Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-17
4 Delinquent Tax Suggestion.

To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
In common with others | have read
from time to time the many complaints
directed against the delinquent tax law,
Familiarity known as the "land-grabbers'
law" passed by the last Virginia Legis-
lature And now comes a complainant
M Il. Mn your Thursdays Issue
calling vigorously for the names OF tho
Lawmakers who voted for this tax BIZ.
though for what particular purpose pub
lication OF these names is sought We are
left In doubt.
While my sympathies are altogether
with the unfortunate delinquents-and
this Is emphasized In the fact that IN
hesitatingly declined a rather fattering
Offer to Ego into" a purchasing syndicate
| am not prepared or disposed 10 arbi-
trarily condemn individual members who
voted for this law in an honest EFFORT
| 20 force delinquents TO pay their just
| dues 10 the Old Mother State. No gene
| raj Jaw can be enacted that Will not work
some hardship on somebody, sooner or
| later.
believe Il was an eminent President
| OF the United States who BADLY declared
| that the best way TO effect speedy re-
peal of obnoxious legislation was 20 put IL
into practical operation.
The present law Is a drastic measure
undoubtedly, and should be repealed, uli-
questionaby. But what law shall We en-
act I'm its place? It's most inquitous fea-
ture Is It's failure TO require due notice
10 the proper parties. / remember 10 have
heard II observed that God himself never
condemned a man without nrst allowing
him to be heard.
Adam! Where art thou? Hast thou
eaten Of the forbidden fruit2
IL seems 10 me that the application or
TTUhIofQ
what character Of law should be en-
acted In this matter. would work solu-
ton Of IT, As l understand, when
a tax-ticket is returned delinquent II be-
comes a subsisting lien upon all the real
estate OF the delinquent, or, rather, II
that Is not the law. II ought 10 be. and
/ this lien Is paramount 10 all others.
There is however no specific provision
for enforcing this lien other than a sum-
mary sale OF the dellnquents lands
whether he has parted with them or not,
and whether there are other liens there
on-and all Of rs resulting consequences.
Why not let the law-making power pass
| an enabling act for enforcing the states
lines by bill In chancery filed FOR the pur-
nose. with a provision that no sltt 10
brought until after notice 10 all parties
/ IN interest-the party in possession. tho
/ party holding OF record the legal title, IN
| fants. and all others interested--th3. un-
/ less tho delinquent taxes be paid witLin
| q specified time, suit will be Instituted -
enforce payment
| Under such procedure, all parties In IN
| terest could be brought before TIE court,
an account taken showing The exact
! status Of the title 10 the property, mo
liens thereon, their amounts and penalties
fixed and determined; the property. or so
| much thereof as may BE- necessary. sod
i'm payment Of tho taxes and other liens
/ thereon, and the residue paid over 20 tho
parties entitled. In this way the real de-
linquent sinner or his property, "ould
be made 70 pay the costs
Sales OF this character would invite bid
| ders, not deter them.
The matter Of enforcing these liens
could be reached by bill fled In each
case. or by an omnibus bill, covering all
the del!nquents In particular city OF
county.
Lot the Auditor Of the State, or the
| several treasurers, contract annually
with the Commonwealth Attorney or any
competent attorney as aD individual
would contract, to take the matter In
hand and enforce payment OF the taxes
/ due upon an agreed per centum on The
, amount actually realized.
| Ii Is true the amounts. in the main. are
| small, hut ahogeiher they aggregate u
| considerable sum in each county. There
are plenty competent young aitofneys.
who would gladly take the cases in hand
and push them as energetcally as any
| syndicate with the penalties laid on
these dellnquents the State would ulti-
mately receive and realize the whole Of
It's original leyies.
OF course this is merely outline and
not intended TO cover the full scope Of
| such a measure. My idea is 10 reegats
this whole matter 10 the courts, and then
| let the State enforce her rights as indl-
! yiduals do.
Let the courts wrestle with this thing
! as II threading on holy ground" and az
Moses wrestled with the burning bush BY
| the wayside on Mount Horeb.
RO l.. GARDNER. (.
Pulaski City. Va.