Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-08
Sales of Delinquent Lands.

The following communication speaks,
We doubt not, the feelings Of nine
tenths Of the people Of Virginia. How
many persons, even those Of the strict
est business.hsbits, keep their tax-re-
ceipts ten years? A receipt for the
taxes of 1885 ought to be conclusive
evidence that oil previously-levied taxes
had been paid. The people have some
rights which the Legislature ought to
respect.
GAINESVILLE, VA, Jan. 6, 1886.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
Having waited for some time to see
what the Dispatch would say about the
summary proceedings Of the State in
ordering the advertisement and sale Of
lands for delinquent taxes Gf not paid
in February, and having failed to see
any notice taken of the subject by you,
have concluded to call your attention
to the effect produced in this COM
muDity.
have been q resident taxpayer in
this town for more than thirty years,
and remember we'll the effect produced
by the declaration Of war, the surren-
der at Appomattox, the death by vio-
lence of two Presidents, the deplorable
Capitol disaster, and many other sensa-
tional events but do not recall any
event that has produced such conster-
nation and indignation among our peo-
pie as the recent announcement that q
very large proportion of our homes will
in February next, if the taxes claimed
are not then paid, be put up under the
hammer and sold to satisfy the States
claim for delinquent taxes.
Now, do not propose to argue the
justice of this move; but will simply
state that nineteen twentieths Of the de-
linquents were until within few days.
totally ignorant Of the fact that the
State held any claims against them for
delinquent taxes. l have been paying
my taxes regularly for thirty years
whenever presented by the collector, as
all will certify have resided for twenty
five years in my present residence, and
there has been no time when the taxes
Gf unpaid) could not have been made
out Of the personally on the premises.
And now claims running back fifteen or
twenty years are demanded, with COM
pound interest and officers fees added.
MY own case is fair specimen some
are more extreme. Some have been
fortunate enough to produce receipts /;
but the great majority have lost them,
as few keep tax-receipts twenty years.
On all sides the sufferers ask, 4" Is this
the way our Democratic Legislature is
going to treat us ?" 1t does not avail
to say to the impecunious taxpayer
that the Democrats did not do this, that
the Republicans cooperated in the pas
sage of the measure, &c. The only
answer is that it is worse than
when they were in full power,
and that no change can be for
the worse. 1t is really surprising
what an alienation Of feeling has en-
sued. On all hands we hear the most
vehement expressions that feeling OF
gross injustice and intolerable oppres-
sion can inspire. If this thing is at
tempted to be carried out coupons will
be in great demand, though do not
know of a single taxpayer who has
used them Of late years in this commu-
nifty.
Do you not think it will be good pol
icy for the Legislature to promptly az
ford appropriate relief?
hope you will soon hear from the
smooth-fowing pen Of your Mecklen-
burg correspondent, ct. d. j." who
is so capable OF giving you true pic
ture of the situation.
Is it lawful to return lands delin-
quent when there is abundant personal
ty at hand out of which to make the
taxes?
Is it lawful to return delinquent
without applying to the owner for
taxes?
Are the taxpayers to suffer in con-
sequence of the States negligence?
How many years may the State go
back? PROMPT TAXPAYER.