The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-02-18
THE FORFEITED LANDS. - WHAT
SHALL BE DONE WITH THEM.
Reply 10 "DeIIa."

Ed. CLAKIoN.-In your issue Of the
4 2nd inst, fluid an article signed Delta,
/ evidently emanating from one experienced
in the working of the present system OF
laws, enacted from time TO time for the
| Levee Districts. While Delta presents
the enormity of the frauds that NAV
be perpetrated under the laws as they
! now stand, he points to no remedy for the
future. To cure this evil and provide
a correction is what we all desire, but
the mode of accomplishing this result is
a vexatious question. The conflict of
titles in the aluvial Districts are more
numerous than the subdivisions of the
lands. In some instances there are four
claimants for each, with titles dating from
1858 to 1874. In the suspension of
State Taxes on lands held by the Levee
Boards is the ''chief source of fraud, ="
and for the wisdom of this legislation,
the Levee Districts alone are responsible.
Most all the acts of the Legislature have
been passed in Difference 10 the wishes
and representations Of the members from
those Districts, believing that their
knowledge of what was best to secure
their country from inundatiOn should be
considered and yielded to. The error of
the legislation is now so obvious, every
one who has any knowledge of its evils is
astounded, and Delta comes to the front |
to speak out against that which should |
have long since had the correction APP |
piled. Having for sometime past given
this matter some study, desire to pre- /
sent few facts and figures for the con
sideration of Delta, and all concerned,
and ask that they join Auditor Gibbs in
his plan of solving this question and ter
this evil, or to suggest some
better plan.
"Overpayments" frequently occur in
Sheriff's settlements and are not confined
to the counties in the Levee Districts
for instance in 1871, the Sheriff of Clarke
county was refunded 81 ,129 81; Copiah,
81 1902 56 Grenada, 81, 961 As Hinds
So, 907 IA, and Tishomingo, 81 ,069 AZ.
This in itself argues no fraud, and results
from various causes not necessary to dis
cuss here and from examination we find
that these overpayments have occurred
through all the years, in some of the
In 1867, for instance, Bolivar
county with real estate tax of SO, 1856 81,
overpaid 81 ,524 So, with a suspended
ilSl VI CIJOOO Of WHuC III 1910, WIFI
an assessment of ST, 959 OF, the over
pay was 81, 290 20, with a suspended list
Of 81 ,240 80. Why was it then when the
Auditors Reports for 1870 and 1872
were full of figures showing this error in
legislation that this matter of suspended
taxes was not remedied? In Tunica
county in 1869, the whole amount paid
was 81, 045 80, and there was drawn out
as overpaid $3.50 10; and Bolivar
county in 1871 paid in s., So, and
drew out upon final settlement 81, 1856
81; and 1allahatchie county for the same
year paid in 81, 511 "a, and drew out
"a, 161 40. Had Delta, or some one as
familiar with these matters, then spoken
out, thousands of dollars could have been
saved the State. | am glad to know that
he suggestions of Auditor Gibbs has
awakened an interest in the matter,
which may result in some good, and it
becomes the Legislature of the State now
a session to take this matter earnestly in
hand and pass some measure that will at
)nce correct the evil and provide
thorough and complete system for the
future.
l will give few figures to show the
enormous increase of suspended taxes
md discuss the remedy my judgment APP
proves.