The Daily clarion., 1877-01-09
Our LegislafEre and Taxpayers

EDS. CLARION Our Legislature has just
cow ened, and it does seem to me that the
first thing of general interest requiring
their attention is tue tax matter. L nave
been deeply impre- sed vi 4 the i'm portance
of giving immediate attention to this sub
jecf, seeing the vast amount of lands being |
advertised for sale for taxes on Monday |
last
AT the last session of our Leg gisla.ure, this |
tax question was am ing the very hfsl |
subjects that engaged its attention, and that
TO prevent sacrifice or conhscation OF tue
landed property of the State, Oh the
programme of Ames and his Rump-Legls-
lature. to effect this object, the Reform
LEGISLATURE did succeed in thwarting the
purpose of the thieves and robeer party, so
far as in remitting damages, etc, for non
payment of taxes at the time speclhea.
Though at the time was taking the DAILY
CLARION, and might have seen the result OF
further legislation on the tax question, out
thinking With the great body of our people
that We were in the hands of our friends
who were warning against the vicious legls-
la,ion of the Radical thieves, did not watch
further legislation on this matter as closely
as otherwise we mi ght have done, mot doubt
inc but that our Dem ocratic Legislature,
! that had been so prompt TO take action
/ TO avert the impending ruin, would not nave
stopped short of such leg isation, as was nee
essary to remedy or guard against arecur-
renee of anything OF the sort in the future:
and it was only month or SO Since
when sheriffs were bumming around or
taxes, | was surprised to learn that
the beginning of the fiscal year had
not been changed, and that there was
no postponement as to the early day
under Radical rule, of selling property
for taxes And moreover, that it had been
made more difficult to recover it when sold,
if it could be done at all. Should such be the
case, it is great misfortune to the people
of our State, that any action whatever was
taken in regard to it by our present Leglsia-
ture Better let it have stood as it was; then
there would have been some prospect to
hereafter recover it. AS it is and L have 1t
| from intelligent sources, it may involve eX-
{ pensive litigation to recover the property
thus sold for taxes. | have not yet seen
the Law on the subject, and from what
as learn there are different interpretations
given to it by gentlemen of the legal profess
sion do hope that there is some mlsap-
prehensiOn or mistake in regard to this law
so far as it affects the interests of property
holders. If lands cannot be redeemed, the
people want to know the names Of those
. who refused to give to them eUen that poor
benefit. So important a question was GER
tainly not passed, without taking the Ayes
aid Noes on it. If so, however, somebody
ought to arise and explain why it was so.
Why have tax sales for landed or real es-
tate at all? Can not the law be simplified
o on this subject, and of much less expense tC
the holder of real estate, where there is an
o inability or failure to pay at the specified
time? l am no lawyer, but it occurs to me
that it can be done. Should taxes not be
, paid on real estate or before the
beginning of the fiscal year which
a should be earlier than first Monday in a pril
+ let such be decided to the State, and but one
: deed from each county, and subject to re-
demption by the owners within twelve
months, they paying fifteen per cent. dam
ages for non-payment at proper time
which is enough But if not redeemed a.
the expiration of that time, sell such un-re
deemed lands to the highest bidder, at the
Court-hOuses in all the counties on the same
: day throughout the State, where such sale;
r are necessary to be designated by law. Ii
my opinion, law on such programme
: would not only throw the landed property
back into the hands of those who ought tt
hold it, but the State recei Je its revenues
. and speculatiDg sky-larks disa appointed il
!, getting something for nothing, as hereto
6 fore, at the expense of the property holder
- No lands to be sold unless bringing taxes o.
), expenses, and the lands not thus sold sub
4 ject to purchase by anyone paying charges
- on such lands. The law should be such a!
n to rest in the purchaser, whether at public
sale or subsequently of the State, a bont
fde title or deed, and not as heretofore, bu
a quasi lien involving litigation and ex-
= pense. Could such law be enacted, / dc
y not believe the State would be the holder O
Il one acre of land. to where it has been O
! thousands. its revenues increased and in the
+ interests of those who have the burden O
, government. If it should not suit office.
holders, let them just ''step down and out
8 there will be no want of volunteers who
n will gladly accept the situation. and not tc
the detriment of the public service.
Respectfully,
J. L. BACKsTRoM.