Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-16
Tax Sales in the District.

To the Editor Of The EVENING STAR:
The huge volume Of properties advertised
for sale for delinquent taxes recently pub
lished by the Commissioners is calculated to
startle any one coming here with view to in
vesting money in real estate. That more than
5000 separate properties should be SO adver.
tised In a single year certainly indicates some
thing radically wrong in the legislation govern
ing the matter. Under existing laws, as they
have been construed by the courts, a tax title,
instead Of being, as it ought to be, and gener-
ally is in other localities the very best title
that can be made, is the very weakest if, in
deed, 1t be not wholly worthless. Instead of
the delinquent taxpayer being treated as a
quasi offender against the public economy, he
seems to be regarded rather as an object of
public sympathy, and the purchaser at tax
sale as worthy of but small consideration. I'm
der the present law no man can safely bid
at q tax sale without a previous search
for liens and membranes that ought
not to be required in such a case when he is
necessitated to pay the taxes levied during the
redempuonary period Of two years to prevent
the property from being again sold while he
holds an inchoate title thereto without any
provision of law for their reimbursement.
Moreover the right Of redemption is given to
mortgages or others having an equitable in
tent apparently without limitation of time.
And finally, after having run the gauntlet Of
these difficulties, the purchaser, who has paid
his money in good faith to make good the will
full default of the owner, is liable to have his
title completely swept away by the courts in
consequence OF some misdescription or blunder
or default Of some government official over
whose acts he has no control. or course the
remedy for this condition of things is apparent
and practicable. 1t only needs an act Of Con-
gress declaring
First That sale for delinquent taxes shall,
after the period for redemption has expired
in fha ohoaa ~, faa o;v
free from all liens, membranes and charges
whatsoever.
Second That any mortgagee, judgment
creditor or other person having an equitable
interest in the property may redeem, if the
owner Of the legal title does not, and the re-
demption money shall constitute first lien on
the property until paid.
Third. That it shall be made q part Of any
judgment or decree adverse to the tax title
that the plaintiff shall, within such reasonable
time as the court may direct, repay to the pur-
chaser at the tax sale the purchase money, and
all subsequent taxes paid by him with 10 per
cent interest from date of respective payments
which sums shall, be definitely ascertained by
the court at the time OF the trial, and when
paid to be receipted Of record and if not paid
within the time fixed the plaintiff to be forever
barred from a recovery Of the land.
Fourth. That, in order to a valid redemption,
the redempuoner shall, in addition to paying
the purchase money and interest as now re-
CURED, also pay into the District treasury the
taxes paid by the purchaser during the redemp-
tionary period with 10 per cent interest thereon
for the use OF such purchaser and to be paid
over to him on his demand therefor.
Fifth. That no tax title shall be held invalid
unless proceedings to test the same shall be in
stituted before the period for redemption shall
expire. 1t is possible that the object of the
second item can be reached by the court in the
exercise Of its general equity powers, but it
will contribute to the security Of purchasers to
put it in the statute. Let it be plainly mani
tested by the law that the fundamental condi-
ton Of land tenures is the payment Of the pub
lie charges thereon and taxes will be promptly
paid, to the great advantage Of all good citizens.
ATTORNEY