The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-02-25

atleast. jrheJtities would iEbe Settled
nj tie State on account Of delinquent
axes The State would get them, for the
niles would never bring the taxes. This
would increase the burden which would
|,e thrown npon the farmers like
straws upon the loaded camel, and the
homes OF the less thrifty would go 70 the
and the development Of the
State would not only be retarded, but
refrigerated.
The land owners here, Of whom Gov.
piefpont complains, are already emi-
grant agents." and the lands Of oil such
as are not in dispute are open for settle
ment, They are offered Tor sale at lair
prices. some even lower than the yalua-
ations Of the Commissioner, and on easy
terms OF payment. The only reason for
large surveys not selling with us isthe
want Of purchasers.
lit we're possible then to so amend our
constitution as TO permit the scheme 81
taxation proposed, would It be wise ?would
Il be lust? Would 1t be good faith onthe
part Of the State 10 the present owners,
whose progenitors, vendors and prede-
cessors have paid taxes On these lands
through whole cons OF time, much more
perhaps than a sale Of them would bring,
now to enact a. system Of such vigorous
tax laws as would make 1t inpoesb BILE for
them 10 held their titles for want OF
money to pay the augmented taxesr
It Is also the desire Of Governor Pier
pont TO see our forests succeeded by the
tillers Of the soil and the State advanced
in material prosperity. This Is laudable.
But we can never induce emigrants to
seeks homes upon lands bound down by
Oppressive taxation. Neither do | think
Il should be the policy Of the State to SO
far invade the private rights OF individuals
as to indirectly declare that o man who
choose TO be the owner Of land shall also
improve It and cultivate the soil.
What is here said by way Of objection to
the plan of taxation offered by Gov. Pier
pont is only intended as defense Of the
valid titles ofthe section, derived mediate
" or Immediately from the Common
wealth Of Virginia or this State, and not
In any spirit Of palliation ofthat system oil
piracy inaugurated by nonresident land
sharks In some Of our interior and border
counties, by which through fraud, the
help OF the tax laws and the assistance Of
local experts, they hope to deprive the
settlers Of their homes and the rightful
owners OF their titles. l am glad TO say
that in Nicholas county wesutier butslight-
" from the operations ofthese vampires.
Our injury is in common with the other
counties from the reputation thus given to
our State abroad.
But while thinking Of this matter l
have almost reached the conclusion that
the Gland pirates" are the only class that
Governor Pierp0nt's plan Is intended TO
squeeze; that his letter was written upon
the assumption that the settlements OF our
interior end border counties were all, or
nearly all, covered by their manufactured
paper-litles; and that in his zeal for the
protection OF the ,occupiers OF the soil, he
inadvertently struck at all claiming large
surveys, lift was his intention to strike
there only In such a way Us would most
speedily correct their abuses, he should
have the sympathy Of all who have the
welfare Of the State at heart. It cannot
be denied that in some OF our counties
there has been great abuse OF the spirit
Of existing laws in this respect, and
some legislation on the subject
may still be necessary. It has
come within my own observation that de-
iunct or extingaished titles Of $4,000 or
100000 acres, have been iraudulently en-
tered for taxation at the valuations of five
and ten cents per acre, while the legiti.
mate owners and possessors were assessed
at fifty cents and one dollar per acre for
the same lands. In these cases the lands
were sold for the trifling amounts OF taxes
assessed for which they had been returned
delinouent in the names OF fictitious own
ers, and purchased by the persons who
caused the entries upon the land books.
Tax deeds were made out TO those parties
describing the lands, and in this way
clouds placed upon the titles OF the legal
owners, involving them In ptotracted liti-
CATION. ,.l,.E7s -.
The laws should provide remedies for
such abuses. The valuation for taxation
OF the same land in the names OF bona tlde
adverse claimants should be at the same
rate per acre and co.extensiye. Should
either party be evicted this rule would
work no hardship. A penal statute should
be enacted to prohibit the re.entry for
taxation OF all lands forfeited under the
laws Of the Commonwealth and not exon
Grated by our @ Constitution until the titles
have been regularly adiudieated as already
provided for. II such a law had been
passed in 1865 1t would have saved much
litigation.
1would like here to give a short history
Of the paper titles to which have re-
ferred, but have already trespassed upon
your space. may write Of athem here
after. OREsTEs.
/ Nicholas c. IT., ". Va, Feb. 10, 1885.
DIED,