Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-02-02
District Real Estate sold for Arrears
OF Taxes.

Transmitted 10 the House of Representatives
Yesterday was the following from the Com
mlssioners OF the District of Columbia
SlR-ln compliance with a resolution OF
the House of Representatives, passed on the
9th instant, in the following terms:
"ReSOired, That the Commissioners OF the
District OF Columbia be instructed to report
TO the House what is the aggregate assessed
value of the real estate offered at auction at
The general tax sale of the 10Th June, 1876 for
arrears of taxes; what were the dues there
Oh; what is the aggregate value of the real
estate bought in by the District authorities,
and how much OF such real estate has since
been redeemed by the citizens. Further,
that they shall transmit the same informa-
ton as to the real estate bought In by. the
First National Bank of New York
and Others for arrears OF special improve
ment taxes. Also, how much, If any, of
such real estate has been sold more than
once, namely, for general and for special
taxes since the term of Office of the District
Commissioners. That they shall report,
separately, the total sum of money realized,
IS well as the expenses incurred in the tax
sales Of each, for advertising, collection and
other expenses. Also whether there is any
suit pending in any court of the District of
Column ia for further claims for advertising
these tax sales. and If so, transmit certified
copies OF the list of particulars filed in said
court relating TO them, and finally state
what have been the total expenses of adver
using, of printing and engraving done under
the District Commissioners from their &C
cession 10 office to this date; TO whom and in
what amounts the money expended has been
palu, ard further the money Involved in I'M
paid bills, If any, and TO whom they are
We have the honor to transmit herewith
rel oriS OF the proper officers of the District
upon the various points of inquiry pertain
ing 10 their respective duties, which are in
fnll response to said resolutions.
With reference TO the advertisement of
property for delinquent taxes, it is proper
fer us to add that publications of SUCH list
act of Congress of June 20, 1874, nave been
required in the case OF different classes OF
taxes by the following enactments:
|. An act of Congress approved June 90,
1874, as amended by an act of Congress of
March Sd, 1875, by which the largest tax sale
advertisement since the Commissioners en-
tered upon their duties was required.
2 An act Of the late Legislative Assembly
of the District, approved August 10, 1871. re-
Gulrlng sale upon the application Of the
holders of certificates Of Indebtedness issued
by the late government Of the District against
properly charged with assessment for special
Improvement.
b AL enactment OF the late Legislative
Assem- 3ly, approved June %, 1873, requiring
sales ppOn the application of holders of GER
tifcafes issued for ordinary or general an
Lual taxes issued by the late government OF
the District
The act of Congress Of June 90, 1874, re.
quired the collector OF taxes to prepare Il
c0mI lete list of all taxes in arrears March |,
1915 and 10 publish the same, with notice
OF sale, for the time and in the manner re-
CURED by q certain act of the Legislative
Assembly, required the pubIicat ION to be
made twice week for four successive weeks.
Ey ihe act OF March 81, lS.J, the previous act
OF June 20, 1874, was amended so as to re-
GUire the collector to publish the list In June
instead OF March, and when this lagis latiOu
occurred, change was also made in the
period OF publication, SO as to require the
list 10 he published twice a week for two sue
ceSSlVe weeks, instead of twice a week for
four successive weeks. In the case of al
vertisementS pursuant 10 the CCt Of Assem-
by Of August 10, Isl, that enactment re-
CURED the publication to be daily for three
successive weeks. Here Congress, At the in
stance Oi the commissioners OF the District,
by another act, approved March 3, 1875, re-
uUced the period Of publication 10 twice =
Week, instead of daily for three successive
wccES.
In Tie examination of the reports herewith
transmitted OF sales for delinquent taxes. il
may with prOpTiety bestated that we are IN
!Crmed that the delinquency in respect tO-a
considerable proportion OF the different yes
10 " hat the reports herewith transmitted re-
late arise from controversy as 10 whether tie
property Is legally liable TO the taxes charged
against II. In many cases exemption is
claimed under general or special provisions
III acts OF Congress. Thus the Baltimore 4
OHIO railroad company claims eXeTlpt'On
fCr It's property. Many Of these questions are
nOH IN process OF judicial determination.
COLLECTORS STATEMENT.
FROM an enclosure prepared by John f.
Cook collector, II appears that the aggregate
asses sed valus OF the real estate offered 2
auction at the general tax sale of the Z9th
OF June. 1sI5, for arrears OF taxes, was
advertised were II C6l, s25.35. The aggregate
value Of the real estate bought in b. the Di.-
trict authorities was S2i,Ojf, Jos, and the
value OF that redeemed since subject 10 the
advertisement by citizens, SlO, 100 III.
The total sum OF money realized To Jan
nary |, 1876 from tax sale Of June -, 1873. is
S4Gl, 5Z4 10 realized from sales TO individual
purchasers at said sale, and s2l ,35i3D col
lected 10 reimburse the District for cost OF
advertising.
A statement by John Ninson, auditor.
shows the costs of ad vertsing, printing ana
engraving for the District OF Columbia from
June 20, 1854, 20 January 8, 1876, as follows:
Advertising real estate, the taxes
for which were IN arrears (ths
charge for which is to be borne by
the property advertised. rs co
On account board OF audit. 81 So 50
Printing and engraving 1868
DohGs 1890. ............ l,J'C 20
Printing District Of Column
bia warrants on treasury. i3S -
Printing annual report board OF
trustees of public schools. ....... 1863 81
All other departments OF District
government 500. .................. 1891 %
SILL n
MR.. EDWIN L. STANTON, ATTORNEY,
FOR The District, states that the only suit
pending for advertising Is that of W. j. Muir
case, expressing the opinion that upon the
facts in the case the plaintif must be de-
feated.
The Georgetown MiIlers and the
hes apS AXE and Ohio Canal Ca.n-