he was arrested in Geneva, Illinois, on Grim
inal charge made by two priests, who swore
that he was guilty of crime that would send
him to the state prison. Abraham Lincoln was
his counsel; and by his counsel's earnest efforts
and his own prayers he was, he says. delivered
out of the hands of his foes, who were shown to
be perjurers The inference which the speaker
drew from his experience with the Catholic
church was that it is hostile to free govern
ment. The communicate holds higher allie
glance to the Pope than to any civil magistrate
He would not interfere with the liberty of the
Catholic church, but he would warn the friends
of the Republic to jealousy guard against its
assaults upon free government. To-day that
church in America claims to be patriotic and to
serve the civil government, but in Rome and
Spain it is a tyranny, crushing out freedom of
thought and popular government.
Mr.. Chiniquy was unwell dnring the delivery
of his lecture, which greatly interfered with its
effectiveness. The greater portion of his audi
ence was in full accord with his sentiments
and frequently applauded him.
THE MUsEUM.-There was a large though
not crowded audience present last evening to
witness Mr.. Proctor as "Othello." The play
ran much smoother than the other Shakesperi-
an plays recently presented. Mr.. Proctor look.
ed and dressed the character of Othello finely,
and to our mind, gave the most subdued and
impressive impersonation that he has given
during his present engagement. There was
nothing particularly striking until the third
act, unless it be Othello's story of love before
the Seiguors, ia which Mr.. Proctor displayed
fine elocution; throughout the third act the an-
dence exhibited deep interest The conception
of jealousy in Othello's mind, through the in
situations of the crafty Iago. and its gradual
growth in his breast until it absoros his whole
''free and noble' nature was powerfully wrought
up. 1t was refreshing to hear Shakespeare s
lines spoken in a natural and easy manner as
Mr.. Waldron employed in his Interpretation of
"Iago," and the attention they commanded,
thus rendered, could not but be Doticed. Miss
Wadron as "Desdemona'' was all that could
be desired, and Miss Cameron brought the char
acter of "Amelia" well to the front.
This afternoon damon and Pythias' will be
presented, and this evening is the last oppor
tunity of witnessing 'Jibbenainosay.'
For THE GENIE NNIAL AT the rate Centen .
NAL articles are turning up it is very evident
that Maine is to make good showing of anti.
quarian articles as well as of modern articles of
manufacture. At the jewery store of Abner
Lowell & Co. IS on Middle street can be seen an
old fashioned silver bulls eye watch that came
over in the Mayfiower in 1920, and belongs to
Admiral j. Bartlett, of Mnot, to whom it de-
scended from his father, with a certificate of
its commences. 1t has the Berge escapement,
was made by Henoy of London, and is mum.
bered $685. Of course it is going 60 the Cen
tennial.
PRovIDENT Association. thanks for
favors received. The next and last evening for
the delivery of partially worn clothing, boots,
shoes, hats &C., will occur at the association
rooms on Wednesday evening, March 22d
at IL o'clock. We have none on hand now
shall we have? We leave it to generous pub.
nc to say. Persons having articles to dispose
Of by notifying Mr.. Thompson, can have them
sent for.