Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-05-09
His Explanation of the Academy OF
NiAirnninrn instrumentation Ar


His Explanation of the Academy OF
Visitation incorporation Act.
Sunday'Suff --------
TO Tie Editor Of he ,Stdr-DEAR Sir: So
much has been said In the public prints
during the past few days concerning the
passage OF the act incorporating the Aead-
envy OF Visitation that perhaps few words
from the one who introduced the bill will
not be out OF order. The necessity OF the
bill lay In the fact that 1t was needed by the
Academy of Visitation In order to perfect
certain flnapclal transactions that could not
be- completed without 1t. The bill was
drawn by a competent lawyer, and 1t was
introduced openly and In the proper form.
IL took the usual course, and the committee
to which 1t was referred was composed Of
two Methodlsts and one Presbyterian.
They had 1t In their possession from Feb
ruary 2Sth until March It'll, and / stood
ready TO explain any feature Of the bill that
might not have seemed clear TO the COM
mittse. My services in this respect, how
ever, were not sought, and evidently were
not needed. Yet, when the bill was called
up for passage, volunteered an explana-
ton Of Its provisions at some length, and
ample opportunity was afforded for any
objsction that needed TO be raised. notice
that It is claimed that there ls no law
| exempting from taxation incorporated edu-
cationa: Institutions. 1 cannot place nv
hands on a copy of the law just now; but
am sure there Is such a law, and believe
It 10 be very good one, though had no
hand in making It, Its provisions are gem
eral, and 1t would have been sufficient
without the special clause In the bill to
which objection Is made. In view Of this
fact, l do not know why that provision was
deemed necessary In the bill, but presume
that the gentleman who drew the bill,
not having the law at hand, concluded
that 1t would be better to insert q
olauaa In harmOnv with tho law glartnIn1y
1t could do no harm. Much stress is laid
on the provisions giving the trustees OF the
Academy of Visitation the right to hold
property to the extent of sl00, 900, and 1t IL
viewed as though the bill wiped out that
amount OF taxable property. OF course
any honest man will see that this is not fair.
The Academy property is not worth any
thing like this sum, and the amount named
In the bill Is merely limit, beyond which
tine trustees cannot go. That is al, and
everyone knows that 1t is a usual provision
Ia acts of incorporation. | would like to
inquire why II Is that SO much umbrage
should be taken at 0 bill exemptlug from
taxation an educational institution of this
city, OF wide influence and OF great use
fulness, when nothing is said against
granting the same favor to private corpora
tons. refer to the exemption of the
Bright House hotel at Rehohoth, the Cherry
Island marsh and certain property belong
ing TO the Christiana River Improvement
Company. 1t appears TO me that some OF
our self-appointed defenders Of the peoples
pockets would do we'll 70 be- more consist
ent They should not attempt 10 make flesh OF
one and fowl OF another. / want 1t under
stood, Mr.. Editor, that 1 am making no
apologies Tor the act Incorporating the
Academy of Visitation, nor for any part
took ia lts passage. 1t needs no defence.
bat have thought the people were entitled
to the facts, aud that Is my excuse for this
letter. Will merely add that think the
people OF this city know me we'll enoua9
10 believe that my oath as State senator
| would be sufficient 10 prevent me from en-
gaging In any attempt to secure improper
Legislation Of any kind.
JOHN P. DoSAHoE.