Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-21
In the Office of the Recorder of
Deeds.
ABSOLUTE ACCURACY MOST IMPORTANT
Records Said to Be .Notoriously
Imperfectly Copied.
WHAT LAW YERS SAY

The published statement of Mr.. c. H. ].
Taylor of Kansas, the District recorder of
deeds, that he is extremely desrous of in
stituting many reforms in the Office, but
that he is unable to do SO because the law,
unfortunately, restrains him, was yariously
commented upon today by those whose
business brings them in contact with the
Office.
Notwithstanding Mr.Taylor's alleged want
of authority to reform the Office, there is
universal feeling that the man from
kans-s has ample authority to institute one
reform In tho office.
Absolute Accuracy Needed.
That reform is pointed out by the men,
bers of the legal profession as being one at
once the most important and the most
necessary-that of securing absolute ac-
curacy in copying for records the parers
filed. To do that it is explained, requires
no further legislative authority, there being
ample power in the recorders own hands
Inc making OF convenient indices, copy
ing OF lieglDle records, and the doing Of
other like matters of convenience and safety
are well enough, and it is to be regretted,
say those coming in contact with the Office
that the recorder Is. without sufficient au-
thority to do such things. But II is claimed
that Mr.. Taylor is hardly going about the
matter III the right way. The records, hat
= !
Inaccuracies, due, ii is explained, TO the
carelessness or lack of ability of many of
the copyiSts.
Records NOtOriOusly ImperfectIy Made
One lawyer, whose business has brought
him into daily contact with the records,
stated today that the records were notori-
ously imperfectly made. In many instances
he said, could be seen as many as five or
! six interlineations in single paper.
Erasures were. he said. hardly less numer-
Gus.
What is most necessary" explained the
lawyer, is accuracy in copying papers filed
| for record. But one mas only to examine the
records OF late years to discover how sadly
such accuracy is lacking. Let Mr.. Taylor
make such an examination, and he will not
| fall to be convinced of the truthtulness CT
my statement"
The Race Question,
Among other things Mr.. Taylor is said to
have stated is that the race question is not
considered by him. He is said to have ex-
| planned that the best two places in the
office are held by white men. That, how
ever, is denied by those familiar with the
facts, and it is pointed out that. while Col.
| position paying 81 500 a year, The next best
| position-one at 81 200 a year-is held by Mr.
| Smith. colored man. who is said to be
| from Kansas.
.
| appointed few days ago. and his duties
| are said to bs those Of guarding the person
OF the recorder from being intruded upon
| by the public. The young man he relieved
was made a copyist 1t is said.
Would Require Lcgislation.
Speaking of Recorder Taylor's desire 10
make copy OF the nearly illeSible records,
| leading authority on such matters ex-
planned to q Star reporter today that such
copy would not be legal evidence Of the
conterts Of the original papers unless
specially made SO by law. So, even ii Mr..
| Taylor had authority to employ his force
| on such work, 1t would require an act Of
| Congress to make the copied records legal
evfderce. Speaking Of proposed new in
dex 1t was explained that the present in
dex, as run from 1882, was amply suiiicient
and convenient All that was needed was
to make a like index of the previous years
| Referring to the erasures and interlinea-
| tions made by the copyists. the reporters
| inform ant stated that the work Of compar-
Ing the copied papers with the records was
| the most important work Of the Office. The
| conpaIer should be man Of intelligence,
| experience and judgment, and should him
| self read the copies. Where erasures or in
| terlir cations in the records were made they
| should, said the lawyer, be certified to IN
| der the hand and seal of the recorder. Such
| erasures and mterlineations were, he COM
| plalned, entirely too numerous and com
| mon. To remedy and remove such defects
in the records the most competent and eX-
perienced copyists obtainable should be had.