Chicago eagle., 1893-05-20

due for taxes on the land used as a
money-making adjunct, although the
seminary has always been regarded
as properly exempt under its charter
But through some legal machination
the seminary has contrived to have
its name taken off the roll, and Up |
to date has not paid one cent into the
treasury.
The Assessor Is FoiIed.
When the subject was mentioned .
by Daily News reporter at the |
North Town Assessors Office it was
plain that it was well known there.
Chief Clerk Richards, to whom the |
reporter applied for information, has
had experience in collecting
rather, in attempting to collect
taxes from the seminary, and was
fully posted.
at is an outrage and a shame" he
said "That rich property does not
pay cent Of taxes, while every other
property-owner in the neighb0rhood
has to put up his share, and part Of
what the seminary should pay Not
withstanding this the theological in
titutiOn is in open competition in the
house-renting business and can afford
to let its houses for much less than
the men who pay taxes.
The property is known as the
north half of block 3, Shet1eld's adj
diton to the city of Chicago, and
covers twenty acres. About five
acres are occupied by the seminary
buildings, while fifteen are used sole
ly for renting. There are seventy
houses which are rented. 1t is on
| this part, from which a great revenue
is derived, that taxes should be paid,
but the theological men do not want
to part with even enough Of their in
come to pay the taxes The amount
that would be due from this is about
So, 900 a year. Time and again effort
has been made to collect this, but in
every instance the matter has been
taken into court and the name of the
seminary has been removed from the
Trolls. The last couple Of years it has
been given up as bad job and there
have been little hopes of getting any
thing and Mr.. Richards turned to a
bulky volume which bore the entry:
IN. } blk 3, Shetiield's add, 20
ac. Presbyterian seminary EN-
EMPT."
However, this year we will put
them on the assessment roll, and en-
deayor to have them pay their share.
! do not believe that the charter OF
the university eXempts anything but
the land actually used for seminary
purposes. l am informed that a
special act of the Illinois Legislature
was passed regarding this but am
sure that if the matter were taken
into the courts such an act would be
declared unconstitutional. There is
50, 900, 900 worth Of property on the
North Side belonging to the Catholic
archbishop. This is nearly all vacant
land, but taxes are paid on all Of 1t.
The seminary has at least five acres
of property still available and may
put up more houses and increase their
revenue without paying any taxes.
The thing is burden to North
Siders is a disgrace and "A shame.
President Kings Ignorance.
The president Of the board Of trus-
teees of this seminary, which pays
no taxes, is Henry w. King, the we'll
known clothing merchant
Mr.. King could give but meageI
explanations OF how the seminary
contriyed to own and operate real
estate block without paying taxes.
When questioned about the matter
Mr.. King said:
81 am Of the opinion that the semi
nary pays taxes on all the land save
that occupied for seminary purposes.
The houses are used as source OF
income for the seminary, but believe
that they pay taxes.
When assured that the north town
assessor was Of an entirely different
opinion. Mr. King thought moment
well, perhaps that is So ! really
do not know much about the matter.
have been president only about
three months and know little 0t tho
details
Hut do yuu uat think Chat taxes
should be paid oa tbls property
clam uf che opinion chat a.i rrup