The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-23
Abolition of Exemption
From Taxation.
A Mystery of Marks--HOw 1t
Was Finally Explained.
P0liceman's Investigation IntoDoings
of the Tramps.

Interest In the question as TO the right
of cities or towns &c exempt manufactur-
ing property from taxation for term OF
years has been revived by the introduc-
tion OF bill in the General Assembly
providing for the repeal of the law now
in the statute book and authorizing such
exemption. For years this has been a
much mooted question, but curiously
enough, through all the contention and
discussion the matter has never been
carried TO the Supreme Court for an
authoritative and iinal decision. The
Gossiper remembers the opinion given
some years ago by a lawyer, now dead,
but VINO in bis day was considered one of
the soundest at the bar. That gentleman
declared that IL was not within the
power of any city or town TO grant ex-
emption from taxation, nor could the
General Assembly grant such authority
The spirit of the constitution, he de-
clared, demands that the burden OF mai1-
tsining the government shall be equally
divided and distributed. That is, that
every class of ratable property shall bear
its proportionGte share, and that there
shall be no favored class OF property
which shall escape this universal burden.
This appears TO be the same ground
taken by tboge who propose the repeal OF
the existing statute, and to the lay mind
at least. IL seems to be pretty solid and
substantial. Ii has been the practice for
many years TO hold out as an inducemont TO
manufacturers seeking locations for their
plants the promise of relief from taxation
Tor a greater or lesser number OF years.
The communities that have offered this
premium have doubtless been the gamers
IN the end. but there has been grumbliDg
through it all, especially among large
taxpayers. who have felt that their
burdens were increased, simply that other
moro favored concerns might be enabled
TO do business under a species OF protec-
tion never contemplated by the funda-
mental law of the State. This matter OF
uon-exemption Is pretty broad and far
reaching one when once opened up, and
10 likely to lead 70 some radical changes
II the bill now before the Assembly Is
passed. III, at this late day, the law max
Ing body of the State takes the ground
that all exemption from taxation is re-
pugnant to the spirit of the Constitution,
Il will bring within the pale of taxable
property all estates held bv educational,
religious and charitable societies, and
corporations; in fact, practically all insti-
tutions that are not supported by the
public.
Many OF these institutions, churches,
ETC., are now exempted by provisions in
their charters and by special acts OF the
Legislature, SO that if the AssemDly
establishes the broad principle that there
shall be no exemption, and that all prop
erty must bear its porportionate share Of
the burden of maintaining the govern
ment, an end will be put at once to the
specisi privileges now enjoyed by many
worthy and deserving institutions. which,
while they'are not supported out of the
moneys received from taxes, are yet do
ing valuable and important work in the
servioe Of the people.
Lieutenant Murray, with some of his
officers proved himself again life ..saver
ut tenement house fire the other night.
Few men in the department have records
for saving human life that will at all
compare with that OF the lieutenant of