Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1881-02-12
SATURDAY FEBRUARY IL, 1881.
SUBJECTS FOR LEGISLATION.
From the Fargo Argus.

1t has been suggested that q change
in the law regarding assessments is "a
matter of vital Importance to this sec
ton of the territory at least. The as
scssment as now made in February, is
during the most slack season Of the en-
tire year. If the law was changed so
thai tine assessment: wca!a be made in
May or June, 1t would catch at least one
third more property and population.
Then people are here with their teams
and their equipments breaking Oh their
claims.
AS the law now stands, only four JUS
tees and four constables are allowed TO
each county, and they are elected by
the vote Of the whole county. Every
precinct should have the right to elect
their officials within themselves.
The county commissioners should be
elected by the voters of the district to be
represented instead Of as now by the
whole county.
A law should be enacted to compel
the payment of all taxes on real estate
as a condition precedent TO recording
the deed or other instrument.
In Tennessee there is a law compel
ling the recorder to collect twenty cents
OF the hundred dollars or fraction men
toned as consideration in the instru-
ment conveying real estate before the
same shall be recorded. This is i'm lieu
OF all state taxes, and seems to fill the
bill. Would it not be we'll for the leg!s-
lature to examine this matter and see if
1t is not a good scheme? Abolish the
grand jury system, a relic of the feudal
age, and substitute preliminary exami-
nation before two Justices of the peace,
making the inquisition open handed
Allow no mans character to be black
ened by a secret conclaye.
1t has been suggested hat exemptions
be reduced from IL 800 to half, or less.
Progress says rather exempt the debtor,
abolish all laws for the collection of
deDts not n4uIuatcti u.~-.rad h,, .oaI
estate. Banks do not collect by legal
process, and scarcely ever loan. Raise
the standard of honor by abolishine
legal collections, and thus protect the
merchant and the honest traiiicer by
putting every man on honor.
The tax system could be amended so
as to lessen the machinery and expense.
Pennsylvania collects taxes by license.
Ohio has an excellent revenue law, al
lowing half of the taxes to be paid in
the fall and half in the spring, discount
ing for advance payments thus lessen
ing the burden on the poor, and at the
same time rewarding those who an
pay.
The legislature might DO well to in
quire into the feasibility Of rewarding
those who discover coal in the territorial
limits, as is %pertinently suggested by the
Dakota Republican also by Offering in
ducements to manufacturers.
The Argus does not agree with the
popular theory of legislating on the
price of money. 1t would be better to
ALLOW the foreign capitalist to come here
and sell, his money, the same as the
horse, the mule and the OK are sold, for
what they or it will bring.
Ohio has a law that seems to give
eminent satisfaction in Justices juris-
dlction, which is that either party to a
suit before a justice of the peace can
take exception to the result and demand
and obtain a second trial on another
day before the same justice. Probably
this law would be found to work we'll if
the party who asked forthe second trial
should be prohibited from appeal, thus
lessening the burden of the more ex-
pensive courts and save a vast amount
OF laws delay, as now is the fact i'm local
cases.
Township organization should be
given the fullest sweep. Illinois has a
broad and comprehensive system that is
an improved model of older township
organization.
The above subjects, as suggested BY
the Fargo Argus, are, most of them.
worthy OF attention, especially that pro-
posing to abolish the grand jury system
and to reGuce :" exemptions. The clause
with regard to requiring the payment of
all back taxes before a transfer can be
recorded, is a good thing and is the law
IN many states. Anything which helps
~ collect delinquent taxes without too
much hardship is a wise measure.
The Talbot boys, convicted of the as