Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-12-25
NEW PROPOSITIONS IN THE
TIRE.


The bill introc uced bv Senator McCnr-
mick of Clarke, for the monthly collection
of taxes in order to avoid collision with
with coupons, IS simply impracl icable. In
the first place the people will not tolerate
the annoyance of monthly visiting the tax
collectors; and in the second place its ex-
ecution would either abolish the county
Treasurers or burden the State Treasury
with largely increased compensation for
them. Taking Augusta county for exam
pie; the County Treasurer employs 8
deputies for about three months work in
each year and their compensation is about
800 month. The employment Of depu-
ty Treasurers all the year around would
simply abolish the office OF County Treas
urer, as far as finding man willing to
take it is concerned.
Mr.. e. T. Smith has introduced bill to
release from State and county taxes all
lands returned as delinquent from 1865 to
1874 inclusive. AS far as the benefit to
the State Treasury Is concerned, we pre-
sur1e this release may as we'll be made, for
in eighteen years of Don-action by the
CommoA wealth, the delinquent lands have
gotteR fnto such a tangle that we question
whether they will ever be. Strengthened
out. The tangle however, does not stop
with 1874. But few days ago gentle
man bought piece of land which Is on
the books of Treasurer Mcfarland as one
on which many years of delinquent taxes
are due. The buyer bad been assured by
the attorneys who sold it to him that it
was clear of all incumbrance. And SO 1t
turned out to be, for the taxes had been
all paid and the receipts of W. r. Smith,
defaulting clerk of the Auditors Office,
taken for the money. These receipts we're
produced and as directed by the Auditor.
Treasurer Mcfarland has recognized
Them 1t would be pretty hard to tell at
what point, except at 1884, the delinquent
land books would be cleared up by gener-
al release AS a matter of equity, the Com
monwealth should not have any right to
enforce claims that it has let sleep for If
teen, ten or even five years. The proper
way to settle the question OF delinquent
land taxes is to ,re-enact the law " ich
existed previous to 1860, and make the
property of the tenant responsible for the
taxes. making his payment OF them an
pffset to the rent. That would do away
with all such taxes. The State should
not in any event he entitled to let taxes
lapse for eight ecu or 'wenty years aud
thea stir up a faI reaching commOtiOn
among innocent holders by attempts to
recover by sale. There are any numDer
OF cases now existing in Augusta, in which
property bought, p, i'd for AMI occupied,
mas, as yet. unknown delinquent taxes
hanging over it, aud which must be paid
by the innocent purchaser when brought
70 light.
Senator Digs has introduced bill, ev
IDENTIFY intended for the black belt. to-
take from the County Supervisors the ap
pointment of superintendents of the ponE
houses. physicians to the poor, and nurses,
and give it to the county judges. While
we all sympathize with the black counties,
yet very few will be found. we hope, who
are willing to cumber the judicial flee
with appointments. A judge should have
t-w, and if possible 10 appointments, it he
is to be kept free from poll les and polisi-
cal influence. One of tn best thir gs the
Den" cracy has done for Virginia was
taking frnm the judges the appointment
OF judges and officers of election. and the
people desire to see no step back " ard
taken on this line. The present Demo-
cratic legislature has given the State a
most excellent array of county judges lie t
it be careful tn keep them 80.