Red Wing sentinel. [volume] (Red Wing, M.T. [i.e. Minn.]) 1855-1861, 1860-03-21

tics, oil we want is independent, honest
capable men to compose that Board.
TIE TAXPAYERS MOVEMENT.
Since our last issue, we have noticed
most singular opposition from certain Dem
ocrats, to the proposition We made Of elect
ing County Commissioners irrespective o
political proclivities. We believe that thu
best interests Of the county, and Of ever,
taxpayer in the county, would be promoted
BY merging all political considerations a
this election in the higher and more impor
tant interests which taxpayers have in al
economical administration Of our county
affairs. This seems to be most clear bu
those Democrats to whom we have alluded
say to US the Republicans have the MAORI
t., lot them elect an entire party ticket ant
take tho whole responsibility thu
moro tho Republicans mismanage, the better
it will b for the Democrats.
We have also been told that our artic:,
exposing the scheme Of plumber on thu
part Of the nepuDI,can Treasurer and Reg
lister Of Deeds, was prcmature-that ou1
duty to the Democratic party was to have
let them incurred the additional expense O
$1,000 or 81 500 and then have shown tho
matter up and forced the Republicans t.
shoulder the responsibility.
To both these objections to our course
we have the same reply. 1t is this Thai
our duty to the people Of the county is su
perior to mere psrty considerations-tha'
oil schemes Of plumber ought to be checked
at once-that it is no use to lock the barn
after the horse is stolen-and that it afford,
little consolation to taxpayers to be told
"yter an unnecessary expense is incurred
how it might have been avoided and pre-.
vented. It is the plainest Of all duties tc
protect the treasury, as far As We can, by q
timely exposure. Our Democratic friends
should recollect, that in keeping down taxa.
ton, their packets are interested. and tina,
the people Of the county will have no con.
'fidence in the Democratic party unless they
use al honorable means to prevent and ex
pose schemes Of plumber, and not wait until
tho mischief is done. Upon this principle
we think our course is justified by every
consideration Of party policy.
It is true, our exposure prevented the tau
sale expense, and il is far more gratifying
to MS to know we prevented it, and that ou'
citizens are not compelled TO pay it, than te
pay it and then find fault with it.
We did not expose the half Of the wrong
intended. We call the intelligent citizens
Of our county 10 examine few provisions
of the law which these official cormorants
have each year disregarded, and the wantor
and fragrant disregard Of which has caused
m annual expense Of not less than $4,000
Sec. IL, Of the Compiled Statutes. pag.
2O2, provides that the several collector
shall make return Of the delinquent list o,
the 18th day Of February, Of each year, at,
some time after this is given to make sucl
return. By section 50, Comp. Stat. pag
239, tits provided that when the taxes ant
charges on land shall remain unpaid, o.
'"tbe ~J:rsi; day o. February net, after IL
,et;'n Le,ec,," then the same shall be sub
j:et TO sale as provided by law.
Thus We SEE that the delinquent tax lis,
isreturncd on the 18th Of February Of eaci
yea, that such delinquent tax.list rema;n
with the County treasurer, in payment
untal the first Of February following
neHrlya y ar-and then, such land as tn
taxes are not paid upon, shall be advertised
and sold as provided by law. What HI.
been tho practice in this county? 1t ha
been to make the sale the same yeer, which
3 psain'y in violation Of law, and henc,
illegal. Every tax sale in Goodhue county
has in consequence ben illegal, and tn
expenses Of such sales, wantonly incurred
in violation Of law arc not collectable.
Again. sec. u. page 24o Of Comp. Stat
provides that mo land bid Oft for the count,
shall be offered for sale, for any taxes levied
tfereon," 50 that the lands bid of 70: H.,
county one yeaF, arc not to be advertised
the next. All know that this class Of land.
comprise the larger proportion Of the ia,
list, but year AFTER year they have been al
ssrtised and sold and expenses have been
illegally incurred, Which can never he col
lectcd from such delinquent tax payers
First. then. every tax sale it, this county
has been illegal and tile $6,MN or $1,000
paid therefor lost to the county.
Second, IL they had been advertised at
tho proper time aud legal, still lis. Ave
times IS large As necessary has been adver
tissd'a At heavy expense, which cannot bc col
lected back, because the county had the
previous year became the purchaser.
Why, then, the people Of the county may
reasonably ask, We're all these illegal and