Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-07-09
THE POSTPONED TAX SALE
what Consmissioncr Wheatley says
About Ia

TWO LETTERS or ATTORNEY RIDDLE TO THE coNNIs-
sIoSERs-NHo WILL PAN foR THk ADVERTISEMENTS.
As stated in saturdays STAR, Mr. Riddle, at
torney for the District, has advised the Commis-
sioners that the advertised sale OF property TO
satisfy tax liens, VIII have 90 be postponed until
after November 1. This sale was 10 begin to-Inor-
row.
commissioner wheatley said to-day that
pursuant 10 the advice OF the attorney,
the CIDER for the sale would bs
cancelled. lie thought. however. that there were
grounds for holding that the SALE u t should take
ing the six per cent privilege tin November LIST,
he said applied TO taxes due the District. and it
was a question whether the special assessments
covered 10y tax liens were due 10
the District. The law In question
ana the one which has caused The
postponement OF the sale was passed June rs last
becoming law after the sale had been ordered
and the advertising commenced. The ADVERTISE
ment, Mr.. Wheatley said was In perfect accord
with law when the publication began. When the
Commissioners were officially informed OF the APP
proval OF the act, the advertisement had nearly
run cut. Mr.. Riddle advised them on the nth In
slant 10 withdraw the advertisement, but the last
publication had then been made.
Mr. Riddle. on the Sd instant, addressed a note
70 the Commissioners, In which he said: al fear 4
was misled and misled you a. TO the effect OF ex-
tending the per cent Interest on Old taxes TO
November l. on fuller thought and your talk
fear the legal force OF the law toextend the time
Tor the payment OF the principal 10 November 4.
The sale IN any event must De postponed and pro-
ON the 9TH ne sent longer letter IN which, after
referring To statements made by him orally,
he said: "ln that Interview I expressed the opin.
ton that the recent act OF Congress only changed
the rate OF interest the overdue certificates OF
special assessments, and the impending sales
might 20 ON. ON further reflection thought tho
legal effect OF the act Is 20 extend the time the
payment OF the several principals 90 the LIST of
November next. and so advised you IA mine of tho
81 inst, above referred %. This remains my de-
cidea opinion. L fear the SAFE cannot be merely
post pOued TIL a day after November I. The act
has 80 far changed the legal conditions that the
present advertisements 40 not accurately describe
them. although as TO all not paid meantime they
would be trGi- sui. think "A new advertisement
for lands not redeemed In the interim viii be
cessary. Ia the uncertainty now resting on some
the sale and withdraw the adyer-
tiscment. II Is however. compeuene
FOR you 10 ostpOne tIe sale, stdl, you are now
advertising lands for sale. which 1 think are not
liable and Will not b. tn November think tits
advertisement l. probably illegal-became 70 by
the act extending time for pay and should bo
Withdrawn al once. IL Will not fear, be good
even for the lands that may remain for sale after
November l. The questions were not free Of dif1i-
Guilty."
The cost OF the advertising OF property for sale
for arrears of taxes Is taxed upon the property
ana added 20 the penalties due. IL has Go be paid
by the property owner II he redeems the property,
or the person who buys IL at the sale There Il Q
question, however, as 10 how the cost OF the ad-
yertising In this case, amounting In all 10 about
81 ZOO. since it Is held 20 be void, VIII be met.
A woman who called 10 pay assessments to-day
on property Involved IN the advertisement de-
clned To pay the cost OF the advertising. The
matter was referred 10 Mr.. Riddle for opinion.
Attorney Riddle, In an opinion on the case 20.
day. holds that such cost II chargeaOe on the
land and must DE paid with the principal and In
terest. THIS cost he says Is not interest nor 10
IL penalty; IL was an expense which the District
was compelled 10 incur through the default VI the
propeIty-owners seyerally.