Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-09
DELINQUENT LANDS.
An Interesting Letter from the
Auditor Of Public Accounts
Commonwealth of

Commonwealth OF Virginia,
Office OF Auditor Of Public Accounts,
Richmond. Va, December 8, 1888
Editor OF the Free Lance
Yours of the 2sth ultimo has been re-
ceived. / understand your inquiry 10 re-
late 10 the redemption of lands which
were purchased by the State at tax sales.
The act authorizing persons TO purchase
such lands of the clerks or county anu
corporation courts was passed FEBRUARY
3, 1896. and amended by act OF FEBRUARY
H. 1895 The result OF these acts mas
been TO largely increase the amount re-
ceived annually In redemption OF these
by former owners, very little lana having
been purchased by others.
The amounts received in redemption OF
these lands for several years prior to
passage Of the act referred TO and since
its passage were as follows-to-wit:
Amount received in fiscal year end
ing September 80, 1882 ............Sl,529 %
Amount received in fiscal year end
ing September 3, 1893 .............. H,0Ol 40
Amount received in fiscal year end
ing September 30, 1894 ............ l3,OH 80
Amount received i'm fiscal year end
ing September so. 1886 ............ a.2Sl GS
Amount received I'm fiscal year end
ing September 80. 1896 ............ 3,OSl 81
Amount received In fiscal year end
ing September 30. 1897 ............ 1880 80
Amount received i'm fiscal year end
ing September 30, 1898 ............ 6s.2lO ~
A very large number Of tracts reported
as sold to the State at tax sales have not
yet been redeemed by the persons in
whose name they We're assessed nor sold
to other parties. Had all these tracts
been properly on the land books when
they were sold to the State the amount
which the State would receive for it's re-
demption would be large. | feel sur.
however, that such was not the fact
in my report of 1851, in speaking OF the
lands which the State had purchased ~
sales for delinquent taxes from 1850 20
1888, both years inclusive, | said, as to!-
lOws-to-wit:
1T is believed. from information far
nished by the local treasurers. that tn
greater number Of the tracts purchased
by the Commonwealth were Improperly
on the land books and cannot b. located
The County and Corporation courts should
be directed by statute TO examine
the lists of these lands bought by the
Commonwealth. and strike from them all
tracts which cannot be located or which,
for any reason. are improperly thereon
the commissioners of the revenue and
local treasurers being required TO attend
court and give the necessary informa-
ton"
In my report Of 1889 l repeated this sug-
geston, and by an act, approved Feb
ruary p, 1890 page 81. Acts lSS9-9O) the
County and Corporation courts were d.
rected to examine the lists Of lands which
had been reported az sold TO the Common
wealth at tax sales and strike from
them all tracts which could not BE- located
or, which. for any reason, were impro-
perly thereon.
The courts have not executed this act,
and | am satisfied that much the greater
number of tracts still on these lists and
unredeemed are improperly there and
cannot be found. Very respectfully,
MORTON MARYE
Auditor OF Public Accounts.