The record-union., 1891-03-17
FHAF PUBLIC SQUARE.
Chief-justice Beatty Tells How He
Came to Pay Taxes on 1t.
He is Willing That an Arbitrator
Should Decide the Question
Of Title.

AT yesterdays meeting of the Board of
City Trustees the report of Chief Engineer
Judd, of the water works, submitted to
the board, showed that during the week
ending March 18th, %, ,153, eco gallons of
water had been pumped. The Holly
engine was in operation 9l hours, and
the Stevens II hours.
Martin Hook complained of the manner
in which.N street, from Twenty ninth to
Thirtieths had been graded and graveled.
Trustee Mclaughlin promised to see
that the work was properly done.
BEATTY's TAXES.
Mayor sComstock read a communica-
ton from. w. II. Beatty, in answer to the
inquiry as to why he was paying taxes on
a certain block in Sacramento designated
on the city map as public square. Mr..
Beatty says he holds title to the block
Ninth aid Tenth, b and G streets
through @. regular chain of conveyances
from John a. Sutter, but he was long
aware tha the city claimed it under some
act of det 3ication from Sutter. He says
when he first bought an interest in the
tract embracing this block he was un-
aware Oft he city's claim, and his grantors
had been for many years paying all taxes
on the block. At the time he was in
Nevada, and left the matter of assess
ments and payment of taxes to agents in
Sacramento. When he returned he found
that the block had not been assessed to
him for some years, and on inquiry he
learned that during the incumbency of
John Swi It as Mayor the Assessor had
been instructed not to assess the block
because it was city square, and in con-
sequence OF this instruction it was left off
the roll, an d his (Beatty's) agents and Co
owners cee 5ed to returnlt. Subsequently
the Assessor again placed it on the roll to
unknown owners, and, the taxes becom-
ing delinquent, 1t was sold to Eli Mayo
to satisfy the assessment This was the
condition i'm which Mr.. Beatty found it
when he returned to Sacramento. On
making an examination of the abstract of
the title, he, could find no evidence of any
valid conveyance to the city, though Mr.
Buckley, the Assessor, told him that his
abstracts did show title in the city Being
in doubt, b owever, Mr.. Beatty concluded
to make am investigation when he had
had time.
DIrCLAIMs OWNERSHIP.
In conclu sion Mr.. Beatty says he dis
claims any pretension of ownership in
the block, if it is true, as Mr.. Buckley
says, that there was an earlier and valid
conveyance from Sutter to the city, or a
valid dedication of the block before his
(Beatty's) rantor's title accrued.
I'm the 1neantime," says Mr.. Beatty
81 would suggest the propriety of a
speedy and inexpensive settlement of the
controverted question of title. If the
block belongs to the city, certainly do
not wish to pay any more taxes on it, and
would be willing to submit the question
of ownership on an agreed statement to
any accepta BILE arbitrator ] would sup-
gest t.Judge Catlin, who has been attorney
for the city in much of it's matters"
The communication was referred to the
City Attorney and Assessor.
A proposed ordinance in relation to the
storage OF petroleum and coal oil, was
read for tae first time, and, under the
rule, laid over one week. 1t designates
the districts in which coal oil can be
stored. Alibuildings used fer such pur-
poses must have prominently painted on
the outside the words, Licensed for the
Storage of Gasoline
Trustee Wolf reported that the Exam
lining Board on Plumbing had denied
Mr.. Hoyta master plumbers license, but
would grant him a license as a journey
man plumber.