Molly Varnum Chapter, D. A. R. v. City of Lowell

204 Mass. 487 | Mass. | 1910

Braley, J.

The defendant having levied and collected a tax upon the real estate owned by the plaintiff, this action is brought to recover it back. It having been agreed that the omission to make the return required by B. L. c. 12, § 41, was not wilful, the only question for decision is whether the plaintiff is within the class of corporations described in B. L. c. 12, § 5, cl. 3, as “ literary, benevolent, charitable and scientific institutions ” whose real property, when used and occupied for the purpose for which they are incorporated, is exempted from taxation.

The plaintiff is a corporation chartered under B. L. c. 125 “ for the purpose of perpetuating the memoiy of the men and women who achieved American independence, of acquiring and protecting historic spots, encouraging historical research and the publication of its results, preserving documents and relics and individual records of revolutionary soldiers and patriots, and promoting the celebration of patriotic anniversaries, or cherishing, maintaining and extending the institutions of American freedom, and fostering true patriotism and love of country. Also for the purpose of holding real estate so far as may be necessary for its lawful ends.” In furtherance of these purposes it has purchased, with funds raised from dues assessed on its members and voluntary contributions by citizens, the estate known as the “Spalding House,” formerly owned and occupied by soldiers who served in the war of the Revolution. It may be assumed, in the absence of any affirmative statement in the agreed facts to the contrary, that the house is not only owned but occupied by the plaintiff, even if the occasional hiring of the premises by others provides an income which is exclusively devoted to the work of the corporation. Wesleyan Academy v. Wilbraham, 99 Mass. 599. The right to an exemption from taxation is claimed by the plaintiff because it is either a literary or a benevolent institution.

The objects which the plaintiff was organized to promote having been defined by its charter, they cannot be enlarged by extraneous reference to the terms of incorporation of the national organization of which the plaintiff is a chapter or branch. Masonic Education & Charity Trust v. Boston, 201 Mass. 320.

In New England Theosophical Corp. v. Boston, 172 Mass. 60, it was held by the whole court that the plaintiff, though instituted for the dissemination of theosophical ideas and the procurement of converts through the collection of books on the subject, with instructions and other literary work explanatory of the tenets of the society, was not a literary institution within the meaning of the statute. It was organized to procure converts to that belief, all other purposes of organization being made subordinate, and the element of general benefit to the public which is conferred where an institution of learning is founded for the promotion of education in the liberal arts, or in the sciences, or where a library is established for the general diffusion of knowledge, was wanting. A private corporation, conducted for the sole benefit of its members, although the general purpose in a popular sense may be of limited educational value, does not confer upon the public that advantage and aid which it is the purpose of the statute not only to recognize but to encourage. This distinction appears and was applied in favor of the exemption in Wesleyan Academy v. Wilbraham, 99 Mass. 599, and in Emerson v. Milton Academy, 185 Mass. 414. See Minns v. Billings, 183 Mass. 126, 130.

If the sole object of the plaintiff had been the gratuitous collection and publication of facts connected with our revolutionary history, this work would have been educational and of great value to the community. It would disseminate useful knowledge similar to that afforded by a free lectureship on such topics or by a library of historical works treating of the subject and opened free of charge for all those who wished to read or consult them, under such reasonable rules as might be prescribed. The foundation upon which such an institution rests would be in aid of letters and charitable by intendment of law. Yates v. University College, L. R. 7 H. L. 438. To encourage and promote historical research and the publication of the results in the form of books, pamphlets or periodicals without pecuniary profit or charge, which was one of the chartered purposes of the corporation, while not so extensive an aid in the diffusion of historical information as a library open to the public and composed of such works would be, nevertheless is within the statutory category, and property held and occupied for this purpose is exempt. Minns v. Billings, 183 Mass. 126. Drury v. Natick, 10 Allen, 169. Cary Library v. Bliss, 151 Mass. 364. Dexter v. Harvard College, 176 Mass. 192. Jones v. Habersham, 107. U. S. 174. If the word “ benevolent,” without qualifying words, may include acts springing from mere good will or a sense of moral duty, yet when used in connection with “ charitable ” it is synonymous with it if such appears to have been the intention of the testator or settlor in making the gift. Saltonstall v. Sanders, 11 Allen, 446, 465, 470. Chamberlain v. Burns, 111 Mass. 267, 268. Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals v. Boston, 142 Mass. 24, 27. Minot v. Attorney Greneral, 189 Mass. 176, 179. Fox v. Gibbs, 86 Maine, 87. In Young Men’s Protestant Temperance & Benevolent Society v. Fall River, 160 Mass. 409, 412, where an exemption was claimed under St. 1889, c. 465, re-enacted in R. L. c. 12, § 5, cl. 3, it was said “that they must be construed as intending to describe institutions of a similar kind.” But if in Franklin Square House v. Boston, 188 Mass. 409, 410, although referred to, the question was left undecided, the statute plainly exempts institutions which a court of equity would hold to be within the-provisions of St. 43 Eliz. c. 4, and charitable institutions organized to administer trusts in aid of the general welfare which are the outgrowth of the conditions of modern society, and although not named in the trusts found in this statute, are held to be within its spirit and intent. Odell v. Odell, 10 Allen, 1. Jackson v. Phillips, 5 Allen, 539, 551. Saltonstall v. Sanders, 11 Allen, 446, 469. Rotch v. Emerson, 105 Mass. 431. Bartlett, petitioner, 163 Mass. 509. Sherman v. Congregational Home Missionary Society, 176 Mass. 349. Minns v. Billings, 183 Mass. 126. Franklin Square House v. Boston, 188 Mass. 409. Farrigan v. Pevear, 193 Mass. 147. Masonic Education & Charity Trust v. Boston, 201 Mass. 320. In the application of this principle, among many other instances, gifts of either real or personal property for the improvement of agriculture, the protection of animals, the prevention of cruelty to children, the promotion of horticulture or of temperance or morality, the establishment of lifeboats, the preservation of the lives of those exposed to the perils of the sea, and the encouragement of good servants, have been recognized and sustained as charities. Lackland v. Walker, 151 Mo. 210. Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals v. Boston, 142 Mass. 24. People v. New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, 42 App. Div. (N. Y.) 83. Commissioners of Income Taxes v. Pemsel, [1891] A. C. 531, 572. Rotch v. Emerson, 105 Mass. 431. Saltonstall v. Sanders, 11 Allen, 446. Johnston v. Swann, 3 Madd. 457. Richardson v. Mullery, 200 Mass. 247. Loscombe v. Wintringham, 13 Beav. 87.

The purposes described in the plaintiff’s charter are neither contrary to law nor opposed to morality. It has aided in the relief of the destitute, made gifts to the public schools, assisted in the establishment of a public library, and in the maintenance of a boys’ club for industrial work and a sewing class for girls. The plaintiff also has contributed money for the promotion of historical research, the preservation of historical sites, and has inculcated patriotism by perpetuating the memory of the men and women who were instrumental in achieving our independence. If the means employed are somewhat diversified and elaborate, the ends served are wholly beneficial to the community. The diffusion of knowledge, the relief of the poor, the fostering of love of country and of respect for our civil institutions, all tend to raise the standard and improve the quality of citizenship, and not only relieve the burdens of government but advance the public good. Donohugh's appeal, 86 Penn. St. 306. Ould v. Washington Hospital for Foundlings, 95 U. S. 303, 311. The gratuitous benefit thus conferred serves only charitable purposes and entitles the plaintiff to the statutory exemption.

Judgment affirmed.