Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1900-03-16
WHATEVER is is RIGHT.

Editor LEADER: AT the meeting of the
city council Monday night Councilman
Peterson introduced a resolution to de-
clair null and void the sale of the prop
erty delinquent for street assessments
made November II, 1898. We were not
aware before that a municipal corpora
tion was judicial body and endowed
with judicial powers. However, the
very fact of the council assuming to
pass such a resolution would be matter
OF much concern to the city, as the
passing of such resolution by the
council, although it would not be worth
the paper it was written on, would
probably have the effect OF causing
persons who are delinquent and those
who have had their property sold for
street assessments to refrain from pay
ing. Then again, if the city fathers
should pass this resolution it would be
setting a dangerous precedent, for the
county is now advertising the sale of
property under the DELINQUENT rolls Of
lS96-7-S, and when the new county court
takes its place in July it might pass a
| resolution wiping the tax sale ,aff, the
record. Then again, if the council has
the power to do this, it certainly stands
to reason that theneXt council wall have
like powers, and it might take notion
to resolute again, and out would go the
Peterson resolution, and in this manner
the city might under one administration
be the owner of large amount of prop
erty, as at present, and under new
administration, just simply by resolu-
ton, be bankrupt. This scheme, if it
will hold water, beats any scheme yet
invented for making and losing money.
Now you see it and now you don't see
it. If this simple resolution carries,
then, i'll the opinion of the councilmen,
they have the power to close a street or
open it, or to order your house moved,
or to pay the taxes of private individ-
uals The great majority of property
owners have already worked out their
street assessments, but ii the council
now has the power to come in and say
the assessment or tax sale was illegal,
then it has forced those who have built
their sidewalks to do. something that
they had no right to do, and in that
event these people certainly have cause
for damage suit against the city, un-
less the council should pass another
resolution. declaring that Judge Hamil-
tons court had no jurisdiction over the
corporation known as the city of Toledo.
From the recorders records we find that
Mr.. Peterson and one other of the
present councilmen were members OF
the council several years ago, when
these street assessments were made, and
that they voted for them and it also APP
pears from said record that these coun-
cilmen allowed their assessments to 90
delinquent The city of Toledo has
spent nearly $4,000 in opening streets
and building sidewalks for property
owners and taken liens on their prop
erty and issued city paper therefor. If
this resolution passes, the city simply
loses all this money. We would suggest
that the council, instead of attempting
to cancel these tax liens, order them
placed on record at the clerks office,
and then they will constitute a lien on
the property, and when man wants to
buy or sell property he will discover
these liens, and as result, if the city
tries to collect them, it will be able to
do so in the majority of cases. 1t is
nearly two years since this property was
sold for street assessments, and the time
for redemption has expired, and the
city now owns the property, and when
these records have been tranferred to
the county clerks Office and constitute
a record, then the city will be protected
and the council will not have done its
duty until this is done. The council
adjourned to meet Monday evening,
when the resolution will be taken up.
1t is to be hoped the members will care
fully consider this matter, as it certainly
is OF great importance to the city.
B. +. JONES.