Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-05

way to conserve both objects wss TO
provide that If the party In interest did
redeem, that he should pay penalty
for his negligence, which penalty should
20 TO the applicant for his trouble In
making applications, thus giving him an
assurance of getting either the land, or
IL not the land, at least some pay for his
trouble. The result has been about as
was expected, though not as immediate
as might have been expected. There
either has been. or very soon will be-,
application made for every piece Of de-
linquent land standing in the name of the
Auditor in the State. and the result will
be the almost immediate payment into
the treasures of the State. counties, and
cities of thousands of dollars OF taxes
that otherwise would probably have never
been paid. True, 1t is hard on the holder
OF the delinquent land, and / feel sure
that every member of the Legislature
feels sorry for him; but his condition is
the result of his own fault or negligence.
and after all, let us see II the State has
dealt so harshly with him as some would
claim. Let US suppose case: Mr.. A owns
land upon which $50 taxes are assessed
for the year 1894. Those taxes became
due, or rather were liable to be levied for,
on the LIST day Of December 1894. They
were not paid, and in July or August. 1895,
were posted all over the county or city
as delinquent. In December, 1896, the land
was sold, and there being no bidder. II
was bid Off by the Commonwealth and
in due process returned TO the Clerks
office, where 1t must lie. with privilege to
the owner at any time to redeem 1t, until
December. 1897, before any application
could be made for 1t Qor you will note
that under the law we are now consider
ing no application can be made until after
two years from the date of the purchase
for the Commonwealth. In other words,
Mr. A has from December, 1894, to Deem
ber 1897 (three years.. in which to pay
his taxes before he can be affected in
the least by the law which We are con-
sidering. Would 1t be just to the other
taxpayers, who pay their taxes promptly.
TO give him any more time than that?
I submit that If land will not yield sum-
cient revenue in three years to pay the
taxes, or II the owner can't borrow
enough money on 1t to pay taxes, then
that land is no longer worth owning, and
this law can work no hardship to such
landowner. The whole truth Of the mat
ter is, that we have been so lenient in
this State with delinquent landowners,
that they had come to think that the
time of reckoning would never come, and
now that It has come they are surprised
and indignant. The Legislature did not
pass the law for the benefit of the appli-
cant. That is merely incident. The OBJ
tect was to clear up the delinquent-land-
tax list and keep 1t cleared up, and 1t
seems they have about done 1t. for in
comparatively short time, If we are to be-
lieve the reports as TO the number Of
applications being filed, there will be no
more land in the State delinquent for
more than two wears and after this first
furry is over no one is apt TO let his land
stand in the name of the Commonwealth
for longer than two years. And while
the law, in it's first operation, will be
harsh its ultimate effect will be beneficial
for no State ever made its people any bet
ter by indulging them too much In a |
failure to discharge all public obliga-
lions. Very respectfully,
J. c. PARKER.