Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-08-11


work was recognized by q dinner given
n his honor, after the election. which
was attended by the most promi-
1ent in his party, including Pres.
dent Arthur. The things he says
are all capable Of contradiction by other
persons cognizant Of them whose names
he gives. It ID therefore too clear for
successful denial that his charges merit
answer by those accused. 1t
is quite impossible to ignore them, or to
laugh them to scorn, as is being under
taken by Republican politicians and
generally. They will be be-
lieved in then entirely IL they are not
met and refuted.
IL John L. Sullivan yearns to be
"knocked out, let him act as umpire in .
close base ball game.
FoR those Who recollect that John Stew
art Was Q member of the constitutional
convention, it is hard to understand his
present position a. IN obstructionist
against its enforcement.
THE tenth annual Grangers inter state
picnic, under the auspices of the Patrons
of Husbandry, will commence at Williams
Grove, Cumberland county, on Monday
August 20. continuing until Saturday,
August Is. The programme embraces
- ~kAsn In oAlsksn,n 90 hn
fine display OF farming and domestic
machinery and implements. there will be
an exhibitions of horticultural and agri-
cultural products that it is claimed is ur-
surpassed. Addresses will also be made
by able speakers on topics of current in.
terest. It is announced that Governor
Pattison will deliver the opening address.
II will no doubt be the occasion on this,
as in former years, of an immense gather.
ing of those who are interested in agri.
cultural pursuits.
The question of the exemption from tax.
stion of educational institutions that
claim to have charitable plank in their
foundation has long been a vexed one. A
case recently taken from Merosr county to
the supreme court ought, however, to put
quietus on all further spcculations on the
subject. The facts were contained in case
stated between the county Of Mercer and
Thiel College of the Evangelical Lutheran
church. The institution is under the con.
troll of board of trustees, elected by the
Pittsburg synod of the Lutheran church of
Western Pennsylvania, and is open to the
youth of both sexes, the only quail
6cations being good morals, respect
able character and payment of tut
ton fees, Provision is also made to
enable INDECENT students to obtain an edu-
cation by allowing them reasonable com.
peusation for work done by them about the
college grounds. Mercer county in order to
obtain legal settlement of the matter
levied county tax of $l2.15 on portions
of the college real estate and taxable per-
sonal property. On the refusal of the COL
lege authorities to Pay the sum in ques.
tion, judgment was entered in the court
below in favor Of the county. The college
then appealed to the supreme court, with
the result that the judgment of the lower
court was affirmed. The ground taken by
the court of last resort in its decision was
that the institution was not one of "purely
public charity" as required by the con-
stitution. 1t lacked the essential features
of public use, in that it was not open to
the indefinite public, but confined to pri
vileged individuals, who paid for their
tuition either in money or labor. More.
over the corporation was under no control
save that of its own trustees, and the
real estate which the county wished to tax
might be sold at any time, without hind.
rance, and its proceeds diverted to
other uses. In view of the fact therefore
that the case did not come under the act
Of May II. 1874. exempting from taxation
institutions "founded and endowed and
maintained by public or private charity"
the supreme cour. declared the taxation
by the county to be righteous. This de
cision is simply a more sweeping affirm.
ance of the old law on the subject of
taxation as applied to public institutions.