Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-01-23

Lists Of Delinquent Taxes That Have
Aroused Their Ire-Alleged Misman.
aEement by Tax Omcers.
p of TIE EyHNINf, sr.u

axement by Tax Omcers.
Correspondence of THE EVENING STAR
FALLS CHURCH, Va, jan 2lst
This community has had q very thorough
waking up, If appearances and utterances are
to be relied on. And what is true of this locality
is doubtless true OF the entire state. The occa-
Gon and cause, as may fifty state, are found in
the posting up at the post Offices or other places
Of public frequency OF q list of delinquent taxes
not relating to the current period, but TO q
period dating from 1865 to 1883 inclusive.
This list apparently is long and complete
enough, almost to include every resident, Or
land owner in each county of the state. Here
this list was posted up on the 10th inst, and
the interested are notified TINT the taxes must
be paid, or a receipt be presented before the LIST
for the taxes. 1t will be seen that the time is ex-
ceedingly short to hunt up receipts for Is years.
Sothat on the part ofthe state this proceeding is
IN the nature, In one sense at least, OF "snap
Judgment such a proceeding, too, 1t will be
seen at glance, is all the more unreasonable
errinkly suggests, to wit: a properly punishable
Ssreliction OF duty on the part of the legislature
ana ana executive authorities of the state
degree on the part Of the county treas
urers OF the state as the cause of the dclin-
20 the sney are real Inc law Ia rea. 0d
OF the taxes and for the collection of the same
IS a very imperfect. mixed up thing am told:
OF the enti.e statutes of the state. The want of
clearness OF statement in the laws and the sub
SUMMON OF ambiguity and confusion Is clearly
attributable to the purpose to make OF Virginia
lawyer ridden commonwealth.
CITIZENS INDIGNANT.
No one need to be told what the effect of the
appearance of this delinquent tax list has been;
that 1t has distressingly disturbed the people,
and that they talk in the streets and public
places Indignantly and bitterly. 1t is said that
nf Rofx M oxyaf a I'm
county $50, 900, and in the state an amount
sufficient to pay the state debt This very prob
ably is an exaggerated statement, but one thing
is certain that the people cannot possibly pay
these taxes at the date required, nor in one
year, without great distress to the greater part
OF them.
But how comes this enormous delinquent list?
The people know but little about the affairs Of
their state, and the little they think they know
thing, right or wrong, as the particular matter
may be. 1t is in no sense knowledge, as the
lect this large amount of delinquent taxes will
possibly have one good result, open the eyes OF
the mass of the people to the character OF the
management of their affairs by their political
leaders and the high functionaries of the gov
eminent and their subordinates, down to the
county treasurers. II this really takes place
WHAT PEOPLE SAY.
The people say that much of il results from
the fact that some Of the county treasurers have
returning the land delinquent. But this would
be righted If the tax law was constructed to Sc
cure the prompt collection of the taxes. Lands
are returned delinquent frequently without
good cause. Then IL is said the law is SO defec-
tive that the treaSurers cannot sell the land to
pay the taxes. 1t Is said further that when the
land is returned delinquent it is reported TO the
state auditor, and then that the delinquency
disappears from the treasurer's books and the
land too. Or course, If the owner comes up af-
forwards to pay taxes the land may get on the
treasurer's books again. 1t would be very likely
to If sold to some person. The report has been
In circulation for years that there was on the
state auditors books a large amount of land in
the state that paid no taxes, and the legislature
has, with reprehensible neglect, allowed this
condition of things to remain for q long period.
1t is a matter of frequent mention that recent
legislature relieved from defalcatiOn some forty
or fifty county treasurers What the truth is
precisely regarding the reports here stated am
unable 10 say.
Lastly. from what this long list of so-callcd de-
linquent tax payers clearly indicates it shown
that the legislative and executive branches of
government have been guilty OF malfeasance
and bad management in their different posi-
tons. Their action ia a disgrace to the state.
auction to pay the delinquent taxes, but the
bidders soon found that the law did not provide
for prepayment oftheir money with the penalty,
nor for Il conveyance of the LANDS to them. AS
consequence the presence of bidders at the
sales ceased. This matter must be placed be-
You'd doubt in the new law. But If the col
lection OF these so-called delinquent taxes is to
be persisted In, the damage to the state will be
1ncalculable. outsiders will give the state
wide berth; immigration to the state, its de-
pendence for prosperity, will entirely cease.
i. s. A.