Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1892-03-24
THE TORRENs SYSTEM.

in the laws governing land titles, and
the bill on the same subject proposed to
be introduced in the next legislature by
Senator Claypool, of Tacoma, the HERALD
prints the following exposition of the Tor
rens system of registration of land titles,
by W. F. Rupert, Of Port Townsend, as
giving simpler explanation of the sys-
tenn than any we have yet seen:
According to the returns of the state
board of equalization, the aggregate valu-
alton of all real property in the state, in
Guiding improvements, is 1866, 1867 ZAP.
Inasmuch as it is not customary to list
property for taxation at its recognized
and actual valuation, but at previously
determined and uniform fraction of such
value, these figures indicate conserya-
lively state wealth invested in improva-
BILE property.
How to render immovable or real prop
erty more readily available in ordinary
commercial transactions by lessening the
cost If transfer and at the same time in
surfing indefeasibility of title, has been
long-standing problem with economists.
Its solution, freeing from bonds of mac
tiyity so many millions of wealth, might
prove an incalculable blessing to the
state of Washington.
Even at this early day in the history Of
Washington, abstracts of title, particu-
larly to choice tracts of land or lots in the
centers OF population, have attained such
voluminous proportions that none but
one skilled in the law can determine in
whom rests the absolute right to convey.
What will be the condition of the re
cords 100 years from now? 1t is posi-
BILE, of course, for certain piece of prop
erty to change hands SO often that the
cost OF making an abstract OF the record
showing chain OF title would absorb the
entire value of the property, and it seems
binding obligation upon law makers to
enact such judicious legislation that COM
ing ger erations of land owners may be
enabled to dispose of their holdings at
the narrowest limit of expense necessary.
If the Torrens system of registration OF
title has any merit, il is in the fact that
it is as cheap and as affective 1000 years
hence as to-day. This is not the great
merit claimed for it. however Its chief
claim to favor rests in the economy in
time and money preserved in the process
OF transferring evidence of ownership.
A holder OF real estate may see an OPEN
ing for profitable business venture, and,
heing without other funds, he NAV wish
to sell or to mortgage his lots or farm,
but by the time he could secure the
papers proving his rights to ALLEVIATE or
pledge his property some one else might
have seized the opportunity and he be
left with his wealth unavailable. 1t is
entirely pertinent to ask what affect it
would have on the commercial prosperity
of Washington if its 1857 900, 900 in real
estate holdings could be sold or pledged
with the same ease as government or
railroad bonds. Thousands of men have
their all tied up in town lots and seduc-
tive acres. In times OF rapid increase in
population and consequent rapid appreci-
alton in values, this is not serious in
convenience, for the property is always
saleable, but in periods OF normal growth
wealth OF this kind is often a burden.
Relief rests in some method which will
make the transfer of land an ordinary
business transaction.
Perhaps the easiest way for me to ex-
plain the Torrens system Of registration
is by giving sample certificate, and from
that it will be seen that an examination
of title is confn.d to an area of individ-
ual ownership. The system was per-
fected ii not inaugurated by Sir Robert
Il. Torrens. The possessory holder of
any tract Of land may appear before
duly appointed commission or registrar
and upon presentation of evidence that
he is seized of any estate in the premises
may secure a certificate to that effect.
This certificate he may hold until his es-
tate ceases by limitation or alienation,
when it is to be surrendered and a new
certificate will be issued to his successor
in interest. The following sample of a
certificate have taken the liberty to use