New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-01
THE PROBLEM or LAND Transfer.

A general meeting of the Land Transfer
Reform Association WAS held Last night u, Municipal
Hall, Dwight ii. Olms.ead In tho chair A voluminous
report Of the organization OF the society BY subcOm
mi,tee OF the Board Of Directors was then
read by Z. Cogg.shalL After mentioning the
objects OF the association, "the reforming aud snpllfy
ing the method and lessening expense oftranseng
title to land the report stated that was necessary for
some distinct plan TO be outlined and presented to the
Bar and general public for discussion With this view
three bills had been sent TO the legislature bill for the
appointment Of commission TO frame new system;
bill for un,atisned MORTGAGE and bill for
the preparation Of local indces These were accom-
panied by memorial setting forth the objects OF the
association. Copies OF tho bills and memorial had
been placed before various Bar Associations and
gratifying responses received The committee urged the
adoption OF simple. compulsory System for registering
titles TO land. similar 10 the methods OF Transferring
stocks BY tho use OF local ndioos. the main principle
being that no transfer shall be valid until registered
The actual working OF the system proposed was then
explained. Almost every owner Of real estate has
abstract OF title disclosing the nature OF bis title ana the
liens which Is subject. The report proposed that
certificate should DO made ont In duplicate by tho kegs
rar the duplicate copy being given to the purchaser and
the original retained by tho Registrar II should state In
whom tho property has become vested, the interest
Of the grantee being signed and sealed BY tho Registrar
and memorandum Of all liens died against the property
being added. A starting point would thus be gained
with this certificate. and simple system OF local indces
would enable purchaser TO arrive ut tho exact condi
ton Of title ct any time BY mere glance Upon a sale
deed would be executed not transferring tho tito. but
being the authority to transfer IT, the actual transfer
taking place upon the delivery Of the deed and the
entry OF the transaction on the Registrars books
The Registrar would retain the deed and ssne new
cerucate showing what title the purchaser buys This
system would be impractcable without local index.
Maps similar 10 those IN the Tax ONCE should be made,
aud the indice. ACCOMPANYING them each lot should
be designated by Its Ward number and should have ell.
tered opposite II the folio aud page where each instru
Tho report ended by pointing out tho advantages
which would accrue by the adoption OF such system.
II was 30 simple and systematic that no increase In the
number OF real estate transactions would pro-
duce confusion increase expense while tue cost and
labor Of examination would be reduced to trifng
amount Resolutions the preparation OF necessary
bills and the laying them before the members Of tho Bar
were also recommended. ~
The chairman then read some remarfs. In which he
enlarged on the proposed system Of local ndexing He
ended saying that the problem to be solved was not
OF law put OF method and, he might add, OF common
sense. The plan proposed was scientific and this only
dealing In land in this country He also remarked that
based upon the real estate laws OF NewZeaapd
Remarks were made by j. NV. Arnold, L. u. Hns.
dale, Henry M.Tabor. j. Brooks LeavteX-Judge Goepp
and b. j. Goldsmith.