Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1858-12-25
Important to Tax Payers-Revised Statutes-Tax
Titles.


Titles.
According to the new Statutes, there
will be no mora sales of lands for deln-
auent taxes, until the time limited for re-
deinptioI expires, which is three years
|fron the time the Town Treasurers returns
ARE made, or about that time. At the end
of three years such delinquent lands are
to be sold for the taxes and charges, the
power to redeem being then cut Oft. In
terest will be reckoned as heretofore at 30
per cent.
The effect Of this charge in the law
will be favorable to individuals who neg
lect paying their taxes, but disastrous fol
two or three years to the County and to
prompt tax payers, as the delinquent lis,
will thereby be largely increased-th the
County having to make up the difference
lby increasing the taxation in the mean
time. The fees of County Treasurer are
thereby reduced to trifling sum, as his
chief income was derived from the annual
sales Of delinquent lands and the certfi-
Gates of sales Considering that the
County Treasurer of Grant County has to
file bonds for $4,000, be responsible for
the handling and safe-keeping of at least
$40, 900 in money, and keep his office open
the year round, the said office OF Grant
County Treasurer will not be as lucrative
as the post Of good clerk, farmer, miner
or mechanic. Had the fact Of such a change
in the law been made known before the
fall election, we do not think any respon-
sible man would have allowed his name to
be used for the office. How the Revised
Statutes came to give such rs the present
law Of Wisconsin, we are not informed nor
do the printed laws Of past legislatures in
form us.
In justice to prompt taxpayers and the
true interests of residents and to the pub
lie economy at large, but one amendment
of the law regarding the disposal of dein-
uuent tax lands was called for: the law
should be so amended as to make every
sale for taxes bonafde sale, with full
and perfect title, within one year of the
time delinquent returns are made. This
would bring non-residents up to the mark,
There is no justice in compelling residents
possessed Of personal property to pay
promptly in default Of having thsir proper
ty sold, and waiting on Eon residents threc
or four wears. Tie law as it stands, and
our reports AS revised, allows the non-resi-
den. three wears to redeem, while TIE res
iueut must pay up Within Two 81 three
months notice, or allow his personal prop
erty to 90 to sale. There should be an
end 10 these tax deeds Of doubtful legal
ty, an,l every such deed be confirmed rs
perfect title, after wi ich, the resilient
and nonresident would fare nearly alike,
the difference being a trile in ia
vor of The no.r,reidsnt. TheSime has
surely gone by for non-residents to dictate
our laws; the legislatures Of Wisconsin
should make laws for the benefit Of resi-
dents, and not for the favor Of land specula-
tors ont Of the state. Some of our tow
head Judges have refused to decide upon
the validity Of tax-titles, claiming, that
the effects of decision either way might
be DISASTROUS We hope the day has ar
rived whea public opinion, which they
dread more than duty or oath, will favor a
judicial opinion one way or the other,so as to
clear the way for legislative amendments.