The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-24
DELINQUENT TAxEs.

The whole state Is taking an interest," u
the subject OF better methods for the col
lection OF taxes. II has become obvious
that some measures must 10 bad 10 rem
edy the existing condition. which has al
most swamped some OF the smaller eoun-
ties. Mary suggestions are made. and
there IL a disposition 20 deal ieniently with
eelinquents While endeav0ring 90 protect
property owners who have paid from the
evils attendant upon the delinquency OF
others.
one thing must BE- kept prominently in
vgew, ard that t., the increasing delin-
aseney on the same property. Those who
have KEEP, fairly well up are making the
efor; 90 keep their property clear. Those
who have begun TO lag seem To have be-
come reckless. Il Is worth considering
whether these same people have always
the same bad luck or mlsfortune every
year, while their neighbors manage one
year or another 10 pay at least part OF
their taxes The county must take pre-
cautions. or e viii find that some property
cannot De sold for taxes. With the uncer-
talaties OF title In such cases nothing like
the real cash values can be had; there is
always risk and the probability OF having
90 buy auit-clalm deeds.
A piece Of property with house on II.
altogether valned at f.eDo. would pay a
tax. say az $50 IF that and succeeding
taxes become delinquent for i've years
there viii be delinquency Of t2i7. The
shriakags in real estate values and the de-
probation In the improvements would not
make this very tempting purchase. II
Is necessary. therefore. for the county to
take measures OF self-protection.
The local committee on legislation in
dorses the recommendations OF the SDo-
kane League. in which the Same mistake
IS made az heretofore. Too much time
10 allowed for delinquency. II taxes are
due January l, they should be delinquent
ln thirty days and bear penalty Of per
cent. Tor two months more; II no part
is paid by April !. then 10 per cent inter-
est should be added. To say that taxes
ere payable January 1. bat not delinquent
untu May 81. is to defer the payment un-
~ tho last day OF grace Tor the majority
Of taxpayers. Meantime. the municipality
Is running on chance for eve months.
II Is notorious fact that where The rata
% Interest Is high the delinquent RON is
small. II from our rolls were eliminated
All the abandoned property. the wildcat
additions cut In tas woods. our roll would
ne comparatively Insignificant. except fer
the fast year or 80.
ARother defect IN she proposed system Is
the method Of redemption. r, IL wise TO
allow. perhaps some time after the de-
lluqeency before sale but great confusion
arises through tes difference in years.
Taxes levied fer isg7 should he delinquent
IN 1857 and tax certificates also issued in
Iss7. 80 that there may be no mistakes
such AZ 80 often arise now. This can os
done ~ having the second half Of the
years taxes delinqBent BY September :.
The property owner who has not paid his
taxes due January by September /. s. not
much mere likely 90 pay by October I. Il
the idea l. % prevail that next year Is
Jas; as good as this year for the payment
81 this years taxes. why rot make thas
the law aud have some regularity about 81
The accumulation OF hack taxes Is a
serious consideration and may DC dealt
WI more lententiy. There can ss 10 re-
Fuissten ~ interest on certificates already
8ssaed. unless she eaunty proposes %
make 10 sho difference % the cer,iacat.
holder. Usually. desirable property -
bought a. sax sales. bat undesirable prop
crty Sc legg 10 he bl1 in by the county.
Where this has been done. ths county
might - authorised 20 aecer; the face
without penalty or interest until July I.
1877. although IL = aaonstrouslv unjust 90
tAs taxpayer who has PAID what "a o.
mere consequences. probably. - t.sst che
eoaaty treasurer w1leot b permitted IN
cases where several years are scne1ue-sf
e. Rcceps ere current year taxes ana TIE
delinquent tax for tAe russt remote un-
pala year. whaots; 3nts-e~, and penalty
Nexi year the current t2xes snA aaothsr
deaequcns year nslSAt ~ accepted. Ta,iz
~rou,a - an tfstiacssnent % pronse, nay
nssnt q ga -esr's TAX ~ CO ceanquents
ard asss give sasm a eAance 90 save tAsfr
prsgsrsy.
NV" - - Wv " ~ re&FA
aas eeeE - 80 tNx cs-sfaes+~s. sxccrt sa
she law e 3s9& 7, sonn~suiez hare~n= chat
arog'erty owszsr sksss ons year ~ an
oversight 90 misunderstanding, wssen a
csrstfosse - s~sset. and then resumes
rAStax. q ~Es A&rsA. 81 $50 casr. -
issue a>~a ~ cas ~ ssve vears sna 20
les unssEsE voais e - - Keep tAs CO.
Vsssass soses- we,Aovs redress In rues
Gases. tss eerstacac> nc,ae~ rssxa; -
ssvsa 90 rrty-lege-esss e saou1d go, >.
tnSts,e9 nrcn--ot notifying erseev Al een-
evTne3 Seas ~ sig seely -or 5ee3 inter
tAe ave-gesz aaw TA.s sat.e ss.sats IA
fsssHsae.s sn gae same p&rer 18Th sas de-
Ha@aen, gsnsPersirs aaras.lv zstxe~e So
Ter sac. A srsAs sasls,5ss aas been saa.
gc2eerry ervnerS ny pe~as st1ar csse.s ate
sssers, us3tv tso saw - iEs. % Akss sacsr
satteas "a cessgrc pape~s. We're tae cAtss
os5sos w-es co reeve=s tes properly oNasr
s~e5eg tAs rosses ~was.e xns las eeate--
pad ssscn.1 aa Ass rr.s,sctsoa-