The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1894-12-22
ANIMPOSITION.

or and ALDERMEN has subjected it
self to criticism and censure foe
certain courses they have promul-
gated, there is one thing 1t has done
which deserves Sthe appreciation and
thanks of every taxpayer of Bay st.
Louis and that is trying to make
the college and convent pay taxes.
For this attempt at justice we are in
debted principally TO our present
mayor, A. G. Pieri. While, we
might say, almost every taxpayer
in our city wished to see these insti-
tutions taxed, he was the first one
who had the neral courage to pro-
claim bis opinion publicly. Why
should these institutions escape tax
alton? Wherein comes the illegaIlty |?
The law says any institution not car
ried on for profit shall be exempt
from taxation. We are at loss to
conceive how any one can reasonably
support the claim that they are not
profitable institutions. If they were
not they could not subsist much less
beautify their properties.
Our Interpretation of the laws sig
nificance is that they are subject to
taxation. We do not see how the
non-dlvislon Of dividends can exempt
them. Suppose the proprietors OF
The SEA COAST Echo would tell the
law: We'll, we have decided to de-
clare no dividends, but will accumu-
late the receipts in O chest, and on
ly draw therefrom for the actual
maintenance OF existence" would
the law exempt us, or would we be
simply ridiculed? Whether or not
these institutions are in a prosperous
financial condition we know not and
1t makes no material difference.
When an institution levies an a.
mount for tuition it ceases to be q
charitable institution" and no mat.
ter IL the receipts are insufficient
to meet the daily expenses, 1t
should not be exempt. 1t seems to
us the only institution that comes
within the laws dominion is the pub
lic school, schools that do not charge
one centof money.
Through what channels has our
collge attained the distinction of be-
ing charitable institution" Has
1t and is it showing a charitable dis
position toward the city that has
nursed and fostered il? Has it ever
paid an orphan or widows taxes +?
Has it ever taken any steps in the
development of our city? Has IL
ever contributed TO any project
through which we, as people, might
have been benefited2 No! Beyond
one or two public subscriptions it has
done absolutely nothing. Then how,
we ask, has it become recognlz-
ed as a charitable institution? The
space they now occupy, owned by
private individuals would be q source
of considerable revenue TO the CITY,
and would tend to decrease the high
rate of interest now imposed upon
our taxpayers; but not ccnten
with the present condition of affairs
it is contemplating vast additions.
Every inch of ground this Corpora
ton adds to its east estate Increases
the poor mans taGes. Can one reas-
onably contend that this is just and
lawful? Can the brothers, in their
infinite wisdom and almost supernat.
ural conception between right and
wron 5 not see that they are perpe-
trating an infamy which not only
shames the clear light of civilization,
but would cast a shade across the
darker shades OF the middle age s !
II religion is the motive power of
charity why is it they do not volun-
tarily exercise it and not wait until
the wheel of justice is put into mo-
t on? Even if the law does exclude
them from within its pale these in
stitutions do not want to exult in
their triumph, but rather remember
their moral obligations toward man.
kind.
A Silly View.
Have you ever heard an argument
i'm disfavor nf fimmirrot;ooo m